The resurrected terracotta warriors before the imperial mausoleum had been the first trial.
There were no tricks or shortcuts to bypass them; one had to force a way through.
The Nether Soldier Array was the second trial. It served as a place to halt trespassers, burying them where they fell; without the key, none could pass.
Along the way, however, it offered some spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs as a modest reward, warning visitors to quit while they were ahead.
The massive doors of the Ancestral Dragon Hall formed the third trial, the ultimate test.
Even with extraordinary methods, forcing entry was impossible.
Thus, to reach the final sanctum, both sufficient strength and the proper keys were indispensable.
Yet Lu Yuan possessed all of them, and he had fulfilled every requirement.
Now, stepping into the great hall, he had cleared every layer of trials.
Standing in the hall with a calm expression, he walked toward the imperial throne.
This was the sole opportunity, the one and only chance. Once Lu Yuan entered and claimed this fortune, even if latecomers possessed the key and met every requirement, the Ancestral Dragon Hall would never appear again.
This was the fundamental reason he had acted with such caution ever since entering Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum.
He had no other choice. What lay inside was of paramount importance; he had to obtain it.
Before long, Lu Yuan ascended all the steps and stood before the imperial throne.
No one sat there, as silent and empty as the mausoleum had remained for over two thousand years.
Yet upon the throne lay a jade slip no longer than a finger.
It seemed utterly unremarkable, emitting not the faintest glow. If tossed outside, ordinary people would scarcely glance at it. Its only discernible worth lay in its translucent jade material, and nothing more.
Yet when Lu Yuan laid eyes upon it, a gleam finally lit his gaze.
"All that preparation was for you," he murmured, taking a step forward.
Instead of seizing it immediately, he bowed slightly to the imperial throne once more to show respect to the mausoleum's master.
After all, he was taking something from this place. While he could not afford to be impatient, maintaining a respectful attitude was equally important, even if skipping the gesture would have changed nothing.
Having paid his respects, Lu Yuan took a deep breath and picked up the jade slip.
It felt cool to the touch, without any trace of discomfort.
No characters were engraved on its surface.
Seeing this, he did not hesitate and tightened his fist slightly.
*Crack, crunch—*
In the next instant, the jade slip shattered directly into fine powder.
The moment it crumbled, the entire Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum seemed to tremble faintly. The dragon-shaped essence coiling around the mountain thinned slightly, its imposing majesty less crushing than before. Yet the change was subtle enough that no one noticed.
Inside the hall, Lu Yuan gazed intently at the powdered jade slip.
Instead of falling, the dust drifted in midair, radiating a shimmering glow.
Its light grew increasingly brilliant until it condensed into ancient pre-Qin characters!
Most people would never be able to recognize all of them, including Lu Yuan.
Of course, there was no need to read them directly.
As time passed, the characters stabilized. There were barely a hundred—not many at all.
After hovering briefly, they surged directly into the space between Lu Yuan's brows.
Within his mind, the tiny golden figure representing his innate spirit and god of wisdom sat cross-legged beneath the Bodhi tree, comprehending the text.
With his hundred-million-fold talent activated, he grasped the entire content almost instantaneously.
And Lu Yuan learned what was recorded within that jade slip:
The Ancestral Dragon Breathing Method!
Once cultivated, using oneself as the foundation, one would swallow the dragon veins of heaven and earth, transforming every single cell in the body into a true dragon. It would open one hundred and eight thousand grotto-heavens, each housing a true god. The manifest presence of a single true god would boost one's combat power by a full fold.
One hundred and eight thousand grotto-heavens meant one hundred and eight thousand true manifestations—and one hundred and eight thousand times the combat power!
Indeed, this was the breathing method he had sought all along.
Admittedly, this world held many breathing methods.
Ancient families, and even institutions like Mount Longhu or Zhendan Academy, possessed their own, and quite formidable ones at that.
Yet Lu Yuan paid them no mind, for what he held now was truly peerless, completely surpassing all others.
If one had to draw a comparison, it was akin to the complete Daodejing relative to other visualization methods.
Both were the absolute pinnacle, the most consummate of their kind.
Having lived a second life, nothing he schemed for could ever be ordinary.
"A hundred and eight thousand times the combat power... if applied to me, just how terrifying would that be?" Lu Yuan's eyes shone brightly. He had known a peerless breathing method was concealed here, but he had never imagined it would be this powerful.
What did a hundred and eight thousand times one's combat power even mean?
It was practically unimaginable.
With his hundred-million-fold talent, he could comprehend the Ancestral Dragon Breathing Method in almost no time.
Anyone else would still be agonizing over how to begin cultivating it, let alone grasping its profundities.
Thus, Lu Yuan's next step was to find a way to open the grotto-heavens described by the breathing method.
However, doing so required immense amounts of energy; simple cultivation alone would never suffice.
