Once the ghost in his body was annihilated, Li Taixing felt a sudden wave of freedom wash over him.
[Ding! It is detected that the host was nearly taken over by a strong entity, triggering the tens of billions multiplier effect! You have obtained the Annihilation Physique.]
[The Annihilation Physique will automatically annihilate anything that invades or affects the host's soul. This is a passive ability.]
Li Taixing never imagined just how powerful this new physique might be. He furrowed his brow, contemplating the unexpected gift.
"Is this... a reward?" he muttered, a little confused. Then, shaking off the thought, he returned his focus to the mysterious throne. 'I wonder what this Five Elements Array is all about.'
Walking over to the throne, he sat down. As soon as he did, the ground beneath him began to tremble. A golden light emerged from the air before him, slowly revealing a translucent disc-like object suspended in the shimmering light.
It floated into Li Taixing's hands.
"Five Elements Array?" he whispered, sensing its power. This array seemed capable of trapping a target and attacking them with the forces of the five elements.
"It's a tool for entrapment," Li Taixing thought to himself, intrigued by its potential. But before he could explore further, the system's notification chimed again.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Five Elements Array, triggering the multi-billion increase effect! You have obtained the Tai Chi Array.]
"What? Five Elements turning into Tai Chi? Aren't those two different concepts?" Li Taixing frowned.
[Tai Chi generates two poles, two poles generate four symbols, and three creates all things. The five elements interact, and the extremes of yin and yang reverse.]
Li Taixing was still lost. "System, can you explain it more clearly?"
[In simple terms, the Tai Chi Array can do everything: attack, defend, seal, and control. It is an all-purpose formation.]
"Ah, that makes sense." Li Taixing nodded. 'Although, I still don't fully understand how to use it,' he thought, mentally noting to practice more in the future.
[Ding! The Tai Chi Array has been added to your equipment slot.]
Li Taixing watched as the Tai Chi Array disappeared from his hand and into the system's inventory. Checking his equipment slot, he noticed several items now stored there: the Transformation Mask, Hunyuan Pearl, Eternal Lotus Fire, and now the Tai Chi Array.
One advantage of having items in the equipment slot, he noted, was that they could act on their own to protect him when needed. That extra layer of defense was always welcome.
Turning his attention back to the wall, he recalled what the system had revealed earlier: there was something else hidden there. 'A magical beast?' He chuckled at the thought of the cartoon monsters he used to watch in his previous life.
Approaching the wall, he saw more text appear before him.
[There is a switch here that opens a secret passage. Activate it to enter the hidden room.]
Li Taixing pressed the switch, and sure enough, a stone door slid open. Inside, the room was small and plain, containing only a stone bed. Hovering above the bed was a mirror, radiating a mystical aura.
'What the hell is this?' Li Taixing wondered, staring at the mirror.
[Ding! Treasure detected: Universe Mirror.]
"System, how do I claim this?" he asked.
[The previous owner has passed. The host may claim the mirror by dripping blood on it.]
"Simple enough." Li Taixing quickly pricked his finger, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the mirror's surface.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Universe Mirror, triggering the tens of billions multiplier effect! You have obtained the Chaos Mirror.]
[Note: The Chaos Mirror can reveal the mysteries of heaven, but its power disrupts the natural order, attracting divine punishment. To protect the host from heavenly retribution, some of its functions are sealed until the host's strength grows.]
[Ding! The Chaos Mirror has been placed in your equipment slot.]
[Ding! The host has unlocked the Sky Eye ability. The Sky Eye allows the host to view information about a target's past, present, and future. The success of the ability depends on the target's strength.]
Li Taixing's heart swelled with excitement. 'This trip to the Five Elements Secret Realm was worth it!' He had gained the Eternal Lotus Fire, the Tai Chi Array, and now the Chaos Sky-Peeping Mirror, each more valuable than the last.
Leaving the secret room, he couldn't help but glance at the old man's body lying on the floor. The poor soul had endured unimaginable torture, his body riddled with injuries and infections. There was even a bizarre object lodged in an inappropriate place. Li Taixing shook his head in disgust. 'At least that has nothing to do with me.'
He needed to find a way out now. "System, is there an exit?"
[Ding! The host may exit through a passage behind the throne.]
He made his way back to the throne room, but before leaving, he glanced at the fallen metal guards and the metal swordsman. "System, can I collect them?"
[No.]
"Figures," he muttered. With a shrug, he pushed the throne aside, revealing a hidden passage. After following the path for some time, he finally emerged into the sunlight. The bright rays momentarily blinded him as he squinted, adjusting to the light.
Once his eyes adapted, he realized he was on the opposite side of the mountain. 'That means I'll have to go around the mountain to return.' Of course, he could simply teleport back with a thought, but the idea of hearing his pets' constant chatter made him reconsider.
"Maybe I'll take this chance to gather some new pets." He smiled at the thought, but his musings were cut short when a dark figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
The figure stood still, staring at him. Li Taixing tensed, feeling a sudden shift in the air.
"What the...?" he muttered, but before he could finish, the figure drew a sword and pointed it at him.
"Who are you?" the person demanded. "What did you take from the Five Elements Secret Realm? Hand it over, or I'll kill you."
The voice was sharp, female, and young. Li Taixing's heart raced. 'It's time to test out the Sky Eye.' With a thought, he activated the new ability, and the woman's information began to appear before him.