https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-31-The-Five-Ghosts-Technique-and-the-Light-Circle-Technique/12834424/
Chapter 32: The Alluring Serpent's Voice
Chapter 32: The Alluring Serpent's Voice
"Even through the talisman, you could sense someone watching, and it even retaliated?"
The sudden change startled everyone, especially the old shopkeeper, who straightened up, looking at the fragments shattered around Hu Ma. He sighed, "This old Yin Mountain truly has its fair share of peculiarities..."
The person in the palanquin also sighed, "Don't underestimate this old Yin Mountain!"
"Over eight hundred miles of the old Yin Mountain, with the Zai Shui growing every year, it's a breeding ground for evil spirits. After hundreds of years, what hasn't it seen?"
"..."
"..."
As they were lost in their reflections, reassessing the forest, Second Master was clearly more anxious. He stepped over, examined Hu Ma's palm, and asked urgently, "Little Hu Ma, did you see the old woman? Where is she?"
"She's... she's..."
Hu Ma tried to recall the scene, "She's by a large tree..."
"That tree is huge, it would take three or four people to wrap their arms around it. On the branches... there seem to be many bells hanging."
"Next to it, yes, there are also offerings!"
"..."
"A tree that takes three or four people to embrace, with bells hanging from the branches..."
Second Master furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, "I know where the old woman is."
"She's fighting that tree."
Hu Ma quickly added, recounting everything he had seen, "She said not to go over there?"
"Huh?"
Second Master was also taken aback, "Should we go?"
Hu Ma's mind raced, and he made a firm decision, "Yes, we must go."
Under normal circumstances, he would have hesitated, knowing his current physical state and abilities. Facing this vast and bizarre world, he was truly insignificant.
The old woman's warning not to go there clearly meant it was very dangerous.
But now, he had Second Master by his side, and besides, there was also the reincarnated one!
Friends should help each other, right?
The old woman was too important to him. If she died, how could he survive in this world?
Second Master, with his straightforward mind, immediately set off as soon as Hu Ma said they should go.
He didn't even bother with the city-dwelling nobles, as his initial concern for the old woman had turned into a sense of urgency now that he knew she was in trouble.
Hu Ma quickly followed, but the old shopkeeper's face turned sour.
Before he could protest, the person in the palanquin said calmly, "Follow us."
"Huh?"
The old shopkeeper paused, glanced at the palanquin, and then understood:
The young miss was looking for the most evil thing in the forest. Neither the Five Ghosts Technique nor the Round Light Spell had provided any clues, so she had to search the forest herself. Given that it was such an evil thing, the events around it wouldn't be ordinary.
This village boy's grandmother had encountered something significant, which might lead to the young miss's target.
Realizing this, he waved to the bearers, "Let's go, we'll check it out."
Second Master had already walked about twenty feet when he suddenly realized the city-dwelling nobles were still waiting for him to lead the way. He had left them behind, which could offend them, but to his surprise, they followed.
He was delighted, "Good deeds bring good returns. The city nobles are so willing to help..."
He led the way through the forest, taking twists and turns. His urgency made him break into a sweat. Hu Ma followed closely, noticing the deeper they went, the more sinister the atmosphere became. Some things seemed to be hiding, likely suppressed by Second Master's presence.
In the village, Second Master's reputation kept evil spirits at bay. In the deep mountains, while the spirits didn't recognize him, they were still intimidated by his fiery aura.
Logically, Hu Ma's fire was no less potent, but it was more contained, lacking the same intensity.
Of course, this was a fundamental difference between them.
If Second Master used the True Yang Arrow, he could only use it three times in a short period, but Hu Ma could use it indefinitely.
However, Second Master could recover quickly with a bit of rest, while Hu Ma had to consume Blood Zai Shui to replenish his energy.
After what seemed like an eternity in the forest, the surroundings grew increasingly dark, and an ominous aura chilled their bones. They were unsure if they were close to the old woman, but Hu Ma noticed that Little Hongtang, who was following behind him, seemed increasingly anxious.
