Underground Palace
Deep within the silent corridor lay a stillness that was utterly serene.
There was no noise, no clamor, no sound of any pollution corrupting the air.
The pathway was so tranquil, eerily akin to leading into an abyss of nothingness.
He Ao descended the narrow staircase step by step.
The staircase from the fourth to the fifth floor wasn't straight but spiral, yet it didn't seem to lead directly downwards; rather, it twisted at a gentle slope.
This 'tilted' spiral with a modest incline was distinct, as He Ao could feel a clear 'leaning' as he descended.
With each step trodden underfoot and after a brief descent, an open arched doorway appeared before him.
Outside the small door was a spacious space bathed in a faint light.
The entire space resembled an upright, enormous 'bowl', with a flat ground and walls that weren't vertical but curved upward with a certain arc.
Several damaged control panels were scattered throughout the space.