This was also Celestia's first time entering the ancient castle; the howling wind outside seemed to grow fiercer in an instant. Inside, the sound was like a mournful wailing, impatient and angry, unlike the dry heat outside. Inside the castle, it was cold and damp. A glance at Celestia revealed Miss George, both excited and nervous, her eyes full of curiosity—a typical novice with an insatiable craving.

Celestia, however, was thinking about how she could brag to her friends about this. No one in her family had entered a place like this before. To witness it at such a young age was truly the destiny of a chosen one.

The swirling sands outside were drawing close, forming a barrier between two worlds. Seeing the approaching mist, this might be the last chance to leave. They needed to quickly activate the Gate of Truth outside, but Celestia noticed that Li Xin showed no awareness of any danger.

Li Xin took out a torch. Ever since he acquired Yazama Karashi, he brought along many daily necessities, like torches, fish hooks, and lines, as well as spices. These things were very cheap but invaluable in certain environments, comparable to the Lira inside.

Lighting the torch, he placed it in Celestia's hand. "Your task is to protect the torch, leave the rest to me."

"Brother Li, there's no need for that. Let me show you my Magic Ring," Celestia said with a smile. She clasped her hands together as the Spirit Ointment danced and swirled at her fingertips, sketching out a Rune Array in the air. A faint golden halo spread from her body, maintaining a range of about five meters, illuminating the surroundings.

"Within my range, I can ward off evil spirits and resist all sorts of negative soul attacks!"

Li Xin extinguished the torch and put it back in Yazama Karashi. "That's impressive, much more convenient than a torch."

Celestia wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but she took it as praise. With the Magic Ring, their surroundings brightened up, and that discomfort indeed faded away. This was the power of Celestia's Divine Relic, and as it improved, both the range and protective strength would increase.

Meanwhile, Li Xin's eyes turned an ashen color. Celestia noticed this change, unsure whether to be shocked or even more shocked. Li Xin nonchalantly performed jaw-dropping feats, twisting the hidden rules.

The Eye of Secrets is both the starting point and core element of Hidden Power, determining the growth direction of one's powers. Since Simmons awakened his mysterious eye and returned home, he acted like the master of the house. Though a direct descendant, many family members vied for the future, as many things were uncertain, like with Anthony. Yet ever since awakening the mysterious eye, Simmons became someone the whole family had to support, as it affected whether the family could continue prospering after the grandfather's departure. Such talent would make some turn to support Simmons.

As for Li Xin... he actually possessed multiple Secret Eyes, ones he could switch at will. It was simply beyond comprehension. Was this a talent of the Secret Castle Master? No wonder Simmons was initially so timid.

Suddenly, Li Xin turned his head. The door was mysteriously now closed, without a sound. Realizing this, Celestia grew a bit anxious. Her long legs trembled slightly, but she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Brother Li, will we die here? This feels just like the horror stories I've read."

"No, at least I won't," Li Xin said calmly. He didn't want to die, especially not here.

The two progressed deeper into the castle, and soon noticed the floor beneath their feet was sticky and soft, unlike ground or sand, a nauseating sensation. A dim, dark-red light emanated from within the castle. Amidst the darkness, a rustling sound arose, familiar to both. Suddenly, from above, an Inhaler's eyes opened in the aura of the Magic Ring, pouncing down from the ceiling.

Whoosh...

The creature exploded less than a meter above their heads. Li Xin swung his blade, flinging the body away. The liquid splattered, but the Magic Ring blocked it. It proved quite useful, though Celestia wanted to boast but found herself speechless.

The Inhaler's body was robust, full of bloodlust, unlike the shriveled ones outside. However, upon hitting the ground, it quickly sizzled to dissolution. Curiously observing, Celestia found the floor fragments vanished, and one piece plastered onto the wall, absorbed bit by bit.

Celia shivered, feeling weak, leaning against Li Xin. "Li, Brother Li, can these walls eat people?"

Li Xin furrowed his brow lightly. "Aren't you afraid of death? Why be scared of walls eating you?"

"Two different things. If I must die, I'd prefer dying gracefully," Celestia pouted with a whimsical arrogance. It seemed less frightening now.

Li Xin took the torch and moved ahead, extending his finger, attaching a half-transparent Spiritual Lock Chain to Celestia's waist. Curious, she touched it, knowing it saved Simmons multiple times. "Is this an ability?"

"Not really, just a Spiritual Ability trick, the chain of freedom." Guiding Celestia forward, they moved inward, where the ambient red light grew stronger. They encountered no Fallen's attacks, only an increasingly oppressive bloody aura. Entering a spacious room without exits, glancing back, even their entry path was gone.

Celestia attempted to activate the Gate of Truth but found it unresponsive, severing the link with Simmons as well.

Li Xin thrust his blade into the ground, its tip rebounding with a thud; the blood-red floor was incomparably hard. Infusing spiritual energy, another slash resulted in strong reverberation, the force repelled back.

Suddenly, the walls began to shrink. Both Li Xin and Celestia realized the danger. Spiritual energy burned as a slash cleaved towards the wall. With Li Xin's strength, the slash was powerful, creating cracks, but the blade rebounded, causing him to step back. Panicked, Celestia looked around, "Brother Li, the walls are accelerating their convergence!"

Not only the walls, but the floor and ceiling also converged, closing in. Li Xin, not daring to delay, stowed his long saber, interlocking his fingers, extending the index fingers into the Immovable Ming King Seal, followed by the middle fingers overlying, forming the Great Vajra Wheel Seal, facing the wall with cracks. Taking a deep breath, his eyes emitted a scarlet glow.

Thump, thump, thump...

His fists pummeled the wall fiercely. The entire room, even the castle, quivered. Celestia steadied herself with the torch, while Li Xin's body unleashed a clear surge of violent force, striking the wall with a fist.

The cracks spread across the wall like a spider's web with each punch from Li Xin. He didn't relent, burning with spiritual energy, unleashing a storm upon the wall. The compressing walls suddenly slowed and began twisting. The ground too undulated, yet Li Xin remained steady amidst the turbulence, maintaining his balance and ceaselessly punching. Though Celestia struggled to keep her balance, she didn't disrupt Li Xin, striving to sustain her Magic Ring.

This reduced many disturbances for Li Xin. As he punched, the wall oozed a blend of sandy, putrid liquid, which the Magic Ring shielded against. Though unable to block strong attacks, it effectively fended off such common splatter.

Li Xin felt his attacks were effective. Suddenly pausing, his body coiled like a spring, he delivered another punch.

BOOM...

The wall blocking them shattered, revealing a dark, crimson entrance. The whole room began spinning. Fortunately, Li Xin used the Spiritual Lock Chain to pull Celestia over, as there was no turning back. A strong suction force dragged them in, the entrance sealing completely, plunging them down a narrow spiral passage. Scorching, viscous liquid with strong corrosiveness instantly surrounded them. Celestia strained to maintain her Magic Ring, yet such pressure, rotation, and corrosive forces made complete defense impossible. She feared she might faint at any moment.

In their tumbling descent, Li Xin, head down, maintained a calm expression while holding the Immovable Ming King Seal, forming a defensive barrier of spiritual energy around them.

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