As she settled into the seat, a profound and mysterious consciousness surged forth. It was as if she had been transported into a world filled with symbols. She lifted her head, surrounded by endless symbols. Soon, she found even breathing growing difficult.
Song Wanníng sensed something was wrong and launched a fierce counterattack, trying to drive the symbols away. But after a moment, she realized that no force could affect these symbols. Her strongest moves felt like nothing more than light tickles, having no impact at all.
She quickly changed her approach and tried to resist using her mind. This brought slight progress, but the symbols only clung tighter. The suffocating sensation grew stronger, becoming unbearably uncomfortable. The situation became dangerous. If she died mentally, her Primordial Soul would be destroyed. At that point, no medicine could save her. Song Wanníng struggled to calm herself. Since brute force was useless, she shifted her mindset.
A test…
If it was a test, then she would try to comprehend it first. Enduring the suffocation, she used her mind to carefully trace each symbol stroke by stroke.
At first, the symbols resisted, but Song Wanníng's Primordial Soul was strong, and soon the symbols were subdued.
With careful precision, she drew the talismans, never pausing for even a moment. Like engraving a formation, one must never interrupt or let the flow of spiritual energy falter, or the drawing would fail.
Song Wanníng knew this well and maintained a steady rhythm. Driven by immense spiritual power, the first symbol was finally completed.
At that moment, the finished symbol swiftly entered her sea of consciousness, transforming into a small glowing light drifting within. Her eyes brightened and the suffocating sensation vanished. She had found the right method.
Exhaling deeply, Song Wanníng continued tracing the remaining symbols in the same way. She had a strong premonition that finishing them would bring unexpected rewards.
...
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Huo Jinchuan pressed his hand to his chest, coughing violently as if trying to cough up his lungs. Long hours of fleeing had drained most of his pills. Luckily, stumbling into this hidden place allowed him to survive Patriarch Huo Yang's pursuit.
But even so, his internal injuries hadn't fully healed, and his strength was greatly diminished. He stared at the symbols before him, frowning deeply.
Today, he intended to leave, but accidentally triggered the Immortal Palace and was trapped inside this room.
These were the talisman treasure's drawing symbols. It would require long study to fully comprehend. He worried about being discovered. The Immortal Palace's appearance would surely attract attention, and others would come rushing.
He had to grasp the symbols quickly and seize the inheritance. Then, he could find a way to escape and seek revenge. But for some reason, unease lingered in his heart, especially when thinking about Song Wanníng's incredible Luck. He feared she might discover this place.
"No, no one can steal what belongs to me. I must understand these symbols as soon as possible. And I must steal Song Wanníng's Luck."
He had prepared for this long ago, but hadn't expected to fall out with Huo Yang so soon. Now trapped, luring Song Wanníng here would be difficult. But the Luck-stealing formation was ready. He would not let her escape.
...
The Immortal Palace's emergence quickly caught the attention of surrounding cultivators. The soaring pillar of light lingered without fading.
The Huo family, being closest, had countless disciples rushing over. Other clans sent their own reinforcements upon hearing the news. Everyone coveted this great opportunity, hoping fortune would fall to them and let them change their destiny.
Soon, more and more people flooded into the Immortal Palace.
They all faced the same challenge: to conquer the symbols first.
At that moment in the Immortal Realm, Wu Qingyi of Yunwang Sect was resting when she suddenly sensed the disturbance from the Immortal Palace, raising her brow.
Her male attendant was meditating nearby.
Noticing she had awakened, he quickly rose to prepare tea and incense.
"Madam, you woke up so soon? No one came to ask you for talismans today. You should rest more."
The attendant's eyes were filled with concern as he carefully helped Wu Qingyi sit up.
The sect would soon head to the chasm to hunt demonic creatures. They needed many immortal talismans. To prepare them, Madam hadn't rested for months, draining nearly all her spiritual energy. Finally, she had a moment to rest but woke after only half an hour.
Wu Qingyi took the tea cup, sipped, then inhaled the incense. Her weary spirit slightly improved. She rubbed her aching brow and smiled.
"It's nothing. I just sensed some movement in the Immortal Palace below."
She waved her hand, and a spirit mirror appeared in midair. Countless faces appeared within the grid of the Immortal Palace.
"Madam, what is this...?"
The attendant looked surprised, not expecting her to have items from the lower realm.
"Thousands of years ago, I entered a hidden place and encountered a prehistoric illusion. In a crisis, I had to summon the Immortal Palace to protect myself.
Afterward, the Immortal Palace disappeared and remained dormant for thousands of years. I never sensed it again until now, when someone awakened it." Wu Qingyi's expression was gentle, but a sharp glint flickered in her eyes. Her gaze quickly fixed on Huo Jinchuan, studying him carefully.
"A bone age of a few hundred years, barely late Divine Soul stage. His talent is average…"
The attendant paused at her words, his expression a little uneasy. For someone like her, a heavenly prodigy, this cultivation speed was indeed slow. But for ordinary people, it was outstanding.
"Well, well. If he truly has talent, the inheritance from my lower realm is not impossible to give him."
Wu Qingyi suppressed her dissatisfaction, her expression growing more tired. She leaned against the bedhead while the attendant hurried over to massage her, careful not to upset her. Among many attendants, he had barely earned the chance to serve her and dared not slack.
While massaging, he watched the Immortal Palace on the spirit mirror.
Soon, a figure appeared, and his eyes brightened.
Such a beautiful face.
The person's eyes were closed, surrounded by swirling symbols, mysterious and cold. He could already imagine how breathtaking those eyes would be when opened.
Wu Qingyi noticed the attendant's gaze and looked to the mirror.
A flash of light appeared in her tired eyes.
She saw Song Wanníng and Baili Shang nearby.
Their talent was remarkable!