29: Chapter 29 Researching Rune Arrays in the Secret Realm, Uninvited Guests Suddenly Appear

After receiving the “true explanation of basic talisman arrays” from Shang Ting, Li Siwen (Li Shiwen) didn't just wait for her to deduce a method to break the Formation.

He immersed his mind into that warm Jade Slip, and a cool stream of information instantly poured into his mind like a gushing brook.

This “true explanation of basic talisman arrays” was indeed as Shang Ting had said; though named “Basic,” it went straight to the Origin of talisman arrays.

From the most fundamental rune structures and Spiritual Energy Guidance to the arrangement and Cracking of simple Formations, it was expounded in a profound yet easy-to-understand manner, exquisitely brilliant, far more profound and mysterious than any related ancient text he could access in the Utility Area.

He sat cross-legged, the 300% Spiritual Perception bonus in his female disguise instantly maxed out. His Spiritual Sense was like refined steel, clearly seeing even the finest lines and turns in the Rune Diagrams.

What was previously a “tangled mess” when looking at the Seal Runes now slowly became clear.

The flow of the dark gold runes was the foundation of the “Spiritual Source Cycle,” and their flickering rhythm corresponded to the “Origin Qi injection frequency.”

Even the stagnation when outlining with Internal Energy found its root cause—the Internal Energy was too impure, simply unable to support the “Dao Rhyme framework” of the runes!

"So that's it... the flow of this rune node subtly combines the dual changes of 'Spirit Gathering' and 'Solid Defense'…"

"This stroke is not purely for defense; it also contains a hint of 'Space Isolation'…"

He was absorbed in his study, and unconsciously, his fingertips instinctively condensed faint Internal Energy, attempting to mimic and outline in the Void Realm the simplest basic runes he could understand.

Buzz...

As his fingertip traced, Internal Energy struggled to condense into an extremely dim and simply structured light trace, barely holding for less than a breath before suddenly dissipating!

And at the instant this light trace formed, Li Siwen felt a large chunk of Internal Energy being drained from his body like floodwaters unleashed.

His spirit also wavered, feeling a sense of weakness originating from the depths of his Divine Soul.

"Cough..."

His face paled, and he quickly stopped, a slight horror in his heart.

"What astonishing consumption! With my Aperture Opening Realm Internal Energy, it's so difficult to even outline the most basic simplified rune? No wonder Sister Shang Ting said that the true Dao of Talisman Arrays requires 'Origin Qi' or even the higher-level 'Origin Power' to activate."

He immediately took out a recovery Medicinal Pill given by Tang Jingjing from his System space and swallowed one.

A gentle medicinal power spread, quickly nourishing his depleted Internal Energy and slightly fatigued spirit.

"It seems that before I can condense Origin Power, this Dao of Talisman Arrays can only be studied and understood for now, not actually applied." Li Siwen concluded, carefully putting away the Jade Slip.

This true explanation was undoubtedly the key to a vast treasure trove, but he currently lacked the strength to push open that grand door.

Temporarily setting aside the idea of in-depth research into talisman arrays, Li Siwen stood up and began to carefully explore this sealed, peculiar space.

This place seemed to be a large underground cave transformed, quite extensive in scope.

He cautiously avoided the Restriction barriers emitting dangerous fluctuations, moving within the limited safe areas.

Soon, he discovered some traces of human activity.

In some corners of the rock walls, there were old white marks left by Sharp Weapons, seemingly targeting the barriers, but clearly to no avail.

In several relatively dry clearings, there were remnants of campfires that had long since extinguished, alongside some severely weathered animal bones.

He even found a completely skeletal remains in a rock crevice.

Beside the skeleton lay a decayed Storage Pouch, containing only a few dull low-grade essence stones and a rusty, spiritless short sword.

"It seems I'm not the only one who discovered this place."

Li Siwen said thoughtfully, "But from these traces, it seems everyone was helpless against the Restrictions here. After trying, they either left in despair, or... like this fellow, exhausted their Lifespan here."

