From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 185 Mysterious Underground Palace: Hidden Secrets

The moment I entered the underground palace, the putrid stench assaulted me like an invisible monster, making it almost impossible to breathe. Instinctively, I covered my mouth and nose, squinting my eyes, trying to adjust to the darkness that enveloped the world. The sword in my hand emitted a faint glow, becoming my only source of light.

The underground palace's passageways were narrow and winding, each step feeling like treading on unknown, treacherous currents, fraught with uncertain danger. The walls were covered in mottled patterns, seemingly whispering tales of bygone eras of mystery. I examined them closely, searching for any clues related to the divine artifacts. Yet, this somber place instilled a strange tension within me. The air seemed to solidify into an invisible pressure, making it hard to breathe. I tried to steady my heartbeat, softening my footsteps, lest I accidentally trigger some ancient mechanism. The surrounding silence was like a bottomless darkness, enveloping me completely.

I was completely absorbed in my exploration, unaware that the Blood Fiend Elder was like a hidden venomous snake, silently following behind me. His sinister gaze was fixed on me, and his every step was in sync with my pace.

"The clue must be somewhere..." I murmured to myself, my fingers lightly touching a peculiar pattern on the wall, trying to unravel its mystery. However, the uneasy feeling of being watched grew stronger, as if a pair of eyes were fixed on me from the darkness, making the atmosphere suddenly more tense. Just then, the hilt of my sword vibrated violently, as if issuing some warning. The surrounding air seemed to grow colder, and I felt a sudden chill, alert to the unsettling atmosphere. I whirled around, trying to catch a glimpse of something, but all I saw was the endless darkness, perfectly still, as if it were all just my imagination.

I dared not let my guard down. I gripped my longsword tightly, regulated my breathing, and continued my exploration. Who knew how many secrets and conspiracies lay hidden within this underground palace? But regardless, I was prepared to face any challenge.

Just then, a strange whisper came from the depths of the darkness, tinged with a barely perceptible sneer, as if mocking my every move. Without realizing it, my pace quickened, and the sword in my hand gripped even more firmly and powerfully. Someone was waiting here; perhaps an even greater danger lurked at the end of this journey.

Suddenly, the ground cracked open, revealing a bottomless trap before me. I broke out in a cold sweat and leaped up hastily, narrowly avoiding falling in. My heart raced; I felt the surrounding danger like a giant net, tightly enveloping me.

"Halt! Who goes there?" A deep voice echoed in the darkness, and Ling Feng emerged from the shadows. His gaze was cold, and he held a long sword in his hand, the tip of which was pointed directly at me.

"I am Xiao Yao, I'm not here to destroy the divine artifact, I'm here to find it!" I hurriedly explained, raising my hands slightly to try and lower his guard. Ling Feng, however, did not relax at all, instead closing in step by step, the tip of his sword drawing streaks of cold light in the air.

"Regardless of your purpose, anyone who trespasses into the underground palace must be punished!" he sneered, and suddenly, his sword struck me like lightning. I fought back with all my might, inwardly lamenting. This underground palace truly harbors hidden dangers; every step is fraught with unknown peril.

During the fight, I felt a sharp pain in my left arm. Looking back, I saw a bloody gash across my arm. Ling Feng's swordsmanship was indeed ruthless and deadly; I had been caught off guard. The pain made me stagger, and I almost dropped my sword. Seeing this, Ling Feng said coldly, "Hmph, since that's the case, you're nothing more than a mortal." But there was a hint of hesitation in his voice.

I endured the pain, and a special sword technique I had mastered during my arduous training suddenly flashed into my mind. My eyes sharpened, and I decided to counterattack. I unleashed that special sword technique, and for a moment, the sword light blazed brightly. Ling Feng showed a surprised expression; he hadn't expected that I, injured as I was, would possess such abilities. My swordplay flowed like clouds and water, briefly suppressing Ling Feng, who began to defend himself somewhat awkwardly.

As I attacked, I said, "Ling Feng, I did come for the divine artifact, but not with malicious intent. This underground palace is full of traps, and I have no intention of being your enemy." Ling Feng's sword tip loosened slightly, but he remained vigilant. A hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes, as if he had been touched by my words.

