711: Lotus Pond Taoist Palace

“Long Yu Martial Ancestor...” He recalled the cold, clear figure who had hidden behind the Void Realm and cast a scrutinizing gaze during the True Disciple assessment.

That illusion trial struck straight at the Dao Heart, filled with peril. If his will hadn't been as firm as rock and his Dao Heart pure and flawless, he feared he wouldn't have passed.

It was also that time that he seemed to have left a favorable impression on this reclusive Martial Ancestor.

“No time to lose! Head straight for the Forbidden Ground!” Yao Delong's thoughts raced.

He might be able to glean some information from the Sect Head, but Long Yu Martial Ancestor had a higher seniority and broader knowledge, making her the more likely source!

Having made his decision, his figure transformed into a startlingly fast stream of Chaos light, tearing through the air and heading straight for the Yin Yang Sect's most mysterious Sect Forbidden Ground—the Pure Heart Lotus Lake!

At the edge of the Forbidden Ground, a massive lake, quiet to the point of eeriness, came into view.

The misty waves were vast, water vapor permeated the air, and the lake surface was smooth as a mirror, reflecting the flowing clouds in the sky, resembling a giant piece of jade inlaid into the earth.

On the shore, a solitary, ancient stone stele stood, inscribed with two bold characters that radiated a fierce Dao momentum: “Forbidden Ground”!

An invisible sense of solemnity and coercion spread out, striking awe into the heart.

However, under the terrifying Divine Thought of Yao Delong, which had reached the Void Refining Stage, this illusion of tranquility instantly shattered!

He clearly “saw” that deep beneath the unfathomable, icy, and dark lake bottom,

lurked a terrifying aura, vast as a sea of stars, heavy as the earth, and containing boundless ferocity!

That aura was ancient and boundless, carrying the coercion of a primeval behemoth, far surpassing any being he had ever encountered before!

The coercion, simply radiating unconsciously, caused Yao Delong's Primordial Spirit to feel a sharp sting!

“A Guardian Spirit Beast, the Black Tortoise!” Yao Delong was inwardly horrified! This was a super Divine Beast rumored to rival the True Dragon!

The Foundation of the Yin Yang Sect was indeed unfathomable!

He immediately restrained all his aura, daring not to show the slightest negligence. He bowed respectfully toward the calm lake surface, his voice clearly penetrating the water:

“Disciple Yao Delong of Luoxia Peak, acting on the command of Peak Master Leng Yuekui, has urgent matters to request an audience with Long Yu Martial Ancestor! I implore Senior Black Tortoise to convey my message!”

The words fell, but caused no ripples.

But just a moment later!

“Rumble—!”

The ground beneath his feet suddenly shook violently!

The originally mirror-calm lake surface suddenly churned up monstrous waves! The lake water seemed to be split apart by an invisible giant axe, wildly rolling back to both sides!

A shadow so massive it made Yao Delong suffocate slowly rose from the cracked abyss at the lake bottom!

What entered Yao Delong's eyes was a sight that shook his Soul:

Its true form resembled a moving, ink-colored mountain range!

It was covered in layers of massive tortoise shell, flashing with a deep metallic luster. Each shell plate was inscribed with naturally formed, ancient and profound runes.

As the runes circulated, faint flashes of two types of Origin radiance—heavy earthen yellow and deep aqueous blue—alternately shimmered, emitting a terrifying aura of indestructibility and the capacity to bear all things.

The edges of the tortoise shell were jagged like a Dragon, bearing the sense of vicissitude and power accumulated over ages.

Yet, the fierce and majestic head was not that of a tortoise, but the head of an enormous Black Serpent, covered in dark scales and bearing a ferocious single horn!

Its serpent eyes were cold as ten thousand years of ice, and as its vertical pupils opened and closed, they shot forth cold light that seemed capable of freezing the Divine Soul!

A scarlet, forked tongue flickered in and out, stirring the space and emitting a heart-palpitating, ferocious Qi!

Tortoise and serpent combined into one, a work of natural perfection!

A terrifying aura, at the Peak of the Integration Realm, spread out without restraint, like a tangible hurricane, squeezing the surrounding space!

The air became viscous and heavy! If Yao Delong hadn't possessed the Great Sun Sacred Body,

and his Primordial Spirit refined by the nine aperture spirit nurturing pill, this coercion alone would have been enough to force him to his knees!

