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

The Crimson Sun True Lord said even more urgently.

"Sect Master, you are so capable, please think of a solution! I don't want to stay in this wretched place for another second! My Crimson Sun True Fire can only produce a few sparks here, it can't burn anything at all! It's so frustrating! It's so frustrating!"

Chen Yang did not answer immediately; he was also silently experiencing this "world within the painting."

Indeed, as Master Huang said, the spatial rules here are exceptionally solid, almost completely severing contact with the outside world. The flow of magical power within the body is sluggish, and divine sense is also greatly suppressed, only able to detach from the body by a few feet. The perception of the Yin Marshal's authority is even more negligible.

This is a near-perfect cage.

"Don't worry, since we're here, let's make the best of it. If they can take us in, they must have a way to get out."

Chen Yang reassured everyone, while his mind raced, searching for the key to breaking the deadlock. The connection between the Spirit Orb and the mural, the content of the mural, the structure of the world within the painting… the clues seemed to lie within them.

Seeing Chen Yang deep in thought, Liu Yu spoke up.

"Sect Leader, although I lack the power to break through the boundary, I might try to attack the boundary of this residence with brute force to see if it can cause any changes?"

As she spoke, she flipped her wrist, and her usual silver whip, woven from some kind of dragon tendon and metal wire, appeared in her hand. The whip had a faint spiritual light flowing through it, although the light was much dimmer here.

Seeing this, True Lord Chiyang immediately summoned his crimson short-handled warhammer, eager to try it out.

"Yes! Smash it! Elder Liu, let's all go together! Even if we can't break it, making a commotion will do!"

Master Huang also stood up. Although he was still injured, he focused his mind and prepared to help at any time.

Chen Yang looked at the three of them and nodded.

"Alright, let's give it a try. Concentrate our forces and attack the same spot, like... that wall that looks the most intact."

He pointed to a blue brick wall on the east side of the courtyard.

The four reached an agreement, each taking their designated positions, ready to go.

"I'll come first!"

The Crimson Sun True Lord was the most impatient. Upon seeing Chen Yang's approval, he immediately roared, and the already scorching fire-attribute spiritual power around him surged forth. Although it was suppressed in this place, it still condensed into a slightly illusory crimson halo behind him.

His arms were bulging with muscles, and he gripped the crimson warhammer tightly. He shot out like a cannonball, leaping high into the air. He swung the warhammer in a wide arc, carrying a savage and domineering aura, and smashed it down hard on the blue brick wall that Chen Yang pointed to!

"The crimson sun splits the earth!"

Before the warhammer even arrived, a wave of scorching heat had already hit us.

However, just as the hammer was about to touch the brick wall, something unexpected happened!

The seemingly ordinary, even somewhat mottled, old blue brick wall suddenly revealed a layer of extremely thin, almost transparent, iridescent light, rippling out like water.

The hammer blow from True Lord Chiyang, powerful enough to split stone tablets and melt gold and iron, struck this layer of flowing light, yet it seemed to sink into an extremely viscous colloid!

"puff!"

With a muffled thud, there was no explosive sound of bricks shattering or the roar of colliding energy. The raging fire elemental power on the warhammer was absorbed and dissolved silently by the seven-colored light, like a mud ox sinking into the sea.

The immense recoil caused Chiyang Zhenjun's arm to go numb, his tiger's mouth to tremble violently, and he was thrown back several steps before he could regain his footing, his face filled with astonishment.

The blue brick wall, except for the small area where the hammer hit it and the seven-colored light flickered slightly, was completely intact, without even a trace of white.

"This...this wall is strange!"

"I am the True Lord of the Crimson Sun," he cried out, shaking his numb arm.

"Look at me!"

Liu Yuqing shouted and flicked her wrist. The silver whip shot out like a snake emerging from its hole. The tip of the whip made a sharp crack in the air and instantly transformed into dozens of illusory whip shadows. Each one contained a sharp force capable of cutting through metal and stone, and they lashed at the same area of ​​the courtyard wall like a storm!

"Silver snakes dance wildly!"

"Clap clap clap!"

A dense, rain-like thud resounded as the whip's shadow collided repeatedly with the seven-colored light, scattering tiny specks of light. Liu Yu's whip technique was renowned for its agility, unpredictability, and powerful penetration; at this moment, she pushed her magic to its limit in this location, attempting to break through the surface with a single point.

However, the result was exactly the same as that of the True Lord Chiyang.

The seven-colored light was incredibly resilient; seemingly thin, it dispersed and absorbed all the sharp whip force. After dozens of lashes, Liu Yu was slightly out of breath and withdrew her whip, retreating. Looking at the wall again, apart from the slightly disordered light in the areas where it had been lashed so intensely, it remained undamaged.

