The carved figures on either side of the entrance held sharp-toothed steel sabers in front of their chests.
"These are elites of the Void Demons!"
Wang Zhuo stepped forward, his gaze darting away as he looked at the two figures carved on the gate. "Only the elite of the Void Demons are qualified to wear this seamless, dark Xuan armor."
"The dense array of Void Demon runes on the palace gate has not been destroyed by the Immortal Lord, but remains intact here. It is truly strange," Xia Xin Yu mused, unable to comprehend the sight. A Void Demon palace preserved so perfectly was likely unique in the world.
"Grind~~~ Rattle~~~ Rattle~~~"
The palace gate opened with an eerie creak, and an ancient aura washed over them. The entire void felt seven parts heavier. Chaotic energy surged and churned, the world warped, plunging into profound darkness. At the deepest point, a flickering lamp, as if about to extinguish, swayed, guiding Dian Wei and the others.
"Let's go. Since we're here, let's go in and see," Long Ju said softly. Yang You Ji, beside him, quickly nudged Long Ju's shoulder and shook his head.
Long Ju immediately stepped back, closed his eyes, and fell silent.
Xia Xin Yu and Wang Zhuo exchanged glances for a long time, then looked towards the dark depths and the flickering flame for an extended period before mustering their courage and stepping into the hall. Wang Yun Xuan and Wang Le followed. Dian Wei, Long Ju, and Yang You Ji paused for two breaths before entering the shadowy hall.
Upon entering the lightless hall, all they could see was a faint, weak lamp far ahead, on the verge of being extinguished. They huddled together, feeling more terrified than they had in the chaotic void before entering the palace.
"The gravity in the void is becoming increasingly heavy!"
Dian Wei spoke in a deep voice. He felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, each step requiring immense effort. His divine power was constantly circulating, being consumed at an alarming rate.
"After all, this is the palace where the leader of the Void Demons resided. Everyone be careful. Don't move around. Our divine senses cannot penetrate here. If we get separated, I fear..."
"Stick close. As long as we walk straight towards that lamp, there shouldn't be any problems," Wang Zhuo warned.
By now, Wang Zhuo and the other two had lowered their guard. Their Wang family bore no ill will towards Xia Xin Yu, and they had no grievances with Dian Wei, a being from the Great Han Divine Dynasty, even owing him a favor.
"Rumble!"
Less than three breaths after his words, the distant lamp flickered, nearly extinguishing. In that brief moment of instability, from the impenetrable darkness, came a series of spine-chilling sounds. Tendrils of blood-red gas, like ropes, emerged from the blackness, descending to ensnare them.
Boom!
Several bizarre red streamers struck them directly. Even the powerful Xia Xin Yu and Wang Zhuo were forced to their knees, one hand supporting them. Their divine power could not withstand the impact of the red streamers, shattering instantly and piercing their flesh, leaving wounds the size of a palm. Blood gushed out.
Dian Wei, Long Ju, and Yang You Ji, wearing their divine beast armor, were also unable to fend off the attack. Their armor cracked, and the red streamers struck their flesh.
"Puff!"
All of them coughed up a mouthful of dark blood. As the weak flame steadied, the powerful, bizarre red streamers vanished.
"What exactly is this?"
Dian Wei touched the crack in his armor and asked. Even the armor, imbued with the essence of the Vermilion Bird, was no match for the red streamers, tearing through it like paper.
"This is too terrifying... Are you all alright?" Wang Zhuo stood up and asked softly. "There must be some grand formation sealing this place. Do you see that flame? That's likely the eye of the formation!"
"We can't go back!"
Suddenly, Wang Le, at the very rear, cried out in terror, his voice trembling. "We can't go back! There's a wall behind us, and we can't break through it!"
Instantly, the others hurried back. They all reached out, only to feel a thin, membrane-like substance. The divine power in their arms dissipated the moment they touched it, rendering them as ordinary mortals, unable to channel their divine power. This horrifying realization sent a shockwave through them, causing some to retreat in alarm.
"It seems we can only move forward. The path back is completely sealed. Esteemed generals, I will not force you. I do not know what lies ahead, but I will press on."
Xia Xin Yu said calmly. "Three generals, you have escorted me this far. I will proceed alone from here."
"Miss Xia, we regret we cannot obey,"
Dian Wei shook his head. They bore the Emperor's mandate; they could not retreat.
"Since that is the case, let us go!"
Xia Xin Yu smiled slightly. The subjects of the Great Han were so loyal to Yang Hao's command, able to bear the imperial mandate and never retreat, even in the face of insurmountable power. What a strong and prosperous dynasty the Great Han must be to have such loyal and brave officials!
With that, Xia Xin Yu led Dian Wei and the other two forward again. Wang Zhuo followed without hesitation. Wang Yun Xuan paused for several breaths before also following. Only Wang Le remained, hesitant, his face a mask of fear, and finally sat down cross-legged.
Half an hour later, the flame ahead flickered weakly again, and several red streamers appeared once more in the black space.
"Boom!"
The red streamers struck down, carrying a force that the few of them could not resist. They hit their bodies with immense power, this time more terrifying than before. Upon impact, they seeped into the depths of their souls, striking their nascent spirits. Cold sweat streamed down their faces, and half their divine power vanished.
"The power carried by these red beams this time is several times greater than before. It seems that the deeper we go down this dark path, and the closer we get to that faint lamp, the more powerful these red streamers become," Long Ju said, touching his wounds.
At the core of the entrance to the sealed land, Wang Fu, the leading elder of the Wang family, looked grimly at the entrance. Suddenly, his hand trembled violently. He quickly unfolded it to see that Wang Le's jade slip had several fine cracks, on the verge of shattering.
"Wang Le must have encountered trouble! Are the other three not with him?"
Zhan Qian Shan of the Zhan family asked urgently. Only Wang Le, Wang Yun Xuan, and Wang Zhuo of the four clans remained within the sealed land.
"It appears the ordeal is significant. Look at this life tablet trembling violently, with fine cracks appearing. His nascent spirit may have suffered severe damage," Wang Fu said worriedly.
"Whirr~~"
Suddenly, the jade slips belonging to Wang Yun Xuan and Wang Zhuo also began to tremble violently, even more so than Wang Le's. From the fine cracks, wisps of black-red gas began to seep out.