In her daze, Zhao Lianyun was brought into a small secret chamber.
"Where is this?" She opened her eyes and looked around.
The chamber was exceptionally quiet, possessing a stillness that seeped into the marrow, as though it had saturated every brick and every inch of wall.
The chamber was not bright. Dim, candle-like light, fine as threads and soft as silk, wound through it, barely allowing Zhao Lianyun to see.
"Come here." An aged, ancient voice came from within the light.
Zhao Lianyun obeyed and walked toward the source of the voice.
As she drew closer, she discovered an old, aged person who matched the voice.
She was the Grand Elder of Spirit Affinity House.
The Grand Elder gazed deeply at Zhao Lianyun, then at the Love Gu on Zhao Lianyun's shoulder.
Her expression was briefly moved, before swiftly returning to calm.
"Kneel," the Grand Elder said.
Zhao Lianyun only felt that although this old woman appeared aged and unremarkable, upon meeting her for the first time, Zhao Lianyun discovered an unsurpassable majesty about her. Within her even tone lay a force that made one submit whether one wished to or not.
Thus, Zhao Lianyun lowered her head and saw a cushion on the brick floor.
She knelt on the cushion with both knees, her upper body straight as she gazed at the old woman before her.
But the old woman said, "Look straight ahead."
Zhao Lianyun looked forward. The light in the secret chamber suddenly brightened, and Zhao Lianyun cried out as she involuntarily widened her eyes.
For she saw clearly that the wall directly before her was covered with densely packed small plaques, like stone yet like jade.
"These are all Life Token Gu. Every name on these plaques belongs to a former Fairy of Spirit Affinity