Soul Ferryman Appears and the Choice to Seal Demons

The mournful, ethereal singing was like invisible threads, coiling in the cold, damp air of Lanruo Temple, attempting to burrow into everyone's hearts. Even under the shroud of Bai Zhi's [Heart Calming Incantation] Buddhist light, the sorrow and allure contained within the song still surged like a tide, wave after wave crashing against the defenders' mental barriers.

"This is no ordinary ghost!" Mo Hen's brow furrowed. He quickly retrieved two jade talismans from his mechanical satchel, crushed them, and transformed them into two streams of clear light that entered himself and Su Yan. "[Soul Suppressing Talisman], it can temporarily strengthen soul defense, but its effect against this level of beguiling sound is likely limited."

Su Yan felt a cool sensation merge into his sea of consciousness, dispelling the slight dizziness brought on by the seductive melody. He held his mind steady, Star Power flowing gently within his body. Its balanced and peaceful nature gave him a natural resistance to this kind of mental erosion. The Star Vortex on his shoulder was unusually agitated, its tail spinning at high speed, emitting a low hum that seemed capable of cleaving souls. It appeared extremely disgusted by this pure negative mental energy.

The mist around Yun Ji churned violently. She rapidly formed hand seals, and spiritual light from her fingertips outlined a simple Eight Trigrams illusion, shielding everyone. The invisible sound waves struck the Eight Trigrams illusion, causing ripples to spread outwards.

"The source of the singing is deep within the temple, but its power can already reach this far. It's definitely not something a Level 38 elite can do," Yun Ji's voice came through the mist, carrying a hint of solemnity. "At least a Level 40 leader, or even... a more troublesome existence. It's luring us in."

"Master warned, 'Never enter a temple.' Could this be what he meant?" Bai Zhi looked worriedly at the dark temple entrance, as if it were the gaping maw of a ravenous beast.

Su Yan's gaze was steady as he looked at the Compass in his hand again. The Compass's silver light still pointed steadily at the half-collapsed ancient pagoda. It seemed to have no special reaction to the singing from the temple. In his mind, on the Star Map, the cracked "Seal" illusion representing the ancient pagoda seemed to have dimmed further after the singing began.

The pagoda's seal is accelerating its loosening with the singing... Su Yan's mind dawned with understanding. There must be a connection between these two. The entity in the temple might want to use us, or the chaos we cause, to completely break the pagoda's seal!

This speculation sent chills down everyone's spines. If the entity in the temple was using them, then rashly entering, regardless of victory or defeat, might play right into its hands, leading to even more terrifying consequences.

"Let's check out the pagoda first!" Su Yan decided immediately. "Since the Compass's guidance and the residual information all point to the ancient pagoda, that's the key. As for this temple... we'll bypass it for now."

This decision was undoubtedly the most prudent. The group suppressed their curiosity and wariness towards the strange singing, concealed their presence, and prepared to circle around the temple area, advancing towards the ancient pagoda.

However, the dangers of Lanruo Temple far exceeded their expectations.

Not even a hundred meters after they moved, passing through an especially dense grove of scholar trees (though their branches were long withered), a sudden change occurred!

The Yin energy around them intensified abruptly, and the shadows on the ground seemed to come alive, coiling around their ankles like a viscous swamp! At the same time, on the twisted branches of the trees in the grove, pale, swollen human faces silently appeared. They all opened their hollow eyes and let out silent shrieks!

[Vengeful Scholar Tree Binding] (Environmental Effect): Movement speed reduced by 50%, ignores some physical defense, and continuously takes Yin energy erosion damage.

[Ghoul Face] (Special Monster): Level 38, Elite. Spirits attached to scholar trees, immune to physical attacks, high magic resistance, will launch mental shockwaves and summon [Yin Wood Puppets].

"Not good! It's a trap!" Mo Hen's expression changed. The warning mechanisms he had set up had failed to detect these deeply hidden Ghouls in advance!

In an instant, dozens of [Yin Wood Puppets] (Level 36, Normal) made of dead wood and earth crawled out from underground and charged at them fearlessly. The silent shrieks from the Ghoul Faces in the grove transformed into tangible mental storms, sweeping towards everyone's sea of consciousness!

