Trees grew in profusion, and Ming Zhitian immediately knew something was amiss. Ordinary trees wouldn't be like this, their dense foliage completely obscuring their roots, with no trunk visible at all.
Without a word, Ming Zhitian punched: "Star Dragon Yao Hua Halberd Art!"
This was the signature technique of the Great Emperor Ouyang Yuanxia. Ming Zhitian felt inspired and decided to try applying the Star Dragon Yao Hua Halberd Art to his Imperial Weaponry Art, merging the two and channeling them into his fists.
As two spectral dragons appeared, carrying star-like blossoms, they slowly entwined around his fists.
Ming Zhitian shouted, "Go!"
With two "bangs," an entire row of trees in front of him was cleared, opening a wide avenue.
"So it can be done this way!" Ming Zhitian was increasingly impressed by the profoundness of Wu Sheng Ran Yizhou's Imperial Weaponry Art. It could not only control all things but also manipulate martial arts techniques and arcane skills.
Ming Zhitian leaped forward, and just as he expected, the leaves, along with branches and vines, elongated and reached out to grab him!
In an instant, Ming Zhitian was bound, his arms and legs tied, followed by his waist and chest, as if wrapped like a zongzi.
Ming Zhitian roared, "Break for me!"
The branches and vines snapped! He then unleashed two more moves: "Star Dragon Yao Hua Halberd Art!"
Its power was several times that of his original Imperial Weaponry Art! The forests on both sides were instantly pulverized and cleared.
Ming Zhitian walked straight into the trees ahead. They seemed to possess awareness, having already witnessed Ming Zhitian's might. Although they stirred restlessly, they dared not attack rashly.
Suddenly, a "rumbling" sound echoed, and the spectral illusion of a colossal tree, encompassing all phenomena, emerged from bottom to top.
The giant tree had eyes, a nose, and a mouth. It spoke with immense dignity, "Who goes there?! How dare you intrude upon my Myriad Phenomena Forest!"
"Blustering empty threats," Ming Zhitian said dismissively. "Where is the entrance to the Forgotten Kingdom?!"
The giant tree replied, "Never heard of it..."
It was about to issue further threats, but Ming Zhitian punched it: "Scram!"
The illusion of the giant tree shattered!
Ming Zhitian murmured, "Another illusion. How many illusions does this Forgotten Secret Realm actually contain?"
He had already explored the Cherry Blossom, Greenery, Barren Land, and Forest areas, but found no entrance to the Forgotten Kingdom. Ming Zhitian was forced to ponder deeply.
In summary, the Cherry Blossom area was the best and offered the most opportunities, apart from powerful creatures like copper and stone monsters, and blazing firebirds.
The other three paths were dead ends. While one could cultivate by relying on the abundant spiritual energy on the periphery, venturing deeper would mean entering without a way out.
Suddenly, Ming Zhitian had an idea. Since there were four paths, they must correspond to the four cardinal directions: East, West, North, and South. The central hub was clearly where the illusions lay.
With a "try it and see" attitude, Ming Zhitian leaped up and struck the center with all his might!
As the ground shook violently, and the space seemed to shatter, a hole of divine brilliance appeared in the central position.
Ming Zhitian seized the opportunity and leaped in. The divine brilliance hole immediately closed, leaving only faint ripples, as if nothing had happened.
The voice of the Illusion Sprite sounded, "Welcome, esteemed immortal, to the Forgotten Kingdom."
...
Ming Zhitian looked up and found himself in another world. The sky was orange, and the land stretched infinitely, covered with countless towering buildings that reached into the clouds.
More precisely, the people here lived in the clouds. Below them were teleportation gates that sent them to the clouds in an instant.
Ming Zhitian looked at the Illusion Sprite circling his shoulder. It looked lifelike, with a pair of butterfly wings, as if alive. "Who are you?"
"I am the Illusion Sprite, guiding esteemed immortals into the Forgotten Kingdom."
Ming Zhitian asked, "You mean... this is the Forgotten Kingdom?"
The Illusion Sprite nodded. "That's right. The Forgotten Kingdom boasts tens of thousands of years of history. This is the only way."