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

The illusory figure nodded slightly: "I see. Your courage and wisdom are admirable. But this altar holds a shocking secret. Are you prepared to face the truth?"

Ying Zheng resolutely replied, "We are ready to meet any challenge; please reveal the secrets within."

The phantom took a deep breath: "Very well. This altar is the entrance to a mysterious world, a place where powerful enemies lurk, yet also holds boundless treasures. Only true heroes and wise men can step into that realm and explore its ultimate mysteries."

Everyone was astonished upon hearing this: "A mysterious world? A treasure? This is like a legendary tale!" Yang Ling was unable to contain his excitement.

Ying Zheng's gaze was resolute: "Whether it's a legend or not, we must verify it ourselves. Perhaps the truth we seek lies hidden there."

A flicker of approval crossed the illusory figure's eyes: "Excellent, you have not disappointed me. But before entering the other realm, you must first pass my trial."

After speaking, he raised his hand and tapped lightly, and the altar runes immediately began to flow and shine, bursting forth with powerful energy fluctuations.

"Is this a trial?" Li Si asked curiously.

"This is a riddle that tests wisdom and courage," the phantom explained. "Only by solving this riddle can we open the door to a mysterious world."

Ying Zheng and his companions smiled at each other, full of confidence after experiencing countless trials.

"Please pose a question!" Ying Zheng answered loudly.

The phantom chanted obscure incantations, causing the altar patterns to shift and form a complex array.

"Find the pattern within the time limit and rearrange the runes in sequence," the phantom explained the rules. "If you successfully solve the puzzle, the altar will automatically open a passage."

Everyone immediately immersed themselves in the research, each contributing their expertise to explore the underlying patterns. After intense discussion and deep contemplation, they finally glimpsed the secret and successfully reassembled the runes. The altar instantly shone brightly, and the illusory gate slowly opened amidst the light.

"Congratulations on solving the puzzle!" the illusory figure greeted with a smile. "Now you may step into the mysterious world to explore its secrets."

The group exchanged smiles and stepped into the portal one by one. A strong sense of dizziness and weightlessness washed over them, as if they were traveling through a time tunnel.

Once they regained their footing, they found themselves in a completely new world. This world was full of fantasy, teeming with unique races and magnificent scenery.

"This is the mysterious world?" Yang Ling exclaimed in amazement.

“Indeed.” A strange voice suddenly rang out, “Welcome to my domain.”

Turning around, I saw an elderly man in a long robe walking slowly towards me from a distance. His face was kind and solemn, and he was surrounded by a mysterious aura.

"Are you the guardian of this realm?" Ying Zheng asked tentatively.

The old man nodded: "Indeed. Now that you have passed the entrance trial, you are free to explore and train here."

Ying Zheng and his companions exchanged knowing smiles, acknowledging that the adventure had only just begun. In this mysterious land, they would face even more challenges and opportunities, writing their own legend with courage and wisdom.

In the years that followed, they encountered all sorts of strange creatures and faced severe trials. They forged alliances with friendly races to fight against evil forces; they solved mysteries scattered throughout the land, earning rich rewards. Each trial made them stronger and more mature.

However, they were not satisfied with this. They knew that deep within this world, there were still ultimate truths waiting to be revealed.

In search of the mystery, Ying Zheng led his team on a continuous journey. One day, they arrived at a vast grassland and saw a group of strange creatures with enormous wings walking leisurely on the ground.

"What race are these?" Yang Ling asked curiously.

Ying Zheng shook his head: "Although we cannot know for sure, everything in this place holds mystery, so we must proceed with extreme caution."

Suddenly, a massive shadow enveloped them. Looking up, they saw an even larger winged creature standing proudly before them. This creature had sharp claws and a menacing, murderous expression.

"What brings you, stranger, into my territory?" the behemoth asked coldly.

Ying Zheng greeted them politely, saying, "We are travelers from another world, here to seek the truth. We have no intention of offending you."

The colossal beast scrutinized the group: "Your auras are unusual; you are not beings of this realm."

Li Si explained, "We come from another world, a team of brave warriors seeking justice." The giant beast nodded slightly: "In that case, I grant you permission to roam here. But you must abide by the rules of this place."

Ying Zheng solemnly promised, "I am willing to follow your teachings, and I would appreciate your guidance on how to find the treasure here."

The giant beast raised its head and exhaled: "Follow me."

The group followed closely behind, crossing the grassland and arriving at a mysterious cave hidden in a valley.

"My treasure is hidden here," the behemoth pointed to the cave, "and only those who pass the trial can obtain it."

The group exchanged glances and nodded, ready to meet the challenge.

"Please enlighten me!" Yang Ling answered loudly.

The giant beast chanted an incantation, and energy surged through the cave.

"You have a time limit to traverse this cave and find the treasure," the giant beast explained the rules. "The cave is filled with traps and puzzles; only the true brave can navigate it."

The group immediately explored the cave and discovered that it was full of ingenious mechanisms and deadly traps. But they were not afraid; instead, their path ahead became clearer.

Despite numerous hardships, they skillfully avoided traps and solved many puzzles. Each breakthrough boosted their confidence.

They eventually found the treasure deep within the cave, and the immense power and ancient knowledge it contained filled them with immense joy.

The behemoth's eyes gleamed with admiration: "You are indeed extraordinary; I have never encountered such outstanding warriors. These treasures shall belong to you."

The crowd smiled and expressed their gratitude, vowing to use this power to uphold justice.

Their fame spread throughout the other world, making them a legendary and well-known team. But their exploration never stopped; they continued to move towards the core of the world.

As their journey progressed, they approached the heart of this mysterious world. The atmosphere here grew increasingly ancient and solemn, as if it held a decisive secret.

One day, majestic mountain peaks came into view. Above the clouds, an ancient castle stood tall, exuding an awe-inspiring majesty.

"Is this the core of the world?" Xu Fu exclaimed in amazement.

Ying Zheng nodded solemnly: "I sense that this place contains unparalleled power. The ultimate answer we seek must be hidden within the castle."

Their eyes met, and they all saw the determination in each other's eyes. Knowing the road ahead was fraught with danger, they still went without hesitation.

The climb was exceptionally difficult. The mountain air currents were unpredictable, sometimes howling with strong winds, sometimes covered in ice and snow. But they overcame all difficulties and finally reached the castle gate.

The heavy stone door was tightly shut, as if it had not been opened for a thousand years.

Ying Zheng pushed the door open with all his might, and as the stone door slowly opened, a dazzling light poured out from within, illuminating everything around him.

Stepping into the castle, one finds it deserted, yet imbued with an air of mystery. Ancient runes engraved everywhere seem to whisper tales of bygone eras.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered a hidden mechanism within the wall.

After studying it thoroughly, Li Si resolutely pressed the mechanism. With a crisp sound, the stone wall shifted, revealing a hidden chamber.

The room is filled with countless ancient scrolls, recording the historical secrets and locations of treasures in this world.

"This is the truth!" Yang Ling shouted excitedly.

Ying Zheng solemnly replied, "This is precisely the truth we have been seeking. We should return with this knowledge to benefit all living beings."

They immersed themselves in studying ancient texts, recording every key passage. They knew this wisdom would have a profound impact on their future journey. (End of Chapter)