While Huang Shan and Yan'er were still caught in their awkward predicament, the great doors directly opposite them suddenly began to hum.
Then, beneath their gazes, the heavy bronze doors, three people tall, slowly swung open, accompanied by the ear-piercing scrape of their lower edges against the floor.
At the same time, Liu Min suddenly opened her eyes, as though she had sensed something.
But Huang Shan and Yan'er wore the ugliest expressions of all.
They were thinking of the Soul-Suppressing Pearl they had yet to get their hands on! Liu Min, that foolish woman, might let them have it, but these newcomers certainly might not!
At that thought, a vicious glint flashed through Yan'er's eyes.
It was all those two idiots' fault! Otherwise, how could they have dragged things out this long without getting it?
Fortunately, eight side chambers connected to this main hall. Even if these people insisted on searching, they might not find the Soul-Suppressing Pearl straightaway!
Still, their arrival filled her with profound unease.
The doors opened fully, revealing Su Jiu and her four companions walking straight toward the three of them.
The first to react were Gu Ningyun in Su Jiu's group and Liu Min, who had already braced herself.
Liu Min froze, clearly not expecting Gu Ningyun to actually track her down here. Gu Ningyun likewise had not expected to encounter her Martial Uncle and her Martial Uncle's Dao Companion so soon.
Su Jiu's gaze swept over all three of them. It was clear that each had sustained some injuries.
She looked around the main hall before them.
Two rows of candles stood at each diagonal corner, but their flames were not the familiar red of ordinary candles. Instead, they burned an eerie, ghostly green.
Those flames bathed the entire main hall in spectral