“Absolutely!” Lin Yun nodded without hesitation.
“Very well, go then. Let’s head back,” Vice Palace Master Yao said, leading Lin Yun back to the main hall.
Inside the hall.
When Lin Yun returned, the other five had already arrived, including Mo Qing.
Lin Yun walked to Mo Qing’s side with a smile.
“Senior Sister Mo Qing, you didn’t sign up just because of me, did you? This castle’s situation is unclear, and it’s said to be somewhat eerie, possibly quite dangerous,” Lin Yun said.
“You said we’d fight side by side from now on. Since you’re going, I’m naturally coming too,” Mo Qing replied, her face lighting up with a smile.
Mo Qing’s senior brother, Bao Gang, stood beside her. Seeing Lin Yun and Mo Qing chatting and laughing, he looked visibly displeased.
Vice Palace Master Yao waved his hand, signalling for silence.
“Everyone, let me brief you. This castle is highly unusual. Its sudden appearance in our human territory means the Heavenly God Palace must investigate thoroughly. This is both our duty and the responsibility of us immortals,” Vice Palace Master Yao said.
When the sky falls, the tallest stand firm. The Heavenly God Palace and its immortals were those giants!
A castle this strange, which claimed the lives of two Tribulation Realm cultivators sent to explore it, could be ignored by ordinary folk and left to stand. But the Heavenly God Palace had to act!
Vice Palace Master Yao continued, “This is a voluntary mission. If anyone has second thoughts, you can still back out. Anyone?”
No one spoke, clearly indicating no one was withdrawing.
“Then let’s talk rewards. For this exploration, each participant will receive 500 Bright Moon Crystals as a base reward. If you make significant discoveries in the castle, additional rewards will be given based on the findings,” Vice Palace Master Yao said.
“Five hundred Bright Moon Crystals!”
The group’s eyes lit up at the mention of the reward.
The Heavenly God Palace rarely issued missions, so opportunities to earn Bright Moon Crystals were scarce.
This reward greatly satisfied the immortals present.
“Now, take a look at the map,” Vice Palace Master Yao said, waving his hand to display a map.
The six gathered around immediately.
“Here’s where the castle appeared,” Vice Palace Master Yao pointed out the exact location on the map.
Then, he looked up at Bao Gang.
“Bao Gang, among the six, you have the highest realm and Heavenly God Ranking, and you’re the oldest with the most experience. You’ll be the team leader. Lead these five well, bring them there, and bring them back safely,” Vice Palace Master Yao instructed.
“Bao Gang accepts the order!” Bao Gang clasped his fists.
“Alright, go now, and return swiftly,” Vice Palace Master Yao waved them off.
“Everyone, follow me,” Bao Gang said, leading the group out of the Heavenly God Palace.
The six-person team consisted of Bao Gang, Mo Qing, Lin Yun, Si Yuanfu from the Primordial Gate, Gu Yangqiu from the Heavenly Qian Empire, and Teng Hong from the Taixu Tavern.
Bao Gang was the strongest, ranked forty-fourth on the Heavenly God Ranking, followed by Teng Hong at fifty-sixth. Lin Yun ranked third in the team.
After arriving in the Fire Cloud Empire, the six headed toward Eastern Yuan Prefecture at top speed.
At the immortal level, their flight speed was incredibly fast, rendering airships unnecessary.
Even the fastest airship Lin Yun had used in the past couldn’t match his current flying speed.
Eastern Yuan Prefecture, a remote mountain range.
Lin Yun was no stranger to Eastern Yuan Prefecture, having once governed it.
But now, as an immortal, he no longer needed to manage secular affairs as a prefecture lord.
“Everyone, that’s our target!” Bao Gang pointed to a castle nestled between two mountain peaks.
It was far from the prefecture’s capital city.
“This castle is truly odd,” Lin Yun murmured, gazing at it.
The castle sat between two peaks.
The peaks themselves were strange, as if a single mountain had been forcibly split into two.
The castle rested in the crevice between them.
Looking down from the air, the castle seemed utterly lifeless, exuding no trace of vitality, giving off an eerie, chilling vibe.
It felt like an abandoned, empty fortress, with no immediately obvious peculiarities.
Yet, as Vice Palace Master Yao had said, two Tribulation Realm cultivators had died exploring it, proving there was definitely danger within!
The question was how severe that danger might be.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Lin Yun said, his expression growing solemn as he looked at the castle.
Bao Gang scoffed. “Lin Yun, are you scared? Well, you’re so young, with so little experience. It’s no surprise you’d be frightened. If you want to back out now, it’s too late!”
“Scared?”
Lin Yun smiled. “I’m just saying we should all be cautious.”
“Enough talk. Let’s go!” Bao Gang’s voice boomed.
The six flew down, landing in front of the castle.
The castle was vast but visibly dilapidated.
If it truly was hundreds of thousands of years old, its survival underground without decaying spoke to its extraordinary nature.
“Everyone, we know nothing about what’s inside this castle. It could be an opportunity or a deadly trap. Either is possible. So, we six must work together. As the team leader, I expect you to follow my orders once we’re inside,” Bao Gang said.
“Naturally,” Si Yuanfu from the Primordial Gate agreed.
In the cultivation world, strength commanded respect. As the strongest of the six, Bao Gang’s leadership was unquestionable and convincing.
Bao Gang turned to Mo Qing. “Mo Qing, stay close to your senior brother. If there’s any danger, I’ll protect you!”
Among the team, Mo Qing had the lowest Heavenly God Ranking.
After all, even Lin Yun only ranked third in the group.
“Senior Brother, we’re a team. If there’s danger, we should all help each other,” Mo Qing said.
Bao Gang gave a dry laugh. “True, but I can protect you better, Junior Sister.”
With a wave of his hand, Bao Gang said, “Everyone, let’s go in!”
The six then approached the castle.
The castle’s gate was already open, as two Tribulation Realm cultivators had entered before.
Lin Yun and the others stepped through the gate, entering the castle…
