Having affirmed the origin and purpose of this mysterious formation array, the doubt that had long plagued He Yiming’s mind was finally resolved.

Although Ao Minhang had invited him to open the Crystal Palace out of necessity, He Yiming knew that as long as Ao Minhang wasn't an absolute fool, he would never lead them directly to the sea area where the Crystal Palace was located.

Once an outsider like He Yiming pinpointed the Crystal Palace's location, even Ao Minhang himself couldn't guarantee he wouldn't be tempted.

After all, the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid was the most crucial thing for an entire sect, or even for a Void God Realm expert. Even knowing it was unattainable, no one would ever give up easily.

Thus, all the way there, He Yiming had been pondering what method Ao Minhang would employ to prevent him from discovering the Crystal Palace's true site.

Only now, seeing the teleportation array beneath his feet, did he understand.

He was certain that any direction Ao Minhang pointed out was entirely arbitrary. Because as long as they reached the outer sea, he could simply find a relatively flat island, set up a teleportation array, and send them to the destination.

If this method were used for both entry and exit, even with heaven-piercing abilities, He Yiming would never be able to locate the Crystal Palace’s specific position.

Shaking his head resignedly, He Yiming said, "Bao Zhu, change back. We are about to depart."

Bao Zhu snorted, and its massive body began to shrink, slowly reverting to the form of Little Bao Zhu. However, it muttered from its mouth, "Don't forget the Divine Fruit you owe me."

Ao Minhang smiled faintly and replied, "Esteemed Bao Zhu, if we were to forget, you are welcome to visit the Grotto-Heaven Paradise. We will prepare one Divine Fruit for you every month."

Little Bao Zhu’s eyes immediately lit up, and drool pooled at the corners of its mouth.

He Yiming snorted coldly and slapped Bao Zhu soundly on its rear end. Little Bao Zhu immediately sobered up, whining aggrievedly as it jumped onto Bai Lingba’s back, its small eyes darting around, seemingly plotting something.

He Yiming secretly shook his head. Of course, Bao Zhu couldn't truly reside permanently at the Grotto-Heaven Paradise. But Ao Minhang’s suggestion had clearly stirred its desire. Perhaps while Ao Minhang was alive, Bao Zhu wouldn't dare to act rashly. But once the Five Elements Sect lost this peak power, Bao Zhu would certainly seize the opportunity to extort them.

Ao Minhang was unaware of Bao Zhu’s nature and had inadvertently created immense future trouble for the Five Elements Sect.

"Brother Ao, Bao Zhu is my sworn friend; he will not be going to the Five Elements Sect. You can put that thought to rest," He Yiming said bluntly.

Ao Minhang laughed heartily, "Brother He, why be vexed? It was merely a joke."

Under his guidance, everyone entered the central part of the array. Enough space had been left at the center of this mysterious formation for ten people to stand together without issue.

Ao Minhang’s expression grew solemn. He retrieved a jade bottle from his spatial item and poured the golden liquid inside onto a circular indentation at the center of the array.

Then, under his manipulation, vast world energy surged into the pit. After just a quarter of an hour, the island erupted in golden light, and dense world energy scattered outward. A string of thunderous roars echoed in the air, and even the sea surface churned with massive waves.

Suddenly, the intense golden light flickered violently a few times before slowly subsiding.

The surrounding world energy dispersed, eventually fading into nothingness. At this moment, the array at the island's center was empty.

After a long while, the sea surface began to roll with waves, and a rift opened up from which a colossal head slowly emerged from the seabed. It scanned its surroundings with a perplexed gaze, seemingly sensing something.

However, the world energy had long dissipated, and after turning its huge head for a long time, it still found nothing. Unwilling to accept this, it let out a world-shaking howl.

As this sound traveled far and wide, the entire ocean descended into chaos, with countless marine creatures fleeing desperately into the distance, holding the owner of that sound in terror.

The void suddenly brightened, a single point of light appearing and fading intermittently.

Simultaneously, a colossal beam of light shot up from beneath the sea surface, rising straight from the seabed to connect with the faint point of light emerging in the void.

Then, the entire space tore open, and several figures stood calmly suspended in the emptiness.

As this scene stabilized, all the lights flashed intensely once before vanishing without a trace.

He Yiming looked around. Beneath their feet now lay an endless, vast ocean.

