Chapter 652
Ancient Runes
Tian Siyao called out loudly, "Chen Ze, do you need any help?"
"No need, he's just a nobody."
The ghost's smile grew even more smug. "You're still too young to understand how powerful I am."
At that moment, a determined glint flashed in Chen Ze's eyes.
He knew he couldn't continue like this; he needed to find the vengeful spirit's weakness.
Just then, he suddenly thought of something and his gaze instantly turned to a strangely shaped stone behind the vengeful ghost.
"Perhaps that's the key." Chen Ze's mind raced, and he made a decision instantly.
He secretly adjusted the angle of his grip on the sword, took a deep breath, and then suddenly swung the sword at the rock.
The stone, touched by the sword energy, immediately emitted a strong light, creating a stark contrast with the surrounding yin energy.
The vengeful ghost let out a scream; it seemed to have some inexplicable connection with the stone.
The black mist shield shattered instantly, and the image of the vengeful ghost became twisted and unsightly.
Chen Ze knew that he had finally found a solution.
The vengeful ghost twisted for a moment before vanishing into thin air.
In the village, Chen Ze anxiously found the elder's house.
The elder here is the only person in the village who knows magic and history; his name is Zhu Qing.
A heavy atmosphere permeated the house, as if all ominous things could be found here.
The hanging wooden wind chimes hummed in the breeze, like a low-pitched curse.
"Elder, I have heard that you are an authority in this field."
"The village is plagued by a vengeful ghost. Do you have a way to deal with it?" Chen Ze's tone was full of urgency.
Zhu Qing pondered for a moment and said, "The matter of vengeful ghosts is no small matter. To resolve it, we must first find the body of the person in charge."
Chen Ze was slightly startled, but quickly realized: "The body should still be in the cave."
Just then, Tian Fen'er rushed into the house, her face somewhat grave.
"I received a message from the sect via carrier pigeon. It's an emergency, and Yan Xiaoxiao and I must leave immediately."
"A message sent by carrier pigeon?" Chen Ze frowned, knowing the matter must be serious, but he still couldn't help asking, "Is Yan Xiaoxiao coming along?"
Tian Fen'er replied, "Yes, be careful, we can't stay with you."
After saying that, Tian Fen'er and Yan Xiaoxiao followed a young man dressed in a black robe and left the village.
Chen Ze felt a heaviness in the air, but he knew now was not the time to dwell on it.
He looked at the elder Zhu Qing and asked, "Where is the entrance to the underground cave?"
Although they came out of the underground cave, Chen Ze felt that there were other entrances.
"In the valley to the east, there is a hidden mountain path leading to the underground cave."
"But, is it enough for you to go alone?" The elder's gaze was sharp, as if he could see through people's hearts.
Chen Ze's heart skipped a beat. He knew this was no ordinary matter, but he had no other choice. He took a deep breath and said, "I have to go. I have companions."
“In that case, take this with you.” Zhu Qing took out a jade bottle from the wooden box. “This is Soul-Suppressing Water. You can use it to temporarily suppress the power of a vengeful ghost, but it’s not a long-term solution.”
Chen Ze took the jade bottle, nodded heavily, and made up his mind that he had to take action.
As Zhu Qing watched Chen Ze's figure recede into the distance, a mix of emotions welled up within her.
He knew that Chen Ze was facing not only a life-or-death struggle, but also a struggle concerning the fate of the entire village.
Chen Ze and Tian Siyao jogged along the mountain path, each step feeling like walking on a knife's edge, as if countless eyes were watching them from the air.
He gripped the jade bottle tightly, his mind filled with the elder's words and Tian Fen'er's expression as she left.
He knew he had to find a solution not only for himself but also for the village. Finally, he arrived at the entrance to the cave. A stench and deathly aura filled the air, sending chills down his spine.
But he didn't back down. He took a deep breath and went inside. Chen Ze took a deep breath and took out the special magical artifact he called the "Yin-Yang Mirror."
Using it, one can see ghosts and other supernatural phenomena that are invisible to the normal human eye.
He stood at the entrance of the cave and vaguely heard a faint weeping sound. However, when he looked around, there was nothing but the dark entrance and the dripping water.
"I can't let myself be scared," Chen Ze told himself, then took a deep breath and stepped into the underground cave.
Not long after they entered, Chen Ze and Tian Siyao felt a sense of oppression surrounding them.
The cave was filled with a musty, damp smell, as well as an unpleasant sweet and fishy odor.
He turned on his flashlight to illuminate the road ahead.
Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he suddenly noticed some strange markings on the ground, like some kind of ancient talisman.
"What is this?" Chen Ze asked himself in a low voice, his tension rising like the tide.
Just then, he heard a strange sound—a faint groan coming from deep within the cave.
He decided to continue, but his steps became more cautious.
Chen Ze continued deeper into the underground cave, his heart pounding with each step.
The air in the cave seemed to grow increasingly heavy, making it feel suffocating.
Suddenly, a voice shattered everything, “Stop going forward, turn back!” The voice was so unique, as if it came from another dimension, that it sent chills down one’s spine.
"Who is it?" Chen Ze asked warily.
"I am the guardian of this place, and you humans should not enter." The voice rang out again, revealing a barely perceptible anger.
Tian Siyao was so frightened that she trembled.
Instinctively, he stood behind Chen Ze.
Chen Ze stared into the darkness ahead, scanning the area with the Yin-Yang Mirror, but saw nothing.
He felt even more uneasy, but at the same time, he knew that if these evil spirits were not eliminated, the villagers would face an even greater threat.
The atmosphere inside the cave grew increasingly eerie, and Chen Ze suddenly saw a ghostly shadow flit by.
He gripped the Yin-Yang Mirror tightly in his hand, his heart pounding even harder.
"If not now, when?" Chen Ze thought to himself, and then took the decisive step.
This step might change everything.
But in any case, he was prepared to face everything.
He knew that the real challenge lay ahead.
Chen Ze gripped the oil lamp tightly in his hand, its faint light casting dancing shadows on the stone walls of the ancient tomb.
The serpentine symbol before him seemed to be dancing wildly, as if it were about to leap out of the ground.
"Did you see this?" Chen Ze asked Tian Siyao in an almost whispered voice.
Tian Siyao stared at the ground for a moment, her face turning slightly pale.
“I see. This mark is probably some kind of ancient talisman used to ward off intruders.”
Chen Ze thought of the Soul-Severing Ruler in his pocket, but decided not to take it out.
He felt that now was not the time to use it.
Their eyes met, and they both understood that continuing forward was an unavoidable choice.
"Should we go around it?" Tian Siyao suggested.
“No,” Chen Ze said firmly, “this may be a test of our courage, and going around it is probably not the solution.”
Tian Siyao nodded; she knew Chen Ze was right. (End of Chapter)