One grotto-heaven, one god—how difficult would it be to manifest even a single one?
Yet Lu Yuan had prepared long ago.
With a slight turn of his hand, the Nine-Leaf Golden Rhyme acquired earlier in Qingyang City materialized.
It was a rare spirit herb, a heavenly treasure.
An ordinary person who ingested it would become an Awakened on the spot due to the vast energy it contained.
Now, it would serve directly as nourishment for Lu Yuan to open a grotto-heaven.
Without hesitation, he sat cross-legged before the imperial throne.
Now that he had acquired the breathing method, naturally he would begin cultivating immediately. He hoped to seize this opportunity to break another genetic shackle, evolving further and bolstering his strength.
At once, Lu Yuan placed the Nine-Leaf Golden Rhyme into his mouth. The next moment, a surge of pure energy welled up within him.
His body radiated resplendent haze, like his last flawless transformation, every inch of his flesh coursing with flowing light.
Feeling that power, Lu Yuan closed his eyes and began cultivating according to the Ancestral Dragon Breathing Method.
*Whoosh, whoosh—*
His chest rose and fell, breathing out streams of white vapor from his mouth and nostrils.
At the same time, with each inhalation, the ambient energy transformed into miniature dragons that he inhaled and swallowed.
*Buzz!*
In a single instant, Lu Yuan felt every pore on his body snap open.
His internal organs began to vibrate, and his blood surged like scalding magma.
It was an extraordinary sensation, immensely comfortable, as though his physical body were sublimating—his genetic makeup beginning to transform.
As ancient texts recorded: *Those who feed on meat are brave and fierce; those who feed on grain are wise and skillful; those who feed on qi are enlightened and long-lived; those who feed on nothing are immortal and divine.*
At this moment, Lu Yuan was transforming the refined essence of heaven and earth into sustenance, drawing it into his body.
It granted unimaginable benefits to every single cell.
Cultivating a breathing method, however, had to be paired with a visualization method.
Therefore, Lu Yuan circulated both simultaneously.
*Thump, thump, thump—*
His heart pounded powerfully like war drums reverberating through the great hall.
His aura grew increasingly heavy, his presence becoming ever more terrifying.
"The energy within the Nine-Leaf Golden Rhyme is immense. Absorbing it completely will take two to three days. While I don't know if it will be enough to help me open the first grotto-heaven, it will undoubtedly allow me to break several genetic shackles in succession."
As Lu Yuan cultivated, he monitored the changes in his body, finding that every part was reaping tremendous benefits.
Furthermore, his fifth genetic shackle had loosened completely, showing signs of imminent collapse.
After this, his strength would soar once more.
Yet just as he anticipated, it would require time.
Naturally, Lu Yuan was in no hurry. No one would disturb him here, allowing him complete peace of mind.
While he cultivated in silence, evolving and increasing his strength, events unfolded quite differently in the other zones.
Though many had plucked some spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs, they were forced to confront the relentless onslaught of the nether soldier army. Some were slain on the spot before they could even warm their newfound treasures in their hands. As time dragged on, the death toll mounted.
Over ten thousand Awakened had entered, yet in less than an hour, over a thousand perished.
Finally, some could endure it no longer. Having obtained a few benefits, they chose to leave immediately, knowing that if they lingered, they would lose their lives before claiming any greater fortune.
Once the first person fled, others swiftly followed, escaping from Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum in droves.
Unlike when they had entered, however, their exit lay through that colossal main gate.
The smaller bronze doors behind them no longer manifested, making it clear that re-entering was temporarily impossible.
The moment people were seen stumbling out of the imperial mausoleum, crowds rushed to surround them. Those who had stayed behind urgently questioned them about the situation inside.
Upon learning of the endless army of nether soldiers that could never be wiped out, many shuddered at the thought of such peril. Yet when asked about their spoils, those who had made it out fell completely silent.
This silence stoked malicious greed in the hearts of certain onlookers, who chose to strike from the shadows.
It was practically common knowledge that Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum held great fortunes.
Those who escaped alive could not possibly have come out empty-handed.
As the saying went, *men die for wealth, and birds die for food*. People on the outside began intercepting and ambushing the survivors, plunging the scene into chaos once more.
Soon, a day passed, and even more people escaped. Among them were fifth- and sixth-order Awakened who could no longer hold out. After securing some spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs, they chose to call it quits, finding quiet places to heal their injuries while using their hard-won treasures to evolve and strengthen themselves.
One had to admit that while the opening of Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum bred chaos, it also allowed many Awakened to advance their evolution.
By the second day, members of Zhendan Academy and other groups emerged as well.
Dean Zheng wore a grim expression.
The rewards reaped from entering the mausoleum fell far short of their expectations, and several instructors had suffered severe injuries.
