Chapter 550: The Black and White Paper Figures

The vicinity was filled with the intense sound of discussions as everyone delved into selecting the fifteen required candidates. However, before they could reach any conclusions, the streak of green light appeared again and skinned fifteen more people. These unfortunate souls' flesh merged into the stone walls. Soon after, cries for help and screams echoed from the walls.

The twenty carved figures started to look vivid and lifelike. The expressions on their faces were animated.

The crowd looked bewildered. Many Qi Refining Realm cultivators breathed a sigh of relief. With the twenty required human skins gathered, their safety was assured.

Among these twenty pieces of human skin was one from under the lineage of Chi Chong, explaining why Chi Chong's current expression was so grim.

Mo Chou and the others exchanged looks and saw the deep shock in the other's eyes. All of them were afraid now.

"Enter the hall," the old woman said lightly. "When we leave, we will find a way to rescue them."

Everyone looked at each other. They had no choice but to silently walk toward the hall, pretending not to notice the pleas coming from the wall.

The Qi Refining Realm cultivator at the front cautiously moved forward, fearing that Chi Chong's speculation might be wrong. Only after entering the Skinning Hall without incident did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"What the...."

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The cultivator at the very front suddenly gasped in cold air. In front of the Skinning Hall sat two figures, one black and one white. However, they were not living beings but paper figures. Their cheeks were brightly colored with a hint of eeriness.

Just as they entered, the two paper figures suddenly opened their eyes. The white paper man smiled stiffly and stood up, saying, "So, we have guests. Please, have a seat."

The black paper man, however, stared coldly at the crowd, like a venomous snake.

The Qi Refining Realm cultivators dared not sit down and instead quickly stepped aside, allowing the Foundation Building Realm, Golden Core Realm, and Nascent Soul cultivators to enter first.

One of the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators stood at the doorway, hesitating to enter. His eyes were fixed on the two black and white paper figures with a hint of fear. "Paper figures? Is this... the Spiritual Attachment Technique?"

Fang Chen's expression turned odd. "The Spiritual Attachment Technique?"

So that was another use of the Spiritual Attachment Technique. These two paper figures before him were guardians of the tomb, specially crafted by the tomb's owner using this technique along with some evil items....

The white paper man smiled at the four Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. "Why aren't you four entering? You've already given us twenty pieces of human skin; we won't trouble you."

Yet, the white paper man's gaze involuntarily swept across Fang Chen. Others might not notice, but Fang Chen's sharp senses allowed him to catch that.

Fang Chen's eyes flickered. "It's peculiarly looking at me...."

Is it because I am a disciple of a Dao sect?

"May I ask if you two are the spirit servants of the tomb's owner?" the old woman asked slowly.

The white paper man smiled softly and nodded. Yes, our master left us here to guard this place. It's been many years since we've had living visitors like you. Otherwise, with your cultivation levels, you wouldn't have been able to enter. Since you're here now, please feel at ease and have a seat."

With a sweep of its hand, numerous chairs appeared in the hall, enough for everyone present.

However, no one dared to sit, not even the Foundation Building Realm and Golden Core Realm cultivators. Everyone was on edge, waiting to retreat at any moment.

"This is the spirit slave left behind by the owner of the immortal tomb. Its strength is probably..."

The white paper figure smiled. "Everyone, if we wanted to harm you, we wouldn't have settled for just twenty pieces of human skin earlier. These are the rules set by the owner. Since you've offered the twenty pieces of human skin, you qualify to enter and sit down. Don't you want to see what the owner has left for you?"

The crowd's expressions changed, seeming to find some logic in the white paper figure's words. If they really wanted to harm them, why bother talking nonsense with them?

Could it be that the owner of the immortal tomb knew long ago that one day their tomb would be found, so they left behind some inheritance?

At this thought, many people's faces showed excitement.

"Please explain the reason so that we can be at ease."

The old woman didn't easily believe the white paper figure's words; she needed some consideration.

"The owner left behind an inheritance. We are responsible for guarding the first gate. If any of you qualify, you can obtain the Skin Peeling Technique." The white paper figure chuckled softly." This technique was extremely famous in the owner's era. Just its name alone caused people to become fearful, and they'd tremble at the sight of it."

The Skin Peeling Technique...

Everyone immediately recalled the earlier scene.

So, this was a form of technique inheritance?

However... besides skinning, the technique seemed to imprison souls, with nothing particularly special about it.

"No, no. Since it's an inheritance left by a powerful figure, there must be something unique about it."

Some people's eyes were already filled with excitement. It seemed that these two were the ones who decided who would receive the inheritance, not the other four Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.

A Qi Refining Realm cultivator suddenly walked to the nearest chair and sat down, eagerly looking at the two paper figures. After weighing the pros and cons, everyone eventually took their seats, including the four Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. In the end, only one person remained standing. He was none other than Fang Chen.

The white paper figure smiled and said to Fang Chen, "You should sit down too."

"No need, my legs are impaired. I can stand and listen," Fang Chen replied with a smile.

the white paper figure reminded softly, "In that case, you may miss out on inheriting the Skin Peeling Technique."

"If I don't get it, then so be it. With my humble cultivation, mastering one or two techniques is already a blessing," Fang Chen replied calmly.

Getting annoyed, someone impatiently said to Fang Chen, "Everyone else is sitting down. What's the point of standing out? Hurry up and sit down so these two can start choosing who gets the inheritance."

Fang Chen glanced at the person and then sat down on the ground, saying to the white paper figure, "Please proceed. Consider me someone here today just to watch the excitement."

The white paper figure glanced at Fang Chen calmly, nodded gently, and then a group of paper figures emerged from the back hall. These figures looked like maids and servants, each holding a bronze tray with a paper robe on it. The robe was embroidered with three divine beasts.

"These are the robes left by the owner. The owner said that in the future, if anyone enters the Skinning Hall, wears the robe, and perseveres for an hour, it will be considered fate with him and they will be granted the Skin Peeling Technique." the white paper figure chuckled softly. "You all may choose freely. The owner does not compel anyone to wear them."

In front of Fang Chen, a bronze tray was also brought over.

Fang Chen inspected the robe but didn't actively reach out to touch it. He understood the principle of contentment and avoiding greed. He had already encountered enough opportunities.

Sometimes, not competing was a form of competition itself.

As the others hesitated before their paper robes, they felt a sense of ominousness, as if wearing them would make them akin to funeral objects. Seeing everyone hesitate, the black and white paper figures remained indifferent, sitting quietly in their seats, waiting.

"Screw it!"

Suddenly, Chai Shun shouted lowly and, in front of everyone, put on the paper robe. Immediately, he felt a deep sense of pain emanating from his heart. Various emotions surged incessantly, memories flooding his mind. Some of these memories seemed insignificant to him before, but after donning the robe, those emotions were magnified a hundredfold or even a thousandfold.

Seeing that Chai Shun had fallen into a weird state where he was alternately crying and laughing, the others' expressions grew even more peculiar. They subconsciously looked toward the two paper figures.

"He's just experiencing the Seven Emotions and Six Desires. If he can endure for an hour, it will be considered that he has entered the owner's favor," the white paper figure said with a faint smile. "His life isn't in any danger. At most... his Dao heart may become unstable."

Unstable Dao heart?

The remark caused those originally tempted to hesitate and freeze in place.