Chapter 96: Delving into the Forbidden Land
Ghost Suppression City inn.
Chen Chang'an's fingertips rhythmically tapped the tabletop—a subconscious habit when deep in thought.
She had clearly heard every word of the sound transmission between Elder Mo and the white-robed figure.
Never did she imagine this young girl before her was actually the granddaughter of a Saint Realm cultivator.
Even more surprising was that this Saint Realm cultivator would allow his granddaughter to come to such a dangerous place, sending only a Longevity Realm protector.
"Sister Lin..."
Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Ling'er beat her to it, interrupting her thoughts: "The Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern is fraught with peril. Are you truly determined to enter with us?"
"Naturally, I must go." Chen Chang'an smiled gently, then shifted the topic: "But I am curious—given your family background, how did they consent to you coming to such a place?"
Xiao Ling'er beamed: "Actually, Elder Mo already investigated thoroughly." She pointed outside the window, where through the hazy mist loomed a majestic mountain range piercing the heavens: "That is the Tai'a Mountains, soaring beyond 100,000 zhang, a barrier even birds struggle to cross. Beyond these mountains lies the legendary Ghost Domain, and the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern is the sole passage."
"However," she continued, "since the Ghost Suppression Army stationed here, they've established layered defenses within the cavern. Ordinary ghosts dare not approach. As long as cultivators don't linger long-term, they remain largely unaffected..."
At this, she suddenly paused, her gaze flickering toward Chen Chang'an.
"Unless what?" Chen Chang'an pressed with keen interest.
"Unless..." Xiao Ling'er bit her lip, hesitating: "Unless one is completely without cultivation... a mortal..." The words caught in her throat, fearing to wound the other's pride.
Understanding dawned in Chen Chang'an's eyes, but she feigned ignorance, offering a meaningful smile: "I see. So the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern isn't overly dangerous nowadays?"
Xiao Ling'er nodded: "One could say so. The Ghost Suppression Army has operated here for years, having purged most ghosts. As long as you follow their established safe routes and don't venture into unexplored areas, there's little danger."
She paused, casting a hesitant glance at Chen Chang'an.
Chen Chang'an understood her concern—a "mortal" delving into such perilous territory was indeed reckless.
Yet she didn't expose it, instead asking casually: "What about the Ghost Domain? Since the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern is no longer fearsome, surely the Ghost Domain isn't as terrifying as legends claim?"
"No!" Xiao Ling'er's expression shifted abruptly, her voice dropping unconsciously: "The Ghost Domain is a true land of death! It is the ghost clan's territory—no living being who enters survives!"
She seemed to recall some dreadful rumor, fingers unconsciously clutching her sleeves: "They say even the air in the Ghost Domain is saturated with yin evil energy. A single breath would turn a mortal to bones. Even cultivators, without special means, cannot endure beyond three days."
A flicker of amusement crossed Chen Chang'an's eyes: "So fearsome? Then why do people still risk going?"
"Profit." Elder Mo interjected abruptly, his voice hoarse. "Though the Ghost Domain is perilous, it abounds in yin-attributed heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Certain things can only be found there."
Xiao Ling'er added: "Moreover, while the ghost clan is ferocious, they've reached an agreement with the Ghost Suppression Army. By paying sufficient 'toll fees,' they permit human cultivators to operate within designated areas."
"Furthermore," she continued, "deep within the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern lies a black market. There, cultivators returning from the Ghost Domain trade with those urgently seeking yin-attributed treasures. And that is my destination!"
If even there she cannot find Brother Xiao Chen... where else could he be?
At this thought, anxiety stirred in Xiao Ling'er's heart.
Chen Chang'an nodded thoughtfully, gazing out the window—
Through the hazy mist, the Tai'a Mountains—described by Xiao Ling'er as "impassable even for birds"—indeed loomed faintly, like an ancient barrier utterly severing the mortal realm from the Ghost Domain.
The next morning, the three arrived at the legendary entrance to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern.
The sight before Chen Chang'an made her raise her eyebrows slightly—how could this still be called a mere cave?
The pitch-black opening stretched hundreds of zhang wide, like a great maw devouring heaven and earth. Countless sharp stalactites hung from the ceiling like sinister fangs.
Chilly mist billowed from within, and faint, shrill winds howled from the depths, as if thousands of resentful souls were wailing.
"This place..." Chen Chang'an remarked, "certainly has presence."
In her past life, this would have been a 5A-grade tourist attraction, raking in ticket money hand over fist.
Though it seemed the Ghost Suppression Army was indeed collecting admission fees.
They had set up a checkpoint here, with dozens of cultivators in black armor stationed on both sides, their long halberds gleaming coldly.
Leading them was none other than yesterday's white-robed commander. Upon seeing the trio, he gave a slight nod, his hoarse voice echoing from beneath the bronze mask: "Please enter."
Chen Chang'an expressed surprise: "They let us through so easily?"
Xiao Ling'er immediately puffed out her chest proudly.
As the three stepped inside, faint footsteps sounded behind them.
Chen Chang'an's peripheral vision caught three cultivators following at a distance—all at the Returning Origin Realm, wearing special Yin-Avoiding Talismans at their waists, their magical instruments faintly glowing with spiritual light.
—Clearly cultivators preparing to venture deep into the Ghost Domain for treasures.
The three noticed Chen Chang'an's gaze, their eyes flashing with wariness as they instinctively slowed their pace, maintaining distance.
Light was dim inside the cave. Bronze ghost lamps were embedded in the stone walls at intervals, their eerie green flames illuminating the path.
The deeper they went, the heavier the yin energy grew, until even breathing carried a bone-chilling coldness.
Suddenly, commotion erupted ahead.
"Get out of the way! Don't block the path!"
A sharp shout rang out, followed by a dull thud. Chen Chang'an looked up to see several Ghost Suppression Army soldiers roughly shoving aside some tattered cultivators, one of whom was even kicked to the ground.
"What's happening?" Xiao Ling'er frowned.
Elder Mo whispered: "They must have violated the Ghost Suppression Army's rules and got caught."
Chen Chang'an's gaze turned cold, but she said nothing.
Just then, the three Returning Origin Realm cultivators behind them suddenly quickened their pace, brushing past them as they coldly tossed out: "If you want to live, don't follow too closely."
Xiao Ling'er paused: "What did they mean by that?"
Chen Chang'an watched their retreating figures, a slight smile touching her lips: "Probably afraid we'll steal their 'opportunities'."
Elder Mo snorted: "They don't know their place."
The three continued onward. The cave grew deeper, ghostly winds howling as if countless eyes watched from the darkness.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Chen Chang'an felt Xiao Ling'er beside her drawing closer...
And behind them, another figure followed silently in their wake.
None other than the Third Commander!
Inside the Ten Thousand Ghosts Cavern, cultivators' spiritual senses were easily disrupted. Moreover, the Third Commander seemed to be using a technique to conceal his aura, so Elder Mo remained unaware.
Chen Chang'an, however, detected him effortlessly—but pretended not to notice...
...
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