"This seems to be an ancient palace." Xiao Rou looked around and said softly. She didn't have Ling Yun's sensitive perception, so she focused more on the setup inside the barrier.
The interior of the barrier was not a vast, empty, nameless space. Around the two, stood hundreds of giant pillars spaced evenly apart, each over ten meters in diameter and hundreds of meters high. Above these pillars was the barrier's arched top, where countless unidentified, shimmering, moving entities slowly drifted, like a swarm of fireflies.
However, Ling Yun later discovered that those luminous moving objects were not some kind of living organism or a luminous aggregate, but simply light bodies. Inside the light bodies was a core with a dazzling light as bright as the sun. The light core constantly emitted ever-changing information. Although it was extremely subtle, Ling Yun still managed to capture it. He felt that the information contained an indescribable rhythm and cadence, which seemed to match some kind of suggestive pattern. He should have seen it before, but it felt strangely unfamiliar.
The moving light bodies seem to be swimming erratically, appearing chaotic and disorderly, like a group of silvery-white stingrays swaying and swimming in the ocean. However, upon closer inspection, one can see that the orbits of the moving light bodies combine to form a mysterious and complex pattern that can only be understood intuitively and is difficult to describe in words. Combined with the information of the light core inside the light body, the two constitute two movements of light and darkness, carrying extremely profound and essential mysteries.
Ling Yun looked up at the changes in the moving light body. His copying ability faithfully recorded all the changes, along with the information from the light core inside the light body, deep in his consciousness. He silently deduced the unique characteristics of the two movements, one bright and one dark. This feeling was very familiar. If it were another ability user, they would only be dazzled and unable to understand anything. Moreover, the moving light body had a special, seductive mental attraction. Even an ability user would lose themselves and become deeply immersed in it if they looked at it for too long.
However, after experiencing the core space of the Heavenly Net Barrier, Ling Yun had become immune to this almost abstract change and mental attraction. Moreover, by comparing it with previously recorded data, Ling Yun vaguely discovered that the two were surprisingly similar—both were barriers, both were mysterious and unknowable massive entities, and they shared many similarities. The data surged through his mind like a raging storm, but his brain still processed it all methodically. Compared to before, the ability to copy and calculate was also much more powerful.
"Yun, what are you looking at? You seem so lost in thought." Xiao Rou asked again when she saw that Ling Yun hadn't spoken for a long time and was just staring intently at the top of the sky-like barrier. In her opinion, those moving points of light were meaningless. Apart from the unknown, they represented nothing else. When you can neither understand nor perceive the unknown, you can ignore it unless the other party launches an attack. This was Xiao Rou's usual approach, as it saved a lot of time and trouble.
Ling Yun snapped out of his reverie from the profound and complex abstract world, a fleeting flash of golden and silver light in his eyes. "It's nothing, I just sensed something that's very similar to the core space of the Skynet. If I'm not mistaken, those moving light bodies should be the structural points of this barrier."
"Structure points?" Xiao Rou was immediately shocked. Normally, the structure points of a barrier are hidden in the dark and fixed. Just like the foundation of a building, it must be buried deep underground and extremely stable. I have never heard of seeing structure points directly in a barrier and that the structure points can move on their own. If the structure points of a barrier can move on their own, wouldn't that mean that the barrier is in danger of collapsing at any time?
“Yes.” Ling Yun nodded. Seeing Xiao Rou’s shocked expression, he patiently explained to her. His understanding of barriers had reached a master level, so his thoughts naturally differed from Xiao Rou’s. “This barrier is structurally different from the barriers we normally construct. In fact, the barriers we normally construct are very flat, so their functions are also very limited. Having five or six or more characteristics is considered very powerful. Moreover, characteristics cannot be stacked; they can only be used individually. This limits the use of barriers, to the point that most ability users nowadays rely on special techniques for attack and defense, and barriers have even been reduced to an auxiliary means. This is actually a misconception.”
"Is there any difference? Isn't this how barriers are used?" Xiao Rou shrugged. She knew everything Ling Yun had said. Barriers used in battles between ability users were actually very rare. Setting up a barrier required a certain amount of time, like chanting a spell. Moreover, even if it was successfully set up, it was hard to say whether it would pose an effective threat to the enemy. Therefore, most ability user barriers were used for isolation or preservation, serving as obstacles for ordinary people. Barriers used for actual defense and attack were very rare. This was the main reason why the Skynet Barrier of the Ability Headquarters, with its integrated offensive and defensive features, could attract the attention of all ability users.
