The flying vessel passed over the last stretch of forest, and the terrain ahead suddenly dipped.
A broad valley stretched before them between the mountains. Vegetation grew sparsely within it, and the deeper they looked, the darker the rocks became. At its far end, not even a single weed was visible. Only two broken stone pillars stood upon the barren ground.
Gray mist churned ceaselessly between the pillars, occasionally revealing the mountain silhouettes beyond before swiftly concealing them again. From afar, it seemed to hold another world.
Su Yu put away the map in his hand and walked to the side of the vessel.
They had reached the Demon-Subduing Ancient Land.
He had read descriptions of its entrance before, yet seeing it with his own eyes still felt different. Bright sunlight bathed the valley outside, while deep gloom lay beyond the gray mist. The two were so close together, yet it was as though daylight and dusk had appeared before him at once.
"See those two stone pillars?"
The gray-haired elder came over to them.
"The sealing restrictions are still active. The vessel can only stop outside. Once you enter, don't touch the remaining formation patterns carelessly, either. Some may look destroyed, but they still hold power. A moment's carelessness, and the formation could injure you."
Su Yu nodded, noting the pillars' positions.
The vessel slowly descended at the mouth of the valley.
A crimson flying vessel was already parked nearby, slightly larger than theirs, with several people standing at its prow. Among them, a red-robed elder looked up. Upon seeing the gray-haired elder, he smiled.
"You're finally here. I thought I'd have to wait another half day."
"Yes, we weren't delayed much on the way."
The gray-haired elder stepped off the vessel and glanced behind the other man.
"The