Pathway

When the emerald eye left him, Ju Feng continued to stand like a statue. He was staring into the unseen future, showing no sign of awareness. He was completely lost in his own mind. The effect of the eye on him was totally different from the others from the appearance of it. The others had outward expressions, but for him, it was all inward which raised a look of concern from others.

The emerald eye released another green-gold mist that restored their frames of mind to the normal state. They also regained their body strength. It was truly a divine artifact. If the Crucible trial was of their levels, how would a godly one be like? Ju Feng couldn't help but shook his head at the thought. He was glancing at the others when the Luduans began to speak again.

"That was the moment of truth. The ultimate burden we love to hide." 

"Or hidden by forces beyond us."

"The eye has done it's part."

The large emerald eye suddenly disappeared leaving behind a faint mist of green-gold.

"The second trial will commence now." 

"All you have to do is fend off the golems within a period of six hours."

"If you fail, you'll continue to try. You don't stop for anything until the time runs out. After that, you'll be transported to the portal archway and out of this place." 

"However, if you make it, you'll be able to enter the dimensional gates of the palace."

A giant time scale appeared in the mid-air, a little distance from their position. The second trial, the Golems Might, commenced. Each of them was facing the golems, starting from one golem. The golems were different from normal golems in any mortal world. They were designed in mortal forms, and powered by mighty cores. They had to be the hand work of a powerful soul forger. Probably, a celestial? 

Despite the golems displaying level-limited powers, they all had great difficulty passing the trial. Time was spent, but they all managed to pass it. The timescale disappeared and the golems returned to their statue's state. Blinding green light covered the statues the Luduans. By the time the light had disappeared, the Luduans had turned into their true immortal selves. They stared at the bedraggled group in front of them and made audible sighs.

"The worlds inside the palace can be sweet and soothing, or dangerous and deadly. It's a many facets domain created by a group of immortal friends." 

"The friends came across a divine artifact on a quest for the emperor."

"The Jade monolith. A spacetime treasure of the utmost power." 

The Luduans, Femara and Neviria continued to speak to the group of cultivators standing in front of them. The two of them were perfectly executing their anticipatory transitions of talks.

"The friends are of different mystical elements of fire, water, terra, air and dream and illusions." 

"They knew they only had one artifact, and there was no way to divide it among themselves. And besides, any one holding a divine artifact without the power level to support it, was only seeking death. Yes, more powerful cultivators will come after it, you know." 

"So, they delibrated on what they should do with it and they all agreed to present it to the emperor as a gift. That way, the emperor would reward them all with gifts they could share."

"When they returned with the artifact and presented it to the emperor, telling him about their idea of creating an illusion into the traditional palace of the emperor, the emperor was joyfully pleased. So, he compensated them handsomely. But, instead of creating illusion into the traditional palace, the emperor decided to make a domain." 

"As a spacetime ascendant, he managed to create a domain to an extent while he was still on the mortal plane. With the help of the five friends, he created this palacium. The palace you are looking at, is the divine artifact."

"A divine spacetime domain. Where you find yourself on entering is always different from time to time, but there are treasures to be found inside. One thing you need to know though."

"There are two more entrances leading into this palacium. This is only one them. There's one from the Nether plane and one from the heavenly plane. Those two were added after the Jade emperors ascension. Which means, you could meet others from the other planes in there."

"After today, there'll be no more access entrance on the mortal plane. Make use of the chance you have. Just be cautious in there."

"Since you entered through the mortal plane, you'll be given a safe-word to use in a difficult situation. Don't forget it. Or else, you might just die in there."

"That means, we may never meet again. So, farewell hunters."

"Yes, farewell. Now, you may enter the palace."

After finishing their admonishing talks, the Luduans returned to their statue form.

There was a sigh of relief among all the members of the group as they took a moment to regain their composure. After that they contemplated their next course of action. According to the Luduans, the palace was a dangerous place to enter but with the benefits of treasures. The best thing would be for them to just give up now since they already had the spirit fruits. 

But the allure of treasures was there. And they'll be given a safe-word which they could use in danger. They could even use it immediately after they've entered. Hence, they made their decisions to enter and see the condition of the place first. 

"We must proceed cautiously."

Elder Wang Xiu looked at Zhang Xiu Ying who nodded in return.

"And don't forget the safe-word for any reason."

Since they'd reached that point, they would simply forge ahead. They entered the palace through the two opened massive doors. With half a step into the palace, time appeared to freeze in place as Dargehk addressed them from inside the palace.

"Remember, the palace is a spacetime. You will find yourselves in different places and if you find yourselves in difficult positions, simply 'Dargehk', and you'll be safely exited. May you get what you seek."

Things returned to normal immediately after the words of the giant. As his foot landed on what should be the palace's floor, Ju Feng found himself alone in a snowy, but not too cold, place. He was looking around to observe his immediate surroundings when he heard a voice.

"Eh, you. Over here."