As the outermost layer of the Secret Domain Core Seal, the First Layer Talisman Seal holds two functions. Firstly, in conjunction with the other two Talisman Seals, it restricts the Cultivation Level of uninvited intruders, annihilating external enemies. Secondly, it controls the Prohibition Mechanism of the vast area surrounding the Secret Domain.

Once the First Layer Talisman Seal was under his control, apart from the core areas, Sword Immortal's Secret Domain was essentially open to Yu Ci. He also had the authority to make this area accessible to many more — no longer hindered.

Xuan Huang was displeased with his actions, but in the face of reality, he had to admit defeat. He could only console himself: "The periphery doesn't really matter. When the Thunderbolt-Free Great Immortals broke through the void years ago, they nearly destroyed it... Hey, what are you doing?"

"Misty Shadow Sky should be more enticing."

Yu Ci responded calmly, but his actions were swift and decisive. The transformation of the new operating mode of the First Layer Talisman Seal was not yet complete, but under Yu Ci's control, the process was forcibly halted. Without a new operating center, the old mode had not had time to take over, and the First Layer Talisman Seal was instantly thrown into chaos.

With the Secret Domain Core suppressing it, the chaos of the First Layer Talisman Seal couldn't last too long. But for those who were prepared, it was enough!

"One, two, three..."

One after another, presences emerged. At first, Yu Ci could count them, but as the presences multiplied and the Primordial Qi became chaotic, he lost count. He knew only that at least twenty to thirty people had seized this opportunity to break through the Talisman Seal's suppression and enter the Misty Shadow Sky. Some of these people seemed familiar.

Then, the chaos of the First Layer Talisman Seal ceased, and everything seemed to return to the way it was.

However, Yu Ci knew this was just the beginning. He intentionally released the control of the Talisman Seal after the "Layered Orifice Combination", causing inevitable conflicts between the old and new operating methods. For a period of time, the operation of the first Talisman Seal would be very chaotic. Every once in a while, there would be large loopholes that would allow people to pass through.

Soon, the Misty Shadow Sky would become lively.

But for now, this had nothing to do with Yu Ci. He closed his eyes and rested in the small hall of the pavilion. This time, he fell asleep quickly, oblivious to the impending changes.

When he woke up, it was four days later.

The time was told to him by Xuan Huang, who also informed him of the various changes that had occurred in the Misty Shadow Sky over the past four days.

"This place has become a hunting ground..." Without Yu Ci's support, it was a bit difficult for Xuan Huang to sense by exerting his own power. His voice was faint and weak.

Yu Ci thought of his own experiences: "Hunting for sword intent?"

"Haha, the shadows of the Eight Thousand Sword Cultivators are all over this place. Who is hunting whom, it's hard to say... But once successful, the rewards are indeed great," Xuan Huang replied.

It was precisely for this reason that the number of "visitors" to the Misty Shadow Sky had remained high these past few days. Cultivators who had initially not planned on visiting were drawn by the rumors of the sword intent in Misty Shadow Sky, gathering from all directions.

After all, to obtain the sword intent left behind from ancient sword cultivation, especially one that aligns with their own cultivation level, is far more direct and practical than obtaining sword weapons or sword methods. They came to the sword garden in search of opportunities. When a real opportunity presented itself, how could they possibly miss it?

By conservative estimates, at least three hundred cultivators, each with abilities above average, had taken advantage of the chaos of the First Layer Talisman Seal to ascend. Beneath the First Layer Talisman Seal, in the peripheral areas of the Secret Domain, this number could be multiplied by ten and still not be enough.

The focus of the entire sword garden had suddenly shifted here.

"Indeed, it's in chaos..." Yu Ci, , commented insincerely. Wasn't this exactly the situation he had hoped for?

However, what amused Yu Ci the most was that at the core of the First Layer Talisman Seal, there were over a dozen simplified talismans, each representing a different level of operation, all intending to replace the old core. In this situation, Yu Ci's earliest works were rather overshadowed.

Unfortunately, without the permission of Xuan Huang, no matter how good these simplified talismans were, trying to control the First Layer Talisman Seal would be twice the effort for half the result.

Yu Ci didn't want to get involved for the time being. He shifted his focus and simply asked, "Where is the thief?"

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Xuan Huang would surely like this title. It perked up noticeably and said, "Other than revealing itself on the first day, it has been missing for the past three days. But I have a thought... it might have returned to its old trade!"

"Old trade?" Yu Ci paused for a moment, then understood.

Indeed, there was nothing more covert than blending into the shadows of eight thousand sword cultivators. Moreover, it could openly observe the situation of the cultivators and achieve its goals...

"If it really wants to obtain Master Yuan Dao's physical body, it has to break through three barriers: two layers of Talisman Seal and the methods of the Thunderbolt-Free Great Immortals in the 'Guixu' (usually meaning a bottomless valley in the sea). I don't know what you think, but I believe that it definitely can't do it alone."

"There's no need to repeat the reasons." Xuan Huang had long been persuaded and had no patience to listen to Yu Ci's deductions. It just wanted to know the final answer at this moment.

"How would we know if we don't try?"

After waking up, Yu Ci felt his mind was much more active, and his previously sluggish thoughts were now clear: "Listen to me, let's try this..."

"I've got it, I've got it!"