"This protection... is too bizarre!"

Liu Yuxiu frowned.

Seeing this, Master Huang said in a deep voice.

"Let this old man give it a try!"

He took a deep breath and formed hand seals. Despite the thin spiritual energy here, the golden core magic power he had cultivated for many years still surged forth.

Instead of launching a fierce attack, he pressed his hands down, and a thick, long, earth-yellow spiritual energy pillar, carrying the intention of sealing, slowly pressed down on the wall.

"The Seal of Zhenyue!"

The earthen-yellow beam of light came into contact with the multicolored stream of light, emitting a low, buzzing sound. Master Huang was attempting to use his magic to penetrate and dismantle the protective structure.

However, the moment his magic touched the flowing light, it felt as if he had hit a highly elastic, bottomless rubber wall. Not only could he not penetrate it, but he was also slowly pushed back by a gentle yet resolute force!
After a few breaths of stalemate, Master Huang's forehead was covered in sweat, and he had no choice but to withdraw his power and retreat, shaking his head and sighing.

"No! This protection is not only tough, but also has the characteristic of being 'impervious to all laws'. No matter whether it is hard or soft, it is difficult to shake its foundation."

Chen Yang, who had been observing intently, spoke up at this moment.

"This is the barrier of the realm within the painting, which is different from the laws of the outside world. Its restorative and protective power originates from the core rules of this small world. Brute force will be ineffective unless the level of power far exceeds the limits that this realm can withstand."

"The Crimson Sun True Lord said urgently."

"What can we do? We can't break it by smashing it, and we can't penetrate it. Are we just going to stand here in this dilapidated yard and do nothing?"

Liu Yu also looked at Chen Yang, her beautiful eyes filled with hope.

"Sect Master, do you have another solution?"

Chen Yang's gaze swept over the seemingly ordinary yet impregnable mansion, then he looked up at the eternally unchanging gray sky and said slowly.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Just because ordinary methods don't work doesn't mean there's no way out. Look down the mountain."

He raised his hand and pointed outside the courtyard. He could vaguely see a winding stone path leading down the mountain. At the foot of the mountain, there seemed to be the outline of another, larger, more numerous courtyard complex, shrouded in a light mist.

"There are houses down the mountain?"

Master Huang squinted and looked over.

“Since there are mountains and houses in this ‘painting,’ perhaps the key is not to forcibly break through the wall, but to explore the ‘contents’ of this world within the painting. The mansion at the foot of the mountain seems to be the core architectural complex of this place. We might as well go there and take a look. Perhaps we can find some clues, or even… the key to controlling or leaving this world.” Chen Yang analyzed, which was the most reasonable approach at present.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu felt that the hope was slim, but it was still better than being trapped here, so she nodded.

"The sect leader is right. Rather than waiting to die, we should take the initiative to explore. Perhaps there is information left by the person who painted this painting in that mansion, or perhaps there is a key to maintaining this world."

Master Huang stroked his beard in agreement.

"Sect Leader, your insight is profound. Although this realm is strange, since it exists, it must have its reasons and structure. Finding its core may be the key to breaking the deadlock."

True Lord Chiyang sighed.

"Sigh, that's all we can do. Let's go, let's go take a look. It's better than just wandering around in circles in this little courtyard."

The four agreed and, without further delay, walked out through the small gate of the courtyard and onto the blue stone path leading down the mountain.

On his way down the mountain, Chen Yang observed his surroundings more carefully. The stone steps under his feet were old, slippery, and covered with moss; the roadside vegetation was lush, but its form was somewhat stiff, lacking the vitality of the real world.

The distant mountains have distinct outlines, yet they appear as if painted with varying shades of ink, lacking any sense of depth or dimension. The sky is perpetually a uniform gray-white, devoid of sun, moon, stars, or ever-changing clouds.

He tried to activate his Fiery Eyes again, hoping to see through the true nature of this world.

However, under the suppression of the rules of this realm, the supernatural power of the Fiery Eyes was greatly weakened. He could only see a faint, colorful "pictorial" energy permeating the air, like countless fine, flowing ink lines, which constituted every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile here.

These "pictorial" energies seem to operate in a cycle following certain fixed "brushwork" and "composition," maintaining the stability and "realism" of this world. Trying to see through the illusion and find the flaws with discerning eyes is virtually impossible under the suppression of these rules.

"Sure enough, all Taoist magic and supernatural powers are greatly reduced here, as if they are sealed."

Chen Yang thought to himself that he had gained even more respect for the person who arranged this painting.

This is not merely trapping the enemy; it has constructed a nearly self-consistent miniature world of rules, which is truly remarkable.

They walked in silence and the four of them quickly descended to the foot of the mountain.

