The relief sculpture appeared, bringing joy to Chen Lin and the others.
Immediately afterward, the relief sculpture turned around and opened the entrance to the passage.
"Congratulations on reaching the third trial. Please enter!"
The strange voice rang out. This time, Chen Lin sent no one to scout ahead. There was no point, so he flashed straight inside.
Yang Qianxing and the others immediately followed.
Inside the passage was another ascending staircase.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, do we still need to take the odd-numbered steps?"
Hearing Yang Qianxing's question, Chen Lin pondered briefly before saying, "I can't be certain either. Let's keep taking the odd-numbered ones!"
When he and True Lord Wanmeng had explored the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda in the Nightmare Realm, they had actually taken the even-numbered steps on this level. But he suddenly remembered that the pagoda's stairs had led downward, whereas these led upward. In that case, the odd and even pattern should be reversed. He had overlooked that before.
Still, although this place bore some resemblance to the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, it was not the same. He could not simply copy its rules wholesale. He still had to rely on his own strength.
Yang Qianxing and the others took Chen Lin's answer very seriously, however. They all positioned themselves carefully, terrified of making a wrong move or taking a wrong step.
Seeing this, Chen Lin offered no further explanation. Holding the Void-Breaking Spear in one hand and keeping the other ready to unleash the Soul-Destroying Finger at any moment, he stepped onto the stairs and slowly ascended.
The stairs held no danger.
Soon, they reached the final step. As he stepped off it, the scenery before him changed.
It was another great hall, essentially identical in size and structure, but with far fewer things inside, leaving it somewhat empty.