Wei Zhong realized the spirit stone vein was beyond his reach. Second True Disciple Lu Yibin was simply too powerful, possessing multiple Second-Tier Magic Artifacts.
More importantly, Lu Yibin's escape speed rivaled his own. If Lu Yibin truly wanted a confrontation, Wei Zhong would have little chance of escaping.
Wei Zhong understood that his lack of progress wasn't due to insufficient practice with the Cloud Soaring Technique, but rather its inherent limitations as a mere First-Tier Technique. Lu Yibin's ghost-like footwork, as Wei Zhong observed, was undoubtedly a Second-Tier Escape Technique.
While Lu Yibin's fundamental strength far surpassed Wei Zhong's, his proficiency with the Cloud Soaring Technique lagged behind Wei Zhong's own. This was the only reason they were evenly matched.
Sigh, forget it. Greed leads to peril, and the risks are too great. My temperament leans toward stability; I'm ill-suited for such reckless ventures.
Wei Zhong reasoned, If I succeeded in seizing the Azurewood Sect's spirit stone mine through such reckless means, the sect would likely detain all Loose Cultivators the moment the Secret Realm closed. I haven't forgotten that the entrance to the Clear River Secret Realm lies within the Azurewood Sect's mountain gate.
At that point, escape would be impossible.
After regaining his composure, Wei Zhong began searching the palace complex.
These residences, built atop the spirit stone vein, must have once housed immortals, he reasoned. There are bound to be valuable treasures hidden within.
After a thorough search, Wei Zhong realized his optimism had been misplaced. Not only were there no spiritual treasures to be found, but even the spiritual materials used in the pavilions and towers had been completely scavenged.
It seems this place has suffered not just from the ravages of time, but from human plunder as well. Those Azurewood Sect bastards are ruthless—they've completely dismantled the Immortals' Caves of their predecessors.
Yet, on second thought, it was still better to scavenge here than search for uncertain Spirit Medicines outside. At least these materials qualified as spiritual treasures, ensuring his trip to the Secret Realm wouldn't be a total loss.
Generation after generation, they had systematically ravaged this immortal dwelling.
Wei Zhong's treasure hunt had effectively convicted the Azurewood Sect of disrespecting their ancestors.
Having exhausted the outer areas, Wei Zhong headed toward the towering central spire.
Earlier, he had lingered on the periphery, wary of Lu Yibin's potential counterattack. But now he was certain his pursuer wouldn't return.
Approaching the spire's plaza, he found the paving stones torn up and scattered haphazardly across the ground.
This is outrageous.
Drawing closer to the spire, he saw that the plaque above its entrance was broken, half missing, and the remaining fragment tattered beyond legibility.
Entering through the shattered central gate, Wei Zhong found himself in a vast circular hall, its interior adorned with countless murals.
The murals depicted both natural landscapes and scenes of human life, ranging from celestial visions to earthly scenes of daily life. Through the seasons, from sunrise to sunset, they seemed to encompass the entirety of human experience.
Wei Zhong approached, tracing the rough texture of the stone murals. They were made of ordinary rock, preserved only by being carved within the high tower of this ancient structure.
Many of the murals bore traces of deliberate damage, undoubtedly the work of the Azurewood Sect.
At the center of the grand hall stood an extraordinarily tall platform, towering dozens of zhang high. Sunlight streamed through the domed ceiling, scattering across the stone surface in shimmering, star-like patterns, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Eager to investigate the platform's summit, Wei Zhong activated his Soaring Cloud Technique. To his surprise, the technique proved unusually weak, barely lifting him a zhang into the air.
Other techniques yielded similar results—their power rapidly diminishing beyond the same height.
Drawing his magic sword, he attempted to fly on it, but again found himself limited to a zhang. Any higher, and he encountered overwhelming resistance.
"Is this some kind of anti-flight or anti-magic barrier?" Wei Zhong wondered.
He recalled hearing tales of Secret Realms containing bizarre restrictions—prohibiting flight, suppressing combat techniques, or even blocking spiritual energy. He never expected to encounter one firsthand during this expedition.
The origins of these barriers varied. Some were created by powerful cultivators, while others arose naturally from the land itself. Overcoming them typically required disrupting the region's delicate equilibrium, causing the formations to collapse.
Since individual strength couldn't overcome the barrier, and the consequences of damaging the formation were unknown, the Azurewood Sect had likely abandoned this grand hall.
If I can't fly, I'll have to climb.
Wei Zhong gazed at the dazzling white platform high above, a bitter taste rising in his throat.
At this height, a fall would likely kill me or leave me severely injured.
After all, the Body Nourishing Art, with its emphasis on preservation, couldn't match the physical prowess of a true Body Cultivator.
Fortunately, no enemies lurked in the air. Had an attacker appeared, he would surely have met his end.
Without hesitation, Wei Zhong retrieved a rope from his Storage Pouch. Woven from rare spiritual herbs, the rope was exceptionally tough—even a Second-Tier Magic Artifact couldn't sever it.
He secured the rope around his waist and searched for a suitable projection on the platform to anchor it.
Step by step, he ascended. Suddenly, the rope, anchored a zhang above, snapped.
Wei Zhong wiped his hands, finding himself unscathed.
Fine, even external assistance is forbidden.
Reluctantly abandoning the rope, Wei Zhong began climbing with both hands and feet.
The higher he climbed, the greater the pressure on his body became. It felt as if an invisible weight on his back grew heavier with each meter gained.
Glancing back, he saw nothing.
This trial is truly grueling. Sweat beaded on Wei Zhong's forehead. This was the first time since his transmigration that he felt so utterly exhausted.
Immortals possess their own techniques; why resort to such brute force?
Unfortunately, all magical power was suppressed in this place, a true hardship for Wei Zhong.
Reaching a height of ten meters, Wei Zhong discovered a recess containing a stone sword rack. It appeared that a treasured sword had once rested there, but it had long since been taken.
The rack was remarkably sturdy, as if carved directly from the stone platform itself. Wei Zhong seized the opportunity to rest for a moment, gripping the rack with one hand.
Looking higher, a sense of foreboding gripped Wei Zhong's heart. Could all the treasures above have already been claimed?
He pressed onward. At twenty meters, he found another empty recess, identical to the first. At thirty meters, and forty meters...
All the way to the summit at 120 meters, every recess was similarly bare.
Wei Zhong could no longer suppress his urge to curse aloud, but his exhaustion rendered him nearly speechless.
Instead, he roared inwardly, Azurewood Sect, you're utterly heartless!
In frustration, Wei Zhong slapped the solid stone platform before him, his limp arm unable to muster much force.
"This trial ground doesn't even replenish its rewards?" he muttered, nearly weeping in frustration.
His anger eventually faded into a bitter smile as he finally understood why no Azurewood Sect disciples ever visited this palace. As for Loose Cultivators, they likely met their end at the hands of Lu Yibin the moment they approached the spirit vein below.
"Never mind," Wei Zhong sighed. "This opportunity isn't meant for me. I should just leave and gather Spirit Medicines to prepare for Foundation Establishment."
Just as he was about to depart, a white light erupted within his mind. The sunlight streaming down from the tower's windows shifted, bathing the interior in radiant illumination. The murals on the walls seemed to ripple slightly under the radiant glow.
"What's happening?"
Before Wei Zhong could grasp the situation, his body lifted off the platform and began to float in the air.