From the fake emperor to the concubine

“Okay,” Zheng Yi said.

Old Li nodded in satisfaction, then turned and left.

After he left, Zheng Yi had a thoughtful expression on his face.

“A secret realm. An ancient legacy,” he murmured. “Hopefully, it’s not a trap.”

He knew that Elder Li definitely had something on his mind, but now he needed more resources to increase his strength. As long as he was powerful enough, any schemes and tricks would be futile.

"Let's take it one step at a time," Zheng Yi thought to himself.

A month goes by in a blink of an eye.

During this time, Zheng Yi had been in seclusion, cultivating diligently. He absorbed all the energy from the Heavenly Origin Crystal, resulting in a significant improvement in his cultivation. Although he hadn't yet broken through to the Great Ascension stage, he had already reached the peak of the late-stage Integration Realm, just one step away from the Great Ascension stage.

In addition, he also comprehended several divine abilities contained in the Primordial Jade Pendant. These divine abilities were incredibly powerful, and when combined with his spacetime laws, they were enough to make him invincible among cultivators of the same level.

On this day, Elder Li sent someone to inform Zheng Yi that the entrance to the secret realm had been opened and they could set off.

Zheng Yi ended his seclusion and arrived at the main hall of the city lord's mansion.

Elder Li and Chen Feng were already waiting there. Besides them, there were seven or eight men in black, all experts from the City Lord's Mansion.

"Young friend Zheng, are you ready?" Old Li asked with a smile.

“We can set off at any time,” Zheng Yi said.

“Alright.” Old Li nodded. “However, before we set off, I have a few things to remind you of.”

"Please speak, Elder Li."

"That secret realm is called the 'Netherworld Secret Realm,' the ruins of a powerful being's cave from ancient times," Elder Li said. "It's fraught with danger, filled with restrictions and traps. Moreover, some ferocious beasts roam within, and they are quite powerful. Once we enter, we must be extremely careful and not act rashly."

“I understand,” Zheng Yi said.

"There's one more thing," Elder Li said in a low voice, "This exploration of the secret realm must be kept absolutely secret. If other forces find out, they'll definitely try to seize it. That would be a huge problem."

"Don't worry, I won't say anything out of turn," Zheng Yi said.

"That's good." Old Li nodded in satisfaction. "Let's go."

The group left the city lord's mansion and flew eastward.

After flying for about three hours, they arrived at a desolate valley.

The valley was filled with jagged rocks, barren of vegetation, and a chilling aura permeated the air. Zheng Yi extended his divine sense and discovered a faint spatial fluctuation deep within the valley, which should be the entrance to the secret realm.

"This is it," Elder Li said. "The entrance to the secret realm is at the deepest part of the valley."

The group landed and walked forward along the valley.

After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they arrived at a cliff.

Below the cliff lay a bottomless black hole, emanating gusts of eerie wind. At the edge of the black hole, a faint curtain of light flickered, marking the entrance to the secret realm.

"The entrance is open," said Old Li. "Let's go in."

Zheng Yi stared at the light screen, a vague unease creeping into his heart. His intuition told him that something was amiss here, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Young friend Zheng, what's wrong?" Old Li noticed his hesitation and asked.

"It's nothing," Zheng Yi shook his head. "Let's go."

He didn't want to appear weak in front of Elder Li. Besides, even if there were traps here, he was confident he could handle them. After this period of training, his strength was now vastly different from what it used to be.

One by one, the group jumped into the black hole and passed through the curtain of light.

In an instant, the world was spinning.

When Zheng Yi came to his senses, he found himself in an unfamiliar space.

The space was vast, surrounded by black rock walls, with glowing minerals embedded in the ceiling that barely illuminated the surroundings. A rich spiritual energy permeated the air, but it was also mixed with a musty, decaying odor.

"Is this the Netherworld Secret Realm?" Zheng Yi looked around and asked.

“That’s right,” Elder Li said. “This is the outer area of ​​the secret realm. The true inheritance lies in the center of the secret realm.”

He pointed to a path ahead: "If we follow this path, we'll reach the central area."

The group proceeded along the passage.

The passage was long, with strange runes carved on the rock walls on both sides. Zheng Yi examined them carefully and discovered that these runes contained the power of some kind of formation, probably used to suppress something.

"Elder Li, what do these runes mean?" Zheng Yi asked.

"I'm not entirely sure either," Elder Li shook his head. "It was probably left behind by an ancient powerful being, perhaps used to seal some kind of ferocious beast."

