A narrow passage, cold and grim! Everyone couldn't help but shiver! The air was thick with a stench of decay and sourness; even through the gas mask filters on their Holy War Helmets, the odor was deeply unsettling.

"Everyone, be careful," I murmured, a knot of tension tightening in my chest.

"....." The others, in turn, widened their eyes subconsciously, prickling their ears to catch the slightest rustle in the surroundings. At the same time, they gripped the Phoenix Pearl tightly in their hands!

Guided by the bright beam of the Phoenix Pearl, we could finally see the interior of the passage clearly. The walls on both sides were constructed from massive slabs of Cloudscape Stone. Strangely, despite the pervasive dampness, there wasn't a trace of moss anywhere. Furthermore, the stone carvings depicted scenes so lifelike they seemed ready to breathe.

What puzzled us, however, was the subject matter of these carvings. They depicted creatures commonly found in the lower literary realms: the Rake-Haired Scarecrows, Multi-Hook Cats, and Red Snake Tigers. On the opposite side were beasts famous throughout the continent for their ferocity and brutality: Moon Demon Spiders, Steel-Jawed Spiders, Demon Dragon Strongmen, Demon Dragon Giant Moths, Demon Dragon Archers, and so on—every creature observable in the outside world of the Marfa Continent could be found in these reliefs. More terrifyingly, among these carvings, we could even discern horrific entities ranked among the Top Ten Monstrous Beings, such as the Yellow Springs Sect Leader, the ZUMA Sect Leader, or the Woma Sect Leader.

Based on our prior experience venturing through the Illusory Realm and the Dragon Realm, the images carved on passage walls usually represented the beings that resided at the far end of that passage.

Could it be that the monsters lurking within the King's Forbidden Ground were truly as ubiquitous as the creatures depicted in these reliefs?

At that moment, the image of the King's Forbidden Ground from Legend of Mir involuntarily surfaced in my mind. I recalled that the monsters inside were indeed similar to those on the reliefs, yet these beings were vastly different from their exterior counterparts. Their offensive power and defensive capabilities were far more formidable than any we had encountered outside. I wondered if the King's Forbidden Ground in this real world mirrored that description.

Aside from these depictions, the most captivating elements were the peculiar patterns connecting the reliefs—designs resembling intricate magic circles. I studied them for a long time without discerning any specific meaning.

However, Chi Xiang and Chi Yu stared, dumbfounded.

"Ah! These are Space Magic Teleportation Arrays!" Chi Xiang exclaimed in shock.

"Space Magic Teleportation Arrays?" I gasped. "Could these be the long-lost Space Magic Teleportation Arrays?"

"Precisely," Chi Xiang confirmed. "Our Blood Wolf Tribe specializes in magic, and we have deeply researched spatial magic. These patterns are combinations of several basic spatial magic structure diagrams. I can confirm they are definitely intended for use as spatial teleportation magic."

"What purpose could they serve?" Yin Hong was equally curious.

"If we can decipher the secrets within, we might be able to recreate the spatial magic that once flourished during the Shenlong Empire era!" Chi Yu said excitedly.

"Ah!" I immediately realized this was a monumental discovery. "Hurry, use the Star-Moon Mirror to engrave all the patterns on the stone walls!"

"Heh heh, Marshal, your foresight is truly unparalleled." Chi Xiang had already drawn the Star-Moon Mirror and shone it onto the stone walls on both sides, meticulously recording every pattern.

"Now that these patterns have been recorded," Chi Yu remarked, "is there any point in leaving them here?"

"Correct. This place will be discovered sooner or later," I quickly grasped Chi Yu's intent. "Erase everything engraved on the mirror. Even if someone else enters later, they won't be able to acquire the spatial magic of the Shenlong Empire."

As someone from the modern era, I naturally understood that technology is the bedrock of a powerful nation. I knew that America had used just two atomic bombs to frighten Japan into immediate surrender, demonstrating the immense power wielded by technology far exceeding its time. The magical formations etched on these stone walls, once mastered, would possess incalculable value. Everyone present was sharp-witted; these principles were obvious to them all.

