The main tomb chamber was engulfed in black mist, eerily silent.

Master Zheng slowly lowered his head, staring at the gray arm protruding from his chest, his eyes filled with confusion and bitterness.

The ancient texts clearly recorded that by obtaining the Eye of the Reaper, infusing it with one's own blood, and reciting a specific incantation to activate an ancient ritual, one could resurrect the person held dear in their heart.

But why had it turned out like this?

"Why… why is this happening?"

The gray arm slowly withdrew from Master Zheng's chest, taking all his blood with it. His body shriveled at a speed visible to the naked eye as his life force rapidly faded.

Within the black mist behind him, a tall silhouette flickered in and out of view.

That same hoarse voice echoed from the mist, "Because you are too foolish, and because your obsession with resurrecting your wife and son is too deep."

"Everything you know about the Land of Lawlessness and the Eye of the Reaper was deliberately leaked by me. I was simply waiting for a fool like you to offer himself as a sacrifice to awaken me from the Dark Land."

Master Zheng's voice trembled. "So… you planned all of this from the very beginning?"

"Correct. Over the years, many have come to the Land of Lawlessness, but you are the only one who has managed to enter this tomb."

"The fact that you made it here proves your obsession is deep enough, which makes you excellent nourishment for me."

"From the start, you were not performing a resurrection ritual, but a sacrificial one."

Hearing this, Master Zheng let out a tragic laugh. "How lamentable. I have been adrift my entire life, searching for any clue about the Land of Lawlessness, only to end up as a pawn in someone else's scheme."

"Young man, every one of us is a pawn in this world. From the moment of our birth, our fate is sealed. No one can change it."

Master Zheng gritted his teeth. "I have no desire to know such profound truths. I am willing to offer you my life, but I beg you, let me see my wife and son one last time before I die."

"That is impossible. The current conditions do not allow for it."

"Heh… I see."

Master Zheng chuckled faintly, a sound full of disappointment in himself.

"My dear wife, my son… perhaps an ending like this is our true reunion…"

Like a burnt-out candle, the last trace of his life force gradually dissipated. His withered body collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with unresolved resentment.

The instant he died, the oppressive force that had held everyone immobile vanished.

Without a moment's hesitation, not even bothering to put on clothes, Xia Chan immediately jumped out of the robber's hole in the chamber's ceiling and fled. Yang Zhilu and Fei Xiao broke free from the statues' control and followed close behind.

"Let's go!"

Chi Sha also broke free, grabbing Luo Xiu and Dou Dou to escape at the first opportunity.

In just a moment, everyone had escaped the main tomb chamber and returned to the surface. The being awakened by Master Zheng's foolishness was far more terrifying than the four statues! To delay for even a second would have meant certain death!

As they fled, the main tomb chamber became empty, with only the four statues standing quietly, as if they had never moved at all.

The hoarse voice drifted from the black mist, "I need time to forge the Body of the Dark Land, and I lack the excess power to control the laws of this place right now. You four, pursue them."

...

After escaping through the robber's hole, Xia Chan leaped onto Fei Xiao's broad shoulders. His aura surged, and he shot into the sky like a cannonball, carrying her toward the distant city ruins. It seemed he was her mount.

"Miss, Fei Xiao is very sorry. I almost failed to protect you earlier," he said.

Xia Chan shook her head lightly, retrieving a set of clothes from the bracelet on her wrist and quickly putting them on. This bracelet was her Storage Magical Treasure.

She tied her tangled, loose hair into a ponytail. Her thoughts involuntarily turned to that detestable man as she said slowly, "It doesn't matter. I'm already sullied, and besides, I haven't lost my virtue."

Yang Zhilu, flying nearby, suddenly teased, "Could it be that Dr. Chen has taken an interest in you? Why else would he have saved you?"

Xia Chan just hummed in response.

Yang Zhilu then asked seriously, "Speaking of which, the other half of the Sea Oracle Map is in Dr. Chen's hands. Should we figure out a way to get it?"

Xia Chan glanced back, her eyelids drooping slightly. She saw that the four statues had already exited the robber's hole and were hot on the heels of Luo Xiu's group.

"What is the strength level of those four statues?"

Yang Zhilu replied, "If I face one alone, I'm confident I can win, but only without that terrifying law restriction. If I face all four at once, I will certainly be defeated."

After a moment of thought, Xia Chan said, "Keep your distance and observe. We'll wait for the right opportunity to act. When those two women by Chen Shuisheng's side are exhausted, we'll make our move and seize the other half of the Sea Oracle Map."

Yang Zhilu's eyebrows knitted in concern. "But what if those four statues attack us then?"

A slight smile touched Xia Chan's lips. "Don't worry, I still have a trump card."

"Those four statues aren't living beings. They move because they are possessed by something like Wandering Spirits. And if they're Wandering Spirits, my Soul-Calling Bell will definitely work."

Hearing this, Yang Zhilu recalled the bell and said no more. When they had first entered the Land of Lawlessness, they had faced a frenzied siege by countless desiccated corpses. Xia Chan had used the Soul-Calling Bell to escape them, which was how she had managed to catch up to Luo Xiu so quickly.

...

"Dr. Chen, just run! Don't worry about me!" Zhanghai gasped for air, drenched in sweat and too exhausted to continue. Although he was a Martial Artist, his strength was only at the Foundation Building realm; he couldn't maintain such a frantic sprint for long.

