Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 163 Steady as an Old Dog
As the evening glow painted the city's edge a hazy yellow, Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei stood in front of a ventilation shaft covered in rust.

After confirming that no one was around, Xu Yan tapped the mottled iron fence seven times with varying degrees of pressure, following the rhythm indicated by the Han family's intelligence.

"Click——"

With a slight click of a mechanism, the seemingly welded fence slid inward, revealing a downward concrete staircase.

A thick, pungent smell, a mixture of mold, incense, metallic rust, and some kind of faint energy radiation, wafted towards her. Chen Zhiwei subconsciously furrowed her brows and gently covered her mouth and nose.

"Follow me."

Xu Yan said in a low voice, stepping into the darkness first. Chen Zhiwei's fingertips twitched slightly, and a lightness talisman quietly appeared in his palm, silently following behind him.

The stairs were steep and long. After several turns, faint voices and halos of light came from below.

When the last step was taken, the sight before them caused even the two who were prepared to be slightly shaken.

This is an unimaginably vast underground cavern space, with a high-hanging dome. Countless crystals or ancient lanterns emitting a ghostly blue, pale green, and dim yellow glow are like an inverted galaxy, illuminating the entire space in a bizarre and surreal way.

The air was humid and sultry, filled with the sounds of countless suppressed conversations, the strange tones of some sharp instrument, and the ceaseless murmur of flowing water from deep within the rock walls—this was the soul of "Liuquanji".

The narrow passageway was lined with stalls so densely packed that there was almost no room to step. The scene was far more bizarre and surreal than imagined:
At one stall, a burly man with a bronze-level contractor badge on his arm was spitting as he spoke to a customer, holding a string of wind chimes made of the skulls of unknown creatures.

"Look at this patina! It's a burial item just pulled from a general's tomb. Hang it by the door, and no wandering ghosts will dare to approach!"

Beside him, a stall owner, shrouded in a black robe and exuding a chilling aura, stood silently. On the velvet cloth in front of him were several bronze artifacts covered in mud, and the eerie deathly aura emanating from them drew the attention of every passerby.

Just then, Xu Yan paused slightly.

He keenly sensed a faint fluctuation emanating from a nearby stall piled high with various rusted metal fragments, a fluctuation that resonated subtly with the spiritual energy within him.

He turned to the stall without making a sound, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the scrap metal.

The stall owner was a lean, middle-aged man with darting eyes. Seeing Xu Yan stop, he immediately greeted him warmly.

"Sir, you have a good eye! These are all treasures I've found in ancient ruins. They may look unremarkable, but they might hold great opportunities!"

Xu Yan ignored the source of the sensation: a palm-sized fragment of a vessel covered in verdigris and rust.

He casually picked up a rusty dagger and a dull bead from the side and asked, "What's the price of these two?"

Chen Zhiwei understood and moved closer to the stall, picking up a broken jade pendant to examine it carefully, as if she were really making a careful selection.

The stall owner's small eyes lit up, and he held up two fingers: "Sir, you have good taste! These two items came from a Taoist alchemist's cave. I'll give you a discount, 100,000!"

"One hundred thousand? Why don't you just rob someone?" Chen Zhiwei immediately put down the jade pendant, grabbed Xu Yan's sleeve and pretended to leave, "Senior brother, let's go take a look ahead, the things at that stall over there seem to be better."

Seeing this, the stall owner quickly stopped him: "Hey, hey, don't rush! The price is negotiable! How much do you think is suitable?"

Xu Yan then casually tapped the fragment he had been sensing with his fingertip, and said in a flat tone, "Including this, it'll be ten thousand in total. If you're okay with it, we'll wrap it up; if not, we'll go somewhere else."

Chen Zhiwei frowned at the opportune moment and tugged at Xu Yan: "Senior brother, what do you need that piece of junk for? It's so expensive, let's go, let's go."

The stall owner's gaze swept over Xu Yan's face, then glanced at the fragment that had been sitting on his stall for a long time without anyone buying it, and quickly made a mental calculation.

The dagger and beads only cost a few hundred dollars, and this fragment was a steal; ten thousand dollars would definitely be a huge profit.

He looked pained and stamped his foot, saying, "Fine, fine, since you're so eager to buy, I'll sell it to you at a loss to make friends! I haven't even opened for business yet today!"

He quickly wrapped up the three items, took the money Xu Yan handed him, and smiled broadly, his heart filled with joy.

Xu Yan accepted the package expressionlessly. When his fingertips touched the fragment, the sense of resonance became even clearer.

He discreetly put it away, exchanged a knowing glance with Chen Zhiwei, and continued walking forward.

The stall owner watched them leave, smugly weighing the banknotes in his hand, unaware that he might have missed a real treasure.

