With Yu Huafeng leading the way, Li Yun soon arrived at the true Man Yue Palace.
Standing before Man Yue Palace, Li Yun stopped short, surprised by what he saw.
He had imagined a Saint Venerable's palace as a towering palace of jade beside immortal mountains floating in the sky, its grandeur swallowing the stars. Even a few rings of stars around it would not have seemed excessive.
But the heart of Man Yue Palace was neither lavish nor imposing. It was so plain as to be almost unremarkable.
It was merely a quiet estate covering less than thirty thousand square meters, with white walls and blue tiles. Even its surrounding wall was mottled by the passage of time.
Across the vast expanse of Man Yue City, grander, more luxurious estates were everywhere.
Beside those lavish estates, Man Yue Palace looked almost ordinary.
It hardly seemed fitting for someone of Saint Venerable Man Yue's standing.
But Li Yun had to admit one thing.
He could feel a deeply intimidating pressure emanating from it.
A mountain needed no great height if an immortal made it sacred; a river needed no great depth if a dragon made it wondrous.
The moment they passed through the estate gates, the usually composed Yu Huafeng reined in his entire aura. His steps slowed, his bearing grew restrained, and even his breathing became soft. Every movement was cautious.
He turned his head and warned Li Yun in a low, solemn voice:
"Every part of Man Yue Palace is forbidden ground. Don't look around!"
"Stay close behind me."
"If something happens, I won't be able to protect you."
His tone carried a stern warning, along with reverence for Man Yue Palace that came from the depths of his heart.
Li Yun's heart tightened. Yu Huafeng was a