Layer upon layer of mountains stretched from east to west, growing ever more treacherous and terrifying deeper within.
Cliffs soared thousands of feet high, with vines hanging down their faces.
Streams crisscrossed the ravines, and waterfalls fell like ribbons of white silk.
The cries of apes drifted from the depths of secluded valleys, echoing again and again between the mountain walls, their lingering notes refusing to fade.
Forgotten River.
It lay deep in the western reaches of the You Mountain Grand Vein.
Mountains enclosed it on three sides, while the fourth faced an abyss.
That abyss was unfathomably deep, shrouded year-round in thick white mist.
As the mist churned, the faint roar of water could be heard, as though a river vast enough to swallow the heavens lay hidden at the bottom.
Thus, the place had earned its name-Forgotten River.
The entrance to Forgotten River was a natural fissure that split the mountain.
The fissure was only a few hundred feet wide, yet its rock walls rose thousands of feet on either side.
Looking up, one could see only a thread of daylight.
Following the fissure inward.
One would reach an enormous cavern embedded deep within the mountain.
The cavern's sheer scale far surpassed anything an ordinary person could imagine.
It could accommodate several cities the size of Cinnabar Radiance City.
Unknown minerals in the vaulted ceiling gave off a cold, deep-blue glow, bathing the entire cavern in the colors of the deep sea.
Deep within the cavern.
Dim lamplight filled a hall built from beast bones.
Several figures stood with their hands at their sides.
All were demons of different shapes and sizes.
Some wore scales like armor; others had exposed fangs.
Even the weakest aura among them belonged to the later tower-climbing realm.
And upon the stone seat