Chapter 1177: Ghost Gate

Ghost Gate

"You've also crossed blows with them?" Chen Ling was somewhat surprised.

"In my early years, I experienced an earthquake." A touch of complexity flashed through Shen Nan's eyes. "That earthquake was very severe; I lost my father. It was also at that time that I grasped the power of [Nuo Exorcism]...

"I'm not sure if that was a dream or reality. I only remember that it seemed there was a person standing in the sky above the earthquake area, wearing a deathly pale article of clothing. The corners of his eyes were like crescent moons. It felt like he was smiling, but also seemingly not.

"Later, I fought with him in the dream. Originally, I couldn't beat him, but then the two Divine Path Stars of Witchcraft and Drama lit up from the sky. I just felt power suddenly surge out, and I chased him away."

Hearing this, Chen Ling immediately recalled the massive earthquake where Shen Nan became a Nuo. In that terrifying disaster, only one victim appeared; the other people buried underground had all survived miraculously... Looking at it now, the survival of those people was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"That is indeed an envoy of the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path. However, it wasn't 'Kongwang', but 'Suxi'," Sun Bumian immediately replied upon hearing the description of that person's expression.

"Suxi?"

"The Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path has a total of six envoys. Their main bodies are all behind the Ghost Gate, and generally won't leave... When a large-scale death is about to occur in a certain area, their wills will descend to ensure that all departed souls can enter behind the Ghost Gate. After all, if the number of departed souls is too many and omissions occur, they would become wandering souls in the mortal realm, affecting the operation of the Ghost Path."

Chen Ling recalled Kongwang from just now. Ordinary People indeed couldn't see the other party's existence. Had it not been for him also possessing the power of [Nuo Exorcism], he probably also wouldn't have been able to see or touch him... The power of [Nuo Exorcism] inherently lied between Drama and Witchcraft; dispelling disasters and removing illnesses, capable of resolving all difficulties, standing in opposition to the envoys of the Ghost Path.

But the Kongwang in the Tianshu Domain could not only be seen by everyone, he could also be attacked by everyone. That should have been Kongwang's main body.

"There's one more thing I find strange." Chen Ling recalled the scene of Kongwang instantly disappearing just now, his brows furrowing slightly.

"After I crossed blows with Kongwang, his body drilled into the earth and vanished in an instant... Do their wills possess this kind of super long-distance teleportation ability?"

"Teleportation does exist, but his disappearance wasn't because of this."

Sun Bumian's expression was somewhat serious. He raised his hand and pointed at the earth beneath his feet. "If I'm not guessing incorrectly, we are currently standing exactly right above the Ghost Gate..."

Once this sentence came out, Chen Ling and Shen Nan were both stunned in place.

"You're saying that underground of Wushan Town is the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path??"

"Many, many years ago, I forced my way through the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path, but too much time has passed. I can no longer remember the exact location clearly. Adding to the Great Changes Over Time, the topography and landforms are also completely different from the past." Sun Bumian paused for a moment.

"However, the fortune and misfortune aura of the Ghost Gate is very special... The calamitous and baleful energy here is too heavy, almost completely concealing the Ghost Gate's own aura. Even I almost didn't recognize it."

"Then the disaster of Wushan Town is related to the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path?" Shen Nan's brows locked tightly.

"Logically speaking, the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path is only responsible for the operation of the Ghost Path and won't interfere with the development of external affairs... But the calamitous and baleful energy here has truly come too bizarrely. I also have a hard time judging exactly where its source lies."

The three simultaneously fell into deep thought.

"Perhaps the director of Bureau 749 would know some things," Chen Ling suddenly spoke.

The other two simultaneously looked at him. Chen Ling continued to explain, "Don't you guys find it strange? Why did Bureau 749 specifically choose the location of the conference to be here? A calamitous and baleful land of Ten Deaths and No Life, which is also where the Ghost Gate of the Ancient Vault of the Ghost Path is located... This is simply too much of a coincidence."

"Chen Ling is right. Rather than blindly guessing here, it's better to just go directly and ask him," Shen Nan nodded.

"Then I'll leave it to you!"

Sun Bumian spoke immediately.

Shen Nan: ?

"I don't want to deal with that guy, and Chen Ling is a wanted criminal. Only you going is the most suitable." Sun Bumian spread his hands helplessly.

"...Alright then." Shen Nan glanced at the time. "The banquet should be starting soon. I'll see if he shows up tonight. If he comes, I'll go find him to chat."

"What banquet?" Chen Ling asked in confusion.

"Every time there is a conference, Bureau 749 will host a welcome banquet to wash off the dust of the journey. It's considered an opportunity for everyone to socialize together before the formal conference begins, avoiding an atmosphere that is too serious and formal."

Hearing this, Chen Ling keenly captured something.

"Will all the guests go?"

"Basically they all will. Bureau 749's face still has to be given. What's wrong?"

Chen Ling pondered for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over the two.

"Have you guys heard of the Path of the Sovereign?"

...

"Is this Wushan..."

Su Zhiwei and Yang Xiao got off the car in turn. Looking at the hazy town shrouded in water vapor and mist before them, their eyes were full of curiosity.

"I thought it would be a bit more modernized."

"After all, it's a town in the mountains, and not a popular tourist destination either. It being like this now is already considered pretty good." Su Zhiwei looked at that towering hospital building in the distance. "At least, the hospital is still very decent..."

"So many years have passed, the changes are indeed not small."

Lu Xun was the last to get off the car, his gaze slowly sweeping across his surroundings, as if he was comparing the scene before him with the ones in his memories one by one. "The roads have become wider, the tall buildings have increased... I wonder if those people from back then are still here."

"Has Director Chen arrived?"

"He just sent a message; Director Chen has already checked into the Meeting Immortal Guest House."

"Meeting Immortal Guest House?" Lu Xun was somewhat surprised. "This guest house actually still hasn't gone out of business? ...Its age seems to be even older than me."

Subsequently, Lu Xun seemed to think of something and nodded to himself:

"True... Wushan Town doesn't have many out-of-town tourists. It's estimated they haven't built any decent hotels all along. Other than the Meeting Immortal Guest House, there probably isn't anywhere else to stay."

"Then where are we staying tonight?"

"We can't stay at the Meeting Immortal Guest House. It's estimated that Director Sun and the others will also stay there. In case they see us, things will be troublesome."

"Then stay at Dr. Lu's home?"

"My home has been abandoned for too many years; it's estimated to be gone by now..." Lu Xun pondered for a moment. "I remember that next to the Meeting Immortal Guest House, there's also a Lotus Guest House. It was opened by a Maternal Uncle of mine. Although the conditions aren't as good as the Meeting Immortal Guest House, making do and staying for a day or two shouldn't be a problem."

"That works too," Su Zhiwei nodded. "Being closer to the Meeting Immortal Guest House, our movements will also be more convenient."

Lu Xun's trio did not delay and walked straight toward the Lotus Guest House.

Under Lu Xun's lead, they quickly found the location of the guest house. Calling it a guest house, it was actually more like two dilapidated storefronts connected together with a guest house signboard hung up. The facade was extremely dilapidated, not even as good as most hostels.

Lu Xun pushed the door and entered. Behind the dim counter, a man in his fifties or sixties let out a leisurely yawn.

Seeing the arrivals, he was first taken aback, and then spoke uncertainly:

"...Little Xun?"