416: Chapter 416 Arrival at the Palace

After a day of rest, the group opened their eyes one after another.

Through the healing of Medicinal Pills and recovery via meditation, although it was impossible to return to Peak condition in a single day, they had at least suppressed their injuries. Their True Essence had recovered by seventy to eighty percent, giving them the strength to fight again.

Ye Tian stood up, his aura perfectly integrated and restrained, showing none of yesterday's heavily injured or listless state. Between his gestures, there was a faint accompaniment of wind and thunder, causing the experts present, such as Qin Pojun and Han Xiao, to be secretly alarmed.

“Junior Brother Ye, your injuries...” Shui Qingdie walked over with concern, her beautiful eyes carefully examining Ye Tian.

“It is no longer a major issue.” Ye Tian smiled slightly and nodded to her, signaling her to be at ease.

“Haha, Brother Ye, you really turned a disaster into a blessing!”

Xiahou Ba walked over and patted Ye Tian's shoulder forcefully, his voice booming. He was genuinely happy for Ye Tian, and he also carried the excitement of a Martial Artist seeing something remarkable.

Qin Pojun also nodded and said loudly, “Brother Ye has broken through and rebuilt himself, making his Foundation even more solid. Now that your strength has increased greatly, our chances of success on this trip have also improved.”

Everyone nodded.

At this moment, a faint moan came from the other side.

Everyone looked over and saw Ghost Girl, who had been unconscious for a day and a night, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze was initially a bit confused and alert, but it quickly regained clarity.

After seeing the environment inside the cave and the people surrounding her clearly—especially Ye Tian standing not far away—she obviously breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned slightly as her movements agitated her wounds.

“How do you feel?” Han Xiao, who was closest, asked. His voice was still cold, but it lacked some of its usual aloofness.

Ghost Girl struggled to sit up. Shui Qingdie hurriedly stepped forward to gently support her and handed over a Water Element Pill.

Ghost Girl glanced at Shui Qingdie, whispered a “thank you,” took the Medicinal Pill, and adjusted her breathing for a moment. A hint of color returned to her pale face.

She sensed the condition inside her body and found that the wisp of Sword Qi that had been torturing her had already disappeared. Although her injuries were still heavy, her life was no longer in danger, and she was slowly recovering.

“I... am fine now.” Ghost Girl's voice was somewhat hoarse. She looked up, her gaze passing over everyone to land on Ye Tian.

In those eyes that always carried a hint of ghostly coldness and aloofness, there was now a look full of complex emotions: gratitude, lingering fear, and even a trace of a stir in her heart.

She clearly remembered that at the final moment when Li Xuanxiao’s sword pierced her chest, it was that back that stood in front of her, using True Essence to protect her heart meridian which was on the verge of collapsing.

“Thank you... Young Master Ye, for saving my life.” Ghost Girl's voice was very soft.

Disciples of the Xuanming Way had eccentric temperaments and were men of few words, but they were the most clear-cut about gratitude and grudges.

Ye Tian had lent her a hand twice now; this time was equivalent to giving her a new life.

“Miss Ghost Girl, there is no need to be polite. It is only natural for fellow travelers to help each other.” Ye Tian shook his head, his tone calm.

He saved Ghost Girl out of a chivalrous heart, but more importantly, Li Xuanxiao's backstabbing sword strike had completely enraged him.

Saving Ghost Girl was, to some extent, a display of his contempt for Li Xuanxiao's behavior of disregarding companions and being driven solely by profit.

At the mention of Li Xuanxiao, the atmosphere in the cave suddenly cooled several degrees.

A bone-deep hatred flashed in Ghost Girl's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. She knew that in her current state, talking about revenge was a pipe dream.

“Li Xuanxiao...” Qin Pojun gripped the long spear in his hand tightly. The shaft made a slight humming sound, showing his internal unrest.

“This person is powerful, extremely calculating, and his Heart-Nature is cold and ruthless. He will use any means to achieve his goals.

He set off for the Five Elements Unification Hall a step ahead of us; he must have a scheme. We need to rush there as soon as possible. We cannot let him monopolize the Opportunity, and even more, we cannot let him set more traps in the shadows.”

“Brother Qin is absolutely right.” Yun Wuji nodded and looked at Ye Tian. “Junior Brother Ye, what is your opinion?”

