Volume One: The Spiral Stone Engraving Chapter Seventeen: The Haunted Spirit of the Mountain Village, Part Two

After a brief pause, the two of them arrived at a fork in the path.

A golden-red light flickered deep within the left passage. Chen Fan glanced at Wang Yan beside him. “The so-called treasure lies at the end of that passage!” He turned to enter.

But Wang Yan stopped him, pulling out a palm-sized feng shui compass. After a careful examination, his eyes filled with dread. “This is a dead end, harboring great terror. Going in is a sure death!”

“What kind of terror?” Chen Fan’s gaze grew serious. Since Wang Yan’s knowledge surpassed his own, it was wise to heed his advice.

“The Blackrock Organization has created fifty types of colossal monsters. If I’m right, one of them lurks deep in that passage.” He looked toward the left path, his eyes heavy with caution.

Then he turned to Chen Fan, weighing the compass in his hand. “You can tell I’ve entered tombs more times than you. My experience is greater. Trust me and follow behind. These two passages must intersect somewhere; by taking a detour, we can reach the end of the left passage safely.”

Chen Fan searched his eyes and, seeing no deceit, nodded. “Then I’ll leave it to you.” He bowed slightly.

“We’re on the same side; no need for formalities. Let’s move quickly—once the blood zombies awaken, we’ll be trapped!” Wang Yan’s voice grew urgent as he strode toward the right passage, Chen Fan hastily following.

Ha ha ha ha!

Half an hour later, eerie laughter echoed from the pitch-black depths of the tunnel. Accompanied by footsteps, a humanoid creature approached.

Its skull was gaunt, as if a tattered human skin was stretched over bare bone. Empty eye sockets revealed rows of teeth. It wore heavy armor and gripped a massive horse-cutting blade.

Drawing near, it raised the blade and fixed them with a hoarse voice: “This is forbidden ground. Trespassers die!” The weapon lifted, ready to strike at any moment.

A chill ran down Chen Fan’s spine. He took several cautious steps back. This creature exuded overwhelming pressure, a sensation he had only felt from first-level mutants.

Considering the place’s danger and strangeness, his courage faltered.

Wang Yan’s eyes narrowed as he stepped back, shielding Chen Fan. “This is a skeletal warrior. Don’t be afraid—I have a way to subdue it!”

He handed Chen Fan a piece of red wood. “This is a talisman wood. Hold it, and the skeletal warrior won’t attack you.”

“So powerful?” Chen Fan’s eyes showed doubt. He seriously questioned whether the wood was as miraculous as claimed.

“Just trust me—I’m a master!” Wang Yan turned to face the skeletal warrior again, producing another talisman wood from his pocket. Clutching it tightly, he strode forward.

Astonishingly, upon holding the talisman wood, the skeletal warrior’s hostility vanished. It merely turned its head to scrutinize him before allowing him to pass.

“Why wait?” From afar, Wang Yan’s eyes flicked past the skeletal warrior toward Chen Fan, urgency sharpening his gaze. “We must hurry. Once the blood zombies awaken, we’re trapped.”

Chen Fan gritted his teeth and steeled himself, moving forward. The closer he got, the faster his heart pounded, his scalp tingling.

A crushing pressure almost suffocated him. This monster’s strength was likely comparable to a first-level mutant, but its offensive and defensive power far exceeded that.

One meter away, it suddenly stepped forward, pressing its hideous skull within five centimeters of Chen Fan’s cheek, staring into his eyes.

The closeness was unbearable. Cold sweat poured, his temples throbbed, yet he dared not retreat, fearing to provoke it.

An indescribable stench wafted from the grotesque skull, invading his nostrils. He nearly choked on the foul odor.

Moments later, perhaps satisfied, it withdrew its head and stepped aside.

Chen Fan’s heart thundered as he strode toward Wang Yan. Sweat drenched his back.

Wang Yan said nothing, simply patting his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

After navigating five forks, they emerged from a narrow dirt tunnel into a vast underground chamber.

Before them stood a massive modern structure resembling a bird’s nest.

This nest-like building sat within an immense subterranean space.

Amazingly, the space resembled a colossal airport. The floor was paved with rough white patterned tiles. Looking up, a vast arched dome gleamed with a dazzling lighting system still active.

Suddenly, a roar echoed from the far end of the grand square. Chen Fan’s heart jumped as he turned sharply.

At the square’s end was a two-meter-high circular entrance. Outside it stood a roughly 300-meter cubic iron cage.

The cage’s iron pillars were thick, about a meter in diameter. Two half-meter-thick electric cables hung from the white dome above, one on each side, connecting to the cage.

The deafening roar came from within that cage.

