The blue-gold steps stretched ahead, seemingly extending onward without end.
As the stone walls around him grew increasingly ancient, Li Dao's heart rose into his throat.
"Just what is this place?"
Filled with questions, he lightly patted Black Fiend's back. The next moment, Black Fiend put all his strength into a swift charge down the stairs.
A streak of black raced over the blue-gold steps. After an unknown length of time, a light ahead drew closer and closer.
The runes appearing on the stone tablets all around gave off a faint glow.
Sensing the inexplicable pressure coming from ahead, Black Fiend's eyes grew solemn.
Thud, thud-
His pillar-like legs struck the ground heavily with crisp reports as he raced onward without stopping.
At the end of the passage stood a curtain of light, strange runes flickering across its surface, the source of that faint glow.
Hum- Man and tiger plunged straight through the curtain of light without pausing.
Splash-
Waves of coolness washed over him from every direction. Startled, Li Dao opened his eyes to find crystal-clear lake water stretching before him.
Fish swam merrily through the water. The clear lake soothed his taut nerves.
Whoosh-
He broke through the surface and found himself in an azure lake, surrounded by golden trees whose golden leaves drifted down without cease.
"Just what is this place?"
While he was puzzling over it, a clear voice rang out from the shore. "What fine spirits you have, fellow Daoist! Might I ask your name?"
Looking toward the voice, he saw a veiled woman in palace robes, her figure ethereal and her hands folded before her.
She was watching him with eyes full of curiosity.
Divine power began circulating within Li Dao, and his gaze grew wary.
"Please forgive me, fellow Daoist. I merely heard