"Don't worry, at least in this black palace we don't have to worry about life-threatening danger."

said the slightly older scholar calmly, breathing out a sigh of relief. In the mere two or three hours upon entering the Ancient Battlefield, many martial artists had already fallen, leaving him with a surreal feeling.

"What if the palace can't hold up..."

One person stammered, their heart filled with extreme worry.

"Alas..."

With a light sigh, the slightly older scholar closed his eyes and began to slowly recover his spiritual power instead of saying more.

For a moment, the whole palace fell into a brief silence. Everyone huddled at the entrance, unwilling to act rashly before confirming whether there was any danger inside.

One incense stick later, Chu Ming opened his eyes, two beams of light shooting out of them. The Twelfth Layer of the Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique brought him unparalleled spiritual power absorption speed. In a short time, his spiritual power had almost fully recovered.

At this time, many martial artists likewise recovered, their eyes sweeping gently toward the inside of the palace, showing a keen desire. Clearly, some were moved.

Swoosh!

Seeing an elderly man in gray clothes struggling with hesitation before gritting his teeth and walking deeper into the black palace, the other martial artists looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"Hehe, what's wrong? Are you all scared? Ever since I, Cao Zhen, entered the Ancient Battlefield, I've disregarded life and death. If you're scared, stay quietly here. Cao Zhen will go ahead first."

Thunderbolt Hand Cao Zhen laughed mockingly at everyone before merging into the darkness.

"Damn it, coming to the Ancient Battlefield is all about seeking opportunities. Since the opportunity is here, even if it costs me my life, I'll take my chances."

Incited by Thunderbolt Hand Cao Zhen, a martial artist who was hesitating turned and plunged deeper into the palace, merging into the darkness.

Following that martial artist, several hesitant martial artists seemingly made up their minds and ventured deeper into the palace.

"What should we do?"

At this moment, Feng Yuyan had recovered and opened her eyes, staring at Chu Ming and waiting for him to make a decision.

"Let's also go and see if there are any treasures here."

Chu Ming pondered briefly and whispered, recalling Thunderbolt Hand Cao Zhen's words and feeling a cold smile. Thunderbolt Hand Cao Zhen was stirring everyone to explore the palace, wanting to find a few pathfinders.

"Alright."

Feng Yuyan nodded, and with a boom, her spiritual power erupted, forming a blue shield on her surface, radiating like glass, causing the temperature to drop several degrees.

Chu Ming similarly used his inner sword essence, forming a defensive barrier within three meters, with fierce sword edges that would surely pierce any approaching martial artist.

White and blue beams of light instantly illuminated a ten-meter range, and the palace, unsure of what material it was made from, shimmered with a metallic sheen under the light.

Tap, tap, tap...

One incense stick later, two forks appeared before Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan, black and deep, with no end in sight.

"Which way should we go?"

Feng Yuyan frowned, probing the forks with her spiritual sense, but it was like dipping into the ocean, unable to discern the depth.

Chu Ming's spiritual sense spread out in a sweep, extending over two thousand meters, but he still made no discoveries.

"Let's enter from the left fork."

Chu Ming said, puzzled that the people who had ventured deeper into the palace earlier had completely vanished, leaving the place eerily silent.

As soon as they entered the fork, a rush of chill hit them. Feng Yuyan, already cultivating an Ice Attribute Technique, was unaffected by the surroundings, while Chu Ming's blood surged forcefully, dissolving the cold air within three meters.

"Be careful."

Chu Ming reminded gently, and Feng Yuyan nodded, her spiritual sense constantly scanning the surroundings.

Squeak, squeak, squeak...

A strange cry suddenly echoed. Chu Ming's eyelids twitched as a black shadow rushed at him, with five fierce winds clawing sharply at his head.

Slash!

Clang!

The Star Trace Sword unsheathed, a bright light blooming in the air. Its tip collided with the shadow, sparks flying as the shadow was deflected. Chu Ming stood firm, though his arm felt slightly numb.

Squeak, squeak, squeak...

The shadow landed around ten meters from Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan, revealing itself as a peculiar black monkey.

Its eyes were crimson, extraordinarily noticeable in the dark fork, and its claws sharp, with faint cold glints in the darkness.

"Be careful!"

Chu Ming cautioned Feng Yuyan, then calmly observed the black monkey. The brief skirmish had shown that this monkey was far from ordinary.

"Chu Ming, look there!"

Feng Yuyan pointed at the black monkey, and Chu Ming followed her gaze to see a pool of scarlet blood and scattered clothes not far away. Amid the tattered remains, fractured limbs were evident, suggesting that the black monkey had killed a person.

Boom!

As Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan spoke, the black monkey's hind legs hit the ground. Two resounding booms followed, then it turned into a black blur, charging at Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan, with a hint of mockery in its eyes.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Chu Ming's expression turned cold. The Star Trace Sword in his hand instantly became a dense sword curtain, defending his position. His left hand formed a fist, five fingers clenched and struck out.

Boom!

With a punch, an invisible ripple spread on the black monkey, making Chu Ming feel like hitting a cushion, resulting in a gentle rebound.

The Star Trace Sword clashed against the black monkey, sparking fiercely.

Squeak, squeak, squeak...

The black monkey snarled fiercely, its left claw immediately grabbing at Chu Ming's left chest. Suddenly, Chu Ming's head felt dizzy, and the Star Trace Sword in his hand slowed down.

"Not good!"

Chu Ming was shocked, not expecting the black monkey's attack to affect his mind. It was too bizarre.

Thud!

Chu Ming's chest hurt, but the force field on his skin surface operated, still leaving five blood marks from the black monkey's sharp claws.

Chu Ming's white robe flapped, and his body instantly retreated. A fierce red light burst from the Star Trace Sword, dimming the sky.

"Red Lotus Rain!"

The black monkey floated in mid-air, its claws swinging wildly, leaving white trails behind.

Thud, thud, thud...

Blood splashed from the black monkey's skin, and it let out a piercing scream.

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