In the most magnificent hall of the Illusion Extinction Palace's main residence,
A middle-aged man, wearing a purple robe and exuding a mighty aura, stood at the center of the grand hall.
He was Li Daolin, the leader of the Illusion Extinction Palace, a figure who commanded a territory spanning tens of thousands of miles and possessed the cultivation of a mighty being.
Before him stood a young member of an ancient tribe.
This being wore dark gold armor, his body covered in scales, and the tail of his battle skirt extended into a dragon-like tail.
What was even more alarming was that this being had two vertical pupils and a gaze that was snake-like, exuding an eerie and terrifying presence.
Li Daolin looked at the young tribal member with a hint of reverence in his eyes.
Although Li Daolin's cultivation was higher, he was acutely aware that this young being's status far surpassed his own.
This ancient being was from one of the most powerful tribes of the Ancient Ten Thousand Tribes, the Teng Snake Clan, a royal bloodline known as Teng Yi!
The Teng Snake Clan had allied with the Illusion Extinction Palace, and Teng Yi, being highly favored by the elders of his clan, made Li Daolin feel a deep sense of respect.
"Li Sect Master, last month, the offerings of source stones were a little short, and the elders of my clan are not pleased. Please ensure it is sufficient this month," Teng Yi said coldly.
"Yes, yes, of course! This month's offerings will not disappoint your esteemed clan," Li Daolin immediately responded, nodding earnestly.
The Illusion Extinction Palace was required to supply a large amount of source stones to the Teng Snake Clan every month, and the shortfall from the previous month had caused discontent.
To resolve this, Li Daolin had sent Illusion Extinction Palace knights to the Pingyang Town, ordering them to recruit more people to mine the ancient mines, regardless of their health or age—many would die in the mines, and it was of no concern to him.
In Li Daolin's eyes, mortals were no more than ants, unworthy of his attention.
"Good. As long as Sect Master Li does his part for the Teng Snake Clan, we will surely reward you well," Teng Yi said, nodding in satisfaction.
"Thank you, Lord. The Illusion Extinction Palace will certainly serve the Teng Snake Clan with all our strength," Li Daolin said, bowing low.
"What a pity, my son is away from the Illusion Extinction Palace right now. He hasn't had the honor of meeting you yet. I will be sure to let him pay his respects to you in the future," Li Daolin continued, smiling warmly.
Li Daolin's son, Li Wushang, was the one who had eagerly sought to marry Ye Lingxue.
With a month-long deadline approaching, Li Wushang had set off for the Ice Snow Sect, and Li Daolin had sent an elder to accompany him, hoping to help his son build a relationship with Teng Yi, a being of such high status.
Just as Li Daolin was about to say more, a report came from outside the hall.
"Palace Master, an anomaly has occurred in the source mines! A miner has uncovered a corner of a mysterious ancient stele, which is emitting immeasurable divine light and filling the entire ancient mine!"
A miner had unearthed a corner of a mysterious ancient stele in the source mines?
Before Li Daolin could speak, Teng Yi's expression had already shifted, a glint of interest in his eyes.
While the source mines were often the site of ominous discoveries, occasionally, they could also unearth great opportunities.
Could there be a treasure hidden in the mines?
Seeing Teng Yi's interest, Li Daolin quickly suggested, "Since this may be an important discovery, let us go to the source mines together."
When Li Daolin and Teng Yi arrived at the source mines, they immediately felt the unusual aura permeating the area.
As time passed, the entire ancient mine began to radiate an extremely sacred and profound energy.
Nine-colored rays of light burst from the mine, filling the air with a serene and holy aura.
"Such a commotion... Could it really be the appearance of a true treasure?"
Li Daolin was stunned.
The energy in this place was so divine, it felt like the manifestation of something sacred, rather than the omen of calamity.
The group quickly entered the mine, making their way to the source of the energy—the location where the stele had been unearthed.
At this moment, Yun Ruoxi stood before the ancient stele, her body in a daze.
The golden blood within her was boiling intensely, resonating with the ancient stele, urging her to continue excavating, to bring the stele to the light once more.
"Keep digging, unearth the entire stele," Li Daolin coldly commanded Yun Ruoxi.
Having learned the circumstances of the discovery, and understanding that the miner—Yun Ruoxi—was responsible for unearthing the stele, Li Daolin ordered her to continue.
Even if something unfortunate were to happen, it would only be the miner who would suffer.
Yun Ruoxi took the pickaxe again and approached the ancient stele, her eyes filled with expectation.
Even without Li Daolin's orders, she had a deep urge to continue digging.
She was still confused about her own constitution and wanted to uncover what lay beneath that could resonate so strongly with her.
With each swing of the pickaxe, the surrounding earth was steadily dug away.
Gradually, the entire ancient stele began to emerge.
When the stele was fully revealed, everyone in the mine was left in shock.
The stele was enormous, grand, and ancient, its surface covered in dense Dao patterns.
Lines of ancient characters were engraved upon it, and divine light surged from it, brilliant and dazzling.
The aura emanating from the stele was so sacred that it inspired an overwhelming impulse to bow and worship it.
"These characters… They come from the time before the Ancient Era! I've seen them in the ancient texts of my tribe!"
Teng Yi stared at the ancient symbols on the stele, his expression filled with astonishment.
These characters were from an era even older than the Ancient Era, over several hundred thousand, even a million years ago!
Never had he imagined that such an ancient treasure would be found in the source mines.
"From before the Ancient Era?!"
Li Daolin was taken aback. Hearing Teng Yi's words, a flash of regret and frustration appeared in his eyes.
Such a treasure would surely be claimed by the Teng Snake Clan.
If the stele had not emerged today, Li Daolin could have studied it himself, slowly uncovering its secrets.
He glared fiercely at Yun Ruoxi, standing before the stele.
It was this cursed miner who had unearthed the stele. Had she done so just a little later, it might have fallen into his hands.
With that thought, Li Daolin casually swung his hand toward Yun Ruoxi.
Now that the ancient treasure had manifested, and nothing disastrous had occurred, there was no further need for the miner to live.
With a swift strike, he would be rid of her.
But just as Li Daolin's attack was about to land, something extraordinary happened.
The ancient stele behind Yun Ruoxi suddenly erupted with a blinding light!
The divine light surged, forming a nine-colored shield in front of Yun Ruoxi, blocking Li Daolin's attack.
At the same time, the ancient stele began to tremble and hum, emitting an aura of battle, as though it was alive!
The sacred and peaceful energy previously emanating from it was replaced by an overwhelming aura of power, as if the stele itself was preparing for battle!
This battle aura, like a dragon, surged from the stele, ripping through the mine and soaring into the sky!
Simultaneously, the ground of the ancient mine trembled violently.
From deep beneath the earth, a vast and mighty energy began to rise, and to everyone's shock, eight more steles emerged from the ground, joining the first one.
The nine ancient steles radiated such an immense aura that it felt as if the very heavens themselves would be torn apart!
The entire ancient mine trembled as the nine steles rose, forming a protective barrier around Yun Ruoxi, their combined power shaking the very foundation of the world.
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