There's something wrong with me

Chapter 220 Is this the 'Underworld'?

'Is this the right one?'

Zhang Feng found it strange, feeling as if he had stumbled into an extraordinary 'institutional investigation'.

"It's good to have ghosts..."

Another staff member excitedly opened his backpack and took out a 'gray cube' and a photocopy of documents.

Zhang Feng looked over and saw that the document was written in a script he did not understand, unlike any script he had ever seen in any other civilization.

As for this square...

Zhang Feng felt something was strange.

Because it looks 'alive?'

Indeed, to everyone's eyes, it was turning very slightly in the hands of the staff.

But upon closer examination with spiritual sense, it was found to be dead.

The reason it rotates is that it is affected by the surrounding evil energy, thus forming a kind of unconscious deflection.

Use your spiritual sense to probe the interior again.

Zhang Feng, however, saw a very ingenious evil-gathering formation.

It's like a refined 'individual compression,' which indirectly enhances the effect of gathering evil spirits.

Its powerful converging ability also caused it to be blown about by the evil energy, resulting in a slight deflection.

This kind of formation, which can make entities rotate simply by converging, is indeed powerful.

It's like this: if your previous talismans were like the blade stabbing people, then this one is like the tip of a knife stabbing people.

It influenced the physical world with an invisible gas.

Although the comparison is a bit exaggerated, this compressed structure, once learned, can enhance the effectiveness of one's spells.

It's the same as the compression formation.

The only difference is that the compressed formation involves the overall arrangement of thousands or tens of thousands of talismans, while this one is precise down to a single talisman.

It seems there are indeed 'masters' in this world.

Let's observe the drawing of this familiar rune.

Zhang Feng felt that he must be 'Yangshan Zhenren'.

However, the photocopies held by the staff were all in text they couldn't understand.

There is no similar 'rune technology' even within this maze.

This proves that such an outrageous maze was not created by Master Yangshan.

As he pondered, Zhang Feng waited for further instructions from the organization's personnel to see what they would say.

After the staff took out the documents and the cube, they waited, but it was unclear what they were waiting for.

To be honest, given Zhang Feng's personality, if it weren't for the fact that all the characters at the beginning were useful, and that he himself was a good person, he would have been in trouble.

Now we have to grab him by the throat and ask him.

at the same time.

When the crowd saw what the staff were waiting for, no one said anything to disturb them.

While waiting, the dozen or so security personnel were filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Zhang Feng found their antics amusing.

Despite being afraid, they retained some professional ethics and did not simply run away.

Of course, any normal person knows that there is strength in numbers. If you run around alone and there really is something sinister, then it's all over.

Furthermore, no ghosts are appearing now.

Therefore, in the dangerous reactions honed through long-term training, these security personnel will still make decisions that are relatively different from those of ordinary people.

If this were an ordinary person in a horror movie, they would already be screaming and running around, only to be defeated one by one by the fierce ghosts.

Zhang Feng was particularly curious about one thing: these security guards probably didn't know what their purpose was either.

Now, only Brother Clam is pondering something.

Brother Zhou started eating right away; the food in the pot was cooked.

These people all behave in a bit strange ways.

If they weren't all alive...

Zhang Feng even thought they were the ghosts.

This is really unusual.

But to say he's just thick-skinned would be normal.

But Zhang Feng was unaware of this.

In everyone's eyes now, Zhang Feng is actually the strangest one.

Just three hours ago, Zhang Feng was still muttering about going back and blaming others.

But now it is 'gloomy' and silent, the kind of silence that completely blends into the crowd.

Even the seemingly silent Frog Brother kept glancing at Zhang Feng, wondering if Zhang Feng had been 'switched' by the evil ghost.

"Come on, Brother Zhang."

At this moment, Brother Zhou handed Zhang Feng an aluminum box lined with a cloth, inside which was cooked vegetable and meat porridge. "Be careful, it's hot."

"Thanks, Lao Zhou." Zhang Feng took it, blew on it a couple of times, and started eating right away.

Although spiritual energy can compensate for the energy consumed during physical enhancement, an empty stomach is still uncomfortable.

'It's a person...' Brother Zhou saw Zhang Feng eating, and since the food wasn't showing, he and Brother Ha exchanged a glance.

This little trick did not escape Zhang Feng's notice.

