Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Mist-Shrouded Graveyard

[The little ghost speaks to you, assuring you that despite her current frail and powerless appearance, once she regains her strength and removes the sack from her head—in that very instant—she will possess power enough to rival a Hunter of the Imprisoned! At that time, escaping this place and evading pursuit will be nothing but a trivial matter for her!]

She seems formidable, though there's a vague sense of a scam about her claims.

Are you about to ask me to help you recover your strength?

Chen Qi continued reading.

[The little ghost sighs, lamenting that her heart is damaged and marked, preventing her from unleashing her full power!]

[Only you, the one who commands this mighty Shadow Fox, possess the mystery and might to help her solve her predicament!]

Chen Qi rested his chin on his hand. This little ghost was rather talkative.

[You plant your long blade in the ground, signaling her to get to the point…]

["Sorry, sorry, I wanted to set the mood a bit first," the little ghost says, backing away a few steps.]

[She explains that if you can procure for her a powerful Chalice-type heart, she can, with her own surgical skill, replace her current sealed heart with the new one!]

[With a new heart, she would regain her formidable strength and no longer have to fear the Hunters of the Imprisoned.]

[In exchange, she offers to steal intelligence for you, assist you with heart surgery—her surgical abilities are unparalleled!]

[Then, with new hearts, the two of you could leave this place and venture far away!]

Every criminal’s heart was marked; thus, replacing one’s heart was a crude yet effective means of escaping the Hunters’ pursuit.

Chen Qi propped up his chin. As it happened, he did possess a powerful Chalice-type heart—the black Wooden Heart that had dropped after defeating the Decayed Elder in the Lightless Abyss.

Such a heart transplant would have profound effects, even terrifying side effects. For Chen Qi himself, the Wooden Heart was of limited use. Yet, since his own heart was not marked, the offer held no value for him.

[When the little ghost finishes, she places her hands on her knees, assuming a docile posture as she awaits your answer.]

[Please make your choice.]

[One: Hand over the Wooden Heart and accept the deal.
Two: Refuse the deal outright.
Three: State your dislike for the terms of the deal.]

Spending the Wooden Heart now would be a waste; it couldn’t be used so simply.

Chen Qi pondered. This little ghost seemed unusual—perhaps they could use each other…

Outright refusal wasn't ideal, either.

He could stall a bit longer.

I choose three.

[The little ghost looks startled. After all, she possesses the rare skill to replace a heart—it's the only way for a criminal to escape the Devourer without relying on that being!]

[But you persist in refusing, saying you would never entrust such a vital operation to a mere criminal.]

[Is that so? The little ghost ponders...]

[Her eyes flash as she glances at your Night-Roving Garment. She tells you she acquired a treasure in Mist City and is willing to trade.]

[If, within three days, you procure a Chalice-type heart for her and hand it over, she promises to help you, using her extraordinary intuition to secure every good thing for you.]

[All she needs is a single Chalice-type heart...]

[She assures you that within three days, she will seek out treasures, spy for intelligence, and will not harm or betray you—she will not break her promise!]

Chen Qi considered. From her description, the offer seemed worthwhile...

[The little ghost produces an ordinary golden shell, saying that you can seal the contract before the Shell of the Chalice.]

Shell of the Chalice?

What is this? Chen Qi checked the status panel.

[Shell of the Chalice:
Aspect: Shell
Description: Trust is the foundation of money and trade; all must remember trust when dealing.
Effect: Both parties may transact before the Shell of the Chalice, protected by the power of contract. If either side violates the agreement, they will suffer severe psychic damage from the Shell.]

[Please make your choice. Do you accept the deal?]

Within three days, he would gain a level-thirteen, fifty-agility helper who’d bring him all the best finds. On a journey through Mist City, another hand could only be an advantage.

And all it would cost was a single Chalice-type heart...

Chen Qi weighed it—perhaps the deal could work.

[You and the little ghost accept the contract; the Shell of the Chalice shatters.]

[The little ghost hands you a ring—a treasure she found in Mist City!]

[You have acquired the Ring of Mist.]

[Ring of Mist:
Attribute Bonus: Inspiration +3
Aspect: Lamp
Description: A white ring engraved with a torch, crafted by the finest artisans of Mist City, greatly increases speed within mist.
Effect: In mist, massively increases movement speed, increases inspiration by 10, conceals your form, boosts mental power, and cloaks your spiritual energy flow.]

Concealment within the mist...

Chen Qi exhaled softly. He now possessed the Bell of Mist, allowing him to conjure mist at will!

With this ring, he could execute a devastating combo.

On this journey through Mist City, it was undoubtedly a valuable asset.

Not bad at all...

[The little ghost stands, hoping you’ll honor your promise. She offers to help you hunt a Chalice-type person or slip back into the city to gather more intelligence and seek treasures.]

