Upon hearing the words of Death Shadow and Gong Sanhe, Yang Zhen was startled. He was not unfamiliar with bugs. In fact, both Death Servant and Death Shadow harbored many bugs within them. It appeared to be a type of symbiotic relationship, similar to the Companion Heavenly Fire inside Yang Zhen; it was mutually beneficial.
However, bugs from the Southern Region were an entirely different matter. These creatures were somewhat sinister, life-threatening, and were referred to as witchcraft by people outside the Southern Region mainland.
Yang Zhen glanced at the inscription on the coffin and, surprised, turned to Gong Sanhe and said, âSo, youâre saying that there could possibly be a swarm of bugs inside this coffin?â
Gong Sanhe nodded seriously and said, âItâs highly possible, but this is only conjecture. After all, we havenât opened the coffin yet, so we donât really know whatâs in there.â
There were no prohibitions around the coffin, probably because the Southern Region Great Saint believed that, given the intricate traps he had set up, almost no one would manage to make it all the way here to see this coffin.
Death Shadow sucked a deep breath, seemingly startled by what Gong Sanhe had said, and asked, âAre you planning to open this coffin?â
Yang Zhen looked at Gong Sanhe, who in return looked back at Yang Zhen. He didnât answer Death Shadowâs question but asked Yang Zhen, âWhat do you think?â
âOpen!â
Yang Zhen said decisively.
Damn it, we went through so much trouble getting here. We canât just not open it because there might be bugs inside, right?
However, before opening it, Yang Zhen thought it was necessary to consult with the others. After all, if there were dangers, he wouldnât be the only one to face them.
With this in mind, Yang Zhen turned to Ding Chun and asked, âWhat about you two? There could be danger inside this coffinâa lethal danger. Do you think we should open it or not?â
Just as Ding Chun was about to speak, Wen Yuning interjected forcefully, âOpen!â
âOpen!â Ding Chun said through gritted teeth, looking as if he were about to cry.
âThen letâs open it!â
Yang Zhen took a deep breath. His hands slowly moved towards the coffin. After seeing no reaction from the coffin, he released his True Essence.
Ding Chun instinctively took a step back, the faces of Gong Sanhe and the others also twitched, their expressions growing more serious.
The sacrificial text on the coffin gradually lit up and everyone, including Yang Zhen, held their breath. Yang Zhen had no idea what could be inside such a strange thingâmaybe a Great Saint would pop out the next moment and slap them all into the Yellow Spring Purgatory.
Just as the coffin lid had also started to glow, a loud rumble came from behind them, startling Yang Zhen. He turned around with a baffled look on his face, and his eyes suddenly widened. âDamn it, bugs!â
Boomââ!
A terrifying swarm of bugs surged from a stone gate behind the group, charging towards them like a torrent.
âWatch out!â Gong Sanheâs face changed dramatically. He quickly pulled Ding Chun and Wen Yuning behind him. âYou two, be careful!â
Faced with the overwhelming swarm of bugs, Death Shadowâs expression became strange. Instead of retreating, he moved forward.
Watching this, Yang Zhen furrowed his brows and shouted at Death Shadow, âDamn old man, have you lost your mind? Come back right now.â
Death Shadow smiled, glanced back at Yang Zhen, and said with a grin, âYoung man, Iâm afraid I may have to break my word.â
âBreak your word?â Yang Zhen was taken aback and quickly asked, âWhat are you blabbering about? What word are you breaking?â
Death Shadow didnât respond to Yang Zhenâs question. His body shuddered, and his face became gruesome. He fell to his knees, but kept smiling and looking at the overwhelming swarm of bugs. He laughed and said, âI didnât expect you to find me so fast!â
At Death Shadowâs words, the rest of the group were all taken aback.
It seemed like Gong Sanhe had remembered something and he suddenly exclaimed, âThis is not a witch-bug from the Southern Region.â
âThis is certainly not a witch bug from the Southern Region!â A harsh, low voice echoed, cold and merciless like the Grim Reaper from the purgatory. All of the bugs amassed together, forming the shape of a person.
Yang Zhen stared wide-eyed, looking incredulously at the human figure composed of countless bugs. âOh my! Is this fella a human or a bug?â he asked, pointing at the figure.
