Hu Shu stared at the restriction, rapidly recalling the Invincible Domain System's knowledge of ancient spells. He knew time was running out; the Human Race was still waiting for him to bring back the Immortal Herb. A moment later, determination flashed in his eyes. He raised his hand toward the restriction, ready to make his first attempt at breaking it. The instant his hand touched it, a powerful force rebounded and sent him stumbling back several steps. But he did not retreat in the slightest, instead striding firmly toward the restriction once more.
A biting wind howled outside the ice cave, its shrill cries like wailing ghosts, as though it wished to scatter Hu Shu's resolve. The cave emitted a faint blue glow that contrasted with the surrounding white snow and ice, making it seem mysterious and eerie. Hu Shu took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. His gaze moved inch by inch across the restriction, trying to find a flaw amid its intricate patterns and flickering light.
"This restriction..." Hu Shu muttered, his brow tightly furrowed. He discovered that it truly was an extremely ancient sealing spell, complex in structure and containing unique rune laws. The runes intertwined with one another, forming an airtight Defense System. Ordinary methods of breaking it simply would not work.
Hu Shu closed his eyes and searched through the Invincible Domain System's knowledge again. He recalled a record about ancient sealing spells that he had once browsed in the system. It mentioned a similar restriction, and perhaps it could provide some inspiration.
After pondering for a moment, Hu Shu quickly formed hand seals and chanted under his breath. Streaks of golden light flowed from his fingertips and flew toward the restriction. The instant they touched it, they let out a sizzling sound, like hot oil dripping into water. Yet the restriction merely trembled slightly before returning to calm.
Hu Shu was not discouraged. He tried several other methods, striking it with spiritual power or attempting to penetrate it with mental energy, but the restriction repelled each one. With every failed attempt, Hu Shu's face grew a little paler. The consumption of magic power made him feel increasingly unable to continue.
"Is there really no way?" Hu Shu gritted his teeth, unwillingness rising in his heart. He looked toward the depths of the ice cave. The strange glow emitted by the Immortal Herb seemed to be calling to him, while also reminding him of the Human Race's current crisis.
Just as Hu Shu felt completely at a loss, he suddenly noticed that the runes on the restriction seemed to flicker according to a certain pattern. His heart stirred, and he began observing them carefully once more. After some study, he discovered that their flickering matched an ancient rhythm.
"That's it. Maybe I can break it by following this rhythm!" Excitement flashed in Hu Shu's eyes. He focused his mind and adjusted the frequency of his spiritual power according to the runes' flickering rhythm.
Hu Shu formed hand seals again. This time, his movements were slower and steadier, and his spiritual power reached toward the restriction in thin, threadlike streams. When it came into contact with the restriction, there was no longer a fierce clash like before. Instead, it slowly seeped in along with the rhythm of the runes.
As the spiritual power continued to penetrate, the restriction began to change noticeably. Its once-solid light became unsteady, and the runes flickered faster and faster. Seeing this, Hu Shu was overjoyed and increased his output of spiritual power.
Boom! At last, through Hu Shu's unrelenting efforts, the restriction erupted with a tremendous roar, and a crack appeared across its surface. The crack swiftly spread, and the entire restriction shattered with a thunderous crash.
Hu Shu let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stepped into the ice cave. A wave of cold air rushed at him like countless tiny ice needles, stabbing painfully into his skin. The cave was a world of ice-carved splendor, filled with bizarre ice pillars and frost flowers. Bathed in the Immortal Herb's glow, it looked dreamlike and surreal.
The Immortal Herb grew in the center of the cave. It was emerald green all over, with crystal-clear dewdrops shimmering on its leaves. It gave off a fresh, rich fragrance that refreshed the mind. Hu Shu hurried over, carefully plucked it, and placed it inside a specially made jade box.
After securing the Immortal Herb, Hu Shu did not dare delay for even a moment. He hurried back toward the Human Race settlement. His figure flashed like lightning through the ice and snow, his heart filled with worry for his people.
At the Human Race settlement, the atmosphere was heavy. Some members of the Human Race still lay on sickbeds, their breaths weak. The others stood watch nearby, their eyes filled with anxiety and anticipation.
"Why hasn't Lord Hu Shu returned yet? Everyone is almost at their limit..." a young man of the Human Race said worriedly.
"Don't talk nonsense. Lord Hu Shu will definitely return with the Immortal Herb and save us!" an old man said firmly, glaring at the young man.
Yet beneath this seemingly calm wait, a crisis was quietly approaching.
As Hu Shu hurried back, he had no idea that during his absence, the Human Race settlement was about to face a new upheaval.
Before you continue