Xiang Yi and the others came to a stop.
They had arrived before the second stone hall.
It looked quite similar to the first one, though the ancient barrier had changed slightly.
The Earth-Elemental Flag could still be used to break the barrier.
After clearing out the surrounding ferocious beasts, they took a short rest, set up the Earth-Elemental Flag, and began attempting to break through the barrier.
The quake triggered by the Earth-Elemental Flag was unavoidable, but this time everyone was clearly on guard. As they activated the spiritual array, they remained alert for any movement around them.
No one wanted a repeat of what had happened before or to be surrounded and slaughtered by ferocious beasts again.
Even if there was a second devilish spy among them, it was unlikely he would achieve the same results.
Qin Sang remained at a distance, motionless, not making a single move.
Once the Earth-Elemental Flag broke the ancient barrier, Xiang Yi flew into the stone hall and quickly returned, saying quietly, "It’s done. Only one stone hall remains. Fellow Daoists, follow me."
Xiang Yi changed direction. The third stone hall was located even closer to the rift valley.
The Bone Lotus was being corroded at an accelerating pace, so they quickened their steps.
Qin Sang noticed that the positions of the three stone halls formed a precise triangle, clearly connected to some ancient secret. It must have been discovered by the Dongji Alliance.
The unlocking of the third stone hall went smoothly as well.
But as Xiang Yi emerged from it, the ground suddenly began to quake.
The Earth-Elemental Flag had already been put away.
The source of the tremors lay deep underground and far off in the distance. The shockwaves were heavier and more resonant, as though the land itself had a strong and powerful heartbeat that had just been awakened by the opening of the three stone halls.
Qin Sang turned and looked toward the center of the triangle formed by the three stone halls. That was where the tremor originated.
It seemed Xiang Yi had triggered some kind of mechanism. Something was about to emerge from within.
Just then, Qin Sang sensed Xiang Yi and the others suddenly turning back and racing at full speed toward the source of the tremor. He quickly moved aside to avoid being seen.
"The ancient divine platform has emerged. It may attract nearby ferocious beasts. Fellow Daoists, work together and protect me..." Xiang Yi’s voice echoed through the mist.
Qin Sang immediately followed after them.
Even before reaching the source of the quake, Qin Sang saw a burst of golden light in the distance.
It was dazzling, so intense it pierced through the Purple Mist and was clearly visible even from afar. As he moved closer, Qin Sang could faintly make out the silhouette of the ancient divine platform.
It stood about seven or eight zhang tall, narrow at the top and broad at the base, shaped like a tower. Around the platform, several slender beams of golden light were faintly visible.
They had passed by this area earlier but hadn’t noticed a thing.
Something so striking could not have gone unnoticed. It must have only just emerged, revealing itself through this sudden anomaly.
Qin Sang fixed his gaze on it for a while and realized that those beams of golden light were likely chains, stretching from the top of the tower down to the ground, one at each of its four corners.
The scene felt eerily familiar.
He quickly recalled that during their time in Ziwei Palace, when they had followed Dongyang Bo and Chenyan, they had entered a black tower that also had chains at each of its corners.
However, this ancient divine platform was far smaller than the black tower on the heavenly mountain.
"Is it just a coincidence?"
Suspicion rose in Qin Sang’s heart.
Since he could only see the outline and not the details, he couldn’t jump to conclusions.
By now, Xiang Yi and the others had already reached the platform. Qin Sang remained far behind, observing in silence.
A large pit had opened in the ground.
Crack...
Clatter...
The ancient stone platform slowly rose from below, sending golden light soaring into the sky, piercingly bright.
The group squinted their eyes, examining the structure.
The golden light wasn’t coming from the divine platform itself, but from the ancient barrier surrounding it. The divine platform appeared quite ordinary. At first glance, it even looked like a roughly carved stone pedestal.
The platform was layered with steps leading up to the top. Each level was square, and the very top measured roughly one zhang across.
Nothing stood atop it. The entire platform had no openings resembling doors either.
At each of the four corners, an iron chain hung down, embedded deep into the ground. As the platform rose, the chains grew taut, and the clattering sound came from their swaying.
The chains were inscribed with runes, profound and mysterious.
Strangely, despite clearly being of extraordinary origin, the chains were rusted and weathered, seemingly unable to resist the erosion of countless years.
Even so, the runes still shimmered with light. The divine might they carried remained intact.
A muffled boom rang out.
The ancient divine platform had fully risen from the ground.
Everyone looked up at it, then simultaneously turned to look at Xiang Yi.