Chapter 76: The Ancient Underground City

Hu…

The night wind howled. Even though it was spring, the wind here felt unusually cold and dark. It blew against him, seeping through his pores, chilling deep into his very bones. His thin clothes offered almost no protection.

Chu San shivered, clutching his Crossbow Arrow as he pressed forward, searching for the marks left by Sky Splitting Tiger’s group.

As he walked past a rundown courtyard, the rotten wooden gate unexpectedly collapsed with a loud “c-r-e-a-k.” A terrifying dry mummy fell forward onto the boards. Its shrivelled body and twisted face looked like it had been dead for centuries. Yet, its fresh, new clothes suggested its death occurred no more than half a month ago.

Deep scratches from fingertips were clearly visible on the gate, as if carved from intense fear and agony in life. Its eyes were wide open, staring directly at Chu San, a sight that made his hair stand on end.

“Ah…!”

Chu San yelped, stumbling backwards several steps. Instinctively, he raised his Crossbow Arrow. “S-suckblood zombie… Young Master Mu Feng, th-there really is…is a zombie!”

A suckblood zombie?

Staring at the dry mummy, Mu Feng’s heart also skipped a beat. His expression turned serious as he stepped closer for a careful look.

At first glance, the mummy seemed unharmed. But crouching for a closer inspection sent a chill down his spine. Countless needle-prick-sized wounds dotted its skin. Swallowing hard, Mu Feng examined it further. Not only was all its blood drained, but there was also not a trace of Yang Energy left in its limbs, bones, or internal organs. It seemed the moment its blood was sucked dry, its Yang Energy had also been completely devoured.

How potent!

After his examination, Mu Feng drew a sharp breath.

As a Great Blood-Refining Sorcerer who had mastered the Sun-Stealing True Scripture, he too had methods to instantly drain an enemy’s blood and seize their Yang Energy. But that was only possible when the enemy was grievously injured, or even at the moment of death. To execute Blood Refining Yang Seizing on an enemy at the peak of their strength and vitality – that was far beyond his current capability.

“Young Ma-Master Mu Feng, th-there really is…is a zombie!” Chu San stammered, his teeth chattering. He looked around in terror as he spoke, fearing a thousand-year-old suckblood zombie might leap from a dark corner.

“This isn’t a zombie. If I haven’t guessed wrong, it was the handiwork of an evil Devil Leader,” Mu Feng stood up slowly, his nostrils twitching slightly. He looked towards the dark distance, his voice low. “If it were a ghost or zombie or any other Spirit Body that did it, the scene would always hold some amount of residual Yin Energy. But here, there isn’t any. Not the faintest trace of Spirit Body activity. So, this supposed thousand-year zombie is most likely a great, evil Devil Leader who has been hiding and cultivating here in secret for a millennium!”

“Really?”

The still youthful-looking Chu San’s eyes brightened, and he gripped his Crossbow Arrow tightly.

He felt instinctive fear towards unknown ghosts and spirits. But an evil Devil Leader was different. No matter how terrifying their strength, they were still basically a person.

“Absolutely right, Chu San. Let’s go!” Mu Feng patted Chu San’s shoulder reassuringly.

After this false alarm, the two continued their journey. After travelling roughly another thousand meters, they finally found another cross-shaped mark.

Following the marks left by Sky Splitting Tiger and the others, they slowly weaved through orderly rows of dwellings. Finally, they arrived before a thousand-year-old dry well. The weathered well stones above ground and the ancient moss-covered flagstones all spoke volumes of the passage of time here. Beside it stood a stone stele as tall as a man. Sadly, after enduring over a millennium of wind and rain, the inscription on its surface had become indistinct.

“Young Master Mu Feng, look! It’s a dry, deep well. There’s even a rope hanging down. Sky Splitting Tiger and the others must have slid down here!” Chu San, sharp-eyed, spotted a faint crossed mark on the well’s edge.

“Indeed, this should be the place!” Mu Feng nodded. Approaching the ancient well, he finally sensed a faint trace of his sworn brother Sky Splitting Tiger’s presence. Subtle, yet persistent, it seemed to emanate from deep underground.