Xu Yan knew that this seemingly insignificant fragment might be their first real gain in Liuquan Village today.

The underground rules of this world lie not only in the dangers of openly marked prices, but also in the wisdom and opportunities hidden within these seemingly ordinary transactions.

Further away, someone was openly hawking a glowing spirit, sealed in a transparent jar, that was constantly twisting and hitting the jar wall;

Some people were displaying animal bone weapons engraved with blood-red runes, which seemed to still be pulsating slightly;

One stall was even piled high with stone slabs rubbings from ancient tombs, the blurry patterns on which seemed to contain a strange power.

A diverse crowd thronged the area. There were elderly men in retro Taoist robes holding compasses, modern warriors in full-body psionic armor, but most people concealed their faces with hoods and masks.

Xu Yan's sharp eyes swept across the crowd, easily identifying several contractors wearing bronze or silver badges. They were either selecting items or making transactions in the shadows, their eyes wary and sharp.

“This place is even more ‘abundant’ than described in the report.”

Chen Zhiwei said softly, her gaze sweeping over the funerary objects that were clearly just taken from the tomb and still carried a strong aura of yin energy, her brows remaining furrowed.

“It’s a mixed bag, a den of iniquity, but it also holds things you can’t find outside.” Xu Yan lowered his voice and pulled her closer to him, away from a stall owner who reeked of alcohol and had murky eyes. “Be careful, a lot of people here are carrying criminal records, or… just crawled out of some grave.”

As he spoke, his gaze met that of a stall owner who was wiping a rusty short sword. The man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and his eyes swept greedily over Chen Zhiwei.

Xu Yan's eyes turned cold, and a subtle spiritual pressure belonging to a silver-level contractor was released and then withdrawn. The stall owner's face turned pale, and he immediately lowered his head, not daring to look again.

The underground rules of this world are on full display here.

Liuquanji is like a dark heart beating in the shadows of the city, full of danger, opportunity and countless unspeakable secrets.

Xu Yan's gaze swept across the bustling market, finally landing on a small shop in a corner with a neon sign that read "Forget-Worry Tea Shop".

Compared to the surrounding stalls selling dangerous goods, this place seemed out of place with its cozy atmosphere.

"Come on, let's go get a drink." He took Chen Zhiwei's hand and walked towards the teahouse without further ado.

Chen Zhiwei was somewhat taken aback and gently tugged at him: "Drinking milk tea now? Weren't you supposed to be investigating the 'Soul-Suppressing Iron'?"

Xu Yan turned around, smiled at her, and his eyes looked particularly bright in the dim light: "Isn't drinking milk tea with you also a serious matter?"

His words made Chen Zhiwei's cheeks flush slightly, and she let him lead her into the teahouse.

The store was as quiet as it appeared, with no human staff, only a few simple tables and chairs and a food delivery robot with a flashing standby light.

The two found a seat towards the back, where a QR code for ordering was printed on the corner of the table.

Chen Zhiwei took out her phone and scanned the screen, which displayed a variety of strangely named drinks: "Refreshing Jasmine Cloud Mist," "Spirit Energy Fruit Bursting Beads," and so on.

"What would you like to drink?" she asked softly, glancing down at the menu.

"Just like you is fine."

Xu Yan casually agreed, and while she was focused on ordering, he took out the dark silver terminal from his pocket.

He used the desktop as cover to activate the device. The screen lit up with the "Center" emblem, and he quickly typed in "[Soul-Suppressing Iron]".

The screen flickers, but the information is concise and crucial:
Item identification: Soul-Suppressing Iron
Last known location: [Black Market - Liuquan Village]

Source tracing: Suspected artifacts unearthed from an unregistered ancient tomb of a supernatural being.

Last person to handle the matter: codename "Old Dog".

Status: Unknown.

The clues pointed directly to "Old Dog".

Xu Yan remained expressionless, smoothly putting away the silver terminal and then taking out the black encrypted terminal given to him by Han Wenshan.

This device clearly had higher privileges and immediately provided more in-depth intelligence:
Target: "Old Dog", real name unknown, a senior intelligence broker and stolen goods handler in Liuquan Group.

Skilled at concealment; credit rating: cautious (has a history of double-crossing).

Recent activities: His whereabouts are erratic, and he has been in contact with a diverse group of people. (The "Yunshang Pavilion" in Liuquanji is particularly suspicious.)
The suspect is suspected of possessing high-risk items, which has attracted widespread attention.

Related Warning: Activity signals from low-level field personnel of the "Center-Shenxiao Bureau" have been detected, and the mission is highly related to "Old Dog" and his possessions. Risk Assessment: High.

"Shenxiao Bureau..."

