In the world of "Covering the Sky," my cultivation technique is not right.

Purple Mountain stands majestically, ancient and vast, its cliffs covered with ravines eroded by time.

At the foot of Purple Mountain, Lü Yao and Ye Fan stood side by side. Before them was a huge cave entrance, dark and bottomless, like the gaping maw of a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey, exuding a chilling, demonic power.

With a muffled thud, Ye Fan threw a set of stone armor heavily onto the ground. The stone armor collided with the ground, producing a dull thud that made the gravel underfoot vibrate slightly and raise a cloud of fine dust.

The stone skin obtained from the village is identical in material to the Originium stone skin, with fine patterns covering its surface, appearing to be naturally formed.

Ye Fan began to cast a protective spell on himself, grasping the collar of the stone armor with both hands and, with a slight exertion, pulling the heavy armor onto his body.

"Back then, I followed Pang Bo from Zhongzhou to the Northern Region and stayed in a village near Zishan. I happened to meet a descendant of a certain Yuan Tian Master. I promised them that I would retrieve the Yuan Tian Book, so I was given this set of stone armor at that time."

They say this stone armor can resist the demonic power in Purple Mountain. A thousand years ago, the Zhang family ancestors wore a set of stone armor when they went in and out of the outer area of ​​Purple Mountain. Later, they went deep into Purple Mountain and never came back.

There was only one set left, which I took with me. If it weren't for the Ji family chasing me, I would have already gone deep into Purple Mountain to find the Origin Book.

Lu Yao glanced at him sideways and said, "Their ancestors all disappeared deep in Purple Mountain, and you still dare to go in? Besides, what am I supposed to do if you wear this set?"

Ye Fan put on the stone armor, shook it a couple of times to make sure it was secure, and when he heard Lü Yao's joke, he chuckled, his skin as thick as a city wall: "Then I'll give you the stone armor. You have a sacred artifact on you... how about you let me use it for self-defense?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yao almost laughed out of anger. This Ye Heizi, his skin is getting thicker and thicker.

"How did you know I possess a sacred artifact?"

Ye Fan's expression was strange: "Last time at the Tai Xuan Sect, when you appeared, you used your holy might to bless the Holy Light Path. I was there at that time."

Later, I asked the elders of the Tai Xuan Sect and learned that it was a trace of the power of a sage.

They all said that the Imperial Weapon and Sacred Artifact were definitely given to you by the Yao Guang Holy Land for protection, to be used against the Ji family, and that you had to return them afterward.

Ye Fan took a step closer and grinned slyly, "But how long have we known each other? Why would I spit out what's already in your mouth? At most, I'll return the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron. As for that sacred artifact, you'll definitely try your best to keep it for protection."

Lu Yao stared intently at Ye Fan for a full minute, his murderous intent rising: "As the saying goes, a ruler's heart is as deep as the sea. You understand me so well, it seems I need to send you to keep Jiang Yichen company."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan immediately summoned the Source Root of All Things.

As soon as the cauldron appeared, more than a dozen streams of primordial energy descended, protecting him completely like a waterfall. He retreated as he walked into the cave, stubbornly insisting:

"Return 'I'? You dog of an emperor! If you've got the guts, grab me first."

With a wave of his hand, the azure longsword in his mind's eye transformed into a stream of light and appeared in his hand—the Azure Moon Holy Sword. As soon as the holy sword appeared, it emitted a cool, clear moonlight, dispelling some of the surrounding darkness.

He carried the Azure Moon Holy Sword on his back and summoned a stone gourd above his head.

The Chaos Gourd emitted wisps of chaotic energy, protecting Lü Yao within.

This godforsaken place seals the descendants of the Eight Divine Generals of the Undying Emperor. It's best not to use the Imperial Weapon. If the commotion is too great and awakens those Ancestral Kings, my little body will be dead on the spot.

Of course, this is assuming that the Boundless Bell does not intervene. If it does intervene, Ning Fei will also suffer a bloody defeat.