Once the barrier could automatically attack and defend, the superhuman would essentially be carrying a powerful yet concealed offensive weapon, which would naturally come in handy at crucial moments. However, currently, the barrier can only be used for auxiliary purposes, which has gradually become the common understanding among superhumans.
Ling Yun shook his head. He had once browsed through the notes of this extraordinary person in Yu Xiujie's yellow book barrier: "The yellow book barrier recorded the use of barriers for attack and defense during the battles of superhumans hundreds of years ago. The barriers used then were far more numerous than they are now. The yellow book barrier itself was a masterpiece of the highest level of barrier technology at that time. In fact, the structural points of the yellow book barrier are constantly moving, just like this huge barrier. Truly advanced barriers are not flat, but have a data matrix structure. This not only increases the power of the barrier exponentially, but also allows for the superposition of the barrier's functions and characteristics. Sometimes, when several characteristics are superimposed, they produce incredible effects, just like the barrier we are in now."
Xiao Rou listened intently, captivated. Ling Yun's words seemed to transport her to a whole new world. Before this, she had never found any mystery in barriers. Although she had seen and experienced simulations of the Yellow Book barrier, she still believed it was a special case, a masterpiece left by a legendary figure. But now, with just a gentle touch from Ling Yun, Xiao Rou understood. It wasn't that barriers only possessed a few simple characteristics, but rather that the current combat trends among supernatural beings had changed. Supernatural arts emphasized attack and speed, and consequently, the habit of setting up barriers had gradually degenerated, becoming subservient to supernatural combat.
"What incredible power does it possess?" Xiao Rou couldn't help but ask. A strange feeling rose in her heart, a feeling she hadn't had before. But as Ling Yun explained, the girl suddenly became sensitive enough to realize that the barrier was indeed constantly influencing the beings inside. This influence was extremely subtle, impossible to detect even with the perception magnified to its limit. But for some reason, as Ling Yun slowly spoke, Xiao Rou suddenly felt this influence. She couldn't explain why, and she didn't know why, but suddenly she knew.
"Use your senses to check the metabolic rate of your body's cells, and then compare it with what you experienced in the fourth simulation. You'll understand then," Ling Yun said with a smile. He reached out and pinched Xiao Rou's delicate cheek. The soft, smooth feeling on his hand made Ling Yun's heart flutter.
"You're so annoying!" Xiao Rou playfully slapped his palm, her mental energy field rapidly circulating within her body. At her and Ling Yun's level, their abilities allowed them to precisely perceive changes at the cellular level. Any abnormality in nerves, blood vessels, or meridians could be detected instantly by those with superpowers. Moreover, after mastering the Holy Healing Technique, Xiao Rou's understanding of these subtle changes became even more profound. Of course, there are limits to this level of subtlety. Ling Yun's ability to observe changes at the genetic level is beyond the reach of most superpowered individuals.
A look of shock suddenly appeared on the girl's face. From the time she entered the barrier until now, even a rough estimate would show that about an hour had passed. In reality, even though the metabolism of superhumans is much slower than that of most people, they can still shed millions of old and dead cells and at the same time regenerate the same number of cells to replace them. The old and dead cells can remove toxins and waste from the body, thereby promoting the body to produce a continuous cleaning function, which is determined by the human immune system.
However, Xiaorou now realizes that the number of shed cells is less than a few hundred thousand. What this means is self-evident: her body has not experienced any abnormalities, and her metabolism is normal. The reason why her metabolism slows down inside the barrier can only prove one thing: time inside the barrier is different from time outside. In comparison, time inside the barrier is ten times, or even dozens of times, or even more.
If Xiaorou hadn't witnessed the simulated characteristics of the sixth layer of the barrier within the yellow book's barrier, she would have screamed in astonishment—a barrier capable of reversing time! What kind of existence would that be?! Such a barrier is comparable to the realm of a god, and it has even altered certain rules; normal physical laws might have taken on a different form here.
In an instant, Xiaorou felt the entire palace-like barrier become incredibly profound and meaningful.
Chapter 294 Ornamental Warrior (Part 1)
"How about it? The time ratio is almost 20 to 1, right? We've been standing here for about an hour, but only about three minutes have actually passed in the outside world. That's one of the characteristics of this barrier," Ling Yun said with a smile.
“No wonder you weren’t in a hurry,” Xiaorou said. “Even trapped here, you still had the composure to observe the structural points of the barrier space. So you already knew that time and reality didn’t match. I know you’re very powerful, but how did you realize it?”
