Chapter 69: Gains at the Palace

The third Restriction took Chen Jingzhai three days to crack.

If they hadn’t witnessed Chen Jingzhai lifting the second Restriction, they would probably not have had enough patience to see it through. Fortunately, Chen Jingzhai lived up to everyone’s expectations.

The Restriction was lifted just as everyone expected.

This time, it required three people to work together to blast the weak points of the Restriction.

Chu Jingsong, Jiang Youning, and Sun Changrong struck simultaneously, following Chen Jingzhai’s instructions.

The spiritual light of the third Restriction shattered abruptly.

Before everyone had time to react, a rich essence power swept out.

Everyone sat down and cultivated together. It took them two days to fully absorb and digest the energy.

Among them, Chen Jingzhai benefited the most and absorbed the most of the essence power.

Next was Chu Jingsong.

The sky scripture of Sky Whale Peak was purposed to embrace all the oceans and seas and eventually turn that into its inner self.

Chu Jingsong was pleasantly surprised by the abundant essence power as he opened his mouth wide to inhale as much as possible.

The colossal whale head that began to manifest behind him was becoming more apparent.

After the cultivation was over, Chen Jingzhai got up first, then pushed the door to enter the palace.

This part could only be considered the outermost palace.

Even so, the palace was built with splendor and unimaginable riches.

If there were an item alchemist from the Heavenly Artisan lineage, they would probably be so fascinated that they would not be willing to leave anytime soon.

No matter which area they chose to focus on, it would greatly benefit item alchemists.

Unfortunately, only one palace was open at present, and the entire palace was integrated as part of the side residence.

They couldn’t take anything with them.

The fourth Restriction was inside the palace.

It was the same Restriction whether they went forward to the left or the right.

However, since the palaces linked to the left and the right were different, the rewards would also be different.

Chen Jingzhai was the first to enter the palace, just as a stream of light rushed at him.

Chen Jingzhai waved his hand to try catching it, but the light unexpectedly rushed directly into his brow chakra.

“Master-Uncle?” Sun Changrong called out with concern.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a reward for getting into the palace.” Chen Jingzhai’s eyes lit up a little. “There are rewards in every palace for those who were able to get into it. What I got was the Mountain River Cloud Restriction.”

“That is part of the Small Heavens Cloud Forbidden Restriction,” Sun Changrong said, pleasantly surprised. “It is rumored that the Small Heavens Cloud Forbidden Restriction is divided into three parts: mountains and rivers, wind and rain, and all heavens. This sounds like the first part.”

“That’s right!” Chen Jingzhai nodded. “Hongdu Immortal side residence was meant for inheritance. If all seven Restrictions can be lifted, it may be possible to piece together all of the Small Heavens Cloud Forbidden Restrictions.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Li Yifei’s eyes were burning brightly.

“Search the palace first. Don’t miss anything!” Sun Changrong said.

Everyone immediately dispersed and started to search the palace.

But none of them found anything like treasure or elixirs.

It did not mean that they didn’t find anything valuable.

Chu Jingsong found the Energetic Dragon-Elephant Fist on the coiling dragon pillar of the palace.

Jiang Youning found the Pine Creek Sword Method in the front hall of the palace.

Li Yifei and Sun Changrong each also made their own profitable discoveries.

They did not talk to one another or share what they had gotten.

Just like none of them asked Chen Jingzhai to share the Mountain River Cloud Restriction.

This was the unwritten rule for exploring cave residences or remnants.

Chen Jingzhai lifted the Restriction and received the reward in the palace, which he rightfully deserved.

Next, even if everyone got something, they would not be showing it off at that moment.

Only after they had left this place would they be sharing or trading in a safe location.

This was the case on the outside. And in the secret zone, it was the same with peers from the same clan.

“Don’t cultivate these for the time being.” Sun Changrong glanced at the coiling dragon pillar where all signs of writing had disappeared. “When we go back, we’ll ask the elders to verify their authenticity so there are no hidden dangers.”

“Junior Brother Sun is cautious,” Chu Jingsong said with a smile.

“We really should do that,” Jiang Youning agreed. “In the secret zone, something like the methods is especially risky. After all, the times are different, and the cultivation methods in the past may have the potential of leading someone to jump off the deep end.”

