Lu Wuming hadn't quite figured out why their master had suddenly become so concerned about this issue.
However, since Liu Buli had brought it up, and he happened to be capable of doing it, he naturally had no intention of refusing. He simply followed the other's instructions and carefully probed the ghost's vital signs.
Initially, Lu Wuming had appeared indifferent before the examination began. But after it concluded, his expression had turned grave.
Frowning deeply, Lu Wuming asked, "Master, how did you know he was in trouble? And not just him, but most of the ghosts I had previously contracted with are no longer alive."
"It's not just them. In the human world of Fengdu, the courtesans and ghosts we saw are likely all dead as well." Liu Buli's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this outcome. He appeared remarkably calm, simply stating a fact to Lu Wuming: "When we chose to enter here, it was merely an experiment. I wanted to see how much control the Ghost King had over the Ghost City. The facts have now proven that virtually nothing that happens within the Ghost City escapes his notice. We were discovered when we entered, and the fact that he could kill those ghosts is the best proof."
Suddenly realizing the opponent's overwhelming strength was not good for them. However, they had prepared themselves psychologically before entering, so upon hearing this conclusion, none of them felt any fear.
Even You Siqi, who should have been the most frightened, raised his hand and shared his thoughts: "If you say so, I remember a setting. It hasn't been written yet, but it should be like this. The Ghost City is like the Ghost King's own body; he has complete control over every change within it. But this control is limited to the Ghost City. Once outside, in the Dead Lands, he cannot perceive much more."
The implication was that the Ghost King knew they had reached the Ghost Realm, but he had no idea where they were now.
This could be considered a form of finding a way out of a desperate situation.
Liu Buli comforted himself inwardly, a wry smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
He suddenly felt that he should have enjoyed a few more days of a happy life in that other world. After all, as soon as he returned here, he had to face so many complicated and mentally taxing situations. Compared to that, simply eating and drinking foolishly was much more comfortable.
He raised his hand and gently pressed his temples twice. Liu Buli waved to those around him, signaling them to wait a moment, so he could gather his thoughts before carefully considering a solution.
The others naturally understood that Liu Buli had experienced too much in that consciousness world, and it was understandable that his mind was not entirely clear. In fact, asking him to make decisions in the current situation would be somewhat unreasonable.
With this thought, Lu Wuming, who never really thought things through, actually raised his hand and asked, "To return to the world of cultivators, is the only way through that door in the Ghost City? If we search in the Dead Lands, could we find a similar passage here?"
This was a common assumption people would make when encountering such a problem.
Since the original door could no longer be used, they would find another one that could, or even go through a window if necessary.
However, this time, Liu Buli didn't need to respond. You Siqi was the first to provide an answer: "The passage is two-way. If we can go through here, it means those monsters can also go through. The reason why only the Ghost City has a passage between the Ghost Realm and the Cultivation Realm is because the monsters in the Dead Lands are too terrifying. From a rule perspective, they are absolutely not meant to appear in the Cultivation Realm. Therefore, even the Heavenly Dao, or that giant monster we saw earlier, would not allow a gate connecting the Dead Lands to the Cultivation Realm to exist."
Lu Wuming didn't quite understand You Siqi's explanation. However, he did grasp one point: his original idea had been thoroughly negated by You Siqi.
This guy was the author of this world; even the Heavenly Dao showed him respect.
Therefore, what came out of his mouth was most likely correct.
There was only one passage back, and it was the one they least wanted to take. Moreover, given the current situation, the Ghost King had undoubtedly dispatched countless ghosts to guard the gate of the Ghost City, waiting for them to walk into a trap.
The situation was a bit troublesome.
Liu Buli couldn't think of a good solution for the moment.
While they were agonizing over these issues, Shen Muzhi, stroking his chin, murmured as if to himself, "If we could know the enemy's movements now, it would be much easier for us to make arrangements. By the way, do any of you have a way to learn about the situation in the Ghost City? Or, if that's not possible, we could try to set a bait, like a puppet. Li Qingcheng gave me two before, and I still have them."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Although this method didn't sound very reliable, it was the best option they could think of at the moment, without exception.
All eyes turned to Shen Muzhi. Liu Buli asked, "Do you have a way to control puppets?"
"Tan Wu roughly told me about it, but I haven't really learned it," Shen Muzhi said with a slightly awkward smile. "It's their family's ancestral skill, likely passed down through their bloodline. I'm not from their family, so I can only make the puppet move, but I can't do much more. However, for simple tasks like transmitting information, it's fine. I can use it as eyes to go into the Ghost City and look around. Although it might be destroyed quickly, just a quick glance to see the approximate troop deployment inside would be enough. What do you think?"
You Siqi immediately nodded in agreement.
Lu Wuming habitually refrained from expressing his opinion.
Liu Buli remained silent for a long time, then finally smiled slowly and said, "Besides transmitting information to us, it might be able to do something else. Let's try it. If it succeeds, we might be able to call for reinforcements."