Chapter 2416: Age Division

At the left-side entrance, the three people, faces full of anxiety, tried various methods to get in, but no matter how hard they tried, the entrance was like an insurmountable high wall, firmly blocking them outside.

Meanwhile, the two at the right-side entrance entered as if into an uninhabited realm, stepping in easily and smoothly, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Faced with such a stark contrast, the three Heavenly Family Elders couldn't help but exchange glances, secretly pondering.

Clearly, some special restriction exists between these two entrances.

The reason those three were blocked outside the left-side entrance is likely because they failed to meet that entrance's specific requirement.

Thinking this through, the three Heavenly Family Elders decided to personally probe what exactly the restriction on the left-side entrance is.

After all, in such a mysterious and unknown place as the Immortal Artifact Space, all kinds of strange rules could possibly appear.

Each time the Fairy Artifact appears, after entering the Immortal Artifact Space, everyone must first understand its unique rules in order to better explore and utilize this space.

Meanwhile, at the lakeside, the other people also waited quietly for the outcome.

Time passed second by second; after about two and a half Shíchén, those who had previously dived into the lake finally began to surface one after another, returning to the shore.

The crowd eagerly gathered around, asking them about their discoveries inside the Immortal Artifact Space.

After some discussion, everyone learned an important piece of news: the Immortal Artifact Space indeed has two entrances; one can be entered smoothly, while the other seems to be sealed by a powerful restriction, making passage impossible.

After some exploration, we still haven't been able to determine what kind of restriction exists here.

Upon hearing the results of this investigation, Huang Lao fell silent for a moment, then spoke thoughtfully.

"Could it be an age restriction?"

He believed that if an entrance has a restriction preventing people from entering, the most likely cause is an age restriction.

After all, this is one of the most basic restriction conditions.

To verify this idea is actually not difficult; we just need to send a few young disciples to try.

If the younger generation can enter smoothly while the older generation's experts cannot, then clearly the age restriction is at work.

Upon hearing Huang Lao's suggestion, the three Heavenly Family Elders who had previously led the crowd also nodded in agreement.

Thus, they immediately selected several young disciples, preparing to let them dive into the lake again to investigate.

Of course, the selected young disciples will not take the risk for nothing; they will all receive generous rewards.

After all, without sufficient benefit to tempt them, who would be willing to take this risk?

For the three major hegemonic powers—the Heavenly Family, Ultimate Bliss Palace, and Wushen Palace—at such a critical moment, they are even more generous, their actions being extremely lavish.

Late at night, the moonlight like water spilled onto the calm lake surface, casting specks of silver light.

Inside the Dong Fu, the candlelight flickered, casting people's shadows onto the stone walls, appearing somewhat unsteady.

Ye Zhangqing, Huang Lao, the Heavenly Family Patriarch, and the gathered Heavenly Family members sat together in a circle, each face bearing a solemn expression.

They had just dove into the lake again, wanting to investigate exactly how the restriction on the Immortal Artifact Space entrance works, but ultimately could only return helplessly to the shore to continue awaiting the result.

Huang Lao gently stroked his beard, speaking thoughtfully.

"The situation with this restriction is exactly as I previously guessed; there indeed is an age restriction."

His voice echoed over the quiet lakeside, as if carrying a convincing power.

Everyone nodded in agreement; they had little doubt about Huang Lao's judgment.

After all, Huang Lao's experience and insight in this area surpass everyone else's.

"However, this time's age restriction is somewhat strange."

Huang Lao continued.

"Two entrances: one allows only the younger generation to enter, while the other permits only the older generation's experts to enter. Such a situation is actually not common."

Hearing this, everyone showed surprise; this method of dividing entrances by age is indeed somewhat unexpected.

"In that case, it means both the older generation's experts and the younger disciples can enter the Immortal Artifact Space to compete for the Fairy Artifact."

The Heavenly Family Patriarch said, his voice revealing a hint of excitement.

Everyone echoed in agreement; they were all full of anticipation about entering the Immortal Artifact Space.

However, at the same time, they also realized that there might be other hidden rules and restrictions within, which they currently do not know.

"As for what other rules might exist inside, we don't know for now; we can only find out after truly entering."

Ye Zhangqing said, his gaze resting on the calm lake surface, as if he could see through the water to the Immortal Artifact Space hidden below.

Now, the conditions for entering the Immortal Artifact Space have been clarified; all that remains is to step into this mysterious realm and formally launch the fierce competition for the Fairy Artifact.

Because this Immortal Artifact Space has opened, both the older generation's experts and the younger generation's newcomers have a chance to enter together; therefore, everyone decided without hesitation to go.

Time quietly passed, and finally the next day arrived.

That day, people from all major forces surged toward the lakeside like a tide, each person harboring a desire and expectation for the Fairy Artifact.

The three major forces—Heavenly Family, Ultimate Bliss Palace, and Wushen Palace—also did not prevent other forces from participating in this competition, after all the Fairy Artifact is right before our eyes; if we deprived everyone of the chance to compete, it would surely provoke public anger.

Moreover, among the many forces, a considerable portion are subsidiary forces of these three houses.

As the saying goes, "When you eat meat, you must leave some broth for others"; if we completely cut off the hopes of these subsidiary forces, they would likely become dissatisfied and alienated.

Therefore, the gate to the Immortal Artifact Space is open to all forces; of course, once inside, whether one lives or dies is left to fate.

Not only the major forces, but even the stewards and disciples of the Thousand Lakes Sect who previously handled reception also have the qualification to enter the Immortal Artifact Space.

"You've done well before; I, the old man, am satisfied. The opportunity is right before you—come in together as well; who knows, you might just soar to the skies."

An old man said to Tianxing Lao Ren and Tie Dan, feeling as if he had bestowed a great favor upon the father and son.

"Two ants, we also give you a chance to touch this opportunity; such immense grace—shouldn't you father and son be grateful?"

However, regarding this, Tianxing Lao Ren and Tie Dan had grim faces; speaking frankly, they really did not want to go, for inside the Immortal Artifact Space, a single mistake could mean death and disappearance.