Deep in the Qinling Mountains, the land rose and fell beneath towering ranges, a vast and magnificent sight.
Ordinarily, this place saw no trace of human life. Now it rang with noise as experts gathered from every direction, seemingly waiting for something.
Stone mountains dominated the area. Ancient trees occasionally took root between the rocky peaks, green and upright like Qiu Dragons lying dormant.
Strange rocks lay scattered nearby. Some resembled reclining oxen, others great Buddhas, Green Lotuses, or coiled dragons.
After leaving the Small World, Jiang Yun crossed the void to this stone forest. At its center lay a dried-up lake, most of it shrouded in mist.
A man and a woman stood beside the dry lake, studying a massive bluestone. Several pools of blood remained nearby.
The woman's lustrous, crystalline water-blue hair fell to her waist. A jade hairpin held the silken strands in place, with a lifelike little purple Qilin perched on one side.
She was slender, her skin smooth as fine jade. Her captivating beauty seemed to brighten the entire stone forest, making her its most dazzling sight.
The other was a young man with waist-length black hair and bronze skin. Wisps of demonic mist wound around him.
Dao Runes flickered across his powerful body. An aura of absolute supremacy spread from him, deterring many from approaching.
Among the cultivators nearby were rulers of the Central Plains Dynasty, top Great Abilities of the Hundred Schools and Teachings, and Saint Lords who had come from the Eastern Wilderness.
Not one dared approach. The two seemed like forbidden beings, with an empty space formed around them.
"Huolin'er is the Ancient Emperor's own daughter. She's reached the peak of the Saint Lord realm. Unless a King appears, she may be invincible!"
"I hear Yuan Gu isn't the Ancient Emperor's