"To think there’s something even *I* don’t know."
Confusion filled Count Brand’s small eyes. He mimicked Chen Yu, craning his neck toward the castle gate. Other than the gentle light pleasantly warming his feathers, he couldn’t feel anything special about it.
Chen Yu didn’t know how to explain.
A Spirit Root is the very foundation for perceiving Spiritual Qi.
In Zeyarira, from the most noble Mage to the humblest farmer toiling in the fields, all living beings were effectively the same in the eyes of a Cultivator—mortals without Spirit Roots, incapable of actively perceiving and absorbing Spiritual Qi.
This was just as difficult to grasp as it was for a Cultivator to understand how the people of this world could become "Professionals"—masters of various wondrous powers—simply by training their skills, honing their willpower, and accumulating experience to break through the limits of the human body.
A Spirit Root wasn’t a physical organ, yet it truly existed and could be perceived by Cultivators.
It was precisely by virtue of this ethereal "Spirit Root" that a Cultivator could sense the "Spiritual Qi" pervading the world, granting them the chance to embark on the path of cultivation.
But compared to the tangible Magic Power of Zeyarira, Spiritual Qi was far more esoteric. It could not be touched like matter, nor could it be directly observed and utilized like energy. It was invisible and intangible, yet it genuinely influenced a Cultivator’s practice.
Chen Yu had tried many methods to find the "source" or "essence" of Spiritual Qi, but all had ultimately ended in failure.
’Sometimes, he even felt that Spiritual Qi was like something collectively imagined by Cultivators—a power of the mind.’
The greatest sages among ancient Cultivators could even become "Immortals" simply by refining their character and cultivating their state of mind. This was proof enough that the so-called Spiritual Qi could be significantly disturbed and influenced by a Cultivator’s spirit.
The reason why formations like Arrays and Grotto-heavens could "gather" Spiritual Qi was simply due to empirical methods developed by ancient Cultivators over eons of exploring the workings of the universe and the trajectories of the sun, moon, and stars.
It was more akin to using specific layouts to help Cultivators more easily achieve a "communion between heaven and man," thereby "sensing" that Spiritual Qi was being gathered.
To a mortal without a Spirit Root, however, unless Spiritual Qi was converted into tangible spell energy by a Cultivator, it remained invisible, intangible, and imperceptible.
If one were to actually ask a Cultivator, "What is the true essence of Spiritual Qi?" they would most likely just stare back in confusion, unable to offer any real explanation.
Chen Yu strained his Gel body, and his Divine Sense spread out like invisible tentacles, attempting to penetrate the tough crystal barrier and probe the castle’s interior.
But, just as he expected, the moment his Divine Sense touched the barrier, it vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea, silently neutralized by a gentle yet irresistible force.
’To be able to block the Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator... Other than that great Golden Core expert who stumbled into Zeyarira, there shouldn’t be a Mage in this world capable of such a feat.’
"Your Majesty, let me try." The Elf Mage dispatched from the Tree Spirit Territory to assist stepped out from the ranks. She raised her Oak Staff high, chanted in a low voice, and cast a High-Tier True Knowledge Skill.
But after a few seconds, she opened her eyes and shook her head, her face filled with confusion. "I can’t see anything... My Magic is being completely blocked by a higher-level Magic Array."
Chen Yu’s Gel body drooped slightly as he sank into thought.
’It seems this castle isn’t just a simple "Grotto-heaven." It looks like that Golden Core predecessor also integrated their understanding of Zeyarira’s Magic system into it.’
’It’s a fusion of cultivation and Magic, designed to block both a Cultivator’s Divine Sense and a Mage’s detection spells.’
’If I want to find out what secrets this castle holds, I’m afraid I’ll have to go inside and see for myself.’
Arthur was the first to step forward, his heavy iron boots landing on the stone steps leading to the Light Gate. "Your Majesty, please allow me to go inside first and gather intelligence."
Count Brand grew anxious at his words. He hastily flapped his wings, flew to Arthur’s shoulder, and pecked at his helmet with his beak. TAP! TAP! TAP! "Arthur! You brainless oaf, don’t you know how dangerous it could be in there?!"
"Based on my many years of extensive adventuring experience, mysterious castles like this are usually guarded by a vicious dragon! I bet you’ll be torn into a pile of bones the moment you step inside!"
Arthur fell silent for a moment, his soulfire burning steadily. "The Count is right. I was being reckless."
Chen Yu glanced at the bickering pair. Without another word, he turned and hopped up the stone steps toward the Light Gate, apparently intending to go right in.
Count Brand was startled and instinctively moved to follow.
Chen Yu blinked his small eyes. "Are you sure you want to follow? This is just an avatar, you know. I’d rather not have news spreading tomorrow about the sacrifice of a high and mighty minister of the Kingdom."
Count Brand hastily folded his wings, ducked his head, and cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Ahem... W-well, in that case, I’ll have to trouble Your Majesty. I, the Count, shall remain out here and pray to the goddess for her blessing upon you."
Chen Yu continued hopping up the steps, calling back over his shoulder, "Guard this place. I’ll be back soon."
"If I’m not back in two hours... Arthur, lead the legion and retreat immediately. Return to the swamp. Don’t wait for me."
"Yes." Arthur saluted solemnly, his soulfire flickering faintly.
Chen Yu leaped onto the hovering Stone Flying Sword. With a single thought, the sword carried him off, transforming into a streak of emerald light that shot straight into the Light Gate. In an instant, his figure vanished from their anxious sight.
The moment he passed through the Light Gate, Chen Yu felt a wave of disorientation, as if he had just passed through a warm, watery membrane.