Bai Zhi's [Heart Calming Incantation] aura fluctuated violently. She grunted, and a trace of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, clearly indicating she was under immense pressure. Mo Hen's mechanical beasts were quickly reduced to tatters under the siege of the Yin Wood Puppets. Su Yan repeatedly cast [Lightning Talisman] to bombard the Ghoul Faces, but their magic resistance was too high, and the effect was not significant. The Star Vortex roared repeatedly. Its [Star Vortex Sky Rend Strike] could easily tear apart Yin Wood Puppets, but it was helpless against the Ghoul Faces, which were immune to physical attacks. It possessed immense combat power but had nowhere to apply it.

The situation instantly became passive! Movement was restricted, healing pressure was immense, and output was severely countered!

"We must eliminate these Ghouls first!" Su Yan endured the mental shockwaves while trying to find a way to break through. His [Soul Chasing Talisman · Corrosion] had some effect on spirits, but facing such a large number of Ghouls, it was still a drop in the bucket.

At this critical juncture, a clear bell chime, without any warning, came from afar!

"Dong--"

The bell sound was not loud, but it carried an indescribable penetrative power and a sense of peace. Like a spring breeze sweeping across a frozen plain, wherever it passed, the viscous shadow restraints quickly melted away like snow under the sun! The silent shrieking Ghoul Faces in the grove let out piercing screams as if they were being burned, their faces emitting wisps of smoke and becoming blurry!

At the same time, a golden stream of light streaked across the gloomy sky like a meteor, landing precisely in the scholar tree grove. As the light dispersed, it revealed an ancient copper coin engraved with Rebirth incantations. The coin landed and immediately transformed into a golden circle several meters in diameter. Within the circle, the menacing Yin Wood Puppets' movements instantly slowed, and their bodies began to disintegrate as if being purified!

"Rebirth Coin? Is it a Buddhist expert?!" Bai Zhi exclaimed in surprise.

Su Yan and the others also felt their spirits lift and seized the opportunity to exert their strength. With the restraints removed, the Star Vortex, like a wild tiger unleashed, instantly cleared the surrounding remaining Yin Wood Puppets. Su Yan and Mo Hen then concentrated their firepower, cooperating with the purification effect of the golden circle, to quickly eliminate the heavily damaged Ghoul Faces.

In just a moment, this sudden crisis was resolved. The scholar tree grove returned to its dead silence, with only the Rebirth Coin, suspended in mid-air and slowly rotating, emitting warm and peaceful golden light.

A slightly hoarse voice, yet carrying an air of detachment, came from behind them:

"Amitabha. Benefactors, this place is dangerous, not a good land. Why have you ventured so deep?"

They followed the sound and saw a young monk, clad in a faded gray robe, holding a nine-ringed staff, and with a large wine gourd hanging from his waist, walking slowly towards them. He appeared to be only in his early twenties, with a delicate face, but his eyes held a weariness and compassion unbefitting his age. Most striking was that he had no strong Buddhist light or spiritual energy fluctuations around him, yet wherever he walked, the filth on the ground seemed to be purified by an invisible force, and even the dense Yin energy actively retreated.

[??? (Soul Ferryman)] (Neutral Unit?) Level: ???

The information fed back by the probe was extremely limited, only the title "Soul Ferryman" and a series of question marks. Even his level could not be detected. This could only mean one of two things: either the opponent's strength far surpassed theirs, or he possessed an extremely high-level concealment technique.

"Thank you for your assistance, Master," Su Yan stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute, his vigilance not entirely lowered. In this strange place, the sudden appearance of a mysterious monk made it uncertain whether he was friend or foe.

"This humble monk is Hui Ming, merely a wandering Soul Ferryman. I do not deserve the title of Master," the young monk returned the salute. His gaze swept over the Compass in Su Yan's hand and paused for a moment on the Star Vortex, a flicker of imperceptible surprise in his eyes before returning to compassion and peace. "Benefactors, you possess extraordinary treasures and an unusual spiritual pet, but the resentment here has accumulated for a thousand years, with entangled karma. Deep within, a great evil is about to break free. This is not something your current cultivation can handle. Listen to this monk's advice and leave quickly."

