Chapter 196

The two moved forward cautiously.

But not long after, the ground suddenly trembled violently; the two immediately became alert, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.

Immediately following, from the mine shaft the two had entered earlier, pitch-black mist surged out like a black angry tide, rushing toward them with a bone-chilling sense of oppression.

In an instant, two figures broke through the mist in a wretched state.

Their Daoist robes were already torn to shreds.

One of them had their right arm twisted into a grotesque shape, while the other had half a bone spike protruding from their back; the blood surging from the wound was ink-green and emitted a pungent, foul odor.

"Old Xu, it's come to this, why haven't you taken that thing out yet? What are you waiting for!"

The figure with the bone spike in their back roared anxiously, veins bulging on their neck; beneath their skin, earthworm-like protrusions were writhing frantically, as if something was about to burst through.

However, the armless person was filled with terror, eyes wide, fear having already taken over all their reason.

They didn't care about anything else, turning and fleeing frantically; dense, bone-white fungal threads emerged from their seven orifices, swaying with their movements, as if draping them in an eerie white veil.

Witnessing this scene, Zhou Qing was shocked, his face full of alarm.

This ancient mine was indeed extraordinary; its level of terror far exceeded his imagination.

In such a short time, it had actually forced two Soul Severance Realm experts into such a desperate situation.

In the blink of an eye, the two flew past them, with large swathes of black mist following like a shadow, surging in pursuit.

Zhou Qing knew these black mists couldn't see them, but his heart still pounded uncontrollably.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

The black mist whistled past the two; Zhou Qing's pupils shrank sharply.

He clearly saw that within the thick black mist, countless human-faced moths were floating.

On the wings of every human-faced moth grew the face of a crying infant, features twisted, the crying sound like substance, drilling straight into one's heart, making one's hair stand on end.

Soon, he saw the two panic and dive under a jujube tree not far away, leaning against the trunk, gasping for air, their chests heaving violently.

Immediately after, they took a large amount of elixirs from their storage bags and swallowed them frantically.

The black mist kept circling the jujube tree, and then began a fierce attack.

In an instant, a cyan radiance covered down from the jujube tree, tightly protecting the two within.

As the black mist collided with the radiance, shrill screams rang out, as if countless wronged souls were wailing.

A moment later, the mist unwillingly dissipated slowly, leaving only dead silence.

Zhou Qing subconsciously turned to look at Number Six, the shock in his eyes not yet faded.

You said before that a Great Perfection Soul Severance expert had perished here; I thought it was an exaggeration, but now it seems I really underestimated this place.

Number Six's gaze was locked on the two wretched figures; it seemed this was also her first time witnessing such a tragic scene, her expression solemn.

Then she slowly let out a breath and said in a low voice: "This forbidden area has existed for too long; the ancient mine side is not the most dangerous part."

Hearing these words, Zhou Qing was even more shocked.

It seems that if one could pass through this mining area, there should be even more terrifying places.

But at the same time, he felt even more awe for the Shenxu Tiangong.

Such a place, it still encompassed it in the simulation; it truly is an object from some long-extinct Level 7 cultivation country.

"I have explored three safe places in this ancient mine," Number Six raised her hand, pointing to where the two were healing.

"I came in some time ago and specifically brought a relative to help. For safety's sake, I sang love songs under all three jujube trees, but there were no more hints."

Number Six added, her words full of regret.

Zhou Qing smiled slightly; how could one trick work everywhere?

The reason the jujube tree outside helped was because it was the remains of an eerie spirit that had perished long ago in ancient times.

She had spent her whole life waiting for the little Daoist with the peach wood sword to come and pick her up, which is why singing love songs worked.

But this does not mean other jujube trees are such special existences.

"Let's go!" Number Six said no more, turning to lead Zhou Qing forward.

Along the way, the wind whistled in his ears, and an eerie silence permeated the surroundings, making one not dare to be the least bit careless.

About half an hour later, the two landed in front of a mine shaft.

As soon as they landed, a thick, foul odor rushed toward them, as if countless corpses were rotting inside.

This made Zhou Qing frown, subconsciously raising his hand to cover his mouth and nose.

"... once inside, the smell will be relatively better."

After speaking, Number Six entered first.

Zhou Qing followed closely; as soon as he stepped in, a bone-chilling cold struck him, instantly piercing his clothes and invading his marrow, making him shiver uncontrollably.

Zhou Qing suddenly understood; no wonder she took a fancy to this place. It turns out it is closely related to her ice-type constitution. The coldness of this mine shaft, in her eyes, might just be a comfortable environment where she feels like a fish in water.

Inside the mine shaft, it was not pitch-black; instead, it exuded a faint, hazy light.

As the two went deeper, the suffocating foul odor indeed gradually faded, but the air was still filled with a damp and musty scent.

