Chapter 1686: Chapter 830: Zhennan Prefecture! Blood Ghost Sect’s Secret Stronghold? (Part 2)
The streets are sparsely populated, with occasional cries of hawkers coming from afar, making it seem particularly abrupt.
“Let’s go find the local officials first, to understand the situation,” Luo Chen suggested.
They arrived at the government office of the southern town, where a stern-faced official received them.
The official, named Lord Zhao, frowned deeply after hearing Luo Chen’s narration.
“The remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect have indeed been active here,” Lord Zhao said gravely, “but since the Blood God was defeated by you, they seem to have become more secretive.”
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, knowing this would be an even more difficult search.
“Lord Zhao, we hope to get your help,” Qing Shuang said sincerely, “We need to understand the terrain of the southern town and possible hiding places.”
Lord Zhao nodded, instructing someone to bring a map that detailed various areas of the southern town.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang carefully studied the map, trying to find clues within.
“Here,” Luo Chen pointed to a marked spot on the map, “the Grim Wood Forest, the largest source of grimwood in the southern town, and most likely where the remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect are hiding.”
Qing Shuang agreed with a nod, “Let’s start the investigation from here.”
They bid farewell to Lord Zhao and headed with soldiers to the Grim Wood Forest.
The Grim Wood Forest is located in the northern part of the southern town, a vast forest with tall and dense trees, making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate the canopy, causing the forest to be covered in darkness year-round.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang led the team deep into the forest, the surrounding silence making people uneasy.
Suddenly, Qing Shuang stopped, listening closely as if she had caught onto some sound.
“Listen,” Qing Shuang whispered, “It sounds like faint crying.”
Luo Chen focused his attention and indeed heard faint cries coming from afar.
They exchanged a glance, deciding to follow the sound.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the crying became increasingly clear.
Eventually, they arrived at a hidden valley, where they found a small village; villagers were sitting by a bonfire, softly crying.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang stepped forward to ask what had happened.
Seeing them, a glimmer of hope flashed in the villagers’ eyes.
“It’s the remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect,” an old man said tremblingly, “They come to the village every now and then, taking our loved ones away.”
Upon hearing this, anger burned in Luo Chen and Qing Shuang’s hearts.
They decided to stay in the village, protect the villagers, and simultaneously search for traces of the remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect.
As night fell, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang held vigil at the village entrance.
Moonlight shone through the forest, enveloping the entire valley in silver.
They waited quietly, full of vigilance.
Suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps broke the night’s silence.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang immediately became alert and saw several dark figures quietly approaching the village.
“Prepare for battle!” Luo Chen ordered in a low voice.
Qing Shuang gripped the sword hilt tightly, while Luo Chen clutched the Magic Bead in his hand.
The dark figures seemingly unaware of Luo Chen and Qing Shuang’s presence, continued to stealthily move closer to the village.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang held their breath, waiting for the best opportunity to strike.
Under the moonlight, determination glittered in Luo Chen’s eyes, while Qing Shuang’s face was filled with resolve.
They knew this fight was not only to protect the innocent villagers but also to completely eradicate the remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect and restore peace to this land.
“Attack!” On Luo Chen’s command, the two charged out like arrows loosed from a bow, heading straight for the dark figures.
The dark figures were evidently caught off guard by the ambush, momentarily losing coordination.
Luo Chen’s Magic Bead painted brilliant trails in the night, while Qing Shuang’s Sword Light flashed like meteors through the darkness.
The battle erupted in an instant but soon returned to silence.
Several dark figures were swiftly subdued by Luo Chen and Qing Shuang; they were not the Blood Ghost Sect’s elite, merely some outer disciples.
“Who are you?”
“Who are you?”
“I am a disciple of the Blood Ghost Sect, how dare you lay a hand on me?”
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang coldly watched these subdued disciples of the Blood Ghost Sect, without a trace of compassion in their hearts.