Upon seeing the creature inside, Chen Fan’s heart tightened.

It resembled a black tumor, layered with grotesque heads embedded in its flesh—both monstrous and human skulls.

A thick red liquid oozed from its body, slowly dripping down and staining the floor crimson.

The viscous fluid crackled sharply as it touched the electrified cage edges—proof the cage was powered.

Hundreds of red tentacles extended from its body, each suspended midair like centipede antennae, swaying to capture chemical elements from the air.

Some tentacles even stretched outside the cage into the circular entrance, writhing constantly. Had Chen Fan entered through that passage, he might already be ensnared.

“You two! How dare you come here? How dare you?!” The enormous beast had noticed them, roaring in fury with a deep, metallic scrape, attempting to break free and devour them.

Fortunately, it was caged; otherwise, both would be doomed.

Wang Yan’s eyes flashed. “It’s one of the Blackrock Organization’s composite monsters, guarding the entrance to keep outsiders out. Because it’s unstable, they locked it in this cage. If I hadn’t warned you, it would’ve eaten you by now!”

“Words are unnecessary—thank you,” Chen Fan felt a surge of relief, sincerely grateful. His eyes softened toward the huge creature.

At that moment, to him, the monster was no different from a guard dog—merely a watchman, chained up out of mistrust.

Chen Fan looked at Wang Yan. “What do you know about the Blackrock Organization? Why are they obsessed with creating monsters through experiments?”

Wang Yan shook his head. “That was long ago. Nobody knows why anymore.”

He then glanced at the bird’s nest building. “Is the treasure you mentioned inside?”

Chen Fan nodded. The golden-red light flickered within that very structure; he had been anticipating it.

They slowly approached the enormous building.

“Something’s wrong!” Up close, Wang Yan’s expression stiffened. “This building is electrified, just like that cage.”

He picked up a stone and hurled it.

With a sharp crack, a thick bolt of lightning rolled down, shattering the fist-sized rock into dust.

Chen Fan’s spine chilled. He stepped back, looking to Wang Yan. “Any way to get through?”

Wang Yan nodded. “Of course. Not everywhere is powered. There must be a safe spot—just have to find it.”

Amid the composite monster’s roars, he picked up stones and threw them at various spots.

An hour later, success: he led Chen Fan to a narrow door.

Only a meter wide, it could admit one person at a time. Wang Yan stretched out a large hand, pulling open the heavy iron door, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Go in quickly!” He lowered his head, a strange glint flickering in his eyes.

Chen Fan nodded, stepping over the threshold.

Before he could survey the space inside, the heavy door slammed shut.

Startled, he turned to Wang Yan, fearing something had happened.

A brilliant incandescent lamp illuminated overhead, causing Chen Fan’s pupils to contract sharply as he took in the room.

His scalp nearly burst—his entire body tensed instantly.

It was a pink room.

Every detail was pink!

Most horrifyingly, the décor and size mirrored the pink room in the mountain village exactly.

His face went ashen. He pressed his hand against the iron door, trying to push it open but found it immovable.

Like an ant trying to shake a tree.

“Don’t leave me. Stay with me, ha ha.”

At that moment, Wang Yan’s voice sounded outside the door.

Though the voice was different, the tone was identical to that of the pink-clad creature.

Chen Fan’s heart plummeted. He realized he had been trapped again.

Without hesitation, he drew the sniper rifle Wang Yan had given him and fired at the iron door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bullets discharged but had no effect.

Removing the magazine, he saw it contained only blanks.

“What exactly are you?” Chen Fan’s face darkened, unable to accept the truth as he spoke through the door.

“Be polite. You’re my prisoner now. If you don’t behave, I’ll punish you,” Wang Yan said, his male voice oddly high-pitched and effeminate.

“What’s your relationship with that pink-clad freak? Is it your puppet?” Chen Fan asked, voicing his suspicion.

“That’s me. I am it, and we are the same person. Anything else you want to ask? Hurry up—I’ve been lonely too long and want someone to talk to.” Wang Yan spoke patiently, then let out a chilling, coquettish laugh.

Chen Fan’s heart jolted. “How many bodies do you have?” His brow furrowed. “Is the body in the blood pool yours too?”

“Smart—correct answer! Ha ha ha!” The laugh was grating, nearly nauseating.

Chen Fan stepped back, more wary than ever. He had previously suggested shooting the white-haired woman’s head before she awoke, to kill her while vulnerable.

But Wang Yan had vehemently opposed, insisting the white-haired woman was a blood zombie, impossible to kill, and that attacking prematurely would only alert her.

Now it seemed she wasn’t immortal—she feared her body’s destruction.

