A Turn for the Better, Elder Yao Awakens

In the silent and oppressive Altar Plaza, Lin Ming and his two companions stared at the indestructible Dark Gold Light Shield, at a loss for what to do, when a familiar voice, aged yet tinged with doubt, suddenly rang in their ears without warning.

"Little guys, where have you been all this way?"

The voice was like sunlight breaking through the dark clouds, instantly dispelling the worry between Lin Ming's brows.

"Elder Yao? You're awake?!" Lin Ming exclaimed in surprise, his voice filled with delight.

As Lin Ming finished speaking, the White Storage Ring on his finger, which had been dormant until now, began to emit a faint, warm glow.

"Haha!" Elder Yao's hearty laughter, tinged with a hint of self-satisfaction, rang in their ears.

"After refining that Soul Power, I gained a lot during this slumber. My Soul Power has recovered to the peak of the Peak Eight-Star Dou Ancestor! As soon as I woke up, I wanted to share this good news with you, but I sensed that you little ones were here with furrowed brows. Have you encountered some trouble?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the White Storage Ring flashed, and an aged figure, slightly ethereal yet far more solid than before, quietly appeared before Lin Ming and the other two. It was none other than Elder Yao, who had recovered most of his Soul Power!

At this moment, Elder Yao's Soul Body was condensed to the point of being tangible, his face was ruddy, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light as he opened and closed. He exuded a powerful Soul Pressure, although it was not as oppressive as the physical body of a true Eight-Star Dou Ancestor. However, the vast Soul Power made even the Xiao Yi Xian, who had the highest cultivation level present, feel a sense of unease.

Clearly, Elder Yao had benefited greatly from absorbing and refining the Soul Origin of the remaining powerful beings, including Yun Shan and Protector Wu.

"Elder Yao, you've woken up at just the right time!" Lin Ming quickly and concisely explained the situation.

"Oh? This is the Cremation Grounds a High-Tier Half Sage passed away?" Upon hearing this, even with Elder Yao's vast knowledge, he couldn't help but be shocked to hear that Half Sage.

After all, anything even remotely related to sainthood is bound to cause bloodshed. I never expected to find one here.

Moved by the sight, Elder Yao's eyes flashed with shock and intense curiosity as he began to examine the entire Altar.

His gaze passed over Lin Ming and finally landed on the nine Beast Head Stone Sculpture of different shapes guarding the Altar. His eyes lingered for a long time, especially on the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture that exuded a faint Dragon Might's might.

"Tsk tsk, what an exquisite Formation Restriction, containing a trace of Half Sage Law, connected to the Earth Vein Dragon Qi and even the broken rules of this world. Forcibly breaking it will indeed bring about a devastating blow." Elder Yao floated forward, his illusory palm gently touching the Dark Gold Light Shield, feeling the vast energy and profound runes flowing on it, and analyzed it with Mysterious Runes.

"Elder Yao, is there any way?" Lin Ming asked immediately, his eyes filled with anticipation.

After all, Elder Yao lived a very long time ago, and he was Dou Venerate back then, so his knowledge was far beyond what young people like Lin Ming could compare to.

Elder Yao did not answer immediately. He floated slowly around the nine Beast Head Stone Sculpture, his Soul Power like the finest tentacles, carefully examining the Energy Vein of each sculpture and its connection to the central Altar's light shield. After a moment, he stopped in front of the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

"Just as I thought! These nine stone sculptures are not mere decorations, but rather the nine keyholes that guard this Guardian Restriction!" Elder Yao said in a deep voice.

After speaking, Elder Yao continued, "They each correspond to one of the nine powerful Magical Beast Bloodline. Only by activating the corresponding Bloodline Power can the Restriction passage be temporarily opened. This Dragon Head Stone Sculpture corresponds to the Dragon Clan Bloodline, and... it is not an ordinary Dragon Clan. Its aura is ancient and majestic, probably only an extremely powerful being among the Dragon Clan could activate it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze immediately turned to Zi Yan. As Dragon Emperor Bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon, Zi Yan's bloodline was at the very top level in the Dou Qi Continent. Therefore, let alone an extremely powerful Dragon Clan Bloodline, Zi Yan could even be qualified for the royal bloodline of the Dragon Clan.

Of course, Xiao Yi Xian and Elder Yao were unaware of these things. But considering the Barbarian Race's desire to capture Zi Yan, their bloodline must have been satisfied.

Seeing that all three of them were looking at her, Zi Yan immediately hugged herself tightly and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Ultimately, after being heavily tempted by Lin Ming's promises, Zi Yan finally gave in.

Arriving before the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, Zi Yan stretched out her small hand and pressed it against the sculpture. A drop of Purple-Gold Blood was immediately forced out and covered the sculpture.

