Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao (26)

Su Han gasped for breath.

He stared at the turtle shell radiating boundless light before him.

Then he looked toward the altar.

He seemed to understand something.

"This turtle shell..."

"Originally belonged to this altar?"

"Or rather..."

"Is it the key... to activating some kind of ritual?"

He tried.

Using his Spiritual Sense to communicate with the turtle shell.

The turtle shell trembled slightly.

A vague thought came from it.

"Ascend the altar..."

"Return to your place..."

A sharp light flashed in Su Han's eyes.

He looked at Lu Xueqi.

"Senior Sister, come with me!"

He hesitated no longer.

Cradling the turtle shell.

Guided by the silver pillar of light.

Step by step.

He walked toward the altar steps.

This time.

No Star Beasts blocked his way.

Even the three powerful guardians.

Silently stepped aside.

Lowering their heads.

As if welcoming him.

Lu Xueqi followed close behind.

Tianya gripped in her hand.

Her vigilance undiminished.

Under the silent gazes of countless Star Beasts.

The two stepped onto the white jade altar's stairs.

One step, two steps, three steps...

The altar was towering.

It had ninety-nine steps in total.

Symbolizing some kind of ultimate extremity.

The higher they climbed.

The denser the star power became.

And the greater the pressure grew.

But the silver pillar of light enveloped them.

Offsetting most of that pressure.

At last.

They reached the top of the altar.

At its summit.

Was a platform several dozen zhang across.

The ground.

Was engraved with incomparably intricate starry patterns.

As though the entire universe.

Had been condensed here.

And at the center of the platform.

Was a recessed base.

The shape of the base...

Was identical to the turtle shell in Su Han's hands.

The turtle shell now shook even more violently.

Its humming carried.

Urgency.

And yearning.