"What is that place? Why is there light?"
Old Lin, Old Yun, and several other seasoned veteran cultivators exchanged glances, barely perceptible delight and wariness appearing on their faces.
The Hidden Realm in the secluded valley and its underground burial palace had been dark and deep throughout their journey. Even if an occasional formation array still functioned, or luminous pearls had been embedded in the walls and ever-burning lamps installed, none could possibly illuminate such a vast area.
This had to be an extraordinary place, holding either mortal danger or a heaven-sent opportunity.
"Come on, let's take a look!"
At this point, they had no way back. They could only keep moving forward.
"Junior Sister Shui, be careful. Stay right behind me in a moment, and don't wander off!" Yang Zhengxiong could hardly calm his emotions, but he still remembered to lavish attention on her.
Tear tracks still marked Shui Lingyue's face. Deeply anxious over Yang Xia's disappearance, she paid him no heed.
At this, a barely perceptible shadow crossed Yang Zhengxiong's face, yet he continued to stay close beside her, looking for all the world like a devoted guard.
Before long, they reached the area ahead and discovered an immensely spacious underground square. Across the square stood a great hall that opened into a world of its own.
A massive altar depicting nine dragons encircling a pearl towered before them. Carved from huge blocks of bluish-gray stone, it seemed to have stood for many years, its appearance steeped in the weathering of time.
"It seems to be in the style of the Near-Ancient Era..."
A rogue cultivator slowly approached the entrance to the hall. After studying it for a long time, he murmured to himself.
Old Lin glanced at him. "What makes you say that?"
The rogue cultivator said,