The stone gate slowly opened, revealing the Wind-Tunnel Corridor.
The walls were mottled, ancient lamps flickering to life one by one. Their wavering glow resembled countless eyes staring at the intruders. The howling wind carried with it a deep, murmur-like chant, as if legions of the dead whispered in their ears.
The cultivators held their breath, not daring to step forward.
Su Wanci raised her array disk, her voice cold: "Windfield fluctuations exceeding normal range. There are runic vibrations embedded within. This is not merely a corridor—it is a formation array."
But Luo Xingyun was already weeping, hands clasped, shouting with fanaticism: "The Heavenly Emperor manifests! The wind's voice is sacred words! The Dao itself speaks aloud!"
"Sacred words! Sacred words!" the cultivators echoed after him.
Su Wanci almost laughed from anger. "Wind is just wind! This is air movement causing rune resonance!"
Yet, just as she spoke, a white casket appeared deeper in the corridor, hovering in midair, surrounded by shimmering light.
"The Archival Spirit Casket…" Su Wanci froze, her expression betraying her shock. "It… automatically records sound and engraves it into dungeon law…"
The entire hall fell silent.
Luo Xingyun froze for half a breath, then collapsed to the ground, sobbing in ecstasy: "It's the Heavenly Emperor's sacred casket! Born only to record the sacred words!"
He raised his tear-streaked face to the casket, raving madly: "Quiet! Everyone quiet! Beg the Heavenly Emperor to speak!"
…
At that moment.
Ji Canglan was squatting in the corner, gnawing on roasted fish, muttering to himself: "This fish… still too salty. Next time, less salt."
Boom—
The white spirit casket shuddered violently. Instantly, glowing words engraved themselves upon it:
[Dungeon Decree: All members gain "Salt Mist Shield." Defense +10%]
Boom—
White mist shields erupted through the corridor, layering every cultivator in a faint light membrane.
The hall fell silent for three breaths—then exploded into madness.
"Sacred words! Sacred words supreme!"
"To endure the salt of hardship is to gain the body's shield!"
"One word from the Heavenly Emperor, and even the dungeon bows!"
Luo Xingyun screamed his throat raw, frantically carving: "Sacred Word Thirty-Five—Use less salt, and protection will be born!"
Su Wanci stood rigid, her complexion flickering pale and blue. She whispered, trembling: "…Impossible… the casket… actually responded…"
…
Ji Canglan, oblivious, kept chewing his fish. "Tch, not enough cumin. Next time, add more."
Boom—
The casket shuddered again.
[Dungeon Decree: Trigger "Fire of Cumin." Attack +10%]
At once, the ancient lamps along the corridor burned brighter, flames carrying a faint spicy fragrance.
The crowd collapsed in tears again.
"Cumin! Holy flame of cumin!"
"The five flavors of cultivation… are finally complete!"
Su Wanci clutched her array disk, biting her lip until it bled, nearly driven mad. Her reason screamed that this was merely the dungeon's automatic recording—yet before her very eyes the laws of the dungeon were being rewritten, her instruments powerless.
All she could whisper was: "…Unscientific… impossible…"
…
As the crowd spiraled deeper into madness, the white casket suddenly quieted, then slowly projected a line of ancient text.
[Native Authority: Pending Activation]
The entire hall froze.
"Native… authority?" Countless cultivators exchanged shocked looks, their minds reeling.
Luo Xingyun had already gone fully insane: "So it's true! The Heavenly Emperor is the only native birthed by the dungeon itself! Truly, truly so!"
Su Wanci's pupils contracted, locking onto Ji Canglan. Her voice trembled: "…He… is truly… the only one raised inside the dungeon?"
The crowd erupted into uproar.
Meanwhile, Ji Canglan simply chewed his last bite of fish and let out a satisfied burp. "Hah… stuffed. Let's move on, there must be bigger fish ahead."
Deep within the stone gate, the howling wind roared, as if echoing his footsteps.