Prehistoric: The female saint Shiji, brilliant and talented

"It shouldn't be the Demon Emperor! Let's leave here quickly to avoid getting into trouble!" The group left quickly, while Shi Ji sat cross-legged in a mountain cave. Clouds of demonic mist swirled around him. He felt as if he were immersed in a painting and inside it. In the painting, a strange scene appeared—a vast universe with eighteen powerful beings, each exuding an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth.

"Who are those people?" Shi Ji asked, her mind reeling. "The Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords! They were powerful beings from the ancient era!" The woman's voice echoed in Shi Ji's ears. "The ancient era was a time of war among emperors!" The woman continued to explain, "Back then, the fall of the Twelve Ancestral Witches caused chaos in the world. At that time, a man successfully broke through to the Immortal Realm, but he chose to defect. This man was the leader of the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords. After his defection, he led the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords to slaughter all the Heavenly Court's generals, and ultimately even massacred the Heavenly Court, causing its collapse. Although the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords were defeated in this battle, the leader survived. However, he was severely injured and went into hiding. After so many eras, is that leader still alive?"

Shi Ji said, "He may still be alive, or he may have already died. In any case, his condition is extremely bad. Even if he is alive, he is only half alive!" He knew that this ancient demon lord was definitely not an ordinary person, because he was the leader of the ancient demon lords. How could someone who could command the ancient demon lords be simple?
The woman continued, "It is said that the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords wanted to possess your body, but your father discovered this and repelled them. After that, the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords disappeared without a trace and never appeared again."

"My father's strength seems even greater than I imagined!" Shi Ji muttered to herself. Her mother and grandfather were also incredibly powerful; the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords were all beings surpassing the Emperor level. Yet now they dared not easily appear. Perhaps her father had frightened them. If her father were to truly pursue the matter, the Eighteen Ancient Demon Lords probably wouldn't want to bear his retribution. If her father were to truly investigate to the end, even those eighteen Demon Lords who had been renowned throughout the land since ancient times would likely not want to easily endure his boundless wrath.

This fear stems from an immeasurable power and deep-seated grudges within their bloodline.

Outside, the atmosphere of anxiety was almost tangible.

The White Tiger King's imposing body stood at the edge of the churning demonic mist, its enormous, bell-like eyes fixed on the dark area that had swallowed all light.

He had been waiting for a long time, and seeing that the figure belonging to Shi Ji was still as still as a rock, he became more and more anxious. Finally, he couldn't help but let out a deep, thunderous roar: "Young friend Shi Ji!"
How are things? Are you alright?

The sound pierced through the thick magic fog, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, failing to stir up even the slightest ripple.

After a long while, Shi Ji's slightly ethereal yet strangely calm voice slowly rang out, her words clear: "Senior... I am temporarily unable to leave, thank you for your concern."

At this moment, Shiji is at a crucial juncture of profound and mysterious enlightenment.

This state is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought; it is a profound opportunity that he has never experienced in his spiritual practice.

His consciousness seemed to float on the boundary between reality and illusion. The raging demonic energy around him was no longer just an invasion and threat, but rather presented a certain inner law and whisper, guiding him to touch a deeper level of the essence of power.

The outcome of this epiphany will directly relate to his understanding of his own path, and even whether he can find a glimmer of hope in this perilous and treacherous forbidden zone in the future.

Therefore, even knowing the dangers outside, he could not and was unwilling to interrupt this hard-won opportunity.

Upon hearing this, the White Tiger King's thick, mountain-like shoulders slumped slightly, and he let out a long, helpless sigh.

His huge, white-furred hands were clenched into fists, the knuckles cracking softly, revealing his inner turmoil.

He knew the importance of enlightenment for practitioners. It was a leap beyond ordinary arduous cultivation. Forcibly interfering with it would at best undo all previous efforts, and at worst, it could trigger a backlash of power with unimaginable consequences.

Despite his deep concern for Shi Ji's safety, fearing that the eerie demonic mist might suddenly go berserk and completely devour this promising young man, he had no other choice but to patiently protect him.

This sense of powerlessness made even the once-powerful king feel a little stifled.

