Transmigrating to win the heart of a beautiful snake

Chapter 398 The Secret of the Ghost Castle

"Transmigrating to Embrace the Beautiful Snake"

Chapter 398: The Secret of the Ghost Castle

Liu Yu and his companions bid farewell to the grateful villagers and continued their journey through this mysterious world. They traversed a desolate desert, where the scorching sun relentlessly beat down on the sand, making every grain seem to burn. The sunlight was like countless blazing swords, piercing straight into the ground, making the air scalding and distorted. Looking out, the undulating sand dunes resembled golden waves, shimmering dazzlingly under the blazing sun.

"I'm about to be roasted into dried pork by this sun!" Pigsy complained as he struggled to take his steps. His round belly jiggled with each step, and sweat dripped from his forehead like a waterfall, disappearing instantly into the sand as if greedily swallowed by the desert. Each time his feet stepped on the scorching sand, it made a "sizzling" sound, as if he were about to be burned.

Liu Yu looked up at the sky, squinted, and said, "Bajie, hang in there. If we cross this desert, we might find some shade." His lips were cracked, and his voice was a little hoarse, but his eyes showed determination and resilience. His clothes were already soaked with sweat and clung to his body, but his steps remained firm and powerful, and the sword in his hand reflected a dazzling light in the sunlight.

Xiaoqing followed silently behind, her steps lighter, but her face betrayed her weariness. Her beautiful face was damp with sweat, a few strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, yet her elegance remained undiminished. Her skirt fluttered in the wind, occasionally catching the swirling dust, but she maintained her graceful posture throughout.

They trudged through the desert with great difficulty, the sand beneath their feet scorching hot, each step feeling like walking on burning coals. The desert winds howled intermittently, whipping up clouds of dust that stung their faces. The winds, like enraged beasts, roared wildly across the desert, making them sway precariously.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, when they were all exhausted, an oasis finally appeared in the distance. The trees in the oasis were lush and verdant, like a green ocean. The trees were tall and straight, with abundant branches and leaves, bringing life and hope to this desert. The clear lake water shimmered in the sunlight, like a huge mirror, the calm surface reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the surrounding green trees.

"Wow, finally we're saved!" Pigsy excitedly rushed towards the oasis, his fat body suddenly bursting with astonishing speed. He ran recklessly, kicking up clouds of dust. He plunged headfirst into the lake, splashing water everywhere, stirring up huge waves. He splashed and laughed joyfully in the water, as if all his fatigue had vanished in that instant.

Liu Yu and Xiao Qing also arrived at the lakeside. They eagerly bent down, cupped their hands, and drank deeply. The cool lake water flowed down their throats, instantly sending a refreshing sensation throughout their bodies, invigorating them. Liu Yu felt the coolness of the lake water, a contented smile spreading across his face. Xiao Qing gently wiped the water droplets from her face, her eyes sparkling with joy.

After a short rest, they continued their journey. Not long after leaving the oasis, an ancient castle came into view. The castle walls were tall and thick, as if the work of giants. They were constructed of massive stones, bearing the mottled marks of time. Vines climbed all over them, intertwining like a giant green spiderweb, adding to the castle's mysterious aura. The castle's exterior appeared eerie and enigmatic, inspiring a sense of awe.

"This castle looks a bit eerie," Xiaoqing said softly, a hint of unease in her voice. Her beautiful eyes warily surveyed the castle, her hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the bell. Her heart pounded slightly, as if she could sense the danger lurking within.

Liu Yu nodded: "But maybe there's something we need inside. Let's go in and take a look." His gaze was firm, as if he was prepared to face any difficulty. He took a deep breath and strode confidently toward the castle.

They cautiously approached the castle gate, a heavy and ancient door that seemed to bear countless years and secrets. The door slowly opened, releasing a whiff of antiquity, a scent mingled with decay and mystery. The smell was like that of old books, or a dilapidated ruin, making one instinctively want to cover their nose and mouth.

Entering the castle, the hall was dimly lit, with only a few rays of light filtering through the cracks in the windows. Those rays, like golden threads, appeared so faint in the darkness. Ancient portraits hung on the walls, the figures' eyes seeming to gaze upon them, their gazes seemingly concealing endless stories and secrets. Each portrait was lifelike, the expressions of the figures—serious, sorrowful, or angry—allowing one to almost feel their past joys and sorrows.

"I'm getting a chill down my spine," Pigsy said, shrinking his neck and trembling slightly. His gaze darted around the hall, not daring to linger on any one spot for long. His breathing became rapid, and his heart pounded.

Liu Yu said softly, "Be careful, there might be danger here." His voice was deep and steady, and his sword was already drawn, ready to deal with any potential danger. His eyes scanned the surroundings warily, not missing a single slight movement.

Suddenly, a chilling wind swept through, cold and biting, as if it came from the depths of hell. This wind extinguished their torches, and instantly, the hall was plunged into darkness. The darkness, like a gigantic monster, enveloped them completely.

"Ah!" Xiaoqing couldn't help but scream, her voice sounding particularly sharp and fearful in the darkness. She gripped Liu Yu's clothes tightly, her body trembling slightly.

Just then, a group of ghosts drifted out of the darkness. These ghosts were transparent, emitting an eerie blue light, like stars twinkling in the night sky. They let out mournful cries, so plaintive and chilling. Their figures appeared and disappeared in the darkness, shifting and uncertain.

