Even with the Zhaoshen Map as his support, Yu Ci had never descended below a depth of forty miles. The environment there was simply too harsh. Beyond the more dangerous birds of prey and savage beasts, the dim light, treacherous terrain, and the occasional tide of icy yin wind sweeping up from even deeper below all marked that region and everything beneath it as a place that could kill a man. He had to proceed with the utmost caution.
"Could it be a storm?"
Clinging to the cliff face, Yu Ci felt a fierce updraft carrying the valley's distinctive chill. Yet within that cold was an acrid, choking scent—the rank stench of living creatures, or more precisely, of carnivorous beasts.
And the scent was mixed together. From that alone, he could tell that an unknown number of raptors and savage beasts had gathered below.
After pondering for a moment, Yu Ci drew the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror from his sleeve. Stroking its cool surface, he made his decision.
He first shut down the Zhaoshen Map, then drew in a deep breath until his lower abdomen swelled slightly. Guided by his divine intent, his acquired qi stirred his blood, qi, and vital essence, passing through barriers and apertures before gathering briefly between his mouth and nose, then blasting forth.
"Humph! Hei! Ha!" Three cries rang out in succession. On the final "Ha," Flying Essence streamed forth, flashing with a blazing white-red glow as it struck the mirror. In an instant, the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror's azure light flared brilliantly, dyeing even his hair and beard green.
When Yu Ci activated One Breath Three Calls, the mirror's construction worked in concert with it. This breath of vital essence struck the treasure mirror's central "aperture," reacting with the pearl of essence he had infused into