204: Six palaces

Everyone had an agreement to distribute according to contribution.

Since the few of them didn't make a move, it was naturally awkward for them to claim a share.

Gu Changsheng flicked his long sleeve, and the mountain-sized Earth-Drilling Beast rapidly shrunk, disappearing into his sleeve.

"Fellow Daoist, you truly possess great skill."

"With Fellow Daoist's help this time, the exploration of the Immortal Cave should be much smoother."

The Pure Burning Demoness's eyes, filled with autumn water, held such fervent gazes that they seemed to want to melt Gu Changsheng.

"Mere trifling skills, just for everyone's amusement," Gu Changsheng said modestly, his peripheral vision, however, glanced at the Flame Demon.

Just now, the other party had been quite arrogant, subtly showing an intention to exclude him.

If he didn't give him a warning, future explorations might lead to trouble.

'It's best not to provoke me...'

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Gu Changsheng's eyes.

Along the way, they collected spiritual materials and slayed exotic beasts, yielding a rich harvest, and smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

In front of the barren mountain.

Thud—

One after another, giant Moon-Devouring Hounds, covered in black scales and with a vertical eye on their foreheads, fell.

The central Hound King was as large as a mountain, and its aura had even reached the Profound Cave Late Stage.

Just now, the few of them had barely managed to slay the pack of Hounds by working together.

"The Moon-Devouring Hound, which devours the essence of the Demonic Moon, has moon patterns on its beast core and bones. If it fell into the hands of the Blood Moon Sect, they would probably go mad for it."

"The Primordial Emperor Dragon Beast we just killed is also rare to find in the outside world and is quite valuable."

"The resources in this Immortal Cave are truly abundant."

The few of them said with beaming smiles.

Gu Changsheng, however, frowned slightly.

All this way, he still hadn't found any trace of the demonic spirit flower.

Logically, since the Immortal Cave was built deep within Demon Subduing Mountain, drawing in mountain Qi, it should possess the growth environment for cultivating the demonic spirit flower, yet not a single one had been encountered.

"Hmm? Fellow Daoist has reaped a rich harvest, yet your brows are furrowed, seemingly a bit disappointed... This makes this concubine quite curious..."

The Pure Burning Demoness's voice was clear and pleasant, like a cat's paw scratching at one's heart, making one want to speak their mind.

"demonic spirit flower, there isn't a single one here... how strange."

After thinking for a moment, Gu Changsheng still revealed the reason.

Upon hearing this, the Flame Demon and the others all looked sideways.

The Pure Burning Demoness asked in confusion, "demonic spirit flower... why would Fellow Daoist want that thing..."

"Oh, is there some secret to this?"

"The demonic spirit flower is quite rare, growing only in the depths of Demon Subduing Mountain.

However, due to its unique properties, it naturally possesses the ability to decompose Devilish Qi. If ordinary Holy Race members ingest it, it's like swallowing a potent poison; at best, their cultivation will drop significantly, and at worst, they will die on the spot.

Aside from a few types of poison-attributed Medicinal Pills, no one would specifically collect or cultivate it."

"So that's how it is..."

Gu Changsheng nodded slightly.

It seems that finding the demonic spirit flower would have to wait for later.

Ling Xuzi, who was beside him, also heard this explanation for the first time; his mouth moved, as if he wanted to speak but held back.

Since Gu Changsheng hadn't mentioned the demonic heart crossing, he also found it inconvenient to speak.

After a long while, everyone passed through a sea of trees, and before their eyes appeared six massive palaces floating in the Void Realm.

Five of them encircled the central palace, forming a strategic triangular Formation, much like the Formation Plate that served as the entrance to the Immortal Cave back then.

A special Formation power subtly emerged from the Void Realm, sealing the space.

'This person should know something...'

Gu Changsheng and the others' gazes implicitly turned towards Tuoba Hai.

"Everyone, this is where Old Ancestor Guangyuan's core legacy lies."

Tuoba Hai did not hide anything, his words astonishing.

"Just break the Restrictions left within the five palaces, and the central main hall will open automatically."

"So there's such a secret to this."