“Because of it, the Eye of Illusion.” Ling Yun pointed to his golden eyes. “After withdrawing from your genetic microscopic world, I discovered that the Eye of Illusion has the ability to observe both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. This means that I can observe the operation of everything around us in minute detail at any time, including the movement trajectory of countless single-celled organisms in a drop of seawater. Although the barrier changes the time comparison, this comparison only has a real impact on the macroscopic and microscopic levels. In other words, the flow of time is noticeably slower at the cellular and spatial levels, but within our normal range of perception, including our words, speed, and strength, it will not be affected.”
Xiao Rou nodded, indicating that she understood Ling Yun's words. "But what is the purpose of slowing down the passage of time with this barrier?"
Ling Yun spread his hands: "I'm not quite sure either. Generally, slowing down the time process is just to reduce energy consumption, because the energy consumption is different depending on the time comparison. But whether it has any other effect, I'm not sure."
Xiao Rou nodded again, then her expression suddenly changed. She let out a soft "Eh?" and pointed to a pillar, saying, "Something's not right about this pillar."
"What's wrong?" Ling Yun was taken aback and looked at the pillar she was pointing at. The pillar, smooth as white jade, was exceptionally thick, like a giant pillar supporting the sky, but its surface was as smooth and white as jade. Like the top of the barrier, it emitted a soft light, giving people a very gorgeous feeling.
The perfectly rounded pillars are not flawless white jade; instead, they are covered with various abstract totems and flowing human figures. This is to be expected, given the matrix pattern of the barrier and its location in the center of the ocean, indicating its antiquity. To the average person, these pillars would easily be seen as supporting the barrier, with various decorations carved on them as a characteristic of a cultural or alternative civilization. Such mysterious and strange places are countless around the world.
However, in Ling Yun's eyes, these enormous pillars were not meant to support the barrier. The barrier itself did not need support, and the structural points were sufficient to support it. The barrier was not a house, where any support could be visible. Moreover, those moving points of light were actually only visible but untouchable, like reflections in a mirror—perhaps visible, but never truly attainable.
Clearly, the giant pillars serve another purpose than being mere decorations. The barrier wouldn't have so many pillars appearing out of nowhere. As for their function, Ling Yun couldn't yet perceive it, but judging from their placement, they were likely used in some kind of formation, and their function probably went beyond that. The data retrieved from the copy ability analysis indicated that this barrier itself was a collection of formations filled with nodes. This meant that this nameless ancient barrier was one of the most mysterious and powerful barriers, just like the Heavenly Net Barrier.
“When I first came in, I glanced at this place. There used to be a picture of a swordsman here, but I just realized that the picture is gone,” Xiaorou said, her face full of wariness and doubt. Although this empty palace-like barrier did not seem threatening and was deserted, it did not mean that the barrier was without danger. On the contrary, danger often lies hidden in the nameless unknown.
Ling Yun circled the pillar and indeed saw that the curved surface of the pillar was engraved with many life-size images of sword-wielding warriors. Although the images were only drawn with simple lines, they were lifelike, like a sketch of a real person. Even the blade light on the long sword in the warrior's hand was represented by a few invisible rays of light. The only drawback was that each warrior was covered with full steel armor, and even their face was covered with a layer of steel mask. Only two sparkling gems were inlaid in the eye area, probably crystals for seeing through things, so their faces could not be seen.
In addition, the pillars are covered with other figures, each lifelike and life-sized. However, like the warriors, each figure is either facing away, in profile, or with its face covered by a mask. The true face of each figure is not visible. It is unclear whether this was intentional or a coincidence.
From the bottom to the top of the pillar, the pillar is covered with totems composed of human figures and various lines and shapes, making it look like a stone carving of the Qingming Scroll. If it is indeed a continuation of civilization from ancient times, then it undoubtedly has considerable artistic value.
Lingyun and Xiaorou stared intently at the decorations on the pillar. Whether using their Eye of Illusion or their mental field perception, the decorations were inanimate objects devoid of any logic, lacking any strange features or energy characteristics. However, Xiaorou could not possibly be mistaken. This could only mean that some unknown entity was beyond their capabilities, which was why Lingyun and Xiaorou had not noticed it.
Suddenly sensing something, Ling Yun looked up and was taken aback. Before them lay a long passageway, supported by hundreds of thick pillars, and above that, a tall, white marble staircase. The staircase wound its way upwards like a mountain road, and every few kilometers there stood a classical palace, tens of meters high. Each palace had no doors, but its interior was pitch black. Ling Yun couldn't see through it; a mysterious force blocked his senses. Clearly, these small palaces were not merely decorative.