Time slips away like sand through your fingers, silently passing without leaving a trace.

In the blink of an eye, three days have passed.

At the edge of the black restricted area, Shi Ji remained seated cross-legged, as if she had become a lifeless stone sculpture.

However, if someone with keen senses were present, they would be surprised to find that the dark demonic mist swirling around him was no longer as repulsive and aggressive as it had been initially. Instead, it flowed and swirled around him like a docile pet, and even seemed to be subtly merging with his own aura.

His originally refined and aloof demeanor now carried an indescribable chill and profundity, as if he had somehow resonated with this desolate place.

Just as dawn was approaching on the fourth day, at the darkest moment in the world, Shi Ji's tightly closed eyelids trembled slightly, and then she suddenly opened them!

In an instant, a dark glint flashed in his eyes, so fast that one might think it was an illusion.

The chilling aura emanating from him receded into his body like a tide, and he seemed no different from three days ago. However, deep within his eyes, there was a trace of calm and confidence, as if he had discerned some kind of mystery.

"Young friend, how...how are you feeling? Is there anything wrong?"

The White Tiger King, who had been watching closely, immediately stepped forward, his voice filled with undisguised concern.

He scrutinized Shi Ji carefully, fearing that the demonic energy might corrupt his mind.

Shi Ji stretched her stiff neck, a relieved smile appearing on her face. She respectfully cupped her hands towards the White Tiger King and said, "Thank you for your concern, senior. I was fortunate enough to gain some insight and am not seriously injured. On the contrary, I feel that I have gained a better understanding of this region."

The White Tiger King's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally eased slightly. He nodded, his massive tiger head drawing closer, and asked in a low voice, "Just now, I observed that your aura was deep and concentrated, as if you were merging with this demonic mist. Have you grasped some key to understanding? I wonder... I wonder if you can now point me in the right direction? We have been trapped here for too long, and this is not a long-term solution."

His tone carried a hint of barely perceptible expectation. Shi Ji's extraordinary abilities had given him a hunch that this young man might actually be able to create a miracle.

Shi Ji pondered for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the desolate and lifeless surroundings, and slowly said, "To be honest, senior, I do have a few immature ideas that may be worth trying."

"Oh? Young friend, please speak quickly!"

A glint flashed in the White Tiger King's eyes, and he urged impatiently.

The attendants behind him also pricked up their ears, their eyes gleaming with hope.

Shi Ji pointed to the depths of the valley and calmly analyzed, "The most urgent task is to find any possible teleportation arrays."

"Even in the most desperate situations, there is always a glimmer of hope. This black forbidden zone is rumored to be the ruins of an ancient battlefield, and perhaps there is an ancient teleportation array that can help us escape."

This suggestion was reasonable and was immediately approved by the White Tiger King.

So, after a brief regrouping, the group, led by Shi Ji, cautiously ventured once again into the cursed valley.

They searched extremely carefully, leaving no stone untouched that might have runes or any area with unusual energy fluctuations.

Thorns tore their robes, and jagged rocks chafed their hands and feet, but hope sustained them onward.

However, after spending most of the day and turning the valley upside down, they found nothing but more decaying weapons and bones and an increasingly strong sense of despair.

The nascent hope was gradually extinguished by the cold reality, and the atmosphere in the team became heavy again.

Just as everyone was feeling disheartened, they arrived at the most secluded corner on the other side of the valley. The demonic mist here seemed to be thinner than in other places, and the outline of an ancient building could be vaguely seen.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be an altar constructed from some kind of dark blue-green boulder!
The altar has an ancient shape and is covered with traces of time erosion and many unrecognizable ancient patterns, which seem to depict the movement of stars and the interweaving of time and space.

At the very top of the altar, instead of a statue or memorial tablet, there was a huge bronze coffin placed out of the way!

The bronze coffin was a dark, bluish-green color, and was carved with intricate and strange patterns that resembled neither beasts nor symbols. It lay there quietly, exuding an ancient, deathly, and ominous aura that sent chills down one's spine.

Just one glance is enough to make one feel as if their soul is frozen.

