Sometimes, the damp wall naturally forms patterns, and with the outline of imagination in the human mind, it can look like a human face.

But this thing's mold splotches are layered and constantly changing, as if a face has truly grown out of the stone, grimacing eerily, unsettling to the core.

What is even more oppressive is that this face has no demon qi or ghost qi, only a faint yin qi, just like a naturally damp and moldy place, quite peculiar.

"Hmph, trying to scare people with tricks!"

Zhang Kui snorted coldly, the Lu Li Sword flashed, and the chilly Gang Evil shot out with the sword qi.

Sizzle!

Stone chips scattered, a crack appeared on the top of the cave, splitting the moldy face in two.

Perhaps due to the moisture in the air, the top of the cave rapidly covered in frost, becoming completely white, freezing the human face.

Subsequently, the mold splotches scattered and disappeared.

Did he take it out?

No, he didn't…

Zhang Kui focused his gaze, looking around cautiously, activating the Life Light skill.

A faint golden light appeared around his body, a reaction that only occurs upon being attacked.

Soon after, from all directions, from the top to the walls of the cave, and even underground, moldy spots appeared as if decaying.

The mold splotches gathered more and more, making the air stuffy and damp, and an unsettling, musty smell started to emerge.

What exactly is this thing?

Zhang Kui's gaze grew serious, the Lu Li Sword's sword qi surged in all directions, breaking stones everywhere, and soon the entire stone chamber turned into a vast ice cave.

The mold splotches were frozen, then disappeared.

Suddenly, a wave of yin qi appeared at the top of the cave, seemingly trying to seep inside.

"Trying to escape?"

Zhang Kui sneered, instantly appearing at the top of the cave.

With the sword qi radiating, he dug out a huge stone, which was quickly engulfed by the erupting black mist, along with the yin qi.

...

In the Black Fog Space, dim and eerie.

Zhang Kui stared coldly at what was in front of him and said:

"Lian Chengzi, at this point, still won't show yourself?"

He had guessed the strange identity before him, but did not know how much of its human identity remained.

As soon as the words fell, black splotches suddenly grew out of the stone block and rapidly spread around.

Still trying to seize my Ancient Artifact?

A fierce look flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes, and countless tiny vines appeared on the ground, tightly wrapping the mold spots.

The power of the vines was undeniable, with nearly infectious capabilities akin to a virus, and unimaginably strong life force.

As soon as they came into contact, a sizzling sound erupted, sometimes vines sprouted from the mold spots, sometimes the vines rapidly decayed and molded, creating a stalemate state.

As the power of the vines strengthened, the adjacent vines quickly swelled to reveal the body of that Banshee, whose eyes bore an instinctive greed as they stared at the mold spots.

Suddenly, the mold spots became still, and a faint white shadow appeared beside them.

This was a man in white, with hair like ink and a face like jade, charismatic and handsome.

He first showed surprise, lunged towards the Banshee, seemingly shouting something, but then suddenly became shocked, desolate, his gaze hollow…

When the man appeared, Zhang Kui swung his sword immediately, but it was as if it passed through a phantom with no effect.

Zhang Kui frowned and immediately used the Soul Capture technique.

However, the figure was just like an unclear television signal, flickering and unable to capture the soul.

Zhang Kui seemed to have understood something.

This thing…

Seemed to be a signal with its consciousness, like how past images sometimes appear during thunderstorms in nature.

What kind of method is this?

Meanwhile, the gaze of Lian Chengzi's image grew more and more hollow, finally taking one last look at the greedy-eyed Banshee, closing his eyes, and then disappearing into specks of light and shadow.

As he disappeared, the resistance of the mold spots also grew weaker, being devoured by the vines.

At the same time, a series of fragment-like images burst out before Zhang Kui:

In the ancient secret realm of the wilderness, a giant ancient jade tree entwined with vines, mold spots growing on the ground, Lian Chengzi standing below, a look of joy on his withered face…

On a stone bed, the woman named Qiongzhi was engulfed in blue Yin Fire, her eyes gradually filled with despair, and Lian Chengzi gritted his teeth, pushing her into the twisted vines that seemed alive…

Before a giant stone coffin, a haggard Lian Chengzi continuously poured various potions, the mold spots inside constantly changing, and then he closed his eyes and lay inside…

With these scenes, Zhang Kui gained an understanding.