The staircase stretched endlessly into the distance, seemingly without end. Looking up, the top of the staircase was shrouded in a misty fog, and a magnificent, massive, mountain-like hall could be vaguely seen. However, no matter how hard one tried to see, a mysterious force blocked any senses from entering through the top of the staircase. Judging solely from the height, and considering the angle at which the staircase extended, reaching the hall's entrance at the top of the fog would be equivalent to climbing tens of thousands of meters.
However, when viewed from the sea surface, even the massive, towering seamounts are only a hundred meters high. Clearly, the space inside the barrier is not a simple parallel structure to the outside world, but rather a series of folded spaces defined within a certain area. This is, to some extent, an enhanced version of the folded barrier of Hong Kong's underground bars, only the enhancement is infinitely greater, and the energy required to support the entire barrier is immense.
But the real problem wasn't there. What shocked Ling Yun immensely was that when he first entered the barrier, he had already used his senses to probe its interior and hadn't discovered anything about the stairs. Yet, just by circling the pillar once, the barrier underwent such a drastic change, and Ling Yun was completely unaware of it. This bizarre situation far exceeded Ling Yun's imagination. Even someone as composed as Ling Yun felt a sense of fear—a fear of the vast and the unknown. Even a superhuman would experience the most primal instinct: fear.
Xiao Rou followed Ling Yun's gaze and was also stunned. The two of them seemed to be at the foot of a huge mountain tens of thousands of meters high. The top of the barrier, which was hundreds of meters high, was just a low, small passage. The huge pillars were no better than a chopstick. Standing here, without needing to contemplate anything, just by looking at what was in sight, one could feel the unfathomable energy and the unparalleled vastness of the will. It was an ethereal feeling that one could perceive from a higher worldview. Only by seeing it could one feel it.
"What is that?!" Xiao Rou couldn't help but grab Ling Yun's hand. She had never seen such a huge and strange place before. Although she wasn't panicked, she couldn't help but feel a great shock.
"I don't know, let's go up and see, it's okay." Ling Yun grabbed his girlfriend's hand and gently patted the back of her hand. Actually, he wasn't much calmer than Xiao Rou, but since they had already come this far, how could they back down? They had to grit their teeth and continue forward. The exit of the barrier that had been broken by the ferry had already closed up. Ling Yun's senses, which had been propelled to the inner wall of the barrier, told him that the inside of the barrier was now enveloped by an invisible force. To get out, they would have to break free from the shackles of this invisible force first.
Moreover, Ling Yun felt a deep sense of confusion. The summoning voice that had preceded his entry into the barrier rang out again deep within his consciousness. This time, Ling Yun clearly heard where the voice came from—it came from a magnificent building in the mist that resembled a temple. He wondered what kind of being it was, capable of breaking through layers of spatial barriers and communicating directly with his mind from tens of thousands of meters away. If that voice were to launch a mental attack on him, Ling Yun would be utterly powerless to retaliate.
With a loud thud, as if a colossal object had landed on the ground, the entire ground trembled. Then, with a cracking sound like shattered tiles, a crack the thickness of a finger suddenly appeared, winding its way from behind a pillar toward Ling Yun and Xiao Rou. It was clearly the crack caused by the massive object stepping on the ground.
Ling Yun and Xiao Rou were startled. They heard several heavy, thumping stomping sounds, and a fully armored samurai wielding a sword turned and walked out from behind the pillar. The gleaming, classically styled armor, the lifeless steel mask covering his entire face, the two dark green crystal eyes covering his eyes, and the two-meter-long double-edged steel blade emanating a chilling aura, all made it clear to Ling Yun and Xiao Rou that this samurai was the same samurai depicted on the pillar.
Ling Yun and Xiao Rou exchanged bewildered glances. They had witnessed many strange things before, but what was happening within this ancient barrier was clearly beyond their imagination. The paintings on the pillars could actually turn into real people? This was far too bizarre. Although the supernatural abilities of those with special powers were supernatural forces, they were still within the laws of physics. To turn the people in the paintings into real people out of thin air was not a supernatural ability, but a divine art.
Moreover, the two had used their senses to probe the giant pillar more than once before, and it was clear that the painting was just a painting and could not be real. As for the strange thing that Xiaorou saw the swordsman painting disappear, it was possible that the problem was with the pillar itself rather than the painting itself, but now it seems that the guess has been overturned.
Or perhaps, the world within the barrier cannot be explained by common sense in normal reality; everything within it can be inconceivable.