Chapter 123: The Road of Darkness
Within the barrier lay a different world.
As they stepped through the boundary, the picturesque scenery was replaced by a dark and oppressive landscape. Above them, an endless expanse of black stretched out, devoid of any sky. The only sources of light were flickering ghost fires, casting eerie shadows on the narrow passages that snaked through the darkness.
“This… is the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain?”
Luo Luo shivered and hugged herself tightly. “It’s so creepy… I don’t like this place.”
“It’s alright.”
Chen Yin pulled her closer, his arm protectively around her. “The Azure Cicada Ancient Domain is one of the most famous secret realms. This is just the tip of the iceberg. It might seem eerie now, but the real dangers lie deeper within.”
He suddenly noticed Nan Xiaoxiang’s pale face. She had instinctively taken a step back, her body trembling slightly.
“Miss Nan, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?”
“N-no…” Nan Xiaoxiang shook her head quickly.
“I j-just feel a little uncomfortable with all this eerie energy.”
Oh? Chen Yin looked at her with a knowing smile.
“Ah, I forgot to mention,”
He said with a dramatic sigh, “Countless cultivators have perished in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain over the years, seeking opportunities and treasures.”
“Their souls, filled with lingering regrets, transform into vengeful spirits that haunt this place.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s face paled instantly.
“Although they’re not particularly dangerous, they can be quite unsettling.” Chen Yin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Are you… telling the truth?” she asked, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with fear.
“What’s wrong?”
Chen Yin grinned mischievously. “Are you afraid of ghosts, Miss Nan?”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s face flushed crimson.
“Oh dear, what are we going to do?”
Chen Yin continued to tease her. “If you’re afraid of ghosts, how are you going to survive in this place?”
“How about this, you stay here and don’t move. We’ll come back for you when we’re done, how about that?”
“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Chen,”
Nan Xiaoxiang suppressed her fear, took a deep breath, and said with a forced composure, “But I don’t want to trouble you any further. We’ll part ways here.”
With that, she walked towards the left passage, trying to appear calm.
Chen Yin waved at her playfully. “Take care, Miss Nan~ Watch out for ghosts in those caves~”
Nan Xiaoxiang stumbled slightly but didn’t turn back.
After she disappeared into the passage, Luo Luo said worriedly, “Young Master, are you sure Sister Nan will be alright? I’m worried about her being alone in such a dangerous place…”
“Don’t worry.”
Chen Yin’s playful expression faded, and he gently stroked Luo Luo’s ear.
“She’ll be fine.”
“Why?” Qingying asked.
“Because I’ve been down that path before.”
Chen Yin said calmly, “It’s a dead end. And there’s an illusion formation at the end. It’s not dangerous, but knowing how afraid of ghosts Miss Nan is, she’ll probably be trapped there for a while.”
“Let’s keep her there until we’re done with our business.”
Qingying’s curiosity grew. “You seem to know this place very well.”
“Not really.” Chen Yin shook his head.
“…I’ve just been here many times.”
Qingying didn’t ask any further questions. “Which way should we go?”
“Right.”
Chen Yin’s gaze was fixed on the narrowest and most treacherous-looking path.
“…To the very end.”
The Azure Cicada Ancient Domain was far more dangerous than they had imagined.
Along the way, they encountered countless treacherous formations, ferocious beasts, hidden traps, and hostile cultivators.
But Chen Yin navigated through them all with ease, as if he knew the secret realm like the back of his hand.
He avoided the traps, effortlessly disabled the formations, and knew the weaknesses of every beast they encountered.
He even seemed to know where ambushes were likely to occur and had prepared countermeasures in advance.
Under his guidance, they progressed smoothly.
Qingying was increasingly surprised by Chen Yin’s calm and composed demeanor, her belief in his words growing stronger with every obstacle they overcame.
He must have spent a considerable amount of time in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
Initially, Chen Yin had joked and chatted with Qingying and Luo Luo, keeping the atmosphere lighthearted.
But as they went deeper, he became increasingly silent.
His eyes were like a perpetual mist, his gaze distant and unreadable.
As they ventured further into the depths, they encountered fewer and fewer cultivators. Most couldn’t make it past the treacherous traps and formations. Those who reached this far were all powerful cultivators.
