Even as he asked the question, Ye Yunfei had already released his Soul Power Energy, probing the scorched-black mountain peak and a vast surrounding area ahead. However, he did not sense the slightest trace of Su Qingluo.
'That's correct, Young Master Ye! It is precisely here that we discovered traces of the Ancestor and the Palace Lord!' one of the Reincarnation Palace's Elders immediately replied.
'Why can't I perceive anything?' Ye Yunfei asked with a furrowed brow.
'Young Master Ye, please follow me.'
That Elder soared into the air, heading towards the peak in the distance. Several other Reincarnation Palace Elders also took flight and alighted on the mountainside ahead. Ye Yunfei followed and soon arrived at the same spot halfway up the slope.
'Young Master Ye, look.'
An Elder pointed at a pitch-black cavern and addressed Ye Yunfei.
The cavern was located right on the mountainside. Looking inside revealed only a pool of darkness, impossible to see through. Thick streams of Reincarnation Energy and Reincarnation Law continuously emanated from within.
Ye Yunfei immediately directed his Soul Power Energy inward to probe the cave, only to be stunned to find that he could not perceive anything about its interior.
Before Ye Yunfei could speak, Hun Lao's voice, filled with astonishment, echoed within his mind. 'There's something strange about this cave. Even with my perception ability, I can't sense what's inside!'
'Right, even I can't make out what's within,' the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm immediately chimed in.
'I can't perceive it either. This cavern truly is strange,' Ye Yunfei nodded, saying in a heavy tone.
With his current level of Soul Power Energy, Ye Yunfei could clearly perceive even an entire world in an instant, let alone a mere cave. Yet, this cavern before him defied his senses completely.
'Did you discover Qing Luo's trail here?' Ye Yunfei asked aloud.
'Yes, Young Master Ye,' one Elder nodded.
'Moreover, we suspect this cave might be the legendary Reincarnation Passage. The Reincarnation Passage is a tunnel recorded in an ancient tome of our Reincarnation Palace. Not long ago, several of our palace's diviners came to the vicinity of these mountains and performed a collaborative divination. The results led them to discover this cavern, where they captured the lingering auras of the Ancestor and the Palace Lord. Thus, we suspect that the Ancestor and the Palace Lord might have already entered this legendary Reincarnation Passage.'
'The legendary Reincarnation Passage?' Ye Yunfei asked, a flicker of pleasant surprise appearing in his heart at the Elder's words. If traces of Lunhui Laozu and Su Qingluo were truly found here, it meant they finally had some clue.
'Elder Lu, you explain the Reincarnation Passage to Young Master Ye,' that Elder said.
Immediately, an old man wearing wide, loose robes came before Ye Yunfei. Within the Reincarnation Palace, there were many such diviners, all of whom excelled in the art of divination and were privy to many secrets passed down through the ages. In fact, most major forces would cultivate a specialized group of such individuals.
'Young Master Ye, the legend of the Reincarnation Passage has been passed down in our Reincarnation Palace since ancient times. The legend states that our palace once held dominion over the cycle of rebirth for all living beings in the world. Upon death, as long as a soul wasn't completely annihilated, it could enter the Reincarnation Passage. Following the passage to its end would allow the soul to reincarnate as various lifeforms, embarking on a new journey of life.
However, later, as our Reincarnation Palace declined and lost the strength to maintain control over the Reincarnation Passage, it eventually vanished from sight,' Elder Lu explained.
'Such a passage exists in the world? Capable of allowing deceased souls to be reborn and start new lives?' Hearing this, Ye Yunfei felt utterly shocked.
Honestly, even masters of Ye Yunfei's caliber did not truly understand the workings of reincarnation and rebirth. Ye Yunfei had always believed such mysterious and high-level matters were governed by some unfathomable universal law. The notion that a Reincarnation Passage could achieve this was astounding.
'This cave is the legendary Reincarnation Passage?' Ye Yunfei stared at the pitch-black, peculiar cave ahead, half-believing, half-doubting.
'Young Master Ye, we are not certain this cavern *is* the legendary Reincarnation Passage. It is merely a suspicion, albeit a strong one, because it matches the description recorded in one of our palace's ancient books. Upon discovering it, we came here immediately and conducted prolonged, detailed divination. According to our deductions, this cavern bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Reincarnation Passage. Moreover, we definitely captured the auras of the Ancestor and Palace Lord Su here. We are certain the Ancestor and Palace Lord Su have been here, and it's possible they have already entered this cave,' the diviner answered.
'Oh? Lunhui Laozu and Qing Luo may have already gone inside!' Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
'Very well, I'm going in immediately to investigate!' Upon learning there was a lead regarding Qing Luo, Ye Yunfei couldn't wait any longer. He immediately strode towards the cavern, intent on entering and discovering the truth.
'Young Master Ye!' the diviner hurriedly interjected. 'According to the legends, the Reincarnation Passage is only suitable for deceased souls to enter. If a living being enters, unpredictable events may occur.'
'No matter what lies within, I must go in and see for myself,' Ye Yunfei stated firmly.
'Then… Young Master Ye, a few of us Elders will accompany you. While our strength may not compare to yours, we have all cultivated Reincarnation Energy and Reincarnation Laws. If we encounter danger, perhaps we can assist,' one Elder offered.
'The three of us diviners will also go in. We specialize in the Reincarnation Palace's divination arts and are highly sensitive to Reincarnation Energy and Laws. We might be of use as well,' Elder Lu added.
'Alright, since that's the case, let's enter together,' the other Elders nodded in agreement.
With that, Ye Yunfei, six Elders of the Reincarnation Palace, and three diviners began walking towards the cavern ahead, stepping directly into its maw.
Upon entering, they found themselves in a pitch-black passage that slanted steeply downward. Dense currents of Reincarnation Energy and Reincarnation Law howled and swept up from the cavern's unfathomable depths.
'The Reincarnation Energy and Laws here are ancient and pure. Had we known a place like this existed, coming here for secluded cultivation would have been immensely beneficial to our power!' one Elder couldn't help but exclaim.
The tunnel continued its downward slant. Gradually, everyone realized they had ventured deep underground.
Hong… Hong…
Suddenly, a series of vast, booming echoes arose from deep within the passage, distant and enigmatic, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
As they delved deeper into the passage, Ye Yunfei continuously released his Soul Power Energy to probe his surroundings, but he could sense absolutely nothing!
The others were in the same situation. The darkness was so complete that they couldn't see their own hands outstretched. Everyone could only feel their way forward.