Chapter 336: Protective Black Stone Stele

The black-robed cultivator paused, his cold gaze sweeping over Li Fan and the other two, before he continued, "Because each cultivator's experience and state of mind differ, the illusions they witness also vary. They are mostly grand scenes from the past, related to the Heavenly Venerate of Transmission. However, this only happens the first time."

The black-robed cultivator's voice carried a hint of regret: "Once you've stayed here long enough and grown accustomed to the Heavenly Venerate's aura, seeing illusions again becomes an extravagant hope."

Han Yi and Ximen Yue were still reeling from the shock of the illusion, and at his words, they merely nodded slightly. Li Fan, however, cautiously kept his gaze fixed forward. While masking the fear in his heart, he tried to savor again the sense of familiarity that had come over him moments ago.

The black-robed cultivator observed their reactions but paid them no mind. He didn't rush them, but waited patiently. In his view, the astonishment and shock displayed by these newcomers were entirely normal. As a guide, he had long grown accustomed to it.

After a while, seeing that all three had slowly shaken off the illusion's effects, he resumed his duties. "I have been entrusted by Immortal Venerate Jicheng to lead you to the Dharma Protector Hall. Stay close behind me; do not wander off. Although everyone admitted to headquarters has undergone identity verification and usually poses no issues, this is, after all, the headquarters of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, a critical strategic location. Cultivators are secretly guarding it at all times. If you go somewhere you shouldn't, and are captured or killed, no one will redress your grievances," the black-robed cultivator warned in a cold voice.

Li Fan and the others all nodded, indicating their understanding. Following behind him, Li Fan took the opportunity to observe the scenery of the Myriad Immortals Alliance headquarters.

In an endless void, many towering and majestic buildings floated. They were scattered across different positions above, like stars spread across the sky. Li Fan and his companions were currently at the very bottom of the entire architectural complex. Streaks of silver light streaked across overhead. They shuttled back and forth between the various floating buildings, and faint, blurry figures seemed vaguely discernible within the light.

They proceeded at a steady pace, occasionally encountering cultivators with solemn expressions and hurried movements along the way. The floating land beneath their feet seemed to serve merely as an external entrance and inspection point. Apart from the vegetation planted along both sides of the road, no other structures were present.

In a short while, they reached the boundary of the land. Li Fan saw that a strange formation seemed to be etched into the ground ahead. Fine silver lines continuously moved within the formation, and each time a cultivator stepped into it, a streak of silver light would carry them soaring upwards to different areas above.

In front of the transfer formation stood a tall, robust cultivator. This person wore the standard black-and-yellow Daoist robe uniform of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the passing cultivators.

When it was Li Fan and his companions' turn, the tall cultivator glanced at the black-robed cultivator and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. However, he still extended his hand to stop them. The black-robed cultivator didn't mind, taking out the small round mirror from before. A beam of light shot out, landing on the tall cultivator. Strangely, this beam of light seemed to be absorbed by him, vanishing instantly after it touched his body. In the tall cultivator's eyes, however, numerous characters flashed rapidly for a moment. He lowered his hand, no longer blocking them.

The black-robed cultivator led Li Fan and the other two into the transfer formation. The robust middle-aged cultivator pointed towards the formation. A fine silver line shot from his finger, entering the ground transfer formation. It traveled around a few times, expanding severalfold. Then, it enveloped Li Fan and the others, carrying them upwards into the sky.

In an instant, Li Fan's body seemed to transform into light, traversing this space at an incredible speed. What was peculiar was that he felt no discomfort from the excessive speed. The surrounding scenery rapidly receded. In the blink of an eye, the original floating land had shrunk to the size of a black speck. The light continuously ascended, passing by one floating landmass after another. With his keen eyes, Li Fan could even vaguely discern the distinctive slanting metallic cuboid building of the Strategy Formation Hall in a certain area.

Not long after, a shadow enveloped them from above. The light carried Li Fan and his companions, diving straight into it. His vision blurred for a moment, and Li Fan transformed from a light form back into his human shape.

Stepping back onto solid ground, Li Fan looked ahead and saw a tall, black stele standing not far away. Only a wide, straight road led directly to the stele. There was not even any vegetation or other decorations along the sides of the road. Compared to the other floating landmasses he had seen earlier, this place appeared somewhat stark and somber.

The black-robed cultivator remained silent, leading the way along the straight road. The road surface appeared to be constructed from some kind of bluish-green stone. As he walked on it, Li Fan was startled to discover that the spiritual energy within his body suddenly became dormant. It was as if it had lost its vitality; no matter how Li Fan tried to command it, he couldn't stir it in the slightest. Consequently, his early Core Formation stage clone, while walking on this road, became no different from a mortal.

Han Yi and Ximen Yue had clearly noticed this as well. The three exchanged a fearful glance, not daring to discuss it further, and quickly caught up with the black-robed cultivator who had already walked some distance ahead.

The tall black stele seemed not far away, standing at the end of the straight road. However, as Li Fan and the others slowly made their way on foot, step by step, the road seemed to become incredibly long. To Li Fan, it felt as though they had spent most of the day, finally reaching their destination somewhat exhausted. During this process, they had encountered cultivators who emerged from the black stele and departed. Yet, these cultivators seemed unaffected, still able to fly at low altitudes along the straight road.

"This must be a restriction for outsiders," Li Fan thought to himself. "Members of the Dharma Protector Hall's main branch seem to be able to avoid the dormancy of spiritual energy within their bodies by relying on some secret technique."

Only upon reaching the base of the black stele did Li Fan truly grasp its immense height. Its towering top extended beyond the visible range, and its entirely black surface exuded a profound, oppressive aura. What struck Li Fan as strange was that the entire stele appeared to be a single, seamless structure. There was no discernible entrance or exit.

At this moment, the black-robed cultivator who had led them here spoke. "Alright, right here. Present your Law-Seeking Jade Tablets."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan and the other two promptly took out their exquisite jade tablets. The multicolored light from the jade tablets shone upon the black stele, causing its dark surface to become vibrant and colorful. As the halo of light spread, the hard stone stele seemed to dissolve amidst the vibrant colors. A multicolored passage appeared on the stele.

"You may enter," the black-robed cultivator said. "I do not possess a Law-Seeking Jade Tablet, so I cannot enter the Dharma Protector Hall without permission."