Martial Arts Crossover: The Sweeping Monk of Wudang? That's our patriarch!

Lin Daochen bent down to examine the route map closely, deducing the entrance to the hall inch by inch. The map's patterns were as dense as a spider web, concealing hidden secrets; the slightest misinterpretation would lead to a deadly trap.

But he was meticulous and thoughtful, and soon he picked out several key clues from the complex symbols—like star trails, like bloodlines, and like the hidden traces of some ancient contract.

The atmosphere within the Blood Palace grew increasingly heavy, the sacred robes of the sages slowly revived, and the entire palace was immersed in floating crimson light, pulsating slightly as if it were alive.

Lin Daochen and the Heavenly Water Immortal felt a chill run down their spines. The effects of the treasure robe were fleeting, and they had to break through the illusion before the light dimmed, or they would be swallowed by the blood tide with no chance of recovery.

At that moment, the Ancestor Guang'an suddenly broke free and rushed alone toward the entrance of the Blood Palace, seeking another way out.

Plum Blossom Ancestor's pupils contracted, and alarm bells rang in her heart—she was certain that a sacred artifact lay dormant in the hall, and that Ancestor Guang'an's departure could very well disrupt the entire situation, even causing her to miss her chance. Her gaze shifted, filled with both apprehension and anxiety.

"Ancestor Guang'an, are you really willing to gamble? The sacred artifact is inside, are you willing to hand it over to someone else?" Ancestor Meihua's voice was as cold as ice, every word sharp and thorny, making no attempt to hide his suspicion.

Ancestor Fuyun also took half a step forward, his face grim. In his eyes, in this situation, promises were thinner than paper; only tangible benefits were reliable. His words were sharp, each sentence piercing Ancestor Guang'an's credibility.

Guang'an Ancestor attempted to explain: "I only want to withdraw, not to fight for the sacred artifact, but to survive." But Meihua Ancestor and Fuyun Ancestor ignored him. In this place, face had long been crushed by life and death; trust was more fragile than a knife's edge.

"Ancestor Mei and Ancestor Fuyun are about to lose their lives, what are you talking about rules for?" Ancestor Guang'an sneered, a cold light flashing in his eyes, revealing a ruthless determination to go all out.

Finally, he turned and stormed into the Blood Palace alone. The Plum Blossom Ancestor scoffed, mocking Lin Daochen for not even reaching the Transcendent Realm and being unable to suppress a sacred artifact. Although the three ancestors immediately noticed the initial cracks appearing, they simultaneously realized—Lin Daochen had already infiltrated the palace, plunging into the center of the vortex before them.

The three fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted from the summit of Blood Palace Mountain, causing rocks to fall from the cliff face. The three men's expressions changed drastically. Plum Blossom Ancestor immediately forced Guang Ancestor to swear an oath and demanded three drops of his life essence blood as a pledge; Fu Yun Ancestor followed closely behind, reaching out to ask for his life magic weapon as collateral.

A cold glint flashed in Plum Blossom Ancestor's eyes; he couldn't believe he had already reached the peak. This place was fraught with danger; one misstep would mean annihilation. Fortune Cloud Ancestor stood silently to the side, his gaze sharp as hooks, making no attempt to conceal his hostility.

Ancestor Guang'an's anger surged, but he knew he was outnumbered and outmatched. Gritting his teeth, he forced out three drops of golden life essence blood. Ancestor Plum Blossom swiftly sealed his life force with a restriction, his technique ruthless and leaving no room for retreat.

Ancestor Fuyun gave him no chance to catch his breath, coldly saying, "Hand it over."

After a moment of silence, Ancestor Guang'an raised his hand and summoned a scarlet iron hammer—its shaft shrouded in a chilling aura, sending shivers down the spines of anyone who approached. Ancestor Fuyun accepted the magical weapon, coldly remarking, "This is your mark. If you break the agreement, even if you vanish into the netherworld, we will find you."

Guang'an Ancestor lowered his eyes and remained silent, outwardly compliant, but inwardly already planning his next move. The sacred artifact had not yet appeared, the old grudges had not been resolved, and the rift between the three parties was only temporarily suppressed, and could break down at any moment.

