Xiao Ye’s consciousness once again sank into the boundless darkness.
When he awoke groggily again, he jolted awake to find that he had left that maze-like building and was now lying on a broad square.
This square was entirely comprised of bluestone floors, shiny enough to reflect one’s image and exuding an ancient aura.
"What on earth is going on?" Xiao Ye was utterly baffled.
He still remembered being devoured by that Gray Dragon; now, almost imperceptibly, he found himself on this square.
"Could it be that the Gray Dragon was the key to leaving that Maze Array?" A sudden thought shocked Xiao Ye, who then couldn’t help but wryly smile.
Had he known, he definitely wouldn’t have resisted and wouldn’t have sustained such serious injuries.
Nonetheless, being able to get away from that peculiar Maze Array was already the best outcome, certainly better than being trapped for a lifetime.
"I hope there’s no danger on this square." Xiao Ye dared not act rashly and took out a King Crystal from his Space Ring, quickly healing his grievous wounds before reopening his eyes.
"What in the world is this place?" Xiao Ye rose to his feet and began to walk across the square.
At this point, he no longer thought about obtaining treasures; he just wanted to leave this place as swiftly as possible and return to the outside world.
He certainly did not wish to lose his life here.
"Huh? What’s that!" As Xiao Ye walked, his gaze suddenly intensified.
At the end of the square, there appeared four splendid palaces with closed doors, arranged in a row, looking incredibly majestic.
"Could it be that I’ve really stumbled upon treasures?" Xiao Ye’s heart surged with irrepressible joy, and he quickly darted towards the first palace.
"Scripture Pavilion!"
Xiao Ye halted in his tracks, looking up at the signboard hanging above the first palace, displaying a look of sheer astonishment.
On the True Spirit Continent, anyplace named Scripture Pavilion was known to harbor various Martial Arts Secret Manuals, the foundational strength for the development of any power.
"Could there be powerful Combat Techniques and Cultivation Techniques inside?" Xiao Ye didn’t rashly charge in but instead flew around the palace, hoping to detect any potential dangers.
"What about the other palaces?" Suppressing the urge to immediately rush into the Scripture Pavilion, Xiao Ye turned to look at the ones beside it.
Upon seeing the names of the other three palaces, Xiao Ye’s eyes widened with an expression of incredulity.
"Could it be... that I’ve accidentally entered the domain of a Sect?" Xiao Ye was overwhelmed with shock.
The names of these palaces seemed just like the precious foundations of a Sect, utterly staggering.
Without a doubt, should he push open the gates of these palaces, there would certainly be considerable gains to be had.
"Not bad, little fellow, you have indeed entered the ruins of a Sect." Just at that moment, an elderly voice suddenly rang out, giving Xiao Ye a great start.
He quickly turned around, only to see an old man in a black robe who had appeared behind him at some unknown time. Coiled around his right arm was an exquisite Gray Dragon, looking very similar to the one that had devoured him.
"Who are you!" Xiao Ye’s pupils contracted, retreating several steps, his face full of guarded expression.
Anyone would be extremely vigilant upon suddenly encountering such an elder in this place.
"Hehe... Who am I? Two hundred years have passed, I’m afraid no one above Central State remembers who I am anymore, so your question is utterly meaningless."
"And besides, I am also your savior. Is this how you treat your savior?" The elder’s gaze fell on the long knife in Xiao Ye’s hand, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Savior?" Xiao Ye was momentarily stunned, then said, "Was it you who brought me here?"
"Indeed, you’re quite bold, young man, daring to come to this place that Central State Martial Artists consider an ominous land. If it wasn’t for me rescuing you into my Emperor Martial World just before those Yin Soldiers killed you, you’d already be dead by now," spoke the elder in the black robe nonchalantly.
"Emperor Martial World!" Xiao Ye gasped in shock upon hearing this.
The Emperor Martial World is formed after a Martial Artist ascends to the Emperor Realm.
So, the other party was a powerhouse of the Emperor Martial Realm; but why didn’t he feel any Emperor’s Suppression from him?
Moreover, according to what the elder in black said, Chaoyang Valley was clearly not a good place. Wu Pojun’s intentions were truly malicious, bringing him here on purpose.
The elder in the black robe glanced at Xiao Ye, seemingly guessing his thoughts, and said with a sad tone, "You needn’t be surprised. I am now left with nothing but a wisp of Spiritual Sense only; my true body has been destroyed long ago."
Xiao Ye came to a realization, then took a deep breath, cupped his fists towards the black-robed elder, and said, "Junior, a disciple of Taiyi Holy Palace, Xiao Ye, thanks the senior for your life-saving grace."
After all, he had been rescued by the elder, and he should definitely express his gratitude.
Moreover, since the elder had saved him, he naturally wouldn’t go out of his way to harm him now.
"Taiyi Palace? No wonder; it is not easy to raise a disciple like you," the black-robed elder murmured after hearing this.
Xiao Ye’s unforgiving nature during his previous encounter with Elder Gai had been observed by the elder, who was quietly watching from the sidelines, even he himself was slightly moved.
"Senior, I still have urgent matters to attend to; please let me leave your Emperor Martial World," Xiao Ye hastily said at this moment.
Since this place was the elder’s Emperor Martial World, then the treasures within these palaces must also belong to him.
Xiao Ye did not think the elder would allow him to take treasures from the palaces, so it was better to simply leave to avoid further incidents.
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, the elder in the black robe revealed a teasing look, "You little fellow, upon seeing these four palaces, don’t you want to go in and have a look?"
"I don’t think the senior would let me in," Xiao Ye responded with a slight smile, fully aware that temptation is accompanied by danger and there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
The black-robed elder laughed heartily and said, "Haha, you are quite amusing, young man. It’s not easy to remain composed in the face of such temptation."
"But what if I said, you can freely enter and exit these four palaces, and you may even take away the treasures inside?" The elder’s laughter ceased, his eyes staring intently at Xiao Ye as he spoke, word by word.
Xiao Ye’s heart stirred, his eyes turning slightly fervent.
Anyone would be tempted by these four palaces, let alone him.
"Just that there must be conditions, right?" Xiao Ye remained unmoved, as he asked.