Little Crane flew out of Fang Chen's arms. Her body grew in an instant, and the Nine-Colored Halo flowed around her.
She drew Fang Chen and the Glazed Immortal King back into Spirit Crane Space, then beat her wings toward the region shrouded in Silver-White light.
The moment she passed through that layer of light, a violent pull surged in from every direction.
Little Crane felt herself entering a passage utterly unlike the one before. The scenery on either side twisted at dizzying speed, and streaks of light raced backward as though she were flying through a tunnel stretched impossibly long.
Little Crane beat her wings hard. An unprecedented resistance pressed toward her, like water slamming against a boat struggling upstream.
The flow of laws within the passage ran directly counter to normal Space Law. Every step forward meant fighting the power of the entire world.
Little Crane's breathing grew labored. She could feel her Spiritual Power draining at a visible rate.
"Sister Crane, can you hold on?"
Myna bird's voice came from inside Spirit Crane Space, tinged with concern.
Little Crane gritted her teeth. The Nine-Colored Halo flickered across her wings. Her voice was still crisp, but it carried a strain Fang Chen had never heard before. "I can hold on. It's just that this Counterflow is too strong—it's like trying to fly up a waterfall!"
Fang Chen could feel how hard she was struggling. "Little Crane, let me out. I'll carry you!"
Little Crane hesitated, then nodded. The entrance to Spirit Crane Space opened, and Fang Chen flew out and tucked her into his arms.
Back in Fang Chen's arms, Little Crane felt reassured by that familiar place.
"Master, the Counterflow in this passage is strong. Carrying everyone through it will cost you a great deal of Spiritual