"What is this place?"

Yan Ruge looked at the dilapidated palace and asked.

"This was the place where I closed-door cultivated and broke through to the first Detachment. The interior of this palace has a relatively intact forbidden technique, making Divine Thought challenging to penetrate; it's temporarily safe here."

Xu Guang said casually, then continued.

"What exactly is the previous Mihai? Why are there so many abandoned palaces in the sea, just like..."

Yan Ruge shook her head slightly, "I don't know. Before this, I didn't know there were so many living beings in Mihai. This is my first time seeing the palaces at the sea's bottom."

Mihai is very dangerous. Even if the Saints enter, none have come out alive, and because no one has exited, what lies within Mihai naturally remains a mystery.

"I think we might be able to find the cause of Mihai through these palaces, and by this means, perhaps we can find a way out."

Yan Ruge chuckled wryly, "Are you always this optimistic? If Saints can't get out, how can we?"

"Take a look; these ancient restrictions lean towards the Qi Refiner lineage, and your accomplishments in Qi Refining are somewhat higher; perhaps you might discern something." Xu Guang said sincerely.

Yan Ruge glanced at Xu Guang, "You're finally talking sense at this time."

Xu Guang: ...

No response.

Of course, Yan Ruge didn't want to be trapped in this Mihai forever; when Xu Guang took out the Dragon Tree trunk to cultivate, she sensibly got up and walked out to look at the ancient restrictions Xu Guang mentioned.

She also hoped that these restrictions, related to the mystery of Mihai, could help them find a way out.

Xu Guang looked at her back and involuntarily recalled the previous bug exploit during Artifact Refining. If they couldn't find a way out shortly, he'd have to rely on this woman to continue exploiting bugs for Experience Points cultivation.

However, what troubled him was that Mihai couldn't sense the existence of the Void Realm. Although he could absorb Source Qi and Spirit Charm here, it wasn't as efficient as entering the Void Realm directly for cultivation.

This means that even if his experience accumulation was sufficient, he'd have to find Spiritual Objects within Mihai to cultivate.

...

"Still haven't found him?"

Yuan Shuang's face showed some displeasure. Since the treasure hunt began at Mihai Celestial Capital, people have successively returned peacefully from Mihai, and Zhuge Wuliang also returned safely.

But Xu Guang has yet to appear.

It's been over six years now.

Liu Chuan wore an apologetic expression, "Apologize, Zhenren Yuan, during this time, I've found many of those who entered the First-class Celestial Capital then; they said Xu Guang was very prominent among them and even killed the Saint Heir of the Linglong Clan, Yin Kuang. However, around late September, he disappeared without a trace. The Azure Dragon Clan's Saint Heir, Qingye, claimed he killed Xu Guang, but the specifics remain shrouded in mystery."

Yuan Shuang gave Liu Chuan a cold look, "Xu Guang is the direct disciple of the True King of Heavenly Martial; I feel you need to give me an explanation for this matter."

Liu Chuan's face turned bitter, "I..."

How could he give an explanation? Was he meant to venture into Mihai to find Xu Guang?

However, Liu Chuan still maintained an appropriate attitude.

His expression became solemn, "Xu Guang fell to help me; here, I swear, from azure heavens down to nine hells, I will never give up searching for Xu Guang's whereabouts."

Yuan Shuang's expression softened somewhat.

She stood on the island, gazing towards the distant Mihai, shrouded in dark, lightless fog that seemed capable of swallowing everything, still lingering over Mihai without dispersing.

When Liu Chuan left, a figure appeared behind Yuan Shuang.

"Senior Ye."

Yuan Shuang showed a trace of respect.

Ye Xihan asked softly, "What do you think, what are their chances of survival?"

Yuan Shuang remained silent for a long time, "I don't know, but Xu Guang and Zhuge Wuliang carry great fortunes and have a chance at becoming Saints; they probably won't fall so easily."

After speaking, she glanced at the woman beside her, the heir of the Ye family.

The descendant of the legendary Ye Emperor; she had heard of the myths surrounding the woman before her from long ago; but never expected that she was still alive and unexpectedly still only a Fifth Realm Cultivator, which was somewhat surprising.

Ye Xihan noticed Yuan Shuang's gaze but didn't care, her gaze settling on the distant Mihai.

When she thought of Xu Guang's name, a slight ripple of emotions appeared in her eyes.

The kid from Li Taizhou valued by Yan Zhen?

If not for her helping Saint Zixiao search for Yan Ruge, upon hearing this name, she would likely have forgotten.

...

Zhuge Wuliang avoided General Wei's nose.

"You rascal, lately, you've gotten more and more irritable."

General Wei's nose twitched, instantly turning the hundred-zhang blue stone into ash, its eyes showing restlessness; if it wasn't able to sense Xu Guang was still alive, it would have gone berserk by now.

...

In the depths of the damaged underwater palace, Xu Guang sat cross-legged, the dark gold Dragon Tree trunk suspended before him.

The vast and pure Water Attribute origin and the majestic Dragon Qi surged into him like a tidal wave, following the profound trajectory of the Five Emperors Chaoyuan Magic.

The blood roared, and the initially embryonic Water Emperor Magic veins, under the nourishment of the Dragon Tree origin, were condensing and becoming distinct at unprecedented speed.

Unlike the Green Emperor's body, where vitality and annihilation coexist, the Water Emperor's body appeared more vast and profound.

Xu Guang's Heart Spirit sank into it, as if lost in an endless ocean, feeling the supreme softness and firmness of water, its embrace and ferocity.

Time slowly passed, and the glow of the Dragon Tree trunk gradually dimmed, its hidden essence entirely absorbed by Xu Guang.

Finally, with an indistinct grand tidal sound echoing within Xu Guang, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Deep blue ocean shadows seemed to flash within his gaze, and his aura climbed again, becoming even thicker and profound.