Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Ziya jumped up, his blood boiling, and said, "Let's split up and search! That way we'll be more efficient."

Xu Fu shook his head and said, "No, this place is full of traps and we cannot risk splitting up. It is the best policy to act together and look out for each other."

“Xu Fu is right,” Yang Ling agreed. “We cannot divide our forces. Moreover, the secrets on the stone tablet may contain deeper meanings that we have not yet understood. We should proceed with caution.”

Ying Zheng nodded: "Then let's follow the clues on the stone tablet and explore step by step, taking into account the layout of the palace."

"Alright!" Ziya was somewhat unwilling, but he knew that safety came first. "Then let's set off together and find those five mechanisms!"

Thus began their exploration of the palace. They walked along the palace corridors, proceeding cautiously with each step, lest they trigger some unknown mechanism.

“Everyone, please pay close attention to the reliefs on the wall,” Yang Ling reminded, gently tracing the exquisite reliefs with his fingers. “These reliefs seem to be narrating the history of the immortal realm, and perhaps they can provide us with some clues.”

Bai Wei leaned closer to examine it, her eyes sparkling with curiosity: "Look! Is this relief depicting a great battle in the immortal realm? These soldiers are so majestic."

“Exactly, and look at the weapon in this soldier’s hand,” Xu Fu said, pointing to one of the reliefs. “It seems to be pointing in a direction.”

Following the direction Xu Fu pointed, everyone saw a protruding stone on the wall in that direction, which was slightly different from the surrounding stone walls.

"Could this be the first mechanism?" Ziya said excitedly, and was about to step forward to touch the stone.

"Be careful!" Yang Ling hurriedly pulled Ziya back. "Let's observe first, and don't rush to touch it."

Ying Zheng nodded in agreement: "Yang Ling is right. We cannot act rashly. Let's observe the situation carefully first."

So everyone gathered around the protruding rock and examined it carefully. After careful observation and deliberation, they determined that this rock was the first mechanism.

"It seems we need to activate this mechanism in a specific order and with appropriate force," Yang Ling analyzed. "Is everyone ready?"

After everyone nodded to indicate that they were ready, Yang Ling gently pressed the stone according to the secret instructions on the stone tablet. The stone slowly sank, and at the same time, a rumble came from the depths of the palace.

"It seems we've triggered the first mechanism!" Ziya shouted excitedly. "Great!"

However, at that moment, a thick fog suddenly billowed into the palace. Everyone panicked.

"Don't panic, everyone!" Yang Ling shouted. "Quickly gather in one place and don't scatter."

Under Yang Ling's command, the group quickly gathered together, holding hands to avoid getting separated. The palace in the thick fog seemed to have turned into a maze, and they could only rely on each other to find their way forward.

Suddenly, a beam of light descended from the sky, piercing through the thick fog and illuminating the road ahead. Following the beam, everyone saw a massive stone gate in front of them, its surface engraved with strange patterns.

"Is this the second mechanism?" Bai Wei asked curiously. Yang Ling stared intently at the patterns on the stone door for a long time before speaking, "That's right, these patterns seem to form an ancient formation. We need to touch these patterns in a specific order to open the stone door."

Led by Yang Ling, everyone reached out to touch the patterns. However, every time they touched a pattern, the stone door would emit a rumbling sound, as if responding to their actions.

After much effort, the group finally succeeded in opening the stone door. The stone door slowly opened, revealing a passage leading deep into the palace.

"Great! We have finally found the path to the depths of the palace!" Ziya shouted excitedly.

However, at that moment, a strange melody suddenly rang out from inside the palace. Everyone turned to look and saw a group of fairies dressed in red descending from the sky, holding various musical instruments and playing eerie tunes.

"This is...an illusion?" Xu Fu said with a frown. "Everyone be careful, these fairies may be phantoms in an illusion."

"An illusion?" Ying Zheng asked in confusion. "How should we deal with it?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Ling said, "Illusions are all created by the mind. We must strengthen our minds in order to break free from the shackles of illusions."

Under Yang Ling's guidance, everyone closed their eyes and began silently reciting the mantra to strengthen their resolve. Sure enough, soon after, the fairies and music disappeared, and the palace returned to tranquility.

"Great! We've successfully escaped the illusion!" Bai Wei shouted excitedly.

Yang Ling nodded: "That's right, but we can't let our guard down. There are still more challenges ahead."

So the group continued on their way and soon arrived at the depths of the palace. There they saw a huge treasure chest lying quietly on the ground, radiating an alluring light, with a stone lion guarding it beside it, looking majestic and mysterious.

"Is this the supreme treasure of the celestial realm?" Ziya asked excitedly, and was about to step forward to open the treasure chest.

"Wait!" Yang Ling stopped Ziya. "Let's observe this stone lion first; it might be the final mechanism."

The crowd gathered around the stone lion to examine it closely. Its eyes gleamed with a mysterious light, as if it were waiting for something.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Ling said, "The eyes of this stone lion are the key. We need to touch its eyes in a certain order to open the treasure chest."

Under Yang Ling's direction, everyone reached out to touch the stone lion's eyes. Each time they touched an eye, the stone lion would respond with a roar. After much effort, they finally succeeded in opening the treasure chest, revealing the dazzling celestial treasures inside. These treasures shone brightly, dazzling and radiant, seemingly possessing boundless power and mystery. They lay quietly in the treasure chest, awaiting the arrival of their destined owner.

"Excellent! We have finally found the celestial treasures!" Bai Wei shouted excitedly, her eyes sparkling with excitement and joy. Xu Fu also said with emotion, "These treasures contain immense power, but only those with the right destiny can wield them. We must use them with caution to avoid bringing unnecessary trouble."

Ying Zheng stared intently at the treasures, seemingly deep in thought. Yang Ling took a deep breath and slowly said, "These treasures, though powerful, are also tests on our path of cultivation. We must face them with a calm mind in order to truly master their power."

Just as everyone was joyfully gazing at the celestial treasure, a sudden loud noise came from within the palace. Everyone turned to look, and saw the palace doors slowly open, revealing a fairy dressed in white gracefully entering. (End of Chapter)