At the northern foot of Li Mountain, in a secluded mountain valley.
Towering ancient trees screened out the moonlight, leaving everything in darkness.
Holding the Imperial Seal, Liu Xuance stood before an ancient stone platform.
The platform measured thirty feet across and was built entirely of bluestone. Intricate cloud and beast patterns covered its surface. The weathering of countless years had left mottled marks upon the stone, yet could not conceal its ancient, boundless air.
At the center of the stone platform was a recess.
Four inches square, with space above for a knob of five intertwined dragons-it matched the Imperial Seal's form precisely.
This was the entrance to the First Emperor's Mausoleum described on the map.
Liu Xuance drew a deep breath and, holding the Imperial Seal in both hands, slowly lowered it into the recess.
Click.
A soft sound rang out.
The instant the Imperial Seal settled into the stone platform, a stream of true qi spontaneously emanated from it.
The entire stone platform suddenly lit up!
The light was golden, warm yet vast, like a mighty dragon slowly opening its eyes after a thousand years of slumber. It spread along the patterns on the platform, flowing, intertwining, and gathering as though alive.
Rumble-
The stone platform slowly sank.
A crack opened in the ground and widened until it finally revealed a dark flight of stone steps.
The steps descended into depths unknown.
Liu Xuance and Xu Lou exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with irrepressible excitement.
"Let's go."
Liu Xuance stepped onto the stairs first.
The party of several dozen filed down after him.
The stairway was long.
Only after walking for the time it took to drink a cup of tea did the space before them suddenly open up.
An enormous Underground Palace Gate stood there.