Zhang Feng's spiritual sense has now expanded to five meters, enveloping everyone around him.

They also knew that they were testing them.

Similarly, after further cultivation and expansion of his spiritual sense, even if others cannot find a way out, he will be able to break through it with 'X-ray vision'.

But that won't work now. I need to use more of my spiritual energy to examine my surroundings and improve my physical condition.

Maintaining spiritual consciousness also requires energy expenditure.

If the situation weren't so bad, I wouldn't have even opened half a meter of my spiritual consciousness.

After all, what the naked eye can see is farther than what the spirit can perceive.

And there really is a crisis underground and inside the walls.

With his exceptional reaction speed and ability to detect vibrations on the ground beneath his feet, he can quickly determine the direction of danger.

Since Zhang Feng dared to devote himself to cultivation so wholeheartedly, he must have a perfect strategy to deal with the crisis.

As everyone gradually calmed down and made sure they had enough energy, they began to eat.

When a meal is finished.

About ten minutes later...

Brother Ha said to the staff member who had been holding up the cube, "The evil energy here has been completely absorbed."

"Okay." The staff member put the cube back into the backpack.

After he finished, he glanced at the inquisitive looks from the crowd, then at Zhang Feng and Brother Zhou, before unfolding the photocopied documents and saying:
"Actually, I wasn't sure about the situation here at first, so I thought I'd keep the information hidden for now."

After all, if I told you this place was haunted, a legendary 'underworld ruin,' would you still come?

"There really are ghosts..."

"Boss... don't scare me..."

"The underworld? Is it the underworld from mythology...?"

When the security personnel heard this and saw their boss nod, they felt no excitement at learning the secret; instead, they became even more frightened.

But seeing that the boss and Brother Frog were handling the situation with ease, they didn't utter a single curse.

But if a malevolent spirit descends and everyone is about to die, then the organization's staff will talk about these things.

So a small group of them would shoot the leader in the legs first, making him cover their retreat, in order to buy time for their own escape.

As for the claim about the 'underworld'...

They asked, but they didn't really believe it.

"So you're trying to drag me into this first?" Brother Zhou chuckled and shook his head at his boss's frankness. "I've known Toad for a long time, and we've explored quite a few strange historical sites together."

I've seen wandering ghosts and spirits before.

"And when you hired me, and I saw the toad, I knew it was a similar ancient site."

When Brother Zhou talked about these things, and heard that he had been tricked into coming here, he didn't seem angry.

Because he had heard from the toad before that the place they were exploring was the same strange ruins as before, he was somewhat prepared, which is why he was able to eat in peace earlier.

"Old Zhou, this time is different." Brother Ha shook his head after Brother Zhou finished speaking.
"At first I thought it was just an ordinary, strange ancient site, but now it seems it really is the legendary 'mythical ruin,' the legendary underworld..."

'The underworld?' Zhang Feng understood after hearing these words.

This feels like going to hell.

So what is this maze? Is it the "Naihe Maze" of the Naihe Bridge, or the "Meng Po Maze"?
"Let me give you a brief overview of the information."

Since the leader was going to be honest, and seeing that there wasn't much of a commotion among the crowd, he then pointed to the documents.
"This script is actually a form of human writing."

According to ancient records, it should be 'Yanluo script'.

It was created by the ancient "Qi Refiner" "Great Yama".

In modern terms, every passage of its text largely corresponds to our human genetic code.

As the leader spoke, his words became increasingly absurd, drawing confused glances from the security personnel:
"If I were to say that the legendary Ox-Head and Horse-Face really exist, then the underworld also really exists."

Furthermore, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, as well as Black and White Impermanence, were originally living, breathing people, ordinary people. Do you believe that?

"people?"

"Do those mythical figures and this underworld really exist?"

"Boss, you..."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, as this was completely shattering their worldview.

"These are all historical secrets, and it's perfectly normal that you don't know them."

Another staff member then chimed in, "Do you think the ancients were stupid?"
It is an indisputable fact that our Great Xia Dynasty first produced the Four Great Inventions, which later spread to the West, which was full of barbarians.

Of course, this doesn't mean that just because we have the Four Great Inventions, we can be arrogant or rely on one thing for thousands of years.

Rather, it's to prove that our ancestors were very intelligent.

They are proficient in all sorts of strange and wonderful methods.

