C9 He Escaped Death

The Yin Corpse Abyss, a forbidden zone within the Heaven Light Sect, was well-known to all official disciples. Peripheral disciples, however, were largely in the dark about its existence, since the sect hardly regarded their lives as significant. To be blunt, a peripheral disciple was no different from an ordinary person – in flattering terms, a disciple of the sect; in harsher words, a mere servant. The Abyss was steeped in malevolence, a death trap for anyone below the Foundation Stage, particularly at night when the dense Yin Qi in the woods, the withering trees, and the barely audible wails and howls created an atmosphere of unspeakable horror.

As the dying light of the sun filtered through the forest canopy, it cast a glow on Han Binn, who was squinting through the pain in his eyes. He realized he was lying on the ground next to the still unconscious and severely injured Tang Xiaofeng. With the sun sinking fast, Han Binn's instinct was to leave immediately, knowing that failing to return to his room by nightfall would result in severe punishment.

Rising to his feet, Han Binn paused, torn with indecision. Were the three of them still around? If they hadn't left, wouldn't he be walking straight into danger?

"What now?" Han Binn pondered before checking on Tang Xiaofeng, relieved to feel the faint breaths from his nostrils.

Tang Xiaofeng's complexion was ashen, his back a canvas of torn fabric and horrific, bleeding wounds that had soaked his clothes in blood.

Quickly, Han Binn ripped a strip of cloth from his own attire and wrapped Tang Xiaofeng's wounds. After bandaging him, Han Binn plopped down on the ground, only to leap up again as a sharp pain shot through his buttocks. Looking down, he spotted a thumb-sized white stone embedded in the earth where he had just sat.

"Bad luck," Han Binn grumbled, kicking the stone away. As he was about to sit back down, a sudden tightness gripped his chest, and breathing became a struggle, as if the air had been sucked from his lungs. Panicked, Han Binn gasped for breath, but it was as though the surrounding air had vanished, leaving him unable to draw in even the slightest breath.

Han Binn had never before found himself in such a predicament. Panic set in as he wondered, "What's happening? Why is there no air?" Recalling the earlier conversation he'd overheard, a wave of paleness washed over his face. "The Yin Corpse Absolute Land—am I really going to die here?" He scanned the forest urgently, but nothing stood out as unusual. The peculiar name of the place baffled him.

"I can't just sit here; I'll suffocate if I don't find a way out." Han Binn dashed over to Tang Xiaofeng, intent on lifting him. But Tang Xiaofeng was too heavy; despite exerting all his strength, Han Binn couldn't manage it. With no other option, he bolted into the woods. His reasoning was simple: if he retraced his steps, the three official disciples would surely kill him. The forest didn't look vast; surely, he could find an exit in another direction.

But after just a few steps, Han Binn's legs buckled, and he collapsed. As he hit the ground, he instinctively gasped for air and was surprised to draw in a lungful of freshness. He took several deep breaths, then paused, perplexed. The spot he'd just left had no air—so why was there air here? Could this forest truly be as bizarre as its name, with air appearing and disappearing at whim?

Determined to test his theory, Han Binn moved sideways, breathing deeply as he went. A few steps later, the air vanished again. He stepped back, and it returned. Han Binn tried different directions and concluded that air was only present in a small area, about ten feet around him, with none beyond.

But that raised another question: if there was no air where he'd initially been, why hadn't he suffocated while unconscious?

Han Binn was filled with doubt. True to his nature, he wouldn't rest until he had unraveled this mystery.

Nearby, Tang Xiaofeng's body twitched, froth forming at his mouth.

Seeing this, Han Binn quickly dragged Tang Xiaofeng closer before returning to his thoughts.

The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the world shrouded in darkness. A once silent forest was now pierced by chilling gusts, and trees visibly withered into skeletal forms. Amidst the desolation, vague white shapes flitted like lost souls, their wails and howls filling the air.

"This..." Han Binn was no stranger to ghost stories, but witnessing such a vivid spectacle for the first time sent shivers down his spine and his heart racing. The spectral figures, as if sensing something, suddenly lunged towards him with ferocious intent.

They drew nearer, and Han Binn could make out their ghastly features—translucent forms aglow with white light, dressed in clothes that did nothing to soften their frightful appearance. They were the spitting image of the ghosts from the storyteller's tales, some even baring long, sharp fangs and emitting sounds of pure terror.

"Don't come any closer, stay away!" Han Binn's body shook uncontrollably, convinced that these apparitions would rip him to shreds.

The ghosts, spurred on by Han Binn's cries, quickened their pace, nearly upon him. Resigned to his fate, Han Binn clenched his eyes shut, only to be met with a sudden, agonized howl. The cacophony grew, and the oppressive atmosphere began to wane. Driven by curiosity, he opened his eyes to a blinding white light that forced them shut once more. When he dared to look again, all was dark, and the phantoms had vanished.

"What just happened?" Han Binn pinched his thigh, wincing at the pain. This was no dream.

The whole ordeal was baffling, almost dreamlike. The ghosts had been intent on his demise, yet they had disappeared without a trace. Then it struck him—the white light. "Of course, ghosts fear white light, but where did it come from here?" He gazed skyward, finding no stars, no moon, no source of light.

