Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chen Mo scanned the area but didn’t find any trace of Chen Ye. Logically, after being knocked out by him, Chen Ye shouldn’t wake up for at least a couple of hours, so he couldn’t have left on his own.

”Did you not see him after you arrived here?” Chen Mo inquired.

Wu Xin’Er nodded: ”After we got here, besides that person, we didn’t see anyone else.”

Wu Xin’Er pointed to the figure sitting quietly at the doorway.

”Come quickly, there are water stains and drag marks here.” At this moment, Jiang Ruoqing discovered dragging marks near the pool and scattered water drops, but further away it was dry, as if something had emerged from the pool and dragged Zheng Ye away.

Several people came over, and Chen Mo activated his Ancient Heavy Pupils to look towards the pool, suddenly catching sight of a black shadow flashing past.

”There’s something in the pool.” Chen Mo’s brows furrowed, and he immediately took out the Heaven-Burning Furnace, handing the Sky Inquiry to Wu Xin’Er for protection.

”Husband, what is it?” Wu Xin’Er’s face tightened, and she moved away from the pool.

”I couldn’t see clearly; the water is too deep and might connect to the sea. For now, don’t worry about it. Xin’Er, give me the Red Sun Bell, and I’ll open the treasure vault’s door.”

Saying this, Chen Mo instructed Jiang Ruoqing and Elder He to guard the water outlet. With their strength, that water outlet was limited; if anyone dared to come in, they’d die.

”Here.” Wu Xin’Er handed Chen Mo the package containing the Red Sun Bell.

When Chen Mo took the package, he suddenly remembered something he hadn’t mentioned because he was focused on Chen Ye’s disappearance: ”Ruoqing, your enemy who killed your mentor is here too, just outside.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruoqing’s body violently shuddered, and the hand holding her longsword trembled slightly, her emotions agitated, eager to rush out and avenge herself immediately. But ultimately, reason triumphed over impulse: ”I’ll deal with him once we’ve settled things here.”

”He’s likely here for the Nan Zhou Treasure as well. I didn’t mention your matter, so he should be coming.”

Chen Mo patted Jiang Ruoqing’s shoulder, then picked up the package, and flew towards the giant door.

He was very cautious, afraid of triggering any mechanism. After landing in front of the giant door, he glanced at the seated figure, his face subtly changing.

This person, except for the lack of breath, looked just like a normal person from the outside, with a healthy complexion and luster. Chen Mo suspiciously tested, relaxed only after confirming he was indeed dead.

Just as he opened the package to take out the Red Sun Bell, he suddenly noticed a half-exposed yellowed sheepskin scroll in this person’s arms.

”What’s this?”

To prevent any potential poison, Chen Mo held his breath, then wrapped his whole body in True Qi, drawing the sheepskin scroll into his hand.

He opened it and began to read.

”True Explanation of the Minor Profound Technique! This text is divided into three parts, the first part focuses on body cultivation, achieving physical perfection, becoming impervious to swords and spears, regenerating limbs...”

Chen Mo mumbled a few words, amazed, as the third part of the True Explanation of the Minor Profound Technique even mentioned developing a Nascent Soul, enabling Three Heads and Six Arms, impervious to myriad forms, mastering divine techniques, possessing immense strength.

”Who is this person?”

Just by reading the content of the True Explanation of the Minor Profound Technique, Chen Mo felt this person was extraordinary. How could they pass away here?

Keeping the ”True Explanation of the Minor Profound Technique” securely in his arms, Chen Mo took out the Red Sun Bell and placed it into the depressions on the giant door one by one.

But when he was about to place the third one...

”What are you doing?” Wu Xin’Er called out softly.

As Chen Mo turned around, he saw Ji Xi’Er cutting her palm and leaping into the pool.

By the time Chen Mo approached, Ji Xi’Er’s figure had disappeared, but the water inside was roiling intensely. Using the Ancient Heavy Pupils, Chen Mo saw a massive silhouette swimming in the water.

”Ah, found it... bang...” Suddenly, there was a commotion at the water outlet, and as someone emerged from the water, they were immediately knocked out by Elder He, who had been waiting at the side.

”They’ve come.” Jiang Ruoqing said.

Reacting quickly, Chen Mo retreated to the door, placing the last Red Sun Bell into the depression on the giant door. After a few moments, the sound of mechanisms operating came from behind the giant door, and the entire space began to tremble, even causing a few Luminous Pearls to fall.

Was it going to collapse?

This scene instantly reminded Chen Mo of the tomb-raiding movies he’d seen, where the sign before the collapse was just like this.

Fortunately, after trembling for a few moments, the entire space stabilized, the sides of the giant door rattling open, and with a boom, it slowly opened.

Then, a blinding light suddenly burst forth.

The instant the blinding light shot out, ordinary people would reflexively squint. But at this moment, Chen Mo was energizing his Ancient Heavy Pupils, and looking directly at the light, he saw something, his expression subtly changing as he exclaimed, ”Careful.”

Simultaneously, he darted back, pulling Wu Xin’Er aside, as several whistles brushed past their previous location.

Jiang Ruoqing and Elder He were further away; as First Grade Martial Artists, their vigilance was heightened. Hearing Chen Mo’s shout, they immediately ducked down, and several iron arrows embedded themselves into the stone wall behind them, each arrow almost halfway in.

Cold sweat trickled down both their backs, recognizing that the force of these iron arrows was something their Protective True Qi couldn’t withstand.

After the stone door opened, what appeared before Chen Mo and the others was a rather spacious storeroom. Inside, it was golden and resplendent, piled with gold, silver, and jewels, while the surroundings were built entirely of solid Profound Iron, airtight.

In the storeroom, numerous racks stood, each lined with scrolls, and on the other side, many weapons and pieces of armor.

Even the group, experienced in witnessing grand scenes, couldn’t help but gulp at the sight before them.

No wonder there were rumors that whoever obtained the Nan Zhou Treasure could control the world—the accumulated wealth of Nan Zhou over generations was likely hidden here.

”Come, let’s take a look inside.” Though the wealth was enormous, it didn’t captivate Chen Mo. What he cared about was the Top Grade Magical Artifacts Ji Xi’Er mentioned.

But just as he was about to move, he suddenly sensed something and quickly retreated with Wu Xin’Er once more.

Before him, the pool suddenly exploded, and from the towering spray, a giant pure black serpent emerged, poking its head out from the pool.

This giant serpent was as thick as an elephant, and atop its head stood a figure—Ji Xi’Er.

The giant serpent blocked the entrance to the Treasure Vault, menacingly flicking its tongue at Chen Mo and the others.

Chen Mo and the others’ expressions changed, seeing such a massive snake for the first time.

”Chen Mo, surprised, aren’t you? In this pool, there’s a demon beast kept by my royal ancestors.” Ji Xi’Er looked down at Chen Mo and laughed heartily.