Within the Metal Palace, the Bamboo Body sat cross-legged beside the Golden Qilin's corpse.
"Swallowing Thief" sank into the Bamboo Body, then headed straight for its Water Palace, with Cheng Xinzhan's thoughts following close behind.
Inside the Bamboo Body's Water Palace, the Water Element's magical power accumulated there over time had formed a vast, limpid lake. Now, a bright moon hung above its waters.
Cheng Xinzhan was somewhat puzzled. Like a jade wheel, the moon shed a clear radiance, under which the lake rippled of its own accord like the tides. Gleaming moonlight and murmuring waters were perfectly harmonious. It did not look like a demonic thing such as the ghost register?
Still, he dared not let down his guard, and slowly brought "Swallowing Thief" toward the moon.
The moment "Swallowing Thief's" paw touched it, the moon shuddered in resistance, startling both Cheng Xinzhan and "Swallowing Thief." All nine of "Swallowing Thief's" tails stood on end.
That shudder shook loose a cloud of mist. Looking closely, he saw dozens of points of light within it, like stars clustered around the moon.
Nothing else changed, and the moon grew still again.
Cheng Xinzhan studied the stars surrounding the moon, thinking carefully. After a long while, he seemed to discover something. His thoughts shook violently, and with their violent fluctuations, great waves began rising from the lake in the Water Palace.
Cheng Xinzhan forced himself to gather his mind and steady his thoughts, until the lake grew calm again.
Slowly, he used his thoughts to stir those starlike points of light.
"Receive the spiritual qi of the Twelve-Storied Tower. First reach the Heart Mansion and knock upon its gate, then turn toward the Crimson Palace to pay homage. Next, travel against the flow of the Conception Vessel, first passing through the Navel