"However, with the Formation power surrounding it, it might not be easy to even enter those five side halls..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of purple flashed in Gu Changsheng's eyes, and he squinted slightly.

In his vision, the Formation power, like an undercurrent, swirled around but followed a pattern, revealing a gap. He only needed to wait for a specific moment to directly enter the side hall.

"Every three hours, the Formation power will reveal a flaw, at which point one can slip into a side hall."

Gu Changsheng silently calculated and then slowly spoke.

These words caused a look of surprise on Tuoba Hai's face.

"Fellow Daoist is actually proficient in the Dao of Formations."

"I know a little."

"In that case, the hope for this journey has greatly increased," Tuoba Hai said excitedly. "Just as Fellow Daoist Li Daoyi said, every three hours, the Formation will reveal a flaw.

At that time, we will enter the side halls and work together to break the Restrictions within. However... whether we act together or explore separately is worth discussing."

The greatest advantage of collective action was avoiding danger.

Moreover, Tuoba Hai clearly possessed much hidden information about this place.

Once they split up, the Flame Demon and the others would inevitably feel short-changed.

"Please make your decision, everyone... I lean towards independent exploration..." Tuoba Hai said with a smile.

The Flame Demon and the Pure Burning Demoness immediately expressed their dissatisfaction.

"It's safer to explore together.

After all, this place was left by a Yang Spirit Realm Holy Old Ancestor; who knows what terrifying things are hidden within the hall."

"Moreover, Fellow Daoist Tuoba possesses significantly more information about this Immortal Cave than we do.

Exploring individually might seem like hogging all the spoils."

Tuoba Hai shook his head slightly, looking at Gu Changsheng and Ling Xuzi.

"Let's explore separately. One side hall per person. The spoils of war shouldn't differ too much, and the speed of breaking the Restrictions and entering the main hall will also be faster."

Ling Xuzi, as if by some strange impulse, chose to explore alone.

Everyone's gazes simultaneously fell upon Gu Changsheng.

At this moment, it was two to two.

His opinion would determine the direction of events.

Gu Changsheng's eyes flickered, and he exhaled a turbid breath: "I agree to explore separately.

However... Fellow Daoist Tuoba must choose the last side hall to enter."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone immediately understood.

Even if Tuoba Hai knew which side hall contained more treasures, by choosing last, the possibility of him picking his desired side hall was the lowest.

"This is excellent."

"Fellow Daoist Li Daoyi, what you said makes sense."

The two who had originally opposed, the Flame Demon and the other, both expressed their agreement.

Tuoba Hai sighed lightly and nodded in agreement.

"However... if any Fellow Daoist is slow in breaking the Restriction, those of us who break the Restriction first can also follow them in, and the spoils of war will be distributed according to the original rules."

"That is only right."

A moment later, the Qi flowed, the Formation power paused, and a gap suddenly appeared in one of the side halls. The Flame Demon transformed into a black stream of flames and rushed into the side hall.

At the same time, Gu Changsheng secretly observed Tuoba Hai's expression, hoping to discern a hint of emotional fluctuation.

Unfortunately, he gained nothing.

"Damn it, the side hall entrance also has a Profound Light Restriction..."

From the Void Realm, the Flame Demon's curses could be heard.

Gu Changsheng smiled faintly.

If it were that easy to enter, how could he, the Flame Demon, be allowed to enter first?

Such a big, clumsy oaf, ignorant of Formations, would surely take a lot of time trying to break the Restriction with brute force.

Soon, streams of Qi successively entered the side halls.

The Pure Burning Demoness was also blocked by the Profound Light Restriction.

Conversely, the Old Daoist Ling Xuzi actually pulled out a sword plate, and the surging sword Formation power clearly broke the Formation more efficiently than the other two.

"Fellow Daoist Tuoba, Li is going ahead."

The Formation power flowed, and Gu Changsheng chose a gap, transforming into a sword light, and escaped into a bronze side hall.

The majestic hall gate emitted a hazy Profound Light, blocking entry.

However, Gu Changsheng's body surged with five-colored light, like a swimming fish, and he glided in without any obstruction.

Instantly, everyone was dumbfounded.