Chapter 279: Exploring the dangerous land

The two didn't hesitate in the slightest, stepping toward that unknown source of danger.

The ground under their feet, which had been relatively flat, had now become rugged, broken stones and chaotic wood strewn about, as if it were the entrance to hell, every step taken with extra caution.

The surrounding air also became cold and damp, thick fog carrying an aura of decay, making one feel bursts of terror.

The trees looked as if they had been gnawed by evil spirits, growing in twisted shapes, baring fangs and brandishing claws, blocking the sky tightly, making it hard for even sunlight to penetrate, the entire space shrouded in a suffocating oppression.

"This place, the underworld filter is fully maxed out." Ji Chen muttered, trying to ease the oppressive atmosphere; he tightened his grip on Ceng Yue's hand, feeling the temperature of her palms, his heart settling slightly.

They continued to go deeper, the dampness in the air becoming more intense, and the ground under their feet beginning to become muddy.

Suddenly, the view opened up, a giant swamp coming into sight, strange bubbles rising in the swamp, emitting "gurgling" sounds, as if countless monsters were breathing underneath.

In the black mud, thick tentacles suddenly broke through the ground, waving like ferocious demonic claws, appearing exceptionally terrifying in the dark environment.

"Holy crap, what the hell is this?" Ji Chen subconsciously cursed; this scene reminded him of horror movies he watched as a child, simply a reappearance of childhood trauma.

Before he could recover, a black tentacle suddenly moved like a viper, rushing toward Ceng Yue to entangle her.

"Careful!" Ji Chen exclaimed.

Ceng Yue's reaction was also extremely fast; she instantly pulled away wanting to dodge, but was still a step too slow, the tentacle wrapping tightly around her ankle like a maggot on a tarsal bone, and rapidly spreading upward.

The cold, slippery touch, carrying a fishy, foul smell, instantly gave her goosebumps, a sense of fear deep into the bone marrow surging in her heart.

"Ah!" Ceng Yue let out a terrified scream; she struggled desperately, wanting to break free from the tentacle's restraint, but the tentacle wrapped tighter and tighter, sharp barbs piercing her skin, bringing bursts of stinging pain, as if being gnawed by countless ants, making her brows lock in pain.

Fear drowned her like a tide; she could feel herself being dragged bit by bit into the bottomless swamp.

"This is definitely not an ordinary 'hot pot'!" Ceng Yue was horrified in her heart; she looked at Ji Chen.

Ji Chen's pupils shrank; he saw Ceng Yue wrapped by the tentacle, his face instantly turning iron-blue; he suddenly raised his head, looking at those black tentacles ready to move, just as he was about to act, he heard Ceng Yue say softly, "Careful..."

Ji Chen was quick-witted, condensing a dazzling golden light in his hand; the light was like a sharp blade, instantly severing the black tentacle wrapped around Ceng Yue's ankle.

With a "pop," the tentacle broke, black viscous liquid spraying out, emitting a nauseating fishy smell.

Before those liquids could land, Ji Chen waved his hand, a powerful suction absorbing all the liquid into his body, converting it into a layer of faint golden shield, shrouding him and Ceng Yue within it.

"Are you okay?" Ji Chen looked down at Ceng Yue, whose face was pale, asking with concern, his tone carrying a hint of self-blame and heartache.

Ceng Yue shook her head, gently saying "Mhm," looking back at the swamp still bubbling with lingering fear; the fear from just now still lingered in her heart, unable to dissipate.

She unconsciously moved closer to Ji Chen, as if only by his side could she find a trace of security.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Ji Chen pulled Ceng Yue into his arms, his tone firm, as if able to dispel all fear.

The warm aura emanating from his body made Ceng Yue's tense nerves gradually relax.

"What was that just now? Looked like Cthulhu." Ji Chen muttered, trying to use a relaxed tone to break this strange atmosphere.

"Who knows, this place is even more evil than I imagined." Ceng Yue also recovered some calm, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

The two continued to walk forward, the stench emanating from the swamp becoming more intense, making one want to vomit.

Suddenly, they stopped their steps; ahead, a transparent energy barrier appeared, like an invisible wall, blocking their path.

The barrier emitted a faint blue light, the surrounding air slightly distorted, as if containing huge energy.

Ji Chen tentatively reached out, touching the energy barrier, a powerful rebound force shaking him back several steps.

"Hiss, this thing is a bit hard." He rubbed his hand, which was somewhat numb from the shock, his brows locked.

He took a deep breath, condensing his ability again, and smashed heavily toward the barrier.

Golden light collided with the blue barrier, emitting a loud "boom," energy fluctuations spreading out, surrounding trees shaking in fear.

However, the barrier remained unmoved, not even a single crack appearing.

"Holy crap, what kind of defense is this? Did they hack it?" Ji Chen couldn't help but curse; he felt like he had punched cotton, having strength but nowhere to use it, his heart full of frustration.

He looked up at that indestructible energy barrier.

"Looks like breaking in by force won't work..." Ceng Yue looked at the frustrated Ji Chen and said softly.

Ceng Yue saw him somewhat discouraged, her fingertips gently stroking Ji Chen's face, the touch delicate and warm, like a spring breeze brushing across his tense heartstrings.

The coldness in her eyes faded, replaced by gentleness and encouragement, as if silently saying: "Don't be afraid, I'm always here." Ji Chen felt the temperature of her palms, a warm current surging in his heart, like parched land being nourished by sweet rain.

He knew this was Ceng Yue's unique gentleness, the unspoken love between them, enough to support him in facing all difficulties.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Ji Chen gripped Ceng Yue's hand, reigniting his fighting spirit.

He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp and firm, like a drawn sword, emitting a chilling light.

He cast his gaze toward the energy barrier again, his eyes flickering with the desire for knowledge.

He no longer acted recklessly, but began to carefully observe the barrier's structure, trying to find its weakness.

"This thing, a bit interesting." Ji Chen curled his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile.

He began to mobilize his ability, a golden energy surging around him, jumping like flames.

He injected the golden energy into his fingertips, combining it with his special ability to form a brand-new attack method.

He was no longer bombarding with brute force, but like a precision engineer, using his ability to dismantle the barrier's structure bit by bit.

Every attack was accompanied by a "hissing" energy friction sound, the air seeming to be cut open, causing bursts of energy fluctuations, the battle instantly entering a white-hot stage.

The blue barrier and golden energy intertwined, like two torrents colliding, emitting deafening roars.

The surrounding ground began to tremble slightly, withered leaves on the trees falling one after another, as if a silent storm were brewing.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Ji Chen's forehead, but he didn't dare to relax in the slightest, instead fighting more bravely as he went.

"Crack!" A crisp shattering sound, like glass breaking, entered the two's ears.

On the energy barrier, a fine crack appeared, the crack growing larger and larger, finally, with a "boom," it completely collapsed, turning into points of blue light and dissipating into the air.

Ji Chen let out a long breath, a smile of victory on his face.

But the two didn't relax their vigilance, because behind the barrier was not the brightness they had imagined, but a piece of even deeper darkness.

The darkness was like a giant curtain, swallowing all light, making one feel inexplicable oppression and fear.

An indescribable evil aura permeated the air, making one feel heart palpitations.

Ceng Yue gripped Ji Chen's hand tightly, the two not hesitating in the slightest; they looked at each other, as if silently communicating their hearts.

Afterward, they took a step, resolutely stepping into that darkness... ===== CHAPTER 280 =====