They knew that the hands of these people were stained with the blood of innocents, and they must pay for their crimes.
“Where is your master?” Luo Chen asked sternly, his tone filled with authority.
A disciple of the Blood Ghost Sect clenched his teeth, clearly unwilling to speak.
Seeing this, Qing Shuang’s Sword Light flashed, and she said coldly, “If you don’t speak, don’t blame us for being ruthless.”
The disciple finally couldn’t withstand the pressure, trembling, he said, “In… in the depths of the Yin Forest, there is a secret hideout.”
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged a glance, secretly grateful in their hearts that they finally found the hideout of the remnants of the Blood Ghost Sect.
They handed these disciples over to the villagers for guarding, then quickly set off towards the depths of the Yin Forest.
On their way, they were extremely cautious, alert to potential traps and ambushes.
Deeper into the Yin Forest, the trees were denser, and a chilling presence permeated the air.
Before they even reached the secret hideout mentioned by the Blood Ghost Sect member.
Around Luo Chen, dozens of souls emitting terrifying malice slowly appeared.
To be precise, these souls had already transformed into fierce ghosts.
Unwilling to disperse after death, harboring grievances in their hearts, coupled with the nourishment of the Yin Qi within the forest, souls transform into fierce ghosts.
Perhaps this is also why the Blood Ghost Sect chose to establish a secret hideout in this place!
“Qing Shuang, be careful…”
“Don’t let these fierce ghosts touch you.”
“Otherwise, if the Yin Qi enters your body, it will be very troublesome.”
Luo Chen’s words were filled with concern, and Qing Shuang nodded, knowing the danger these fierce ghosts posed.
The two stood side by side, eyes vigilantly scanning their surroundings, preparing to face the upcoming challenge.
“These fierce ghosts seem to be bound here by some force,” Qing Shuang said softly, with a hint of confusion in her voice, “Could it be that the people of the Blood Ghost Sect can control these fierce ghosts?”
Luo Chen held the Magic Bead tightly in his hand, which emitted a faint glow, providing them a layer of protection.
“We must proceed with caution,” he replied, “The power of these fierce ghosts is not to be underestimated. Once entangled with them, the consequences are unimaginable.”
They advanced slowly, each step taken with caution, fearing to disturb the surrounding fierce ghosts.
Moonlight filtered through the treetops, casting mottled shadows on the ground, forming an eerie picture.
The shadows of Luo Chen and Qing Shuang stretched under the moonlight, intertwining with the surrounding scenery, like a living ink painting.
“Look over there!” Qing Shuang suddenly whispered, her gaze locked onto a small hill not far ahead.
Following Qing Shuang’s gaze, Luo Chen saw an ancient temple atop the hill, its doors half open, with a faint red light emanating from within.
The red light seemed to possess a certain magic power, attracting the surrounding fierce ghosts, making them linger around the temple.
“There must be something inside that temple,” Luo Chen said gravely, “We must go in and see.”
They approached the temple cautiously, trying to make no sound with each step.
The fierce ghosts seemed unaware of their approach, their attention fully captivated by the red light inside the temple.
Finally, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang reached the temple doors. They exchanged a glance, nodded, and then simultaneously rushed inside.
The sight inside the temple took both their breaths away.
In the center of the temple lay a massive Blood Pool, with bright red liquid surging within, emitting a pungent scent of blood.
Above the Blood Pool floated a blood-red orb, with the red light emanating from this orb.
“This… this is the Blood Sacrificial Altar of the Blood Ghost Sect!” Qing Shuang exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.
Luo Chen furrowed his brows, knowing that the Blood Sacrificial Altar was an evil Magic Artifact used by the Blood Ghost Sect to summon and control fierce ghosts.
Once the power of the Blood Sacrificial Altar is fully unleashed, the entire Winged Land will be submerged in a sea of blood.
“We must destroy this altar!” Luo Chen declared resolutely.