【Today's post is refreshing...】

【A new post exists in the Mystical Qi Qi Tie Lu; please check it in time.】

Just as Zhou Qing had taken two steps, the system's crisp prompt sounded abruptly in his mind.

He was startled at first, then a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily: "Random enough, but I like this unpunctual streak of yours."

Zhou Qing immediately focused his mind and opened the Mystical Qi Qi Tie Lu; what met his eyes was a cyan-gold post.

【Copy Post: Within three breaths of the target performing a cultivation technique or divine ability, stick the post to your own glabella to copy it yourself. Alternatively, stick it directly onto a jade slip or scroll to copy.】

Seeing the introduction, Zhou Qing was excited.

The posts that appear every time really always bring unexpected surprises and anticipation.

At this moment, looking at Number Six walking in front and clearing the path for him, as well as the seemingly bottomless mine shaft ahead, Zhou Qing's mind suddenly stirred.

"Perhaps, this Copy Post has come at just the right time!"

The ground under the mine shaft was soft and muddy; every step felt like treading in a swamp.

Soon, Zhou Qing noticed that a battle seemed to have occurred in this mine shaft; the deeper they went, the more severely the walls had collapsed.

In some places, sharp ice crystals still remained, flickering with cold light in the hazy illumination.

It seemed these were traces left behind when Number Six's true self came to explore and took away some precious items.

"To outsiders, this mine shaft should have no exploration value, but in fact, there is a cave within a cave!"

Walking all the way to the bottom of the mine shaft, Number Six stopped and took a crimson bone from her storage bag.

The moment that bone appeared, the blood in Zhou Qing's meridians stagnated, and even the "Jin Wu Burning Sky Canon" operated on its own, causing a scorching golden halo to rise around him, but it quickly stopped.

Zhou Qing narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at the bone.

It was entirely crimson, as if it had just been fished out of a sea of blood, with wisps of blood energy lingering, and faint, shrill phoenix cries emanating from it.

Seeing this, Number Six explained in a low voice: "This object is a true Blood Phoenix Bone, and it is also the divine bone I obtained after simulating hundreds of times in this mine shaft. It is precisely because of it that I confirmed the secret of this place."

After Number Six finished speaking, she immediately formed seals with her hands rapidly; in an instant, countless spiritual seals emitting dazzling light flowed out from her fingertips.

Ten thousand spiritual seals wrapped around it; in less than a moment, the Blood Phoenix Bone seemed to be activated, emitting blinding blood light, echoing with the spiritual seals and buzzing.

Soon, the stone wall at the bottom of the mine shaft ahead underwent a strange change.

The originally rough and hard stone wall seemed to turn into a calm lake, rippling with layers of waves that spread out in circles.

Within the ripples, space distorted, faintly revealing a pitch-black passage.

Such a scene was somewhat similar to the abyss where the Golden-Winged Great Peng perished back then.

Number Six turned to look at Zhou Qing, her eyes flashing with excitement, and said: "It's here, follow me!"

After speaking, she took a deep breath and stepped into the ripples first, her figure instantly disappearing within.

Zhou Qing was also curious; gritting his teeth, he followed.

As he passed through the ripples, a more intense and damp fishy odor rushed toward him; the smell was like the interweaving of rotting flesh sealed for a thousand years and the saltiness of the deep sea, making one almost want to vomit...

Zhou Qing endured the discomfort and opened his eyes to survey the surroundings, only to discover that thousands of cocoons were hanging upside down from the top of the entire cave.

Each cocoon was translucent, and humanoid creatures could be faintly seen curled up inside.

And on the cave walls, a glowing mucus was flowing, winding down the stone walls and gathering in low-lying areas.

The unpleasant smell originated from here.

"Shh!" At this moment, Number Six made a shushing gesture, her eyes full of vigilance.

Zhou Qing nodded in understanding; he could feel that the things inside the cocoons were all alive and exuded a violent and dangerous aura.

"I need that thing; is there a way to obtain it?" Number Six turned slightly, lowered her voice, and said in a volume that was almost a whisper.

Zhou Qing looked in the direction Number Six pointed; in the center of the cave, an ancient stone platform stood quietly, with a blood-colored scroll placed on it.

And on one side of the stone platform, a divine medicine that seemed to be crafted from ice had grown, with a round white fruit at the top, from which wisps of spiritual energy faintly escaped.

There was no fragrance, but Zhou Qing's first feeling was as if he had seen the few green leaves on the ancient tree in his own cave heaven.

It absolutely contained immense vitality and powerful medicinal strength.

This was definitely a true divine medicine.

Just as Zhou Qing was marveling to himself, the white fruit suddenly flashed with light, transforming into a snow-white little bird, sleeping soundly on the branch of the divine medicine.

It was small, its feathers as white as snow, without a single impurity, and its soft down rose and fell gently with its even breathing.

