Chapter 151: Exploring the Demonic Palace and Facing the Dark Hand (Part 2)

During the difficult period of recuperating and consolidating forces in the secret base of Youge, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan never slacked off. They knew time was running out and the enemy would not stop because of a single setback. Enduring both physical and mental pain, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan worked tirelessly day and night to carefully study and analyze the final intelligence that Lin Feng had sacrificed his life for, as well as the scattered information that Sun Xiaohou subsequently supplemented and verified through various channels.

These fragments of intelligence, like scattered puzzle pieces, gradually pieced together into a clearer yet more frightening blueprint of the conspiracy through the joint efforts of Ye Li and Qin Yixuan.

Intelligence clearly indicates that the core of the "Heaven Stealing Plan" isn't simply about plundering or destroying power. Instead, it aims to utilize the power of the laws of the universe, contained within the fragments of the Samsara Mirror, combined with some ancient, forbidden, and heaven-defying formation (most likely the "Reverse Samsara Heaven Formation"), to forcibly interfere with, distort, and ultimately tamper with the laws of reincarnation in the spirit world and beyond! Their ultimate goal, appallingly, is to bring the reincarnation of all beings in the entire spirit world under their control, making them the private property of the mastermind (most likely Ling Hao and the "Holy Lord" behind them), thereby truly "stealing the secrets of heaven," controlling the fate of all beings, and fulfilling their eternal ambition!

The prisoner imprisoned in the Corrupted Claw Demon Palace's dungeon, known as the "Container," was one of the key props in this insane plan, used to contain the power of the initially tampered Law of Reincarnation and conduct some kind of "adaptability" or "transformation" experiment. Xuan Cong's personal presence there clearly demonstrated that he was not only aware of the plan, but also deeply involved and one of the core executors! His goal was far more than simply guarding a "Container."

"We must act quickly." Ye Li, whose injuries had only recovered about 30% to 40%, could no longer rest in peace. She felt an unprecedented sense of urgency. "Xuan Cong and the Corrupted Claw Demon Lord will surely be as frightened as birds after this incident, and will be even more vigilant. They may initiate the next step of their plan prematurely, or simply move the 'container', and they might even harm my parents!"

Qin Yixuan nodded in agreement, a solemn expression covering her beautiful face. "Indeed. After this incident, the Demon Palace's security must have been stepped up to an unprecedented level. Sneak entry will be incredibly difficult. A forced attack is absolutely impossible."

"We may not need to force our way into the Demon Palace again." A glint of calm analysis flashed in Ye Li's eyes. She pointed to an inconspicuous note in Lin Feng's intelligence. "The information Lin Feng left mentioned that deep beneath the Demon Palace lies a tributary channel of an ancient spiritual vein, long since depleted and abandoned due to demonic erosion. This channel was used in the early days of the Demon Palace's construction, but was later completely abandoned and sealed due to energy depletion and its remote location. However, its veins seem... vaguely connected to the sewage system near the dungeon area. Because it is completely abandoned and worthless, almost no one has noticed it."

Qin Yixuan immediately understood Ye Li's idea: "You want to sneak in through this abandoned spiritual vein passage?"

"This is currently the only possible way to avoid the frontal guards and approach the dungeon quietly." Ye Li said firmly, "Although the situation within the passage is unknown, it may be filled with years of poisonous miasma, unstable spatial cracks, or even inhabited by some strange creatures that rely on demonic energy and darkness for survival. But compared to a head-on assault, this is at least a glimmer of hope."

This was an extremely risky plan, tantamount to dancing on the edge of a knife. The abandoned spiritual vein passage was fraught with danger, and if something unexpected happened there, even escape would be extremely difficult. But as Ye Li had said, this was the only option at the moment.

After making the decision, the two immediately began intensive preparations, with the full assistance of Sun Xiaohou and other remaining members of the Youge. Powerful detoxification pills, miasma-repelling talismans, instruments for stabilizing spatial fluctuations, high-level concealment arrays, and emergency supplies for various emergencies were quickly gathered. Sun Xiaohou personally led a team, following the vague clues left by Lin Feng, and despite great risks, repeatedly explored the outskirts of the Demon City, ultimately confirming the approximate location of the abandoned spiritual vein's entrance and how to open it.

A few days later, on a night when demonic energy was relatively active, making it easier to conceal energy fluctuations, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan bid farewell to Sun Xiaohou and the others and quietly arrived at the entrance to an abandoned spiritual vein located in a desolate valley on the edge of the Demon City. The entrance was cleverly blocked by several seemingly natural boulders.

After skillfully moving the boulder away, a pitch-black entrance, barely wide enough for one person to pass through by bending over, was revealed. A chilling wind mixed with a strong smell of mold, dust, and a hint of demonic energy gushed out of the cave like the breath of a sleeping giant beast, carrying with it the decay of years and unknown dangers.

The two exchanged glances, each seeing determination in the other's eyes. Without further ado, Ye Li took the lead, followed closely by Qin Yixuan. Concealing all their presence, they slipped silently into the underground passageway, like two shadows blending into the darkness, leading to the unknown and dangerous.

