"Please rise, seniors." Lu Zhen hurriedly reached out as if to help them up.
"My lord, the rules must be observed." Xuanyang rose, his aged face full of relieved joy.
He glanced at the three beside him, whose forms had grown faint and insubstantial, and sighed.
"My lord, our bodies were destroyed long ago. All that remains of each of us is a wisp of a broken soul."
Xuanyang explained, "We've survived this long only because the dojo's core formation has nurtured us. Even so, our soul power continues to ebb away."
"Ordinarily, we take turns sleeping to conserve the dojo's reserves."
"We forced ourselves to gather for your trial today, at considerable cost. We cannot remain awake for long."
"Why not let Hongfu and the other two return to the formation's core to sleep and recover?" Xuanyang suggested. "I'll stay and explain the dojo to you in detail."
Lu Zhen nodded slightly.
"All right. You three should rest."
Li Bashan and the other two did not stand on ceremony. They cupped their fists to Lu Zhen once more.
"We take our leave."
Hum—
Three streaks of light flashed into the depths of the dojo and vanished.
Only Lu Zhen and Xuanyang remained.
"My lord."
Xuanyang's expression grew solemn. His shadowy form drifted to Lu Zhen's side, and he gestured toward the vast space around them.
"This Fallen Sky Dojo was once the heart of the Great Xia Martial Hall. It holds a world within it, with wonders beyond measure."
"First, the dojo itself is a magic treasure."
"A magic treasure?" Lu Zhen froze.
"Yes, and a supreme-grade treasure at that." Pride flickered in Xuanyang's eyes. "When my former master forged it, a stroke of chance led him to incorporate a piece of mysterious matter that had fallen from beyond