Li Qingcheng wanted to speak but stopped, not explaining anything.
Even so, she noticed the gazes of everyone around her lacked the expected confusion. It was as if they already knew what they were about to face, their composure being unusually calm.
This realization made Li Qingcheng pause, and then a wave of fear washed over her. The emotions she had finally managed to suppress within herself erupted once more. She couldn't help but wonder if this secret realm itself was merely another means for them to confine her from the very beginning.
Her long-standing paranoia was fully triggered at this moment. Li Qingcheng trembled all over, instinctively taking a few steps back. She saw Liu Buli chuckle softly.
Waving a hand at Li Qingcheng, he seemed not to understand her thoughts. He simply offered comfort, saying, "It's just dangerous, isn't it normal? You must have heard what my friend said earlier. Danger proves we're in the right place. Isn't that a good thing for us?"
Li Qingcheng blinked. When she understood what he meant, she immediately felt her current nervousness to be somewhat ridiculous and laughable.
However, the doubts in her heart couldn't be entirely dispelled. She cleared her throat and couldn't help but ask, "You... you don't know what's ahead?"
"Do you know what it is?" Liu Buli smiled, his expression as calm as ever, as if he were speaking nothing but the honest truth. Seeing Li Qingcheng's stunned face, he thought for a moment and then added, "Based on the monster we encountered outside, the monster behind this wall should be the one depicted on the wall, right? I didn't look too closely earlier, though. Do you know what that monster is?"
He was merely speaking off the cuff.
After all, Liu Buli had no intention of revealing to Li Qingcheng that Lu Wuming was of the Ghost Clan. Furthermore, the fact that You Siqi was the author of this world and knew everything about it was also something he couldn't disclose. Therefore, facing Li Qingcheng, he could only feign an innocent ignorance. While it might seem a bit foolish, it at least ensured he wouldn't be too deeply suspected, and that was enough.
Liu Buli thought to himself, his expression remaining unchanged.
Li Qingcheng observed him carefully for a while, confirming that she couldn't see any tell-tale flicker of deception in his eyes. Only then did she finally feel relieved. Shaking her head, she proactively explained to everyone, "The creature at the end of this passage isn't the one depicted on the wall. It's a more terrifying existence. Do you know about the Ghost Clan?"
Liu Buli nodded and said, "While I don't know why you'd ask such a question, everyone has heard about the Ghost Clan's rampage through the cultivation world not long ago. In fact, a few of us were directly involved and even fought those monsters. Is there a problem with that?"
Liu Buli's words were delivered with an unnerving calmness.
To Li Qingcheng, this calmness was almost unbelievable.
For years, she had been confined within a vast mansion by her family, never setting foot outside. Everything she knew was secondhand information, relayed by others.
Regarding the Ghost Clan's rampage that Liu Buli mentioned, her family had never spoken of it in her presence, so naturally, she knew nothing about it.
However, judging by the expressions on their faces, Li Qingcheng knew they weren't lying.
But how could humans, with their mere abilities, possibly contend with something as fearsome as the Ghost Clan...
Her worldview was once again severely shaken, and Li Qingcheng felt her legs grow weak.
Liu Buli, however, showed no hint of tenderness. Instead, he seized the opportunity to ask her, "Speaking of which, those creatures can hide exceptionally well in the dark. This passage, with no light whatsoever, should be the most suitable environment for them. Why do you sense their presence here? That's a bit strange, isn't it?"
Liu Buli was asking a question he already knew the answer to.
But Li Qingcheng didn't know this.
She instinctively felt she had said the wrong thing, revealing something very important.
After all, she truly didn't want anyone to know about her blood, not even Liu Buli. Because if he knew, he would surely distance himself from her, and she would have even less hope.
With this thought, Li Qingcheng fell silent.
She had expected Liu Buli to press her further, but to her surprise, he merely smiled and turned his gaze back to the passage. He said, "If it's a secret you're unwilling to share, then there's no need to. I don't particularly like knowing other people's secrets and having to keep them, as it's quite troublesome for me. But thank you for telling us what lies ahead. It's good to have some psychological preparation."
With that, Liu Buli led the way into the passage.
The others, seeing his act was over, followed him in.
Li Qingcheng lingered at the rear, hesitant. Seeing that everyone else had already entered, she feared being left behind. After a moment of hesitation, she finally took a deep breath and followed them.
The passage turned out to be much longer than expected. As Shen Muzhi walked, he asked the person beside him, "Why are there Ghost Clan here? I found it strange when I saw the carvings on the walls earlier. These monsters are unlike anything seen in the outside world, and the one Wuming just killed. What are they for?"
"To suppress, and also to protect," You Siqi explained. "Those ferocious beasts can harm humans, but they harm the Ghost Clan even more. So, placing them here is merely to suppress the Ghost Clan imprisoned beneath this structure."
The two were standing close, speaking in hushed tones. With Li Qingcheng some distance behind them, their conversation was certain to be unheard by anyone else.
Shen Muzhi listened, his brow furrowing slightly. He glanced at the woman behind him, and after confirming the distance between them was still considerable, he lowered his voice and continued, "Why are those things here?"
"You'll know when you get there," You Siqi said with a smile. "But be prepared, it's going to be a tough fight. I have no offensive power, so I'll be relying on you."
Hearing this, Shen Muzhi simply gave up asking.
A faint smile touched his lips. He lowered his head, kissed You Siqi's cheek, and whispered softly, "Don't worry, your husband is very capable."