Three hundred sparkling blue spirit stones clattered into the sunken basin of the central spirit pool.
The subterranean chamber lay deep beneath the bedrock foundation of the Nine-Cauldron Guild Tower, carved into a natural dome of volcanic granite.
Centuries ago, the founding elders of the guild had chosen this precise location for its direct contact with the prefecture’s primary geothermal leyline.
Heavy granite arches supported the immense weight of the nine-story tower above, their surfaces carved with interlocking earth-ward runes.
Thick veins of natural cinnabar and black basalt streaked the vaulted walls, radiating a constant, gentle warmth that kept the air dry and fragrant.
Water drawn from a subterranean mineral spring filled the octagonal pool, rising three feet deep above submerged white jade slabs.
Around the rim of the pool, thirty carved bronze intake basins were set into the granite flags.
Each basin held ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, their facets glowing with deep cerulean luminescence.