"Buzz--"

Suddenly, two beams of purple-gold light shone from the eyes of the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture! At the same time, the dark golden light shield of the Altar rippled in circles in the direction corresponding to the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, and the light seemed to dim slightly!

"It works!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed in delight.

Lin Ming's eyes also lit up with joy. At the same time, Lin Ming thought to himself, "Just as I thought!" That visitor from the Main World had hunted or at least come into contact with the Ancient Void Dragon, and the Restriction it left behind had a reaction on the Dragon Clan Bloodline!

However, before Lin Ming and the others could finish their celebration, the illuminated barrier dimmed again. At the same time, the faint aura that had seemed to weaken returned.

"Elder Yao, this..." Upon seeing this, Lin Ming looked at Elder Yao again.

Under these circumstances, Elder Yao immediately frowned and fell silent. After a long while, Elder Yao stroked his beard and pondered, "I suspect the reason is that although Zi Yan's bloodline is noble enough to serve as a 'key,' the problem is that her strength is still shallow. Although her Bloodline Power is pure, the quantity is insufficient. It's like having the right key but not having enough strength to fully turn the lock; she can only pry open a small crack and cannot maintain the stability of the passage."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ming suddenly understood. "If that's the case, Elder Yao, what should we do? Is there a way to enhance Zi Yan's bloodline output?"

In response, Elder Yao replied, "The only way to enhance bloodline is through Essence Blood!"

"Then forget it!" Lin Ming immediately rejected the idea. Then, Lin Ming asked, "Could you simulate bloodline fluctuations with powerful Soul Power?"

Elder Yao shook his head. "Simulate the Dragon Clan Bloodline? Difficult! Unless one possesses Heaven Grade soul, perhaps one could glimpse a trace of its essence."

After speaking, Elder Yao's gaze swept across the Altar again, looking at the other eight stone sculptures: a phoenix, a tiger, Black Tortoise, Thunder Ape, Nine Nether Sparrow, Roc, a snake, and a ferocious stone statue. Elder Yao murmured, "Nine bloodlines, nine keys, seemingly independent, but in reality, their auras are subtly connected, forming a whole. Perhaps... it doesn't need to rely entirely on Zi Yan's Bloodline Power to forcibly open them."

As soon as he finished speaking, a glint flashed in Elder Yao's eyes as he looked at Lin Ming and said, "Lin Ming, you possess multiple Heavenly Flames and have extremely precise control over energy. My Soul Power has now greatly increased; perhaps we can try another method!"

"What method?" Lin Ming's spirits lifted.

"We won't launch a direct attack, nor will we rely entirely on the Bloodline Keys," Elder Yao said, pointing to the nine stone sculptures and the Energy Vein connecting them to the light barrier. He continued, "Although this Restriction is strong, it has endured countless years, and its energy supply is not perfect, especially since its master has long since perished. We can search for the nodes in its energy flow, particularly the core weak point where the power of the nine 'keys' converges!"

Elder Yao then explained, "Any formation, unless it's perfectly natural, must have energy channels and nodes. These nine stone sculptures absorb the faint traces of corresponding bloodline energy remaining in the valley, maintaining the Restriction's recognition of specific bloodlines. We can try using our powerful Soul Power, combined with your Heavenly Flames, to interfere with, conceal, or even temporarily 'deceive' the Restriction at a key node, making it mistakenly believe that it has detected a sufficiently strong Dragon Clan Bloodline, thus opening the passage!"

This method is extremely daring, requiring a profound understanding of formations, powerful Soul Power for precise detection and manipulation, and a domineering power capable of simulating and interfering with high-level energies. Fortunately, Elder Yao possesses the first two, while Lin Ming possesses the latter!

"Elder Yao, what do you need me to do?" Lin Ming asked without hesitation.

"First, I need to use my Soul Power to investigate deeply and find the most crucial energy convergence node. This will take time and must not cause a backlash from the Restriction. Once found, I will guide you to compress the Power of Exotic Flame to its limit, like a scalpel, precisely targeting that node to temporarily disrupt its judgment. At the same time, Zi Yan, you need to continuously output your Bloodline Power to the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture to provide cover for us and attract the main attention of the Restriction." Elder Yao said in a deep and serious voice.

This is a meticulous and risky plan with extremely low margin for error.

"Alright! We'll do as Elder Yao says!" Lin Ming said in a deep voice. Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan also nodded solemnly.

With the plan set, Elder Yao no longer hesitated. His illusory figure sat cross-legged in front of the light barrier, his eyes closed. His vast, ocean-like Soul Power spread out cautiously like a tide, not forcibly impacting the light barrier, but like the gentlest current, along the surface of the light barrier, especially at the line connecting the nine stone sculptures to the light barrier, carefully sensing and probing.

