Beneath the earth temple, a subterranean space of less than ten square meters. It is worth noting that the walls, ceiling, and floor of this entire underground area are constructed from Xuan Yin Stone.
Intricate and peculiar, sinister patterns are carved into the surrounding walls.
In the very center of this underground space rests a stone coffin, also crafted entirely from Xuan Yin Stone!
Within the stone coffin lies a corpse, clad in burial clothes, its face pale.
Though deceased for several years, the body shows no signs of decay. Apart from its pallid complexion, it appears remarkably lifelike.
At the head of the corpse, a black statue, over a foot tall, is placed.
This statue, made of obsidian, continuously emits an eerie glow.
Suddenly, a vengeful spirit, from the entrance on the ground, breaches this underground space.
The dense Yin energy within the subterranean chamber causes the vengeful spirit to let out a joyous roar.
This vengeful spirit is none other than the soul of Zuo Can.
The moment the fire talisman exploded, the vengeful spirit found the entrance to the underground space and directly entered. Even so, the blast's force had affected it.
The scorching flames from the fire talisman had nearly depleted half of the vengeful spirit's energy, causing it to almost dissipate into thin air.
Fortunately, the potent Yin Sha energy within the underground space rapidly mended the vengeful spirit's injuries, preventing its immediate dissolution.
Such damage only deepened the vengeful spirit's animosity towards Ling Tian.
It resolved to absorb ample Yin energy here, grow stronger, and then seek revenge on Ling Tian.
However, at this very moment, another, even denser mass of black energy suddenly emerged from the black statue beside the corpse.
Zuo Can's vengeful spirit instantly sensed impending danger. It turned and witnessed this terrifying scene: a figure almost condensed into a solid form appeared before the vengeful spirit.
"Mas... Master..."
Lingering memories allowed Zuo Can to immediately recognize this figure.
"Zuo Can, why are you here? Where is You Que?"
"Master, You Que and I were ordered to guard your cultivation grounds. Unexpectedly, a group of people came to disturb you. We both stepped forward to stop them, but were slain by one of them... Bafeng Novel
Please, Master, seek justice for us..."
The more powerful vengeful spirit was Luo Shentong, the master of Yin Sha Sect disciples Zuo Can and You Que!
When Luo Shentong realized his time was nearing its end, he was still reluctant to depart this world.
Thus, he meticulously planned for his afterlife.
North Mountain was the burial ground he had long chosen for himself, and that mysterious statue was a formidable magical artifact.
This artifact could nurture the soul. After his death, his soul would enter the artifact through a secret technique, not only preventing dissipation but also allowing him to cultivate using the abundant Yin energy in the valley.
His intention was to cultivate a vengeful spirit into a more powerful evil spirit!
Once an evil spirit, it would possess its own consciousness and even be fearless of sunlight, effectively being reborn in another form.
Within this underground space, Luo Shentong was not only constantly tempering his soul but also refining his physical body.
His body had been treated with a secret method, capable of remaining uncorroded for centuries. In this Yin-infused subterranean chamber, his corpse was continuously being strengthened and transformed by the Yin energy.
Luo Shentong's plan was quite ingenious. In this underground space, with such potent Yin energy, he could potentially become a powerful evil spirit within decades.
And his body would be refined into a formidable zombie. Then, he could use the evil spirit to control this corpse, becoming an immensely powerful being!
Zuo Can and You Que were his two disciples, loyal to him. He had dispatched them to guard the earth temple and prevent any anomalies.
To Luo Shentong's surprise, he encountered his disciples' souls here, meaning Zuo Can had perished.
After hearing Zuo Can's account, Luo Shentong let out a series of mournful, eerie laughter.
"I never imagined that after passing on all my skills to you, I would only produce two useless fools.
Fine, since you two wastes are incompetent, I shall take matters into my own hands!"
As Luo Shentong's vengeful spirit spoke, he suddenly opened his mouth wide, and a suction force emanated from it, forming a massive vortex.
Instantly, the dense Yin energy throughout the underground space, including You Que's vengeful spirit, was swept up by this vortex. Within minutes, all of it was devoured into Luo Shentong's vengeful spirit's belly.
"Ah, so comfortable!"
Luo Shentong's vengeful spirit burped contentedly, then drifted back to the mysterious statue.
On the surface, Ling Tian carefully examined the scene. Although the earth temple had been overturned, he could still faintly discern several馒头-shaped stones embedded in the ground.
Ling Tian knew this might be the entrance to the underground. Just as he was about to descend, he recalled an incident from not long ago when he returned to the mountain.
At that time, Ling Tian had returned to the mountain and recounted his experiences investigating the haunted house to several of his teachers.
After he finished speaking, his teachers either berated him or offered gentle advice. Though their methods differed, their message was largely the same.
His masters had told him that a wise person does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Such dangerous environments were, after all, the opponent's domain, and venturing in rashly was akin to gambling with one's own life.
Had it not been for the treasures his masters had given him, he would have been dead already.
Ling Tian had reflected on this afterward and agreed with his masters.
Today, Ling Tian found himself in a situation almost identical to that one, so he decided not to enter for the time being. He would find an opportunity to forcibly dismantle it from the outside!
As he thought this, a flash of inspiration struck him, and a talisman appeared in his hand.
The material of this talisman appeared different from ordinary yellow paper. All the patterns on the talisman were drawn with purple ink.
Ling Tian infused his internal energy, activating the talisman. The patterns on the entire talisman then lit up with a purple glow.
Ling Tian directly picked up the talisman and placed it on a piece of Xuan Yin Stone on the ground.
This was a sealing talisman. Once activated, it could transform into a barrier to seal the target object.
The duration of this talisman was exceptionally long, capable of lasting for an entire month!
As the talisman touched the Xuan Yin Stone, the area where the talisman was placed blurred, and the talisman vanished.
This was the illusion array inherent in the talisman taking effect. Ling Tian, using his Heavenly Eye, knew that the talisman was still there!