Under the Magnetic Barrier:

The figures of Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor were as insignificant as floating insects, the atmosphere oppressive and deathly silent.

"This is a big trouble..."

Zhang Yao’s face was gloomy as still water, his mind filled with chaotic thoughts.

If he couldn’t leave the underground world, then his planned attendance at the Taiyin Tide event in Jing Kingdom, as well as his planned collaboration with Passing Arhat, would all be for nothing.

He had unlimited lifespan, not afraid of waiting in vain, with no worries of dying from old age.

But truly waiting for hundreds or thousands of years to get out, with changes in the world over time, many clues he had gathered, and efforts he had made would become futile, which was something he found hard to accept.

"Is the Heaven truly determined to doom me?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor muttered to himself, becoming more despondent.

Hundreds of years of planning, hundreds of years of effort, on the verge of fulfilling his deep desire, yet suddenly all was for naught, a blow unimaginable to ordinary people.

The fact that he managed to maintain his will without succumbing to despair was already testament to his strong mind.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, don’t be despondent."

Zhang Yao still held some hope in his heart, so he spoke comfortingly:

"There is always a way out; perhaps we can figure out a means to escape the underground world?"

"A means?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor smiled bitterly:

"Is there really any means? At least none that I can think of..."

"This..."

Zhang Yao pondered for a moment, seriously contemplating for a while, before speaking:

"This Magnetic Barrier, we cannot break, but if we pay a price and ask the Wujin Tribe’s unclean cultivator to help?"

After the Black Tide ended:

The Magnetic Barrier was restored to an indestructible state, most Golden Core Cultivators could hardly shake it, let alone open a passage; even to open a crack required power comparable to or at least nearing Nascent Soul Level.

They didn’t possess such ability, but the Wujin Tribe surely had vigor comparable to Nascent Soul Stage, like the clan leader Wu Luo he once met.

"Qingxu, you’re thinking too simply."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor comprehended his meaning, shaking his head:

"What I mentioned to you only pertains to the first layer of the Magnetic Barrier, which separates the surface and deeper layers of Mo Yuan."

"Each layer of the Magnetic Barrier is more solid than the last; this third layer of the Magnetic Barrier probably requires a late-stage Nascent Soul Level Great Cultivator to break."

"Not to mention whether the Wujin Tribe has such terrifying experts, even if they do, they’re likely stabilizing the tribe’s fate, like anchor characters."

"Such beings, we likely cannot invite, and there’s an even more crucial point..."

Saying this, he paused before continuing:

"To the Wujin Tribe, this place seems to be a forbidden area of sorts."

"There seems to be some reason why they never approach here, let alone help us break the Magnetic Barrier."

After hearing his words:

"...I understand."

Zhang Yao showed a look of realization on his face:

"In other words, if we want to get out now, we can only rely on ourselves."

"..."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor lifted his head, gazing silently at the vast and boundless Magnetic Barrier.

"Boom!"

Zhang Yao retracted his gaze, lifted his Escape Light, and charged upward.

He felt as if trapped in a swamp, the pressure of Primordial Magnetic Power growing stronger and even suppressing his magical power, the Escape Light nearly dimming, yet still inching closer to the Magnetic Barrier.

Finally—

He took nearly half an hour to arduously cross a hundred feet, reaching the intangible yet substantial Magnetic Barrier.

At such close proximity, the vast power twisted the invisible Magnetism into something almost tangible, a dim blue light curtain filled with an illusionary feel like a soap bubble.

But such a thin soap bubble-like light curtain became impregnable walls sealing the underground world.

"Buzz..."

Zhang Yao stretched out his hand, pressing firmly against the dim blue light curtain, his magical power surging around him.

"Qingxu, don’t waste your efforts!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor called up from below:

"It’s useless, the Magnetic Barrier here, simply cannot be moved by us!"

Zhang Yao ignored his words, pressing his entire magical power bit by bit.

The Nether Abyss Ancestor watched him helplessly, ready to persuade again when Zhang Yao’s voice suddenly reached his ears:

"Fellow Daoist Mingyuan... perhaps you were mistaken."

"What?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor instinctively looked up, freezing in place, astonished beyond measure.

In his eyes, the indestructible dim blue light curtain had a shallow handprint pressed by Zhang Yao!

Even if the handprint was so shallow as to be almost negligible, it undeniably appeared, completely overturning the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s imagination.

"How, how is this possible?"

His eyes were filled with shock, his heart stirring with intense turmoil.

"Whew..."

Zhang Yao withdrew his hand, breathing deeply before speaking slowly:

"Unexpected changes have happened to the Magnetic Barrier; past experiences possibly no longer apply."

"Just like this Magnetic Barrier, though still indestructible, it is far weaker than expected..."

He paused thoughtfully before speaking again:

"I estimate... it’s comparable to the original first layer of the Magnetic Barrier."

"Is that so..."

