In the dark, eerie cave, faint footsteps echoed, and a soft, azure glow flickered ahead. Behind the light, the figures of Ghost Li and Jin Ping’er appeared.
They had ventured deep into the ancient, demonic cave, yet this strange cavern seemed to have no end. The dim, damp path twisted and turned, stretching endlessly into the gloom. The light from the Soul Devouring Rod could only illuminate up to six feet in front of them, while the surrounding darkness was filled with a profound, oppressive silence.
Within that darkness, it felt as if unseen, mysterious eyes were watching the two intruders.
Jin Ping’er walked a short distance behind Ghost Li, and she began to feel an unexplained tension. The end of the path was unknown, and what lay in wait for them remained a mystery.
Even if she encountered a fearsome beast, her resolve would not waver, but the void of darkness made her restless.
Suddenly, Ghost Li stopped in his tracks.
Jin Ping’er’s heart skipped a beat, nearly colliding with his back. She halted, her senses on high alert, and whispered, “What is it? Have you found something?”
Ghost Li turned to look at her, and under the ethereal azure light, Jin Ping’er’s skin took on an otherworldly beauty. He paused before saying, “Your breathing is uneven.”
Jin Ping’er froze, her brow furrowing. She straightened up, and after a cold huff, followed him as he continued forward. After a few steps, he heard her take a deep breath, and soon she was walking beside him, her breathing now calm.
From behind, Jin Ping’er watched the steady, strong silhouette of the man. Unbidden, she felt a sense of reassurance, despite the listless monkey on his shoulder, its long tail swaying as they walked.
The gentle azure light from the Soul Devouring Rod illuminated their surroundings. As they delved deeper, the biting cold and wind gradually diminished until there was almost no wind at all. The silence was complete, and the light revealed the unnatural smoothness of the stone walls, which were clearly man-made.
This place, devoid of the expected stench of demons or grisly remains, did not seem to be the abode of a mighty demon lord. Instead, it was a clean, quiet sanctuary.
As they turned another corner, the darkness abruptly thickened, like an invisible wall. The light from the rod was reflected back, and both Ghost Li and Jin Ping’er instantly recoiled.
With a loud boom, the ground where they stood moments ago exploded, sending debris flying. The darkness surged forward, and Jin Ping’er’s face paled as she quickly moved back.
In the midst of the howling wind, a blinding azure light enveloped Ghost Li, and even the monkey on his shoulder, Xiao Hui, glowed with a faint golden light. The black wall approached, and from within, two large, red eyes appeared.
The bat-like creature, with its black body and blood-red eyes, was massive. It roared in fury, and Ghost Li thrust his hand into the darkness, causing the creature to howl in pain. The bat’s wings, torn in seven places, bled a pale blue, and the creature, undaunted, launched itself at them.
Ghost Li’s eyes flashed with a cold light, and the Soul Devouring Rod glowed with malevolent energy. Suddenly, a gray blur leaped from his shoulder—Xiao Hui, transformed into a monstrous, three-eyed spirit monkey.
The two beasts collided with a deafening impact, shaking the very stone walls. Jin Ping’er felt the ground beneath her quake, but Ghost Li, standing close to the creatures, remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The monstrous bat, wounded and enraged, attacked again. But the agile spirit monkey, Xiao Hui, slipped through its claws, gripping its wings. With a final, ferocious roar, Xiao Hui tore the bat in two, flinging the pieces away.
The echo of the beast’s roar lingered, a testament to the power of Xiao Hui’s rage.
Gradually, the spirit monkey returned to its original form, perched on Ghost Li’s shoulder, and grinned. Jin Ping’er, who had been lost in thought, was startled by Ghost Li’s words: “When we get out, I’ll buy you some wine.”
Her mind blanked for a moment, while Xiao Hui, overjoyed, leaped around, eventually discarding an old, empty wine bag with a thud.
Ghost Li smiled, and as he walked forward, the azure light cast his figure in sharp relief against the darkness. Jin Ping’er, following, felt a chill run down her spine. She reached out, and a purple light illuminated their path.
Suddenly, a shadow darted toward her. It was Xiao Hui, who, after a brief commotion, retrieved the discarded wine bag and slung it over his shoulder again. Jin Ping’er, bemused, shook her head and followed.
Deeper in the cave, a fire pot burned, casting a lonely light. The shadows of the past seemed to linger in the silent air. The Beast God and the mysterious woman, both silent, were lost in thoughts of the past. Even the nearby Tāo Tiè, seemingly drowsy, was startled, and the Beast God slowly opened his eyes.
“A sound,” he murmured. “Someone has come.”
The woman, her voice cold, replied, “Someone has found us. Likely, it’s Cloud Yilán sending someone to die, to test your strength.”
The Beast God, still weary, said, “It matters not. These people must have already passed the black bat. They must be skilled to have entered unnoticed. But do you think I can handle these enemies, even in my weakened state?”
The woman, her voice tinged with concern, asked, “Can you?”
The Beast God smiled, “I don’t worry, for I have you.”
She fell silent, then said, “Don’t count on me helping you again. But… if you die, the entire plan will fall apart. I need you to activate the Eight Evils Profound Fire Array.”
The Beast God, still smiling, said, “Then let me ask you, why are you here, risking everything?”
There was no answer, and the darkness swallowed the woman’s presence. The flames in the fire pot flickered, reflecting in the Beast God’s eyes, and the Tāo Tiè, restless, growled softly.
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