You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

They had only gone a few dozen feet ahead, and had just turned a corner, when Liu Yu suddenly stopped and whispered.

"We've arrived. This is the place. The slightly open flat area in front of us, and the smooth rock wall directly opposite, is where the restriction is located."

Chen Yang and the others stared intently ahead. In front of them was a natural platform about the size of a basketball court, with a flat surface and even a small pool of clear spring water in the center, bubbling with tiny bubbles. The spiritual energy was most concentrated from there.

At the end of the platform was a grayish-white rock wall about ten zhang high and five or six zhang wide, with a smooth, mirror-like surface that faintly reflected light in the dim light, which was indeed quite different from the rough rocks around it.

The Red Sun True Lord was impatient, and seeing that there seemed to be nothing unusual, he said.

"I'll give it a try first! Let's see how it 'sends' me out!"

Without waiting for Chen Yang's instructions, he strode towards the rock wall.

Chen Yang initially wanted to stop him, but then he thought it would be good to let True Lord Chiyang experience it firsthand, so he didn't say anything and just focused on observing.

True Lord Chiyang stepped into the platform area in a few steps. He walked very carefully, his whole body tense, and a protective aura faintly appeared.

However, the expected repulsion teleportation did not occur immediately until he reached a position about three or four zhang away from the rock wall.

"Huh? It seems like everything's alright..."

Before True Lord Chiyang could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred!
The scene before his eyes blurred without warning, as if ripples were spreading across water.

Then, he realized that he was not standing in front of the rock wall, but had somehow returned to the edge of the platform, a good seven or eight zhang away from the rock wall! Even more strangely, he clearly felt that he had been walking towards the rock wall the whole time, and his steps had not stopped.

However, his body involuntarily spun around in a small area at the edge of the platform, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, but he could not really get close to the center of the rock wall, nor could he leave the platform area, as if he were trapped in an invisible maze.

From the perspective of Chen Yang and the other two outside, after Chi Yang Zhenjun stepped into an invisible boundary, his figure paused slightly. Then, as if he were drunk, he began to circle around the edge of the platform. His face sometimes showed confusion, sometimes showed impatience, and he would occasionally punch and kick the air while cursing.

"Just as Elder Liu said!"

Master Huang's expression was solemn.

"It's not a direct, violent teleportation, but more like trapping someone in some kind of maze or illusion, causing them to lose their way. Elder Chiyang has clearly fallen for it; he probably thinks he's still moving forward or has encountered an obstacle."

At this moment, the Crimson Sun True Lord in the formation was covered in sweat. He felt that the scenery around him was sometimes clear and sometimes blurry. The path under his feet was rugged and difficult to walk on. Even though the target rock wall was right in front of him, there were always invisible walls or vines blocking his way, making it difficult for him to move an inch.

"What the hell is this?! Break it for me!"

Finally, True Lord Chiyang could no longer hold back. He roared and his crimson fire-attribute spiritual power erupted. His fists blazed with intense flames as he slammed them into the invisible object that was blocking his way!
His action immediately triggered a deeper change!

In Chen Yang's discerning eyes, the originally peaceful energy field on the platform suddenly fluctuated! Countless fine spiritual energy threads originating from the rock walls and underground spiritual veins were activated, quickly intertwining and manifesting around True Monarch Chiyang.

Instead of directly attacking True Lord Chiyang, these spiritual energies quickly sketched several lifelike "spiritual beasts" in the form of tigers and bears, made entirely of spiritual light. They roared silently and pounced on True Lord Chiyang, tearing at him!

In Chiyang Zhenjun's perception, it was after he shattered the "invisible wall" that several ferocious-looking and fierce-looking demonic beasts suddenly rushed out from the surrounding mist! He was greatly surprised and hurriedly fought back with all his might, his fiery fists roaring as he battled these "spirit beasts".

These spirit beasts were quite powerful, and they seemed to be able to absorb some of his attack energy, growing stronger with each battle. At first, True Lord Chiyang was able to gain the upper hand, but he soon felt his spiritual energy being consumed rapidly, while the surrounding "demonic beasts" seemed inexhaustible. He gradually found himself struggling to cope and facing imminent danger.

"Sect Master, Elder Chiyang is in serious trouble! These illusory spirit beasts seem to be draining his spiritual power. If this continues, he may be in grave danger!"

Liu Yu said urgently.

Master Huang also looked worried.

"Sect Leader, should we take action to forcibly bring him out? This formation is extremely strange, combining offense and defense, trapping the enemy invisibly."

Chen Yang's gaze remained calm as he meticulously observed the energy flow across the entire platform, paying particular attention to the connection between the rock wall, the spiritual spring on the ground, and the battle area of ​​True Monarch Chiyang. Upon hearing this, he waved his hand dismissively.

