Ahead lay a boundless bank of thunderclouds, countless flashes of lightning flickering within. Darkness shrouded heaven and earth; only the thunderbolts that streaked across the sky illuminated the world.
An ancient, weathered terrace stood there, built entirely of Azure Wood. A golden stele rose atop it, bearing the words [Ascend to Immortality].
Endless white vapor stretched beneath his feet. No matter which way he looked, there was no end in sight. Heaven and earth seemed cramped together, as though the thunderclouds might sink and meet the vast white mist.
Xu Xuan had already assumed a half-flood-dragon, half-human form. [Xi Flame] radiated dazzling greater yang divine light, its five fires surging. He surveyed his surroundings, found nothing else, and could only mount the terrace.
"Ascend to immortality."
Xu Xuan read the words aloud, only to feel his mind stir and his soul begin to leave his body. Clear qi circulated within his qi sea, suppressing the strange disturbance.
The terrace was exceedingly spacious. Upon it lay the remains of several Daoists in white-and-gold robes, all at Foundation Establishment. Their flesh had not decayed. Every one of them gazed up at the sky with a smile, looking toward the thunderclouds.
Xu Xuan counted twelve in all. They were probably disciples of the Mysterious Pivot Dao from those days. There were no traces of spells upon them, and their faces were rosy, as though they might revive at any moment.
Intricate, bright-gold lightning patterns adorned their spotless white-and-gold robes. They seemed capable of concealing magical radiance and Spirit Sense; these were probably all Foundation Establishment-grade array robes.
"Fine things."
Xu Xuan fought down the urge to strip these corpses bare. They were people of a bygone age, after all. Such behavior would be rather too sacrilegious.
"What exactly killed them?"
A suspicion forming,