Zi Linling and the others rushed towards the patch of bamboo forest in the center without stopping.
A breeze swept through, and the bamboo forest rippled like waves of green.
Rays of light shot up from within the bamboo forest, slowly merging into a blue disc of light in the sky.
Several chains of profound iron connected to the disc, with their other ends attached to the Sea Venerable Shrine.
Blue energy poured down along the profound iron chains, sinking into the Sea Venerable statue, then returning underground through the statue, and being channeled back into the bamboo forest.
This constant circulation of energy kept the bamboo forest perpetually rich in spiritual essence.
Zi Linling and the others arrived to witness this scene.
"Marvelous, truly marvelous!" Shangguan Yulin exclaimed.
"Indeed! This bamboo forest forms its own array, with inexhaustible energy within. Who could have created it?"
Elder Du subconsciously reached to stroke his goatee but found nothing there.
"Let's go inside and take a look!"
Zi Linling said, leading the way into the bamboo forest.
Xuanyuan Xun and the others followed closely, all stepping into the bamboo forest.
However, the moment they entered, Shen Liuxing collapsed onto the ground.
"Brother Shen!" everyone cried out.
Zi Linling had no time to think and rushed to Shen Liuxing's side, frantically checking him.
"How is he?" they all asked in unison.
Zi Linling shook her head. "He's only fainted. There's no serious injury."
"Why did he suddenly faint?" Xuanyuan Xun asked with a frown.
"Yeah, boss! Wasn't he fine just moments ago?" Shangguan Yulin added.
The others, though silent, were all filled with confusion.
Zi Linling's brow furrowed; she couldn't explain it for a while.
There was nothing wrong with Shen Liuxing's body, and no discernible reason for his unconsciousness.
"How about this, let's take him to the Array Venerable Shrine first!"
Elder Du pondered for a moment and said.
Zi Linling nodded. "That's the only way for now!"
"Alright then!"
Xuanyuan Xun said, picking up Shen Liuxing and continuing forward.
Soon, they passed through the bamboo forest and arrived at the Array Venerable Shrine.
Inside the Array Venerable Shrine, there was only an old man resting with his eyes closed.
He looked unremarkable, just like an ordinary person.
But Zi Linling and the others knew that someone guarding the Array Venerable Shrine here could not be ordinary.
Sensing someone's arrival, the old man lazily opened his eyelids. "The incense is over there. Help yourselves, and leave quickly after paying your respects!"
"Senior..."
Zi Linling had only uttered two words when the old man interrupted her. "Don't call me senior. I'm not worthy of that title."
"Hey, old man, my brother was perfectly fine, but the moment he stepped into the bamboo forest, he fainted. Do you know what happened?" Shangguan Yulin asked rudely.
Truth be told, the old man's lazy demeanor annoyed him greatly.
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes snapped open. He looked at Shen Liuxing in Xuanyuan Xun's arms, his pupils constricting for a moment before quickly returning to a calm state.
"Everyone has their own destiny, and the Sea Venerable Shrine has its rules. What's so surprising? If you don't want him to be in danger, place him at the feet of the Sea Venerable statue!"
The old man finished speaking and closed his eyes again.
Shangguan Yulin stepped forward again, wanting to ask for clarification, but Elder Du stopped him.
Then, Elder Du signaled Xuanyuan Xun to do as the old man said.
Xuanyuan Xun nodded and placed Shen Liuxing at the foot of the Sea Venerable statue.
Zi Linling bowed respectfully. "May I ask what destiny and rules you speak of, senior?"
The old man didn't open his eyes. He said slowly, "Destiny is chance; rules are regulations. As cultivators, you shouldn't need an old man like me to explain these things, should you?"
"This..."
Just as Zi Linling was about to speak, she heard Xuanyuan Xun's exclamation: "Brother Shen!"
Everyone quickly turned their heads to look at the spot beneath the Sea Venerable statue. Shen Liuxing was gone.
Xuanyuan Xun, holding his Overlord Spear, was lunging to stab the Sea Venerable statue.
The lazy old man also opened his eyes.
When he saw Xuanyuan Xun's action, a mocking smile curled his lips, and he leisurely closed his eyes again.
Sea Venerable Xuanxuzi was one of the Nine Protectors and a savior to all beings.
Xuanyuan Xun's attack was undoubtedly an act of ungratefulness.
Of course, Xuanyuan Xun was desperate, his sole intention being to save Shen Liuxing, not to offend intentionally.
"No!"
The others wanted to stop him, but it was too late.
Just as the tip of the Overlord Spear was about to strike the Sea Venerable statue, a figure flashed, and Zi Linling had firmly grasped the spear.
At the same moment, the blue light on the Sea Venerable statue instantly blazed, drawing both Zi Linling and Xuanyuan Xun into the statue.
This act had stirred up a hornet's nest.
Seeing this, Shangguan Yulin, Rong Guang, Du Zihao, Xi Jingran, and Elder Du all rushed towards the blue light on the statue.
In the blink of an eye, Xi Jingran and Du Zihao were flung back, crashing heavily onto the ground outside the Sea Venerable Shrine.
Shangguan Yulin, Rong Guang, and Elder Du, following Zi Linling and Xuanyuan Xun, were also absorbed into the Sea Venerable statue.
"Master!"
"Brother!"
Xi Jingran and Du Zihao cried out in pain and rushed towards the Sea Venerable Shrine again.
However, the moment they reached the entrance, the door to the Sea Venerable Shrine slammed shut with a clang.
Xi Jingran and Du Zihao, unable to stop in time, slammed hard against the door.
The door remained unbroken, but the impact caused both of them to spit out a mouthful of blood.
Unwilling to give up, Xi Jingran and Du Zihao were about to force the door open when the old man's voice echoed out.
"The two of you have no destiny with the Sea Venerable Shrine. Please wait patiently!"
Xi Jingran and Du Zihao were frantic. They no longer cared about whether the old man was a master or not.
Xi Jingran roared, "Old man, where did you send my master?"
Du Zihao also roared, "Quickly release my elder brother! Release my friends!"
The old man, picking his ear, said, "Are the two of you foolish? I already told you, everyone has their own destiny. Why are you still shouting?"
"Let me tell you the truth, those young ones are not in any danger. Just be patient and wait! No more noise, or don't blame me, this old man, for dealing with you!"
Hearing this, the furious Xi Jingran and Du Zihao immediately calmed down.
"Is what you said true, senior?"
Du Zihao asked again, unwilling to be reassured.
The old man's voice turned icy. "Stinky brat, are you questioning my words?"
Du Zihao quickly replied, "Not at all! I just wanted to confirm!"