"There's no need to force our way in; I've already noticed something."

This formation relies on the natural characteristics of the earth's veins, springs, and rock walls. Its core lies in 'confusing perception' and 'energy conversion and counterattack.' Elder Chiyang's attack energy is absorbed and converted by the formation, creating spirit beasts to attack him, forming a cycle. I will break its key point.”

Before he finished speaking, Chen Yang took a step forward, and his figure appeared on the platform like a ghost, standing on a seemingly ordinary spot between the Crimson Sun True Monarch and the rock wall.

He ignored the slightly chaotic energy turbulence around him caused by the activation of the formation, and seemed not to see the Crimson Sun True Monarch who was fighting a fierce battle with the spirit beast. His eyes shone brightly with golden light, and he activated his Fiery Eyes of Truth to the fullest extent, revealing the energy world before him in every detail.

"Found it! The point where the spiritual energy of the earth vein spring and the rock wall converges is also the 'eye' of this illusionary transformation array!"

Chen Yang let out a low shout, and the Pure Subtle Yuan Descent Technique within his body began to circulate vigorously. The pure and vast magical power surged out, but instead of attacking the spirit beasts or the rock walls, it transformed into countless fine and lively rays of light, as if they possessed life.

He aimed precisely at several key energy nodes he saw in his "eyes"—a few inconspicuous protruding rocks on the ground, a few tiny cracks below the rock wall, and the roots of a few particularly emerald green water plants at the edge of the spiritual spring.

"Qingwei breaks the seal, Lingshu returns to its place! Disperse!"

As Chen Yang activated his magic technique, the clear light entered those nodes. A slight "crack" sound was heard, as if something had broken.

Immediately afterwards, the violently fluctuating energy field on the platform seemed to have its source cut off, and suddenly stopped!
The ferocious beasts of spiritual light that were besieging True Lord Chiyang suddenly froze, then silently shattered like bubbles, turning into specks of spiritual light and dissipating into the air.

The Crimson Sun True Lord, who was fighting fiercely, suddenly felt the pressure disappear. The ferocious monster in front of him suddenly vanished, and the irritating sense of fog and disorientation around him also receded like the tide.

He stood there, panting, realizing that he was standing on the edge of the platform, several feet away from the smooth rock wall. He had consumed nearly 30% of his spiritual energy, but he hadn't even touched the edge of the rock wall. Everything before seemed like a vivid nightmare.

The entire platform has now returned to its original tranquility. The cool moonlight shines down, the spiritual spring bubbles, and the grass and trees are lush and green, as if the fierce battle just now had never happened.

Master Huang and Liu Yu quickly stepped forward. Master Huang looked at the platform that had returned to calm, then at the rock wall, marveling at it.

"Sect Leader, you are indeed incredibly powerful! You broke such a bizarre formation with just a wave of your hand? I didn't even see how you made your move."

Liu Yu also breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at Chen Yang with even more admiration.

At this moment, True Lord Chiyang also came to his senses and walked to Chen Yang's side, his face filled with shame and lingering fear.

"Sect Master... Your subordinate is incompetent and has disgraced you. This formation is too evil. I clearly felt myself rushing forward and fighting desperately against the demonic beasts, but it was all fake! I almost exhausted myself."

Chen Yang patted him on the shoulder, indicating that it was alright.

"The brilliance of this formation lies in its ability to bewitch the mind and use leverage against one's opponent. It's easy to suffer losses when encountering it for the first time. I have already destroyed its core formation, so the illusion and counterattack effects at this entrance are now lost. Let's go in."

Upon hearing this, True Lord Chiyang looked at the rock wall that was so close at hand, but still hesitated.

"Sect Master, there shouldn't be anything strange inside... right?" Chen Yang smiled slightly.

"The formation has been broken; at least the obstacle at the entrance has been removed. As for what's inside, we'll have to go in and find out. Don't worry, just follow me closely."

Hearing Chen Yang's assurance, True Lord Chiyang regained his composure and rekindled his fighting spirit.

"Yes! Your subordinate will follow the sect leader closely!"

Chen Yang took the lead, passing through the invisible barrier without any hindrance this time, and walked straight to the smooth rock wall. Huang Zhenren, Liu Yu, and Chiyang Zhenjun followed closely behind.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the rock face wasn't entirely smooth; it bore faint, ancient, and blurred natural patterns, but there were no signs of artificial carving or rune inscriptions. Chen Yang reached out and touched it; the rock was cold and hard, no different from ordinary mountain rocks.

"Strange, the source of the restriction seems to be behind this rock wall, but how do we get in?"

Master Huang asked in confusion.

Liu Yu also stepped forward to examine it carefully, and even tried to scan the depths of the rock wall with her divine sense, but her divine sense was still blocked, and she could only go in about a foot before she could not go any further.