At this moment, Lin Daochen and the Heavenly Water Immortal were trapped in a sea of ​​blood, their feet unsteady, their bodies feeling as if they were stuck in a quagmire. Lin Daochen's brows furrowed slightly, knowing full well that the road ahead was fraught with danger and unpredictability. Suddenly, he felt a warmth at his fingertips—he remembered the strange fragment Yang Kai had given him.

Lin Daochen opened his palm, and the fragment suddenly floated up, its surface shimmering with intense golden patterns, like an ancient cursed seal forged from molten gold.

His pupils contracted—this was no ordinary magical artifact, but a living amulet!

The sea of ​​blood surged like boiling water, and the oppressive feeling almost crushed his soul. He pointed his fingertips, and the fragments suddenly burst out with dazzling golden light. The light flowed and intertwined to form a curtain, steadily opening up a clear barrier that firmly protected him and the Heavenly Water Immortal within it. The blood wave crashed into the light wall and collapsed with a bang, unable to advance an inch.

The origin of this fragment was indeed astonishing; it was the foreshadowing that Yang Kai had laid years ago. Lin Daochen felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but his back tensed even more—this journey was fraught with danger at every turn, and the slightest hesitation would mean annihilation. The golden curtain stood as steady as a mountain, carving a safe path through the turbid waves of blood. They moved forward, treading on the light, their gazes fixed on the deep, dark heart of the Blood Palace.

At the same time, Ancestor Guang'an arrived through the air, his robes fluttering, his eyes blazing with cold flames. A chilling smile curled at the corner of his lips, and his figure moved like a broken blade cutting through the wind, rushing straight towards the Blood Palace—if Lin Daochen did not die, his Dao heart would not be at peace.

Plum Blossom Ancestor, Fortune Cloud Ancestor, and Dark Ancestral Master, three old monsters whose stomp could shake a sea of ​​blood, each plotted their own schemes and lay in wait. In this palace surrounded by a crimson ocean, they quietly unveiled the curtain of a life-or-death struggle.

The fragment suddenly hummed and trembled, its golden light surging, abruptly freezing the churning blood tide—the blood waves hovered in mid-air, like crimson glass, reflecting the shimmering golden light. Immediately afterward, a magnificent divine bridge rose from the golden light, its surface engraved with Sanskrit characters. The sea of ​​blood beneath the bridge silently retreated, piercing straight into the darkest depths of the Blood Palace.

Lin Daochen looked down at the object in his palm, his fingertips slightly burning, and his mind suddenly cleared: this was the only way out, and also the only perilous pass.

Forced into a corner by this overwhelming pressure, the three patriarchs had no choice but to grit their teeth and make a temporary alliance. Plum Blossom Patriarch flicked his fingers into a hand seal, his voice like shattering ice: "Give me three drops of your life essence blood, plus your life-bound magic weapon." Fortune Cloud Patriarch slightly raised his sleeve, his gaze like a knife: "Not one can be missing."

Guang An Ancestor's Adam's apple bobbed, his anger almost bursting through his skull, but the golden energy emanating from the fragments pressed down like a mountain, making his limbs stiff and his magic power sluggish.

He finally forced out three drops of scalding golden blood from between his eyebrows, which floated in the air; then he took off a scarlet iron hammer from his waist and threw it heavily into the hands of Ancestor Fuyun—the hammer was still warm, as if it still contained his lingering ferocity.

Plum Blossom Ancestor collected the blood into a bottle, while Blessed Cloud Ancestor gripped his hammer. They nodded to each other, their expressions showing no sign of easing. In each other's eyes, the sharp edge remained sheathed, their vigilance unchanged. Their alliance was nothing more than thin ice, shattering at the slightest touch.

The fragments seemed to possess a spirit, suddenly soaring into the air and transforming into a golden rainbow that tore through the sky, forcefully piercing through the sea of ​​blood and carving out a vast golden path! The divine bridge stretched across, gleaming brightly. Lin Daochen bowed to the three patriarchs, then, together with the Heavenly Water Immortal, leaped onto the bridge, their robes fluttering, their backs resolute.

The deeper the sea of ​​blood, the more eerie the atmosphere—a putrid fragrance lingers in the chilling cold, and a pulsating pulse is hidden within the deathly silence.

Under the golden bridge's reflection, seven corpses floated silently, their joints twisted like ancient vines, their flesh gleaming with a cold, bluish-gray light, forming a broken ring. Lin Daochen paused, his brow furrowing: Not puppets, not corpse puppets…were they "tomb guardians"? Or some kind of long-lost, forbidden sacrificial offering?