Especially with the little bird's head tucked slightly under its wing, it looked incredibly adorable.

This scene made Zhou Qing's pupils shrink.

Divine medicine taking form?

This, this, this...

At this moment, Number Six quietly approached Zhou Qing, gently tugged his sleeve, and pointed to the other side.

Zhou Qing looked in the direction Number One pointed, only to see a blood-stained piece of cloth, like a nimble black python, moving rapidly among the many cocoons hanging above.

"The divine medicine is very important to me; it's just that this piece of cloth is blocking it!" Number Six said, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.

Zhou Qing roughly understood; after a brief hesitation, he performed an identification directly.

【Human Emperor's Shroud: This is a shroud that once wrapped an ancient Human Emperor. Under the long-term influence of this mining area, it has developed its own spiritual sense and is cultivating its own eerie army.】

Besides this, there was no other introduction.

This made Zhou Qing somewhat regretful.

Human Emperors also have levels of strength; the helmsmen of Level 4, Level 5, and even Level 6 cultivation countries can all be called Human Emperors.

This shroud has now developed spiritual intelligence and can contend with ordinary Soul Severance experts, which shows that the person it wrapped during their lifetime was absolutely not ordinary in their strength.

And the dense, transparent cocoons above the cave ceiling were all subordinates it had carefully cultivated.

Since Number Six came to find him, it meant that in reality, she would absolutely not find anyone else to share the spoils.

She wanted to rely on herself to get that divine medicine; otherwise, finding a few more Soul Severance experts to distract the shroud while snatching the medicine would be easy.

Zhou Qing looked at the divine medicine and the scroll on the stone platform, and after careful consideration, said: "Let me test the situation first."

Upon hearing this, Number Six nodded without hesitation.

Only by first probing the reality can a practical strategy be formulated.

She had been here many times and had exhausted all means, but she hadn't even touched that divine medicine.

But Number One, weren't you injured in reality? Can you do it this time?

Zhou Qing let out a long breath, took out the 【Copy Post】 in his hand, and then looked burningly at the red scroll on the stone platform.

Generally speaking, things in a simulated environment can neither be taken out nor can their full appearance be truly seen.

Just like the Spirit Essence Mushroom seen in the passage back in the cave heaven, and the "Yin Yang Art" floating on the first coffin.

You can only determine their location, but you cannot take them into your possession.

And he had a feeling that the red scroll on the stone platform contained something extraordinary.

It's just that he didn't know if the 【Copy Post】 could copy things in a simulated environment?

So, he wanted to try.

If he succeeded, he would really be rich.

Number Six was also curious and didn't make a sound to disturb him, but stood quietly to the side.

After Zhou Qing was ready, he threw the 【Copy Post】 directly at the red scroll.

The next moment, seemingly sensing something, the shroud on the cave ceiling became restless and let out a sharp, ear-piercing roar.

The sound was like the wailing of countless wronged souls, echoing in the cave, making one's eardrums ache.

Immediately after, the shroud, like a black lightning bolt, rushed frantically toward the 【Copy Post】.

But eerily, despite the shroud's fierce offensive, it could never touch the 【Copy Post】.

And the post was extremely flexible, constantly dodging left and right, easily avoiding one fatal attack after another.

Number Six to the side was completely stunned by the scene before her; she widened her eyes, her eyes full of disbelief.

She never imagined that a seemingly ordinary post could remain unscathed under the attack of such a powerful shroud.

What kind of post is this?

Then, she subconsciously looked at Zhou Qing, and a sense of awe couldn't help but arise in her heart.

Perhaps this late-arriving Number One was much more powerful than any of them.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

From the time the 【Bad Luck Post】 was thrown at the man in white, he had already guessed something.

Any post given by the system, as long as it locks onto a target, no matter how powerful the other party is or how terrifying their strength, it will drill into their body like a maggot on a tarsal bone.

Any external force or means trying to stop it would be of no avail.

Screech—

Just as the 【Copy Post】 was about to approach the scroll, a huge blood-colored phoenix suddenly appeared above the scroll.

Its cry was like a heavy hammer, slamming into the hearts of Zhou Qing and Number Six, causing their blood to surge and making them almost unable to stand steady.

"It's a Blood Phoenix!" Number Six said in shock.

Although she had simulated here many times and had approached this stone platform before, she had never triggered such a scene from the scroll.

Could it be that Number One's post gave the scroll a sense of crisis, which is why it was triggered?

Blood Phoenix projection!

No wonder he could sense this place with the Blood Phoenix Bone and had to grope his way to open this space using the movement techniques of a Level 4 formation master.

Zhou Qing was also shocked in his heart, but more so with wild joy.

Perhaps, this time it might really work.

And at this moment, the Blood Phoenix was burning with raging blood-colored flames; those flames were completely different from the Jin Wu fire Zhou Qing had mastered.

