That mysterious and ancient chanting echoed through the valley, rippling outward like invisible circles of water that shook everyone's minds. It seemed imbued with a strange, unseen magic, compelling their heartbeats to quicken in rhythm with its cadence. Zhang Yue frowned so deeply his dark eyebrows nearly knotted together, muttering to himself inwardly, "What trick are they playing now? Could another even tougher character be showing up? Good heavens, stop tormenting us!" Sweat soaked his hair, plastering strands across his face and leaving him looking utterly disheveled. His clothes were in tatters, as though countless sharp blades had slashed through them, stained with blood and slowly oozing fresh crimson in places. Yet his gaze remained as resolute as iron, his white-knuckled grip on his sword signaling his defiance to the unknown danger.
Lin Wan'er gripped Zhang Yue's arm so tightly her fingers nearly dug into his flesh, her voice trembling like a falling leaf in an autumn wind: "Brother Yue, this sound gives me the creeps. What should we do? I feel like something terrifying is about to appear." Her face was as pale as paper, devoid of all color, and her wide eyes brimmed with terror, like a fawn lost in a dark forest. Her petite body shook incessantly, resembling a frail leaf shivering in a bitter gale, as if a mere gust could blow her over.
The old man stroked his already disheveled beard—normally neatly groomed, it now fell in a messy tangle across his chest—his e…
Chapter 225