Inside the sealed repository, a middle-aged clerical official led the young man and woman deeper in.
The two foreign gods looked about them. The passage was flanked everywhere by towering, massive metal walls. As far as the eye could see, every thirty zhang stood a magnificent gate fitted into the wall, its seams straight as a knife-cut. Fluorescent markings on the gates flickered with Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches designations.
Ai Ruo asked with interest, "What sorts of things are kept in here?"
The young man said, "Divine artifacts seized by the Azure Yang people from the various destroyed divine kingdoms, as well as ancient relics from before the era."
Ai Ruo was startled. "That many?" A fervent gleam appeared in her eyes as she looked around. "Every one of them has something inside?"
The young man said, "I suppose so. Before the Turbid Tide, the Azure Yang people were still very powerful."
Ai Ruo turned back and asked, "What about now?"
The young man thought seriously for a moment. "My feeling is that they have become stronger, yet somehow also weaker."
Ai Ruo was somewhat puzzled. "Why do you say that?"
The young man shook his head. "I cannot explain it. Perhaps it is because the things created by those Azure Yang mortals have acquired power equal to that of gods, and this has made their gods dissatisfied."
Ai Ruo seemed to understand something. "I think I understand a little."
The two communicated through spirituality within their minds as they spoke, so the middle-aged clerical official walking ahead heard nothing at all. He did feel, however, that these two foreign gods were quite well-mannered.
After walking for a long while, the three arrived before a metal gate marked "Profound, Gui-Si."
The middle-aged clerical official stopped and pressed a hand