It was a blood-red so thick it was almost viscous, as if flowing fresh blood was burning, exuding an eerie and scorching aura.

Wherever the flames reached, the air seemed to be boiling, making a "sizzling" sound and constantly twisting and deforming.

At this moment, the Blood Phoenix held its head high, its pair of eyes like two burning blood suns, staring fixedly at the 【Copy Post】 and issuing another threatening warning.

Seeing the post still ignoring it and approaching the scroll, the feathers all over the Blood Phoenix's body stood on end instantly, then transformed into sharp red blades, exploding toward it like a rainstorm.

But the 【Copy Post】 still ignored it; as it approached, it suddenly emitted dazzling light, shrouding the scroll within.

At the same time, in Zhou Qing's mind, countless ancient blood-colored characters appeared like stars.

These characters exuded an ancient and scorching aura, as if they had crossed endless years, carrying a long-standing vicissitude.

When they passed through that oasis again, Zhou Qing couldn't help but curiously peek inside.

Then he sighed; looking at the reflection on the water, on both their necks, a pale-faced child was still clinging to them, strangling them tightly, looking exceptionally eerie.

"When exactly did this thing start clinging to us?" Zhou Qing frowned, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Number Six explained softly, "It started the moment we left the jujube tree, or more accurately, once we leave that sanctuary, these things seem to smell the prey and cling to us."

Zhou Qing nodded thoughtfully and didn't say anything more.

Soon, they arrived at the ancient ship where the candle flame was lit.

On the table in the cabin, a token was resting quietly; presumably, this was the key Number Six mentioned.

At this time, because of the swaying candle flame, rustling sounds kept coming from the darkness all around.

Zhou Qing looked calm on the surface, but inside he couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle.

After all, Number Six had said before that it was because of these things that she had been injured many times and had to hide under the jujube tree to heal.

He was only at the late Soul Formation stage now; if he were contaminated by these eerie things, the consequences would be unimaginable.

A layer of ice crystals quietly permeated like mist, finally transforming into an ice hand exuding a cold chill, steadily picking up the token.

"This is the key to the ancient mine behind; only by activating it can we enter it!" Number Six explained.

Having said that, as spiritual power was injected, the token bloomed with dazzling light and continued to spread all around.

In an instant, the scene before them spun, and the original ancient ship and the dark surroundings instantly disappeared, replaced by a vast and boundless ancient mine.

Rich spiritual energy rushed toward them, but these spiritual energies were mixed with traces of blood and decay, making one feel cold and their spine chill upon smelling it.

Zhou Qing looked out, and countless mine caves appeared before his eyes like a dense honeycomb.

At this time, the sky was still dark, without the slightest change, giving one an extremely gloomy feeling.

Added to those mine caves hidden deep in the darkness, pitch-black and deep, like the mouths of giant beasts waiting to devour people, it made one feel as if even the air had become viscous.

Zhou Qing let out a long breath, which finally eased the feeling of oppression in his chest.

"This is the second level of this forbidden zone. There are no fewer than one hundred thousand mine caves here. Of course, no one has counted exactly how many. Besides that, there are large areas of eerie plains."

"It is full of dangers; even those at the Great Perfection of the Soul Severance realm are not few in number who have perished inside!" Number Six continued.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing felt his scalp tingle, and an indescribable fear surged in his heart.

Even Great Perfection of Soul Severance realm experts can perish; is this forbidden zone that terrifying?

However, from this point, Zhou Qing was also more certain that Number Six definitely didn't come from the level-four cultivation country he was in; it was highly likely she was from a surrounding level-four, or even a higher-level level-five cultivation country.

Zhou Qing didn't speak anymore; the shock in his heart left him not knowing how to respond for a moment.

He suddenly moved, his gaze sharply looking to the other side.

There, two figures were jumping rapidly; before long, one of them pointed to a mine cave, and the two entered without the slightest hesitation.

"It seems others have come too." Zhou Qing said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the direction where the two disappeared.

It stood to reason that these two should also be Soul Severance realm experts.

After all, when he was simulating, the Second Granduncle had appeared, but they were in different dimensions, so the other party couldn't discover them.

It was precisely because of this that he discovered the secret of the blood river crow in the cave heaven, thereby being able to successfully reach the opposite bank.

"Aren't you going to follow and take a look? Anyway, they can't see us," Zhou Qing suggested.

If these two had unique experience in entering the mine, they could save a lot of trouble and avoid many detours.

Hearing this, Number Six couldn't help but hesitate.

To be honest, although Soul Severance realm powerhouses often come to this forbidden zone to explore, the probability of encountering each other is minimal.

Especially since they were currently in a visual advantage that was almost like cheating; even if they unfortunately died, it would only be a loss of thirty mid-grade spirit stones.

But after thinking about it, she decided against it.

Most of the mine caves here had bred countless eerie things.