The Black Tortoise's massive serpent eyes rotated, its icy gaze landing on Yao Delong, pressing down like two ice mountains.

“Hmm? Yao Delong...”

A deep, resonant voice, like muffled thunder rumbling from deep within the earth, exploded directly within Yao Delong's Sea of Consciousness,

“A decent young one. Your Foundation is solid, and your Primordial Spirit is far more condensed than others at your stage. The Yin Yang Sect finally has a promising sprout this generation.”

The Black Tortoise's voice carried a hint of praise, but mostly scrutiny.

It wasted no words. Its front right claw, covered in thick scales and resembling a pillar supporting the sky, lifted casually and pressed lightly against the Void Realm ahead!

“Buzz—!”

Space was torn apart as easily as cloth!

A massive light gate, shimmering with ripples of water and earthen yellow halo, and emitting powerful spatial fluctuations, instantly appeared out of thin air before Yao Delong!

Inside the light gate, another world could vaguely be seen, filled with the fragrance of flowers, the song of birds, and abundant Spiritual Qi!

“Enter.”

The Black Tortoise's low voice sounded again. Immediately, its massive body slowly sank, submerging once more into the parted lake water,

The lake surface quickly closed up, restoring its previous tranquility, as if the shocking scene just witnessed had never occurred.

Yao Delong's mind was violently shaken!

“Control over space... has actually reached such a Transcendent level! Casually tearing space and opening a passage... This Black Tortoise's strength has probably touched the threshold of Mahayana!”

Great waves crashed in his heart, giving him a deeper understanding of the gap between his own strength and the Sect's Foundation.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, he bowed deeply once more toward the direction where the Black Tortoise had disappeared: “Thank you, Senior Black Tortoise!”

Following this, he stepped into the spatial light gate without hesitation.

The scene before his eyes instantly changed!

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, so dense it was almost tangible, rushed toward him, carrying the freshness of vegetation and the rich fragrance of a hundred flowers.

What met his eyes was a vibrant Land of Wonder, resembling an ancient immortal realm!

Strange Peaks and flying waterfalls, Immortal Birds and Auspicious Beasts were everywhere, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it condensed into wisps of mist.

And at the center of that Land of Wonder, a magnificent and imposing palace, built entirely of a peculiar white jade-like stone, stood quietly atop a cloud-shrouded mountain Peak!

In the Void Realm above the palace's main entrance, four vibrant characters, written with the flourish of Dragon and Phoenix, and containing endless dao rhyme, floated and shone—Lotus Pond Dao Palace!

“A self-contained Grotto-Heaven... Martial Ancestor's cultivation is truly unfathomable!” Yao Delong exclaimed.

This was clearly an independent Small World, opened and stabilized by immense magical power!

Yao Delong tidied his appearance, his expression becoming exceedingly respectful. Facing a Integration Realm Mighty Figure who had lived for nearly three thousand years, any slight would be foolish.

He took a deep breath, flipped his hand to retrieve the identity Jade Slip symbolizing the core Legacy of Luoxia Peak, held it up with both hands, and shouted toward the magnificent Lotus Pond Dao Palace:

“True Disciple Yao Delong of Luoxia Peak, bearing the Peak Master's token, requests an audience with Long Yu Martial Ancestor!”

His voice, amplified by the Spiritual Qi, clearly echoed throughout the Grotto-Heaven.

He maintained his bowing posture, ready to call out again if there was no response.

However, before the second call could leave his mouth—

“Buzz!”

A gentle yet irresistible spatial power instantly enveloped him!

Yao Delong felt a blur before his eyes. His body was instantly lifted from the spot, as if gently grasped by an invisible large hand.

In the next instant, he found himself inside a fresh, elegant, spacious, and brightly lit great hall!

This hall lacked lavish decorations, yet everywhere it revealed a simple, natural charm, embodying the principle that the Great Dao is simple.

The floor was made of warm, green jade. Inside the hall, a few simple sandalwood tables and chairs were placed, and the walls were adorned with several ink wash paintings depicting landscapes with profound Concept.

A few unknown Spirit Plants stretched their branches and leaves in the corner, emitting a refreshing fragrance.