The Red Moon hung like blood over the Impermanence City, its crimson halo resembling congealed bloodstains, dyeing the entire city in an incredibly eerie manner.
In the thick bloody glow, it was as if countless vengeful spirits were surging and struggling, the air filled with a tallic tang of sweetness, making one shiver with unease.
Xu Qing slowly raised his head, his deep eyes fixed on the strange red moon, a hint of wariness flashing in his gaze like cold stars.
He gently exhaled a breath of impure air, his spiritual sense spreading like cobwebs around him, only to be amazed to discover that the wandering ghosts were all motionless, as if frozen by an invisible force beneath the blood-colored sky, hollow eye sockets flickering with eerie green light, appearing exceptionally ghastly and terrifying.
Just then, "Dong!" a distant and ethereal bell sound suddenly resonated, like a heavy hamr striking fiercely upon Xu Qing's heartstrings.
This bell sound was both familiar and unfamiliar; familiar because it seed to have echoed deep within Xu Qing's mory, unfamiliar for its ancient and mysterious nature, making it elusive and unpredictable.
The reverberation of the bell had yet to dissipate when an astonishing transformation occurred—the ghosts that had been fixed in place ca "alive" as if infused with life.
Their forms varied; so were in tattered clothes, ghostly blue fire continuously seeping from their wounds; others wore splendid garnts, yet their faces were deathly pale as paper, with strange smiles at the corners of their mouths. So were engaged in fierce argunts, spitting rage, their ghostly claws flailing wildly; others supported each other, rare warmth reflected in their eyes. The din of chatter, curses, and laughter intersected, and if one ignored the fact that they were ghosts and the abnormalities surrounding them, Impermanence City at this mont was no different from a bustling human marketplace.
Xu Qing frowned slightly, his eyes filled with surprise, and muttered to himself, "The Red Moon and bell sound actually brought the ghosts of Impermanence City back to the state they were in when they first entered?"
He gained a deeper understanding of the words "impermanence." This Impermanence City was indeed full of unpredictable changes, devoid of any logic.
Compared to the previous lifeless stillness, the current bustling clamor made him feel more chilled to the spine, an indescribable eerie sensation spreading in his heart.
Suddenly, Xu Qing felt a movent in his heart, as if drawn by so mysterious force, leading him to a corner of the city. After passing through several narrow and dim streets, a towering tavern appeared before him.
Curiously, although Xu Qing had clearly passed by this spot while wandering the city earlier, he had completely failed to notice the tavern's presence. It seed to be hidden behind an invisible veil, only revealing its true form at this mont.
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed, silently marveling, "Such remarkable technique, to actually evade my perception!"
But he did not retreat because of this, stepping gracefully into the tavern.
Inside the tavern, the lighting was dim, flickering candlelight casting ghostly green reflections, shrouding the entire space in a faint glow. The air was filled with a peculiar scent, a mix of aged wine's rich aroma, the demonic stench from the monsters, and a hint of elusive mystery.
Xu Qing's gaze was sharp, quickly scanning the room, seeing many demons and ghosts gathered inside, their forms varied. So bore three heads and six arms, gripping weapons that glinted coldly in every hand; others had lithe figures but possessed snake tails and scorpion pincers, their entire being exuding a sense of danger.
These demons were evidently much stronger than the ghosts outside, and they cast startled glances at Xu Qing's presence.
In their perception, Xu Qing's location seed empty, as if he seamlessly blended with the surrounding world, making it difficult to distinguish whether he was a living being or rely air.
After a brief mont of astonishnt, these demons returned to their previous states, continuing to drink and discuss matters, as if Xu Qing's arrival had not caused any significant disturbance.
In their hearts, anyone who could co to this tavern was no simple character, and undoubtedly, Xu Qing was the most enigmatic presence among the guests today.
After all, if the sky were to fall, there would be taller ones to hold it up. The tavern owner would handle everything; they only needed to mind their own business.
Before long, a stooped, hollow-cheeked waiter scurried over to Xu Qing. Its eyes shone with an unusual gleam, as if it had already known Xu Qing would arrive, and it spoke respectfully, "Daoist, my master invites you."
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Xu Qing had doubts in his heart, but he still followed the waiter to the upper levels of the tavern. After passing through winding corridors, Xu Qing arrived at a luxuriously decorated yet eerily atmospheric elegant room.
Upon opening the door, an unexpected figure appeared before him—a Divine Dog with jet-black fur, as glossy as ink, sitting majestically on a Grandmaster's chair.
In the Cultivation Realm, any demon with cultivation typically preferred transforming into human form, as it was considered an Innate Daoist Body, symbolizing a higher Realm and status.
To reveal one's true form often imparted an impression of being uncultivated.
Yet the Divine Dog before him was unique, exuding an air of dignity and composure. "There is a scent of the Human World on you, Daoist, rare in this place…"
The Divine Dog spoke in human tongue, its voice deep and magnetic, with a courteous tone, but Xu Qing keenly sensed that beneath the calm deanor lay a torrent of emotion, like a trendous undercurrent surging beneath a tranquil sea.
Xu Qing clasped his hands together, slightly bowing, and asked, "May I know how to address you, fellow Daoist?"
"Xiao Tian," the Divine Dog answered succinctly.
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