Silver light shone clear.
A golden Edict shot skyward, manifesting countless talismanic inscriptions and treasured radiance. It utterly suppressed that drop of Xin Metal nature, like autumn dew, and the lead mountains and mercury sea below immediately collapsed, sending treasures soaring into the sky.
In an instant, the light of Greater Yin swept down through the heavens. Up and down, left and right, size and distance-all measures blurred. When Xu Xuan looked back, he found himself separated from Baoqiu and Wanjin by an unknown number of tens of thousands of miles.
The entire Grotto-Heaven fell into disorder, leaving no sense of direction.
Xu Xuan's true body remained hidden at the edge of the Grotto-Heaven, ready to act at any moment, so he had no need to worry about his safety.
Looking around, he realized he had left those lead mountains and that mercury sea and arrived at another Mysterious Hall.
The magnificent hall was built of white jade. Light spilled through its doorway, brightening and dimming as time flowed and day alternated with night. High above hung a dark plaque bearing the words [Toil Hall].
Fragrant orchids and grasses grew beside the hall, holding frost and weeping dew, imbued with Xin Metal qi.
Xu Xuan stood in the clearing before the hall, his feet upon damp white soil. A brief examination revealed that it belonged to the Dao of "Ji Earth," and the entire Mysterious Hall stood upon a vast plain of Ji Earth.
He stepped forward and pushed open the doors.
The hall was small, and a dial stood within.
Cast from Pale Gray Divine Stone, the dial was circular and divided into twelve marks, each corresponding to an Origin Time, from Zi to Hai. In order, they matched [Void, Chaos, Turbid, Purple Clarity, True, Prosperity, Longevity, Fortune, Baleful