Beneath the Ruins

Carefully navigating through the ruins and using the massive shadows to their advantage, the duo skillfully avoided the occasional scrutinizing gazes from above. After about fifteen minutes, the ruins of a temple appeared before them. "This is it! The temple's basement has an altar, and beneath it is the sole entrance to the Emperor's tomb!" Gong Wushuang whispered urgently. Li Yi looked up, noting their adversaries still engaged in fierce combat. Even if Barin was now doubting why Li Yi hadn't followed the plan, he was too preoccupied to check.

"This is a golden opportunity. If we can't get in, or get discovered midway, our only option will be to flee. The wrath of seven Kings and two Emperors is not something we can withstand," Gong Wushuang said gravely.

Li Yi nodded, "I understand that... but getting there unnoticed won't be easy." He sighed. The temple was imposing, and he had no doubts that climbing its tall staircase to find an entry point would surely draw attention. A brazen approach like that differed greatly from their current stealthy maneuver.

Exchanging a glance that reflected mutual concern, they both knew they had only one shot at this, and it wasn't an easy one to seize. After a moment's pause, Li Yi inwardly asked, "Old Ghost, any ideas?"

"Hmm... ah... that place? Just head over there; if I'm not mistaken, there should be an underground passage leading directly to the altar inside the temple."

Not the time for pointless questions, Li Yi gestured to Gong Wushuang and swiftly approached the temple's base. Following the Serpent Venerable's guidance, he tapped a few spots on the ancient wall, causing stones to fall away and reveal a dark opening. Without hesitation, they both plunged into the tunnel, quickly advancing through the pitch-black passage.

"What place is this?" Gong Wushuang asked as they rushed along.

"It's probably an underground waterway or something," Li Yi vaguely replied.

"That's not what I'm asking! How did you know this waterway leads somewhere specific?"

Li Yi rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking she should ask the Serpent Venerable herself. However, as they continued, the path ahead suddenly brightened, and Li Yi's expression turned serious, "No more talk. We should be there. Where's the Martial Deity's tomb?"

Emerging into a vast space, apparently a basement, they saw daylight seeping through cracks above and heard the distant sounds of Dou Qi explosions – the battle was still raging outside.

"What now?" Li Yi whispered.

Gong Wushuang gestured for him to follow her to an altar. It was bare, save for intricate lines on its brick surface. She carefully inspected it, then said, "Looks like Shang Jie didn't reset the seal when he left last time. That saves us some trouble."

Pressing her hands to the floor, she channeled Dou Qi into the altar's lines, illuminating them with a silvery glow. She frowned and warned, "Back off!" They retreated to the edge of the altar, watching as the charged lines moved the bricks, forming a circular pattern. When the last light flickered out, a large opening appeared in the altar's center, revealing a staircase leading down into darkness.

"That's it! According to Shang Jie's memory, this leads to the Emperor's tomb," Gong Wushuang said, relieved. Li Yi lit a match and tossed it down the staircase. The light revealed a deep, mysterious path, marked with fresh traces – undoubtedly Shang Jie's doing. Exchanging a knowing look, they quickly descended into the depths.

After an indeterminate time in the dark tunnel, the terrain gradually leveled, and faint light appeared ahead. Stepping forward, they found themselves in a vast underground cavern, lit by luminescent plants on the ceiling, casting daylight-like brightness throughout.

Li Yi and Gong Wushuang found themselves on an island-like formation in the middle of a lake. The clear green water encircled the small island they were on. Li Yi scanned the area, noting signs of prolonged habitation, though it was unclear how old these traces were. It was evident someone had lived here for more than just a few days. Scattered around were numerous books and large stone chests, now empty and ransacked. Li Yi didn't bother checking the books, suspecting any valuable content had already been taken.

After a moment, they exchanged glances, both puzzled. How could this be the Emperor's tomb? There were no signs of any graves. Li Yi then asked, "Didn't you search that guy's consciousness? How do we get inside the Emperor's tomb?"

Gong Wushuang shook her head, surveying the area, and suddenly pointed towards a doorway on a cave wall, covered in moss and barely noticeable. But there was no clear path from their island to the doorway, and the water separating them seemed anything but simple.

After examining closely, Li Yi hesitantly asked, "What do you think?"

Gong Wushuang frowned and flicked her finger, sending a burst of Dou Qi across the water. To their surprise, it exploded mid-air, as if blocked by an unseen barrier.

"This is…" she began, speculating, "I suspect there's a strange prohibition above this water. Even with my strength, crossing it would be extremely difficult."

"What about going through the water?" Li Yi asked.

"The water?" Gong Wushuang smiled wryly. "Lord, if there's a prohibition in the air, do you think the oddly colored water would be any easier to deal with?"

Li Yi grimaced and asked, "Then what should we do?"

Gong Wushuang thought for a moment before saying, "There's no way. The person who set up this Dou Qi prohibition must have been an Emperor at their peak. Even I can't break it, unless two Emperors join forces…"

Li Yi cursed under his breath and quickly asked inwardly, "Old Ghost, what do you think?"

"There's no easy way," replied the Serpent Venerable. "That girl's right about the water. It contains a special substance that dissolves Dou Qi. Fall in, and you're stuck until your Dou Qi is depleted. And certainly, there's something dangerous in that water. The air prohibition does seem to be set by an Emperor at their peak, albeit in a weakened state, so breaking it isn't impossible."

"What's the way?" Li Yi pressed.

"The simplest way is to get two or more Emperors to strike together with full force to potentially break the prohibition. But let's not talk about finding two Emperors; even if you do, such a forceful approach won't go unnoticed by those above."

"Is there no other way?"

"No."

"So, you mean..."

"If you really want what's inside, I can help you. If I control your body and that girl acts simultaneously, there's a chance to break the prohibition. But you'll have to flee immediately afterward, or you'll be trapped by those above."

"Then, do you still want to see what's inside?"

"Damn it! Let's go for it!" Li Yi gritted his teeth, looking at the ancient door. "We've come this far; we can't back down now."

"Heh, boy, since it's your choice, I'll lend you a hand. This place is secluded, so even if I act, my old friend above won't notice. But you'll need that girl to cooperate."

Li Yi nodded, turned to Gong Wushuang, and asked seriously, "Sister Gong, if we had another Emperor to help break the prohibition and retrieve what's inside, then make a safe retreat, what do you think our chances are?"

Gong Wushuang paused, then replied, "Breaking the prohibition and getting what's inside is highly likely. But such an action will definitely be noticed. Even though there's a buffer time due to their complex relationships, I doubt we'd have enough time to escape afterward."

"However, if you can bring another Emperor, even if we can't escape, we might not lose a fight. With two Emperors on our side, we'd have an absolute advantage. But where do we find another Emperor right now?"