Feeling the increasingly clear guidance from the three Tokens in his bosom, Ye Tian said in a deep voice, “There is no time to lose. We depart immediately. The Five Elements Unification Hall is likely the key to this Secret Realm journey.”

No one else had any objections. Although Ghost Girl had not yet recovered from her heavy injuries, she could barely move. Supported by Han Xiao and Shui Qingdie, she followed the team out of this temporary shelter.

Stepping into the Wanxiang Maze again, everyone was more careful and cautious.

With the previous lesson learned, they no longer dispersed easily. Instead, Dongfang Xinghe, who had the keenest perception, led the way. Qin Pojun and Xiahou Ba guarded the left and right flanks, while Han Xiao and Yun Wuji brought up the rear.

Ye Tian, Yu Miaoqing, and Feng Xuan were in the center to provide support and take care of the injured Ghost Girl.

The maze passages were intricate, the Five Elements Spiritual Qi was chaotically interwoven, and there were even phantom arrays and traps; danger was everywhere.

But the group's strength was not weak, and their cooperation became increasingly coordinated. Although they encountered several waves of Elemental Puppets and natural traps along the way, they all made it through without any major incidents.

On the way, they also encountered Cultivators from other forces. Some were in a hurry, and some were injured, clearly all converging toward a certain direction.

From some scattered conversations and conflicts, Ye Tian and the others learned that news of the Five Elements Unification Hall about to open seemed to have spread within a certain range.

After all, the Prodigies who entered the Secret Realm were not fools. As time passed and exploration deepened, someone would always discover clues.

“It seems that things will not be very peaceful at the Five Elements Unification Hall,” Feng Xuan said with a frown. He specialized in wind-attribute Cultivation Techniques and had agile movement. He was responsible for high-ground scouting and had seen many figures heading in roughly the same direction.

“Opportunities move people's hearts, let alone the core of a Secret Realm.” Yu Miaoqing's voice was cold. “At that time, there will likely be a fierce struggle between dragons and tigers. Besides Li Xuanxiao, we must also guard against people from other forces.”

“What is there to fear!” Xiahou Ba brandished the giant axe in his hand and laughed. “With us joining forces, as long as we don't run into a freak like an old Yuan Dan monster, we don't need to fear anyone! Just as well, I didn't get enough fighting in just now!”

Qin Pojun looked at Ye Tian and asked, “Brother Ye, how much do you know about that Five Elements Unification Hall?”

Everyone's gaze also focused on Ye Tian.

They all vaguely felt that Ye Tian seemed to have some understanding of the Secret Realm's core. At the very least, the Tokens in his hand clearly pointed there.

Ye Tian pondered for a moment and did not hide everything. After all, they were going to fight side-by-side next, and some information needed to be shared.

“According to the clues I have obtained, the Five Elements Unification Hall is not the end. It is more like a gateway or a place of testing. Only by passing through it is it possible to reach the true core of the Secret Realm, the Ruins of the Order-Giver.”

“Ruins of the Order-Giver?” Hearing this, everyone's hearts were shaken. This was the first time they had heard this name.

“Correct.” Ye Tian nodded and continued, “It is said that the greatest secrets of the Taichu Secret Realm are hidden there, as well as the key to leaving the Secret Realm or even gaining recognition.”

“A test...” Yun Wuji was thoughtful. “In that case, being strong doesn't necessarily mean one can pass. Although Li Xuanxiao's sword Dao is strong, his attribute is singular; he may not necessarily have the advantage.”

“But not necessarily.” Han Xiao suddenly spoke, his voice still flat. “When sword Dao is cultivated to a profound level, it can also evolve into the Five Elements, or even destroy the Five Elements.

Li Xuanxiao's sword is very pure and cannot be underestimated.”

Everyone nodded; they had already experienced Li Xuanxiao's strength.

With nothing more to say, the group increased their speed.

After about another half-day, passing through a wood-element area shrouded in Yimu Spiritual Qi, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

An extremely vast square appeared before them.

At the end of the square, amidst the swirling mist, a group of halls built from five colors of jade—gold, green, blue, red, and yellow—could be vaguely seen, appearing and disappearing within the dense Spiritual Qi.

That was the Five Elements Unification Hall!