The situation inside the tunnel was even worse than expected. Underfoot lay a soft, sticky, age-old silt, emitting a foul stench that could easily lead to drowning. The air was thick with a multicolored, almost condensed, poisonous miasma. Even a Yuandan-level cultivator inhaling too much would lose their mind and cause their flesh to ulcerate. The rock walls were slippery and covered with strange mosses and fungi, some of which would attack any living being that approached. Even more terrifying, minute, imperceptible ripples occasionally rippled through the space, representing highly unstable spatial fissures. Any contact would result in disastrous consequences. There were also bizarre insects and elemental creatures that survived by consuming demonic energy and poisonous miasma. Sensing the presence of humans, they swarmed out of the darkness like sharks at the scent of blood, launching a frenzied attack.

Fortunately, they were well-prepared and formidable. Though Ye Li's injuries hadn't healed, her annihilation sword intent proved remarkably effective against these less intelligent monsters, often clearing a vast area with a single flash of her sword. Qin Yixuan's purifying divine light effectively dispelled the poisonous miasma, illuminating the path ahead and providing a layer of divine protection for the two. Cautiously and intensely focused, they navigated the winding, labyrinthine, abandoned passageway, arduously and slowly for several hours, frequently correcting course to avoid obvious danger zones.

Finally, based on the map markings and the vague perception of energy fluctuations above, they determined that they were approaching the end of the passage - the area above should be the area below the Demon Palace dungeon.

However, just as they were about to look for a possible exit or weak point, an extremely faint conversation voice, which contained the rhythmic fluctuations of some laws, came through the thick rock layer that contained the power of prohibition, vaguely and intermittently!

It was Xuan Cong's voice! There was also an unfamiliar demonic voice filled with majesty and violence!

The two immediately held their breath and concentrated their consciousness to the extreme, like the tiniest tentacle, tightly clinging to the cold and damp rock wall, trying their best to capture the vague sound.

"...The removal of the 'key' must be foolproof. The 'reincarnation mark' in Ye Feng and Su Wan's bodies is the key hub for activating the formation and receiving the 'power of the original reincarnation'. It cannot be lost." This was Xuan Cong's voice, calm, meticulous, and without any emotion.

"Hmph, don't worry! The 'Silent Soul Abyss' reverse evolution formation is basically complete. We just need the 'container' in place for final adjustments, and... the resonance guidance of the last core fragment." The unfamiliar demonic voice responded, its sound like the friction of sand and gravel, with a hint of impatience and condescending arrogance. "How is Ling Hao's progress? The 'Holy Lord''s' will is growing impatient. The power of the Eclipse Realm requires stronger guidance!"

"Junior Brother Ling Hao has found a preliminary method to strengthen the connection with the 'Waste Realm'. The original power of the 'Eclipse Realm' will provide the final and most powerful driving force for the formation. As for the final fragment..." Xuan Cong paused, his voice taking on an indescribable, almost mocking tone, "It will arrive soon. When all the fragments gather in the Soul Abyss, when the 'key' is inserted into the lock, when the power of the 'Eclipse Realm' and the 'Origin' collide in the reverse evolution formation... 'Stealing the Heaven' will be complete. At that time, the old, incomplete cycle of reincarnation will completely collapse, and a new, perfect order will be written by our own hands!"

Ye Li and Qin Yixiuan, who were underground, were shocked when they heard this, as if they were struck by lightning!

The "key" truly refers to her parents! They're attempting to strip the mysterious "Mark of Reincarnation" from their bodies to initiate the final ritual! And the final fragment of the Reincarnation Mirror seems to be a decoy, luring all the fragments and their owner (Ye Li) to the Silent Soul Abyss, where they can be captured in one fell swoop, completing the final, insane feat of "stealing the heavens"!

What shocked Ye Li even more was their mention of the "primordial power of reincarnation" and the "abandoned world"! Could it be that the origin of the Samsara Mirror was connected to an even more ancient, vanished world? And the ultimate goal of the "Sacred Lord" behind Ling Hao and Xuan Cong was to use these two extreme powers to subvert the existing laws of reincarnation in the spiritual world?

At this moment, a violent energy fluctuation and a shrill alarm suddenly came from above!

"Oh no! Something has happened in the dungeon! It's that 'container'! The power in it has completely spiraled out of control!" The unique, furious roar of the Corrupted Claw Demon Lord came like thunder.

"It's still not stable enough..." Xuan Cong's voice also carried the expected coldness and a subtle urgency.

Chance!

Ye Li and Qin Yixuan exchanged glances, each seeing a glint of determination in the other's eyes. Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the "container" losing control above, this was the perfect opportunity to rescue (or destroy) the "container," obtain more information, and disrupt their plans!

Ye Li no longer hesitated, and took a deep breath of true energy, pouring all the strength he could mobilize at the moment, including the power of the Samsara Mirror fragments, into the Xuanbing Sword. A point of extreme chaotic light condensed at the tip of the sword, and he stabbed it fiercely at the point where the rock layer above was the weakest according to his spiritual sense, and where the restriction was obviously fluctuating due to the impact of internal energy!

"Open it for me!"

Boom!

Debris mixed with the shattered light of the forbidden barrier flew everywhere! A hole leading deep into the dungeon, barely wide enough for one person, was forcibly broken open! A dense, pure demonic energy and a chaotic, painful, and strange energy wave instantly vented from the hole!

Without any hesitation, the two of them turned into two swift shadows and rushed into the source of the chaos in an instant!