He deliberately emphasized the word "honor" and quickened his pace to catch up with Old Mo.
Old Mo asked no further questions. He reached out and pressed the stone wall ahead three times.
With a crack, the stone wall slowly sank inward, revealing an opening just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Beyond the opening was a spiraling staircase descending downward. Glowing dark crystals were embedded along both sides, casting everything in an eerie blue-green light.
"This is the final checkpoint." Old Mo stepped onto the stairs. "The formation cores of the three locks are in the central stone chamber below."
Lin Taichu followed him down. The closer they drew to the bottom, the denser the demonic qi in the air became.
The stone steps were covered in a layer of black moss, slick beneath their feet. Occasionally, white bones could be seen wedged into the cracks, covered in fine bite marks.
After descending roughly a hundred steps, the view suddenly opened up.
A circular stone chamber stood before them. Three black Stone Pillars rose from its center, wrapped in dark red chains covered in flowing Demonic Marks—the three locks Old Mo had mentioned.
A fist-sized black crystal floated above the Stone Pillars. Black Liquid constantly seeped from its surface and dripped onto the stone disk below with soft plinks.
"That is the Demon Core." Old Mo pointed at the black crystal. "It was suppressed by Qin Fang's father with a Formation three hundred years ago. As long as it is activated with the Netherworld Bead's power, the chains will break on their own."
He took out the Netherworld Bead from his Storage Bag. The instant it came into contact with the demonic qi, it radiated a crimson glow.
Lin Taichu's gaze fell upon a groove in the