As the white bones gradually grew more numerous, Zhang Xiaohua naturally became more cautious. As before, he activated the Crimson Spirit Guard and the defensive jade talisman. Examining the scattered bones, he found that their injuries varied—some were on the skulls, some on the ribs, while most showed no visible wounds at all. Presumably, their bones had not been damaged. Yet wherever wounds could be seen, they were all tiny, fine holes, as though made by needles!
This is strange. If the Sky-Piercing Ape killed them, their bones would surely have been smashed to pulp. How could they remain so intact? Even if intact bones were left behind, there should have been holes as large as bowls. How could they be this tiny? Could there be some other savage beast? Zhang Xiaohua pondered inwardly.
Still, the increasing number of bones naturally proved that he was on the right path. Even if what lay ahead was not a palace like Ruijin Hall, given Zhang Xiaohua's penchant for picking up bargains, there was no way he would not go.
With the Prajna Heavy Sword in hand and Dream Chaser controlled within ten feet before him, Zhang Xiaohua steadily advanced. After walking for another half the time it took to eat a meal, he suddenly stopped. It was not because the grim white bones here were particularly alarming, but because a faint fragrance had abruptly entered his nose.
The fragrance was exceedingly strange. Though extremely faint, it somehow seeped straight into the heart and refreshed the spirit. Yet when one tried to smell it carefully, it became elusive and drifting. Zhang Xiaohua's thoughts were even drawn along by it, gradually tugged away in pursuit. At that very moment, a warning flared in his heart. A thin vine emerged from the chaotic ruins beneath