Zheng Yi nodded without asking any further questions.

After walking for about half an hour, a huge stone gate appeared ahead.

The stone gate, towering tens of feet high, was carved with various mythical beast patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. On either side of the gate stood a colossal stone statue. The statues had human heads and snake bodies, held long halberds, and their eyes emitted a ghostly green light.

"It's a stone golem!" Chen Feng exclaimed. "Be careful!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the two stone statues suddenly moved. They raised their halberds and thrust them toward the group.

"Scatter!" Boss Li shouted.

Everyone scrambled to avoid them. But the two stone statues were too fast; one of the guards couldn't dodge in time and was pierced in the chest by a halberd, dying instantly.

"Damn it!" Chen Feng roared, drawing his longsword and slashing at a stone statue.

But when the long sword struck the stone statue, it only left a shallow white mark, unable to harm it in the slightest.

"These stone statues are incredibly strong!" Chen Feng exclaimed.

“Let me do it.” Zheng Yi stepped forward and drew his longsword.

"Space-Time Sword Technique - Rift!"

He unleashed a sword strike, its light dazzling and containing terrifying spatial and temporal power.

The sword light struck the stone statue, and a crack appeared on it. But before Zheng Yi could rejoice, the crack quickly healed.

"This stone statue has self-healing abilities?" Zheng Yi frowned.

"Young friend Zheng, attack their eyes!" Old Li shouted, "That's their weak point!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi immediately adjusted his attack direction. He flashed to the front of a stone statue and thrust his sword towards its eye.

puff--

The sword tip pierced the statue's eye socket, and the eerie green light instantly dimmed. The statue's movements slowed, then it crashed to the ground, turning into a pile of rubble.

"It works!" Zheng Yi was overjoyed and turned to attack another stone statue.

Under his attack, another stone statue was quickly destroyed as well.

"Young friend Zheng is indeed remarkable," Old Li exclaimed. "Thanks to you, otherwise we don't know how much effort we would have wasted."

"You flatter me, Elder Li," Zheng Yi said.

He glanced at the remains of the two stone statues, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. This secret realm was indeed fraught with danger; he had encountered such formidable guards so soon upon entering, and who knew how many more dangers lay ahead.

“Let’s keep going,” said Old Li.

The stone gate slowly opened, and the crowd filed in.

Behind the stone gate lies a larger space. This space is circular, with eight passageways leading in different directions.

"This is the core area of ​​the secret realm," Elder Li said. "Those eight passages lead to eight different treasure vaults. Each vault contains precious treasures, but also corresponding dangers." "Which one should we take?" Chen Feng asked.

"According to the information I've received, the true inheritance lies at the end of the fifth passage," Elder Li said, pointing to one of the passages. "Let's go that way."

The group headed towards the fifth passage.

This passage was deeper and more secluded than the previous one, and the chilling atmosphere in the air was even stronger. Zheng Yi could sense that some kind of power emanated from the rock walls on both sides of the passage, seemingly watching them.

"Everyone be careful, something's strange here," Zheng Yi whispered a warning.

As soon as he finished speaking, the rock walls on both sides of the passage suddenly burst open, and dozens of dark figures rushed out.

They were a group of black monsters, resembling bats, but several times larger than ordinary bats. Their eyes were blood red, their fangs were sharp, and their bodies reeked of a foul stench.

"It's a Netherworld Bat!" Old Li exclaimed in surprise. "Quickly, defend!"

The group immediately engaged in battle. However, the number of these Nether Bats was too great, and their speed was extremely fast. In a short time, they completely surrounded them.

Zheng Yi's sword flashed repeatedly, slaying dozens of Netherworld Bats. But even more Netherworld Bats surged forward, seemingly endless.

"This can't go on!" Zheng Yi thought to himself.

"Space-Time Domain!"

He unleashed his full power, and the power of spacetime swept out, forming a massive domain. Within this domain, the Nether Bat's speed was greatly reduced, making it an easy target.

"Now!" Zheng Yi shouted.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the group launched an attack and wiped out all the Nether Bats in the area.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining ghost bats scattered and disappeared into the darkness.

"That was close." Chen Feng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Brother Zheng, thank you so much."

“Let’s keep going,” Zheng Yi said. “It’s too dangerous here; we shouldn’t stay any longer.”

The group quickened their pace and walked deeper into the passage.

After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a stone gate appeared ahead.

Several lines of ancient text were carved on the stone gate. Although Zheng Yi couldn't understand them, he could sense that they contained a certain warning.

