Otherspace, Five Emperors Platform, a Tomb?

"I do!" Dugu Yan jumped out of Lin Wanqiu's arms, then leaped straight into Dugu Bo's embrace and affectionately rubbed against him.

Dugu Xin set the resentful-looking Dugu Yao, whom he had tucked under his arm, on the ground, then said to Dugu Bo, "Father, awaken their Martial Souls."

As if he had not heard him, Dugu Bo let Dugu Yan tug at his beard while pulling the still-sulking Dugu Yao into his arms. Grandson Dugu Yao on the left, granddaughter Dugu Yan on the right—what emperor could compare to him!

Seeing his father forget all about awakening their Martial Souls because his grandson and granddaughter had arrived, Dugu Xin could only sigh helplessly.

Dugu Bo looked at the unhappy Dugu Yao and asked, "Yao'er, what's wrong today? Why are you so downcast? Did someone bully you? Tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will teach him a lesson!"

Hearing that, Dugu Yao seemed to have found his backing and immediately began complaining. "What else could it be, Grandpa? It's because of your son! Your son bullied your grandson. What are you going to do about it?"

What did he mean, a real man could just make do with anything? The whole trip had been miserable. Now that Grandpa was here, he was definitely going to complain!

"Oh?!" Dugu Bo's emerald eyes turned toward Dugu Xin as he teased, "So you're the one who bullied my precious grandson?!"

"You little brat, you actually know how to complain about me!" Dugu Xin cursed inwardly.

Yet outwardly, he laughed and said, "Father, nothing of the sort. How could that be? Don't listen to Yao'er's nonsense. Besides, weren't you going to awaken their Martial Souls? Let's begin."

"Oh, right, right. I still need to awaken Yao'er and Yanyan's Martial Souls. I nearly forgot the important matter." Dugu Bo slowly set Dugu Yao and Dugu Yan down on the ground.

"You little brat, you even know how to complain about me? Your backside must be itching for a beating!" Dugu Xin's gaze landed on Dugu Yao.

"If you dare hit me, I'll tell Grandpa. You'll regret it!" Dugu Yao did not yield in the slightest, staring right back at him.

His grandfather was his support. If you dared hit your son, then he would get Grandpa to hit his son. They could hurt each other!

Lin Wanqiu watched the father and son communicate through their eyes. She had no idea what they were communicating, but she found it quite amusing.

Dugu Bo arranged six jet-black stones he had prepared long ago on the ground, forming a Hexagram Array. Then he looked at Dugu Yao and said, "Yao'er, as the older brother, you'll awaken your Martial Soul first."

"Big Brother is awakening his Martial Soul! Big Brother is awakening his Martial Soul! Big Brother is awakening his Martial Soul!"

Dugu Yan cried excitedly, as though she were the one awakening her Martial Soul.

Dugu Yao did not hesitate. He walked directly into the array and asked, "Grandpa, what else do I need to do?"

"Close your eyes, feel carefully, then release it. That is your Martial Soul!" Dugu Bo said calmly.

"Mm." Dugu Yao did as instructed, closing his eyes and beginning to feel carefully.

As Dugu Bo fed his Soul Power into the array, the runes on the six jet-black stones instantly burst into dazzling light.

"Yao'er, feel carefully. That is your Martial Soul. It is a part of your body. Release it!"

Dugu Bo's gentle voice echoed by Dugu Yao's ear.

My Martial Soul? Dugu Yao thought.

Drip...

Drip...

Drip...

Where is my Martial Soul? Why can't I feel it?

And where is this damned dripping sound coming from?!

Dugu Yao could not help frowning. The sound of dripping echoed endlessly beside his ears. Unable to endure it any longer, he opened his eyes.

"Where the hell has this brought me? Is this still China?!" Dugu Yao stared blankly at his surroundings.

At that moment, he had no idea where he was.

Beneath his feet was ink-black water, clear enough to reflect his figure. The surroundings stretched endlessly beyond sight, and the entire space was gloomy and oppressive.

Moreover, in this strange space, he could sense that something seemed to be guiding him forward.

Could this be a necessary part of awakening a Martial Soul? How strange. Dugu Yao was puzzled, but he followed that faint, barely perceptible guidance and walked onward.

After an unknown amount of time, a magnificent palace standing atop the ink-black water appeared in his sight.

With a point of reference finally in view, he immediately quickened his pace. Within minutes, he arrived at the foot of the palace steps.

The palace was a black obsidian color, built in an archaic style. Yet at a glance, one could tell that it was unmistakably Eastern architecture.

Two enormous stone pillars stood on either side of the steps, each carved with words.

Fourteen characters were carved vertically on the left pillar.

Xiangliu's fierce might threw the world into chaos; nine heads danced wildly, bringing endless calamity!

Fourteen characters were carved vertically on the right pillar.

Poisonous saliva overflowed, and all living beings suffered; his vile deeds were clear for ten thousand years!

"What kind of hellhole is this?!" Dugu Yao frowned tightly as he looked at the twenty-eight characters before him.

He did not dwell on the meaning of the two verses. Instead, following the guidance, he climbed the stairs—exactly eighty-one steps!

By the time Dugu Yao reached the final step, he was already panting from exhaustion. Before him stood the Bronze Gate, carved with peculiar runes and two murals.

The mural on the left depicted a serpent with nine heads, each with a gaping maw. The nine heads danced wildly, spewing venom!

The mural on the right depicted a solemn human with eyes wide in fury, holding a weapon in his hand!

"Five Emperors Platform!!!" Dugu Yao said in astonishment as he looked at the plaque above the palace. Three words were carved upon it: Five Emperors Platform!

Rumble...

Just as Dugu Yao stood there in shock, the Bronze Gate suddenly opened with a piercing screech. He withdrew his gaze and continued following the guidance into the palace.

Inside was a pitch-black corridor that stretched beyond sight. The instant he entered the palace, the eternal lamps along both walls suddenly lit up, casting a faint blue glow.

Dugu Yao jumped in fright and could not help cursing. "Anyone would think this damned place was a tomb!"

No... A tomb. Five Emperors Platform. Xiangliu's fierce might threw the world into chaos; nine heads danced wildly, bringing endless calamity! Poisonous saliva overflowed, and all living beings suffered; his vile deeds were clear for ten thousand years! As he connected everything, Dugu Yao suddenly seemed to remember something. Memories from his previous life abruptly crashed into his mind!

If I remember correctly, before I died of sudden death from staying up late working overtime in my previous life, the book I was reading seemed to be the Classic of Mountains and Seas. And the page I was reading was about the deeds of the Fierce God Xiangliu!

Those two verses describe the Fierce God Xiangliu! The Five Emperors Platform was the tomb built in mythological legend after Yu used divine power to kill Xiangliu! Dugu Yao stopped walking.

They say transmigrators always get some kind of cheat or golden finger. Could this place be my golden finger?