Then, my gaze swept across the patterns on the wall, and finally I spotted a tiny indentation in a mottled spot—this must be the key to the mechanism. I quickly pressed my finger into the indentation, and immediately, the surrounding walls began to slowly move, emitting a low thud. The stone slabs on the ground gradually parted, revealing a deep passage.

A sudden light flashed in my mind, and a confident smile spread across my face. The oppressive atmosphere around us seemed to dissipate instantly, and even Ling Feng's expression became complicated. He sheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping back and forth between me and the passageway.

"You...can you really get in?" Ling Feng's voice carried a hint of uncertainty, but his eyes gleamed with a longing for the divine artifact.

Without another word, I strode into the passage, silently praying that this path would lead me to the artifact. As soon as I entered, a cool breeze swept over me, as if heralding new hope. Ling Feng behind me remained standing, his eyes filled with both doubt and hesitation.

"Xiao Yao, if you can really find the divine artifact, I won't make things difficult for you." His voice came from behind, carrying a hint of sincerity that was hard to detect.

I stopped and glanced back at him, but didn't respond. I just kept walking forward, my heart filled with determination and anticipation.

The air inside the passage was fresh, a stark contrast to the stench at the entrance to the underground palace, carrying a faint, pleasant scent of grass and trees. I took a deep breath, feeling refreshed. The walls on either side of the passage were adorned with exquisite murals, so lifelike they seemed to depict ancient myths and legends. I couldn't resist reaching out to touch them; a warm, smooth sensation spread through my fingertips, as if these murals possessed some kind of magical power.

I quickened my pace, walking forward along the passage. The passage wound its way through the tunnel, seemingly without end. My heart began to race, a mixture of excitement and nervousness washing over me. The artifact was so close; I could almost see its dazzling light.

Suddenly, I heard hurried footsteps behind me. I turned around abruptly and saw the Blood Fiend Elder and the Netherworld Ghost King chasing after me. Their faces were filled with greed, and their eyes gleamed with ferocity.

"Xiao Yao, don't even think about keeping the divine artifact for yourself!" the Blood Fiend Elder said sinisterly.

"Hand over the divine artifact, and I'll spare your life!" The voice of the Netherworld Ghost King was like a roar from hell.

I ignored them and kept running forward. I knew this wasn't the time to fight; my goal was the artifact.

Just as the Blood Fiend Elder and the Netherworld Ghost King were about to catch up with me, I noticed an inconspicuous mechanism button on the passage wall, one I had discovered earlier while observing the murals. A slight smile played on my lips as I rolled to the button and pressed it hard. Instantly, the ground beneath their feet opened, revealing ropes that bound them, trapping them in a predicament where they struggled but could not escape. I turned gracefully and continued towards the artifact.

A light appeared at the end of the passage. I was overjoyed and quickened my pace.

"Stop!" Ling Feng's voice suddenly rang out.

I stopped abruptly and turned around to see Ling Feng standing at the end of the passage, a long sword in his hand, blocking my way. His eyes held a complex expression, a mixture of wariness and hesitation.

"Xiao Yao, are you really going to remain so stubborn?" Ling Feng asked.

I didn't answer, I just looked at him with a firm gaze.

"Alright, since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!" Ling Feng raised his longsword and pointed it at me.

I took a deep breath, gripped my sword tightly, and prepared for battle.

Just then, I felt the ground beneath my feet begin to shake, and the walls on both sides of the passage began to collapse.

"What's going on?" I exclaimed.

"Haha, it seems the heavens are going to destroy you!" Blood Fiend Old Man laughed wildly. He and Netherworld Ghost King had somehow broken free from the mechanical restraints.

"The artifact is mine!" the Netherworld Ghost King shouted excitedly.

My heart sank; I knew I was in dire straits.

Just then, the murals on both sides of the passage suddenly came to life, transforming into mythical beasts such as Qilin and Phoenix, charging towards the Blood Fiend Elder and the Netherworld Ghost King. The mythical beasts emitted dazzling light, forcing them back. I watched this scene in astonishment, my heart filled with gratitude.

But the danger was not over yet; a huge vortex appeared at the end of the passage, emitting a powerful suction force.

"Watch out!" Ling Feng suddenly shouted.

Before I could react, I was swept into the vortex by a powerful force...

"Xiao Yao!" I heard Ling Feng's voice echo in my ears, and then everything fell silent.

Where...am I going?