"We've arrived," Elder Li said. "The inheritance lies behind this door."

He stepped forward and placed his hand on the stone door. A beam of light emanated from his hand, and the stone door slowly opened.

Behind the door was a spacious hall. In the center of the hall stood an altar. On the altar rested a jade box, emitting a soft glow.

"That's what inheritance is!" Chen Feng exclaimed excitedly.

He tried to rush up and take the jade box, but was stopped by Old Li.

"Don't be impulsive," Elder Li said. "There are protective barriers around the altar; approaching rashly could be dangerous."

"Then what should we do?" Chen Feng asked.

“Let this old man handle it,” said Old Li.

He slowly walked towards the altar, using his supernatural powers to probe the surrounding restrictions.

Zheng Yi stood aside, observing silently.

He noticed that Elder Li's actions were somewhat strange. He wasn't probing the barrier, but rather secretly setting something up.

"Something's not right." Alarm bells rang in Zheng Yi's mind.

Just then, Old Li suddenly turned around, a sinister smile on his face.

“Zheng Yi, you are indeed very vigilant,” Old Li said, “but unfortunately, it’s too late.”

He formed a hand seal, and countless runes suddenly lit up around the hall. These runes formed a huge array that enveloped the entire hall.

"This is..." Zheng Yi's expression changed drastically.

"The Heaven-Trapping Grand Formation," Elder Li said proudly. "This is a formation I painstakingly set up over hundreds of years. Once activated, even a late-stage Mahayana cultivator wouldn't be able to escape."

"Old Li, what are you doing?" Chen Feng asked in astonishment.

"Shut up!" Old Li snapped. "You think I'm really from the City Lord's Mansion? How naive!"

"What?" Chen Feng couldn't believe his ears.

"I've been lying in wait in the City Lord's Mansion for three hundred years, just waiting for this opportunity," Old Li said sinisterly. "Zheng Yi, I've coveted the Hunyuan Jade Pendant you possess for a long time. Today, hand it over."

"So your target was the Hunyuan Jade Pendant," Zheng Yi sneered. "I knew you had ulterior motives."

"So what if you know?" Elder Li said dismissively. "In this Heaven-Binding Formation, you can't escape. Hand over the Primordial Jade Pendant obediently, and I might grant you a quick death. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"You want the Primordial Jade Pendant?" Zheng Yi raised his longsword. "Then come and take it."

"court death!"

Old Li was furious and struck out with his palm.

This palm strike contained the full power of a mid-stage Mahayana cultivator, making it incredibly powerful. Moreover, with the blessing of the Heaven-Trapping Array, its power was amplified several times over.

Zheng Yi dared not take the attack head-on and quickly dodged. However, he discovered that his movement speed was greatly reduced within this formation, making it impossible for him to evade Elder Li's attacks.

boom--

He was struck by Old Li's palm and sent flying backward, crashing into the wall of the hall.

"puff--"

Zheng Yi coughed up a mouthful of blood; several bones in his body were broken.

"Brother Zheng!" Chen Feng wanted to step forward to help, but was stopped by several men in black behind Elder Li.

It turns out that those so-called secret guards of the city lord's mansion were also Li Lao's men.

"Chen Feng, you're not getting away either," Old Li sneered. "You know too much; you must die."

"You old thief!" Chen Feng roared, "My uncle won't let you get away with this!"

"Your uncle?" Old Li scoffed. "You think Chen Tianyu really doesn't know my plan? I've already bribed him. He won't care about your death at all."

"What?" Chen Feng couldn't believe it.

“You’re too naive,” Old Li said. “Nothing in this world is permanent. Family ties, friendships, loyalty—they’re all worthless in the face of self-interest.”

He turned to look at Zheng Yi, his eyes gleaming with greed.

"Zheng Yi, this is your last chance. Hand over the Hunyuan Jade Pendant, and I'll spare your life."

Zheng Yi struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Want the Primordial Jade Pendant?" he said coldly. "Dream on."

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences." Old Li's face darkened. "Since that's the case, don't blame this old man."

He attacked again, this time with even greater ferocity. His palm strike transformed into a giant black python, roaring as it charged towards Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi gritted his teeth and faced the challenge. Although he was seriously injured, he was not yet unable to fight.

"Time-Space Sword Technique - Freeze!"

He used his supernatural powers to try and slow down the giant python. However, under the interference of the Heaven-Binding Array, his spacetime laws were greatly weakened, rendering them largely ineffective. (End of Chapter)