"Your Majesty, this is Epang Palace," Zhao Gao announced.
Fan Li observed the Epang Palace in Zhao Gao's grasp, its size comparable to his Nation Establishing Jade Seal. Although he had anticipated Epang Palace to be a treasure, witnessing Zhao Gao shrink it down to fit in his palm left Fan Li incredulous.
The original site of Epang Palace now lay barren, yet faint outlines hinted at an ancient magic array.
"I didn't expect Epang Palace to serve merely as a facade concealing the entrance to the magic array," Fan Li mused. This array could unveil the true Qin Imperial Mausoleum.
"What are your intentions with Epang Palace, Zhao Gao?" Fan Li inquired.
"Your Majesty, Epang Palace was crafted by our Great Qin's foremost master refiner, Xu Fu. He presented it as a tribute to the First Emperor, thus it rightfully belongs to Your Majesty," Zhao Gao explained, respectfully offering Epang Palace to Fan Li along with the refinement mnemonic.
"I didn't anticipate obtaining Epang Palace so effortlessly," Fan Li reflected, though he couldn't muster joy. If he failed to depart the Qin Imperial Tomb alive, all would be in vain.
Silently, he refined Epang Palace and stowed it away alongside his Nation Establishing Jade Seal.
"Your Majesty, the priority is to save Her Highness the Empress. Allow this servant to activate the magic array!" Zhao Gao declared loudly.
"Mm."
Fan Li watched as Zhao Gao swiftly formed hand seals with his withered, branch-like hands. Strands of black spirit energy emerged, merging with the magic array. The array immediately responded!
The characters covering the vast expanse pulsed like a living organism, brightening and dimming in cycles.
Suddenly, the ground covered by the array transformed into a boundless abyss. Fan Li felt the ground vanish beneath his feet as he plummeted downward, clutching Princess Chang Le.
"Have I fallen into a trap?" Fan Li wondered.
Yet, he witnessed Zhao Gao and the twelve golden men descending after him.
The abyss-like ground swiftly reverted to normal, leaving behind a desolate stretch of land devoid of the magnificent Epang Palace.
Their descent seemed unending.
Fan Li couldn't ascertain how long he fell, suspecting that by the time he reached the true Qin Emperor's Mausoleum, he'd likely meet his demise from the impact.
The princess in his embrace remained unconscious, her breaths faint and sporadic. It felt like days and nights passed. Suddenly, Fan Li sensed his body becoming weightless!
The previously pitch-black surroundings transitioned abruptly into a bright, illuminated realm. He landed atop a sea of clouds! Surveying the surroundings, Fan Li beheld a stretch of pure white cloud sea as far as his eyes could discern.
Two words immediately sprang to mind: Immortal Realm!? Glancing downward, he noticed his feet treading not on soil but on a snow-white sea of clouds.
The boundless "Immortal Realm" held nothing but the cloud sea below and a palace ahead!
A true Immortal Palace!
Lacking the golden, dazzling opulence of Epang Palace, just a single glance at the pure white, sacred hall filled Fan Li with an indescribable sense of detachment from the mortal world.
"Your Majesty, we've arrived."
"This is the thirty-sixth layer of Great Qin's Immortal Palace, also known as Douluo Heaven."
"Ahead lies the Lingxiao Treasure Hall."
Upon hearing Zhao Gao's explanation, Fan Li's expression briefly turned peculiar. " Lingxiao... Treasure Hall?"
He almost asked if a certain monkey had caused trouble there before.
"How can I heal her?" Fan Li looked somewhat anxious as he held the comatose Chang Le in his arms.
"Behind the Lingxiao Treasure Hall is a jade pool. Please place Her Highness the Empress inside, and she will naturally recover from her injuries," Zhao Gao instructed.
Fan Li nodded and proceeded directly into the Lingxiao Hall. The hall stood empty, devoid of any living souls. The main seat in the hall was majestic, adorned with dragon carvings and phoenix engravings, evidently prepared for the Qin Emperor. Yet, Fan Li showed no interest, heading straight to the rear of the hall where he discovered a pool of living water exuding rich spiritual energy.
"Is this the jade pool?" Fan Li asked.
"Yes," Zhao Gao affirmed. "This pool of spiritual water was discovered by Xu Fu during his voyage overseas, and he brought it back from a foreign immortal mountain as a tribute to the First Emperor."
Plop!
Fan Li paid no heed to Zhao Gao's explanation. The pool seemed incredibly precious, likely harmless. He submerged himself in the pool, cradling Princess Chang Le to ensure she remained above the water, her nose and mouth unobstructed.
Zhao Gao stood by respectfully, offering no objections to Fan Li's actions.
"It truly works!" Fan Li drew closer to the princess, observing her cheeks flush and her breathing gradually become calm and steady. Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
***
The scene shifts to the Brahma Sound Pure Land.
Qing Qiu and the Golden Virtue Sage Ruler returned, heading straight to the First Sage Ruler. Also known as the Supreme Sage Ruler, her original name was Yao Guang.
"Please explain why you ordered the killing of Fan Li when my investigation is not yet complete," Qing Qiu confronted Yao Guang directly upon arrival.
"How dare you!" the Golden Virtue Sage Ruler internally rejoiced, though outwardly she said, "There's an order to things. Qing Qiu, as the ninth Sage Ruler, you should not be so disrespectful to Sister Yao Guang."
She then addressed Yao Guang, "I was tasked by Sister Yao Guang to kill Fan Li, but Qing Qiu obstructed me, resulting in failure. Qing Qiu's insubordination to the Supreme Sage Ruler warrants punishment!"
Yao Guang, her gaze filled with compassion, observed Qing Qiu without anger. Her eyes conveyed a sense of pity, as if she couldn't bear to reprimand a child for making mistakes.
"Qing Qiu! Are you trying to make Sister Yao Guang sad? We all trust Sister Yao Guang. Even if there's no clear reason given, if Sister Yao Guang says Fan Li must die, then he must die!" the Golden Virtue Sage Ruler exclaimed, urging the other Sage Rulers present to voice their agreement.
The other five Sage Rulers nodded in unison, indicating their support for Yao Guang. Despite the sorrowful expression in Yao Guang's eyes, she finally mustered a faint smile.
"Since that's the case, I shall dispatch..."
"If you insist on killing Fan Li, I will withdraw from the Brahma Sound Pure Land," Qing Qiu interjected suddenly.
The others were taken aback. For female cultivators, many yearned to become members of the Brahma Sound Pure Land. Since its inception, there had never been anyone who voluntarily left.
"Hehehe..." The Golden Virtue Sage Ruler smirked suddenly. "Well, if you want to leave, you're just the ninth Sage Ruler. We can easily find someone to replace you..."
"Hold on!" Yao Guang raised her hand, halting the Golden Virtue Sage Ruler's words. Yao Guang gazed at Qing Qiu, her expression still tinged with sadness.
"Qing Qiu, if killing Fan Li could bring about the unification of the Three Realms and end the strife among cultivators, ensuring peace for the people, wouldn't you be willing to kill him?"