It turned out that all along the way, Shui Miao had been subtly sensing everything happening here with his divine consciousness.
In Taji Village, several households had lost their family members under mysterious circumstances. The village was filled with a heavy presence of evil energy and the resentment of the deceased. Through observation and investigation, Shui Miao realized that the uncomfortable feeling he had experienced was precisely the result of this lingering resentment.
Therefore, following the trail of evil energy, Shui Miao eventually tracked it to this location.
From Rong Jie and the others’ experiences, Shui Miao had gained a general understanding of the situation here. He learned that hidden beneath this desert lay a lost ancient city, and within that city dwelled a very powerful malevolent demon. Moreover, Shui Miao had also figured out some of the demon’s techniques.
Now, Shui Miao had arrived here.
However, since he was accompanied by many people, he wasn’t entirely confident he could defeat the demon while also ensuring everyone’s safety.
Traveling with so many people was indeed burdensome.
But going through such trials of life and death could accelerate their rapid growth.
Additionally, it could also greatly enhance Shui Miao’s own abilities.
※※※
Shui Miao’s words left Rong Jie feeling quite perplexed. She wanted to ask why, but she also knew Shui Miao wouldn’t explain.
Once everyone had gathered, Shui Miao solemnly addressed the group, “Underneath this desert ahead lies a lost buried city. I don’t know how many years or centuries it has been buried, but I do know that within this sand city dwells a very powerful evil spirit. He has committed countless murders, is cruel by nature, and delights in absorbing people’s souls and yang essence. I believe I am capable of dealing with him. However, I cannot guarantee your safety, so there are some things I must make clear to everyone. If you choose to enter this buried city with me, you may lose your lives. But if by some miracle you survive, it will undoubtedly be of immense benefit to your future cultivation.”
After saying this, Shui Miao asked everyone to make their choice.
Those who were willing to go with him must not blame heaven or others if they met their end.
Those who chose not to go could remain at the edge of the desert; there would be no problem with that.
Everyone looked at each other, silent.
Xiong Ying furrowed his brows, pulling Shui Miao aside and whispering, “Kid, are you making this up? You just arrived here—how do you know there’s a buried city under the desert? Even if there is one, it’s deep underground. How do you plan to get in?”
Xiong Ying still saw Shui Miao as that young, inexperienced child.
Shui Miao understood his grandfather’s meaning and scratched his head, saying, “Grandpa, some things are hard to explain. Just come in with me and you’ll see.” After saying this, he turned back to the group, took a deep breath, and continued, “I’m not joking with you all. This buried city is extremely dangerous. Of course, I will do my best to protect you, but I can’t promise absolute safety. So there’s no need for you all to insist on coming with me. If you end up dying here, there won’t be anyone left to blame.”
“Haha, I’ve lived long enough anyway. If I can witness my godson’s powers before I die, I’ll be content,” Wang Yong laughed heartily, taking off his backpack and pulling out a surgical mask and goggles, which he promptly put on. He had come well-prepared, carrying many useful items.
“Master, I’m going.”
“I’m going too…”
“Hehe, all three of us are going. Even if we die here, we won’t be afraid. After all, we still have our souls, and we can continue our soul cultivation. Besides, we’ve already made our wills,” Jiang Tao, Sun Hao, and Jiang Zhihao all stepped forward. They signaled their bodyguards to bring over their backpacks. Inside were not only goggles and masks but even gas masks and full sets of white protective suits capable of shielding against radiation and biochemical hazards.
Seeing Jiang Zhihao’s group’s equipment, Wang Yong felt quite embarrassed.
“Team Leader, we’re going too.”
“Count me in…”
Da Da Xiao and Watson also stepped forward.
Their protection was simple—just a towel.
Shui Miao shook his head. “Da Da Xiao, you two stay here. Just wait patiently. Lin Jie, Miao Yi, you two take Da Da Xiao and Rong Jie and find a sunny, sheltered spot to hide until we return.”
“No, I’m going too.” Lin Xue disagreed, immediately pulling Chu Miaoyi forward. “We are your bodyguards, how can we leave your side? Unless you get the relevant authorities to issue an order transferring Miaoyi and me to the city to become deputy mayors, don’t think you can leave us behind.”
“Xiao Shui, let us go with you too. We want to see what you’re capable of now,” Chu Miaoyi was also very interested. She wanted to know just how powerful Shui Miao had become, how he had known about the buried city beneath the desert, and how he planned to deal with the evil spirit.
“I’m going too. My companions are still missing, and I must go back to find them.”
Rong Jie also stepped forward.
For some reason, ever since Rong Jie had looked into Shui Miao’s eyes, she had felt no fear at all.
“I’ve said all I needed to say. Since none of you fear death, then follow me.”
Shui Miao’s heart was a mixture of emotions—he wanted to test them all, yet he was deeply worried about their safety.
Relying on the essence of the Fengshui Dao Stele he had obtained and the skilled physician Watson, Shui Miao decided to take the risk and bring everyone into the buried city for training.
Everyone began preparing.
Jiang Zhihao and others had bodyguards, but since they were innocent bystanders, Shui Miao had them wait nearby. A helicopter they had rented would arrive later, so a few people needed to stay behind to receive it.
Thus, the bodyguards’ equipment was distributed among the others.
After about ten minutes, the group set off together, heading into the desert.
At first, for about ten minutes, everything was calm and nothing happened.
But then, the wind began to rise. A cold gust blew in from the north, sending chills down their spines.
“Quick! Follow me and run!”
Suddenly, Shui Miao shouted. Everyone followed him in a sprint…
After running roughly two hundred meters, Shui Miao suddenly shouted again for everyone to stop.
So everyone halted, nervously huddling together. Shui Miao positioned himself behind them, scanning the surroundings…
What was he looking at?
Everyone was puzzled—what was Shui Miao doing?
The wind grew stronger…
The fierce northern gales whipped up clouds of sand, but everyone huddled together, unafraid of the storm.
But suddenly, the wind stopped altogether.
Everyone was momentarily confused…
“Shhhhhhh…”
The wind had stopped, but the sound of shifting sand grew louder and louder!
The sand all around began to tremble, as if an earthquake had struck.
But they all knew this was no ordinary earthquake.
“Everyone be careful, they’re coming! Don’t panic. No matter what you see or hear, stay right where you are. Even if the sky falls, you must remain completely still,” Shui Miao’s voice rang out like thunder, hurting everyone’s ears.
“Shhh…”
A gust of sand flew into the air. Before their very eyes, a dry, skeletal arm emerged from the sand… Then, from all directions, sand swirled violently, and countless skeletal arms burst forth from the ground…
“Roar!”
A desiccated corpse’s skull suddenly shot out from the sand, its gaping maw revealing gleaming white teeth as it let out a terrifying howl!
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