Chapter 22: This Damn Ghost Seal

Chapter 22: The Damn Ghost Seal

Ma Mianren's hoof struck the holographic projection table heavily, and the three-dimensional map of the Jingjue Ancient City spun and expanded in the air.

"According to the latest intelligence, the Ghost Seal of the Jingjue Queen is hidden in the deepest altar of the ancient city." He called up an image of a bronze seal imprint. "This thing can control the ghost soldiers and is priceless."

Xiaoyao whistled: "Sounds even more valuable than the last bronze secret box."

Zero's gaze locked onto the ancient city's structural map: "Jingjue Ancient City is a living tomb, the mechanisms will change."

"Correct." Ma Mianren switched images, revealing several dark red markers. "And this time, the new spawns are Ghost Bride and Puppets. They are especially sensitive to the presence of the living."

"Mission time limit?" Xiaoyao asked.

"48 hours." Ma Mianren closed the projection. "You two, choose a team of two or..."

Both spoke at once.

"Two-person team."

---

The off-road vehicle kicked up a cloud of yellow sand on the Gobi Desert. Xiaoyao adjusted his tactical goggles; the outline of the ancient city shimmered faintly in the heat waves in the distance.

"Temperature 42°C, surface close to 60°C." Zero checked the water bag's remaining amount. "We must find the entrance within two hours."

Xiaoyao pointed to a distant area of wind-eroded rock: "There's an energy reaction over there, might be a side entrance."

The two advanced under the scorching sun, sand grains hitting their goggles with a crisp rustle. Suddenly, Zero yanked Xiaoyao back: "Quicksand."

Xiaoyao looked down and saw the sand beneath his feet slowly sinking. Zero quickly pulled out a rope and swung it toward a nearby rock pillar: "Hold tight."

The two leaped out of the danger zone with the rope's leverage. Xiaoyao patted his chest: "Close call, almost became a desert mummy."

Zero packed away the rope: "Focus on the path."

---

On the stone wall behind the wind-eroded rock were ancient Jingjue characters. Xiaoyao brushed away the floating sand, revealing a serpent-shaped relief.

"Mechanical lock." He took out his tools. "Needs a specific torque..."

Zero suddenly pressed his hand: "Wait."

He pointed to the recessed snake-eye groove: "Requires a blood sacrifice."

Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: "My turn this time."

Zero had already cut his finger and dripped blood into the groove: "My blood is more active."

The stone wall let out a dull rumble and slowly split open to reveal a gap.

---

In the deep corridor, the temperature plummeted. The beam of Xiaoyao's flashlight began to flicker, and dark red liquid seeped from the walls.

"Here it comes," Zero said softly. "Left side."

A red figure emerged from the stone wall. The Ghost Bride's wedding dress fluttered without wind, a sinister smile frozen on her pale face. Her nails grew visibly, scraping against the stone walls with a piercing screech.

Xiaoyao drew his peachwood sword: "First one to take it down?"

Zero had already activated "Celestial Breath," a faint golden glow enveloping him: "Watch out for her invisibility."

The Ghost Bride suddenly shrieked and lunged. Zero sidestepped, his tactical bayonet slashing across her throat, but only brought up a cloud of black mist—the entity had vanished.

"Behind you!" Xiaoyao's peachwood sword cleaved down, driving back the Ghost Bride who had suddenly appeared behind Zero.

The two stood back-to-back. Zero's "Celestial Breath" slightly distorted the surrounding air: "She's afraid of strong light."

Xiaoyao understood and pulled out a flashbang: "Close your eyes!"

In the blinding white light, the Ghost Bride let out a miserable scream. Zero seized the moment, driving his bayonet through her heart. Black blood spattered onto the walls, corroding holes with a sizzling sound.

---

In the main tomb chamber, twelve puppets hung from the ceiling, their joints tangled with nearly invisible threads.

"Don't touch the ground," Zero's scanner showed a complex pressure mechanism. "Walk on the shoulders of the stone statues."

The two agilely leaped onto the stone statues flanking the chamber. The puppets' heads creaked as they turned, their hollow eye sockets locking onto their positions.

"Showtime~" Xiaoyao whistled, and the puppets raised their arms in unison.

Zero's "Celestial Breath" activated at full power, his speed skyrocketing as his bayonet precisely severed the threads controlling the puppets. Xiaoyao consecutively used "Shadow Concealment," and wherever his peachwood sword passed, puppet heads tumbled to the ground.

The last puppet suddenly opened its mouth and spat out poison needles! Zero flashed in front of Xiaoyao, the barrier formed by "Celestial Breath" deflecting all the needles.

"Thanks." Xiaoyao patted his shoulder. "I'll buy you a drink when we're back."

Zero sheathed his bayonet: "...Two bottles."

---

Above the altar, a bronze seal floated, below it a bottomless dark abyss.

"Anti-gravity mechanism." Xiaoyao examined the surroundings. "Need to trigger both mechanism pillars simultaneously."

Zero had already taken position beside the left stone pillar: "Count to three."

"One, two—"

Both pressed the mechanism pillars at the same time, and the Ghost Seal slowly descended. Just as Xiaoyao was about to grab it, the entire altar began to collapse!

"Trap!" Zero grabbed Xiaoyao by the back of his collar and leaped backward. "Go!"

Countless venomous scorpions surged from the crevices. Zero pushed "Celestial Breath" to its limits, his bayonet swirling into a golden curtain of light. Xiaoyao pulled out his last fire talisman, the flames temporarily blocking the scorpion swarm.

"Take it!" Xiaoyao shoved the Ghost Seal into Zero's pack. "I'll clear the way!"

---

The passage crumbled behind them as they sprinted through the dust. Suddenly, a cliff appeared ahead!

"Jump!" Zero grabbed Xiaoyao's wrist, activating "Celestial Breath" the moment they fell. The faint golden halo cushioned their impact as they rolled into an underground river.

The bone-chilling current swept them into unknown darkness. Zero held tight to Xiaoyao's waist with one arm while grabbing a protruding rock with the other.

"Hold on to me!" he shouted above the roar of the water.

Xiaoyao wrapped his arms around him, and together they struggled to steady themselves in the rapids. In the distance, a sliver of daylight was faintly visible.

---

When the two crawled out of the desert oasis, bedraggled and exhausted, the setting sun stretched their shadows long.

Xiaoyao collapsed on the grass, panting heavily: "Next time... can we take a normal mission?"

Zero checked the Ghost Seal in his pack, confirmed it was intact, then suddenly tossed something to Xiaoyao.

Xiaoyao caught it—a transparent stone, extremely rare in the desert, with natural nebula-like patterns inside.

"...A souvenir." Zero turned his face away.

Xiaoyao grinned, holding the stone up to the sunset: "Let's call it 'Tianxiao Stone'."

Their silhouettes gradually merged into one against the desert horizon, behind them the last ray of sunlight sinking beneath the dunes.