But the door seemed to have been locked shut. It still did not budge.
The Wind Spirit began to panic. "How could this happen? If the door won't open, we can't take the Hongsheng Heavenly Road. Doesn't that mean A Jiu won't be able to leave even after she wakes up?"
That realization filled it with fear.
The Snow Sprite drifted around the Palace, seemingly searching for another way out. "Have you never wondered why Su Jiu pushed that boy down at the last moment, while choosing to stay here herself?"
The Painting Spirit hesitated. "After her Martial Uncle left, I saw A Jiu touch the golden light shining within the doorframe. But her hand didn't seem able to pass through that layer of light, as though something had blocked it."
The Wind Spirit was astonished. "You mean Su Jiu couldn't leave through that door in the first place?"
The Snow Sprite glanced at Little Green, who was huddled off to one side, and an inscrutable look flickered through its eyes. "Not necessarily. Some reason or condition might have restricted A Jiu."
As it spoke, it kept its eyes on Little Green. Although it could read nothing from Little Green's snake face, it still sensed its unease.
The Snow Sprite felt it had probably guessed correctly, so it continued along that line of thought. "This is the Hongsheng Heavenly Road, after all. From how much that boy struggled, we can guess that this road might not allow people to carry any extra weight. Otherwise, that weight might increase exponentially.
"Since such a rule exists, anyone taking this road has to abide by it.
"Even if they reach the end, they'll still receive a punishment.
"Judging by Su Jiu's resolve at the end, and how she never said another word to