Yi Town.
In the Empress Temple, a barefoot woman in red stood in the open courtyard. She casually brushed her hand through the air, and thin red snakes, each no thicker than a finger, immediately drilled out of the ground.
They writhed across the ground. Before long, complex patterns appeared on the earth.
The patterns gradually connected into one, and in the end, an intricate design occupying half the courtyard appeared on the ground.
From Hong Zhuang's angle, the design resembled a long snake with its body coiled in circles.
The snake's head was located in the center of the design. A woman's face grew from it, with features seven-tenths similar to Hong Zhuang's.
Hong Zhuang looked at the enormous symbol beneath her feet, composed of countless twisted, sinister, snake-like characters. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, forming a faint smile.
"It took quite some time, but I've finally prepared this thing."
"Next, I just need to use Human Race blood as a catalyst to activate it. Once that's done, I'll be able to open the 'Nameless Void' anywhere."
"If everything goes smoothly, it won't be long before I can retrieve the things I left in 'Yanfu.'"
She chuckled, then brushed her hand through the air again. A breeze swept past, and the complex design on the ground vanished without a trace.
Hong Zhuang returned indoors and pulled a cord.
Before long, Zheng Jie walked in.
"Niang Niang, you called for me."
Hong Zhuang hummed in response.
"How is that little girl's training going?"
Zheng Jie lowered his head and said respectfully, "She already has seven or eight-tenths of Niang Niang's bearing."
"Oh? Have her come see me." Hong Zhuang sat in a Grand Tutor's Chair and spoke lazily.
Zheng Jie acknowledged her and turned to leave.
Before long,