“Is there really such a thing?” Chen Jingzhai was slightly surprised when he heard this explanation.

Hermit Guangmiao was used to moving around in the world, so he didn’t mention anything about explorations inside secret zones or the likes.

“Indeed.” Sun Changrong nodded. “Master-Uncle has not been with us for long, so it is quite normal for you not to know.”

“About nine centuries ago, there were people from the celestial clans who obtained the methods from the remnants.” Li Yifei went on to give an example, “It was celestial code-type of scriptures, and the cultivator who obtained it was so thrilled he did not hand it over to the elders. Instead, he cultivated in secret and by himself. In less than a hundred years, he was obsessed to the point of losing his sanity and began slaughtering within his clan.”

“And, what happened after that?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“Pulao Kingdom dispatched three earth-class devotees and brought with them 18 armies of Protectors to subdue this evil,” Li Yifei continued. “The price was the lives of 327 Protectors.”

“Protectors?” Chen Jingzhai asked, “What were their cultivation levels?”

“In the later stage of the Meditation Plane,” Chu Jingsong explained, “Pulao Kingdom classified the later stage of Meditation Plane as Protector, Foundation Establishment Plane as Mortal devotee, the Golden Core Sage as Earth devotee, and the Nascent Zhenjun as Heaven devotee.”

“There are actually Golden Core Sages who were willing to pledge fealty to the dynasty?” Chen Jingzhai found the notion laughable.

“They are all rogue cultivators,” Sun Changrong said. “There are also sages who Pulao Kingdom itself has nurtured. As for the Zhenjuns, they are usually members of the royal family or nobles of Pulao Kingdom, and not from the clans.”

“So that’s why,” Chen Jingzhai smiled. “It’s true that methods cannot be cultivated indiscriminately, but this is from the side residence of an immortal abode. I think it’s unlikely to be unsafe, but we should focus on the task at hand.”

“Good point!” Li Yifei said with a smile. “This is just the third Restriction. If we can lift the rest of the Restrictions, the gains would undoubtedly be more, and it will be truly worth the trip.”

“Don’t hold too much hope.” Chen Jingzhai waved it off with a hand. “I’m only in the Foundation Establishment Plane. Although I have the means to lift the Restriction, seven is probably my limit.”

“That’s enough,” Sun Changrong said quickly, “not to mention this is only the west gate!”

“That’s right!” Chu Jingsong exclaimed as well. “And there are four gates at the side residence.”

“The Restrictions on each portal are different.” Chen Jingzhai shook his head. “I may not be able to lift the Restrictions in the same way for the other three portals, so don’t be too sure too early.”

Otherwise, he would not have chosen the west gate in the first place.

“So that’s why!” Sun Changrong laughed. “But it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s right!” Li Yifei nodded, feeling a little relieved.

It turned out that the Little Master-Uncle was only sure about the west gate.

But even so, Master-Uncle’s abilities were amazing!

While everyone was chatting idly, Chen Jingzhai came to the portal on the left inside the palace.

He stood in front of the portal and began working to lift the fourth Restriction.

Lifting the Restriction was like solving a puzzle. It was easy once the key to the puzzle had been found.

Chen Jingzhai already had three previous experiences, and this time, although it was very challenging, all he needed was some time.

However, this time, it was not going to be easy.

He learned about the existence of this place from Bai Jinfei. Therefore, other disciples must have already known about it as well.

Chen Jingzhai had been here for several days by now. So it was only natural that the rest of the people must be here already.

“The formation has been triggered!” Li Yifei said with a frown.

“What formation? You set up a formation somewhere?” Chu Jingsong asked curiously.

“After Master-Uncle came in, I took the precaution to make some arrangements.” Li Yifei nodded. “I think the others are here now, so what should we do? I think it will be difficult to chase them away.”

“Let them come in,” Chen Jingzhai replied casually. “Without me, the Restrictions can’t be lifted. So, even if they are here, what could they do?”

“True enough!” Sun Changrong said with a laugh. “Then, we’ll go and bring them here! In the meantime, we can set more things up. At the very least, we can’t just let everyone in. They would have to pass through the formation first.”