Upon seeing the altar, especially the bronze coffin, even the White Tiger King, with his vast knowledge, instantly became extremely solemn, his pupils slightly contracting.

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "It seems... the ancient rumors are not unfounded."

This altar probably truly possesses the terrifying ability to communicate with time and space and to teleport over extremely long distances.

And this coffin... might be the core that keeps the formation running, or perhaps... some kind of suppressing force.

His voice involuntarily lowered, as if afraid of disturbing the contents of the coffin.

"What you say is absolutely right, senior. The spatial fluctuations here are indeed unusual."

Shi Ji nodded in agreement. His perception was more acute than others, and he could clearly detect the subtle distortions in the spatial laws surrounding the altar.

He stepped forward, ignoring the intense psychological pressure emanating from the bronze coffin, and walked straight to the edge of the altar.

Based on the fragmented information he gleaned during his epiphany and his own understanding of the laws of space, he deduced that activating the altar might require a special medium.

After a moment's thought, he pressed his fingers together like a knife and forced out a drop of blood, crimson with a hint of pale gold, from his fingertips.

That drop of blood contained the unique life essence and energy of Shiji, and fell onto an inconspicuous depression on the surface of the altar.

Om-!
In an instant, a sudden change occurred!

The entire altar suddenly trembled, and the ancient patterns carved on it lit up one by one, emitting a hazy and mysterious glow.

The bronze coffin also emitted a low hum, as if something was being awakened.

A distorted beam of light shot into the sky from the center of the altar, instantly engulfing Shi Ji's figure!
"Little friend!"

The White Tiger King was terrified and tried to pull Shi Ji back so they could step into the pillar of light together.

However, as soon as he approached the altar, the space in that area distorted violently like boiling water, forming an invisible yet incredibly strong barrier that violently repelled him and his followers, preventing them from advancing even half a step.

They could only watch helplessly as the pillar of light rapidly contracted, disappearing without a trace along with Shi Ji's figure.

The altar fell silent once more, with only the bronze coffin lying there quietly, as if nothing had ever happened.

……

After a dizzying, weightless sensation, Shi Ji's feet finally touched solid ground.

He shook his slightly dizzy head and quickly looked around.

What came into view was an extremely desolate and lonely scene.

The sky was a dull yellow, obscuring the sun, moon, and stars; only an unchanging, oppressive hue remained.

The earth was parched and cracked, barren of all vegetation. Occasionally, one could see the petrified remains of a few dead trees, their twisted postures pointing towards the sky as if making a final accusation.

The air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur and dust, and the spiritual energy was so thin that it was almost negligible. Instead, there was a wild, primitive, and deathly stillness.

"Is this... the destination of the teleportation? Is it the legendary Chaotic Ancient Domain, or some unknown lost star?"

Shi Ji muttered to herself, her brows furrowing slightly.

The environment of this world was far harsher than he had imagined; let alone cultivation, even long-term survival was a problem.

Violent energy turbulence swept across the sky from time to time, whipping up bursts of scorching sandstorms.

Just as he was trying to figure out where he was going, a faint "splashing" sound of water drifted into his ears on the dry wind.

In this deathly silent world, any sound seems particularly jarring.

"Huh? I heard water? Could there be life here?"

Shi Ji's heart stirred, and she immediately concealed her aura, stealthily moving towards the direction from which the sound came, like a ghost.

After crossing a hillside made of black rocks, a small, rare oasis appeared below!
A pool of murky spring water gathers in a depression, and some strange, low-growing drought-resistant plants grow on its banks.

What surprised Shiji even more was that in the pool, there seemed to be two hazy, graceful, illusory figures bathing and playing, splashing water and bringing a faint sense of life.

Due to the distance and the fact that the two figures were shrouded in a thin layer of energy mist, their specific appearances were not clearly visible; they could only be vaguely discerned as humanoid.

"Could they be humans and demons who have wandered here?"

Shi Ji speculated in her mind, but then shook her head, dismissing her doubts. "No, normal living beings can hardly survive in a place like this. Perhaps it's a unique energy source here, or... some kind of illusion?" (End of Chapter)