"Who are you? Why have you intruded here?" A ghostly voice echoed in the hall, ethereal and seemingly from another world.

Liu Yuqiang tried to appear calm: "We are just passing travelers and have no intention of offending you." Although his voice was firm, he was also filled with nervousness. His heart was racing and his palms were slightly sweaty.

"Hmph, intruders must die!" the ghosts shouted in unison, then pounced on them. Their movements were swift and unpredictable, like an invisible gust of wind. The ghosts closed in instantly, bringing with them a chilling aura.

Liu Yu drew his sword to meet the attack; the sword flashed in the darkness like a bolt of lightning across the night sky. His swordsmanship was fierce, each strike carrying unwavering resolve. His figure darted through the darkness, engaging in a fierce battle with the ghosts.

Pigsy brandished his nine-toothed rake, shouting, "Watch me, Old Pig, beat you all back to your original forms!" His rake drew arcs through the air, creating a whooshing sound. He possessed immense strength; with each swing of his rake, one could feel the air vibrate.

Xiaoqing shook her bell, the sound transforming into beams of light, attempting to dispel the ghosts. The bell's clear, melodious sound was exceptionally loud in the darkness. The light intertwined with the ghosts' blue glow, creating a strange and wondrous scene.

However, the ghosts' attacks were exceptionally strange; they could pass through objects and directly attack a person's soul. Liu Yu and the others gradually felt powerless, their souls seemingly being pulled by a powerful force, the pain indescribable. Each ghost's attack made them feel dizzy, as if their souls were about to be ripped from their bodies.

"This can't go on; we need to find a way to stop them." Liu Yu thought of a solution while fighting off the ghosts' attacks. His mind raced, and sweat dripped from his forehead. His eyes anxiously searched his surroundings for any possible clues.

Just then, Liu Yu noticed a yellowed book in the corner of the hall. The book lay there quietly, as if waiting to be discovered. Its cover was worn, the pages yellowed, and it exuded an old, musty smell.

“Perhaps there’s a way to deal with ghosts in that book,” he said loudly, his voice filled with hope.

Pigsy and Green Peony bravely covered for him, their figures weaving through the darkness as they fought a desperate battle against the ghosts. Pigsy's breathing grew heavier, and Green Peony's bells rang more and more urgently.

Taking advantage of the moment, Liu Yu rushed to the corner and picked up the book. The pages were rough and fragile, as if they would crumble at the slightest touch. He quickly flipped through the pages, his fingers moving rapidly across them, his eyes eagerly searching for useful information. Finally, he found the record about ghosts.

"So, ghosts are afraid of light!" Liu Yu exclaimed excitedly, his voice echoing in the hall.

They quickly searched for a light source, groping around in the darkness. Finally, they found a box of magic crystal balls in a room. The crystal balls emitted a soft light, like sparkling stars. The surfaces of the crystal balls were smooth and round, and the light inside flowed like liquid.

Liu Yu picked up the crystal ball, which emitted a brilliant light, like tiny suns. The ghosts retreated under the light, their forms distorted and they howled in pain. Wherever the light reached, the ghosts' figures gradually became illusory.

"Haha, let's see if you still dare to be arrogant!" Pigsy laughed triumphantly, his fat face filled with the joy of victory. His laughter echoed in the hall, breaking the previously tense atmosphere.

Under the pressure of the crystal ball's light, the ghosts gradually disappeared, and a temporary calm returned to the hall. However, Liu Yu and the others dared not let their guard down; they knew that more dangers might be lurking within the castle. A tense atmosphere filled the air, and their heartbeats were clearly audible.

They continued exploring the castle and came to a study. The study was filled with all sorts of books and scrolls, arranged haphazardly as if hastily discarded. The books on the shelves were stacked high, some worn and tattered, others still exuding a faint scent of ink.

"Maybe we can find some useful clues here," Liu Yu said, beginning to peruse the books. His eyes were focused, not missing a single piece of potentially useful information. His fingers gently turned the pages, making a rustling sound.

Suddenly, a diary caught his attention. The cover was worn and covered in dust. He gently opened the diary, the pages rustling softly. The writing on the yellowed pages was somewhat blurred, but still legible.

The diary's owner was the castle's master, and in his diary, he revealed the castle's secret. It turned out that beneath the castle lay a sealed chamber containing a demon, and the ghosts within the castle were created by the demon's power. This demon was once an evil being, sealed away in the underground chamber by the castle's master. However, as time passed, the seal's power gradually weakened, and the demon's influence began to seep out, affecting everything within the castle.

"It seems we have to go to the underground chamber to deal with this demon in order to completely eliminate the danger," Liu Yu said, his eyes filled with determination. His voice echoed in the study, carrying an undeniable resolve.

They descended the stairs to the basement, which was filled with a pungent odor. The smell was like a mixture of rotting corpses and decaying wood, making them want to vomit. Dim oil lamps hung on the basement walls, their flickering light adding to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

"This smell is awful!" Pigsy covered his nose, his face turning pale. He blinked rapidly, trying to resist the foul odor.

Deep in the basement, they found the door to the secret room. The door was covered in strange symbols and patterns, which flickered with an eerie light, as if warning them not to approach. The textures on the door were complex and mysterious, leaving them completely baffled.