Xu Yan's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Xu Haoyu, the father, was once a member of the Divine Firmament Bureau. The emergence of the Divine Firmament Bureau meant that the troubles involved with the "Soul-Suppressing Iron" were far beyond expectations.

"Is there trouble?"

Chen Zhiwei pushed one of the cups in front of him, keenly catching the fleeting seriousness in his eyes.

"Hmm, it's more tricky than I expected."

Just then, a faint humming sound of an electric motor came from afar.

A pure white, sleek food delivery robot glided precisely to their table, its indicator light flashing a soft blue light.

"Table number ten, your order: two cups of Qingxin Jasmine Cloud Mist. Please enjoy." The synthesized female voice was clear and pleasant.

The robotic arm smoothly placed the two drinks on the table, its movements so precise that not a single drop spilled.

Chen Zhiwei watched the robot turn and leave thoughtfully, and said softly, "Using such a high-end robot to provide services in a place like this, is it because they can't afford human staff, or... is there some other meaning?"

Xu Yan's gaze followed the robot, and he keenly noticed several unusual reinforced interfaces on its chassis, as well as the faintly visible reinforced structures at its joints.

This is clearly a modified combat robot.

He felt a chill run down his spine; this seemingly ordinary milk tea shop was probably not so simple after all.

Xu Yan put away the terminal, temporarily suppressing his doubts about the robot. "However, before we go looking for trouble, let's take care of business first."

Soon, they left the milk tea shop, merged into the crowd, and quickly arrived at the talisman materials area.

The stalls here display all kinds of spiritual materials, from common cinnabar and yellow paper to rare spiritual plants and minerals.

Xu Yan stopped in front of a stall, carefully picked up a stack of blank talisman papers, and sensed the flow of spiritual energy within them with his fingertips.

"Boss, I'll take this batch of Snow Wave Paper." He pointed to several sealed glass jars on the other side, "Wrap up that jar of 'Crimson Vermilion,' as well as the 'Moon Shadow Grass Powder' and 'Star Pattern Sand' next to it."

Chen Zhiwei gently tugged at his sleeve: "That's too much. Moonshadow Grass and Star Pattern Sand are too precious..."

“Just now at the stall next door, your gaze lingered on it for more than three seconds.” Xu Yan turned to look at her, a knowing smile in his eyes. “Since it’s useful to you, it’s worth it.”

He carefully put away the packaged materials, his tone natural yet firm: "Your talismans are our guarantee of safety; any investment is worthwhile." He paused, then whispered in her ear, "Besides, do I need a reason to give you something?"

Chen Zhiwei's ears turned a blush, which was particularly noticeable in the dim light of the surrounding stalls.

She lowered her head, but the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up slightly, and in the end, she did not refute him.

Xu Yan took Chen Zhiwei's hand and walked through the dimly lit alleyways of Liuquanji.

Turning a corner, a shop with a plaque that reads "Yunshang Pavilion" came into view.

A fine beaded curtain hangs over the shop entrance, through which the warm light inside can be faintly seen.

"This place looks nice."

Xu Yan gently lifted the beaded curtain, and the crisp clinking sound seemed to shut out the hustle and bustle of the outside market through an invisible barrier.

A delicate sandalwood scent wafted over, while the faint sound of a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) drifted through the air.

The store is spacious and bright, with various clothes hanging on the four walls in a staggered manner.

On the left are flowing long skirts and cheongsams, while on the right are practical outfits for easy movement.

Under the special lighting, the fabrics shimmered with different sheens; some were as smooth as silk, some had a subtle shimmer, and a few even seemed to emanate a faint aura of psychic energy.

A moon-white, flowing, wide-sleeved fairy dress swayed gently in the breeze, the embroidery on the hem flowing as if alive; a black, fitted outfit hanging beside it was adorned with dark gold patterns, vaguely forming a protective magic circle.

Chen Zhiwei's gaze was drawn to a light blue long dress, and she unconsciously slowed her pace.

Xu Yan noticed her gaze and smiled slightly: "You like it?"

"You're going to buy me clothes?" Chen Zhiwei turned to look at him, her eyes filled with surprise and a little embarrassment. "I might not have enough money with me."

“I told you I’d get you some new clothes.” Xu Yan took her hand and led her to the row of dresses. “Today, just try them on; I’ll take care of the rest.”

At this moment, a woman dressed in a moon-white cheongsam slowly walked out from the inner room.

She was about thirty years old, with a gentle demeanor, but her eyes held a subtle shrewdness.

"Welcome." Her gaze swept lightly over their clasped hands, a knowing smile appearing on her face. "You two are a perfect match. What would you like to choose for this young lady?"

Xu Yan's gaze swept across the store, finally settling on a dress hanging next to a glass screen.

