The instant Qing Chen stepped out of the passage, the membrane of light closed with a whoosh, returning to its original state.
It was as though the passage had never appeared at all.
He could not help glancing back at the membrane of light, inwardly marveling at the wonders of Cloudfoot Celestial Palace, before resuming his steady stride forward.
He had only taken a few steps when a hearty laugh drifted into his ears.
"Junior Brother Qing, you're a little late. Junior Brother Gu and I have been waiting for you for ages."
Qing Chen hurriedly looked toward the voice and saw two people in the robes of his sect standing before the entrance to Cloudfoot Celestial Palace not far away.
One had an imposing face and an extraordinary bearing. He was Xu Jiuling, the head of the General Affairs Hall-Senior Brother Xu.
The other had a stern face and an indifferent expression, as though his features were perpetually frozen. This was Senior Brother Gu Jianchun.
Back then, he had helped Qing Chen obtain his first Foundation Establishment Pill through an exchange, leaving Qing Chen with the impression that he was fairly reliable.
Qing Chen hurried over, cupped his fists, and called out, "Senior Brother Xu, Senior Brother Gu, haha, the three of us meet again!"
Smiling broadly, Xu Jiuling strode forward and laughed heartily.
"Junior Brother Qing, you probably haven't heard, but after the sect quelled the Yue Household's rebellion on Mysterious Mountain Island, people in the sect gave the three of us a nickname-the Condensed Jade Sect Iron Triangle!
"And now we've all made it through the Blood Jiangshi Legacy Mansion's trials together. It certainly wasn't easy!"
Beside him, Gu Jianchun's normally icy face showed a rare look of utter astonishment as he stammered,
"J-Junior Brother Qing, y-you've