As Ye Lin stepped forward one pace at a time, Gu Qingzhi was clearly beginning to struggle, yet she still clung stubbornly to his heels.
A moment later, Ye Lin stood high in the sky, looking down at a mountain that stood apart from all the rest.
The surrounding mountains were lush and green, covered in all manner of vegetation. Only this mountain below had nothing at all on its surface.
Not even a single blade of grass grew there. It was barren beyond measure.
The mysterious fluctuation from earlier had also emanated from this place.
"Break."
With a casual wave of Ye Lin's hand, a deafening boom erupted from the mountain below. The entire mountain began to tremble, and terrifying cracks spread across its surface.
Yellow earth cascaded down without end.
"Interesting."
Ye Lin struck out with another palm. In an instant, the mountain collapsed. The yellow earth crumbled away, revealing what lay beneath.
A massive altar appeared before Ye Lin's eyes.
Ye Lin descended and arrived before the altar.
Before him was an enormous platform. Pitch-black pillars stood around its perimeter, encircling the platform at its very center.
At the very center stood a colossal cauldron with nine legs, and a figure lay within it.
The entire altar continuously exuded an eerie, sinister aura.
Ye Lin glanced around, then clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the cauldron. In only a few steps, he arrived before it.
He placed his left hand atop the cauldron, lowered his head, and peered inside.
Within the cauldron lay a woman dressed in magnificent robes. Her eyes were closed as she rested inside, authority written across her brow.
Her skin was rosy and fair, and she looked nothing like a dead person.
Around her neck hung a necklace that radiated