Chapter Eighty-Two: The Scripture Hall

The so-called underground palace is not, in fact, a palace buried beneath the earth, but rather an age-old colloquial term. These sanctuaries are all concealed within a separate plane of existence; upon entering, one feels as though they are delving into the very depths of the earth, and thus people have come to call them underground palaces.

After Song Yue and a group of martial artists from the Lin family’s faction entered, they found themselves standing on a vast plain, with a great city looming in the distance.

This place… would be more fittingly called an “undercity,” or perhaps more aptly, a “planar world.”

The city walls soared a thousand meters high, grand and imposing, exuding a powerful sense of oppression. Overhead, a blazing sun radiated brilliant light, yet the air was not hot.

Before entering, Song Yue had studied the materials prepared for him by the Lin family and knew that the “underground palace” lay within that mysterious city.

Here, all arts and techniques were suppressed, and no flying instruments could be used. It was as if some immense magnetic field prevailed; even modern personal flight devices were rendered utterly useless.

Two massive metal gates stood tightly shut. If one wished to enter the underground palace, the first challenge would be to scale these walls.

Excitement was written on every face.

To these powerful martial artists, a wall a thousand meters high was no true barrier.

At that moment, a martial artist invited by the Lin family glanced at the group and suggested, “We’ve all done our homework before coming in. Everyone knows the opportunities lie inside the city, but many things here are visible yet intangible. To obtain them depends entirely on one’s own fortune and fate with this place. So there’s little meaning in sticking together—why not split up and act separately?”

As he spoke, he did not look at Song Yue.

But Song Yue remembered him. On the day he first arrived at the Lin family, this man had mocked him coldly. Later, during the banquet when others approached to apologize and ease tensions, this man had not come at all.

So, in Song Yue’s eyes, these words were meant for him.

After all, many on the Lin side were aware that the Ou family might target Song Yue in the underground palace. Whether or not this man harbored ill intent, at the very least he was eager to protect himself.

In truth, Song Yue had no desire to act with them either.

But he remained silent, waiting for others to respond.

A few members of the Lin family, who had been instructed to protect Song Yue, exchanged glances. One of them smiled and said, “Whatever works for everyone, but we’ll be staying with Song Yue.”

The martial artist nodded. “Very well. In that case, I’ll go on ahead!”

With that, he raced eagerly toward the towering city wall.

Several others in the group also chose to go it alone, heading towards the wall.

In the end, six or seven people remained with Song Yue, nearly all of them Lin family youths.

Song Yue smiled at them and said, “Thank you for your kindness. But here, it’s better if we each go our own way. You needn’t worry about my safety.”

The leader of the Lin youths smiled back. “It’s no trouble. Once we’re inside, we’ll see how things go. The Ou family may arrive quickly. With us present, they’ll be more hesitant.”

As he spoke, several figures suddenly appeared in the air nearby.

The Lin youth’s brows furrowed. They’re fast, he thought.

The Ou family’s group was thirty strong. Upon entering, their eyes immediately locked on Song Yue.

Seeing the Lin family’s disciples, they merely shot Song Yue a few cold looks before hastening towards the city wall.

They did not choose to attack Song Yue immediately.

Song Yue remained unperturbed, his expression calm. “Let’s go as well.”

By now, some of the Lin family martial artists who had set out ahead were already climbing the stone wall, moving swiftly like lizards clinging to the rock.

A wall more than three kilometers high was nothing to a grandmaster or above.

But for many average cultivators, the wall was an impassable chasm. Without tools, even thirty meters would be impossible, let alone three thousand.

Song Yue climbed with astonishing speed, his hands seeming to possess a mysterious suction, gripping the ancient stones. With each leap, he traveled dozens of meters upward.

Halfway up, he suddenly felt a murderous intent lock onto him.

An arrow shot toward him without warning!

So eager to make a move?

In a flash, Song Yue snatched the arrow from midair.

A strange scent wafted from the razor-sharp tip.

Poisoned!

Song Yue immediately placed a petal, gifted by Old Peony, between his lips.

At that moment, seven or eight more arrows whistled toward him.

A Lin family youth shouted angrily, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Song Yue sprang upward, twisting in midair to evade the arrows, and hurled the one he’d caught back at his assailant with all his might.

Then, once more, he pressed himself against the wall.

The arrow he flung back was faster and far more powerful than when it had come, piercing straight through the attacker’s skull.

A sonic boom split the air, and a cold voice from the Ou family side rang out, “Mind your own business.”

The unfortunate martial artist plummeted from more than a thousand meters up, not even managing a scream.

From such a height, even a grandmaster would be reduced to pulp.

Song Yue glanced coldly at the others from the Ou family, ignored them, and resumed his ascent.