Many of them were dressed in tattered clothes, their appearances unkempt, their eyes filled with a manic glint, driven by an unknown obsession, whether it was the pursuit of opportunities or something else entirely.
Several times, male cultivators, their eyes crazed, lunged at Qingying and Luo Luo, only to be swiftly dispatched by Chen Yin’s sword.
There were also female cultivators who, in a state of frenzy, threw themselves at Chen Yin, tearing at their clothes, only to meet the same fate.
The increasingly dark and eerie environment made even Luo Luo cling to Chen Yin fearfully.
“These people…” Qingying couldn’t help but comment.
“Spend more than six months here, and you’ll become like them.”
Chen Yin’s tone remained calm, as if he were used to seeing such sights.
Qingying fell silent.
She was increasingly afraid of where Chen Yin was taking her.
Because they hadn’t reached the end of this path yet.
As if it stretched on forever.
Later, Qingying couldn’t even remember how long they had been walking.
In the pitch-black darkness, with no way to tell the passage of time, she felt like they had been there for days, maybe months…
…Or even years.
When Luo Luo started crying out of fear, Chen Yin carried her on his back, comforting her until she fell asleep.
In the endless darkness, it felt like only Qingying and Chen Yin remained.
“Are we… not there yet?” Qingying’s voice trembled slightly.
She had expected the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain to be dangerous, but she hadn’t imagined the place Chen Yin was taking her to would be so terrifying.
There was nothing around them.
No cultivators, no traps, no beasts, no formations.
Only an all-consuming darkness.
Qingying couldn’t even tell if she was walking. She was terrified of being trapped in this darkness, losing all sense of direction, losing all sense of self.
…Losing all sense of whether she was even alive.
Chen Yin didn’t answer. He simply turned to her and said softly, “If you’re afraid of the dark, hold my hand.”
Qingying hesitated.
She didn’t want to hold this annoying man’s hand. But in this endless darkness, he was the only thing that reminded her that she was still alive.
After a moment of hesitation, she reached out her hand.
A large, warm hand grasped hers firmly, the warmth instantly calming her down.
As if she could hear his heartbeat and feel his breath through his touch.
In the darkness, even the sound of his heart was clear and distinct.
Qingying finally dared to take a step forward, trusting him to guide her.
Chen Yin, however, remained calm and composed, his hand steady and dry. The infinite darkness didn’t seem to faze him in the slightest.
Qingying couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you… afraid?”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid of the darkness, of the unknown.”
Chen Yin thought for a moment, then said seriously, “If you had asked me if I was afraid the last time I was here, then yes, I was terrified.”
“But I was alone back then.”
Unlike today.
If she was afraid, there was someone to hold her hand, to talk to her.
To remind her that she was still alive.
Qingying’s eyes flickered, and she tightened her grip on his hand.
“You can… tease me if you want… like you usually do.”
“What? Having withdrawal symptoms from my teasing?”
“No.” Qingying said, annoyed. “Talking helps in this kind of situation, doesn’t it?”
“Staying silent will only make things worse, right?”
“Even your usual vulgar jokes are fine… Just this once, I won’t mind.”
Chen Yin chuckled.
“W-what are you laughing about?”
“I’m laughing because all girls act the same when they’re scared.”
“I’m not scared!”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of being afraid in this place.”
Qingying bit his hand lightly, as if venting her frustration.
But it was a gentle bite, leaving no mark. Only a faint, sweet fragrance lingered.
“I’m not making fun of you.” Chen Yin said calmly. “Just consider it me praising you for being so cute when you’re scared.”
Qingying turned her head away, her cheeks flushed.
“That’s not a compliment.”
She was curious. This man, usually so carefree and playful, was unusually quiet and reserved here.
As if he was deliberately avoiding speaking.
But she suppressed her curiosity and didn’t ask.
Because, for the first time, she saw a faint light in the distance.
Qingying’s eyes widened.
It was a gem, emitting a soft amber glow, floating in the air.
The only source of light in the endless darkness.
Even though the light was faint, it was enough to make her heart soar with hope.
Just seeing that gem made Qingying’s breath quicken.
“…We’re here,” Chen Yin said softly.
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