When Wang Yan first appeared in the mountain village and greeted him, Chen Fan was suspicious. The village was so remote that two survivors appearing simultaneously was nearly impossible.

But Wang Yan wore the Second Base uniform, carried exquisite equipment, and clutched a talisman, dispelling Chen Fan’s doubts.

He now understood: this monster was like a ghost. After its first body was destroyed, it unwillingly took control of its second body—Wang Yan—and infiltrated the village as a survivor to gain his trust.

Next, they arrived beside the tomb’s secret tunnel. Chen Fan was hesitant, but to steady him, Wang Yan handed over his sniper rifle.

To thank him, Chen Fan proposed a handshake, puzzled why he hesitated over something so simple.

Wang Yan finally agreed, but Chen Fan’s hand that met his was icy cold, devoid of warmth. Since Wang Yan acted normally and the handshake was brief, Chen Fan didn't dwell on it then.

Now, looking back, that hand was definitely not human.

Chen Fan’s eyes narrowed. “In the village, every wooden house hung a new garment. Was that you too?”

“Of course. I was too lonely, couldn’t bear it anymore. So I hung clothes in each house to make them lively, to bring life to every home. Isn’t that better?”

Chen Fan frowned deeply, his wariness growing. This monster was no ordinary fiend or vengeful spirit.

Vengeful spirits fear talismans, but this one seemed unfazed.

Even with a talisman in hand, it walked beside him without concern.

Logically, Wang Yan—the man with fine equipment and talisman—should have been unbeatable in this eastern region.

Yet Wang Yan died, his body becoming one of this monster’s containers.

What kind of creature was this?

Suddenly, a rumble erupted within Chen Fan. Thunderous sounds burst forth as thick red lightning crackled from his body.

“This is... the Shock Technique!” Chen Fan’s eyes shone with joy—so the Shock Technique controlled lightning!

“Don’t get too excited. Using the Shock Technique severely harms your body. With your current physique, you can only last about... 40 seconds!” Catherine’s voice warned him to act swiftly.

“We must hurry!” Chen Fan’s expression hardened. With a fierce shout, he hurled a fist crackling with red lightning at the wall behind him.

Boom!

To Wang Yan’s shock, the heavy metal wall shattered. Chen Fan became a streak of lightning, reaching the golden-red light in two seconds.

The light flickered inside a black safe.

He didn’t open it to inspect but stuffed the entire safe into his backpack.

With a glance, five fingers spread, and five nearby safes and four metal cabinets vanished instantly.

In the next moment, he surged like lightning toward the exit.

Boom!

Like a red meteor, he pierced through the building and landed on the plaza.

“How is this possible?” Wang Yan stared at Chen Fan, next to him the skeletal warrior stood, massaging Wang Yan’s back.

“Die!” Chen Fan punched, releasing thick lightning that instantly shattered both.

The skeletal warrior was obliterated, but after Wang Yan’s body exploded, a white translucent figure emerged from it.

The apparition darted into the tunnel, racing toward the outside world.

Chen Fan’s eyes glowed with red electricity as he stared at the enormous monster. His instincts told him it was no ordinary beast and might hold secrets.

The huge creature at the plaza’s end, wary of Chen Fan, said, “This is Blackrock Organization’s top-secret data. I’m sworn to guard it. Now, take it.” A tentacle flicked forcefully, launching a silver safe through the cage toward them.

Chen Fan caught it in his backpack, then transformed into red lightning, chasing the white translucent figure into the tunnel.

The cage monster was too strong—a pinnacle first-level mutant. Even with the Shock Technique, it might not be a match. Avoiding battle was best.

Inside the blood pool, the apparition entered the white-haired woman’s body. She opened her eyes swiftly and rushed toward the exit, avoiding direct confrontation with Chen Fan.

This made sense—Chen Fan now resembled a thunder god.

Boom!

Chen Fan became a bucket-thick red lightning bolt, illuminating the long dark tunnel so brightly it was blinding.

He appeared ten meters from the white-haired woman.

“Let me go!” The woman trembled in fear, kneeling and kowtowing to Chen Fan.

He ignored her and pointed a finger. Her body exploded midair.

Her ghost shadow shot out again, trying to flee, but Chen Fan’s hands closed, unleashing a tangle of lightning. The shadow screamed and dissipated into white vapor.

Chen Fan dashed out of the tunnel, arriving at the mutant-infested passage.

Fearless, he transformed into lightning and charged. All the arthropods were scorched to charcoal, falling lifeless.

He emerged from the tomb and swiftly left the mountain village.

“She is a vengeful spirit!” Catherine whispered into his ear.

Chen Fan nodded, his understanding of this world deepening.