Outside the Qiankun Palace.
Liu Zixuan and Luo Xi paused under a large tree, laying out two maps on the ground.
"Did you find this one in the attic?" Luo Xi pointed to another map and asked.
Liu Zixuan nodded, "Met someone from the Spirit Institute and got it from him. This one matches the earlier map we had, indicating the terrain south of Qiankun Palace. We've been through the Hundred Immortals Forest, the Thousand Saints Tomb, and now we've come from the center point of Qiankun Palace."
As he spoke, he pointed to a mark on the other map, "And in the southwest corner area, there's a piece of Ghost Marsh and Beast Forest. Ghost Marsh should mean extremely eerie swamp regions, and Beast Forest is quite literal, so it's a rather dangerous area, likely with some special treasures."
"So are we heading there now?" Luo Xi asked.
"No, no matter what, we still need to return to the Thousand Saints Tomb as we have unfinished business there. So Ghost Marsh and Beast Forest will be visited later; for now, we need to head north of Qiankun Palace, the northeast and northwest corners. Urgently, we must do two things: unite the other Star Sea Martial Artists, and in the process, find other maps."
Liu Zixuan took a deep breath and murmured, "With this approach, we can unite within these ruins against outside threats and deliberately understand the internal situation of the ruins to protect the treasures inside as much as possible."
"I'll follow your lead," Luo Xi stood up, "We've rested enough, let's set off."
"Alright, to avoid taking unnecessary detours, we'll head straight from this center point in a northeastern direction, then go from northeast to northwest, and finally from northwest directly to southwest, completing a circle back to the starting point."
As he spoke, Liu Zixuan led Luo Xi forward.
After traversing the Hundred Immortals Forest, Thousand Saints Tomb, and just now leaving Qiankun Palace, the sky had darkened, the sunset descended, and a crescent moon slowly rose to mid-sky. Though patches of clouds covered much of its light, casting a more eerie makeup over the earth within the ruins.
About ten minutes later, they moved from a wide road onto a narrow path, surrounded only by shrubs, yet dense enough to severely obstruct their view.
"Zixuan." Luo Xi raised her head and called softly.
"What's wrong?" Liu Zixuan halted.
"Since we turned onto this path, I've been feeling uneasy, and the deeper we go, the stronger it gets. It seems unsafe here," Luo Xi murmured worriedly with a furrowed brow.
Liu Zixuan raised his eyebrow, immediately activating his X-ray Vision to look around.
After scanning once, he rubbed his eyes and looked again.
Instantly, Liu Zixuan was stunned. Earlier, while walking on the main road, his X-ray Vision could see the surroundings, but now it could only reveal what was within three meters around them!
In short, the X-ray Vision lost its effect — only seeing slightly farther than ordinary eyes.
"How is this possible? My eyes are the Ancient Divine Farmer's Blazing Dragon Eye, and they're malfunctioning here!" Liu Zixuan secretly wondered.
The X-ray Vision, a function of the Blazing Dragon Eye, according to the earlier words of Mermaid Tessie, was one of Shennong's most prized treasures. Logically, its effectiveness should improve as Liu Zixuan's realm elevates, especially in these Ancient Ruins consistent with Shennong's ancient habitation, increasingly adapting!
Could some force in this area be affecting the Blazing Dragon Eye?
With this thought, Liu Zixuan held Luo Xi tighter, "Grip my arm; it's dark now, so slowing down won't matter!"
"Mm." Luo Xi obediently nodded, snuggling closer to Liu Zixuan.
A young woman naturally depends on the man she loves; perhaps she was once a formidable Martial Artist, a brave girl, but in specific environments, she becomes a delicate woman, instinctively feeling scared, thereby leaning more on the man beside her.
At this moment, Luo Xi was experiencing just that, feeling a hint of chilling fear under the pitch-black night.
Shhh...shhh...
After a few more steps, the surrounding suddenly sounded with some object brushing against the shrubs — sometimes close, sometimes distant.
The innate vigilance of a Martial Artist instantly made Liu Zixuan alert, as he pulled Luo Xi to leap directly into the brush beside the path.
"What happened?"
"There's something!" Liu Zixuan answered solemnly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Following the rustling sound came perfectly coordinated footsteps, as if a trained troop were advancing — the sound was loud and somewhat deafening in this very silent environment.
Not long after, not far from them, a string of greenish-blue light dots appeared.
"So many people." Luo Xi gasped in shock with wide eyes.
Liu Zixuan raised his eyebrow, "Those don't seem to be people."
Upon hearing this, Luo Xi instinctively shrank closer to him, "Don't scare me; could they be ghosts on such a night!"
"Do you remember the Weiyang Highland we visited before the last competition with the Ghost Market?" Liu Zixuan asked softly.
"I remember; that's where the Ghost Market appeared, right?" Luo Xi looked at him.
Liu Zixuan nodded, "Correct, there were rumors back then about ghost soldiers borrowing the path at Weiyang Highland. We faced off with a few families then, hoping to glimpse the so-called ghost soldiers, but ultimately saw nothing."
Luo Xi swallowed hard and pointed ahead, "So you mean those ahead aren't people, but legendary ghost soldiers."
"Very likely. Look at their attire; all are armor uniforms from ancient wartime, and the two at the front are even mounted and make no discussions nor whispers. They march like lifeless creatures towards us."
Despite being Martial Artists, known for their courage, this information still made them shiver. Luo Xi didn't dare utter a word.
"What should we do?"
"This area is certainly uncanny; let's observe the situation and try to avoid these guys. If they're truly ghost soldiers, likely just residual thoughts lingering around here." As he spoke, Liu Zixuan shot two Ghost Gate Needles, instantly forming a small array enclosing him and Luo Xi.
This would at least prevent the so-called ghost soldiers from noticing them and ensure temporary safety.
The troop quickly approached, arriving not far before them. Expecting them to pass by, Liu Zixuan and Luo Xi's nerves tensed as the troop unexpectedly halted before them...