He continued his exploration, subsequently discovering some low-grade but rather ancient medicinal herbs growing in rock crevices, luckily untouched by previous visitors.

Under some collapsed rubble, he also found a disposable protective Jade Talisman covered in dust, its energy almost depleted, but seemingly still able to be activated once.

These discoveries confirmed his conjecture.

Apart from these despairingly powerful ancient Restrictions, there seemed to be no conspicuous treasures in the outer regions that would attract so many experts to come one after another.

Perhaps because of this, over the long years, this place was gradually forgotten, eventually becoming a sealed land.

"The true secrets are probably hidden in the core areas guarded by those Restrictions." Li Siwen looked at the flickering rune light barrier in the depths, his anticipation for Shang Ting's deductions growing.

Just as he was tallying his meager gains—

Rustle...

An extremely faint friction sound, yet one that definitely didn't belong to the deathly silent environment, faintly came from the direction of the passage entrance!

Li Siwen instantly became alert, his entire body's Internal Energy quietly roused. His figure, like a nimble cat, silently glided behind a giant rock, holding his breath and focusing, his sharp gaze directed towards the source of the sound.

Did a Yao Beast from outside track its way in?

Or... other uninvited guests also attracted by the anomaly here?

The “rustling” sound grew closer, and a blurry figure cautiously appeared in the dim light of the passage entrance, vigilantly surveying the interior environment.

Li Siwen's eyes narrowed, his Aperture Opening Realm Internal Energy instantly condensed. His body, like a ghost, silently flashed out from behind the rock!

He was extremely fast, his right hand forming a sword-finger, aiming directly at the opponent's Jianjing acupoint, intending to strike first, subdue them, and then interrogate their Origins.

His left hand was poised, ready to block any potential counterattack.

However, the intruder's reaction was also extremely swift!

Feeling the sudden attack, the person instinctively executed a swift sidestep, narrowly avoiding a vital point.

At the same time, they struck out with a backhand palm. The palm wind was fierce, and it also contained a considerable Internal Energy fluctuation, heading straight for Li Siwen's wrist!

"Hmph!" Li Siwen snorted lightly, changing his finger into a claw, his Move shifting nimbly, precisely hooking towards the opponent's wrist pulse gate.

The opponent seemed not to have expected the attacker's Move to change so quickly. Their blocking arm was cleverly swept aside, leaving their center exposed.

In a flash of lightning, Li Siwen's other hand shot out, about to seize the opponent's shoulder.

Just then, the intruder, due to the hurried evasion and exertion, seemed to have aggravated an old injury, letting out a suppressed and painful groan from their throat.

Although this groan was extremely brief, it carried a hint of a timbre that Li Siwen found unusually familiar!

His movements suddenly stiffened, his outstretched palm stopping abruptly in mid-air.

Using the faint light emanating from the runes on the rock wall, he finally saw the person's face clearly.

Although showing fatigue and vigilance, and her face was somewhat pale, those heroic and delicate brows and eyes...

Who else could it be but Chen Yaojia?!

"Sister Yaojia?!" Li Siwen exclaimed in surprise, quickly dispersing the Internal Energy around him, his tone filled with shock and concern. "Why are you here?! Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

He hastily took a step forward, wanting to check on her condition.

Chen Yaojia was also stunned by the sudden attack and subsequent turn of events. After seeing that the person in front of her was “Li Shiwen,” she let out a long sigh of relief.

Then, wincing from the pain as her back injury was aggravated, she glared at Li Siwen with annoyance. "You little rascal, your attacks are so vicious! Trying to murder your own sister? Hiss... it hurts so much..."

“You little rascal, your attacks are so vicious! Trying to murder your own sister? Hiss... it hurts so much...”

Though complaining, her tone carried a hint of imperceptible relief and release from tension.

[Chiding and relaxation from Chen Yaojia +55]

Li Siwen took her hand and chuckled, "Shouldn't it be 'wife'?"

"Pah! Who's your wife!" Chen Yaojia pouted, her pretty face slightly reddening, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.