Before me lay a sprawling ancient courtyard, with white walls and black tiles, towering gable walls, and a tightly closed vermilion gate. Two stone lions crouched in front of the gate, giving it an imposing yet solemn air, a stark contrast to the small courtyard halfway up the mountain. The courtyard was surrounded by high walls, quiet and still, without a soul in sight or a sound.

"This is it."

Chen Yang stopped and looked around the house. At first glance, the layout of the house was a typical Jiangnan garden style.

However, upon closer inspection, the direction and combination of the gate tower, walls, and roof ridges subtly reveal a sense of disharmony and awkwardness, as if the painter's brushstrokes were misplaced or his understanding was flawed when imitating a certain layout.

Liu Yu stepped forward, walked to the vermilion gate, and asked loudly.

"Excuse me, is there anyone?"

The sound echoed in the empty foothills, reaching deep into the courtyard, but it vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea. The courtyard remained deathly silent; even the wind seemed to have stopped.

Master Huang stepped forward and pushed the door. The door was not locked and opened easily with a long, dry creak that was particularly jarring in the silence.

Inside the gate was a wide screen wall, beyond which lay a square front courtyard. The courtyard was paved with blue bricks, with several clumps of green bamboo growing in the corner, and an ancient well. It was also deserted, excessively clean, and devoid of any sign of life.

"It seems there really is no one here, or rather... the people 'living' here are not the 'people' we understand."

Master Huang said in a low voice.

Chen Yang stepped into the front yard, his gaze sweeping over every detail.

"Separate teams to investigate and improve efficiency. Pay attention to any unusual features, such as unusual patterns, text, decorations, or the source of any energy fluctuations."

If you discover anything, do not act rashly. Signal an alarm using telepathy or by shouting loudly. Others should immediately provide support. Half an hour later, regardless of whether anything has been discovered, return to the front yard to regroup.

"Yes!"

Liu Yu, Huang Zhenren, and Chiyang Zhenjun agreed. Liu Yu chose the direction of the east wing, Huang Zhenren went to the main hall, and Chiyang Zhenjun scratched his head and walked towards the west corridor. Chen Yang himself walked towards the moon gate leading to the backyard.

The backyard is more secluded than the front yard, with a cobblestone path winding forward, flanked by neatly trimmed flowers and plants, but all of the same color.

The repetitive shapes also convey a sense of artificial rigidity. The path leads to another small courtyard, complete with artificial hills and ponds, but the pond water is murky and bottomless, and the shapes of the artificial hills appear stiff.

Chen Yang patiently inspected each of the side rooms. The rooms were fully furnished, with antique-style tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets, but a thin layer of dust covered them, indicating that they had been uninhabited for a long time.

He opened the wardrobe, and it was empty; he checked under the bed, and there was nothing there either.

All the rooms looked like prepared showrooms, lacking any real signs of life.

"It's too clean, abnormally clean."

Chen Yang's doubts began to grow.

He left the courtyard and walked deeper into the corridor.

After passing through two or three similarly laid-out and equally empty courtyards, Chen Yang arrived at the area further back of the residence.

The layout of the courtyards here seems to have changed; it no longer strives for symmetry and regularity, but instead appears somewhat chaotic.

He pushed open a half-closed courtyard gate, revealing a long-abandoned courtyard overgrown with weeds almost waist-high. The doors and windows of several side rooms were broken, and the still air exuded an aura of decay.

"It's finally starting to look a little different."

Chen Yang entered the abandoned courtyard, parted the weeds, and searched carefully.

However, apart from broken bricks and withered branches and leaves, nothing was found.

Those side rooms were completely empty, without even a piece of furniture.

He left the deserted courtyard with a hint of disappointment and continued his exploration. After turning a few more corners, the scene before him changed once again.

This is a very neat and elegant courtyard. The ground is paved with smooth bluestone, and there is not a single weed in sight. A beautiful pomegranate tree grows in the courtyard, and stone tables and benches are placed under the tree.

The doors and windows of the several side rooms were intact, and the rooms were clean and bright.

Everything looked as if someone had carefully maintained it and lived there regularly.

Chen Yang's heart stirred, and he walked over quietly.

He first went to the side room facing the courtyard gate and looked inside through the openwork window.

The room was simply furnished with a bed, a table, and a chair. The bedding on the bed was neatly folded, and the table held writing implements and several books. A plain-colored long robe was draped over the back of the chair. It certainly looked like a place where someone lived, and the owner seemed to have just left.

He gently pushed open the door and went inside. A faint scent, similar to sandalwood mixed with the smell of ink, wafted through the room.

He walked to the table and looked at the books; they were all common collections of poems and essays, nothing special. He then touched the bedding on the bed; it was dry and soft. (End of Chapter)