The middle-aged beauty was the first to open her eyes. They were amber, her gaze as sharp as a blade.
Her gaze paused on Xiao Yun for an instant, then fell on Spirit Flame Maiden.
"Who are you? How did you get in?" the middle-aged beauty asked, her voice cool and carrying a trace of authority.
Spirit Flame Maiden hurriedly took a token from her robes and held it up high.
"This junior is Spirit Flame Maiden, the current Saintess's guardian. By the Grand Elder's order, I have accompanied an honored guest here to inspect the seal."
The token was cast from bronze. The front was engraved with the two characters for "Mountain," and the back was engraved with a flame pattern.
The middle-aged beauty glanced at the token, and some of the vigilance in her eyes faded. "The Grand Elder sent you? Who is the Grand Elder?"
"Yan Pojun."
The middle-aged beauty fell silent for a moment. "That boy Pojun is still alive?"
Spirit Flame Maiden nodded. "The Grand Elder is in sturdy health. He's just been stuck at the Luo Saint bottleneck for many years and has never been able to break through."
The middle-aged beauty sighed softly. "Being stuck at a bottleneck is still better than us guarding this sunless place." Her gaze turned to Xiao Yun. "And this is—"
"This is Xiao Yun, Young Master Xiao. He came from the Heaven Dou Empire and is a partner of the Mountain Clan. The Grand Elder invited him to take a look at the seal and see if there is any way to strengthen it."
The middle-aged beauty sized Xiao Yun up. Young. Very young. His aura—unfathomable. Her pupils contracted slightly.
"Lord Xiao Yun, let me introduce the three seniors of our Mountain Tribe."
Spirit Flame Maiden pointed