Lian Chengzi and Qiongzhi should have been a pair of lovers, and due to troubles in their cultivation, they found this alternative method to achieve longevity.

Sadly, such a perfect couple had ended up becoming such half-human, half-ghostly figures.

Buzz!

A subsequent light-shadow image seemed to be Lian Chengzi's most profound memory, and even sound could be heard.

By the lake, fragrant orchids, the setting sun reflecting on the water, creating waves of light, dandelions floating across the sky.

The woman plucked a harp, the man played a flute, a match made in heaven.

After the tune, the woman sighed lightly:

"Senior Brother, how wonderful it would be if these days could last forever."

Lian Chengzi looked at the woman tenderly:

"Of course, we are cultivating for longevity."

The woman smiled and shook her head:

"Senior Brother, you jest, longevity is but an illusion, there's nothing eternal in this world, and living so long is less carefree than plants and trees…"

"Then I will accompany you and become one with nature."

Lian Chengzi shook his head, his eyes even more tender.

The woman smiled sweetly, playing the harp and singing softly,

"All things have their nature, the paths of humans and demons diverge, if I were like the plants and trees, I would never achieve enlightenment…"

Buzz!

The light-shadow shattered, and a man's disappointed sigh echoed in the air: "Alas… Longevity…"

On the other side, the Banshee's greed in her eyes grew more intense, a raw, emotionless instinct.

The mold spots finally disappeared,

The Banshee also turned into vines and disappeared into the ground…

...

In the stone cave, the black mist suddenly contracted.

Zhang Kui appeared, looking at the increasingly formidable black umbrella in his hand, shaking his head with a complex expression.

"From now on, I'll call you 'Longevity'…"

This time it was different, perhaps due to the complete vanishing of the anomaly formed by the mold spots and Lian Chengzi, and five skill points were gained.

Zhang Kui sighed, prepared to leave, but suddenly furrowed his brow and looked up.

He saw that an astonishing heat was emanating from the damaged top of the stone chamber, causing dust and stones to fall.

What's happening?

Zhang Kui leaped up to discover that there was actually another space inside.

Could it be a treasure chamber?

Zhang Kui grew interested and quickly climbed inside.

This was originally the remains of the Langya Pavilion, perhaps Lian Chengzi hid some valuable items here.

However, when he emerged, he became stunned.

This was a massive and ancient stone chamber, empty all around, and the ground depicted a huge Yin Yang Diagram.

More importantly, a naked woman was sitting cross-legged in the center, giving him a fierce stare.

She was a stunning woman, her skin gleaming like jade, her features delicate like a painting, with an aristocratic bearing, and a faint blue flame burning over her.

Zhang Kui's scalp tingled as he immediately realized who it was.

The Celestial Water Palace Master, Gu Ziqing.

Zhang Kui immediately bowed his head, cupping his hands,

"Junior, guarding the Celestial Water Palace, mistakenly entered this place while tracking evil demons, the place was dark and I saw nothing, I plan to leave now."

While speaking, he began to retreat.

Unexpectedly, the Celestial Water Palace Master did not flare up in anger, but instead showed a pained expression and sighed.

"Do not fear, I have failed in my tribulation, and soon I will turn to ashes."

Zhang Kui's eyelid twitched,

"Is it because I disturbed you?"

The Celestial Water Palace Master slowly closed her eyes,

"It is too late for words now, you should go…"

Zhang Kui's expression darkened, knowing of the disasters and difficulties at the Celestial Tribulation Realm.

Among them, the "fire disaster" is when Yin Fire rises from the spring point, burning through the mud pill, turning the five viscera to ash.

This Yin Fire is from one's own mana igniting, and the way to withstand it is to endure the burning of the Yin Fire while converging internal Spiritual Qi and Magical Power, forming a stable cycle, a process like walking a tightrope.

However, just like how the Bodhi Ancestor Master told Sun Wukong, the Earth Demon 72 Techniques provide a way to shield oneself from cosmic disasters.

Thinking of this, Zhang Kui cupped his hand and said:

"Senior Gu, I know a method that can help you in your tribulation, but you must promise me one thing…"

The Celestial Water Palace Master Gu Ziqing opened her eyes,

"Speak!"

Zhang Kui awkwardly smiled,

"Afterwards, please don't turn against me…"

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