Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 15: The Evil Spirit Emerges

Chapter 15: The Evil Spirit Emerges

Qing Songzi’s forehead veins bulged from the pain. And he shouted: 

“Demoness, you caused me to fall into such a state. Plus the countless bl00d debts of Qingxu Sect, I originally wanted to cut you into pieces. It’s just a pity that my skills are inferior. If you want to kill me now, then make it quick!”

Yu Linxing narrowed her charming eyes slightly and sneered coldly: 

“I think you’re overestimating yourself. That Qingxu Sect, some small sect—I’m not even interested in hearing about it. I respect your age, so I won’t stoop to your level.”

As she said that, she picked up Feng Jun and turned to Luo Shen at the side. She said with a smile: 

“Old friend, I’ll go ahead. Let’s bet on who will find that thing first.”

Luo Shen said lightly: 

“Whatever, I win every bet anyway.”

“Is that so?” 

Yu Linxing let out a soft laugh: 

“That’s not certain. This time, perhaps, I’ll be the winner.”

I was completely confused listening to this. I didn’t know what kind of riddle these two were playing.

But just then, a series of *whoosh whoosh* sounds split through the air—several black shadows shot straight toward Yu Linxing’s back. She slightly shifted her body. And with a wave of her fiery sleeve, those fast-moving shadows sharply turned and were forcefully bounced back. With a *ding* sound, the sound of something shattering reached my ears again.

Hearing that eerie cracking sound, I was momentarily stunned and thought to myself, “This girl really is a trouble magnet.”

Yu Linxing turned back and glared fiercely at Qing Songzi. He clearly wasn’t going to give up until he achieved his goal. A killing intent rose in her beautiful eyes:

“This is what you call a sect of the righteous path? A sneak attack with hidden weapons. Very well. Very well. Old Taoist, today, your life—I’ll take it!”

Qing Songzi furrowed his brows coldly. He was seemingly ready to die. Beside him, Xiao Jian, Cheng Yun, and Xie Long rushed forward to hold Qing Songzi back. Cheng Yun was always one to see the big picture. He said anxiously:

“Taoist, don’t joke with your own life. This demoness, the four of us together couldn’t handle her. Besides, she’s acquainted with Lady Luo—we absolutely mustn’t make a move here.”

The situation over there was deadlocked, and I was sweating coldly. Because I faintly heard a “clear whistle” sound coming from the center of the tomb chamber. Looking up, I met Luo Shen’s gaze—her lips tightly pursed—she clearly noticed it too.

Only those familiar with formations would know: that faint “clear whistle” sound was the air-piercing sound of a formation breaking.

Earlier, when Yu Linxing repelled Qing Songzi’s hidden weapons, by pure accident, she shattered one of the Yuan-ya Demon-Supppresing Token. Specifically, the one placed on the high platform at the White Tiger position of the Ghost-Subduing Formation.

Inside the tomb chamber, an undercurrent was now stirring. A cold wind came from who-knows-where passed through the corridor. It was carrying a musty and decayed smell. It gently brushed against the tip of my nose.

*Crack crack crack…* Tiny, eerie sounds invaded my ears. In my daze, I found my hand unconsciously clutching the carved short sword—already soaked with a cold sweat.

What exactly needs to be suppressed by a murderous formation like the Ghost-Subduing Formation? I didn’t even dare imagine.

Over on the other side, Yu Linxing and Qing Songzi’s group also seemed to sense the change in the tomb. They temporarily stopped their grudge match. They all turned their eyes toward the stone coffin in the center of the formation.

*Crack crack crack…* The sounds from the stone coffin became clearer and clearer. It sounded like the scraping of metal. Or perhaps the snapping of dry, aged branches.

Luo Shen had already drawn her ancient sword. I stood beside her and noticed her chest rising and falling irregularly. Her eyes were usually calm as a deep pool. But they now rippled—greatly surprising me.

I only heard Luo Shen say coldly:

“Taoist, Xiao Jian, take Miss Shi and retreat to the corridor. Yu Linxing and I will hold them off for now.”

