37 - Dungeon Growth Log

Xia Ge hadn’t even had the chance to lie when a sudden dazzling golden light flared up from the formation on the ground. Out of nowhere, two massive three-headed puppets appeared on either side of the array! Xia Ge couldn’t discern whether it was the array's teleportation or something else. Regardless, she tightened her grip on the scythe and exclaimed, “Damn, is the Old Ancestor really that stingy? I can't afford this!” “Shut up,” the System retorted. The three-headed puppets were terrifying, with four limbs and eyes carved from black stone. Their three heads bared iron teeth with menacing expressions, and the materials of their upright bristles were unknown, adding to their fearsome appearance. “Roar—” One of the puppets on the right dug its front right claw into the ground, then, with a surge of power from its hind legs, lunged at her with the speed and ferocity of a thunderbolt! Seeing the formation in the stone chamber and recognizing it, Xia Ge did not meet the attack head-on. Instead, employing her ghostly agility, she darted to the right, positioning herself behind the three-headed puppet. In the blink of an eye, the puppet missed its target, and Xia Ge swung her scythe, aiming for one of its heads— “With so many heads, let me chop one off to use as a ball, okay?” “Roar—howl—” However, the puppet was quick to react. Its three heads weren’t just decorative. Sensing Xia Ge’s position, it whipped its tail around, and the right head turned, locking eyes with Xia Ge, who was about to strike. The instant the black stone eyes turned crimson, a torrent of searing flames erupted from its mouth towards Xia Ge! Meanwhile, the other three-headed puppet had also moved but didn’t launch an attack. Instead, it leaped to an advantageous position, blocking all her escape routes. “Clang!” Xia Ge’s lips curled into a slight smile, and with a swift movement, the middle section of her scythe broke off and connected to a chain. Swinging it like a fan, the rotating scythe collided with the incoming fire. Though it halted the flames, the force propelled Xia Ge back, sending her careening towards the wall near the stone passage entrance like a broken kite— “Zzz—” As the fire weakened, Xia Ge’s hand, now sore, withdrew the scythe. Just before her back hit the wall, she braced with the iron rod, then used the momentum to spin in mid-air and gracefully land. With a swish, she slashed two lines through the glowing formation on the ground, severing the array’s lines. The two three-headed beasts instantly froze, pausing in place. “Hehehe, see ya!” Satisfied with her work, Xia Ge turned and bolted into the stone passage. As she had suspected, they were formation puppets. She had momentarily worried that the Old Ancestor's spirit had returned to seek retribution. Her previous interest in the formations stemmed from the later chapters of *Boundless Wind and Moon,* where the male protagonist also encountered many such formation puppets. These entities couldn’t be engaged in prolonged combat, as they drew power from the array, growing stronger over time. Disabling the formation would cut off their energy source, eventually stopping them. She had inadvertently disrupted a stone tablet, likely the temporary switch for the formation. The conditions to activate the formation were twofold: someone touching the array lines or the stone tablet. While there wasn’t a direct way to shut it down, disrupting the array lines was a viable method. Without the array gathering spiritual energy, the puppets would deplete their energy and stop. “Roar—” The two three-headed beasts roared in fury and charged into the passage. Due to their enormous size, they soon got stuck at the entrance, howling shrilly and spewing flames after Xia Ge, who was dashing ahead at full speed. “Roar—” The scorching flames surged towards her, threatening to engulf everything. Xia Ge pushed her ghostly agility to the limit, scythe in hand, eyes closed, and screaming as she sprinted wildly— “Ahhh, Old Ancestor, please manifest and save me! I, your loyal 556th disciple, Xia Wu Yin of the 88th outer gate, am here to burn offerings for you!” System: “...” Burn your damn offerings! Fortunately, Xia Ge's speed was nearly unparalleled. The pursuing fire fell short, and after multiple sharp turns in the passage, she could no longer feel the menacing heat behind her, only the distant roars of the trapped beasts. She finally slowed down, taking deep breaths. “Huff… huff… I’m exhausted.” Dropping her scythe, Xia Ge leaned against the wall, eventually sliding down to sit on the ground. “Dear heavens… this passage is so long.” Pushing her ghostly agility to its limit was