Inquiring among other factions revealed the exact same situation, leading him to doubt whether the mausoleum truly possessed the legendary fortunes everyone envisioned.
There had only been some spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs.
Moreover, none were exceedingly rare; with enough luck, one could stumble upon similar finds in famed mountains and great rivers.
At this time, everyone noticed that the colossal gateway had begun to move, slowly swinging shut. According to calculations, it would take roughly three days to close completely.
From this, several factions deduced that the imperial mausoleum remained open for only five days. As for whether or when it would open again, no one currently knew.
Even so, some people lingered outside waiting.
The Winged Celestial and the other Five Great Sovereigns had yet to emerge.
Perhaps those figures had reaped monumental benefits inside the mausoleum.
Of course, onlookers were merely curious; none dared harbor thoughts of robbery, as the disparity in strength was far too vast.
Before long, the third day elapsed, and the Winged Celestial and the others could hold out no longer, choosing to depart Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum.
Although they, too, had only secured spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs, they had acquired them in great quantities, having harvested nearly every plant in their respective areas.
With their formidable might serving as a deterrent, naturally no one dared make a reckless move against them.
Wuzhou Group, Tianshen Technology, and other factions concluded that while Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum indeed held fortunes, they were nowhere near as grand as anticipated, falling short compared to certain renowned mountains and rivers.
From the intelligence gathered, almost every portal led to spaces that only harbored spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs.
There were no extraordinary divine relics, and claiming even these herbs had cost them dearly.
Of course, some suspected the imperial mausoleum had not fully awakened.
After all, from beginning to end, not a single person had seen the resting place of the Ancestral Dragon.
Unfortunately, having emerged, they could no longer re-enter for the time being.
The ultimate secret remained beyond reach.
With that, several major factions chose to bow out, leaving the area to regroup in Chang'an and prepare for their next moves.
The world's mutation was still unfolding, and major events were occurring in numerous locations, where miraculous relics might emerge.
Naturally, they would not miss out on such opportunities, eager to expand their influence as swiftly as possible.
The earlier the stage, the more opportunities there were.
"Let's go," Zhou Yunqiong said, casting a glance back at the mausoleum before turning to leave.
"That Lu Yuan hasn't come out yet," the Winged Celestial replied, lingering in place.
Having been suppressed twice—and suffering a bitter loss the first time—he burned to reclaim his dignity.
"Even if he comes out, are you a match for him while he holds that sword?" Zhou Yunqiong said calmly. She continued, "We obtained plenty in the mausoleum, and my father sent word that we've made gains elsewhere as well. With these resources, you can reach the Awakening Realm, or perhaps go even further.
"A true powerhouse doesn't seek fleeting satisfaction in the moment, but sees who endures until the very end. Your bloodline is extraordinary, and your potential is immense.
"Besides, before long, the clansmen from your ancestral star may descend. That will be the true hour of your rise."
"I... I understand."
The Winged Celestial found Zhou Yunqiong's words persuasive and nodded at once.
Indeed—wasn't Lu Yuan's strength reliant entirely on external objects?
External objects were ultimately just external objects, whereas the bloodline of his clan was whispered in legends across the stars. There was no need to rush.
In the end, he chose to depart.
Zhou Yunqiong looked back once more.
*Lu Yuan.*
This man was far stronger than she had imagined, but soon, her bloodline would also be completely awakened. Bloodline was the greatest asset in the New Era!
As Wuzhou Group departed, other factions followed suit, considering the expedition to Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum to have drawn to a close.
As for those who had not emerged, they were either dead or still clinging stubbornly inside.
Yet at best, their rewards would amount to nothing more than a few spirit fruits and extraordinary herbs.
On the other side, the elder in a long robe from Longevity Genetics spoke up: "Second Young Master, the Eldest Young Master has left. We should withdraw as well."
Hearing this, Wang Tao shook his head flatly. "If you want to leave, go ahead. I'm staying."
With that, he glared toward the mausoleum, his gaze sharp and venomous.
"I know what you're thinking, but..."
The elder hesitated. He knew Wang Tao had his eye on that sword and intended to wait for Lu Yuan to emerge before launching an ambush. Yet with that sword in play, the gap between them was simply too vast.
"So what?"
Wang Tao sneered. "Over the past few days, through my mother, I've mobilized vast resources. I have plenty of firepower. No matter how strong he is, can he withstand heavy weapons?"
He, too, believed that Lu Yuan's strength came from the sword rather than himself.
As long as the strike was sudden enough, combined with powerful firearms, there would surely be an opening.
One had to realize that with the authority of his mother backing him, what he had brought to bear were heavy weapons—firepower sufficient to level a small hill.
Wang Tao refused to believe that Lu Yuan could possibly escape under such circumstances. After all, no matter how strong he was, he was still made of mortal flesh and blood!
Chapter 50