Yu Linxing looked at Luo Shen with a doubtful and somewhat disdainful expression:

“What’s in there? You’re afraid too?”

Luo Shen said word by word:

“Listen. The Ghost-Subduing Formation isn’t something just anyone can set up. In this world, only two people are capable. One is Ghost Hand Liu Guizang, the other is Jade Ling Armor Dong Shaoqing. Now you tell me, what kind of thing do you think is trapped in there?”

Yu Linxing’s expression instantly turned ugly. In my heart, waves of shock surged violently.

Liu Guizang and Dong Shaoqing were both famous array masters during the Han Dynasty. Their martial skills were divine. The two were as close as brothers. As long as it was a tomb targeted by them, absolutely none could escape being cleansed. I had only skimmed brief mentions of the Ghost-Subduing Formation in old miscellaneous books. And I never knew its deeper meaning.

Then, with a sudden loud *bang*, the three remaining Yuan-ya Demon-Suppressing Tokens were shattered by some unknown force.

Then, the lid of the stone coffin slowly lifted—

A green-glowing hand gripped the edge of the coffin.

A low growl rang in our ears, as if in great pain.

Then, the thing inside the coffin leapt lightly and stood upright.

That thing—no, to be precise, it should be called a zongzi—was still adjusting to the sudden change in the outside world.

Under its dried messy hair, its face was withered and bluish. It was completely lacking moisture.

But its entire body was clad in strange armor. The armor’s plates seemed to be made of countless jade-green fish-scale-like pieces. It was faintly glowing green—clearly a rare treasure.

“It… it’s out!” 

Xiao Jian shouted in alarm and rushed over to pull me:

“Shishi, run now! This guy is tough—we can’t win. Don’t add to Lady Luo’s burden!”

I stood still, not responding, My eyes were fixated on the humanoid creature standing in the mist. A sense of wrongness was nagging at my mind.

But what exactly was wrong—I couldn’t figure out.

That zongzi slowly scanned around, as if judging something.

Then it let out a low growl at Luo Shen—and flashed toward her like lightning.

Seeing its agile and smooth movement, a realization struck me—I finally understood:

This creature from the Ghost-Subduing Formation knows martial arts!

“Damn!” 

Luo Shen grunted and rushed out like a gust of wind.

I assumed she wanted a quick resolution—any zongzi sealed in a coffin would have depleted yin energy when just released. It would make this the best time to destroy it, or it would become a huge threat.

Yu Linxing followed like a flaming bird. She stepped forward swiftly.

Her scarlet sword gleamed with bl00d-colored light. It faintly exuded a murderous aura—it had clearly drunk the bl00d of many. Such a weapon was most effective against evil beings.

After all, human resentment is the most terrifying power in all the Three Realms and Six Paths.

The two of them moved quickly, red and white figures whirling. And soon they were locked in a fight with the green-armored zongzi.

Both of them had long reached high realms in martial arts—one eerie and ghostly, the other icy and frosty—their speed was astonishing.

But the green-armored zongzi was not to be underestimated either.

Its palm strikes were like hooks. And it fought against two divine weapons bare-handed without losing ground.

Its whole body radiated energy. It was moving with flowing, natural rhythm.

If not for its shriveled appearance, from afar it could easily be mistaken for a living human.

Yu Linxing seized a gap when Luo Shen tangled with the zongzi. And she twisted her scarlet sword like a swimming dragon, thrusting it toward its back.

But with a crisp *clang*, the sword failed to pierce through.

Instead, it bent and bounced back with great force.

Unprepared for such a situation, Yu Linxing’s sword hand trembled slightly from the impact.

“Damn! This dead thing is wearing Jade Ling Armor!” 

Yu Linxing gritted her teeth and shouted.

Jade Ling Armor! I was shocked upon hearing it.

Why was Dong Shaoqing’s impenetrable Jade Ling Armor being worn by this zongzi?!