The iron gate collapsed without a sound.
Not because it was forced open.
But because it had simply…
ceased to exist.
The heavy padlock turned into fine gray dust, scattering across the ground like sand.
The three black-robed cultivators stepped through the entrance.
No alarms rang.
No security cameras moved.
No dogs barked.
It was as though the zoo itself had failed to notice them.
Or perhaps…
Something had allowed them to enter.
Inside the panda enclosure, Lin Tianyu felt an icy chill crawl up his spine.
The System’s warning remained bright red.
Emergency Alert
Unauthorized cultivators have entered the Sanctuary.
Current Threat Level:
★★★☆☆
Recommendation:
Avoid direct confrontation.
Protect the Guardian Beasts.
Tianyu frowned.
“Aren’t I supposed to protect the zoo?”
Correction.
The Sanctuary protects itself.
“What does that mean?”
The System didn’t answer.
The young woman slowly stood.
She still looked disoriented.
“I…”
She glanced toward the zoo entrance.
“…Someone is coming.”
Tianyu looked at her in surprise.
“You can sense them?”
“I don’t know…”
She pressed her temples.
“I just…”
“…know.”
Hei Bao suddenly stepped in front of both Tianyu and the girl.
Gone was the lazy panda who loved apples.
His posture straightened.
His broad shoulders seemed taller.
His golden eyes reflected the moonlight.
A low growl rolled from deep within his chest.
Not loud.
But powerful enough to make the air vibrate.
Sun Xiaohou climbed onto the enclosure fence.
For the first time, Tianyu noticed faint golden clouds swirling beneath the monkey’s feet.
“…Visitors.”
The monkey grinned.
“…Bad visitors.”
Meanwhile…
The three cultivators walked calmly through the empty zoo.
The youngest wrinkled his nose.
“…This is it?”
“A rundown wildlife park?”
The elder carrying the bronze compass nodded.
“The illusion is extraordinary.”
The third cultivator frowned.
“I don’t see any formations.”
“You aren’t supposed to.”
The elder smiled.
“If this place were easy to uncover, it wouldn’t have survived for thousands of years.”
The compass suddenly stopped spinning.
Its needle pointed toward the panda enclosure.
“…We’ve arrived.”
Just as they took another step… Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
The ground beneath them rippled.
Like water.
The youngest stumbled.
“What was that?”
The elder looked down.
The stone pathway had changed.
Moments ago, it had led straight to the panda habitat.
Now…
It stretched endlessly into a dense bamboo forest.
The zoo had vanished.
“…An illusion formation?”
The elder frowned.
“No…”
“This feels real.”
Far away, inside the Keeper’s Hall…
A single golden line lit up on the Sanctuary Map.
It spread through the underground network like flowing rivers.
The map displayed a new message.
Passive Defense Activated
Sanctuary Formation
Status:
Awakening
Current Authority:
Keeper Level 1
Available Functions:
✔ Path Confusion
✔ Spiritual Suppression
✖ Guardian Barrier (Locked)
✖ Heavenly Seal (Locked)
Tianyu blinked.
“…I didn’t activate anything.”
The Sanctuary is protecting its Keeper.
“So it works automatically?”
Correct.
Outside…
The youngest cultivator suddenly shouted.
“Elder!”
The bamboo forest around them had changed again.
Dozens of identical paths stretched into the distance.
Every direction looked exactly the same.
“This isn’t possible!”
The elder remained calm.
“Do not panic.”
He raised both hands.
Spirit Qi erupted around his body.
A brilliant blue sword appeared in the air.
“Break!”
The sword slashed toward the surrounding forest.
BOOM!
The attack exploded with enough force to shatter concrete.
Dust filled the air.
Several trees fell.
When the smoke cleared…
The bamboo forest remained untouched.
Instead…
The slash mark had somehow appeared on a nearby rock.
The attack had struck itself.
The youngest cultivator’s face turned pale.
“…The formation redirected your attack?”
The elder’s expression darkened.
“This Sanctuary…”
“…is still alive.”
Back at the enclosure, Tianyu watched the glowing Sanctuary Map.
Three tiny red dots wandered aimlessly through the projected layout. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“They’re trapped?”
Temporarily.
“So we’re safe?”
Negative.
Another message appeared.
Analysis Complete
Enemy Formation Master Detected.
Estimated Time Until Formation Breach:
17 Minutes
“…Only seventeen minutes?”
Hei Bao slowly nodded.
“…Enough.”
“For what?”
The panda looked toward Tianyu.
“…Prepare.”
The mysterious girl stepped beside him.
The silver paw-shaped mark on the back of her hand glowed brighter.
She stared at the Sanctuary Map.
“…I’ve…”
“…seen this before.”
“You have?”
She closed her eyes.
Fragments flashed through her mind.
A child laughing.
A massive white fox.
An elderly man smiling warmly.
Someone placing a hand on her head.
Then…
Blood.
Fire.
A woman screaming,
“Run!
Never let them find the Sanctuary!”
The vision shattered.
The girl gasped and nearly collapsed.
Tianyu caught her before she hit the ground.
“Are you okay?”
She looked at him with frightened golden eyes.
“I…”
“…I remember…”
“…someone called me…”
Before she could finish—
The entire zoo shook violently.
BOOM!
One of the red dots on the Sanctuary Map vanished.
The System immediately updated.
Warning
Outer Formation Layer Destroyed.
Remaining Intruders:
2
Enemy Strength Reassessed:
Higher than expected.
Deep within the bamboo illusion…
The elder slowly lowered a glowing jade talisman, now reduced to ashes.
He smiled coldly.
“So…”
“The Keeper has finally revealed himself.”
He looked toward the direction of the panda enclosure.
“Children…”
“Let’s see whether the new Keeper is worthy of guarding the Sanctuary.”
The remaining two cultivators stepped forward.
This time…
The bamboo forest no longer stood in their way.
[End of Chapter 10]