Just as its wings flapped and swept across the blood waves, the Ancestor Guang An suddenly appeared, his cold smile still on his lips, but a burning flame had already ignited in his eyes.

Just as he was about to give chase, the Celestial Immortal flicked his finger, and a clear, melodious flute tune pierced the air, like silk threads, instantly captivating his mind—in that very instant, Lin Daochen's figure had already disappeared into the end of the golden bridge. The Ancestor of Guang'an clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white, a fierce glint in his eyes, without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Daochen landed on his toes, and the massive gate of the Blood Palace was already before him. He looked up, his chest surging with emotion—the afterglow of the golden bridge quietly faded away, and he tucked the fragments into his sleeve with a backhand. With swift steps, he charged straight into the heart of the palace.

Behind him, waves of blood surged, and the Ancestor Guang An arrived, his face as pale as paper, with fine blood lines appearing on his forehead.

Having suffered repeated setbacks that had already eroded his spirit and soul, he went so far as to activate a forbidden technique to reverse his lifespan and forcibly squeeze out his source power—at this moment, his aura was weak and his breathing was slightly rapid, but his eyes were brighter than a blade and hotter than blood.

Lin Daochen and Guang'an Ancestor, one moving forward, the other pursuing, one carrying light, the other arriving with hatred—the Blood Palace situation has thus begun its most intense chapter.

The palace gates stood majestically, seven black iron chains intertwined and tangled, resembling the interlocking fangs of a giant beast. Lin Daochen's five fingers were slightly spread, the fragments pressed against his palms, feeling slightly warm.

He held his breath, his mind racing: this thing could be a key, or it could be a fuse. The world is unpredictable, and the human heart is hard to fathom; even this golden light—was it protection or bait?

Boom...

A burst of blood erupted, and the palace gates swung open! A stench of blood swept out, carrying a raging torrent of dark shadows. The Ancestor of Guang'an let out a fierce roar, his longsword unsheathed, its tip trembling as if it could no longer suppress its thirst for blood. Lin Daochen stood atop the gate steps, his robes billowing, his gaze sweeping across the surging demonic shadows like lightning. He raised his hand and slammed a palm down upon the blood-red gate!

The blood-red patterns on the gate wailed and shattered, and the entire giant gate collapsed inward with a deafening roar—he used the momentum to shoot out, his body like an arrow released from a bow, straight into the depths of the palace. The Ancestor Guang'an's pupils shrank sharply, his sword light surged, and he chased into the blood gate like a madman, holding nothing back and without the slightest hesitation.

The Blood Palace's colossal gate was like an abyss that swallowed light, gripping Lin Daochen's soul tightly. He clearly sensed the immense pressure surging within the gate, but he was also suddenly confronted with a chilling and piercing aura.

Just as he lunged toward the door, his entire body tensed up suddenly, and he felt excruciating pain—as if an invisible giant hand had seized his lifeline and dragged him into the turbulent flow of time.

His skin withered rapidly, his black hair turned snow-white in an instant, and wrinkles crawled all over his face like a spider web. In the blink of an eye, it was as if decades of time had been taken away from him, and he staggered so much that he could hardly stand.

The Celestial Immortal's pupils constricted, and her fingertips trembled slightly. She watched helplessly as Lin Daochen transformed from a tall, handsome young man into a hunched old man, her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed. The pain was so real, yet its source was elusive and hard to pinpoint. All she could do was bite her lower lip tightly and stay by his side, never leaving his side.

Lin Daochen, wracked with excruciating pain, suddenly realized: the fragments were incomplete. The Blood Palace's restrictions hadn't been lifted at all; that door was merely an illusionary trap! He had misjudged the crucial point—only by gathering all the fragments could he truly open this door. This misjudgment was like a poisonous thorn piercing his heart; the price might be his life.

The Ancestor Guang'an had already closed to within three zhang, the cold light of his sword tip flickering as if about to burst forth. But what he saw before him made him pause: Lin Daochen's withered figure crashed into the blood gate, trembling like a leaf thrown into boiling water.

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but the smile froze on his face as soon as it appeared—the seal was loosening at an abnormally fast speed! His brows furrowed sharply, his gaze fixed on Lin Daochen's back like a hook, his knuckles clenching the sword sheath so tightly it made a cracking sound.