The stench of blood inside the temple was especially strong.
Gu Qingshan looked at Xie Daoling. She seemed not to notice it, as if lost in thought.
"Let's go. This is only near the mountainside. We need to cross this world and keep flying toward the world above," Xie Daoling said.
The demon phoenix flew over and crouched before them. "This lowly one knows the way. I'll take you both up."
The demon phoenix carried them out of the temple, climbing ever higher into the depths of the sky.
Gu Qingshan looked down at the land below.
The world stretched out without end. Buildings crowded the mountains, rivers, and every other corner, yet not a single living person could be seen.
"Tell me, why is this world so empty? Apart from those Asuras just now, there's nothing here," Gu Qingshan said.
As it flew, the demon phoenix replied, "The worlds on Mount Sumeru are connected. Perhaps those people went to another world."
Gu Qingshan nodded and asked no more.
He exchanged a glance with Xie Daoling.
Something still felt wrong.
"It's fine," Gu Qingshan said.
"Good," Xie Daoling replied.
The demon phoenix beat its wings with all its might and climbed ever higher into the depths of the sky.
After less than half a quarter of an hour, it pierced through the highest layer of thin clouds and paused on a drooping tree branch.
"Master, Mountain Lord, follow this branch up, and you'll reach the world above," it reported.
"Up," Gu Qingshan said.
The demon phoenix nodded and flew up along the branch.
The clouds fell away behind them.
All around them was a dark void.
As the phoenix flew, the void gradually brightened, finally becoming a Glass Azure Sky.
Gu Qingshan suddenly said, "Master, it seems the power within