The dress was a sky-blue color after rain, with a fitted cut, a neckline adorned with tiny crystals, and a skirt hem embroidered with flowing cloud patterns in silver thread.

He took down the coat hanger, gesturing for Chen Zhiwei to turn around.

When he held up the dress in front of her to show her, the close-fitting cut perfectly outlined her slender curves.

Xu Yan's ears burned slightly, and she coughed lightly, "This style suits you very well."

"Perfect for a young lady." The shopkeeper stepped forward at the opportune moment, her fingertips lightly stroking the hem of the skirt, creating subtle ripples of spiritual energy. "This is woven from 'Moonlight Shark Silk,' which is not only waterproof and fireproof, but the 'Flowing Cloud Array' on it can also automatically trigger a lightness technique when danger is sensed, making the wearer as light as a swallow."

"Automatically triggers the Lightness Technique?" Xu Yan keenly grasped the key points. "What are the trigger conditions? What is required?"

"Only a wisp of spiritual energy is needed to activate it." The shopkeeper gave Xu Yan an appreciative look. "If you are a cultivator, the spiritual energy you normally release is enough to maintain the array's operation. In times of crisis, it will automatically draw upon the wearer's spiritual energy to trigger it."

When Chen Zhiwei came out of the fitting room after changing into a dress, even the well-informed shop owner couldn't help but whisper a word of praise.

The fitted design perfectly accentuated her slender waist, and the crystal at the neckline made her collarbone appear delicate and jade-like.

The flowing cloud pattern on her skirt seemed to come alive as she moved, shimmering with silver light.

Seeing Chen Zhiwei's slightly shy yet undisguised joy, Xu Yan felt as if something had gently bumped into his heart.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered the name that Chen Zhiwei had mentioned more than once—Shen Mengyao.

"She was a person as warm as sunshine." Chen Zhiwei always described her this way, his tone filled with a longing he couldn't understand.

Sunlight? An art studio?
These words didn't stir any ripples in his mind, as if he were reading a story that had nothing to do with him.

He tried hard to recall, but could only grasp at nothingness.

Those vividly described scenes were a complete blank to him.

Perhaps there really was a person named Shen Mengyao in the world who left a mark on his life.

Or perhaps, it was just an illusion in Chen Zhiwei's memory, a beautiful but non-existent dream.

But looking at Chen Zhiwei, who was smiling, and at the radiance she exuded because of a dress, Xu Yan suddenly felt that perhaps forgetting things was not a misfortune.

If remembering means carrying more weight, then it's better to travel light.

At least for now, he could clearly feel the warmth from her palm and see his reflection in her eyes—that was enough.

Chen Zhiwei awkwardly smoothed her cuffs, her ear tips turning slightly red: "Isn't this a bit too formal?"

Her voice pulled Xu Yan back from his reverie.

He stepped forward, his gaze falling tenderly on her, and whispered, "No, you're beautiful."

Let bygones be bygones; what matters is the person standing before you right now.

Xu Yan carefully adjusted the ties on her waist.

His fingertips lingered on her waist for a moment, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath the fabric. "Very beautiful."

Her voice carried a rare gentleness.

The two young shop assistants hiding behind the counter couldn't help but whisper to each other:
"Look at that man's eyes; he's practically glued to his girlfriend!"

"If I could be looked at like that by such a handsome boyfriend, my life would be complete."

"How much is this?" Xu Yan asked the shop owner.

"Fifty thousand yuan," the shopkeeper said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiwei gently tugged at Xu Yan's sleeve: "It's too expensive, let's go."

Xu Yan seemed not to hear her, and took down a smoky-colored top and matching trousers from the clothes rack: "This outfit is more convenient for everyday activities, why don't you try it on?"

While Chen Zhiwei was changing clothes in the fitting room, the shop owner, dressed in a moon-white cheongsam, casually tidied the clothes rack next to her and slowly approached Xu Yan.

“This gentleman looks somewhat unfamiliar,” she said softly, with just the right amount of probing, “I suppose this is your first time visiting our Liuquan Village?”

Xu Yan did not answer immediately, but only glanced at her indifferently, his eyes calm and unwavering, as if he were waiting for something.

Seeing his reaction, the shop owner's lips curled up slightly, and he took another half step forward, lowering his voice:

"I can tell you have an extraordinary air about you, sir. You must also be here to search for treasure. As it happens, I have a treasure here, just unearthed from an ancient tomb three months ago. Would you be interested in learning more about it?"

Xu Yan's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile: "Oh? What treasure? May I take a look?"

The shopkeeper leaned close to his ear, his breath sweet as orchids, and softly uttered three words: "Soul-Suppressing Iron."

