I exclaimed, "What?" Zhengyang walked over and patted my shoulder. "Let's go; knowing too much isn't good right now!" As we carefully examined the cave, we discovered a massive pillar inside, steep and straight, with countless steps spiraling upwards.
As we ascended the steps, a sudden sense of oppression washed over us, followed by a loud rumble that made our chests feel heavy. A shadow loomed down upon us, causing our faces to turn pale with fear.
I looked up and saw an unknown height at the top of the pillar, where a dark killing intent materialized in the air. The inky blackness seemed to absorb the sun's light, exuding a metallic aura that felt as if it were eternally asleep. The darkness subtly descended, plummeting before me and sinking into the pool below.
Two faint beams of black light shot up from the bottom of the pool, causing the water to bubble as if it were boiling. There was no reaction from the formation; the black pillars of light shone down on us like a black hole that could absorb everything. A sense of vastness enveloped us, as if our entire beings were about to vanish into the void...
The pool water bubbled like it was boiling, rhythmically producing sounds akin to drumbeats that were incredibly noisy. Moments later, amidst the clamor, there were violent explosions. Boom! The intense blasts jolted Big Mouth Lee and Bald Qiang awake from their stupor; they stared blankly at their surroundings, unable to adapt at first.
No need to worry; the Nine-Tiered Corpse Tower had leaked its killing intent, summoning a thunderstorm. Massive dark clouds descended from above, shattering everything in their path. The entire Nine-Tiered Corpse Tower collapsed, and this harmful formation completely vanished.
With the disappearance of the Nine-Tiered Corpse Tower, Wei Chi Wan Er's body gradually transformed from a translucent state back into substance, slowly regaining some vitality. However, due to her severe injuries, she remained unconscious. We carried her along with Zhengyang, Big Mouth Lee, and Bald Qiang as we continued up the steps for quite some time until we finally reached the surface.
My watch finally resumed its normal ticking; it seemed as if time had never stopped. I glanced at it—it was the sixth day of the month. This was precisely the date mentioned in the marriage contract. It was noon now, and the sunlight was intense. We found ourselves in a desert but fortunately didn't have to walk far before arriving at an oasis.
This oasis was inhabited by a people known as Dao Lang, who were skilled in singing and dancing. At night, they gathered around bonfires singing traditional folk songs like Twelve Muqam with an incredibly cheerful rhythm. Under the glow of the firelight, Big Mouth Lee and Bald Qiang joined in on the festivities while Zhengyang had gone to sleep early; he was a cultivator who preferred a carefree lifestyle.
Only Wei Chi Wan Er remained unconscious. I sat beside her hammock, intently observing this woman.
Her right wrist rested on her abdomen, revealing slight movements beneath her skin. Her right thumb pressed against her cheek while her sleeping face lay on the pillow. Her hands were soft in slumber, slightly bent inward with adorable dimples at their bases; they curved gently but not noticeably. Her long hair was simply tied up with subtle waves cascading down; her delicate brows framed her closed eyes that seemed lost in fragrant dreams. She had an enchanting figure that was simply captivating—seeing this left me puzzled!
According to Mausoleum Secrets, such corpses that had been damaged would disappear eventually; yet she managed to regain her physical form at the moment when the Nine-Tiered Corpse Tower collapsed. What on earth was going on here?
I couldn't find any reason to explain this phenomenon. There were only two possibilities. First, she was a living person. Second, that corpse wasn't hers at all. If she was alive, it meant she had merely been possessed and had now reclaimed her body. If that body wasn't hers, what kind of terrifying conspiracy lay behind it?
Suddenly, I felt a slight pain in my fingertips; I could clearly sense someone sucking on my fingers, blood flowing steadily into her mouth. What was happening? Yet, I didn't pull away; my mind seemed to replay scenes from the past.
