Si Yan sat down cross-legged, just like Jiang Nuo, and followed his soul to sense his presence.
But there was nothing, absolutely nothing.
The connection between their souls remained, and he knew that Jiang Nuo was still alive; this was the only thing that allowed him to barely maintain his composure.
He carefully recalled everything Jiang Nuo had just done, then put his hand into the water; it was icy cold and had a chilling atmosphere.
Startled, Su Yi and Mikazuki Shunsuke thought he was about to jump again and quickly stopped him.
Si Yan coughed lightly a few times and waved his hand.
He suppressed the tears welling in his eyes, stood up, his expression chilling, and looked towards the end of the shore.
"Find the monster."
This time, their operation was much faster.
Since they didn't know what had lured them to jump into the river, they could only try to stay as far away from the underground river as possible. Mikazuki Hexi lagged behind the three of them, and their expressions gradually became strange.
Mikazuki Shunsuke noticed in time and grabbed her hand firmly, but was suddenly shaken off.
" Hexi!" Mikazuki Shunsuke shouted angrily, "What are you doing?"
Mikazuki Hexi lowered their heads, then suddenly raised their hands and pointed behind them, "No, Uncle... there's something evil."
Mikazuki Shunsuke looked on warily.
" Nightwalker..."
Su Yi was wary, her fingertips twirling in the air, swirling with blue smoke, trying to see through the soul beneath the Nightwalker's mask.
When she opened her eyes, she turned her head in astonishment, looking at one after another. All the Nightwalker were the same—soulless, with only a wisp of... lingering regret.
"Driven by lingering regrets... perhaps, the Nightwalker and the Reaper were not truly domesticated humans at all."
Su Yi spoke extremely quickly. After listening, Si Yan raised his hand and transformed Spiritual Power into a blade.
A near-frenzied massacre.
Si Yan seemed to be venting his frustration by asking Jiang Nuo's whereabouts every time he caught a Nightwalker, but none of them could answer him.
He was cruel and ruthless, a stark contrast to his previous image.
I'm so sad... When will God Nuo come back?!
Si Jiaojiao is no longer the God Nuo, nor is she charming anymore...
This was really... so unexpected.
The Nightwalker were only responsible for blocking, and after they were all killed, a new tunnel appeared. Mikazuki Shunsuke sensed the illusionary mark left by Sano Kurotsuki in the tunnel.
The group quickened their pace and were overjoyed when they found the Dragon Vein marker.
But Si Yan coldly interrupted him, and with just one sentence, he felt as if he had fallen into an abyss.
"This is not where the Dragon Vein is located."
Or rather... this was its former location, but it was deliberately suppressed and moved. This place still retains some spiritual energy, but that's all.
Si Yan clearly didn't want to explain further, ignoring the Dragon Vein's rejection, and approached directly.
A Dragon Tail Dagger is stuck in the very center of the stone wall; it is the source of the power that repels humans.
The dagger gleamed with golden light when it was removed.
The golden dragon's phantom hovered inside the cave wall, vanished in an instant, and then burrowed back into the dagger. Si Yan's fingers dripped blood as she gripped it tightly.
Further on, we reached the edge of the underground river. After searching for so long and reaching the end, we still hadn't found the Dragon Vein, let alone the monster that controlled everything in the town.
The atmosphere among the contestants grew increasingly oppressive, and the sense of despair that lingered in their hearts grew heavier.
It seemed as if no one could escape.
"There are no bronze doors here, no imprisoned souls, and no cages."
Su Yi suddenly remembered, "Could it be that we came here via a different route than the Half-Corpse Soul?"
These are two completely different places.
The church's underground passage connects to this place. After the owner woke up and heard the noise, he rushed over, carefully counted the number of people, and was greatly shocked.
Si Yan gripped him tightly, her eyes bloodshot as she demanded, "Tell me, what lies beneath the dark river!"
Why do I feel like jumping whenever I get close to someone?
The Dragon Tail Dagger was pressed against the boss's neck, ready to stab at any moment.
The owner never expected to face a life-threatening situation so soon after waking up. "I don't know! I really don't know. I usually hang out over there, I've never been to the garden before."
" Si Yan! Calm down..."
Su Yi grabbed him, and in her panic suggested, "We can't just sit here doing nothing. Why don't we go to the library and ask Tang Mu?"
Mikazuki Shunsuke nodded slowly. "Didn't you say that he was the one who seduced everyone? There might be a way."
Mikazuki Hexi hid behind him without saying a word.
Si Yan pondered for two seconds, then immediately sheathed his knife.
"Walk."
The boss has escaped death again.
He rubbed his neck and muttered something.
"What's wrong with these three people...? Are they crazy?"
--
A torrential downpour hit the town.
"Hey... you're back."
Tang Mu still spoke in his peculiar tone, his candle-like fingers pointing between them.
"Oh... someone's missing."
It held up three fingers, then quickly put them down, plopped down on the stool, and crossed its short legs.
Why are there three fingers? Are three people missing?
I want God Nuo back!
"You guys... oh dear!!"
Tang Mu was startled by the dragon-shaped dagger that suddenly appeared before him, and he pressed his arms down, "Oh dear! Don't panic, don't be alarmed!"
"I know! The smartest one is gone."
The atmosphere around Si Yan was extremely tense as he coldly uttered, "He was lured into the dark river and jumped in. How can we save him?"
Tang Mu slowly raised a finger and shook it in front of Si Yan's eyes.
"Don't try to save him, you can't save him anyway!"
Si Yan's expression changed drastically, and he almost started a fight. Tang Mu quickly said, "Do you even remember what day it is today?"
It pointed outside, "Go see what's happening on the streets! Those who die today will be reborn tomorrow."
You'll see him tomorrow.
"You just need to get a good night's sleep and wait for the ceremony to begin tomorrow."
Tang Mu covered his mouth and chuckled, turning another page of the huge book. "See you tomorrow, everyone."
Su Yi ran out of the library. Several corners were filled with murders, the knife flashing and falling with swift, decisive strokes.
Even though the killer appeared to be in some pain, his expression wasn't one of sadness, but rather... relief and hope.
Looking around, it seemed like everyone in the town had gone mad.
What are you doing?
Su Yi loudly asked the nearest townsman.
The townspeople bowed their heads, looking at the blood-soaked ground, which was the only color in this gloomy scene.
"Die today, be reborn tomorrow."
He repeated the sentence, then laughed again.
"Reborn tomorrow."
After saying this, he pulled the knife from the chest of the corpse on the ground and then plunged it into his own chest.
Su Yi: "..."
She turned to Si Yan and sighed, "I think this town is truly beyond saving."
Not a single one of them was normal! And several of the contestants were also killed in the process.
Si Yan stared expressionlessly at the corpse on the ground.
" Su Yi, test her soul."
"Ah?"
Su Yi frowned, "I can only communicate with the souls of ghosts... Could it be?"
She quickly crouched down, her fingertips hovering over the two corpses.
No, there's nothing there.
Si Yan lowered his eyes. "You guessed wrong. Let's go."
He didn't linger and turned back to the hotel.
Mikazuki Shunsuke straightened his suit jacket and shook his head. "Really, I regret coming."
Mikazuki Hexi followed and left.