Xu Yan's pupils contracted sharply, but he quickly regained his composure, though his voice held a barely perceptible urgency: "Let me see it." "Sir, please don't be in such a hurry," the shopkeeper chuckled, her gaze casually sweeping over the other customers. "That thing is too conspicuous; I dare not keep it in the shop. However..." she paused, "if you are truly interested, I can take you to see it."

Just then, the curtain of the fitting room was gently lifted.

Chen Zhiwei came out wearing that smoky-colored outfit.

The tailored cut perfectly accentuated her tall and slender figure, showcasing both her agility and feminine grace.

She twirled gracefully in front of Xu Yan, her clothes fluttering in the breeze, revealing a rare liveliness: "How was it?"

Xu Yan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and his tense heartstrings, which had been tightened by the "Soul-Suppressing Iron," unconsciously relaxed a little.

He suppressed his shock for the moment and turned to the shopkeeper, asking, "How much are these two items in total?"

"Sixty thousand." As the shopkeeper quoted the price, his gaze lingered thoughtfully on Xu Yan's face for a moment.

Chen Zhiwei frowned slightly and habitually tried to bargain: "Can you give me a discount?"

“You’re joking, young lady,” the shopkeeper said, maintaining a polite smile, but her tone leaving no room for negotiation. “The clothes at Yunshang Pavilion are worth the price; we never offer discounts.”

"Wrap them all up." Xu Yan decisively took out his terminal to complete the payment, then walked to Chen Zhiwei's side, naturally put his arm around her waist, and led her to look in the mirror.

The two people in the mirror nestled together, Chen Zhiwei's smoky pink dress complementing Xu Yan's dark coat, creating an indescribable harmony.

"It's too expensive." Chen Zhiwei said softly, but a faint smile appeared in the corner of her eyes. Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the fabric, clearly very satisfied with the outfit.

Just as the shop owner handed over the packed clothes, she subtly pressed her finger against Xu Yan's palm, and a neatly folded piece of paper slid into his hand.

The whole process was so smooth that even Chen Zhiwei, who was standing right next to him, didn't notice.

Xu Yan accepted the note without changing his expression, his fingertips clearly feeling the subtle embossed marks on the paper.

That's a coordinate address.

"Please take care, gentlemen. Welcome to visit again."

The shop owner smiled as he saw the customer off, but his eyes held a meaning that only Xu Yan could understand.

He glanced back thoughtfully at the plaque of "Yunshang Pavilion." This shop owner was probably more than just an ordinary merchant.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Zhiwei noticed his hesitation.

Xu Yan withdrew his gaze and gently tightened his grip on her hand:

"Nothing much. I just feel that Liuquan Village is truly a place where hidden talents abound."

He gazed into the darker alleyways deeper into the market. "Now, it's time to find that 'Old Dog' gentleman."

Xu Yan held Chen Zhiwei's hand as they walked through the intricate alleyways of Liuquanji.

Following the coordinates given by the owner of Yunshang Pavilion, they eventually stopped in front of a metal hatch that blended perfectly with the texture of the rock wall, easily overlooked unless one was specifically looking for it.

Chen Zhiwei keenly noticed the miniature probe above the door and gently squeezed Xu Yan's hand to signal him.

Xu Yan understood, and with his fingertips pointing in the direction of the probe, he traced a symbol in the air containing a specific spiritual energy fluctuation. This was the introduction code noted in the Han family's intelligence.

In the few seconds of waiting, the two exchanged a knowing glance. Chen Zhiwei's fingertips had already subtly gripped a detection talisman, while Xu Yan slightly turned to shield her behind him in a safer position.

The hatch slid open silently, leaving only a gap wide enough for one person to pass through.

The sight behind the door startled the two of them; it was not the black market den they had imagined, but a sophisticated space filled with advanced technology.

A complex waterfall of data flows across the cold gray alloy wall, with multiple monitoring screens displaying the dynamics of various parts of the market in real time.

In the center of the room, an elderly man dressed in a dark Tang suit stood with his back to them, intently admiring a bronze artifact floating in the energy field.

He slowly turned around, his face, about sixty years old, was unusually gaunt. What was most startling were his eyes, calm as an ancient well, yet sharp enough to pierce the heart.

"Mr. Xu Yan, Ms. Chen Zhiwei," the old man accurately stated their names, his hands, which were toying with the two jade pebbles, as steady as a rock. "Han Wenshan's investment acumen this time is worth looking forward to."

Chen Zhiwei spoke softly beside Xu Yan, her voice clear and cold as a spring: "Since you are so familiar with our background, you must also know our purpose."

The man known as "Old Dog" nodded slightly, and with a wave of his hand, one side of the wall turned transparent, revealing real-time surveillance of several key locations in the market.