As the blood drained from me, I could no longer hold on. Confusion overwhelmed me—what kind of person was Dong Tong? What had she done with Zhengyang? What was Wei Chi Wan Er's connection to me? Why had she emerged from the Nine-Tiered Corpse Tower only to be here? A multitude of questions surged in my mind. Coupled with days of exhaustion, my wounds flared up, and I blacked out.
When I woke again, everything around me was completely dark; the Dao Langs in the oasis had vanished without a trace. Only one woman sat nearby, her bright eyes shimmering with compassion.
Upon seeing me, a look of surprise crossed her face as she smiled and said, "You've been asleep for three nights! I was worried you wouldn't wake up."
"Who are you?"
I felt a bit dazed; this woman seemed familiar, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't recall who she was, so I couldn't help but ask.
"You've really lost your wits! I'm Wei Chi Wan Er..."
"Oh! Now I remember! The name that had worried me for so long—it turns out to be you?" I stared at her, scrutinizing every detail.
"Are you a ghost?"
Wei Chi Wan Er nodded and then shook her head. Suddenly feeling a bit shy, she stepped back. "I didn't mean to! I promise I won't suck another drop! Please believe me!"
I was taken aback by her words. "A drop of blood?"
"Yes! Just one drop... I won't take it for nothing; after all, I'm going to marry you, so don't be mad!"
I couldn't help but laugh; it wasn't about that single drop of blood. So I asked again, "Is it because my drop of blood saved you?"
"Mm! Your blood is a family treasure... Don't blame me for taking a drop!" I couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. This person was completely different from the one I had known before. Could she really be Wei Chi Wan Er? My heart was filled with doubt, but the evidence was undeniable.
"What about Zhengyang and the others?"
"Is it the Taoist brother? Oh! He left with that skinny guy and the fierce bald man!" I found it hard to believe and asked, "Did they go somewhere?"
"Mm! They had something to take care of and left me here to look after you. That fierce bald man is the worst! Next time I see him, I’ll definitely beat him up!" The more I listened, the more confused I became. What was going on? Had I really encountered a silly girl?
"Wei Chi Wan Er, can you tell me your story?" I thought to myself that this girl must have been hit on the head; she seemed completely off! To my surprise, she smiled brightly and said, "Sure! Mm... What's wrong, brother? Which part do you want to hear?" I felt she was just pretending to be silly, so I asked, "Don't you want to ask me a few questions?"
"Sure! Sure... Why did you come here?" As soon as I heard her question, I sensed something was off. Did she really lose her mind? I had given her my marriage contract, and she had pushed it away. Suddenly she exclaimed, "Oh! I almost forgot something!" Then she pulled out a letter from her pocket. The letter was short but beautifully written in Zhengyang's neat handwriting.
"Child! I have some matters to attend to. There will be plenty of time in the future; we will meet again if fate allows! She is indeed Wei Chi Wan Er. Because she saved you and lost her powers, she has returned to her true self—a simple girl. You must treat her well. Big Mouth Lee and Bald Qiang must also assist me with that troublesome matter. When you return, go directly to find the old man. However, during this time, you may encounter some troubles; I contacted the old man before setting off! Zhengyang!"
After that, a long time passed before I saw Zhengyang again. It was only then that I understood his good intentions. When I returned from overseas, I realized how dangerous their mission had been. Their organization had sent seventy-two experts, but only three returned: Zhengyang, Bald Qiang, and Big Mouth Lee... Many skilled fighters had sacrificed their lives in that battle. Later on, if it weren't for my joining that organization due to its decline, it would have been unlikely for me to seek revenge for them...
So that's how it was. If it weren't for Zhengyang's letter, I wouldn't have understood her change in character. Looking at her with gratitude, I stared at her for a moment before suddenly realizing something was off... I noticed her shadow on the ground! What the hell! How could a ghost have a shadow? Before I could gather my thoughts, her hand suddenly grabbed mine with surprising strength and pulled me into a wild run outside. I exclaimed, "Where are you taking me?"
Comment 0 Comment Count