Han Binn shut his eyes, focusing on the memory of that light. It had to have originated from nearby. But the area was small, and aside from Tang Xiaofeng, there was nothing else. Could he possess some relic that repelled the spirits? That didn't add up—if he bore such an item, why had the three official disciples of the Heaven Light Sect deemed his death inevitable? Why had he experienced oxygen deprivation?

"Oxygen deprivation?" Han Binn latched onto the clue, his mind racing. "Both oxygen deprivation and ghosts are lethal tactics. Given that this place is known as the Yin Corpse Absolute Land, and the three disciples were too scared to enter, the anomaly must be here, right? If Tang Xiaofeng is suffering from a lack of oxygen, it's not because he's carrying a treasure, but rather the treasure must be nearby."

With this realization, Han Binn wasted no time and began to scour the vicinity. The area wasn't large, and soon he stumbled upon various items—tree branches, stones, and a collection of random debris. Determined to identify any treasures among them, Han Binn stuffed the items into his pockets and dashed forward. After covering more than ten meters, his breathing remained normal. He paused briefly to think, then pressed on. Before long, he encountered a roaming ghost.

The sight of the ghost filled Han Binn with an unspeakable thrill, and it seemed the ghost shared his excitement, lunging at him with fangs and claws at the ready. Han Binn stood his ground, hands in his pockets, anticipating the emergence of the white light. As the ghost drew near, a white glow radiated from Han Binn's body. With the flash of light, the ghost let out a startled cry and fled.

A surge of elation washed over Han Binn—he had been right. Among the objects in his pocket was indeed a treasure. His triumph was interrupted by Tang Xiaofeng's cries from behind. A jolt of concern hit him, and he chided himself, "How could I have forgotten about him?" He spun around and sprinted back to Tang Xiaofeng's aid.

Tang Xiaofeng had come to, besieged by a horde of ghosts gnawing at his flesh. His complexion was deathly pale as he gasped for air to no avail.

As Han Binn approached, Tang Xiaofeng noticed the absence of ghosts and the lack of distress on Han Binn's face, leaving him utterly bewildered. Then, as Han Binn neared, the ghosts that had been terrorizing Tang Xiaofeng scattered in fear. But the biggest shock came when, with Han Binn's arrival, Tang Xiaofeng suddenly found himself able to breathe in the fresh air once more.

Tang Xiaofeng was stunned, gazing at Han Binn for what seemed like an eternity before uttering, "Do you possess some kind of treasure?"

Han Binn had the same suspicion about carrying a treasure. He was on the verge of voicing his thoughts when the image of Tang Xiaofeng tossing the gourd flashed in his mind. He decided to play it safe. After all, if he truly had a treasure that could ward off ghosts, it would be an invaluable asset. Revealing it could put him in danger—what if Tang Xiaofeng decided to kill him to seize it? The thought that the three men would murder for such an item made Han Binn wary; Tang Xiaofeng might well do the same. With caution, he deflected, "Senior Brother, I'm not sure what you mean."

Tang Xiaofeng found it hard to believe that an outer disciple like Han Binn would have a treasure, but the gravity of the situation demanded clarity. "You're certain there's no treasure on you?" he asked, though he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Would anyone actually admit to having a treasure if they did?

Han Binn simply shook his head. "No, there's nothing."

After a moment's thought, Tang Xiaofeng swiftly approached Han Binn and began to frisk him. Finding only stones and sticks in his pockets, he asked with a puzzled look, "Where did you gather all this clutter?"

Han Binn explained, "The ghosts were about to attack us, so I grabbed whatever I could to fend them off."

Tang Xiaofeng paused, then let out a wry laugh. "Those are fierce spirits with their own cultivation; such trinkets won't kill them." Realizing Han Binn's naivety, he stopped his search, chalking up the earlier incident to mere coincidence. However, noticing his own wounds had mysteriously healed, he grew more convinced of the peculiarity of their situation. The treasure on Han Binn couldn't have healed him; the place itself must be bizarre. If the elders couldn't decipher it, how could he, a mere Qi Cultivating Stage disciple, hope to understand?

Aware of the peril that lurked in this place, Tang Xiaofeng knew that any disciple below the Qi Cultivating Stage would meet their end here. Even those at the Foundation Stage couldn't linger long. He felt fortunate to have survived and was thankful for that alone, without delving into the whys. With a sigh, Tang Xiaofeng introduced himself to Han Binn, "I'm Tang Xiaofeng. And you are?"

"My name is Han Binn," he introduced himself, offering little else.

Tang Xiaofeng gave a nod and a reassuring pat on Han Binn's shoulder. "We should head out. It's not wise to linger here." With that, he was enveloped in a flash of white light and darted towards the forest's edge.

They weren't far from the forest exit, but by the time Han Binn gathered his wits, Tang Xiaofeng was already gone.

Han Binn let out a wry smile. He had intended to inquire about the ways of cultivation, yet Tang Xiaofeng had dashed off without uttering another word. Heaving a deep sigh, Han Binn made his way swiftly out of the Yin Corpse Abyss. As he walked, his hand instinctively slid into his pocket, where he encountered an object that stirred a peculiar sense of kinship within him. The sensation was vivid and odd, as though the item was, and had always been, his own.