At this moment, a faint layer of golden light had already appeared on the surface of the sea, causing a stir among all those hovering above it.

“The first layer has appeared,” Ms. Bennett said. “There’s still an hour before the true opening. Fellow Daoist, you may wait until then to proceed.” As he spoke, he suddenly let out an “Eh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just now, when the golden light leaked out and filled the sky above the sea, I noticed a flash of blood-red light here, but it disappeared immediately.” As Ms. Bennett spoke, he replayed the scene from earlier.

“It’s someone from the Blood Demon Palace, and their magical power seems quite formidable.” Eric Bennett took a look and immediately said, “To be able to evade your crystal mirror, their stealth ability must be impressive.”

“Indeed. My crystal mirror may not compare to the Haotian Mirror, but with my primordial spirit controlling it, there are very few who can escape my observation. If it weren’t for the golden light just now, which caused a clash between demonic and celestial energies, I wouldn’t have noticed him. But now that I’m alert, he won’t be able to hide anymore.”

With that, Ms. Bennett pressed his hand down, and a layer of golden light appeared on the crystal mirror. As the golden light flowed, the blood-colored shadow revealed its true form.

The power of a soon-to-ascend true immortal was not something he could conceal himself from.

Beneath the golden light on the crystal mirror, the person’s true appearance was revealed.

He was shrouded in a layer of red light, which was quite peculiar. Any external light that touched it would immediately undergo a subtle vibration and be deflected, making it impossible for ordinary magical treasures to detect him. It was as if he were hidden in midair.

Within the red light stood a young man wearing a leopard-skin robe, a horn hanging at his waist, his right shoulder bare, the robe draped loosely over him. His skin was bronze, his features rugged and ancient, with a stubbly beard beneath his firm lips, giving him a wild and unrestrained look as he gazed intently at the golden light below.

The two had only just looked at his image when the man in the mirror seemed to sense something. He scanned his surroundings, muttered incantations, and with a wave of his hand, added a layer of black light within the red. Inside the black light, seven smoky demonic heads prowled and bared their fangs, but of course, they found nothing.

“This person’s foundation is solid—he actually sensed he was being watched.” Ms. Bennett said. His crystal mirror grew even brighter; not only the man’s exterior, but even the red blood core within his organs was clearly exposed in the mirror.

“Your connection to the divine light of the Heavenly Court is beyond his perception; it’s just an instinctive spiritual reaction.” Eric Bennett said. “Speaking of spiritual power, it’s incredible—mortals and immortals alike possess it.”

“Indeed, ‘where the heart is sincere, even metal and stone can be split’—that’s no empty saying.”

“Judging by his situation, being able to cultivate to this level is quite impressive. It’s a pity he chose the demonic path; otherwise, he might have had a chance at becoming a celestial immortal.” Ms. Bennett sighed a little.

“You’re too old-fashioned, my friend. The Daoist sects can accept talent, and so can the demonic sects.” Eric Bennett laughed. “Whether cultivating the Dao or the demonic path, without a solid foundation, how could one succeed?”

“That’s true enough,” Ms. Bennett said thoughtfully.

“Let’s stop watching him and look at the others!”

“Alright!” Emily Bennett’s crystal mirror brightened, and its range shifted with his thoughts, expanding to cover the entire sea and the sky above. All those hiding here appeared as glowing dots—red, blue, or gold. Counting them, there were more than twenty.

Amidst the clouds, three young disciples from the Sword-Hiding Palace gazed nervously at the waves below, deep in discussion.

William Thompson said in a low voice, “Ethan Harris, Grace Harris, the underwater immortal mansion is about to open. We must not be careless. As soon as it opens, follow me down at once.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!” the two replied in unison.

“Prepare your protective treasures now! Don’t get flustered once inside and lose your composure. Generally, such immortal mansions are filled with restrictive spells—do not underestimate them.” William Thompson instructed. Beneath him, a golden halo appeared—his treasured Gen Mountain Bracelet, one of the four great treasures of the Sword-Hiding Palace, with special defensive power.

The golden halo of the Gen Mountain Bracelet expanded, enveloping all three. The other two also produced talismanic lights, adding their protection to the golden halo as an extra safeguard.

At that moment, a beam of golden light flew over—it looked like a sword-light message.

William Thompson carefully gestured, and the sword-light descended, slowly passing through the Gen Mountain Bracelet’s defensive halo and landing in his hand. It turned out to be an invitation. After reading it, his expression relaxed and he smiled, “This is an invitation from Mr. Young, a friend of our sect master. Mr. Young predicted this event many years ago.”

“Ah, what did Mr. Young say?” the two immediately asked. Mr. Young was no ordinary figure, deeply connected to the Sword-Hiding Palace, with profound magical power and cultivation, no less than the sect master himself.