A streak of white light flashed across the surface of the translucent Crystal Ball.
It was a frame captured by a wizard using Divination Magic. At the center of the image was an irregular black shadow, surrounded by a dazzling white halo. It looked like a distorted solar eclipse, or the sort of black hole imagined in science fiction.
"As expected."
Xiao Xiao nodded slightly and muttered.
"As expected what?" Zheng Qing's attention had actually been focused on the Doctor the entire time. At once, he perked up. "Do you know how to get in and out through this magic mirror?"
"Doesn't know." Xiao Xiao's answer was brief—and deeply discouraging.
"Then what the hell were you expecting?"
"I know the principle by which this magic mirror connects to the Mirror World." Xiao Xiao rose to his feet, put away the Crystal Ball, pulled out his black-covered notebook, and only then looked at his companions. "How many ways do you know to enter the Mirror World?"
"How many?" Zheng Qing's eyes widened—his only trip into the Dream World had been when his teacher dragged him into a dream, then led him through this magic mirror and into the Mirror World.
From the sound of it, there was more than one way into the Mirror World?
That possibility gave him a little more confidence in their coming expedition. And since there was more than one way in, perhaps there were other ways out as well? The last time, Zheng Qing had escaped the Mirror World by sheer luck with Zhu Si, but he had fled in a muddle. If there were a safer route, that would naturally be for the best.
As those thoughts flashed through Zheng Qing's mind, he suddenly felt as though he had grasped some inspiration. But it vanished