Pan Chang leapt up from between the clouds, holding the Heavenly Calculation Bead and laughing heartily. The entire Misty Shadow Sky seemed to tremble slightly with his laughter.

"Success?" A deep, resonant voice asked timely.

"Of course, it's a success!"

Pan Chang replied arrogantly, "Among the thirteen who entered the Manifested Flying Boat, although my cultivation level is not the highest, when it comes to Talisman mastery, I yield to no one! The likes of the Young Sect Master of Thousand Mountain, King of Slaying, Di Tianluo, they're all beneath me!"

Such words were a bit exaggerated, but looking at his surrounding aura, stirring up the clouds, it was hard not to believe him.

"Mr. Pan is indeed very talented!" Elder Ma's face was hidden behind the Heavy Armor, his expression unreadable, but his tone was noticeably more respectful than before.

Pan Chang didn't respond, instead, he closed his eyes, savoring the thrill of controlling the infinite Primordial Qi.

Just now, he had used the concept of "Layered Orifice Combination", simplifying the Talisman to seize control of the First Layer Talisman Seal, outpacing his competitors.

The interference from the shameless Master of the Sunken Sword Cave that he had worried about didn't occur. With his control over a large amount of Primordial Qi, forming an automatic mechanism, he was no longer afraid of interference. Although controlling the terrifying power of the First Layer Talisman Seal was still a bit sluggish, the unprecedented feeling of power was intoxicating. Naturally, a thought arose:

"After escaping from the clutches of the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave and reluctantly helping these armored turtles, why should I continue to suffer in silence now that I've turned the tables?"

As the murderous intent stirred, a voice entered his ear, "With Mr. Pan's ability, and this foundation, I presume the next two layers of the Talisman Seal will also be a piece of cake..."

Even in his moment of triumph, Pan Chang felt a blush creep onto his face.

No one understood the difficulty involved in understanding the mysteries of the Talisman Seal better than those who had experienced it firsthand. His ability to simplify the Talisman Seal was partly due to referencing others' results, including the Thunder God-faced Masked Female Cultivator from the Heavy Weapon Sect, whose Talisman Cultivation Level was quite impressive. She had provided him with a great deal of help in terms of approach, and seizing the initiative also involved a bit of luck.

"Far from it, I owe it all to Elder Ma's kind words!"

At this moment, Pan Chang made a decision. The murderous intent didn't fade, it just buried deeper.

The previous decision made outside the Secret Domain to "sacrifice treasure to save life" had been blown to the winds. The idea of being content with little wealth was unacceptable. To continue the "cooperation", controlling the First Layer Talisman Seal was not enough. With this foundation, he wanted all the treasures hidden deep in the Secret Domain! As long as he held onto the Talisman Seal, this powerful weapon, the "requests" he used to resist, what did he have to fear now?

What he didn't know was that behind him, Elder Ma had exchanged a knowing glance with someone:

"He's not too dull, let's observe a little longer."

"What should we do now? Do we need to clear out everyone here?" Pan Chang's tone was surprisingly bold. In fact, if he was willing to put in some effort, he could potentially knock everyone down to beneath the First Layer Talisman Seal. Of course, he didn't think Elder Ma and the others would do so.

As expected, Elder Ma immediately rejected his "kind offer", simply saying, "Based on previous experiences, it seems that the First Layer Talisman Seal is difficult to control for long. It has changed hands at least twice already since it came into your possession, Pan. We should avoid unnecessary complications and focus on breaking through the second layer of the Talisman Seal."

The words weren't pleasant, but they offered an exit, and Pan Chang grunted in agreement, albeit reluctantly. But before breaking the second layer of the Talisman Seal, he had other things to do:

"Let me clear away those eyesores first!"

He was referring to the simplified Talismans and the people behind them, who were still stubbornly hovering on the outskirts, vying for control of the Talisman Seal. Among them might be figures like Wen Shifei, Di Tianluo, and Xia Boyang, who he had once only looked up to with envy.

Thinking of this, he trembled with excitement: "All of you, get the hell out!"

The immense power contained within the First Layer Talisman Seal erupted, causing thunder and lightning to flash around the periphery of the Sword Immortal's Secret domain. The powerful shockwave not only affected people's senses, but also directly targeted their spirits. At this moment, countless people vomited blood from the impact, and their furious resentment clashed with his intentions, only to be swiftly crushed by the power of the Talisman Seal.

"Hehe..." Pan Chang had initially tried to maintain his image, merely chuckling softly. But as he thought more about the predicament of those high and mighty figures, he couldn't help but feel triumphant. His laughter grew uncontrollable, bending him over in wild, unrestrained mirth.

"Hahahaha... Look at their pathetic faces!" Amidst his laughter, he realized that this Heaven and Earth had opened up to him. He was the ruler of the Secret Domain, able to imprint his consciousness within, control everything, and let this Heaven and Earth exist or perish according to his will!

"Second layer, third layer... watch me!"

He had never been in such good form. His Divine Soul was lively, clear, and flawless, reflecting everything like patterns in the palm of his hand. He tightly held the Heavenly Calculation Bead, pouring his divine intent into it, and with a burst of energy, he began to deduce along the junction between the two layers of the Talisman Seal.

In the Cloud Born Pavilion, Yu Ci's half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open: "This is it!"

...