Ximen Haoyue nodded and swept Lin Xiao along with her. They arrived directly above the stone gate.
A key flew from Ximen Haoyue’s hand and slotted into a specific position on the array altar.
Lines on the altar began to glow. The stone gate slowly slid open to both sides, revealing an entrance.
A thin barrier covered the entrance, holding back the lake water.
“Go down.”
Ximen Haoyue enveloped Lin Xiao and plunged straight through the entrance. After dropping more than a hundred zhang, Lin Xiao entered an underground space.
The underground space was extremely vast, spanning a hundred zhang in every direction. Though beneath the lake, it was remarkably bright.
The surrounding walls were made of special stone, somewhat like moonlight stone, illuminating the entire area.
The wall directly in front of Lin Xiao appeared forged from peculiar black iron. It looked incredibly solid, and its surface was etched with dense, intricate patterns.
Clearly, it was an array wall.
Hiss.
At that moment, an inexplicable aura filled the space, enveloping both Lin Xiao and Ximen Haoyue before instantly dispersing.
Lin Xiao felt a flicker of confusion.
“There is a killing array here. Anyone whose aura has not been recorded will be attacked immediately.”
Ximen Haoyue explained. “In other words, a newcomer must be brought by someone who has entered before. Strangers will trigger the killing array, which is strong enough to slay even a Martial Saint.”
Lin Xiao’s heart jolted.
The Destruction Spirit Energy might seem easy to locate, right beneath this part of the lake. With a little enquiry, other forces could probably discover it.
Yet stealing it silently would be almost impossible.
First, an Iron Skin Water Python that even an initial-stage Martial Saint could not kill guarded the surface. Breaking in without causing a disturbance was virtually unthinkable.
Second, entering the array gate required a special key.
Third, down here, another array identified intruders and attacked automatically.
Moreover, further arrays certainly contained the Destruction Spirit Energy itself, and breaking them would not be simple.
Finally, the Destruction Spirit Energy was terrifying power in its own right. Carrying it away without trace would require some extraordinary container, which posed yet another immense problem.
To execute every step flawlessly, the chance of successful theft was negligible.
As for refining it on the spot while concealing the act from Spirit Pool Island, that possibility was even smaller.
Spirit energy of this kind could scarcely be refined in less than a year or two.
Hiding here for a year or two to refine it without Spirit Pool Island noticing was impossible.
“Non-spirit controllers would gain nothing by seizing the Destruction Spirit Energy. Besides, anyone daring to rob Spirit Pool Island would face devastating retaliation. No one has yet set such a precedent.”
Ximen Haoyue spoke as she stepped forward.
Lin Xiao followed closely.
“Of course, many have coveted it, but most have abandoned the idea. The only ones who continue to desire the Destruction Spirit Energy are the Tantai family.”
Ximen Haoyue continued while walking. “The Tantai family harbours great ambition. They wish to refine the Destruction Spirit Energy and dominate the continent. For every Spirit Controller Grand Competition, they spend enormous resources to send participants, yet almost every time they fail to take the crown.”
“Even if they won, and gained the chance to refine the Destruction Spirit Energy, they would still be unable to succeed.”
“This time, they poured everything into cultivating Tantai Wenjun precisely for this Destruction Spirit Energy. Even though he only took second place, he still earned one opportunity to attempt refinement.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao was startled. Ximen Haoyue knew the Tantai family’s intentions so clearly?
“Then why grant the top five a chance?”
Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.
Logically, previous competitions had offered the chance only to the champion.
If they had done the same this time, places second to fifth would have had no opportunity, and Tantai Wenjun would have been excluded entirely.
Surely it could not be merely to motivate others by adding four extra slots?
“First, the Destruction Spirit Energy has been here for countless years. Countless spirit controllers have tried, including eighth-rank ones. The likelihood of any of the top five succeeding is extremely slim. In truth, Spirit Pool Island holds little hope.”
Ximen Haoyue replied. “Second, the destructive power of the Destruction Spirit Energy is too great. It is close to developing true intelligence. If it gains intelligence, the arrays here will no longer contain it. Once it breaks free, Spirit Pool Island will be unable to stop it, and the consequences would be unpredictable.”
“Conversely, if someone refines it, we will know exactly who. Should they ever truly threaten Spirit Pool Island in future, we can still eliminate them while there is opportunity.”
At these words, Lin Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.
If refining it posed a threat to Spirit Pool Island, they would eliminate the refiner. Did that mean if he succeeded, he might face annihilation from Spirit Pool Island at any time?
What exactly constituted a threat to Spirit Pool Island?
Surely they would not eliminate someone simply for becoming stronger than the island?
“When I say threaten Spirit Pool Island, I mean primarily harbouring hostile designs against it. If you hold no such intent, no matter how strong you become, Spirit Pool Island will not move against you.”
Ximen Haoyue clarified, effectively issuing Lin Xiao a warning.
So long as he did not oppose Spirit Pool Island, he would be safe. If he did, he could expect eradication or control.
A place like Spirit Pool Island certainly possessed such capability.
Lin Xiao relaxed slightly and resolved never to make an enemy of Spirit Pool Island.
Yet he wondered: if he went to the Tianji Demon Suppression Tower and Spirit Pool Island opposed it, would that count as enmity?
“Of course, the true reason is known only to the island master. This is merely the message conveyed to me by the vice-island master.”
Ximen Haoyue added.
Lin Xiao was speechless.
What exactly was the intent?
Could her words even be trusted?
“She is probably releasing smoke deliberately to warn me.”
Lin Xiao thought silently.
Still, with the opportunity before him, he would never give it up.
He would simply need to guard more carefully against Spirit Pool Island in future.
Ximen Haoyue had spoken openly about both the Tantai family and the spirit energy, which surprised Lin Xiao.
He could not tell whether she truly cared nothing or harboured some other purpose.
While they spoke, the two reached the iron wall.
“The Destruction Spirit Energy lies within. Go and experience it for yourself.”
With that, Ximen Haoyue produced another key and inserted it into an opening on the iron wall. A section of patterns began to glow.
Lin Xiao’s blood surged with excitement.
He was about to encounter another spirit energy.
Moreover, this was the one ranked tenth on the spirit energy list.
The top ten spirit energies were almost legendary existences. Even the Heaven-Swallowing Spirit Energy ranked only eleventh.
The Destruction Spirit Energy was recorded in historical texts as the strongest attribute spirit energy ever to appear on the continent.
What it looked like, what power it held, was hard to imagine.
Of course, since this Destruction Spirit Energy had not yet developed intelligence, refining it would spare the step of battling and shattering a spirit intelligence, making the process somewhat easier.
Yet it would only spare that step. The actual danger and difficulty would depend on the specific spirit energy and the power it contained.
This Destruction Spirit Energy would probably be far harder to refine than the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Spirit Energy.
Click. As the array patterns lit up, a section of iron stone in the wall before Lin Xiao slid sideways, revealing an opening roughly the width of three fingers.
A special barrier covered the opening.
“Place your eyes and brow centre against it. You will be able to see and sense the Destruction Spirit Energy. Be careful. The energy moves unconsciously. If it approaches this side, there will be danger.”
Ximen Haoyue warned.
Lin Xiao nodded. He stepped forward, approached the iron wall, and cautiously pressed his brow centre and eyes against the special barrier.
In this moment, Lin Xiao felt both excitement and caution. The Destruction Spirit Energy, he was finally about to witness it.