Many among the Ou family felt chills down their spines.

His martial prowess exceeded all expectations.

They had assumed that, even if the ambush failed to kill him, it would at least knock him from the wall, where others could quickly finish the job. But not only did their plan fail, they lost a man in the process.

Even the potent poison on the arrows seemed useless.

Song Yue soon reached the top.

He drew out his alloy spear, activated its mechanism, and gripped it firmly as he strode toward where several Ou family members were climbing.

One Ou family martial artist had just reached the top when Song Yue thrust his spear at him without warning.

A cry of terror—he jerked backward and fell.

Fortunately, he managed to deploy his glider midair; otherwise, that would have been the end of him.

Song Yue advanced on a second Ou family man, who shouted, “I meant you no harm—”

Song Yue thrust again, forcing him to leap away.

Now, none of the others dared show their heads.

But a few grandmasters leapt up decisively and approached Song Yue.

A young Ou family grandmaster, whom Song Yue had once seen at dinner with Lin Huan, fixed him with a cold glare. “I hadn’t planned to kill you so soon, but you’re determined to die!”

He unleashed a torrent of blood-qi, a terrifying pressure rippling outward.

In an instant, he was before Song Yue, fist raised.

His fist-force was like a mountain.

The others, fearing their credit would be stolen, rushed at Song Yue as well.

The Lin family’s disciples shouted, “What do you think you’re doing? Ganging up on one man?”

They too rushed forward.

The two sides clashed atop the city wall.

A thunderous crash—their fists collided.

Song Yue’s fist-force was thunderous, entwined with lightning.

Their fists had not yet met when a violent explosion erupted.

The young grandmaster across from him was not among the highest tier, so Song Yue used only sixty percent of his strength.

After the blow, Song Yue retreated seven or eight steps.

The grandmaster’s strength was indeed formidable!

But the young grandmaster was even more stunned within: he had been cautious, using almost his full strength, yet only managed to push his opponent back a few steps.

The sheer power of Song Yue’s force was astonishing.

He said nothing, simply drew a long blade from his storage device and slashed at Song Yue.

More and more members of the Ou family were arriving, pouring onto the scene.

The Lin disciples were beginning to falter; had their opponents not feared their status, they would likely have struck to kill already.

“Hold them off. The rest of you—kill Song Yue!”

The leading Ou family youth’s voice was icy, his gaze on Song Yue that of a man staring at a corpse.

Outside, they would not offend the Lin family; but here, the first order of business was to kill him.

Several grandmasters erupted with powerful blood-qi and charged.

Song Yue quickly estimated the situation. The enemy had too many men; fighting to the death here would be unwise.

He feigned an opening, then sprang toward the city.

Deploying his glider, he soared into the city like a great bird.

Below him, the city was silent, yet exuded a majestic aura.

Seeing Song Yue escape, the Ou family members attacking the Lin disciples ceased at once.

The Ou family leader looked at the Lin family youths and said, “It’s enough that you put up a show. This man is our sworn enemy—we must kill him, but have no wish to provoke you. Now that he’s fled, your duty is fulfilled; from here on, best stay out of it.”

After all, their factions were allies; neither wished to break relations over this.

The Lin family’s leader replied coolly, “If we see it, we’ll intervene. Song Yue is a guest of honor to our family.”

“Then we’ll see about that.” The Ou family group did not activate their gliders; instead, they gathered and slid down the inner wall together.

They had witnessed Song Yue’s strength and dared not split up, fearful he would ambush and defeat them piecemeal.

But Song Yue had no intention of engaging them further. His purpose was clear—he headed straight toward the direction indicated by the Jade Void Stele and his psychic sense.

He had not come to fight, but to seek fortune.

Arriving at the place shown in his mental perception, he found a vast palace. Above its entrance, in ancient script, were the words “Scripture Repository.”

A number of people had already gathered here.

Some had been inside for quite some time and showed no sign of leaving.

Just as the materials had said, this underground palace was peculiar. The bans on techniques and age limits were nothing compared to the oddest feature: many treasures were there for all to see, yet could not be touched!

What was most valuable in an underground palace? Opinions varied.

But there was no denying that the scriptures and classics ranked in the top three.

Song Yue landed his glider in the plaza before the great hall, drawing some attention. Most, however, merely glanced at him before turning away, staring blankly at the Scripture Repository.

Everyone was racking their brains.

So far, no one had uncovered the rules of this place.

Yet, a few lucky souls had managed to obtain scriptures from within!

Even they could not explain how; after obtaining one, they too were barred from entering again.

Now, Song Yue felt the Jade Void Stele thrumming with agitation.

His psychic sense grew ever stronger.

Just as he prepared to investigate, he noticed two people in the crowd quietly approaching him.

***

There will be more tonight.

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