560: Chapter 70 Welcome to the Necromancer's Illusion

"Junior Brother, I'll go with you."

As soon as Tian Linger finished speaking, Lu Xueqi said, "I'm going too."

Seeing Lu Xueqi speak up, Zeng Shushu quickly followed, "And me."

"We took on this mission together, so naturally, not one of us can be missing. Don't you agree, Jingyu?"

Lin Jingyu smiled and nodded, "That's right."

Kuong A Xiang also said, "My Kuong family is part of Yu Du City. Since this concerns the safety of Yu Du City, I naturally have an obligation to go. Furthermore, I returned this time also bearing a mission from my sect to investigate the movements of those in the Demonic Cult. Since we know they entered the Wanfu Ancient Cave, there’s no reason not to take a look."

"Count me in."

Li Xun, standing nearby, watched the scene, his eyes flickering slightly, but he remained silent.

Wei Qiong noticed this, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. A certain decision he had made internally became even firmer.

Then, he looked towards Meng Li, "Young Hero Meng, what are your thoughts?"

Meng Li smiled, "Since you all have the intention, then let's go together. More people means better mutual support."

Immediately after, he asked Wei Qiong, "May I ask where the entrance to the Wanfu Ancient Cave is?"

"It's right here in the City Lord's Mansion," Wei Qiong replied, then added, "Follow this old man."

With that, he stood up and walked out.

Meng Li, Tian Linger, and the others followed.

Not long after, everyone arrived in front of the rockery in the City Lord's Mansion garden.

Wei Qiong pointed at the rockery arranged in a circle, "The center of this rockery is hollow, and a secret passage leading to the Wanfu Ancient Cave is hidden beneath it. Originally, there was a Seal, and anyone who went too far would be blocked by a barrier. Now that the Seal is broken, you can reach the Wanfu Ancient Cave by going straight down the secret passage."

"However, the situation inside the Ancient Cave is unknown, so you must be extremely careful."

Meng Li nodded slightly, "I'll take the lead."

As soon as he finished speaking, he leaped up above the center of the rockery and fell into it.

After entering the secret passage, Meng Li walked forward a few steps. Seeing the surroundings were dim, he took out a Light-Emitting Pearl from his storage ring.

As soon as the surroundings were illuminated, Tian Linger came down.

Next were Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, Lin Jingyu, and Kuong A Xiang.

Seeing everyone assembled, Meng Li held up the Light-Emitting Pearl to illuminate the way and stepped forward.

Tian Linger and the others followed behind him.

After walking for a while, Zeng Shushu suddenly twitched his nose and asked, "Do you guys smell a strange odor?"

Tian Linger, Lu Xueqi, and the others paused, sniffing carefully without prompting.

A moment later, Lin Jingyu frowned, "It's a bit familiar, like I've smelled it somewhere before."

At these words, a flash of inspiration struck Tian Linger's mind, and she blurted out, "It’s the smell of the bats we encountered at Kong Sang Mountain before!"

With her saying that, Zeng Shushu, Lin Jingyu, and the others instantly remembered.

Meng Li said, "We must be close to the Wanfu Ancient Cave. City Lord Wei mentioned before that the outermost layer of the underground palace has blood-sucking bats."

Saying this, he stroked his chin, "Originally, with the barrier from the Seal blocking them, they couldn't get out, so they weren't a major concern. Now that the Seal's barrier is gone, if they get out, they will surely cause harm."

After speaking, Meng Li raised his hand and pointed towards the passage behind everyone.

A huge Talisman with blue and white patterns materialized out of thin air, transforming into a barrier that sealed the passage.

"Alright, let's proceed. Stay alert."

After taking precautionary measures, Meng Li instructed them, turned around, and continued forward.

Not long after, quite a few white bones appeared on the ground around them.

Tian Linger was startled and instinctively moved closer to Meng Li.

Seeing this, Meng Li whispered, "Even if we encounter blood-sucking bats, you don't need to be too afraid. According to relevant ancient records, bats are blind; they cannot see and rely on sound to locate their targets. Therefore, as long as you don't make loud noises, even if you stand right in front of them, you won't be attacked."

Only then did Tian Linger feel slightly relieved.

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others remained silent, maintaining quiet.

In the quiet atmosphere, the group descended along the steps of the secret passage. Soon, the space suddenly became open.

Before they could wonder why, rustling sounds came from above.

The group looked up towards the sound, and except for Meng Li, everyone else was startled.

Because, illuminated by the light from the Light-Emitting Pearl, they saw blood-sucking bats hanging upside down above them—countless, densely packed. Anyone with trypophobia would likely have an attack on the spot.

Tian Linger had never seen such a terrifying scene before; she was so shocked that she instinctively covered her mouth with her hand.

If she didn't, she feared she would cry out the next second.

Although Lu Xueqi, Lin Jingyu, Zeng Shushu, and Kuong A Xiang didn't cover their mouths, they involuntarily pressed their lips tightly together, lightening their breathing and footsteps.

In the stillness, the group successfully passed through the area occupied by the blood-sucking bats, and then...

"Why is there no path?" Tian Linger whispered.

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, Lin Jingyu, and Kuong A Xiang were also a bit bewildered looking at the cliff at the end of the path.

Meng Li surveyed the surroundings and pondered, "There are no other forks in the middle, so we couldn't have taken a wrong turn. And the Wanfu Ancient Cave is an underground palace... If I'm not mistaken, if we want to continue exploring, we have to fly down to the bottom of this cliff."

Tian Linger and the others thought this made sense.

Meng Li put away the Light-Emitting Pearl and said, "I'll go down first to check the bottom. Wait for me to return."

With that, his body transformed into a streak of light and flew down towards the cliff.

Seeing this, Tian Linger quickly said, "Junior Brother, be careful."

"I will."

A response echoed back, and the streak of light that was Meng Li completely disappeared into the darkness at the bottom of the cliff.

Watching this scene, Tian Linger felt a faint sense of unease.

Lu Xueqi noticed her mood and spoke to comfort her, "Junior Brother Meng's cultivation is supreme; he will definitely be fine. Junior Sister, you don't need to worry too much."

Zeng Shushu added, "Xueqi is right. Meng Li has reached the legendary Taiqing Realm. Even if the Black-Hearted Old Man were resurrected, he probably couldn't defeat him. This Wanfu Ancient Cave is just the Black-Hearted Old Man's underground palace; even if there is danger, it cannot threaten him."

Upon hearing this, Kuong A Xiang, standing nearby, was greatly surprised, "Shushu, what did you say? Brother Meng has reached the legendary Taiqing Realm?!"

"Is that true?"

Zeng Shushu replied, "Of course it's true."

"You were present at that battle at the city gate earlier. Meng Li summoned lightning; he didn't even need his sword, just chanting an incantation. My father and the other Chief Elders cannot do that; only the legendary Taiqing Realm can achieve that effect, as if words become law."

Then, he started talking extensively.

Tian Linger, seeing the topic was about Meng Li, also had her attention diverted.

After a long time, Meng Li had not returned.

Tian Linger grew anxious, "It's been so long, why hasn't Junior Brother come back?"

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others also felt something was wrong.

Tian Linger directly said, "I'll go down and find him."

As soon as she finished speaking, she urged her Amber Red Silk and flew down.

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others pondered briefly, then each took out a Magic Treasure and followed.

When they arrived at the Dead Spirit Abyss, before they could clearly see the situation, they felt a blur before their eyes. Everyone else disappeared, leaving only themselves alone.

Then, a mysterious voice echoed from all directions.

"Welcome to the Dead Spirit Illusion Realm."