Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Leng Ningshuang closed the door, checked the noise outside, and then turned around. Her cold expression instantly softened, and she frowned at Li Yuan, lowering her voice to ask, "What are you doing here?"

Seeing that she got straight to the point and didn't beat around the bush, Li Yuan briefly recounted his experiences, from receiving the mission from the Demon Suppression Division to entering the secret realm, without holding back a single detail.

"I see. I had a similar experience." Leng Ningshuang sighed softly. "That day we were exploring in the mine when suddenly the space distorted, and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was already in this mountain forest."

"I happened to run into the sect leader who came to inspect the mine. I lied and said I was lost. He saw that I had good aptitude, so he took me in as his last disciple. I took the opportunity to lie low."

In fact, Li Yuan had already guessed when he entered this space-time that Leng Ning Shuang could not have disappeared for no reason, and was most likely trapped like him.

Li Yuan's heart stirred. Since she had arrived long ago and infiltrated the upper echelons, she must already know the secret of the cave.

"What exactly happened here? Have you found out?"

Leng Ningshuang walked to the desk and sat down, gesturing for Li Yuan to sit as well, then whispered, "This sect is called the Xuanqi Sect."

"Mysterious Weapon Sect?"

"Yes, I have seen records of this sect in ancient books. A thousand years ago, it was quite famous in the Jiangnan area, known for its weapon-forging techniques. But later, for some unknown reason, it vanished from the world overnight, leaving the sect deserted and its disciples scattered."

"The book records very little about this matter, only saying that they migrated as a whole clan and their whereabouts are unknown."

"After I was accepted as a disciple by the sect leader here, I used this identity to find out some information."

Li Yuan's spirits lifted; it seemed the secret was about to be revealed.

"This mine used to be an ordinary spirit stone mine, but a year ago they dug something deep inside the mine. Neither the sect leader nor the elder guarding the mine told me exactly what it was, only that it was a treasure that was enough to change the fate of the Xuanqi Sect."

"They've been building massive structures here, erecting bronze gates, setting up sealing formations, and recruiting a large number of miners, ostensibly to expand mining operations, but in reality..."

"In reality, they were treating those miners as food, feeding the things behind the bronze gate," Li Yuan continued her words.

Leng Ning Shuang nodded: "You guessed right. I've seen it with my own eyes several times. The elders personally selected miners, saying they were to be taken to the new mine to start mining. In reality, those people were sent behind the bronze door."

She didn't say anything more, but Li Yuan already understood.

"Who has the key?" Li Yuan asked.

"It's in the hands of the Elder Guarding the Cave," Leng Ning Shuang said. "His name is Zhong Yuanzi, the sect leader's junior brother, with a cultivation level of the early stage of the Transformation Realm. Only he can open the mechanism of the Bronze Gate."

"This person is cautious in his actions. Every time he sends someone in, he personally leads the team. I tried a few times to go in with him, but he politely declined, saying that things inside are not yet stable and that he would take me in after my cultivation has improved a bit more."

It seems she doesn't know much either. Li Yuan was somewhat disappointed: "Before I came in, Ji Fanghua and Lei Lie should have already entered the mine. Junior Sister Ji has spatial talent, so she should be able to find the right path."

"If they also enter this space-time, they might infiltrate as well. Keep an eye out and see if any unfamiliar faces appear."

Leng Ning Shuang nodded, and the two fell silent for a moment. It seemed that the only way to solve the mystery was to enter the bronze gate.

"Zhong Yuanzi's cultivation is profound, and we definitely can't take it by force. Moreover, there are at least thirty guards near the Bronze Gate. Once we alert them, the sect leader and other elders will arrive immediately."

Li Yuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Why don't I disguise myself as one of the chosen miners and sneak in?"

Leng Ning Shuang's expression changed: "No way!"

"That's too dangerous. We have absolutely no idea what's behind the bronze door. What if..."

"It's precisely because we don't know that we must go in and take a look." Li Yuan interrupted her. "This space-time didn't exist for no reason. The reason why those vengeful spirits are trapped here and unable to escape lies behind that door."

"We can't find a real way out if we don't figure out what really happened inside."

Seeing Leng Ning Shuang's hesitant expression, Li Yuan softened his tone: "Besides, this is just a past timeline. Even if something happens to me in there, I won't really die. At most, I'll be ejected from this timeline and return to reality."

Leng Ningshuang's expression changed: "I still feel uneasy. This place is far more bizarre than we imagine. The harm you suffer here might affect you in reality. What if..."

"There aren't that many 'what ifs'." Li Yuan stood up. "We don't have time to slowly come up with a solution. This space is deteriorating rapidly. If we can't find a solution before it completely collapses, we will all be trapped here forever."

Seeing his determined gaze, Leng Ning Shuang knew she couldn't dissuade him, so she could only sigh, take a palm-sized jade pendant from her waist, and hand it to Li Yuan: "This is my protective magic weapon. It has an Ice Heart Talisman engraved on it, which can resist mental attacks. Keep it with you, and it might come in handy if you encounter any situation."

Li Yuan accepted the jade pendant without hesitation, carefully putting it away close to his body: "Thank you."

"Clang, clang, clang!"

The next morning, the sound of a gong signaling assembly echoed through the mine.

Several cultivators arrived at the miners' camp, holding a list in their hands, and began calling out names: "Zhao Daniu, Qian Pingsheng, Sun San, Li Tiezhu, Zhou Gou Dan, you five, come out!"

The miners whose names were called looked at each other, their faces turning pale. They walked out trembling, their eyes filled with fear.

They all knew that any miner who was chosen would never return, but faced with the cultivator's oppressive aura, they dared not resist and could only tremble as they stepped out of the queue.

Under Leng Ningshuang's manipulation, Li Yuan took over Li Tiezhu's identity in advance, blending in with the five people. With his head down, he was escorted by the cultivators and walked towards the bronze gate.

Along the way, the miners remained silent, their faces pale, their steps heavy, filled with despair as they knew that a dead end lay ahead, yet they were powerless to resist.

He sighed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do to help them. These were just images from the past; these people had been dead for thousands of years, and he couldn't change anything.

Elder Zhong Yuanzi was already waiting in front of the bronze gate. He was dressed in a dark black Taoist robe, tall and thin with high cheekbones. His sharp eyes swept over the five miners without any emotion, as if he were looking at five lambs to the slaughter.

Zhong Yuanzi took out a jade pendant and embedded it into the mechanism on the door. With a click, the sound of loose gears came from inside. He took a step back and gave a calm instruction.

"Open the door."

The two guards immediately stepped forward and worked together to turn the winch.

The winch made a "clattering" sound, accompanied by a muffled rumble, and the huge bronze door slowly opened to both sides.

An overwhelming aura of ferocity surged out from the crack in the door.