However, the Azure Moon Holy Sword is sufficient to deal with the evil intentions of those descendants of the Ancestral Kings and some special circumstances. Besides... Lu Yao glanced at two steps behind him, where there was a power bank. It was a powerful being after all, and its attack power was still considerable.

Lü Yao stepped into the cave entrance and quickly caught up with Ye Fan. The two walked side by side in the dimly lit mine tunnel.

Ye Fan looked at the Azure Moon Holy Sword behind Lü Yao, which radiated a holy light, and was so envious that his mouth almost watered. He was even more annoyed when he learned that it came from the Qinling Mountains:

"I should have known better than to go looking for Pang Bo. Pang Bo is nothing compared to the sacred artifact! If I had gone directly to the Qinling Mountains, this sacred sword would have been mine."

"Heh," Lü Yao said, "Then let's not save him, let him die."

Ye Fan quickly shook his head, saying righteously, "No, no! How can that be! Pang Bo is my brother!"

The two bickered as they delved deeper into the subject.

Looking at the place, which resembled a mine tunnel, Ye Fan asked in confusion, "How is this any different from the mine tunnels I saw in the Ji Family Origin Mine? Did the Great Emperors of the Ancient Era live in places like this? This is too shabby!"

Lü Yao said, "The terrain here is a masterpiece of nature, possessing incredible power."

"What is that!" Ye Fan suddenly shouted, breaking the silence of the mine tunnel.

Suddenly, indistinct humanoid shadows appeared in the darkness ahead, accompanied by a sickening flapping sound.

It turned out to be seven or eight bat-like creatures with sharp claws and teeth that gleamed with a metallic glint, and they were incredibly fast.

"It's a Demon Bat." Lu Yao stood behind Ye Fan, his expression calm and unperturbed. This thing wasn't strong; to Ye Fan in his current state, it was just easy prey.

As expected, Ye Fan formed hand seals, his divine power surged, and the phantom of an ancient mountain appeared.

"roll!"

Ye Fan roared, and the illusory mountain slammed into the swarm of demonic bats in front of him.

Immediately, demonic blood splattered everywhere. Seven or eight demonic bats didn't even have time to scream before they were smashed into mincemeat by the mountains, and the stench of blood instantly filled the air.

"Legend has it that the Demon Bat was a bat that achieved great power, but whose descendants degenerated and roamed in extremely dangerous places. How did it appear in the Great Emperor's Daoist temple?"

Although Ye Fan easily killed the monster, there was no sign of relief on his face. On the contrary, his brows were furrowed, because this meant that the two of them had officially entered the perilous land.

Lu Yao continued walking forward, his feet crunching on the white bones, a chilling sound. "Let's hurry, this is just an appetizer. There are many secrets hidden in Purple Mountain, far more than just the Great Emperor's Dojo."

The Azure Moon Holy Sword behind him trembled slightly, emitting azure divine light that illuminated the passage and made him appear like a divine being in the moon.

Ye Fan quickly followed, standing close to Lü Yao. Using the light from the holy sword for illumination, he asked curiously, "Isn't this the palace of the Human Emperor? Is there some other explanation?"

Lu Yao's gaze was deep as he looked at the endless darkness at the end of the passage. He said in a deep voice, "Purple Mountain existed in the ancient times. At that time, it was the Daoist temple of an ancient emperor. Later, it was occupied by the Great Emperor Wushi of the human race."

"The Great Emperor Wushi?" Ye Fan said, "This title has a strong Daoist flavor."

Ye Fan didn't ask Lü Yao why he knew so much. As a holy son of the Holy Land, shouldn't he know more?

Even a rogue cultivator like him could come into contact with many ancient secrets, let alone a sacred land.

For example, he knew that the ancient era belonged to the ancient race, and that was the era when the ancient emperor reigned supreme, while the Beidou human race was weak.

He had never seen what the ancient races looked like.

"And who is that ancient emperor?" Ye Fan asked again.

"The first emperor of the ancient era was regarded as a god by all races." As the two spoke, they walked for several dozen miles, and stone carvings and murals began to appear on the walls.