Ye Yun and the others drew closer to the entrance of the Saint's Tomb. The space they were in grew increasingly oppressive, like the might of an ancient sage bearing down upon them.
The vital energy flowing through the air became more turbulent, instilling a sense of awe in Ye Yun for this Saint's Tomb.
Just then, Ye Yun felt a stir from his finger. He looked down to see his spatial ring flashing with light. Moments later, an object flew out of it of its own accord.
"Hmm? What is this..."
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. He recognized instantly that the object forcefully exiting his spatial ring was the fragmented map of the Saint's Tomb he had obtained at the auction in Fenglong Ancient City.
The tattered map flew before Ye Yun in an instant, as if sensing something, and erupted with a sun-like brilliance.
"This commotion... could this fragmented map be of this Saint's Tomb?"
As if to confirm his guess, the fragmented map before him unleashed a powerful spatial force, creating a spatial rift in front of Ye Yun.
An intensely terrifying suction then emanated from it. Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao, whose cultivation was not high, were directly pulled into the vortex.
"Master!"
Neither of the two women expected this to happen. Their delicate faces changed drastically, and though they struggled with all their might, they were powerless to resist. In the blink of an eye, they vanished into the spatial rift.
This scene caused Ye Yun's expression to shift. Without time to think, he instantly sheathed his Fenglan Sword and plunged into the spatial rift.
The spatial rift then closed. The golden fragmented map dissolved into countless specks of starlight and scattered with the wind.
"Holy shit... what just happened?"
Lan Zhaoye, watching the three disappear, was utterly bewildered.
A cultivator in the Life and Death realm nearby frowned and said, "It was a spatial rift. Elder Ye and the others were likely teleported somewhere by that thing just now."
Lan Zhaoye scratched his head. "Teleported away? Can we follow them?"
"Probably not. We don't even know how it was triggered, so tracking is impossible."
Lan Zhaoye was completely speechless. With the Saint's Tomb about to open, their key figure, Ye Yun, had vanished into thin air. This was a huge problem!
However, worrying was useless at this point. He decided to rendezvous with the main force of the Linglong Immortal Palace as soon as possible and inform his sister of the matter.
...
Meanwhile, outside the entrance of the Saint's Tomb stood a colossal golden gate, at least a hundred meters tall, exuding a formidable aura.
Within the gate, space distorted and vital energy raged, seemingly on the verge of opening at any moment. Outside the gate, within a radius of several thousand meters, tens of thousands, even millions, of cultivators had gathered.
Most of them had received the news recently and had rushed from all over the continent, hoping to find an opportunity within the Saint's Tomb and soar to new heights.
However, none of the cultivators present dared to approach the golden gate. This was due to the presence of four teams stationed at the center.
These four teams represented the Immortal Palaces of the four great regions – East, West, South, and North. Each team comprised at least ten thousand people, with cultivators of all levels.
What was most awe-inspiring, however, were the four ten-person teams hovering above the golden gate. Each individual emanated a terrifying aura, causing many to whisper in discussion.
"Does anyone know who those people are? Their aura is so terrifying. Are they at least Venerables?"
"Venerables? Kid, you're too ignorant. Those forty people in the sky are the peak powerhouses responsible for guarding the gate from the four great Immortal Palaces!"
"That's right. Venerables are only fit to carry their shoes. Each team is equipped with six peak Life and Death realm cultivators, three Half-Step Dao Building cultivators, and one true Dao Building realm expert overseeing them!"
"What? That means there are four Dao Building realm experts in the sky? Today has truly been an eye-opener!"
The Dao Building realm, as the most elite cultivators on the continent, was something ordinary people might never see in their lifetime. To see three at once, many felt their lives were complete.
Below, within the team of the Fulong Immortal Palace.
Mo Chenyu's face was filled with murderous intent as he conversed with an old man in black.
"You who are waiting outside, be fully prepared. After I've explored the Saint's Tomb and emerged, I will lead you all to raid the Gudao Heavenly Sect.
"At that time, you must cooperate with the Old Palace Master to flatten the Gudao Heavenly Sect and capture Ye Yun and his two disciples alive."
Upon hearing this, the old man in black nodded.
"As you command, Young Palace Master!"
Seeing this, Mo Chenyu smiled broadly, thinking, Ye Yun, Ye Yun, we will settle our scores soon enough!
Not long ago, he had finally managed to persuade his father and grandfather to let him lead a force to attack the Gudao Heavenly Sect as well.
Although he could have opted out, for some reason, a thought had taken root in his mind, urging him to personally witness Ye Yun's demise, to see it with his own eyes no matter what!
Though this was strange, he had naturally attributed it to his intense hatred for Ye Yun and selectively ignored the underlying cause.
...
Meanwhile, within the nearby Xuanming Immortal Palace team, a piece of news sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"What? Xiao Tuo was killed?!"
Within the Xuanming Immortal Palace team, a young man in brocade robes roared in fury.
"Did you investigate the identity of the killer?"
Everyone fell silent. Only one person lowered his head and said, "Someone discovered the Second Young Master's body in this Ancient Dragon Mountain Range, but there is still no news of the killer."
Upon hearing this, the brocade-robed youth's face turned ashen, and he roared.
"What a bunch of useless trash! Our dignified Second Young Master of the Immortal Palace is killed, and you don't even know the killer's identity?"
The surrounding individuals, whether Venerables or Life and Death realm experts, all shivered in fear.
Undoubtedly, this brocade-robed youth was the Young Palace Master of the Xuanming Immortal Palace, Mu Yangchen. Mu Yangtuo, who was killed by Ye Yun, was his biological brother.
Even though Mu Yangchen knew that given his brother's personality, he might have provoked someone first, but so what?
As his brother, no matter how much of a scoundrel he was, it was not for outsiders to discipline him. Much less to kill him outright, as if they showed no regard for the Xuanming Immortal Palace!
Mu Yangchen's gaze swept around coldly, and he snorted, saying.
"However, since the attack occurred within this Ancient Dragon Mountain Range, it is very likely that the killer is still here. Search for them! Even if you have to dig three feet into this Ancient Dragon Mountain Range, find the killer!"
"No matter who they are, I will tear them to shreds!"
...
Somewhere unknown, Ye Yun finally felt solid ground beneath his feet after passing through the spatial rift.
However, everything that met his eyes stunned him.
What greeted him was an incredibly desolate world, filled with ruins and shattered walls everywhere. The sky was a dull gray, with not a trace of sunlight visible.
Ye Yun's brow furrowed. The sight before him, coupled with the strong smell of decay in the air and the exceptionally abnormal concentration of vital energy, led him to a conjecture.
"This place... couldn't this be the so-called Saint's Tomb?"