Just as the thoughts spun rapidly in Gu Sheng’s mind, the heavy stone doors of the hall finally fully opened.
A stream of air, heavier and mixed with ancient dust, a bloody scent, and some kind of strange energy fluctuation, rushed towards them.
"Master, the door is open!"
Gu Yuanyuan’s voice carried excitement and nervousness.
Gu Sheng collected his thoughts, temporarily suppressing his speculations about Venerable Ming River’s conspiracy.
The pressing matter was to explore this Thousand Souls Hall, find the trapped Holy Academy disciples, and also stop the Wuya Sect’s possible sacrificial plan!
"Let’s go."
Gu Sheng took the lead, stepping into the hall’s depths that resembled a giant mouth.
Gu Yuanyuan followed closely behind.
The interior of the hall was extremely vast, towering over a hundred feet, supported by numerous huge black stone pillars.
Carved on the pillars were lifelike reliefs of various ferocious deities and demons, exuding an imposing aura.
The ground was paved with thick black stone slabs, covered with dry, blackened bloodstains and deep scars left from battles.
The air was thick with an overwhelming scent of decay and death, with faint winds echoing in the expansive hall.
"Master, I remember there’s a treasure room on the second floor of this hall!"
While cautiously observing the surroundings, Gu Yuanyuan whispered to Gu Sheng.
"Years ago, when I was sucked into this place and gravely injured, I seemed to be taken near the treasure room by the Nine-Colored Demon Beast. Later, luckily regaining consciousness, I found some scattered Spirit Stones outside the treasure room, supplementing my Spiritual Power, and managed to escape.
However, there was a strong restriction deep inside the treasure room, and I couldn’t approach it back then."
"A treasure room?"
Gu Sheng’s eyes flickered slightly.
"Lead the way."
"Yes!"
Using her vague memories, Gu Yuanyuan led Gu Sheng through the empty main hall, along a dust-laden, cobwebbed passage to the depths of the hall.
There, a massive spiraling stone staircase led to the second floor.
Their footsteps sounded exceptionally clear in the silence as they stepped onto the staircase.
At the end of the staircase was a relatively smaller, tightly closed stone door.
Like the main hall door, this stone door was also covered with Restriction Array Patterns, but they were obviously weaker.
Gu Yuanyuan stepped forward and tried to push, but the stone door didn’t budge.
She looked at Gu Sheng somewhat embarrassed.
"Master, this restriction... I can’t open it."
Gu Sheng stepped forward, pressing his palm against the stone door. A trace of True Yuan exhaled from his palm, pure energy infiltrating into the Array Patterns on the stone door.
The seemingly complex array patterns rapidly disintegrated and collapsed under Gu Sheng’s power.
"It’s done."
Gu Sheng withdrew his hand.
Gu Yuanyuan promptly pushed hard; the stone door gave a heavy creak and slowly opened inward.

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