[Please make your choice.]

Chen Qi considered. Though bound by the Shell of the Chalice, trust could not be absolute. This little ghost was no ordinary being...

Better to have her gather intelligence for now...

[You plant your long blade in the ground and send her to spy.]

["May our transaction be a pleasant one, cellmate..." The little ghost tugs her sack and melts into the darkness, her figure vanishing instantly.]

Phew...

Chen Qi pulled out his map, his mind churning with thoughts.

So, the Devourers are also searching for treasure?

If the prize falls into their hands, this trip would have been for nothing!

He needed to act quickly.

Chen Qi opened the map and pressed on.

[You pat the Shadow Fox and continue in the direction indicated by the map!]

[Moving forward...]

[The mist grows thinner as you arrive at the location marked for treasure.]

[In the distance, you glimpse the flicker of firelight.]

[Here, beneath the high tower’s beacon, the mist is gradually dispelled.]

[You look out—it's a land strewn with gravestones, tombs of corpses and moss, with stone statues embracing the monuments.]

So the map leads to a graveyard?

Well, it makes sense—the treasure is likely in a crypt.

Chen Qi tensed, hoping he wouldn’t encounter any undead.

[You see, in the distance, a few weary armored figures gathered around a bonfire, deep in discussion.]

Talking about something?

[Before they notice you, you have the Shadow Fox halt—its massive form might draw attention.]

[The Shadow Fox dismisses its giant shadow form, its shell of darkness flowing back into its lantern.]

[Now small, the Shadow Fox slips under your coat for warmth.]

[After settling the shivering little donkey, you sneak forward, bolstered by both the Ring of Mist and the Night-Roving Garment, carefully searching for the crypt’s entrance.]

[You inch closer to the bonfire and take cover behind a wall.]

[You confirm that the group is indeed human, dressed in warm bovine-fur coats, huddled by the fire and grumbling to each other.]

[Do you wish to eavesdrop?]

Yes.

[You listen in—they are all subordinates of the Devourer, sent to search for an entrance. But after a day’s effort, they have found nothing…]

So the Devourers know about the treasure too!

Could there be more than one treasure map?

Troublesome... Chen Qi frowned.

But they haven’t found the entrance either.

Chen Qi glanced at the map; it wasn’t clear where the entrance was, which was a real problem.

[Do you wish to investigate your surroundings?]

Yes.

[You take in your surroundings—a vast graveyard, countless tombs, stone statues stretching as far as the eye can see, gravestones lost in the murky distance.]

[At the cemetery’s center, a statue of an old man with a lantern stands.]

[You look closer; at the statue’s base are inscribed the words: "In the midst of the mist, light the lamp within your heart."]

[You notice, with surprise, that the upper right corner of your treasure map also bears the image of the lantern-bearing old man.]

In the mist, light the lamp in your heart?

Chen Qi pondered. Was this a clue to finding the entrance?

Given the text, the graveyard was lit by the tower’s beacon and thus free of mist for now.

No mist...

Does it mean to light a lamp within the mist?

He decided to try.

Normally, he would have to wait for the beacon to die out and the mist to return. But with the Bell of Mist, he could bypass this step entirely!

Chen Qi activated the Bell of Mist.

The bell could be used twice before entering cooldown.

[You ring the Bell of Mist.]

[The sound spreads, and mist begins to shroud the area illuminated by the beacon.]

[Within the mist, the Devourers’ minions begin hallucinating, cursing, attacking each other, even fleeing!]

Now to light the lamp.

Chen Qi had the Shadow Fox poke its little head out and light the lamp on its chest.

[As the mist covers the map, a moving point of light appears on it!]

[Gazing at the glowing point, you feel a surge of excitement—it’s guiding your way!]

[Follow the light?]

It worked!

Without hesitation, Chen Qi chose yes.

[Within the mist, guided by a powerful intuition, you advance!]

[You press on through the fog...]

[You sense the earth shifting beneath your feet...]

Chen Qi took a deep breath; clearly, the crypt could not be entered by ordinary means.

[Soon, you open your eyes and find all the gravestones have vanished!]

[In their place stands a palace-like, black and sinister crypt!]

[Lamp Aspect Triggered!]

A line of highlighted text appears.

[The mist slowly fades from your vision. Gripping your long blade, you look around—a row of armored statues stands beside you.]

[The torch-bearing stone figures ignite their torches in unison.]

Chen Qi read on.

[A voice echoes from the far end.]

[Welcome to the Tomb of the Lady of Mist, traveler from afar.]

Thank you to Lianxing for the 500-coin reward, and thanks to everyone for your subscriptions, monthly tickets, and recommendations!

P.S. It’s a bit late today—I am guilty.

(End of chapter)