"After passing through the forbidden passage, moving forward will lead directly to the main domain."

The 15 team leaders looked sternly at their respective teams.

Beyond the 15 vast and lengthy passages lies the point of convergence, which is where everyone was currently situated.

To put it simply, everyone was still enveloped within the restrictions.

Before their eyes was the end of the prohibition.

Once they crossed these prohibitions and exited them, they would enter the main domain of the Cave Mansion.

There, even greater danger awaited.

Ran Qi looked back at his team and spoke first, "I’m only going to say this once."

"Earlier, when passing through that passage, I already couldn’t protect you all."

"Once we enter the main domain, the danger increases even more, and I truly can’t protect you then." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"You need to decide now whether to retreat or to follow inside."

In fact, based on past experiences, the relationship between team leaders and followers should be one of mutual cooperation.

Within the Ancient Emperor’s Mansion, dangers lurked everywhere.

Followers assisted team leaders in overcoming trials together.

But this time, the opening of the mansion was quite different.

The gap in strength between the leaders and the followers was too vast.

It turned into the leaders protecting the followers through barriers, while the followers couldn’t contribute much and instead became a burden.

After Ran Qi spoke, each Heavenly Talent began to hesitate, "This..."

Since stepping into the mansion, the dangers had been escalating incessantly, and everyone witnessed it firsthand.

The initial prohibition tests were still bearable.

But after the various passages, the increase in danger exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Except for Xiao Yi and Black Cloud Academy’s team, no other team could make it through with all members intact.

Many Heavenly Talents were forced to give up and leave prematurely.

"Let me add one more thing," Ye Liu suddenly said in a deep voice.

"I heard from the old man at home that once we enter the main domain, retreating will be difficult."

"Using the Cave Mansion Restriction as a trump card to instantly leave the mansion is impossible."

"Why?" A group of Heavenly Talents hurriedly asked.

"I’m not entirely sure," Ye Liu shrugged, "It seems the effect of the restrictions weakens within the main domain."

The hesitation on the faces of the Heavenly Talents turned more serious.

Their confidence lay in the Cave Mansion Restriction, allowing them to leave instantly by shouting ’Out.’

No matter what crisis they encountered, they could ensure their survival promptly.

Yet if the restriction’s effect weakened, removing this layer of protection, who would dare to underestimate the dangers ahead?

In the teams from Black Cloud Academy and the Five Great Academies, no one hesitated.

Among the other teams, many Heavenly Talents began to consider retreating.

This included those in Xiao Yi’s team.

"Uh... Vice Master Xiao Yi..." Several Heavenly Talents hesitantly looked at Xiao Yi.

"I am also unsure," Xiao Yi knew what they wanted to ask and answered directly.

The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, for countless years, has never been breached.

Its internal dangers can be easily imagined.

Xiao Yi wasn’t confident about breaking the predicaments, let alone protecting all the Heavenly Talents.

A few Heavenly Talents pondered for a moment, then solemnly looked at Xiao Yi and gave a slight bow.

"Vice Master Xiao Yi, you were never obliged to protect us."

"Now that you’ve protected us to this point, we’ve acquired substantial treasures and are already satisfied."

"We’ll continue if we are confident, otherwise, we’ll retreat."

"You decide for yourselves," Xiao Yi nodded.

Indeed, he had no obligation to protect these Heavenly Talents.

They were just part of the same team, and since they had to move forward to pass the trials anyway, Xiao Yi offered protection within his capabilities.

If beyond his capabilities, there was nothing he could do.

The choice was the responsibility of these Heavenly Talents.

Tens of minutes later, each team made their decision.

Only a dozen or so Heavenly Talents chose to leave.

The rest either had confidence in their own strength or intended to take a gamble and weren’t willing to abandon the opportunity ahead.

Initially, 15 teams with hundreds of people entered the Ancient Emperor’s Mansion in a grand manner.

During the passage phase, nearly half the Heavenly Talents were forced out.

Now, a few more left.

Altogether, the 15 teams had just over a hundred people remaining.

However, compared to previous instances of the mansion’s opening, this was already considered the best situation.

It must be said that this generation of young individuals was indeed stronger than previous ones.

"Alright, since a decision has been made, let’s proceed," First Yun announced.

The teams began to move towards the end of the prohibition ahead.

Woosh... woosh... woosh...

Figures vanished into thin air before their eyes.

Everyone just saw a flash, and when their vision returned to normal, they were already in the main domain.

Behind them was no longer a Prohibition Barrier, but a solid giant wall.

"So this is the main domain?" Xiao Yi murmured, surveying his surroundings.

The main domain was like a huge room with walls on all four sides.

However, its vastness was somewhat astounding.

The walls to the left and right seemed to be several miles apart.

It was practically a massive open space.

Currently, they were positioned between the front and back walls, at the edge of the rear wall.

On the front wall, 18 giant gates were prominently displayed.

The 18 gates, towering hundreds of feet tall and dozens of feet wide, were evenly distributed across the front wall.

The teams from Black Cloud Academy and the Five Great Academies seemed prepared, exchanging glances before quickly rushing out together.

Five teams stopped before each giant gate.

Xiao Yi sensed something, an understanding crossing his face, "There’s a Prohibition on the gates."

"Only by breaking the prohibition can we open the giant gates."

"Let’s go as well," Xiao Yi said, beginning to move forward.

The other teams also swiftly moved.

teams gathered beneath the 18 giant gates.

Xiao Yi chose the Alchemy prohibition. Just as he began to sense the prohibition, a loud explosion sounded.

Bang...

Two figures were suddenly thrown back.

It was Zhang Nanfeng and Yuee Tian.

They had been at the Sword Dao Restriction and were abruptly flung away.

"Idiots," First Yun glanced at them, lightly scolding, "With such meager cultivation, they dare approach the main domain restrictions?"

Both of them bitterly smiled in response.

Zhang Nanfeng, though one of the 15 leaders, had received his spot directly from Xiao Yi.

His cultivation and strength were honestly inferior to Guu Lianxing and Gongsun Huowu, merely slightly stronger than those Heavenly Talents from first-class forces.

"Alas," Zhang Nanfeng sighed, "Forget it. With my cultivation and strength, I was never meant for the main domain opportunities."

"Were it not for my good fortune to encounter the simplest Sword Dao Restriction, I wouldn’t even have made it here."

"Forget it; I’m satisfied, I’m satisfied."

Zhang Nanfeng muttered to himself, slowly retreating a few steps and no longer approaching the restrictions.

Xiao Yi glanced over, then stood up and moved toward the Sword Dao Restriction’s giant gate.

"I’ll give this Sword Dao Restriction a try," Xiao Yi said with a slight smile.

...

Third update.