He was also growing impatient and quickened his pace. Suddenly, a soft, seductive laugh echoed in his ear, "Little Hu Ma, come and see me..."
"..."
The voice was so alluring and clear, it was as if the speaker was whispering right next to his cheek.
Hu Ma's heart suddenly lurched, feeling an urge to respond to the call, but he held back.
"Second Master..."
He merely raised his head and whispered, "Someone is calling me..."
"What?"
Second Master hurriedly turned around but looked around in confusion. "I didn't hear anything."
This was strange.
Now, Hu Ma could hear the voice clearly. It was sweet and alluring, whispering directly into his ear, stirring his heart.
It seemed to have a charm that made one feel compelled to respond and follow.
"Hmm?"
Just as Hu Ma felt uneasy, he heard scattered responses from behind him. He quickly turned to see the Palanquin Bearers who had been following them, despite the brisk pace he and Second Master had set. Their foreheads were dry, showing no signs of sweat.
However, at this moment, they slowed their steps, staring blankly into the forest. Some looked to the left, others to the right, each turning their heads in different directions, but all with the same dazed expressions.
"Stay alert!"
At this moment, the old shopkeeper, who had been walking beside them, also sensed something and his face darkened.
He suddenly stepped forward, reaching the first palanquin bearer, whose expression was more entranced, his mouth wide open as if about to respond. The shopkeeper slapped him hard, snapping him out of it, and the others were also startled.
Then, he coldly scanned the dense forest around them and whispered, "No matter what you hear, don't respond."
"From now on, even if you hear me calling you, look up and confirm it's me before you answer."
"..."
After his warning, he added coldly, "That's a Seductress Spirit, known for luring people with its voice, calling out their names from the shadows."
"If you respond, you'll see her, and she will enchant you, drawing you closer."
"If you can't control yourself and walk to her side, when you look back, you'll find your body still in the same spot. If you don't look back, you'll follow her in a daze, all the way to the underworld, not even realizing you're dead..."
"..."
The palanquin bearers, hearing this, nodded in panic, gritting their teeth and continuing on their way.
Even Hu Ma, reminded of the Seductive Snake Spirit he had seen when he first fled the village, kept his mind focused and continued following Second Master.
But the more he ignored it, the clearer the voice became. No matter how far they walked, the voice always sounded close by, as if the seductress was hiding nearby, behind the tree.
The voice grew more seductive and passionate, almost heart-stopping.
Anyone who didn't know better would think someone was having a wild encounter nearby.
Hu Ma knew it was the spirit trying to bewitch him, so he forced himself to resist, not giving in. The old shopkeeper merely frowned.
But as the voice grew louder and the surrounding trees and paths became increasingly twisted and eerie, a dissatisfied voice suddenly came from inside the palanquin: "In the middle of the forest, what kind of seduction is this?"
With this reprimand, the palanquin curtain moved slightly, and a gray shadow darted out. It was about the size of a Pug, moving extremely fast, its form indistinct. It shot behind a tree, and immediately, a series of screams and biting sounds echoed, making the trees tremble and leaves fall.
Soon, the gray shadow returned, leaving a trail of blood, and it seemed to be carrying something in its mouth.
The enchanting voice was gone.
"Ah..."
Second Master and Hu Ma were both surprised and grateful, glancing at the palanquin.
The old shopkeeper, however, remained silent, watching quietly without offering any help.
They were outsiders in the forest, and as long as they didn't provoke the spirits, it was best to avoid trouble.
But what the person in the palanquin did was their own business.
It seemed the spirit had been unlucky, as a refined lady couldn't tolerate such seductive and shameful sounds.
Despite the delay, the journey became faster without the bewitching influence. They gradually approached a clearing where the trees were sparse.
As they moved forward, they found that the trees were sparse because a massive, ancient Scholar Tree grew here, much larger and thicker than the surrounding trees, with a canopy that spread wide. Offerings were placed beside it, and bells hung from its branches.
Second Master stopped here, looking at Hu Ma nervously. "Is this the place?"
Hu Ma nodded, confirming that this was the place he had seen in the mirror, but he looked around and saw no sign of the old woman.
(End of Chapter)
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