The four pursuing statues looked clumsy, but they moved with surprising speed.

Beside them, Xu Wei gritted his teeth, suddenly stopping to face the four statues. "Dr. Chen, you really don't have to worry about us! I'll hold these four monsters off!"

However, Luo Xiu also stopped, showing no intention of abandoning them. If he hadn't wanted to bother with Xu Wei and his people, he would have had Dou Dou fly him away from the start. He chose to stick with them not out of some deep friendship, nor was he feigning grandeur to impress anyone. He was simply upholding his principles.

"You helped me before, so now that you're in trouble, I won't abandon you. If worse comes to worst, we'll all go down together."

Hearing this, Xu Wei and Zhanghai were both stunned into silence. That was just the kind of person he was. He respected those who respected him and was good to those who were good to him.

Just then, one of the statues burst forth from the rolling cloud of dust ahead.

Luo Xiu took a deep breath, strode forward to meet it, and threw a punch. Even without his cultivation, his physical body's strength and power remained!

BOOM!

With a tremendous crash, the void trembled and the ground cracked! The statue was sent flying backward, slamming heavily onto the earth.

Luo Xiu stood his ground, his right arm dangling limply, temporarily numb. Yet, the statue appeared completely unscathed. It quickly scrambled back to its feet and charged at him again.

"Quick, move aside! Let Dou Dou handle this!"

Dou Dou suddenly flashed in front of Luo Xiu, opening her black umbrella to steadfastly block the statue's incoming punch.

At the same time, Chi Sha moved to engage the other three statues. Her Majesty the Queen, in control of Luo Ying's powerful physical body, was domineering and unmatched. With a single punch for each, she sent the statues flying, causing them to explode into rubble in mid-air.

Bizarrely, the statues that had shattered into rubble would quickly reform.

Luo Xiu asked, "Can you use the Dragon Drill?"

Chi Sha replied, "No, and even if I could, physical attacks are useless. They just reform after being shattered."

"Can you use the Soul Capturing Technique to capture the Wandering Spirits possessing them?"

Chi Sha shook her head, kicking away an advancing statue. "These four Wandering Spirits are very strong. They can't be captured in a short amount of time."

Luo Xiu gritted his teeth. "Then just hold on a little longer!"

These four statues were not only terrifyingly strong but also immortal and tireless. A prolonged battle would undoubtedly drain Chi Sha and Dou Dou's energy. For now, Luo Xiu could only place his hopes in Lin Tong, his junior.

At this moment, Lin Tong's spirit body was floating nearby, having entered a meditative state as he attempted to awaken the Wandering Spirits possessing the statues.

「At the same time.」

At the base of a small hill not far away, Xia Chan and her companions hid behind some rocks. With sharp gazes, they silently watched the battle, making no move to help.

As time passed, Luo Xiu's group began to fall back. Xu Wei's mercenaries were sacrificed one after another. Although Chi Sha and Dou Dou were strong, they had their limits. They were growing exhausted and had to divide their attention to protect Luo Xiu.

Finally, as fatigue caused Chi Sha and Dou Dou's concentration to slip, one of the statues grabbed Luo Xiu.

Seeing this, the secretly observing Xia Chan said urgently, "Now's the time! Move!"

Yang Zhilu's figure flashed, and she arrived in an instant, sending the statue flying with a single punch and saving Luo Xiu in the nick of time.

Immediately after, Fei Xiao curled into a ball and began to spin rapidly. Like a giant iron ball rolling across the ground, he kicked up a cloud of dust and instantly knocked away the other three statues.

Then, Xia Chan walked up unhurriedly, gently shaking the bell in her hand. The crisp ring seemed to contain some magical power, bringing the four statues under her control. They obediently walked over and stood on either side of her like loyal servants.

Just as Luo Xiu was wondering what was happening, Yang Zhilu suddenly stepped forward and planted her foot on his chest, looking down at him imperiously.

"Dr. Chen, you still owe me an eye from last time. It's time to pay your debt."

"Miss Yang, stop!" Xia Chan spoke up, halting Yang Zhilu before she could harm Luo Xiu.

Yang Zhilu shrugged and stepped aside.

Xia Chan looked at Luo Xiu, her lips pursed. "Back in the tomb… thanks."

Luo Xiu spat out a mouthful of blood and grinned. "Don't thank me. I just didn't want to have to watch an R-rated movie in that kind of environment."

Hearing this, Xia Chan's cheeks flushed, but her gaze turned cold. Dr. Chen's flippant demeanor reminded her of that detestable man.

"My Soul-Calling Bell can control them, so they now serve me. Meanwhile, your people are exhausted. I think you understand the situation."

"Hand over the other half of the Jade Disk, and I'll guarantee your safety."

Luo Xiu gently shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "Why don't you take a look behind you?"

Hearing this, Xia Chan froze for a moment. She slowly turned around, and her eyes widened in shock.

The four statues were moving again. They strode toward Luo Xiu, suddenly knelt before him, and simultaneously declared in a hoarse voice, "Four Spirit Generals, at your service, Your Majesty!"

Luo Xiu stood up, looking at Xia Chan with a smile that was not quite a smile. "Hand over the other half of the Sea Oracle Map to me, and I'll spare your life."

...

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