“It was indeed I who spread the news about the ‘Soul-Suppressing Iron.’” His gaze shifted between the two men. “However, I released the bait not to catch fish, but to screen them.”

Xu Yan's heart was filled with alarm bells, but he remained calm on the surface and sat down with Chen Zhiwei on the designated alloy chairs.

"It seems you have been waiting for us for a long time."

"There are no secrets in Liuquan Village, only information gaps."

The old dog slightly raised his hand, and one side of the wall in the room became transparent, displaying real-time monitoring of several key points in the market outside.

"I spread the word about the 'Soul-Suppressing Iron,' like bait. I need to filter out those fools who can't even find the bait, and..."

He looked sharply at Xu Yan, “...those reckless fools who will be easily caught by the bait.”

Chen Zhiwei stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xu Yan: "Then, in your opinion, are we bait, or what?"

This crucial question instantly created a subtle atmosphere in the sealed room.

As he spoke, he pointed his finger into the air, and a screen of light popped up, showing Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei trying on clothes in Yunshang Pavilion and talking with the shop owner, but without any sound.

"That woman, Yunshang, likes to play little tricks." Old Dog's tone was calm, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm. "She thought she could lure the person I wanted here by using 'Soul-Suppressing Iron' as bait." He closed the light screen and looked at Xu Yan. "So, Mr. Xu, do you see yourself as the fisherman, or... the fish?"

This is a direct and forceful warning.

He not only knew their whereabouts, but was also testing Xu Yan's judgment and composure.

Xu Yan met his gaze, and far from being angered by these subtly pointed words, a faint smile instead appeared at the corner of her lips:

"It depends on how hard the bone is, how many teeth it can knock out. More importantly, it depends on whether the person throwing the bone wants to feed the dogs..." He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, "or whether they want the starving dogs to tear them apart."

He cleverly incorporated the code name "Old Dog" into his answer, making no attempt to conceal his sharp tongue.

They are not fish bait to be manipulated, but ferocious beasts with bared fangs, ready to turn on you at any moment.

Almost as soon as Xu Yan finished speaking, Chen Zhiwei's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

She stood half a step behind Xu Yan, her intuition like the most sophisticated radar, detecting a subtle yet extremely unsettling anomaly.

The man before her, known as "Old Dog," was breathing steadily and speaking with clear logic, but beneath his seemingly living body, Chen Zhiwei sensed a deep, deathly stillness and chill, like the silt of an ancient well.

Instead of the "vitality" that a living person should have, it faintly exudes... a carefully concealed stench of corpses?
The thought sent chills down her spine.

The jade gall bladder, which was spinning steadily in the old dog's hand, suddenly stopped.

For the first time, a flame called "interest" truly ignited in his once calm and still eyes. The muscles on his thin face twitched slightly, like a traveler who had discovered an oasis in the desert.

“Interesting…very interesting.” His voice remained steady, but beneath that calm, an undercurrent seemed to be surging. “The ‘Soul-Suppressing Iron’ is indeed in my hands. But it’s not a commodity; it’s a ticket.”

"What kind of ticket?"

Xu Yan pressed for answers, while simultaneously noticing the subtle changes in Chen Zhiwei's breathing beside him, instantly raising his alertness to its highest level.

"The right to escape... this world's game."

The old dog leaned forward slightly, a simple action that brought a tangible sense of mental pressure, making the air in the sealed room seem thicker.

“Besides you, those eyeing this thing include the Divine Firmament Bureau at the ‘center,’ at least three ancient families, and…” A strange, inhuman light flashed in his eyes, “…some ‘beings’ that cannot be fathomed by common sense. Taking it is tantamount to revealing your coordinates to all these forces.”

His gaze, like a probe, scanned back and forth across Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei's faces, seemingly assessing whether they could withstand the pressure.

"Now, are you still sure you want to accept this ticket? Or rather, do you two really have the ability to hold this... key that can burn through your hand bones?"

The atmosphere in the room instantly tensed to its limit, and all the previous undercurrents and probing converged into a chilling killing intent.

This is no longer a transaction, but an entrance ceremony to an unknown abyss.

The old dog wasn't looking for a buyer; he was screening... offerings? Or containers?

Xu Yan could clearly feel Chen Zhiwei quietly tug at his sleeve, a warning of extreme danger.

His face was ashen, and the alarm bells in his heart were ringing loudly, but the more alarmed he was, the calmer he appeared.

“Your 'game' certainly sounds exciting,”

Xu Yan spoke slowly, his gaze meeting the old dog's unfathomable eyes without any hesitation.

"But before placing a bet, any qualified gambler should at least see the authenticity of the chips with their own eyes. Otherwise, how can they know that this so-called 'ticket' isn't just a worthless piece of paper used to lure people into the game?"

