Only a day later, a large number of flying vessels suddenly appeared above Still Lake between the two states and descended beneath the lakebed to investigate.
After searching for roughly ten days, they discovered a recently damaged underground passage some eighty li below the surface, its far end leading even deeper underground.
The sign could not have been clearer.
After Zhang Yu received this news, he discussed it with Cao Du, then led a group of cultivators here. This time, Captain Ming had likewise brought a large number of armored soldiers with him.
After entering the underground through the newly opened passage, the cultivators released their Heartlight Seals. As they cleared away the shattered corridors, they advanced forward.
After descending another dozen or so li, they entered a relatively intact stretch of corridor.
Captain Ming stepped forward at this point, clasped his hands toward Zhang Yu, and volunteered, "Profound Rectifier Zhang, you gentlemen have taken the lead in every previous battle. Why not let me do it this time?"
Zhang Yu glanced at him and nodded. "Then Captain Ming, be careful."
Captain Ming said with brimming confidence, "Just wait for my good news." With a wave of his hand, he led the armored soldiers charging into the depths of the passage.
Before long, thunderous sounds of battle came from ahead, fierce beyond measure.
Yet the sounds swiftly died down again.
Zhang Yu and the other cultivators proceeded slowly forward, only to find the ground littered with Crystal Jade Giants reduced to severed limbs and broken remains. He swept his gaze over them. These were clearly elites; their outer armor was far sturdier and more exquisite than that of the Frost Continent soldiers he had seen before.
Captain Ming's advance seemed to be proceeding exceptionally smoothly. They passed through more than