Quite Self-Aware

"How long have we been in here?"

Long Yu asked suddenly. This was an independent Grotto-Heaven, where even time flowed a little differently from the outside world. It was impossible to tell for sure.

"About half an hour, I think."

Jin Yuan, who had been silent until now, spoke up. She was only guessing.

"Sounds about right. I just wanted to confirm."

Long Yu had guessed as much himself, but only dared to be certain after Jin Yuan confirmed it.

"Well, that's that. They could have done plenty in half an hour. Why don't we head out?"

Half an hour might not sound long, but it was enough for the people from the Tidal Sea Hall to scour this place. Only the formation outside could hold them up for a while; there was nothing to stop them once they got in.

It made sense when he thought about it. Who would set up so many obstacles inside his own home?

In any case, they had wasted too much time on the Magnet Calamity True Lord. The treasure might already have fallen into the Tidal Sea Hall's hands.

Jin Yu sighed quietly.

After what they had been through, surviving was good enough. That treasure had never been theirs to claim.

Still, meeting Lin Jun on this trip had made it worthwhile.

"No. It's not too late. Not even close."

Lin Jun looked deeper into the Grotto-Heaven. A sprawling complex of buildings lay there: a Scripture Pavilion, a Treasure Pavilion, a medicinal garden, an alchemy room—everything one could want.

Even with the buildings smashed earlier, plenty more remained.

"Wouldn't you agree?"

Lin Jun stretched a hand toward the buildings. Everyone looked at him in confusion, then peered into the depths of the Grotto-Heaven. They saw nothing.

"What's gotten into you? Have you