This process was extremely mentally taxing. Elder Yao's Soul Body flickered with light, his expression sometimes solemn, sometimes thoughtful.

Lin Ming and the other two held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound, for fear of disturbing him.

Time passed slowly, and the area around the Altar was deathly silent, with only the runes on the Dark Gold Light Shield silently flowing.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Elder Yao suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, a trace of fatigue flashing in them, but more so, a light of excitement.

"Found it!"

Elder Yao gave a low shout, and his illusory finger pointed to the top of the light barrier, about ten feet above the ground, at a spot that seemed no different from the rest of the place.

"There! The nine Energy Vein originating from the stone carving, along with the earth vein power drawn from the entire Altar, converge at an extremely hidden point! Like a 'secondary eye' outside the Array Eyes, it coordinates the verification information of the nine bloodlines! The defenses here are relatively weak, and it's the best location to disrupt the Restriction' judgment!"

Lin Ming looked in the direction Elder Yao pointed, and focused his Soul Power to sense it. Sure enough, he found that the energy flow there seemed to be more complex and active than in other places. If Elder Yao hadn't pointed it out, he would have had no chance of noticing it at all.

"That's it! Lin Ming, prepare the Heavenly Flames! It must be extremely concentrated, with the temperature contained, to break through the surface from a single point! Zi Yan, begin continuously channeling Bloodline Power into the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture!" Elder Yao quickly gave the order.

"Understood!" Zi Yan immediately walked to the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, placed her hands on it, and the Ancient Void Dragon Bloodline in her body boiled. Purple-gold light shone from the eyes of the stone sculpture again, and the light shield in front of it rippled.

Lin Ming took a deep breath, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. He raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers together, and a wisp of deep Emerald Flames gathered at his fingertips.

The flames were no longer as turbulent as before, but were compressed to the extreme, their color a deep, almost dark green. The surrounding space was slightly distorted by this extreme energy, but the heat did not leak out at all, demonstrating Lin Ming's exquisite control over the Heavenly Flames.

"Elder Yao, guide me!" Lin Ming said in a deep voice.

"Move one inch to the right... Yes! Right here! Slowly pierce the Power of Exotic Flame like a needle tip! Pay attention to the force; you must both interfere with the node and not completely destroy it to avoid a backlash!" Elder Yao's Soul Power firmly locked onto that node, providing real-time guidance.

Lin Ming did as instructed, his two fingers together guiding the extremely concentrated Emerald Fire Needle, and slowly pointed it at the spot that Elder Yao had mentioned.

His movements were extremely slow, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead. This was not only a depletion of his Dou Qi, but also an ultimate test of his mental strength and self-control.

The instant the tip of the Emerald Fire Needle touched that invisible Energy Node—

"Buzz!!"

The entire Dark Gold Light Shield trembled violently! The runes flowing on it instantly became chaotic! Especially in the area of the light shield corresponding to the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, ripples spread wildly, and the light flickered rapidly, as if the internal Identification System was suffering from strong interference and erroneous signal impact!

"Now! Zi Yan, unleash your Bloodline Power to the maximum! Lin Ming, hold on!" Elder Yao shouted urgently.

Zi Yan gritted her teeth, her body radiating a brilliant purple light, the light shooting from the eyes of the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture almost solidifying! Lin Ming, on the other hand, held the Fire Needle firmly in his fingertips, feeling the immense repulsive force and energy impact emanating from that node, his Dou Qi being consumed frantically.

"Snap... hiss..."

A sound, like ice cracking or an energy short circuit, rang out.

Directly in front of the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture, on the violently fluctuating and unpredictable light barrier, a crack, clearer and more stable than before, slowly and laboriously tore open! Although energy still surged at the edges, it was wide enough for a person to pass through!

"Success! Fast forward!" Elder Yao's voice carried a hint of relief.

"Walk!"

Lin Ming gave a low shout, withdrew the Fire Needle, and his figure transformed into a streak of light, shooting into the crack. Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan followed closely behind. The moment Zi Yan passed through the crack, her connection with the Dragon Head Stone Sculpture was severed, and the crack began to shrink rapidly.

At the last moment, Elder Yao's Soul Body transformed into a beam of white light and returned to the Storage Ring on Lin Ming's finger. The exploration and guidance just now had greatly depleted his Soul Power.

Just as the rift was about to close completely, the three people and one soul finally stepped into the Altar Interior Space, the High-Tier Half Sage's Final Resting Place, which was isolated from all external influences!

The light barrier behind him returned to normal, completely isolating him from the danger and deathly silence outside. Whether Lin Ming could achieve his goal at the Altar depended entirely on the Altar itself.