"Keep moving forward. What we seek most likely lies at the center of this plain," an elder walking at the forefront of the Rune Sacred Land team said gravely.
He wore a gray robe densely imprinted with intricate and strange runes that seemed to constantly writhe, emanating peculiar light. Anyone who stared at his robe for too long would immediately feel dizzy and even sense their Soul Body being pulled toward the garment.
This type of robe was the distinctive attire of every Rune Sacred Land member. Though the colors differed, each was engraved with profound and esoteric runes that were, in fact, talismans. Each robe was a powerful treasure in itself.
At this moment, the robes of these dozen-or-so members of the Rune Sacred Land radiated powerful energy auras, counteracting the surrounding white mist.
Suddenly, several massive white beasts appeared ahead, swooping down toward these Rune Sacred Land members with a roar.
"These creatures again," the gray-robed elder at the front snorted coldly before tossing out a talisman from his hand.
The talisman grew in size as if fanned by the wind, instantly becoming a scroll over a hundred meters long. Weird runes on the talisman simultaneously manifested, transforming into enormous fists that pummeled toward the white beasts.
The other Rune Sacred Land members didn't even move, knowing this elder's mastery over rune cultivation was formidable and that he carried numerous high-level talismans on his person. They were not afraid of the white beasts on this plain at all.
Within moments, the several white beasts that had appeared ahead were all blasted apart, transforming into plumes of white mist that merged with the surrounding fog.
"That old man is very strong. I estimate he might be a Sixth, or even a Seventh Layer Sovereign God. Be careful, we might not be his match right now," Hun Lao said, watching the gray-robed elder, his tone grave.
"If he's a Sixth Layer Sovereign God, perhaps we could fight him. But if he's a Seventh Layer Sovereign God, we would definitely be no match," Ye Yunfei said, watching the old man through his Divine Pupil at his brow, nodding slightly.
Although this plain contained powerful restrictions that suppressed one's perception of Soul Power energy, they did not affect Ye Yunfei's Divine Pupil.
Hun Lao's Soul Force Energy was under significant suppression here as well. But as a member of the Chaos World Tree race, he had an innate sensitivity toward space. He didn't need to utilize Soul Force Energy; by performing a special spatial secret art of his race, he could vaguely sense things in the surrounding space. Therefore, Hun Lao was still able to sense quite a few things within this plain.
In contrast, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm's perceptual abilities were severely weakened here.
"Let's keep our distance from them to avoid direct confrontation with that fellow. The powerful members from Rune Sacred Land who entered Tianmu Shenjun's Cultivation Cave Mansion are definitely not limited to just him," Hun Lao advised.
"And it's not just the Rune Sacred Land. The other major powers surely have Sixth, Seventh, and even Eighth Layer Sovereign Gods who have entered as well. Given our current strength, Fifth-Level Sovereign Gods are manageable. Against a Sixth Layer Sovereign God, the fight would likely be tougher. If we encounter a Seventh Layer Sovereign God, we most likely won't be able to win," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm chimed in.
"These beasts are not true living beings. They are transformations of this white mist—they are energy entities," the gray-robed elder at the front spoke.
"Elder Zhong, you are right. These beasts should be energy entities condensed from Reincarnation Energy and Samsara Law," a tall elder following behind him nodded.
This elder wore a multi-colored robe, with the strange runes upon it also possessing various hues. These runes of different colors constantly wriggled upon his robe, looking quite bizarre.
"We must pick up our pace. As far as I know, aside from our Rune Sacred Land, members of several other major powers have already arrived. They all know there are Samsara-related treasures in this plain, and it's highly likely these treasures are connected to the ancient Reincarnation Lineage," the gray-robed elder at the front spoke again.
At that moment, Elder Zhong suddenly halted his steps, slowly turning to look back toward Ye Yunfei's location.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ye Yunfei's heart. The Divine Pupil at his brow immediately shot out several enigmatic and illusory beams of light.
This bewildering radiance intertwined in the space before Ye Yunfei, forming a protective screen of light that enveloped his body.
"Elder Zhong, have you discovered something?" the other Rune Sacred Land members followed Elder Zhong's gaze toward Ye Yunfei's position.
"A moment ago, I sensed a familiar aura. It seems someone I know also came in and was just following behind us," Elder Zhong said slowly, his gaze fixed on where Ye Yunfei was.
The area where Ye Yunfei stood was now enveloped by dense mist. Furthermore, due to the light emitted from his Divine Pupil meticulously masking his own aura, even with Elder Zhong's considerable strength, he couldn't detect Ye Yunfei.
In this plain, Soul Force Energy perception was severely suppressed; none of the other Rune Sacred Land members could sense Ye Yunfei either.
"It does seem like someone might be over there," another Rune Sacred Land member beside him took out a talisman and activated it directly. The talisman unfurled, releasing swirling arrays of strange runes.
These runes resembled little tadpoles, incessantly plunging into space and swimming quickly toward Ye Yunfei's position. It was a specialized spatial perception talisman. However, when the runes swam near Ye Yunfei, they were immediately blocked by the light emitted from his Divine Pupil, utterly incapable of approaching him.
"But… I don't seem to be able to sense anything now," the man holding the talisman concentrated, quickly shaking his head as he spoke.