If he hadn't witnessed the gigantic pillar of light surging from the seabed just moments ago, he would never have believed that someone could inscribe a Divine Path Teleportation Array beneath the ocean floor using immense divine power.

"Brother Ao, the one who inscribed the Divine Path Teleportation Array within the undersea Crystal Palace must be your sect's Ancestor of Five Elements, correct?" He Yiming asked in a deep voice.

Ao Minhang nodded solemnly, "Besides that venerable elder, no one else could possess such divine ability."

He Yiming wholeheartedly agreed. The difficulty of inscribing an array beneath seawater versus on an island was vastly different. Aside from a True God Realm expert of legend, He Yiming couldn't imagine anyone else capable of achieving such a feat.

Ao Minhang flipped his hand, and several luminous, round beads appeared.

Upon seeing these items, He Yiming’s eyes lit up. "Water Repelling Beads."

Little Bao Zhu’s eyes also brightened. The Five Elements Sect was indeed wealthy; even after the disintegration five thousand years ago, they still possessed seemingly inexhaustible riches.

Ao Minhang smiled slightly and distributed the Water Repelling Beads to everyone. "Although everyone possesses the might of the Divine Path, we will need to stay down there for an extended period this time, so it is best to be adequately prepared."

He Yiming felt a flicker of movement in his heart. "Brother Ao, must we linger for a period?"

Ao Minhang pointed downward. "The Crystal Palace opens once every three months. Both entry and exit require a three-month interval."

He Yiming frowned, but calculated internally, "You intend to make the others wait outside for three months?"

Although this place was deserted, with nothing but vast ocean in sight, three months of searching might uncover some markers, potentially exposing this location. Ao Minhang was experienced; surely he wouldn't overlook such a detail.

As expected, Ao Minhang repeatedly shook his head. "Brother He jesting. If I were to do such a thing, wouldn't it be an insult to my guests?" He glanced downward. "The Crystal Palace is divided into an outer and inner sanctum. The outer cave has areas for rest, while the inner sanctum is where the Divine Medicine Immortal Fluid is gathered. Therefore, apart from you and me, I ask the others and Bo Rui to wait in the outer cave. A mere three months will pass in the blink of an eye; I trust it won't be too tedious."

He Yiming sneered inwardly but maintained a placid expression. "Very well, we shall follow Brother Ao's arrangements."

Only then did Ao Minhang nod with relief, leading the group to dive into the sea.

The Water Repelling Beads proved truly miraculous upon entering the ocean. As soon as they entered the water, before even activating their divine power shields, the seawater automatically retreated, leaving a large enough space for them.

Ao Minhang was clearly not here for the first time. He navigated underwater with practiced ease, finally stopping after a full quarter of an hour.

He Yiming widened his eyes. He could finally see it clearly: about a hundred feet beneath the seabed lay a massive undersea mountain, covered in marine life and appearing entirely unremarkable.

But the more ordinary it seemed, the greater He Yiming’s shock became.

Another Divine Path Teleportation Array was certainly hidden within the mountain, yet there was no external indication of it. The power of a True God Realm expert was truly immeasurable, inspiring longing and awe.

Ao Minhang finally halted halfway up the giant peak, his eyes moving as if searching for something.

After a long pause, he pulled aside a clump of deep-sea vines, revealing a pitch-black entrance.

Ao Borui took the lead and entered. He Yiming hesitated briefly before following closely behind; Ao Minhang, conversely, entered last.

However, neither Ao Minhang nor Ao Borui noticed that just before Bai Lingba entered, a tiny, steel-ball-like, unknown metal object dropped from its foot. It rolled into the sand and gravel inside the cave, instantly blending in with the surroundings, becoming indistinguishable.

The cave was not large initially, but the further they traveled inward, the larger it became. After walking for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the cave was completely dry; all the seawater seemed to be repelled by some force, unable to penetrate.

He Yiming’s mind raced. He vaguely recalled that beneath Penglai Immortal Island in the East Sea, there was a similar cave that could also keep the seawater out. He wondered if there was any connection between these two caves.

After a long journey, a patch of light finally appeared ahead.

They had arrived in a spacious hall. Above this cavernous hall hung dozens of priceless luminous pearls, emitting a faint, cold glow that illuminated the chamber.

"Brother He, this is the periphery of the Crystal Palace," Ao Minhang stated gravely. "I require your assistance to successfully open the true gate."

He Yiming withdrew his observant gaze and slowly nodded, his divine power surging, ready for action.