Chapter 1069: Ancient Soul

Within the dark ruins below the sacred city, a cold and eerie atmosphere seeped through every corner. The chill reached deep into the bones.

"

Hehe...

"

Ling Feng let out a strange chuckle as he walked. His eyes gleamed from time to time. Bai Linger, walking beside him, began to look increasingly suspicious.

"Long Fei, what are you so happy about?"

"

Ah,

it's nothing."

Ling Feng grinned. "I was just thinking those people back there were a bit too gullible."

The truth was, it wasn't that the Heavenly Demon Vault had been empty. The moment Ling Feng reached in, Zifeng slipped in ahead of everyone else and swept it clean.

Zifeng's essence was purely elemental. As soon as Ling Feng touched the array, Zifeng passed through and entered the vault's internal space. Everything within his line of sight had been absorbed instantly.

Those who attempted to draw after Ling Feng never stood a chance. Hoping to find treasure was a fantasy.

Just moments earlier, Zifeng had finished going through the spoils. That was why Ling Feng had been quietly gloating as they walked.

After all, this was the treasure vault of a sacred land that once belonged to the ancient demon race. Even though it had been looted for countless years, many valuable items still remained. There were multiple Treasures of Heaven and Earth, a few Treasures of Sun and Moon, and even several sacred artifacts of considerable grade.

Unfortunately, the demon race had never developed the profession of alchemy, so there were no pills inside that could enhance cultivation or strengthen the body.

Among the treasures, Zifeng had also collected a strange looking key made of a material unlike any Ling Feng had seen. Its use remained a mystery.

Bai Linger shot him a glare. "Hmph. If you won't say, then forget it. Don't think you can fool me so easily."

Ling Feng shook his head and laughed. After a moment of thought, he reached into his storage spirit ring and took out a bronze bell-shaped treasure.

"This is a six-star Treasure of Heaven and Earth. It's called the Nine-Tone Bell. It attacks through rare soundwave attributes. It's yours."

Bai Linger's eyes lit up with surprise. She stared at the bell and gasped. "Wow. So you really drew something like this? You really had me fooled. That was quite the act."

She stamped her foot and glared again at Ling Feng. She had genuinely believed he had come up empty-handed.

But after a moment's thought, she waved her hand and shook her head. "Forget it. You got it. You should keep it."

"It's fine. I picked up a few other things too." Ling Feng raised his brows and pushed the Nine-Tone Bell into her hands.

"Well... alright then."

Bai Linger bit her lip and accepted the bell. Once she refined it, she would be able to use it freely.

A quiet joy stirred in her heart. Long Fei had given her a Treasure of Heaven and Earth without hesitation. That had to mean something.

What she did not know was that Ling Feng had seen too many treasures of this level. He had already given away more than five just like it.

In the end, she was simply overthinking things.

Just then, a voice echoed in Ling Feng's mind. It was the Despicable Donkey's warning.

"

Kid, stay sharp. That tide of hellish demonic qi just erupted again!

"

"

What?

"

Before Ling Feng could say anything, a dull boom rang out across the second level of the underground imperial city. The ground began to tremble violently. Dust and dirt cascaded from above like a collapsing mountain. The entire area shook with terrifying force.

Underground quakes were far more frightening than those on the surface. Even Ling Feng struggled to keep his balance as the tremors worsened.

"

Ah!

" Cracks split open beneath them. Bai Linger screamed as she nearly fell in.

Ling Feng reached out and grabbed her. Lingtian Sword Force erupted around him, and he activated Boundless Sword Steps.

There was no longer any time to hold back or hide his strength.

"

Heh heh heh...

"

A chilling, eerie laugh echoed through the darkness. Its sinister edge made their skin crawl.

"Insignificant ants. Your blood and souls shall remain here for all eternity!"

The voice rang directly in the minds of everyone inside the sacred city. It made them shudder instinctively.

The tone was ancient and filled with hatred, like a vengeful spirit awakened from the depths of hell. The overwhelming presence swept through the entire city.

Everyone felt as if an invisible hand had seized their throats. Breathing became a struggle.

"What is that?"

Ling Feng clenched his fists. "Didn't the Purple Dragon Envoy say there were still undying souls sealed in this ruin?"

"I don't know anything about that. This has never happened before!"

Bai Linger's face turned red. The suffocating pressure crushed her chest, and no defensive method could block it.

Ling Feng raised the Eradicator of Realms in front of him and kept a close watch on his surroundings.

A crimson ring of light suddenly appeared beneath his feet.

Even with his strength, Ling Feng had no time to react before he vanished completely.

"Long Fei!

Ah!

"

Bai Linger cried out in panic. In the next moment, she too was swallowed by the red light and disappeared.

...

After being engulfed by the light, Ling Feng felt his surroundings twist and warp. In an instant, the world turned blood-red.

When the illusion faded, he felt his feet touch solid ground once again.

"Young lady?"

He called out several times but received no response. It seemed the red light had been a teleportation array that scattered people randomly across this area.

Everything had changed. He was no longer in the dark ruins of the sacred city but inside a massive cavern.

Flickering red phosphorescence glowed across the walls. His shadow stretched and twisted into eerie shapes. The distorted light formed countless ghostly silhouettes that sent a chill down his spine.

Without hesitation, Ling Feng activated the Lingtian Sword Force. This place allowed for no mistakes.

"

Despicable Donkey, do you know where we are?

"

Ling Feng reached out with his spiritual consciousness. Despicable Donkey had seen plenty over the years and might recognize something.

"

We're still in the underground sacred city, but this is no longer the second layer. We've entered the third. That red light pulled us in. There's a powerful ancient soul here. Judging by what he said earlier, he intends to devour the blood, flesh and souls of everyone who enters.

"

"

Then why didn't he just attack? Why go through the trouble of teleporting us here?

"

Ling Feng frowned. The whole thing made little sense.

"

How should this divine donkey know?

" Despicable Donkey scoffed. "

Maybe he just enjoys toying with people. You know how those ancient lunatics are. Not a sane one in the bunch.

"

"

Oh.

"

Ling Feng shook his head with a laugh. Despicable Donkey still held a grudge against the Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation.

"

So how do we get out?

"

Ling Feng kept pressing.

"

You either kill the soul, or wait until he gets bored and lets you go.

"

Despicable Donkey answered without a hint of concern.

"

Oh right...

"

Ling Feng rolled his eyes and began walking through the cavern, hoping to find some clue.