Among them, the Qi cultivator 'Great Yama' from 1,500 years ago used the Yama Technique he created to reverse the gene sequence, realize the revival of mythical creatures, and build the 'Underworld'.

A thousand years ago, the Taoist master Yangshan Zhenren created the mythical 'Heavenly Palace'.

And what we need to do now.

It's about finding the Heavenly Palace by following clues from the underworld.

'Heavenly Palace? Underworld?' Everyone was completely dumbfounded, having no idea about these things or these secrets.

They even wondered, if technology was so advanced back then, why has it turned out like this now?
This doesn't make logical sense.

But Zhang Feng believed it as soon as he heard the name "Master Yangshan".

Even things that don't make sense can be explained.

Because if there really were two highly accomplished masters who suddenly went into seclusion a thousand years ago and disappeared from everyone's sight.

In the days before cameras, it seems that there are no cultivation techniques left in this world.

That must be just a folk tale without any basis.

The rest is just spreading rumors, which is quite normal.

Let alone after a thousand years, anyone who still believes that is truly delusional.

And judging from what the leader and the staff of the organization said, it seems that there is no written record of this in the Records of the Grand Historian.

Furthermore, even if there are records, they were written by people.

Therefore, not believing is correct and is normal logic.

And so on.

Zhang Feng also knew what this 'ancient creature' was.

It's probably something like the 'Ox-Head and Horse-Face' or 'Black and White Impermanence' from the underworld.

Then, there is nothing about the Heavenly Palace outside of the main storyline.

But I want to look for it myself.

If one could learn all of Yangshan Zhenren's compression techniques, it would indirectly reduce one's deduction time, allowing one to devote oneself to other research more quickly.

As for this underworld gene.

It should be 'biotechnology' and 'gene recombination technology'.

This is pretty weird.

Furthermore, this is inevitably distorted based on the general principles of human relations and social norms of ancient times.

It is only natural that the Great Yama would 'retire from the world'.

Even in modern times, it would be considered an exceptionally distorted project.

But Zhang Feng wanted to learn.

At that moment, Zhang Feng also looked at Brother Ha, who was deep in thought.

Even Brother Zhou and the two staff members from the organization turned their attention to him.

Or to be more precise, she looked into his eyes.

Brother Frog nodded, then sighed.

"Boss, if what you're saying is correct... you mean I'm actually a genetically modified human descendant?"

“Yes.” The eldest nodded. “I feel that you must be a descendant of the ghosts and gods of the underworld.”

According to legend, the ghosts and gods in the underworld have the ability to see through the yin and yang and to find souls and ghosts.

You must have inherited some of their genes.

"As expected." Zhang Feng realized that his eyes, which seemed to be natural, were actually the result of genetic modification inherited from his ancestors.

At the same time, the eldest brother suddenly looked at Zhang Feng.
"Guide Zhang, we know that Master Ha has eye problems, and we also know some genetic principles or understand some supernatural matters."

But what do you think of him?

In his original identity, Zhang Fengke was a farmer from the mountains.

Now, we are faced with such complex opinions, and a mix of truth and fiction, past and present.

Normally, Zhang Feng wouldn't understand.

Even if they understood, they should have been like the security personnel next to them, first appearing extremely shocked, and then muttering "impossible."

This is the correct situation.

But now, Zhang Feng is very calm.

And he seemed like a completely different person along the way.

All these signs indicate that something is definitely wrong with Zhang Feng.

At the same time, Zhang Feng noticed that everyone was looking at him, and some even tightened their grip on their weapons.

this moment.

Seeing that the news was already known and that it was no longer possible to hide it, Zhang Feng stopped pretending and said directly:

"The important thing now is to find the core of the underworld, is that what you mean?"

Once Zhang Feng understood, he got straight to the point.

“Yes.” The eldest brother saw that Zhang Feng’s temperament had suddenly changed, and his words were firm and powerful, like a high-ranking official in charge of a region. He was also confused for a moment.

'Have we been spotted by the authorities? Was he someone who deliberately infiltrated the area?'

The eldest brother wasn't sure.

Even Brother Zhou and Brother Ha, among others, were somewhat unsure of what to do.

This was also due to Zhang Feng's constantly changing temperament and strange behavior, which confused them.

But before they could say anything more...

