Massive projections of the divine phoenix surged toward Chu Chen alongside rolling waves of formation power. Yet, under this suffocating pressure, Chu Chen remained entirely calm.

He raised the Blood Dragon Spear, thrusting its tip directly into the void.

A blood-red dragon shadow manifested, transforming into a streak of light as it tore into the surrounding divine phoenix projections.

A relentless, deafening rumble echoed through the space.

Within a few moments, the entire great formation began to shudder violently.

Visible cracks rapidly spiderwebbed across the barrier.

This was the terrifying depth of Chu Chen's strength, unleashed through the true power of a Saint King Artifact.

The blood-red dragon shadow forcibly devoured the divine phoenix projections, causing the formation's power to plummet far below its peak.

Feng Qing'er witnessed it all. She truly had not expected Chu Chen's strength to have reached such an absurd level.

In her estimation, even if Chu Chen had broken through to the Saint King Realm, he shouldn't have been able to unravel this great formation so effortlessly.

"Alright, the formation's power has worn thin. You can step out now."

"I can shatter this array with a single punch."

Chu Chen stowed the Blood Dragon Spear, his eyes blazing as he stared at the trembling Divine Phoenix Star-Fall Array.

"A single punch?"

Hearing his claim, Ma Xiuyue stared at Chu Chen in sheer disbelief.

"Naturally."

Chu Chen's voice dripped with absolute confidence.

"Once this array falls, we will likely be transported to a new layer of space."

It was a reasonable assumption. In a mystic realm of this caliber, anything was possible.

"One punch to end it all?"

Feng Qing'er looked at him, her eyes filled with a trace of curiosity.

Chu Chen offered no further explanation. Locking his gaze onto the barrier ahead, he slowly drove a fist forward.

The strike didn't look overly spectacular, but as his fist connected, low, resonant vibrations hummed through the surrounding air.

Initially, the great formation seemed to give no response.

But a heartbeat later, the entire structure began to teeter on the brink of collapse.

With a cascading roar, massive swathes of formation power detached from high above, and the defensive wall fractured with sharp, snapping cracks.

Boom!

The great formation vanished in an instant.

The space before them shifted dramatically.

One moment they were stranded in a void filled with floating star stones, and the next, everything had altered. They now stood before an ancient cavern that exuded a profound, primordial aura.

Carved into the stone ceiling above the entrance was a single line of characters: Primordial Vault Heaven.

What kind of place was this now?

It didn't matter to Chu Chen. Since they were already here, he was content to see it through.

After all, he had already achieved most of his objectives within God Phoenix Valley.

He had claimed two Saint King Artifacts and crippled a vast portion of the sect's core disciples.

He figured that once they exited this secret realm, it would finally be time to reveal his true identity to Feng Qing'er.

With how drastically his cultivation realm had soared recently, he doubted Feng Qing'er hadn't harbored any suspicions.

Moreover, his previous battle with Feng Tianxiang had ended in a draw. How could a mere true disciple matching the Sect Leader not arouse Feng Tianxiang's suspicion?

All things considered, the time was ripe. He could finally lay his cards on the table.

Aside from a select few individuals, Chu Chen fully intended to slaughter the rest of God Phoenix Valley.

"What does 'Primordial Vault Heaven' mean?"

Feng Qing'er gazed at the ancient cave, her expression clouded with confusion.

"Who knows."

Chu Chen shook his head.

"But since we've ended up here, it looks like quite an ancient heritage site."

"The Falling Phoenix Slope Secret Realm contains multiple primordial ruins. This might be one of them,"

Ma Xiuyue said, her eyes fixed hungrily on the ancient cave. "During the previous openings of the realm, it seems no one ever stumbled upon a primordial ruin. Rumor has it that these places contain the hidden Divine Phoenix Treasure Art."

"The Divine Phoenix Treasure Art?"

Chu Chen's interest was piqued.

He knew Feng Tianxiang possessed the Undying Divine Phoenix Physique. He wondered if this treasure art was related to it.

"Yes, the Divine Phoenix Treasure Art is the ultimate secret technique of God Phoenix Valley. Only the Sect Leader or their designated successor is permitted to learn it,"

Feng Qing'er explained, looking at Chu Chen. "Its power is immense, capable of rendering heaven and earth asunder."

"You are the Sect Leader's younger sister, yet you haven't learned it?"

Chu Chen turned to her.

"I haven't. Besides, the version currently held by God Phoenix Valley is incomplete. If a pristine, complete Divine Phoenix Treasure Art is hidden inside this cave, the implications are beyond imagination."

As Feng Qing'er spoke, her gaze kept drifting toward the dark depths of the cavern.

"Then why waste time? Let's go in and see. Perhaps the complete treasure art is waiting for us right inside,"

Chu Chen said, a hint of anticipation rising within him.

Yet, just as he took a step forward, Feng Qing'er reached out and grabbed his arm.

"What is it?"

Chu Chen looked back at her, puzzled.

"Don't rush."

"We must be careful. Primordial ruins like this are always fraught with deadly perils."

"We should examine the surroundings thoroughly before stepping inside."

Feng Qing'er was acting with extreme caution.

Chu Chen initially didn't think there could be any hidden danger, as he had already swept his senses across the immediate area before deciding to move.

However, being pulled back by Feng Qing'er made him narrow his eyes. As he re-examined the space with greater scrutiny, he realized something was indeed amiss.

"Oh? There really is something strange here,"

Chu Chen muttered, staring fixedly at the ground ahead.

"Strange? What do you mean?"

Neither Ma Xiuyue nor Feng Qing'er could perceive what he was looking at.

"There is a forbidden restriction array guarding the mouth of this cave."

"Unlike ordinary formations, a restriction array is woven from multiple esoteric restrictions, carrying immensely lethal power."

"The moment anyone steps close, it will trigger a barrage of deadly restriction arts."

While ordinary great formations were meant to trap intruders, these restriction arrays were designed to completely bar entry, acting much like a guardian beast protecting a sacred hoard.

The presence of such a high-level restriction array only solidified Chu Chen's conviction that something extraordinary lay inside. If it truly was the Divine Phoenix Treasure Art, their trip would be well worth it.

Hearing Chu Chen's explanation, Ma Xiuyue and Feng Qing'er strained their eyes to look ahead. They stared for a long time but saw absolutely nothing.

In terms of perception, their eyes couldn't compare to Chu Chen's in the slightest.

"It's concealed incredibly well. If not for a meticulous look, it's impossible to notice. Thank you for the warning,"

Chu Chen said, glancing at Feng Qing'er.

"Well, I couldn't see a single thing anyway,"

Feng Qing'er admitted awkwardly.

Not only her, but even Ma Xiuyue rubbed her large eyes, completely blind to the danger ahead.

"You don't need to see it."

"The dormant spiritual pressure leaking from this restriction array is likely more terrifying than a Saint King Realm cultivator."

Chu Chen's gaze burned like a razor-sharp blade as he locked onto the unmanifested array, looking as though he might strike at any second.

"How about we go poke around first, and a grand figure like you can clean up the mess afterward?"

Ma Xiuyue blinked playfully, looking up at Chu Chen.

Chu Chen merely shrugged. If she wanted to test the waters, he wouldn't stop her.