Chapter 235: Chapter 237: Anciently Called the Underworld, Today Known as the Shadow Realm


    Qin Muye followed emotionlessly into the Underground Relics. Honestly, this group truly knew nothing. He had thought that their preparations would involve investigating whether there were any poisonous gases in the air or that they would bring necessary supplies.


    But in reality, that wasn’t the case at all. Each person was equipped with bladed weapons and some illegal firearms and ammunition, with not even essential supplies like medicine, food, or clear water brought along.


    This left Qin Muye dumbstruck. Were they going down to fight monsters, or to excavate relics?


    Even if there were something terrifying within the relics, heading down with only weapons seemed questionable.


    If someone used a simple trick to trap them inside for around ten days, it would be a miracle if any of them came out alive.


    Perhaps in their eyes, this was a matter that could be resolved within a day, but in Qin Muye’s opinion, there was likely nothing simple about what lay below.


    ...


    It was possible that it directly connected to a region called the Underworld, and this place was not so-called arsenal or treasure vault of the Black Mountain Army, but a special Sealing left by them to seal away the “Soldiers of the Underworld” within.


    Otherwise, which regular army would build a treasury or arsenal underground? They weren’t rebel forces, so this was highly problematic in itself.


    The group quickly entered the large hole in the ground, Qin Muye was escorted from front to back, while Black Hawk stood to the side.


    “Professor Li, what do you think?” Black Hawk asked after they descended.


    “I look with my eyes, what else?” Qin Muye replied irritably.


    They hadn’t even reached the entrance yet. He had just come down when he was asked for his opinion, but he needed something to observe first.


    Aside from some soil, there was nothing here.


    Black Hawk couldn’t help but smile wryly; he really was a bit too anxious.


    Moving forward, they quickly left the muddy path and entered an underground area that had been hollowed out and resembled an underground palace.


    Qin Muye looked around carefully. It was indeed a palace, lacking gold and silver treasures but filled with ghostly symbols that looked like lines. These were not normal characters but carved lines without any meaning, seemingly just for decoration.


    “This is of the ancient dynasty’s artistic style, these lines represent water, although somewhat similar to cloud patterns, you can tell the difference upon closer inspection.”


    “During the time of the ancient dynasty, both water and dark colors were esteemed, hence the majority of decorations used water patterns.”


    He pointed at the carvings on the walls and columns and explained, then took a detailed look at the entire structure. It had to be said that this was a world where Transcendents existed; such a vast underground palace was constructed as if it were nothing.


    “Professor Li, you can take your time looking at these after we get our hands on the items. The main issue now is, where are the ancient artifacts we need?” Black Hawk listened to Qin Muye’s explanation impatiently. He was here to exchange the Shadow Stone for money, not to listen to Qin Muye’s lectures.


    These powerful Dead Shadows could easily annihilate them with a mere fart, and influenced by the rule of the Shadow Realm, they have very little pity for their kin, even wanting to kill them to liberate their own shadow brethren.


    And what Qin Muye had read about in the ancient texts referred to these Dead Shadows.


    “You little bastard, get us out of the Shadow Realm, now, or we’re all going to die,” Black Hawk shouted hysterically, grabbing Qin Muye’s collar.


    Qin Muye, however, was unhurried: “Since we’re already here, why the rush to go back?”


    No sooner had he spoken than a series of uniform footsteps approached from afar.


    From the shadows in the distance, dense fog diffused, and an oppressive atmosphere began to close in.


    Fear began to spread in Black Hawk’s heart. He quickly released Qin Muye, and then a giant hawk emerged from his shadow and slammed into Black Hawk.


    In an instant, his shadow transformed into armor, forming an avian-like suit of armor.


    It was only at that moment that Black Hawk reached his full Tier 3 strength.


    Behind Cold Ghost, his shadow emanated a chilling coldness, and then his body was covered in an armor resembling black ice, with a pair of long and sharp daggers in hand, though the coverage wasn’t as extensive as Black Hawk’s.


    If we’re talking about the most solid armor, that would have to be Shan Ta. If Cold Ghost had leather armor, and Black Hawk had light armor, then Shan Ta would be in heavy armor.


    “Armored Warriors?” Qin Muye couldn’t help but gasp. He thought they were summoning shadows, but who knew it was a fusion?


    This was totally beyond Qin Muye’s expectations.


    “Shut up. If we get out of this alive, I swear I’ll flay you alive,” Cold Ghost said venomously.


    What they thought was a treasure vault turned out to be hell itself.


    Soon, as the sound neared, figures clad in varied yet disciplined armor appeared, and while their weapons were of many strange kinds, they all wielded uniform spears.


    “The Yin Mountain Army, that very army sent to suppress the Dead Shadows!” Cold Ghost’s voice was sharp, and even though they had all transformed, the cold sweat on their foreheads couldn’t be stopped from flowing.


    They were outnumbered and outclassed by the enemy.


    Just one Dead Shadow could easily slaughter them all, not to mention an army formation of Dead Shadows. There was no hope of escape.


    Seeing this, Black Hawk quietly took a step back, retreating to Qin Muye’s side.


    He knew that a head-on confrontation would be like an egg against a rock, it was just a matter of how they would die, but he... didn’t want to die!