Zhang Feng paused for a moment, and once his physique reached 100 and his internal strength reached 100%, he easily jumped up, using wind-attribute spiritual energy, and leaped onto the top of the eight-meter-high bluestone wall.

This really surprised everyone.

"I knew it... he was a ghost..."

"Tour guide Zhang...you...you..."

Did he jump up there all at once? Or am I seeing things?

Everyone looked incredulous, not expecting that Zhang Feng really did have a problem, and a very big one at that!

Such terrifying skill, such an inhuman leap, had already filled them with despair.

And the men who had been holding guns earlier had unknowingly put them down.

Zhang Feng ignored them, instead glancing at the cave entrance twenty meters above him, then down at the group below.

“If anyone wants to go back, I’ll send them up. Otherwise, they’ll be trembling with fear every step they take. By the time they finish exploring this place, it will be ages.”

Above is the path we came from, and below this cave entrance is a large pool of water.

Part of the pool is connected to the maze, and the yellowish water seeps into the maze.

At the bottom of the pool in the center, there are several water outlets about the thickness of an arm, ensuring that the water here does not dry up.

But now look at the cave entrance above, and then look at the pool.

Finally, while awaiting their reply, Zhang Feng, using his elevated vantage point and the strange illuminating beads surrounding the cave, surveyed the pitch-black labyrinth, which spanned over 90,000 square meters.

"Indeed, you are right, this really is a model of the underworld."

Or, to put it another way, from the perspective of the structure of the underworld.

The opening above is the 'Gate of Hell', and the pool below is a simplified version of the 'River of Oblivion'.

Then this maze must be the 'Road to the Underworld'.

The only problem is that the order is wrong.

Normally, it should be the Gates of Hell, the Road to the Underworld, and the River of Oblivion.

As Zhang Feng spoke, he looked around to see if there was any danger.

At the same time, they used spiritual energy to lift all of them up.

"I'm flying..."

When they were enveloped by spiritual energy and came up separately, their hearts were trembling.

But I also felt a great sense of relief.

Because Zhang Feng didn't seem to have any malicious intent.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang!" At this moment, someone even fawned over Zhang Feng, saying, "If this is the underworld, then our Brother Zhang is a god!"

"Yes!" The majority of the others echoed this sentiment.

While Brother Ha and the others were shocked by Zhang Feng's skills, they were more preoccupied with his earlier words.
"Master Zhang... Master Zhang, can you solve this?" Brother Ha asked, his gaze following Zhang Feng's as he looked at the vast maze.

This includes the leader and others.

With this seemingly divine Taoist priest Zhang now in charge, they feel even more confident that they can solve the mystery!

However, the more Zhang Feng looked at the layout, the more confused he became.

Because its structure is completely wrong, or I just misunderstood it.

Thinking.

Zhang Feng ignored the expectant gazes of the crowd and instead looked around the pool and the surrounding area once more.

When I looked at the water stains that had seeped in...

Zhang Feng suddenly understood.
"If I'm not mistaken, the road we took into the mountains before we fell, the tunnel we were in before, should have been the real road to the underworld."

"The real danger lies before you even enter the mountains."

As Zhang Feng spoke, he realized where he had gone wrong: he hadn't taken his memories from before his arrival into the world into account.

This is a small challenge, but it tests one's mental fortitude.

But now, I've seen through it all.

At the same time, Zhang Feng also looked at the pool of water.

"If my theory is correct."

So this pool must have been part of the entire labyrinth thousands of years ago.

Or rather, this maze is filled with this yellowish-brown water.

As for how to solve this maze, it's not about completing the entire maze or finding the exit inside.

Because it is closed, it is constantly 'looping'.

In mythology, a person can choose not to drink the Meng Po soup if they wish to see their loved one again in the next life.

But one must jump into the River of Oblivion and wait a thousand years before being reincarnated.

And this labyrinth is the River of Oblivion.

It contains countless lost souls, trapped there for a thousand years.

As Zhang Feng spoke, he looked down at his feet.

"If we follow the arrangement of the underworld, we should go up the maze and follow the top of the wall."

Because this is very likely the 'Bridge of Helplessness' over the River of Oblivion.

But Meng Po is nowhere to be found.

But if we follow the Bridge of Helplessness, we will see the end of the underworld, the cycle of reincarnation.

(End of this chapter)