Qi Wu raced toward the mushroom cloud with the three girls.
They crossed leveled mountaintops and fractured ravines, pressing deeper into the Kunlun Mountains.
The deeper they went, the more violent the spiritual energy in the air became.
It was as though something was awakening deep underground.
Twenty minutes later.
The sight before them made the three girls gasp.
It was a towering snow-covered mountain.
But a massive hole had been blasted straight into its flank.
The opening was over a hundred meters wide, its edges smooth as glass, as though some searing energy had melted them in an instant.
Deep inside the opening lay impenetrable darkness, with faint traces of human craftsmanship visible within.
It was...
An underground palace.
An ancient underground palace buried beneath the snowy mountain for thousands of years.
Qi Wu stood at the entrance and activated his Six Eyes.
He could sense several powerful auras deep within the palace.
One of them was particularly familiar.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Interesting."
"An old acquaintance is inside."
Lilith leaned closer.
"Captain, you know them?"
Qi Wu nodded.
"Xiao Jue."
"The Blind Swordsman who escaped from me."
Gale frowned.
"He's here too?"
Qi Wu stepped into the opening.
"Let's go."
"This time, we can't let him get away again."
The three girls exchanged glances and hurried after him.
Deep within the underground palace.
Ancient stone walls lined both sides of the passage.
The walls were covered in strange runes that emitted an eerie green glow.
The air was cold and damp, carrying the stench of decay.
Qi Wu walked at the front, his hands in his pockets and his steps leisurely.
It was as though this were his own backyard rather than an unknown ancient underground palace.
Suddenly.
He stopped.
Ahead, at the end