"Your Eminence, what's wrong?" Gu Qingshan asked in surprise.
The Gourd Jade Pendant flew out and hovered over the Lotus Pond, giving off a constant "whoosh, whoosh" sound.
Gu Qingshan asked, "Are you saying—there's something in this pond?"
He looked toward Fox Girl.
Fox Girl said, "This Lotus Pond was forged by smelting many of the Prehistoric Era's defeated divine artifacts. It's a small world, concealing all sorts of dangers. Touch anything, and disaster will follow. Only by walking across the lotus leaves can you stir the wisp of my master's soul she left behind."
Gu Qingshan looked toward Your Eminence again.
The Gourd Jade Pendant was circling the Lotus Pond rapidly, letting out an even more urgent "whoosh, whoosh."
After listening for a few breaths, Gu Qingshan drew the Tide Sound Sword and said, "All right. I'll go take a look."
Fox Girl hurriedly said, "Beneath the Lotus Pond lie all the Prehistoric weapons destroyed in that war. Over countless years, they've nurtured an incredibly fierce Chaos Storm. You won't be able to withstand their attacks."
Gu Qingshan said, "My pendant wouldn't howl for no reason."
Fox Girl said, "Wait—"
But Gu Qingshan said no more. He raised the Tide Sound Sword and pointed it at the Lotus Pond.
The pond water parted, revealing layer upon layer of deep, illusory realms.
With a casual beckon, Gu Qingshan summoned a suit of pale metal armor onto himself.
—The Full Body Armor of the Ancient Demon King.
Once suited up, Gu Qingshan leaped down.
The scenery around him shifted at once.
In an instant, the Lotus Pond vanished, and an ancient world appeared before him.
The heavens and earth stretched boundlessly.
Standing on a rock, Gu Qingshan gazed in every direction.
The world was not large, spanning perhaps a few hundred