Splitting Up, Part 1

Outside Peacock City.

Beside a grayish-white stone bridge.

The stone bridge was arched, and from afar, it looked as though it had been piled together from ten filthy square stones. The water below was mirror-like, except for the many tiny yellow leaves floating upon it.

Dense wilderness forests flanked both sides of the bridge, with only a pale-yellow road winding across it.

Three figures stood on the road: Lin Xin, carrying four swords on his back; Shu Luoyi, holding a little bee on a string; and Yu Chang, pale-faced and not yet fully recovered.

"This is the place." Shu Luoyi said coldly. She had tied the Six-Winged Bee with a transparent fishing line, letting it lead the three of them through the air until it finally arrived here.

"Go! It's across the bridge!" He strode toward the bridge.

"Wait." Lin Xin stopped him. "Let's check the situation first. I have a feeling there's something wrong with this bridge." Lin Xin had noticed that the bridge deck was covered in thick dust, as though no one had passed through it for a very long time.

This place was so close to Peacock City, and the bridge was so conspicuous. How could it possibly have gone unused for so long? Besides, there was plenty of wind and rain here. This dust... was clearly abnormal!

"What is it?" Shu Luoyi asked with a frown.

"The Resentment Energy Talisman is reacting." The talisman paper pinched between Lin Xin's fingers was slowly burning.

"The enemy's strength is unknown. The three of us should stay together and not split up," he reminded them in a low voice.

"You don't need to tell me that. I know." Shu Luoyi said impatiently.

"We already made it through the Four Directions Yin Gathering Array. Are we supposed to fear