After a moment’s thought, Mu Feng bit his fingertip, drawing blood. Silently uttering a Shamanic Incantation, he used his blood to draw a circle beside the well. Standing up, he made a gesture with a Sorcerer Seal, and his Spiritual Power surged outwards. The circle on the ground glowed red immediately, emitting wisps of scorching blood mist. Its sheer Yang Energy felt oppressive.

Yang Blood Array!

Using his own Lifeblood Essence as the foundation and his pure Yang Energy as the catalyst, Mu Feng laid down this simplest of Restraints. Any creature attempting to approach this circle would be attacked and corroded by the blood mist. Especially Spirit Bodies like ghosts – they would be severely burned by the rolling Yang Energy.

“Chu San, stand inside this circle and wait for me. Remember: no matter what happens, you must not panic. Never step out of this circle as long as the blood mist remains!” Mu Feng commanded firmly. He took the Green Serpent Sword from his Breeze Ring, spat a mouthful of Lifeblood Essence onto it for an initial, brief refinement, and then thrust it upright into the exact center of the circle.

Instantly, an intense aura of sharp killing intent merged with the layers of blood mist, significantly boosting the power of the Restriction.

“Yes, Sir!” The still boyish-looking Chu San bowed slightly in acknowledgement. Sensibly, he stepped into the circle enveloped by the blood mist. “Young Master Mu Feng, please be careful!”

A true expert’s skill becomes apparent with their first move!

Seeing Mu Feng quickly set up this powerful array merely by biting his fingertip showed that his strength was indeed formidable.

“If I haven’t returned before dark, pull out this sword, hold it firmly in both hands, and leave this Ancient Town immediately. Remember: take the exact same route back. Never return!” Mu Feng gave his final instruction.

He waited until Chu San placed a hand firmly on the sword’s hilt before he turned and walked towards the ancient well. With a leap, he jumped down alone, venturing into the unknown peril below.

The Green Serpent Sword itself bore an intimidating aura of killing intent enhanced by Mu Feng’s Lifeblood Essence, making its sharpness overwhelming. Ordinary ghosts, wandering spirits, or evil beings wouldn’t dare approach it carelessly. With this sharp sword protecting him, it would be enough to safely escort the youthful Chu San out of this eerie, desolate town!

Hu…

The moment his feet touched the bottom, a blast of Yin Wind struck his face. It was pitch black. After waiting a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, Mu Feng discovered there was a narrow path carved into the well shaft, leading deep into the underground depths.

The rough path was barely wide enough for one person hunched over. Its sides were uneven, pitted earth walls. It didn’t look deliberately designed but rather like a small tunnel secretly dug much later.

However, judging by its age, this path must have been here for hundreds of years. As he walked further, his foot caught on something. Looking down, he saw several scattered bones embedded in the soil. Not far away, lay a grim skull directly on the ground, pressing down on a rusted shovel beneath it.

Crouching down, Mu Feng carefully searched the dirt around the site. He felt around a dark corner and found a bronze waist plaque. Its front bore the image of a sinister skull, with two crossed ribs below it. Engraved on the back were three eerie, greenish characters: ‘Yellow Springs Sect’. The entire plaque felt heavy and exuded a chilling Yin Energy. A closer look revealed it was densely covered in tiny script the size of fly heads – Talismanic Script – as if layered with an additional array.

Yellow Springs Sect?

Mu Feng shook his head. He’d never heard of it. But simply holding this plaque told him it wasn’t an ordinary sect. After a brief moment of thought, he stored it in his Breeze Ring and continued down the steadily declining path deeper underground.

After walking for roughly the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, he turned past a large boulder. Suddenly, his vision opened up: a vast, magnificent underground city sprawled before him.

Behind a dense grove of trees rose a high defensive wall punctuated by tall watchtowers at regular intervals. Looking towards the city, he saw grand palaces standing one after another, stretching beyond sight. From somewhere far away, the faint sound of a melodious bell drifted through the air. The never-fading palace walls, exquisite Glazed Tiles, and lively relief carvings adorning the eaves… everything spoke of the immense scale and luxuriousness of this place.

An ancient city buried underground for a thousand years?

Mu Feng was deeply astonished. He was just about to step forward for a closer look when suddenly, an intense sensation of danger prickled between his eyebrows, washing over him.