According to information provided by the Six Kings' Mansion, the Great Luo Realm has appeared seventy-one times in the Wu Shan Star Domain, with an average occurrence of once every ten thousand years. However, records specifically pertaining to the Great Luo Palace itself only detail sixty-seven instances, indicating that human cultivators failed to enter the Great Luo Palace on four occasions.
The reason for this is quite simple: during the early stages of the Great Luo Realm's opening, human cultivators were unaware of its rules. On their first few attempts, they could only cautiously explore step by step, and were expelled before reaching the Great Luo Palace.
The Great Luo Palace is divided into three layers, each with a height exceeding three thousand zhang. Of course, this is merely its appearance from the outside. The interior space of the Great Luo Realm is vast and boundless, as expansive as a small world.
The environment encountered upon entering the Great Luo Palace differs with each occasion. The moment Zhang Fan and his companions stepped inside, they felt the very fabric of universal laws shift, as if they had entered another world.
Looking around, they were enveloped in a hazy black mist, and nothing could be seen in front of them. Turning back, the entrance gate had long since vanished. Zhang Fan attempted to release his divine sense for investigation, only to find it suppressed by an invisible force. His divine sense could only extend about a hundred meters before being unable to proceed further, demonstrating the immense restriction placed upon it.
Considering that with Zhang Fan's current soul strength, he could easily encompass an entire planet, yet here he could not perceive anything beyond a hundred meters, one can imagine the sheer power of the force suppressing their divine souls.
"The trials faced upon entering the Great Luo Palace vary each time. This time, even our divine sense is suppressed so severely. It appears the first layer's trial will not be simple," Xiao Yi remarked softly, standing beside Zhang Fan and observing the dense black fog that filled their vision.
Shen Feichen nodded and added, "Generally, environments that impose greater restrictions on cultivators carry higher degrees of danger."
"Of course, if one can overcome it smoothly, the rewards will be even greater."
The group stood in the black mist, waiting in silence. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, as they were all uncertain of what lay ahead. This inability to control the unknown made even cultivators accustomed to absolute command feel uneasy.
"They're here!" Luo Xiaoxiao suddenly exclaimed, while most of the other cultivators looked around blankly, having sensed nothing.
Zhang Fan's expression shifted. He, too, felt it – a surge of immense magical energy was approaching. Within mere breaths, figures emanating different hues of light appeared within their sight.
They were varied in form, some resembling monstrous beasts, others appearing as tree spirits, and some even like sentient weapons. They transformed into streaks of rainbow light and charged towards the human cultivators, creating a brilliant spectacle within the black mist, akin to a dynamic painting.
However, no one was in a mood to appreciate such a sight; instead, they were all extremely vigilant, as if facing a formidable enemy.
This was because they sensed a deadly threat emanating from those streaks of light.
To their surprise, however, the streaks of light did not attack them. Instead, they began to circle the group, flying at rapid speeds.
"What is this thing trying to do? Is it trying to make us dizzy?" Xue Mo Jiao, having transformed into his human form, remained his short, stout, red-faced self, appearing somewhat disheveled. He grumbled incoherently.
Zhang Fan observed the streaks of light, detecting varying intensities of magical energy fluctuations. Lost in thought, he pondered their purpose.
After a while, he stepped forward, gripping his blood-red iron sword. He unleashed a sharp sword qi, striking at a silhouette resembling a brutish ox. A clear metallic clang echoed, and the ox-like silhouette paused slightly. Then, it stomped on the void, charging directly at Zhang Fan with an aura that seemed capable of breaking through any obstacle.
"Interesting. I'd like to see how tenacious you are." Zhang Fan gripped the blood-red iron sword with a clenched fist. A terrifying power gathered in his palm, and he then unleashed a fierce punch.
"Boom!"
Before the phantom ox could reach Zhang Fan, it was obliterated by the ferocious punch. The light and shadow dissipated, and a palm-sized black artifact fell into Zhang Fan's hand. The moment he touched it, he felt an intense sense of familiarity, and then, as if struck by sudden realization, he understood.
The palm-sized artifact, shaped like a brutish ox, was of the same origin as the pile of black artifacts Zhang Fan had purchased on Illusion Whale Island. Later, in the Great Luo Realm, after killing Teng Chongyun, Zhang Fan had also acquired several artifacts of the same material.
Given Zhang Fan's accomplishments in artifact refining, he had long harbored suspicions. Now, obtaining another ox-shaped artifact, he finally understood. These artifacts were likely components of the same magical treasure.
Although Zhang Fan could not determine the treasure's grade solely from these parts, judging by its material and the refining techniques, it was likely a treasure of at least Immortal-grade.
The others looked at the palm-sized artifact in Zhang Fan's hand, and a sense of understanding dawned upon them.
According to the recorded information, regardless of how the trials in the first layer of the Great Luo Realm manifested, the ultimate reward was always a magical treasure. Many high-grade spiritual treasures and even heavenly treasures on the Boundary Heart Continent were obtained from the first layer of the Great Luo Realm.
The thought that there might be Immortal treasures among these countless light figures ignited fervent anticipation in everyone's hearts. If they could obtain an Immortal treasure here, it would be worth it even if they were immediately expelled from the Great Luo Realm.
"Each light figure contains a magical treasure. You can attack the corresponding light figure based on your own strength. The stronger the magical energy fluctuation, the higher the grade of the treasure. But remember not to be overambitious, or you will die."
Seeing their expressions, Zhang Fan couldn't help but offer a reminder.
Zhang Fan's words were like a sudden enlightenment, extinguishing the impractical thoughts in everyone's minds. However, several cultivators, blinded by the prospect of Immortal treasures, seemed determined to challenge their limits.
A cultivator in the Seven Tribulation realm, wielding a long spear, looked towards a massive light figure resembling a towering ancient tree. He pointed his spear, striking the ancient tree-like light figure. But in the next instant, what happened stunned everyone.
...