Yun Che took a light breath, temporarily setting aside his doubts about the Land of Shells, and turned his gaze toward the gate of void Deng Xuhe had left behind.
Light and shadow swirled within the gate. He could faintly sense the fluctuations of an ancient, pure will. Presumably, that was where the Tower Spirit of the Ten-Thousand Souls Heart-Prison Tower resided.
After passing through the gate of void, he found himself not inside the tower as he had imagined, but in a boundless sea of stars within consciousness.
Countless points of light floated in the darkness like stars, each representing the lingering obsession of a dead soul imprisoned here. Their faint glimmers converged into a vast, desolate torrent of will.
"Little one, do you seek my recognition?"
An ancient, weathered voice rang out directly in Yun Che's sea of consciousness. It carried no emotion, yet seemed steeped in countless ages.
Yun Che's heart tightened. Knowing this was the Tower Spirit's will, he cupped his hands and said, "I am Yun Che. Senior Tower Spirit, I humbly ask for your help in stripping the Seven Sins Masks from my companions and me."
"The Seven Sins Masks, conduits of original sin, are bound to soul and bone. Forcibly stripping them away will scatter the soul." The Tower Spirit's voice slowly echoed. "Do you know what price you must pay for me to act?"
"I am willing to pay any price for my companions' safety," Yun Che answered without hesitation, his gaze resolute.
The points of light in the sea of consciousness flickered violently, as though scrutinizing Yun Che's resolve.
A moment later, the Tower Spirit spoke again. "Your will is passable. I can help you, but first you must pass my trial. Bear the weight of ten thousand souls and cleanse