His words were sincere, carrying a convincing power.

Su Yan exchanged glances with Mo Hen and Bai Zhi, then spoke, "Master Hui Ming, to be frank, we are not here to seek treasure or gain experience, but to investigate the source of the disturbances in the netherworld. The seal on the ancient pagoda here is on the verge of breaking, and a beguiling spirit is causing trouble in the temple. I fear a great disaster may ensue. Do you know the details of this matter?"

Hui Ming sighed softly upon hearing this, his gaze drifting towards the ancient pagoda, his eyes complex. "Beneath that pagoda is sealed a general from a previous dynasty, filled with immense resentment. Because all one hundred thousand of his soldiers died unjustly here, his soul did not dissipate, merging with the battlefield's malevolent energy to become a [Blood Fiend Ghost General], incredibly ferocious. As for the singing in the temple... it is from a confidante of the general's from his lifetime. Driven mad by longing, she hanged herself on a scholar tree in the temple, transforming into an [Wailing Ghost Princess]. Her resentment and the general's malevolent energy nourish each other, and they have formed a significant force."

He paused, then continued, "As for the disturbances in the netherworld... this humble monk has also sensed them. The Yin-Yang path here is already fragile due to the ancient battlefield. Recently, exceptionally strong forces of deathly stillness have repeatedly attempted to break through the barrier, accelerating the revival of the Ghost General and the Ghost Princess. If they are allowed to break free completely and use the Yin-Yang path to bring the armies of the netherworld into the world, the consequences would be unimaginable."

The information largely matched their own speculations, even being more specific.

"If that is the case, Master Hui Ming, are you here to reinforce the seal?" Bai Zhi asked.

Hui Ming shook his head, a wry smile appearing on his face. "This humble monk's spiritual power is weak; I am unable to reinforce such a ferocious seal. This humble monk is here, firstly, to guide some of the outer spirits to rebirth and accumulate merit; secondly, to wait... to wait for an opportunity, or for a fated person who can resolve this situation."

His gaze fell back on Su Yan, or rather, on the Compass in his hand.

"This object... seems to contain a faint trace of the power of order's origin. Perhaps... it can sense and restrain that 'Rule Tumor'?" Hui Ming's words carried a hint of uncertain inquiry.

Su Yan's heart jolted! How did Hui Ming know about the "Rule Tumor"?!

"Master also knows of the Rule Tumor?" Su Yan asked in a deep voice.

"I have heard a little," Hui Ming did not elaborate, merely saying, "The Ghost General and Ghost Princess here, due to their special origins and the accumulation of long years, their cores have already formed a certain degree of distortion and adhesion with the 'rules' of this area. They can be considered a miniature, incomplete 'Rule Tumor'. If they can be purified or sealed, it may be beneficial for Daoist friends to understand and deal with that true 'great calamity'."

His words undoubtedly pointed the way for Su Yan and the others, and also explained why the Compass would react to the ancient pagoda.

"However, with our current strength, our chances of defeating leaders above Level 40 are slim," Mo Hen calmly pointed out the critical issue.

Hui Ming took out three talismans radiating golden light from his robes and handed them to Su Yan. "This is the [Vajra Demon Subduing Talisman]. It can temporarily greatly increase damage against Yin and evil entities and can form a protective Buddhist light that lasts for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Perhaps it can help you all."

This was undoubtedly a godsend! Three powerful support talismans, plus the external support, gave them the capital to challenge it.

Should they accept Hui Ming's help and take a risk, striving to resolve the hidden danger before the crisis erupted and accumulating experience fighting the "Rule Tumor"? Or should they heed the initial advice, retreat for now, and wait until their levels increased?

Su Yan looked at the warm Compass in his hand, then at the Battle Intent radiating from the Star Vortex beside him, and his determined companions. He took a deep breath.

Opportunity and risk coexisted. Some battles could not be avoided.

"Thank you, Master Hui Ming! We... are willing to give it a try!"