He made a reasonable yet crucial request—inspection of the goods.

The muscles on the old dog's face seemed to stiffen for a moment, and that formulaic smile froze at the corner of his mouth.

At the same time, Chen Zhiwei felt a sharp pain in her spiritual sense, as if pricked by a needle.

She stood to Xu Yan's side and slightly behind, observing silently ever since entering the secret room.

At that moment, she finally grasped the source of the persistent sense of unease—her breathing and heartbeat.

The "old dog" in front of me, who was talking so eloquently, has barely moved his chest since he turned around.

More precisely, the breathing was so shallow as to be almost nonexistent, more like some kind of... imitation.

Furthermore, the blood vessels on the side of his neck did not show the faint pulsation that blood should have when flowing.

This is absolutely not the physiological state that a normal living person should be in!
Without making a sound, she gently touched Xu Yan's hand again. This time, her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, conveying a more clear and urgent warning than before—the thing before her was not human!

Xu Yan received the signal and felt a chill run down his spine, but his gaze remained firm as he looked at the old dog, waiting for his reply.

This requirement is a litmus test, revealing whether the other party is genuinely interested in the transaction or has ulterior motives.

The old dog remained silent for about three seconds. During those three seconds, only the faint light from the silent scrolling of data illuminated his ever-changing face in the secret room.

The two jade pebbles in his hand had stopped spinning at some point, and their warm luster seemed to have dimmed somewhat.

Finally, the stiff smile on his face completely disappeared, as if a mask had been peeled off, revealing the inhuman coldness and indifference beneath.

The warm, smooth jade gall in his hand silently transformed into two writhing black shadows emanating an ominous aura.

When he spoke again, his voice became distorted and overlapping, as if countless resentful wills were roaring simultaneously:

"Inspect the goods? A smart choice... Too bad, what you're inspecting is my goods!"

The entire secret room changed instantly!

Countless distorted, pained human faces appeared in relief on the cold alloy walls, their mouths agape, emitting silent yet soul-piercing wails.

The previously projected data streams and monitoring footage have now all turned into wildly beating curse runes composed of pure negative energy.

The air was thick with a stench of decay and a nauseating atmosphere of despair.

"You're not an old dog!"

Chen Zhiwei shouted sharply, the Soul-Suppressing Bell already in his hand. The clear sound of the bell transformed into solid silver sound waves that spread out, trying its best to resist and dispel the suffocating malice.

"'Old Dog'? That poor wretch's soul became a part of me three months ago!" 'Old Dog'—or rather, the ancient evil spirit that possessed his body.

He spread his arms wide, and a powerful mental pressure swept over him like a tsunami. "I spread the news of 'Soul-Suppressing Iron' not for trading, but for screening! Screening for perfect vessels like you... with a powerful soul, a young body, and full of potential!"

Its gaze was fixed on Xu Yan, filled with greed and desire: "I can feel... there is some ancient and powerful mark within you! What a perfect host! Give me your body!"

In the instant the spiritual pressure raged, Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei simultaneously sensed the true nature of this evil spirit.

A powerful E+ level ghost! But it has deeply parasitized and controlled the "Old Dog's" body through some kind of secret method, allowing it to unleash terrifying power that is almost comparable to a D-level materialized ghost.

It stopped pretending altogether and revealed its true intentions, its target being Xu Yan's physical body.

"Don't think about it!"

Without hesitation, Chen Zhiwei stepped in front of Xu Yan, her hands rapidly forming hand seals. With a sharp cry, several meticulously crafted "evil-repelling talismans" transformed into golden streams of light, shooting towards the evil spirit like arrows released from a bow.

However, the evil spirit merely waved its hand casually, and a dense, almost tangible black resentment surged forth, easily swallowing and annihilating the golden rune light like a swamp. "A mere talisman dares to obstruct me?!"

Almost simultaneously, the "Abyss" on Xu Yan's right arm was stimulated by this powerful spiritual pressure that was of the same origin but full of hostility, and it became violently agitated again. The bluish-black patterns appeared and spread uncontrollably, and it seemed as if there were living things wriggling under the skin, attracting and violently repelling each other with the resentment emitted by the evil spirit.

"Oh? You really do harbor an even more delicious secret within you!" The evil spirit was not alarmed but delighted, its desire to attack intensifying. "Let me devour it, and we will become one, the new ruler!"

Xu Yan was suffering from the frenzied backlash of the "Abyss" within his body and the mental pressure from the evil spirits outside. His sea of ​​consciousness felt as if it were being pierced by countless ice needles, causing him unbearable pain.

