Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister Chapter 970 504: This Woman Is Acting Strange!

Within the grand assembly hall, the Third Ancestor gazed as the formidable stone doorway receded, vanishing completely. A profound sigh escaped him, "My hope is that this time, one of these young ones will finally meet my expectations."

"We shall observe, Third Ancestor," the Stonemason replied in a hushed tone. "This current cohort shows great promise; they should not disappoint."

"Indeed. The Stone Race's fortunes are on the rise. Once our two Ancestors have found their peace, we shall be able to eradicate the Human Race from the Stone Cave."

At this juncture, Li Mu also interjected, "Rest assured, Third Ancestor. The sacrifices made by the Li Family will not be unacknowledged by our people. When that prophesied day arrives, it shall mark the return of the Li Family to the Eastern Continent."

The Third Ancestor offered him a dismissive glance.

While the Stone Race's current flourishing owed a great deal to the Li Family's involvement, it was equally undeniable that the Li Family had been instrumental in provoking conflicts between the Stone Race and the Human Race. Over the years, numerous Stone Race members had fallen in these very battles.

He had harbored reservations for a considerable period, yet the Li Family's present necessity to the Stone Race precluded any action against them. Therefore, he could only offer them vague assurances.

However, if the situation demanded it, the elimination of the Li Family was a possibility that could not be entirely dismissed.

"We are grateful for your words, Third Ancestor," Li Mu conveyed, bowing his head slightly in deference.

"Shall we remain here, or... ?" the Stonemason pondered, understanding that the Holy Land, once opened, sealed itself shut. It would only become accessible again automatically upon the conclusion of the three-month period. Any attempt to force entry would inevitably result in damage.

"You remain here. We shall depart first." With these words, they exited the great hall.

Li Mu, naturally understanding the implication, also took his leave immediately. After all, it was inappropriate for an outsider like him to linger in a sacred domain belonging to the Stone Race.

Once the two had departed, the Stonemason proceeded to the center of the hall, settled down, and uttered a sigh, "It falls to me to keep watch yet again."

Tilting his head, his gaze settled upon the immense stone suspended in the air. "Lin'er, make your father proud!"

...

Within the hallowed grounds of the Holy Land, Chen Xuan murmured, "Is this the Holy Land?"

Faced with him was a colossal mountain peak, its form reminiscent of a towering spire. He tilted his head back, his upward glance tracing a path that vanished into the clouds. A serpentine path spiraled its way up the mountain's flank.

Beyond this solitary mountain, the Holy Land was an expanse of barren desolation. The earth lay cracked and broken, strewn with countless fragments of stone, and abyssal ravines fractured the landscape in every direction. It resembled a desolate wasteland, utterly devoid of any semblance of life.

"Mm," Shi Lin responded with a slight nod, her expression solemn as she fixed her gaze upon the mountain. "This is the physical manifestation of our Stone Race's progenitor, transformed after centuries of diligent crafting by our greatest Stone Race ancestors into what is now known as Holy Mountain."

"This mountain pierces the heavens at a height of one hundred thousand meters. Do you perceive those stone caves adorning the Holy Mountain?" she inquired, indicating the mountainside and looking towards Chen Xuan.

Stone caves? Chen Xuan squinted, his eyes scanning the surface and immediately discerning a series of dark silhouettes. He had not noticed them previously – they were indeed stone caves.

"What is the function of these stone caves?" he inquired.

"It is solely within these stone caves that Crystal Stones can be nurtured!" Shi Lin explained. "Furthermore, the higher the elevation of the stone cave, the more potent its effects."

With that statement, Shi Lin lifted her head, her focus unwavering on the summit of the Holy Mountain, her eyes alight with fierce determination. The sole stone cave worthy of her attention resided at the very apex. This aspiration clearly mirrored her own profound ambitions.

"I understand," Chen Xuan acknowledged with a slight nod. He held no particular interest in these details, his primary concern being the potential location of any hidden Spiritual Liquid.

"There is no need for haste; we have ample time. Proceed at your own pace!" With a three-month window and the complete sealing of the Holy Land, his power within this domain was virtually unchallenged. As long as he exercised a modicum of caution, these lesser beings would scarcely notice his presence.

"By the way, why are you not in any rush yourself?" Chen Xuan observed the other members of the Stone Race who had entered earlier, now situated within the Holy Mountain, yet Shi Lin showed no inclination to move.

"Hehe," Shi Lin let out a soft chuckle, a hint of disdain flickering in her eyes. "Even among the Royal Family, disparities persist."

"Within the Holy Mountain, an invisible pressure permeates the air. Should one's strength prove insufficient, they are relegated to selecting lower stone caves. Reaching it first offers no advantage."

So, that was the reason for her unhurried demeanor!

"Follow closely behind me later; otherwise, progressing forward will prove impossible!" Shi Lin instructed. "Why?" Chen Xuan questioned.

"For those who are not of the Royal Family, the pressure is effectively doubled!" Shi Lin stated plainly before commencing her walk towards the Holy Mountain.

"Is that so?" Chen Xuan mused aloud and promptly followed in her wake.

Upon reaching the base of the Holy Mountain, Chen Xuan immediately sensed the pressure Shi Lin had warned him about the moment he stepped onto its grounds.

This wasn't merely a physical force bearing down; it even seemed to affect his sea of consciousness.

Nevertheless, being at the mountain's foot, the pressure was not yet at its peak.

Shi Lin's chest crystal stone then emitted a soft luminescence. She turned her gaze to Chen Xuan, inquiring, "No issues, I presume?"

"I'm alright!"

Chen Xuan responded, yet a flicker of curiosity stirred within him. This woman, typically so aloof, why was she suddenly displaying such solicitousness?

"That's good!"

With that, they commenced their ascent along the designated path.

As they journeyed upward, Chen Xuan diligently scanned for any sign of the Spiritual Liquid, but his search yielded only disappointment.

After ascending a thousand meters, two figures materialized ahead.

It was Zhang Qiu and his companion.

At this juncture, both were gasping for air, drenched in sweat, and hunched over as if on the verge of collapse.

"Gaining entry to the Holy Mountain is already a significant honor for you. The thousand-meter stone cave is a respectable achievement. Should your ambition overreach and this pressure force you from the mountain, you may forfeit your chance entirely."

Shi Lin cast a cursory glance at the pair and stated with composure.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lady Shi Lin, but... I still wish to make another attempt."

Zhang Qiu's expression was one of deep respect, his eyes brimming with envy.

He recognized her as the most exceptional scion of the Stone Race in this generation. He found the prospect of taking even one more step insurmountable, yet for Shi Lin, it appeared to have virtually no impact.