Chapter 748 - 376: Array Soul Stele

Chapter 748: Chapter 376: Array Soul Stele

The Spirit Testing Restriction was a detection mechanism for anything carrying Spiritual Power. The purpose of placing it underground was obvious—any Demon or Cultivator approaching from below would be detected.

This type of Restriction wasn’t an Array, nor did it create any kind of barrier. Furthermore, it wouldn’t trigger an immediate, on-site response.

However, it would report the situation back to whoever set it up, much like a security camera.

Those who passed through it wouldn’t feel anything unusual, but whoever set up the Restriction would be able to sense whether it was a human’s Spiritual Power or a Demon’s Demon Power that had crossed it.

"Looks like the Shadow Alliance has really racked its brains, both for the Spirit Vein mission in the Realm of Ten Thousand Races and to prevent any issues with its own Spirit Veins," Cheng Zongyang said with a smile.

’I have to admit, this type of Spirit Testing Restriction is effective. Since its exact location is unknown, it’s impossible to destroy.’

He recognized it because he had learned about it from Luo Daoist and had even used it himself. As part of his Immortal Mountain project, all locations containing a Spirit Storage Dharma Pearl were protected by this type of Restriction. If anyone approached from underground, it would trigger an alarm.

Therefore, while others might be stumped, it was a different story for him.

He put away his Magic Robe, then performed a Secret Technique to completely seal his aura and Cultivation, making himself seem like an ordinary person.

The Spirit Testing targeted anyone with Spiritual Power in their body; even the use of a Magical Treasure would be detected. Not even an Array Entry Order could prevent it.

Ordinary people had no Spiritual Power. In the Shadow Alliance’s view, it was impossible for an ordinary person to dig deep into the earth and get close to a Spirit Vein. Therefore, only Cultivators and Demons could accomplish such a feat.

But even if a Cultivator managed to conceal their aura and seal their Spiritual Power, it would be useless. To keep moving forward, they would have to use Spiritual Power to dig. Without the aid of Spiritual Power, they couldn’t dig at all, and using Magical Artifacts or Magical Treasures as tools would get them detected.

It was an overt scheme.

To advance, one had to use their Spiritual Power. The only other option was to retreat.

But Cheng Zongyang was an exception.

After sealing his Spiritual Power, he once again released the Mole Beasts.

The Mole Beast wasn’t yet a Demon; it had no Demon Power in its body, being merely a Second Grade Exotic Beast. So, when it started digging, the feedback received on the other end would only indicate that a burrowing creature had triggered the system.

After the Mole Beasts dug out the tunnel, Cheng Zongyang, now with the aura of an ordinary creature, followed close behind.

After passing through, Cheng Zongyang did not undo the seal on his power, continuing to follow the two Mole Beasts forward.

Soon, after about a mile, he once again sensed the presence of an Array.

This time, it was different.

It was a Tier Five Array, emitting powerful waves of Energy. Although he couldn’t see what was on the other side of the Array, this was clearly the second checkpoint.

’The Spirit Testing Stone is glowing brighter. The Spirit Vein must be behind this Array.’ Cheng Zongyang immediately put the stone away, recalled the Mole Beasts, and took out his Array Entry Order.

And just like that, he entered the Array unimpeded.

However, the moment he entered the Array, Cheng Zongyang’s expression changed abruptly.

He realized he was plummeting downward! Below him was a churning sea of magma!

’Shit!’ Cheng Zongyang cursed inwardly. He had never imagined that behind the Array lay a vast, empty underground cavern filled with magma.

He immediately unsealed his Spiritual Power, took out the Flying Cloud Shuttle, and steadied himself on it.

Thanks to his Adaptation Talent, the temperature here had no effect on him. But his mind was already on high alert as he scanned his surroundings.

It was like a molten world deep within the Earth’s Core. Below, magma churned and bubbled, sending up waves of heat that made his clothes whip about.

A sweep of his Divine Sense revealed no one else was present. He quickly flew a circuit around the cavern and finally spotted a large platform situated within the sea of lava below.

As Cheng Zongyang slowly approached, he also checked the state of the Spiritual Qi, but the results showed this was not where the Spirit Vein was located.

’Damn it, if the Spirit Vein isn’t here, then where is it?’ Cheng Zongyang frowned as he gradually made his way toward the platform.

After landing on the clearly artificial platform, Cheng Zongyang put away his Flying Cloud Shuttle and donned his Magic Robe. He quickly concealed his aura, his body becoming almost invisible as he blended in with his surroundings.

’What’s that?’ Cheng Zongyang noticed a Stone Stele at the far end of the platform.

As he drew closer to the Stone Stele, Cheng Zongyang saw what was unusual about it.

The Stone Stele was approximately three meters tall, two meters wide, and half a meter thick. It was smooth and the color of black jade, but its surface was branded with Array Patterns.

The moment Cheng Zongyang touched it, the Ring Spirit’s voice abruptly sounded in his mind:

"This is a Teleportation Array."

Cheng Zongyang was startled by the Ring Spirit’s sudden voice, but he reacted a second later. "One that goes to the Realm of Ten Thousand Races?"

The Ring Spirit replied, "Yes. It’s the same as the Array from the Cyan Profound Sect. This Teleportation Array is just integrated into this stone stele. Touching it would cause you to be pulled in and teleported, but it no longer works."

Cheng Zongyang immediately recalled the Dark Realm that Lin Changfeng had mentioned.

"Don’t tell me this is the way to the Dark Realm... Right, can you sense its destination? Why does the Shadow Alliance claim it leads to the Dark Realm?"

’Logically speaking,’ he thought, ’Qing Xuanzi knew about the Realm of Ten Thousand Races. The Shadow Alliance has the Black Death Secret Manual and presumably has a connection to its previous owner, so it’s impossible for them not to know about the Realm of Ten Thousand Races. Yet the version of the story they pass down says it leads to the Dark Realm?’

He couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

The Ring Spirit explained, "This type of Teleportation Array isn’t a permanent gateway. It needs to be sent to the Realm of Ten Thousand Races before a connection can be sensed."

Cheng Zongyang inspected the Stone Stele and found that it extended deep underground.

He wasn’t sure if trying to move it would cause a commotion, but at least it wasn’t a single, solid piece with the platform.