rare, and each time she did, it felt akin to running 2000 meters in the scorching sun during a university physical exam. Feeling slightly restored, Xia Ge began to survey her surroundings. “This is… grueling.” The passage remained bathed in the light of night pearls every three steps. Instead of murals, though, it now featured intricate formations between the pearls, which Xia Ge couldn't decipher. Holding her scythe, Xia Ge inspected the walls cautiously. Sensing no immediate danger, she let her thoughts wander. “Hey, System, do you recognize these formations on the walls?” “Not a clue.” “Useless, utterly useless. You don’t even know this.” System: “...” Do you know it?! Xia Ge stroked her chin. “Formations inside the Lingshi Old Ancestor’s burial chamber… must be priceless…!” With a sudden realization, her eyes gleamed, “Could it be that this is the immense fortune the Old Ancestor wants to bestow upon me?!” “Not...” You're overthinking it! Seeing the formations repeated along the walls, Xia Ge began memorizing them as she walked forward. There were only three different ones, and soon, she knew them by heart. “I need to check some books when I get back,” Xia Ge mused, “Formations in the Lingshi Old Ancestor’s burial chamber must be extraordinary.” “These formations are likely for the dead,” the System remarked. Refusing to accept reality, Xia Ge retorted, “No, hush. I lean towards these being unknown supreme formations.” “...” As long as it makes you happy. “In novels, it’s always like this,” Xia Ge continued, attempting to demonstrate the formations' potential to the System, “Even though the protagonist is that coward Ye Ze, I’m not that unlucky…” “Woooo…” Xia Ge’s voice faltered. The faint sound of sobbing echoed from the end of the passage. “…I suppose.” “…?” Fear crept into Xia Ge’s voice. “Did I just hear something?” Trying to stay calm, the System answered, “No, I don't think so.” Xia Ge attempted nonchalance, “Me neith—” “Wooo…” The words “Me neither” stuck in Xia Ge’s throat, replaced by goosebumps that trickled down her spine. Groping for the Ghost Dragon Jade at her waist, she came up empty. It hit her belatedly: she’d dropped the Ghost Dragon Jade during her fight with the demonized puppet. Cold sweat trickled down Xia Ge’s back. “Sys… System, I think we should… go back…” The System snapped, “You’re in a tomb, expecting not to see ghosts – how thick can your skin get?!” “This is different,” Xia Ge argued, “These are my ancestors!!” “Then why are you afraid if they’re your ancestors?!” Xia Ge was at a loss. It wasn’t the ancestors she feared, but the ghosts! Ghosts scared her, even if they were ancestors! Amidst deep woods, one finds deer; amidst deep tombs, one finds ghosts. “Returning is impossible,” the System pointed out. “Those two three-headed puppets are still blocking the way. Can you fight them off? Even if you do, there’s no way out.” The faint sobbing continued drifting from the passage ahead. In a moment of feigned bravery, Xia Ge declared, “If I don’t brave hell, who will? System, onward!” “…Why are your legs shaking?” “…” Xia Ge moved forward with hesitant steps, feeling the passage stretch endlessly. Finally navigating the bright and winding passage, she came across a second stone chamber and saw the source of the crying. The sobbing woman stunned Xia Ge for a moment with her ethereal beauty. In the chamber lit by night pearls, the woman wore luxurious, fiery red robes. Her wide sleeves covered her face, dark hair ornamented with red bands into a high bun, with strands cascading down her shoulders. Gold adornments on her forehead shimmered faintly. Her arched brows nearly reached her temples, tears misting her upturned eyes, lending her an additional air of delicate charm. She sobbed into her red sleeves, sprawled as if in a red bridal gown that trailed behind her, enchanting like a demoness. Sensing someone approaching, she looked up, her elongated eyes faintly upturned, tearful yet alluring, “Who is it?