Deep within the great hall, the passage was dim and silent.
Lin Langtian led Yin Ruoshui away from the treasure hall and continued deeper into the ruins along the winding passage.
As he walked, he studied the Dark Spirit Crystal in his hand.
The fist-sized dark-purple crystal gave off a faint glow. Inside, liquid-like energy seemed to flow slowly, like an ancient star sunk in slumber.
That dark Spiritual Power fluctuation, so dense it was nearly tangible, made the Darkness Demon Talisman within him tremble again and again, sending out bursts of longing hums.
"Young Master Lin, are you going to refine the Dark Spirit Crystal here?" Yin Ruoshui followed behind him and asked in a low voice.
Lin Langtian looked around. This stretch of passage was relatively spacious, with several recessed stone niches on either side, like side chambers left behind when the ruins had first been built.
He chose one of the larger ones and led Yin Ruoshui inside.
The side chamber was not large, only a few zhang across, but it was hidden enough. Simple runes had been carved into the walls. Though they had long since dimmed, they still seemed to have a faint protective effect.
"Here. Guard me, and don't let anyone disturb me." As Lin Langtian spoke, he took several specially made spirit stones from his robes and arranged a simple concealment formation at the entrance of the side chamber.
Though it could not stop a true expert, it could at least cut off the leakage of aura and avoid drawing unnecessary trouble.
Yin Ruoshui nodded, tightened her grip on the sacred object in her hand, and stood alert at the entrance.
Lin Langtian sat cross-legged, held the Dark Spirit Crystal between both palms, then closed his eyes and focused his mind.
He took