Vogue swept his senses across the glowing walls, attempting to examine them more closely, only to find his consciousness promptly repelled. The walls were sohow designed to prevent any form of ntal investigation, making it impossible to see through them or determine what lay beyond.
He wasn’t particularly alard by this discovery. Vogue simply redirected his sense to probe other parts of the hall, only to find that every surface—walls, floor, and ceiling—possessed the sa impenetrable quality.
Vogue pondered this situation with growing apprehension and turned his attention to observing the others reactions instead.
Sir Collins and Madam Violet both frowned as they presumably encountered the sa resistance. It was clear they also found this situation troubleso and potentially dangerous.
Could this be where the legendary barrier formation is located?
Vogue thought.
It seems Family Head Marcus wasn’t exaggerating about the difficulties we’d face. This protection is already formidable, and we haven’t even reached the actual entrance yet.
Just as Vogue’s mind began analyzing potential strategies, the entire hall suddenly began to violently shake. They heard a series of trendous tremors coming from behind them, the direction they had entered from.
Everyone imdiately turned their heads in alarm, spinning around to look back at the stairway.
They discovered that the listone stairs they had just descended had sohow disappeared entirely without anyone noticing. In place of the exit, there was now only more of the sparkling blue jade wall, completely sealing them inside the hall.
A mont later, after the trembling ceased, the entire hall beca deathly quiet except for the sound of their own breathing.
"Family Head Marcus, what is the aning of this?" Sir Collins asked with a notably sullen expression, his hand unconsciously moving toward his weapon.
The other cultivators also beca visibly more vigilant as they glanced between Marcus and Mr. Yun with suspicion flickering in their eyes. Their positioning subtly shifted, preparing for potential combat.
Marcus didn’t display the slightest surprise at this developnt. He calmly raised both hands in a placating gesture and spoke in a reassuring tone:
"Please be at ease, Fellow Cultivators. There’s no need for alarm. The outer protective formations have rely reactivated themselves now that we’ve fully entered the mountain, causing the entrance to seal automatically."
He continued matter-of-factly, "We simply need to wait approximately three days until the formation’s power cycle reaches its weakest point. At that ti, we’ll be able to open a temporary exit and leave the mountain safely. We won’t be permanently trapped here. Moreover, with the outer barriers sealed, we now have no fear of other cultivators or wandering beasts discovering our presence and attempting to interfere with our expedition."
While the others remained sowhat skeptical of this explanation, visible relief began appearing on several faces. As long as Marcus and Mr. Yun were sealed inside the hall alongside everyone else, there was minimal risk of any elaborate trap or malicious planning. After all, why would they trap themselves?
Sir Collins relaxed his defensive posture slightly and offered a respectful salute. "So it was like that! My apologies for being overly suspicious, Family Head Marcus. The situation simply caught off guard."
"Completely understandable," Marcus replied with an easy smile. "Caution in unknown situations is the mark of an experienced cultivator. No offense was taken."
Mr. Yun spoke up cheerfully, "Well then, since everyone has cald down, let’s proceed with the main objective—breaking through the inner barrier to access the Saint’s inheritance. During our last expedition. This formation isn’t easy to overco, I can assure you."
Madam Violet’s wrinkled face broke into a confident smile. "Is the barrier truly that formidable? I happen to have acquired a specialized treasure in the past that was designed specifically for breaking through restrictions and formations of various types. Perhaps we can save ourselves considerable trouble and effort by simply using this artifact to pierce through directly?"
A flash of genuine interest and hope appeared in Mr. Yun’s expression. He replied imdiately, "Oh? If Madam Violet possesses such an exceptional tool, please by all ans give it a try! Our previous thod of attempting to slowly dissolve the barrier using coordinated spiritual attacks proved completely ineffective. A more direct approach would be most welco."
Marcus also showed clear delight. "That’s absolutely correct, Madam Violet. Please proceed without hesitation. We would be extrely grateful if your treasure succeeds."
Madam Violet’s eyes glittered with shrewd calculation despite her sweet smile. "Since both of you Fellow Cultivators have agreed so readily, I’ll be quite blunt about my conditions. If my artifact sohow manages to successfully break through these defenses, will I receive priority selection rights alongside you two when we distribute the treasures inside?"
The expressions of several other cultivators changed slightly upon hearing this bold negotiation. She was essentially asking for a third share of the best items before anyone else could choose.
Marcus revealed brief surprise, but after glancing at Mr. Yun and receiving a small nod, he turned to address the entire group:
"Regardless of whether it’s Madam Violet or any other mber of this expedition—if you succeed in breaking through the barrier formation, you will absolutely receive priority selection for one treasure after Mr. Yun and myself have made our choices. Does anyone object to this arrangent?"
Marcus swept his gaze across the assembled cultivators, eting each person’s eyes.
Vogue and Sean both appeared relatively indifferent to this proposal—neither raised objections. However, Sir Collins and several other Klein Family mbers looked sowhat displeased, clearly unhappy about potentially losing access to premium treasures. Regardless, no one voiced any actual opposition.
Marcus smiled with satisfaction. "The matter is settled then. Madam Violet, please make your attempt. We’re all quite eager to see this specialized artifact in action."
"Since everyone has agreed to the terms, I’ll demonstrate what my treasure can accomplish." Madam Violet appeared inwardly delighted, clearly confident in her artifact’s capabilities.
She dramatically flung out her sleeve, and an object erged that was only several inches long. The item was fire-red in color, narrow at the front and thick at the back, resembling sothing like an oversized spike or large nail designed for construction.
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