Chen Yang took two steps back and activated his Fiery Eyes of Truth again. This time, he stopped looking at the energy flow and carefully examined the structure of the rock wall itself. After a moment, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

“I see. This rock wall… is not solid. It’s hollow behind it, but the entrance isn’t here. Or rather, this entire rock wall, including the platform beneath our feet and the spiritual spring, is just part of an illusion.”

He walked to the left side of the rock face, to a spot near the mountain where vines were tangled, and gestured.

"The real entrance might be here. Elder Liu, when you were exploring before, did you notice what was behind these vines?"

Liu Yu was taken aback and shook her head.

"I only focused on the front of the rock face and the platform. The vines here are dense and connected to the mountain, so I thought it was just an ordinary rock face."

Chen Yang said no more and reached out to push aside the thick vines. Behind the vines was not solid rock, but a cleverly concealed narrow crevice, barely wide enough for one person to bend over and pass through. It was dark and its destination was unknown, but a faint spiritual energy, the same as that of the spiritual spring, seeped out from it.

"There's definitely more to it than meets the eye!"

The eyes of True Lord Chiyang lit up.

"Let's go, be careful."

Chen Yang was the first to bend down and crawl into the crevice, followed by Huang Zhenren, Liu Yu, and Chiyang Zhenjun in succession.

The crevice was initially extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. After walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious area. However, the scene before them caused all three people except Chen Yang to gasp in shock.

Beyond the crack was not the imagined cave entrance or passage, but a much larger, natural cavern-like space entirely within the mountain! But beneath their feet was not solid ground, but a deep, cold, dark river! The water flowed silently and swiftly, its origin and destination unknown.

The crack they drilled was in a protruding rock by the water.

The cave ceiling is high, with countless stalactites hanging down, and some strange minerals emit a faint glow, barely illuminating this underground water area. The air is damp and cold, with a higher concentration of spiritual energy than on the outside platform, but it carries a somber, ancient atmosphere, as if it has never seen the light of day.

Even more chillingly, in the dim light, one could see some white, withered bones scattered on the shallow water and rocks near where they were standing!
Some skeletons are humanoid, while others are bizarre and animal-like. Some skeletons even have tattered clothing or furs hanging on them, indicating that they are from different eras.

"This...so many skeletons!"

The scalp of the Crimson Sun True Lord tingled.

"It seems that many people or beasts have been to this place before, and none of them have had a good ending."

Liu Yu's face also turned a little pale, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"It seems that the maze outside is only the first hurdle; this underground river is the real danger. These... are probably those who failed to get through, or died under the restrictions here."

Master Huang stroked his beard, carefully examined several relatively new human skeletons, and said in a deep voice.

"The bone is dull in color and has many cracks. It wasn't caused by a sharp weapon, but rather by being crushed by a great force or corroded by some kind of cold and dampness. Everyone, please be very careful!"

Chen Yang's gaze swept over the piles of white bones, then looked at the deep, unfathomable dark river. His expression was calm, but a hint of solemnity appeared in the depths of his eyes.

He spoke.

"There is indeed something strange about this place. My spiritual sense is also being suppressed quite a bit here. Although the spiritual energy is abundant, it is stagnant and cold, requiring a lot of effort to circulate my cultivation techniques. Everyone has noticed, right?"

Liu Yu nodded.

"Yes, I feel that the flow of spiritual energy in my body is more than 30% slower than usual."

Master Huang also said.

"I feel the same way, and my mind seems to be easily fatigued."

The Crimson Sun True Lord wore a bitter expression.

"I thought I was the only one feeling dizzy and lightheaded, like I'd been poisoned or drugged! Turns out it's just the environment of this awful place!"

Chen Yang walked to the side of True Lord Chiyang, placed his hand on his wrist pulse, and probed in with a wisp of pure and subtle magical power before withdrawing it a moment later.

"It's not poisoning, but the unique cold spiritual energy and gloomy death energy of this place have a natural suppressive effect on the soul and spiritual power of living beings. Those of us with insufficient cultivation are more affected. We need to circulate our energy to resist it, and it will get better after a while."

True Lord Chiyang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, I see. That startled me. So what do we do now? Walk along the riverbank, or... go into the water?"

He looked at the pitch-black river with its surging currents and felt a little scared.

Chen Yang didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the water's edge, squatted down, and carefully observed the river water. He then gently touched the surface with his finger. The water was icy cold to the touch, unlike the temperature of ordinary groundwater, and he could feel an extremely faint resistance from the water at his fingertips.

"This river...is strange."

Chen Yang stood up.

"It wasn't naturally formed to be so cold and eerie; some kind of restriction has been placed in the water, or rather, this entire underground river might be part of a massive array or sealing system." (End of Chapter)