The stone steps wound downward.
The ever-burning lamps flickered in the cold wind, stretching the four of their shadows long.
The Buddhist chants all around grew increasingly dense.
The weeping woven into the recitations also became more and more piercing.
Liu Ruyan walked beside Chen Changqing, the Imperial Dragon Qi within her circulating on its own to ward off the demonic sounds that seeped through every crack.
Old Monk Huiming wore a grave expression. He continuously fingered his prayer beads, silently reciting the Heart-Clearing Mantra.
Rujie walked at the very front.
The Tiger-Taming Arhat tattoo on his back still glimmered faintly, scattering every trace of cold, sinister energy that approached.
Chen Changqing had it easiest.
The Invincible Sword Domain was drawn tight within three feet of his body.
The moment those chants and cries came near, they were shredded to pieces by the fierce Sword Intent.
As he walked, he examined the rock walls flanking the steps.
Ancient scriptures had been carved across the walls, but much of them was covered in dark-red stains.
They were bloodstains that had dried countless years ago.
"This place hardly looks like some sacred Buddhist Sect site."
Chen Changqing commented casually.
Huiming sighed.
"Heavenly Sound Temple has stood for tens of thousands of years. Even the abbots of successive generations may not have known the full extent of its secrets."
"The old abbot only said that the back mountain held foundations left behind by our ancestors. He never mentioned the dangers here."
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
The stone steps finally came to an end.
The view ahead suddenly opened up.
A vast underground cavern appeared before them.
Crystals embedded in the cavern ceiling gave off a gentle glow, illuminating the entire space.
Everyone stopped, their gazes turning