The pillars extended far into the distance, passing through the palace walls ahead and leading into the unknown.
On the footprint of the first pillar, three words were inscribed: "Fated One!"
Fated One? Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray both recalled another phrase they had discovered in the stone chamber atop the snowy mountain: "If you are not the fated one, seek your own fortune!"
Morgan Shangguan pondered. Who was the fated one? The previous handprint and now the footprint—both belonged to a man and a woman. Judging by the two earlier instances, perhaps the so-called fated ones were her and Damien Gray. But since this was the Grandmaster Xuantian’s treasure, logically, the fated one should be his descendant or disciple!
Unless Grandmaster Xuantian truly had no selfish motives—then why would it happen to be her and Damien Gray? If Grandmaster Xuantian was truly such a legendary figure, perhaps everything unfolding today was within his expectations. What did he really want? Dead for so long, yet still manipulating these events—was it goodwill or malice?
Only now did the followers brought by Violet Snow show signs of excitement. Noticing that Morgan Shangguan and her party remained motionless, one among them made a move—lightly tapping his toes, he tried to leap across the pillars to the other side. What should have been an easy feat turned disastrous; as soon as he stepped out, his expression changed, unable to steady himself, and plunged straight down. The others looked below, only to see him vanish into endless darkness—an abyss truly bottomless.
Witnessing such an event, everyone realized something was wrong, but that group seemed unwilling to give up so easily. Several others attempted to try their luck.
Standing off to the side, Quentin Hua watched coldly, the curve of his lips full of mockery. He knew all too well the methods of Blood Wraith; if these people couldn’t obtain what he wanted, perhaps dying here was the better fate!
Ignoring the steady stream of people falling into the abyss, Morgan Shangguan stepped up to the pillar and reached out. The moment her hand extended, a powerful force yanked her downward. Damien Gray quickly pulled her back, frowning in concern.
With such intense suction, it was impossible to use lightfoot techniques; even walking normally across those pillars was out of the question!
Noah Duanmu gazed at the pillars and spoke, "It seems the only way is to walk across—and it must be two people together!"
This was truly a challenge. The pillars bore two sets of footprints, clearly designed for a pair. Both had to walk together, but the two types of pillars were arranged in a straight line, alternating. Without the suction, crossing would be easy, but now, one misstep and both would fall together.
From start to finish, Noah Duanmu kept a certain distance from Liam Duanmu, clearly determined not to get entangled with the First Manor any further!
Muriel Murong reached out, pulling him toward the pillars. "Let's give it a try."
Morgan Shangguan turned to her, frowning. "Don't be reckless!" The words 'Fated One' could not be ignored. If Grandmaster Xuantian truly wished to keep others out, then no matter how skilled Muriel Murong and Noah Duanmu were, it would be useless!
Quentin Hua glanced at Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray, thoughtful. He knew little about Grandmaster Xuantian; after he revealed the secret of the treasure, what he knew, everyone else knew too.
He also realized that the fated ones seemed to refer to Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray—one born of chaos, one destined to save. Their fates were never meant to be ordinary. It appeared Grandmaster Xuantian wanted to use them for his own ends, but were Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray so easily manipulated? Unless they were willing, even if Grandmaster Xuantian were alive, he couldn’t force them—let alone now, when he was long dead. No matter how legendary, that was all in the past!
Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray remained impassive; Maxwell Jing and Ethan Gu also did nothing. They simply watched as the group paired up, only to fall together one by one, until none were left.
Suddenly, Morgan Shangguan tugged Damien Gray’s sleeve and softly uttered a single word, "Go!" Since they had come this far, she was determined to see that thing for herself.
She still remembered the words at the bottom of the cliff: "When the demon seed emerges, Sima falls." Back then, she only understood the prophecy that had already come true, but now she grasped the meaning of the second phrase: "When the Rakshasa appears, the world descends into chaos." This Rakshasa must refer to Blood Wraith!
Damien Gray grabbed her, frowning, "Mo'er..."
Morgan Shangguan raised an eyebrow, saying nothing, just looking at him. Damien Gray could only sigh in resignation and give in.
"Princess Consort..." Liam Duanmu finally couldn’t help but speak. He knew Morgan Shangguan might have martial skills, but this was no joke. All those who tried before were top experts, yet none escaped falling.
He couldn’t help but glance at Damien Gray, unable to understand why he wasn’t stopping her.
Noah Duanmu looked at Liam Duanmu, his expression complicated. It seemed his elder brother still couldn’t let go. If so, why had he given up so easily before?
Morgan Shangguan glanced at Liam Duanmu but said nothing. One foot already stepped onto the pillar, and a powerful suction followed—these pillars were the only support.
But the problem was, the pillars were not close together. If one walked alone, it would be fine, but now there were two, and each could only step on their designated pillar. This meant a pillar’s distance doubled, and it was impossible to reach so far. Besides, someone had to stand on the pillar in between—making it even harder!
The pillar was just big enough for one foot. Morgan Shangguan could only steady herself with one foot, reaching out to grasp Damien Gray’s hand, giving him a nod.
Damien Gray narrowed his eyes, tugging her forcefully. The onlookers watched in shock, but Morgan Shangguan was prepared and didn’t fall. Using the momentum, Damien Gray brushed past her and landed on the second pillar!
Maxwell Jing patted his chest and let out a breath. "That was close! If Princess Consort had fallen, Prince Damien would have gone mad!"
The inability to use inner strength only applied to ordinary people. Without enough inner power, they couldn’t resist the overwhelming suction—so it was as if they had none at all. But for Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan, things were different.