—Where did this young master come from?” What a beauty! But isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to be dressed in red in someone's burial chamber? No… that's not the point. Xia Ge's hands shook as she pointed her scythe at the woman and asked, “Are you a human or a ghost?” The woman seemed frightened by the scythe, trembling slightly as her almond-shaped eyes filled with tears. “Young Master, why must you greet me with a blade?” “...” Xia Ge wasn’t certain if the woman was a human or a ghost. Approaching without her scythe? Not an option. “L-Little Sir, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not a ghost,” she tearfully explained. “I’m a bride from Mo Village at the base of the mountain. Last night, I dreamed of a blue deer. When I awoke, I found myself here.” Mo Village? Blue deer? Deer? Lost deer? “Am I still dreaming, Young Master? Where am I?” the woman asked, attempting to stand. Her fiery red bridal robe moved with her, and her large ink-black eyes reflected the night pearls' light, appearing both innocent and enchanting. As she took a step towards Xia Ge, Xia Ge jumped back as if electrified. “D-Don’t come closer!! S-Stay there! If you come any closer, I’ll have to act!” The woman appeared saddened, halting her steps. Her eyes shimmered with tears. “Young Master, don’t be afraid. I’m not a malevolent spirit.” Just because you say you’re not a malevolent spirit doesn’t mean it’s true! Just because you say you’re from Mo Village doesn’t mean it’s true! Just because you say a deer brought you here doesn’t mean it’s true! If words alone worked, she could claim to be the reincarnation of the illustrious Old Ancestor Lingshi! Would anyone believe that?! Author's Note: Thank you to Xie Sanliang for throwing a landmine at 21:36 on 2018-06-01 Yunyun ZHSHN for throwing a landmine at 23:43 on 2018-06-01 A Chipmunk for throwing a grenade at 00:18 on 2018-06-02 Chai Gui for throwing a landmine at 00:54 on 2018-06-02 48-Year-Old Airplane for throwing a landmine at 07:08 on 2018-06-02 Xu Feng for throwing a landmine at 10:50 on 2018-06-02 Xu Feng for throwing a landmine at 10:56 on 2018-06-02 Xu Feng for throwing a landmine at 10:56 on 2018-06-02 You Say Magic Mud for throwing a landmine at 10:57 on 2018-06-02 Cat Leader for throwing a landmine at 11:52 on 2018-06-02 Cat Leader for throwing a landmine at 11:52 on 2018-06-02 Xue Li for throwing a landmine at 12:13 on 2018-06-02 Stay-at-Home Cat Fiend for throwing a landmine at 13:00 on 2018-06-02 48-Year-Old Airplane for throwing a landmine at 18:38 on 2018-06-02 Everyday Clubber for throwing a landmine at 20:18 on 2018-06-02 Hopelessly Addicted to Yuri for throwing a landmine at 22:59 on 2018-06-02 Cat Ye Zi for throwing a landmine at 23:36 on 2018-06-02 Unrestrained for throwing a landmine at 00:15 on 2018-06-03 Irony for throwing a landmine at 02:54 on 2018-06-03 Cat Leader for throwing a landmine at 06:41 on 2018-06-03 Cat Leader for throwing a landmine at 06:41 on 2018-06-03 Sui Sui Side for throwing a landmine at 10:18 on 2018-06-03 Qi Qin for throwing a landmine at 17:06 on 2018-06-03 Qi Qin for throwing a landmine at 17:06 on 2018-06-03 Thank you all for the landmines! And thank you to the readers who provided nutrient solutions: Reader a-yo, who contributed +20 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader Bai Ye Error, who contributed +40 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader Bai Jia Wen, who contributed +5 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader Hui Chang Ku, who contributed +2 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader 1, who contributed +2 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader Chu Jiu, who contributed +50 nutrient solutions on 06-03-2018 Reader Xue Er Lun, who contributed +1 nutrient solution on 06-03-2018 Reader , who contributed +1 nutrient solution on 06-02-2018 Reader ???, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Da Pao Zai, who contributed +60 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Xue Er Lun, who contributed +1 nutrient solution on 06-02-2018 Reader Dovis, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Dovis, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader You Dian Lan, who contributed +5 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Sha Wan Er, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Iki, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Yu Tu, who contributed +20 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Kyo, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-02-2018 Reader Guo Guo, who contributed +1 nutrient solution on 06-01-2018 Reader :), who contributed +30 nutrient solutions on 06-01-2018 Reader Jian Mo, who contributed +10 nutrient solutions on 06-01-2018 Thank you all for the nutrient solutions, love you all! Yesterday, Jinjiang randomly pulled out 2000 unedited characters from my earlier draft for review, so some friends saw the awkwardly written “so” and other bits (oops). The irresponsible author stayed up reading novels until 5 AM today. When Little Ji Ke reminded me that the chapters were mashed together awkwardly, it was already noon (apologies, bowing). Love my little Ji Ke (heart sign). If anyone missed those parts or felt confused, please check the previous chapter. Love you guys TAT. I'll squeeze in a double update someday as compensation. =w=