Led by the shrine maiden, everyone arrived at the pond beneath the waterfall behind the mountain.
The group stopped by the pond and stared at Miroku in confusion, unable to understand why they had come here when they were supposed to be going to the Underground Palace.
"We're here," Miroku said.
Everyone was puzzled. Yi Wu cried out, "Lady Shrine Maiden, where is the Underground Palace?"
Miroku smiled mysteriously and called out, "Ninjas, watch closely!"
The shrine maiden's hand seals shifted. This seemed to be a different system of forming hand seals.
After completing the seals, light rippled in Miroku's hands. She pointed at the waterfall, sending a wave of energy into it.
Miroku gave a soft shout. "Open!"
The waterfall parted like a curtain, revealing an opening in its center.
This was the Underground Palace!
Miroku turned around and gave them a teasing smile. "Ninjas, you should have a way to get across, right?"
With that, the shrine maiden leaped up and flew through the air, entering the Underground Palace through the opening behind the waterfall.
Everyone looked toward their captain.
Green Shoot smiled confidently and formed hand seals with both hands.
"Earth Release: Heavenly Ladder."
A ladder extended from beneath his feet and reached the entrance of the Underground Palace. Everyone used it to make their way inside.
At the entrance, the shrine maiden opened three stone doors in succession and went in first. The others followed. A chill swept over them, but strangely, the Underground Palace did not smell the least bit musty, despite having been sealed for so long.
As everyone examined the Underground Palace, they saw incomprehensible patterns covering the walls and floor, all converging on a coffin in the center. Eternal lamps stood in the four directions, their flickering flames illuminating the interior.
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