His left hand instinctively pressed against the camera on his chest. This trump card might severely injure or even seal the opponent, but the cost was unknown, and the consequences of failure would be unimaginable, making it far from the best option.

In a flash, he made a decision!

"Zhiwei, come closer to me!"

He let out a low shout and, without hesitation, poured his spiritual energy into the jade cicada he had obtained from the Han family.

The jade cicada's gentle light instantly intensified, transforming into a soft, concealing aura of spiritual light that enveloped Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei simultaneously like a water curtain.

This light does not possess strong defensive capabilities, but it can effectively cover up and confuse the living aura and psionic fluctuations on their bodies.

Immediate results!

The evil spirit's gaze, which had been fixed on Xu Yan based on energy perception, suddenly became blurred, and it let out a confused and angry growl.

At this moment, it was as if it had been blindfolded, and could only rely on the physical vision of the "old dog" body and the energy that the other party actively released to capture the target. Its perception and locking ability was greatly weakened!
"Disrupt it! Its core is in the head, between the eyebrows of that body!"

Despite his discomfort, Xu Yan seized the precious moment when the Jade Cicada took effect and the other party's senses were confused, and accurately pointed out the most vulnerable point where the evil spirit was most closely connected to its host.

Chen Zhiwei understood immediately. The frequency of the Soul-Suppressing Bell changed again, and the clear sound condensed like a cone. At the same time, a new talisman was already attached to his fingertips.

Xu Yan's insight hit the nail on the head.

Although the evil spirit was powerful, its fusion with the old dog's body was far from perfect.

The head, especially the area between the eyebrows, is the central hub that controls the physical body, and also the most unstable and concentrated vulnerable node.

Chen Zhiwei was of one mind with him. The moment he finished speaking, the frequency of the Soul-Suppressing Bell in his hand suddenly increased to a piercing shriek.

The clear, melodious bell sound was compressed to an extreme degree, no longer a barrier to spread, but condensed into a visible, high-speed rotating silver spiral cone that tore through the air, carrying a piercing, exorcising power, and shot with unparalleled precision toward "Old Dog's" brow.

"A mere trick, yet you dare to be so presumptuous!"

The evil spirit roared with a mixture of disdain and rage, and thick black resentment instantly condensed in front of it, transforming into a heavy shield covering a tormented human face.

"boom!"

The silver cone and the black shield collided violently, sending energy shockwaves scattering and causing the entire chamber to vibrate.

The black shield fluctuated violently; although it was not completely shattered, it was noticeably dimmer.

The evil spirit was clearly enraged by this precise and powerful counterattack. The floor and walls of the secret chamber writhed as if they were alive, and more and thicker black energy tentacles broke through the ground and walls, like countless ferocious venomous snakes, coiling around Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei from all directions, trying to devour them completely.

The silver light burst forth from Xu Yan's eyes as if it were a tangible substance. He pushed his silver-level spiritual vision to its limit, and the material world in his field of vision rapidly faded, leaving only the frantically flowing energy trajectory.

He suppressed the restlessness and devouring desire emanating from the "Abyss" in his right arm, which was almost tearing his will apart. He forcefully poured more spiritual energy into his eyes, locking onto the slight disharmony and stagnation in the flow of evil spirit energy, while simultaneously uttering words of piercing intent with all his might:

"Your era is long over! You're nothing but a pathetic worm who dares not show your true face and can only eke out a living in a rotten shell!"

These words were like a red-hot branding iron, severely scalding the evil spirit's deepest obsessions and shame.

It emitted a sharp, long screech powerful enough to shatter eardrums, causing the entire chamber to shake violently, and even fine cracks began to appear on the alloy walls.

"court death!!"

It completely abandoned maintaining the form of an "old dog" and any disguise, and thick black resentment poured out wildly from its seven orifices.

The entire "body" instantly collapsed and condensed, transforming into a black shadow that was extremely refined and exuded absolute malice.

The speed was so fast that it left an afterimage in the air, ignoring all physical obstacles, like a deadly arrow from the depths of hell, aimed straight at Xu Yan's brow.

It intends to invade and seize the soul in the most domineering way.

"Brother!!"

Chen Zhiwei's face turned deathly pale instantly, and her heart almost stopped beating.

She lunged forward without hesitation, trying to shield the deadly black light with her own body, her eyes filled with despair and resolve.

However, the black light was much faster than her movements, and almost the instant she moved, it entered Xu Yan's brow.

Xu Yan's body stiffened abruptly, his eyes instantly lost focus, and his pupils were stained with a deep black.

He clearly felt a cold, viscous consciousness filled with endless malice, like a flood bursting its banks, forcefully rushing into his sea of ​​consciousness and beginning to frantically erode and assimilate his self.

The possession has begun!

(End of this chapter)