This was a grandiose piece of architecture that was hard to describe with mere words. It took the shape of a palace, yet rose to a height of several hundred zhang, and the complex spanned nearly a hundred mu, towering straight up into the clouds. Anyone standing amidst it felt like a mere ant, for it transcended all common, universally known logic.
The massive palace doors stood completely open, with not a shred of light inside, as if they could swallow everything whole. The pillars, thick enough for dozens of people to embrace together, gleamed with a blood-red luster. Because they were so tall, looking up at them always made one feel as though they could toppled over at any moment.
At the very base of the pillars, Xie Yan was entirely concealed within the shadows, with an untold number of stone steps stretching out beneath him. He stood right there, his body straight and unbending like a spear or a sword, radiating an inherent, piercing sharpness, while his lean face bore not a trace of expression.
Contrary to his outward appearance, Xie Yan's heart was far from calm. He absentmindedly turned the ring on his finger, which bore the fruits of his journey north; the location of this secret mansion, hidden deep behind the northern wilderness void, was recorded within this Mysterious Azure Ring.
Although it was not the Yellow Springs Secret Mansion, having this alone was already enough to satisfy many people. The matter could be said to have reached a temporary conclusion, and he suddenly thought that ever since he left his mountain gate, a full five years had passed without him returning.
A blinding flash abruptly streaked across the sky overhead, followed immediately by lightning splitting the firmament and thunder roaring.
Within this secret mansion, the