Yin Hu, Yin Hong, and Bai Yan had already drawn their tools and began scraping away the carvings on the stone walls. Thus, we proceeded, destroying the reliefs as we walked, until we swiftly reached the end of the passage.

Before us lay a colossal magic circle, and the stone walls were inscribed with archaic script.

"It's a Teleportation Array," Chi Xiang breathed.

"This writing explains the situation within the King's Forbidden Ground," Chi Yu observed.

Esteemed Warrior, reaching this point signifies you possess the strength to challenge the King's Forbidden Ground. The Teleportation Array before you is the grand transportation mechanism leading into the King's Forbidden Ground. If you...

It turned out this text was merely the introductory manual for the array, detailing the method for entering the King's Forbidden Ground. The process was quite simple: stand on the array and recite the corresponding incantation to be automatically teleported. The text also included stern warnings about the immense power of the monsters inside and necessary precautions.

After reading it, we finally grasped the nature of the so-called King's Forbidden Ground. However, the stone walls offered no clues regarding the Luminous Pearl, which left us somewhat disheartened.

But that wasn't the main issue. The critical detail was that this magic teleportation array could only transport one person, and it was a one-time use!

Of course, it wasn't that the array could only be used once in total. According to the text, the destination was a realm entirely separate from the Marfa Continent. In spatial magic terms, that destination lay within a rift in space; in my understanding, it was equivalent to another world, akin to the distance between the modern world and the Marfa world. Therefore, traversing that spatial barrier required an astonishing amount of space magic, enough that even this massive array could only handle one person at a time. The energy consumed by this single transit was immense; the next activation could only occur during the next Crimson Moon Magical Tide when the array had accumulated sufficient power.

This meant that among everyone present, only one person could enter the King's Forbidden Ground.

"What do we do?" Everyone else was dumbfounded, instinctively turning to look at me. We had accounted for everything except this bottleneck.

"Only one person can go," I said, rubbing my temples. Truthfully, I had some experience with temporal and spatial traversal. And precisely because of that experience, I harbored a fear of this kind of cross-temporal journey that few others could comprehend. What if I went and couldn't return? That would be worse than having nowhere to cry. Just as I was stuck in the Marfa world now, I had no way back to the modern era. Should I go?

Subconsciously, I looked up at Yin Hu and the others. They were watching me anxiously, clearly realizing the peril of entering the King's Forbidden Ground.

"Marshal, allow this subordinate to undertake this mission," Yin Hu stated seriously.

"Let this humble servant go," Chi Xiang added, his face resolute.

"I will make the trip myself," I decided after careful deliberation. This wasn't born of grand altruism, but after six years in the Marfa world, witnessing countless bizarre occurrences, adventure had become a habit. In comparison, the secrets hidden within the King's Forbidden Ground held far greater allure than the risk of never returning.

Moreover, I was confident that if this magic array was established by the Shenlong Empire over ten thousand years ago as a special proving ground for warriors, they must have created subsequent contingency plans. Otherwise, a one-way trip would render the King's Forbidden Ground pointless.

Another factor was that Chen Feng had successfully obtained the Gallbladder of the Crimson Moon Demon, resolving the issue of my mother's illness. My greatest wish upon arriving in the Marfa world had been fulfilled. This meant I no longer had any reservations about dying, fearing my mother’s illness would remain uncured. Besides, my mother and the ideal Chen Feng were currently safe in the Dragon Empire; should anything happen to me, I trusted that the Nine Luminaries and the Double Yang would look after them well. This provided another significant reason for my firm decision.

"But Marshal, the King's Forbidden Ground is fraught with danger," Yin Hu cautioned. "Your status is too significant. If any mishap occurs, what then?"

"Worry not," I said confidently. "What sort of scene haven't I witnessed?"

"Marshal, please reconsider!" Yin Hong sounded deeply anxious.

"This subordinate will definitely retrieve the Luminous Pearl," Chi Yu insisted. "Please, Marshal, prioritize the greater good and remain here."