The figure was incredibly tall, towering two heads above Yang Zhen, and emitted an endless aura of malevolence that made people feel dizzy. The figure disseminated a disgusting bug-hole-like odor.
Yang Zhen couldnât make out this personâs appearance in the dark. The faceless figure scanned the surroundings, his gaze settling on Yang Zhen, âKid, watch your tone. If I hear one more word from you, youâll be the first to die!â
At this moment, the Death Shadow suddenly stood up, chuckling, âYoung friend Yang, the figure in front of us is one half of the Yin and Yang Shadows of Moluo Gate, the Yin Shadow, whose cultivation level is even above mine.â
Yang Zhen had a sudden realization, a strange expression flashed on his face. Doubtfully, he asked, âCultivation level above yours, isnât that the Divine Transformation Stage?â
Death Shadow burst into laughter, âBreaking through to the Divine Transformation Stage isnât that easy! When I say his cultivation is above mine, I mean he controls my life and death. Without the bondage of the Talisman in my body, what can he do?â
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen laughed and immediately understood, âSo, you mean, after you left Moluo Gate, they got the news, and this yin-yang weird shadow came to kill you?â
Death Shadow nodded, âKilling me isnât that easy!â
Boomâ!
A terrifying energy suddenly erupted from Death Shadow. Amid the pervasive black mist, his violent momentum contended with the Yin Shadow.
Laughing heartily, the Yin Shadow blurred and astonishingly turned into two figures under everyoneâs eyes.
The aura of the other person was even more strange, almost yin and yang, radiating evil from within. In a hoarse voice, the figure said, âWhat if I joined in?â
âHoly crap!â
Yang Zhen jumped in fright, truly ridiculous things seemed to come his way.
This yin-yang weird shadow could actually be both sexes?
Seeing the appearance of the Yang Shadow, Death Shadowâs expression dramatically changed. He turned to Yang Zhen and others, âQuick, run!â
It was clear that Death Shadow seemed to be capable of fighting a Yin Shadow, but after both Yin and Yang Shadows appeared, even the always boasting Death Shadow changed his color, his voice distorted.
Obviously, in front of the Yin and Yang Shadows, Death Shadow knew he had zero chance of survival!
After he shouted, a terrifying black energy wave suddenly erupted from the Death Shadow. In a blink of an eye, it engulfed half of the hall, similar to a fiercely burning fire.
The old woman, the Yang Shadow, chuckled evilly, âDeath Shadow, you should know that in front of the two of us, you donât even have a chance to struggle. What gave you the audacity to defy Moluo Gateâs principles and betray them?â
Death Shadow laughed heartily, mocking, âDamn it, Iâd been thinking of leaving Moluo Gate years ago. You two, stuck somewhere between human and ghost, willingly allowed the Talismans of the Evil Shadow inside you, becoming walking zombies of Moluo Gate.â
The Yin Shadow scoffed and took a step forward, his dreadful aura intensified, âWhatâs wrong in being a walking corpse?â
Turning towards the gigantic coffin behind Yang Zhen, the Yin Shadow laughed maniacally, âSpeaking of, we should thank you. If it wasnât for you, we wouldnât have found this Heavenly Machine Lock, one of the Nine Places of Sky Mechanism. Such a great fortune!â
The old woman, Yang Shadow, continued, âLet me see who would make you willingly risk being pursued and killed by Moluo Gate⦠This old man definitely isnât. The people of Ancient Life Sect donât qualify to command your loyalty, so, it must be this Young Master?â
âKill this brat first!â The Yin Shadow snorted.
âYou dare!â The black fire wave on Death Shadow surged even more. Staring at the Yin and Yang Shadows, he yelled, âIf you two dare to touch Yang Decao, even if it means blowing up my own Talisman, Iâll keep you both old undeads here.â
âThen try to see if you could blow up the Talisman in front of us?â The old woman, Yang Shadow, chuckled.
Death Shadowâs face changed, just as he was about to speak, Yang Zhen calmly stepped in, âI say, you two, bickering without paying attention, arenât you showing too little respect for this Sao Saint? Do you take me for someone made of mud?â