"This place is saturated with vast amounts of Reincarnation Energy and advanced Samsara Law; it's inherently quite an odd location. Let it be. Let's not bother. We should focus on pressing into the heart of this plain quickly to see if we can gain anything. Finding some treasures or legacy of the ancient Reincarnation Lineage will make this journey worthwhile," the leading gray-robed elder thought for a moment and spoke.
"Indeed, according to legends, from ancient times to the present, anything even remotely related to Samsara tends to be extremely eerie. This plain will surely harbor many strange things. We'd best not meddle unnecessarily. Whether it's familiar or unfamiliar faces, as long as there is no conflict of interest, we shouldn't get involved," another Rune Sacred Land member nodded in agreement.
"It appears that besides the Rune Sacred Land people, several other major powers have also entered this plain seeking artifacts connected to the ancient Reincarnation Lineage. In that case, I absolutely must not miss out," Ye Yunfei heard the Rune Sacred Land members' conversation clearly and then said to Hun Lao.
"Elder Zhong, I heard that recently in different eras of the Primordial Void Sea, there have occasionally been beings claiming to be inheritors of the Reincarnation Lineage. Does that mean the Reincarnation Lineage from ancient times truly survived to the present day and is preparing to re-emerge?" a middle-aged man suddenly asked Elder Zhong curiously.
"The Reincarnation Lineage was one of the most mysterious and powerful forces in the Primordial Void Sea during ancient times. Legend says the Reincarnation Lineage once governed the Samsara Order throughout the many realms. The vast majority of spirits, after becoming departed souls in most world clusters, would step onto the Reincarnation Passages, seeking rebirth.
That is to say, back then, the vast majority of spirits who became departed souls came under the jurisdiction of the Reincarnation Lineage. So, you can imagine how mysterious, terrifying, and powerful the Reincarnation Lineage was then.
But later, for unknown reasons, the Reincarnation Lineage abruptly declined, and many Reincarnation Passages fell into disrepair.
However, many master Divination Prophets have prophesied that the Reincarnation Lineage has actually been continuously inherited, and one day they will return to the world—even possessing the potential to return to their pinnacle.
Thus, I suspect the Reincarnation Lineage has indeed been inherited up to the present. But my knowledge here is just speculation; such a mysterious and ancient major power is far beyond my ability to deduce." The gray-robed elder spoke unhurriedly as he led everyone forward.
"Elder Zhong, since in ancient times most departed souls relied on Reincarnation Passages for rebirth, what happened to the departed souls of the world after the Reincarnation Lineage declined and many passages became disused? Weren't they unable to be reborn?" asked a Rune Sacred Land member, his curiosity piqued after listening to Elder Zhong.
Upon hearing this question, a trace of caution suddenly appeared on Elder Zhong's face.
"Actually, the subject you're asking about is taboo. Under normal circumstances, it should not be discussed casually; otherwise, one could invite calamity.
But this is Tianmu Shenjun's Cultivation Cave Mansion, and moreover, we're in this particular plain where Soul Force Energy cannot be sensed. So, even if we discuss it a little, it shouldn't leak out." Elder Zhong said softly, his tone sounding quite grave.
"A taboo subject? That significant? Even discussing it can bring disaster?" The other Rune Sacred Land members, hearing this, grew intrigued. Someone asked cautiously.
"Indeed, because this topic concerns the Netherworld, also called the Great Netherworld," Elder Zhong nodded.
"According to legend, after the ancient Reincarnation Lineage declined and the Reincarnation Passages became disused, the Great Netherworld emerged. Most departed souls from all realms go to the Great Netherworld and are then reborn anew through it.
In other words, the Great Netherworld took over the Reincarnation Lineage's role, beginning to govern the order of departed soul rebirth across realms.
The Great Netherworld is also called the Netherworld Palace or the Underworld in some world clusters or worlds.
Like the Reincarnation Lineage, the Great Netherworld has branches in many worlds or world clusters.
However, the Great Netherworld is equally as mysterious as the Reincarnation Lineage; generally, they do not interact with living beings. It is said that initially, only departed souls could come into contact with the Great Netherworld. But as time passed, the Great Netherworld or Underworld in some worlds began to have contact with certain forces or beings, even intervening in the conflicts among forces within those worlds.
But overall, the Great Netherworld or the Underworld is a relatively mysterious and low-key organization. In the vast majority of worlds or world clusters, they do not easily engage with the outside world, as they are a force specifically related to departed souls." Elder Zhong explained.
"The Netherworld Palace and the Great Netherworld I've indeed heard of. According to legend, many departed souls now go there seeking rebirth opportunities.
Actually, I've also heard that the Netherworld and Great Netherworld are the successors to the Reincarnation Lineage," another elder from Rune Sacred Land beside him suddenly chimed in after listening to Elder Zhong.
"Moreover, I've also heard that it's best not to mention the Reincarnation Lineage simultaneously while discussing the Great Netherworld or Netherworld Palace.
To speak of the Reincarnation Lineage and the Great Netherworld together is more likely to invite calamity," the elder added.
"So that's how it is," the other Rune Sacred Land members murmured in understanding.
Of course, these members knew Elder Zhong and this other elder wouldn't speak randomly. They were aged, with vast experience, possessing high cultivation realms and formidable strength; knowing a few ancient secrets was perfectly normal.