"My decision is made," I stated firmly. "The King's Forbidden Ground is fraught with peril, which is precisely why a warrior of superior skill is required to succeed." I then surveyed Yin Hu and the others again. "Do you truly believe you are stronger than your Marshal?"

"....." The others were stunned into silence, staring blankly at me.

"However," Yin Hu finally recovered after a moment, "this time it is too dangerous. If the Marshal should suffer harm, the entire Dragon Empire..." Yin Hu left the rest unspoken.

But I understood: my current status was paramount. Yet, I was even clearer on this point: if I wasn't competent enough, no one else would fare any better. Since my battle with the Thunder General a year ago, I had soberly realized my strength was still insufficient. The Dragon Empire, outwardly glorious, currently faced immense threats from the hostile Cangyue and Biqi Empires. Furthermore, the fact that I nearly defeated the Thunder General of the Demon Sealing Empire had instilled deep apprehension in the upper echelons of the Church. It was only a matter of time before the Dragon Empire and the Church turned against each other. If I were the Pope, I certainly wouldn't allow the Dragon Empire to possess fighting power capable of rivaling the Thunder General. Currently, those wishing to eliminate me included not only the Demon Sealing, Biqi, and Cangyue Empires but also the Holy Word Church. The Dragon Empire was truly besieged on all sides.

The only way to escape this predicament was to become stronger, quickly. Everyone present, myself included, understood this perfectly. This was the fundamental reason I acted with such urgency upon learning the location of the King's Forbidden Ground. Yes, the King's Forbidden Ground was dangerous, but danger and opportunity were directly proportional. If I could endure the trials within, I was certain my strength would ascend to a new level. That was the primary reason I insisted on entering.

"Rest assured," I said, seeing their worried expressions, feeling a touch of emotion. "My luck has always been good; I believe this time will be no exception."

"Marshal!....." Yin Hu and the others didn't know what else to say.

"Before I return, you must hold our homeland secure."

"Yes!" Yin Hu declared decisively. "Until the Marshal returns, your subordinates will defend the Empire, even if it means sacrificing this island!"

"Be extremely careful," Chi Yu said, though still hesitant, he offered no further argument.

"You all be careful too."

Naturally, some arrangements needed to be made before entering.

"General Bai Yan, take the Star-Moon Mirror back to the palace and deliver it to the Divine Woman."

"Yes." Bai Yan carefully placed the Star-Moon Mirror into his spatial pack.

"I don't know when I'll emerge after I go in," I continued. "Destroy all the mechanisms and passages outside. No one must ever discover the existence of the King's Forbidden Ground."

"This subordinate understands," Yin Hu replied gravely.

"I entrust the outside to all of you."

"Take care, Marshal."

With all arrangements settled, I cautiously stepped into the magic array and recited the teleportation spell.

Swish, swish, swish!

A moment of blurred, hazy white light washed over my vision! Then came a brief sensation of weightlessness! Not long after, I felt my feet firmly planted on solid ground again. The dazzling, hazy white light before my eyes rapidly dissipated.

Opening my eyes, what greeted me was an expanse of open woodland. The sky was brilliantly clear, the sun hanging high overhead. Yet, whether it was my imagination, this sun appeared significantly smaller than the one I knew on the Marfa Continent. More bizarrely, the sun was a distinct purplish-red, casting the entire sky in an unnatural, hazy crimson hue. Beneath my feet lay a massive Hexagram array, identical to the previous teleportation formation. Clearly, these two arrays constituted a bidirectional teleportation system. Incredible high technology from the ancient Shenlong Empire! I marveled internally.

I instinctively stepped off the magic teleportation array. At that very instant, however, I felt as if an immense weight was pressing down upon me, causing me to stumble and nearly fall. Fortunately, my reflexes were quick, and I stabilized myself with a sudden grounding stance. It was only then that I realized something was drastically wrong. It was as if my body had suddenly become immensely heavier! Standing had become difficult.

Ah! What is going on?! I instinctively surveyed the surroundings. Aside from the empty forest, I could detect nothing unusual. But why did my body feel so heavy, as if it weighed at least three times its normal mass? Could it be gravity? In a flash, my mind leaped to the concept of the gravitational field from modern physics!