Deep within the Star Vortex, ten thousand fathoms beneath the water, all was deathly silent. The hazy white glow of the Spirit-Calming Pearl barely illuminated the way ahead as Han Li followed close behind Yuan Yao and her companion, entering the ruined palace half-buried in silt and enormous coral thickets-the Mystic Water Palace. A towering archway stood at its entrance, bearing two faded ancient seal-script characters reading "Mystic Water" and exuding an air of desolation and immensity.
With practiced ease, Yuan Yao cast one spell seal after another, opening the restriction's gate of light. Han Li's gaze swept over an inconspicuous damaged formation marking in a corner of the entrance. His fingertip flicked almost imperceptibly, and a thread of profound yin fiend qi, fine as gossamer, silently attached itself to the marking, like a seed planted without a sound.
They passed through the gate of light and entered the palace corridor. The dry air and pure spiritual energy made the dark underwater world outside seem a lifetime away. Yet the faint, decaying pressure that permeated the air became even more distinct. Faded murals on the corridor walls depicted aquatic creatures paying homage and towering waves reaching the heavens. Fragments of magical artifacts and dry bones littered the floor.
Holding a beast-hide map, Yuan Yao advanced cautiously, avoiding several surviving restrictions. Han Li followed in silence, faint azure light flickering in his Profound Yin Spirit Eye as he carefully examined their surroundings. He noticed that Yuan Yao knew the route far better than an ordinary explorer should, as though this was not her first visit. Meanwhile, the black-robed elder "Yan Li" remained at her side like a shadow. Her aura was cold and still, yet she gave Han Li an intensely dangerous feeling.
At the end of the corridor, a massive