The face of Nether Abyss Ancestor changed dramatically, and after a long time, he let out a bitter smile:

"I was holding on to outdated beliefs and stubborn opinions, almost causing harm to both of us."

"Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Qingxu did not believe my judgment and found a new path..."

Speaking to this point, his tone shifted, and he said with a solemn expression:

"However, although this Magnetic Barrier has been greatly weakened, breaking it is still extremely difficult."

"I’m afraid only those at the Golden Core Limit, or even those hailed as Golden Core Invincible within the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions, have the capability to break it!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao’s expression moved slightly as he spoke:

"Are there really such powerful figures within the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions?"

"Of course, there are."

Nether Abyss Ancestor sighed and began to speak:

"As the saying goes, different people have different fates."

"We, born as loose cultivators, must endure countless hardships to achieve Golden Core, but the core geniuses from the Nine Heavens Alliance have a smooth path through Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core."

"They are all cultivating Divinity Transformation Scripture, guided by Nascent Soul-level mentors, honing unimaginably powerful Divine Techniques, wielding Nascent Soul-level Magical Treasures and even Ancient Spiritual Treasures."

"Such geniuses, as their cultivation advances, widen the gap in combat power with peers, leaving ordinary cultivators to look up in awe."

"Among them, the outstanding ones are revered as Golden Core Limit or Golden Core Invincible, and are recognized as Nascent Soul seeds."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao reflected thoughtfully and said:

"So these individuals possess explosive power close to the Nascent Soul level, giving them hope to break the Magnetic Barrier and create a breach."

"Yes!"

Nether Abyss Ancestor looked at Zhang Yao and said earnestly:

"I know my own skills; even reaching Golden Core Perfection can at best shake the Magnetic Barrier, with no hope to break it."

"But it’s different for you!"

"The many factions within the Celestial Master Lineage are mysterious and unparalleled, famous even within the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions!"

"Though I’m not familiar with the Five Elements Celestial Master Lineage you’ve inherited, I imagine it possesses some formidable explosive techniques..."

"Indeed."

Zhang Yao openly admitted, and said:

"I have a Divine Technique known as the Five Elements Divine Wheel. Previously, I didn’t break through to the middle stage Golden Core in the Earth Milk Celestial Pool precisely to refine this special Divine Technique."

"Once refined, I could smoothly break through to the middle stage Golden Core, but I’m also not sure whether I could break the seal of the Magnetic Barrier then."

Nether Abyss Ancestor hearing this, showed a slight smile:

"Lacking certainty is not important; at least, it’s a glimmer of hope!"

A glimmer of hope, no matter how slim, is much better than utter despair.

The current situation is far better than before, and Nether Abyss Ancestor dared not hope for more.

"Let’s go back to the Wujin Tribe first!"

Nether Abyss Ancestor said:

"I suspect the premature closure of the Magnetic Barrier is related to the underground mutation mentioned earlier by Wuhe."

"They likely don’t know this news yet; telling them this crucial information will earn their goodwill."

He said, touching his chin:

"This goodwill should be able to grant you an opportunity to retreat in the Earth Milk Celestial Pool."

"This might be our only chance, Qingxu, make sure to seize it!"

"Alright!"

Zhang Yao nodded, agreeing:

"Let’s follow according to what Fellow Daoist has suggested."

He intended to refine the ’Infinite Shadow Walking Technique’, and further complete the Five Elements Divine Wheel, clearly not something that could be accomplished in a day.

During the cultivation of Divine Techniques, he requires no Spiritual Qi environment, but for breaking through the middle stage Golden Core, it’s essential.

Within the Wujin Tribe, the only place providing a normal Spiritual Qi environment is the Earth Milk Celestial Pool.

"Let’s go!"

Nether Abyss Ancestor called out, first steering his Escape Light to return, with Zhang Yao following closely.

......

More than two hours later.

"What?"

Wuhe was shocked upon hearing the account from Zhang Yao and Nether Abyss Ancestor.

Initially surprised by the report from his warriors that the two had returned, now the information they brought was even more astonishing.

"The Magnetic Barrier prematurely closed... How, how is that possible?"

Wuhe muttered incredulously, his expression filled with disbelief.

"Hmm?"

Seeing his demeanor, Zhang Yao and Nether Abyss Ancestor exchanged a glance, sensing something amiss.

Wuhe before them seemed to know some insider information, leading to his even more shocked reaction than that of Nether Abyss Ancestor initially.

"You two."

Soon Wuhe regained his composure, and said solemnly:

"The news you brought is of great importance, I represent the Wujin Tribe in thanking you!"

"Please, rest a while, while I immediately meet my father to report this news." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Alright, Young Clan Leader, please proceed."

Zhang Yao and Nether Abyss Ancestor naturally agreed.

Soon, led by a warrior, they were guided to a spacious structure resembling a pavilion to rest.

Meanwhile, Wuhe hastily flew on cloud-like Escape Light, swiftly reaching the clan leader’s palace.

"Father! Father..."