The crowd saw a pitch-black tunnel, where even the strongest in the Mortal Realm could only see a metre ahead, and beyond that, nothing was visible.
“Move!”
Ling Xiao tightly grasped Dai Yuling’s hand.
The darkness, terrifying to others, was no issue for him. Though his vision was limited, releasing his “True Essence Ball” allowed him to clearly “see” within a ten-metre radius.
“Let’s follow!”
Ling Xiao and Dai Yuling led the way at the forefront.
Behind them were Leng Hao and others.
Further back followed the group led by Bai Feifei.
Ming Tian trailed far behind.
Upon entering the tunnel, everyone felt an eerie sensation, as if immense pressure was bearing down on their bodies, making movement arduous.
Fortunately, after some time adjusting, the discomfort eased.
Yet the surrounding space still seemed to constrict, and Ling Xiao realised this was no illusion.
It was real, and at this rate of contraction, they had to pass through the tunnel within fifteen minutes, or trouble awaited.
The most unbearable aspect of the tunnel was the putrid stench of decay.
The entire passage was filled with foul water, brimming with revolting objects, including rotting corpses and various insects.
Female disciples like Bai Feifei and Dai Yuling found it unbearable, so after entering, they fixed their gazes ahead, refusing to look at the path below.
However, this approach was highly dangerous.
No one could predict what might suddenly emerge from the filthy water.
Dai Yuling was fine, with Ling Xiao by her side, needing only to look forward.
Bai Feifei had Shen Tianlin eagerly attending to her, so she was likely safe too.
After about five or six minutes, it was clear the tunnel had narrowed significantly, though not enough to trap them yet.
“Wait!”
Ling Xiao suddenly raised his right hand, “There’s a strange corpse, submerged in this foul water, yet it hasn’t rotted.”
Everyone halted and looked in the direction Ling Xiao indicated.
To widen their view, they used fluorescent stones.
The light revealed the tunnel’s end.
There stood a sealed metal door.
Near it was a corpse, remarkably clean, without a trace of decay, exuding an uncanny aura.
“It’s just a corpse, why make a fuss!”
Perhaps because Ling Xiao had shone too brightly and gained many treasures, jealousy stirred, prompting someone to mock him for stopping.
Ling Xiao gave a cold smirk, said nothing, and tapped Dai Yuling twice, sealing her hearing.
In that instant, the corpse abruptly stood, and a piercing, eerie laugh echoed through the tunnel.
“Ah!”
The disciple who had mocked Ling Xiao clutched his head, blood streaming from his orifices, and died horribly.
Being closest to Ling Xiao and the corpse, he suffered the most.
“Survivors: eighteen!”
No one paid heed to the dead disciple, all mimicking Ling Xiao by blocking their hearing.
The corpse’s head slowly rose, its pale, sinister face exposed under the fluorescent stone’s glow.
The light on that ghastly face was truly chilling.
“Hey, is this thing still alive?”
Despite being Mortal Realm warriors, many were faint-hearted.
Hearing the trembling voice, Ling Xiao chuckled, “If it’s not dead, that’s better, perhaps there’s a great opportunity here.”
They communicated via voice transmission, allowing contact despite blocked hearing.
After speaking, Ling Xiao gently patted Dai Yuling’s hand, signalling her to stay put, then swiftly approached the reanimated corpse.
Seeing Ling Xiao draw near, the corpse, perhaps sensing its sound attack was ineffective, flashed green light in its eyes.
It was clearly trying a new tactic.
“Ah!”
Screams erupted again among the group, accompanied by sounds of combat.
“Survivors: seventeen!”
“Survivors: sixteen!”
Two more had died, reducing the original fifty to sixteen!
The two were dragged into the foul water by pale arms that suddenly emerged, suffocating them.
This scene instantly heightened everyone’s tension, but as warriors, their quick reactions prevented further losses.
“Fools, killed by illusions, utterly useless!”
Shen Tianlin scoffed disdainfully.
As one of the top ten core disciples, he quickly discerned the attacks’ nature.
If you weren’t afraid, these things couldn’t harm you, but if fear took hold, illusions could become real attacks.
Ling Xiao had noticed this too but was less harsh, refraining from such cutting remarks.
He glanced back at Dai Yuling, saw she was fine, and continued forward.
Neither the terrifying sounds nor illusions affected him, he showed no reaction to the fear.
He even drew his Ice Dragon Sword, ready to shred the monster to pieces.
Though unsure what this creature was, it seemed to possess some intelligence. Sensing Ling Xiao’s indifference to its attacks, its eyes flashed green again, unleashing a new move.
In that moment, the pale, terrifying corpse transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman!
About twenty years old, clad in sheer, gauzy clothing, her dark hair cascaded behind her, her lovely face flushed with allure, even offering a seductive smile.
The most captivating was her tantalising, elusive charm.
In terms of beauty alone, she rivalled Yue Nü, though lacking her unique aura.
Behind, both men and women struggled to breathe.
Some male disciples, entranced, began walking towards her.
Ling Xiao paused, surprisingly sheathing his Ice Dragon Sword.
“Hmph, so Ling Xiao has a weakness, lust. As expected, this is another illusion, and he fell for it.”
Shen Tianlin sneered, speaking to Tantai Lingzi beside him, “Senior Sister, with your beauty, a seduction tactic could probably leave him utterly bewitched.”
“Fool, underestimating him will cost you!”
Tantai Lingzi didn’t share Shen Tianlin’s disdain, holding a high opinion of Ling Xiao.
