Loose rubble lay scattered before the bluestone hall.
The hall's double doors stood open, a few strands of dim spiritual light still lingering on their frames. Several martial artists stood below the stone steps, gazing into the hall with grave expressions.
Su Yu approached and looked up.
Three large, archaic characters were carved into the lintel.
Body Tempering Hall.
A rich medicinal fragrance drifted out. After just a few breaths, the blood qi within him began to stir.
Delight flashed in Su Yu's eyes. The pool's medicinal potency was indeed still there.
The hall's interior was spacious, with four towering Stone Puppets standing along either side. Their bodies were blue-gray, etched with pale golden patterns, their fists hanging at their sides. If not for the traces of battle on the floor, they would have looked no different from ordinary stone statues.
Farther inside, pale red light from the water reflected against the stone walls.
The spirit pool was just beyond them!
"Here comes another one."
Beside the steps, a purple-robed man looked toward Su Yu.
His cheeks were lean, and he held a short sword. His right cuff was torn, as though he had just been in a fight.
Su Yu cupped his hands to the group.
"May I ask how strong these Stone Puppets are?"
"Each one is at least as strong as an ordinary Bridge Forging expert."
The reply came from an old man in a blue robe.
His left eyebrow was grizzled, and he held a Blackwood Staff. His gaze lingered on Su Yu for a moment.
"We finally managed to break the restrictions outside, only to find these four things within. They attack anyone who approaches. We tried just now, but couldn't get through."
Another Broad-Mouthed Man, wielding twin hammers, looked rather annoyed.
"Who knows how