Chapter 29:

Yao Yao wasn’t afraid anymore.

She carefully adjusted herself in Chong Yan’s embrace.

In one empty coffin, there was now an ancient demon and a little girl squeezed together.

The surroundings of this Emperor’s Tomb were gloomy and cold. Yao Yao rubbed her nose against Chong Yan’s collar. Although his breath and scent were also cold, they inexplicably brought a sense of comfort.

Chong Yan’s sturdy arm was wrapped around her, like a stabilizing wing.

The pollen of the Illusionary Emotion Demon still lingered in the air, but Yao Yao’s nervousness and fear, which had been pounding in her heart, became calm and gentle.

She knew she was safe.

“What about you? Were you affected?” Yao Yao asked softly.

In the darkness, Chong Yan probably shook his head.

Chong Yan checked the condition of the little person in his arms.

He had firmly pinned down the Illusionary Emotion Demon. It wouldn’t release any more strands of pollen. Yao Yao’s most magnified emotion just now was fear.

Because they were so close, Chong Yan could directly feel her stiff body gradually becoming soft, and her rapid heartbeat gradually calming down.

Chong Yan felt slightly relieved.

He wouldn’t let her be alone again.

Finally, Yao Yao could start thinking normally. So, why was there an empty coffin in this side hall?

Many things were attracted to the empty coffin just now, and she didn’t know what those things were. However, the act of “gathering” was intriguing. Usually, people gather for some kind of activity. What about “them”?

This side hall was also quite large; the footsteps earlier could create echoes.

After they crossed the barrier and entered the forbidden area, although they couldn’t clearly see the grandeur of the entire Emperor’s Tomb, it was evident that it was built with extremely high standards, almost befitting an emperor of the ages. However, the successive rulers of Jun Capital were buried beneath the Jun Capital Spiritual Vein, which had the best feng shui and spiritual energy. So, this definitely wasn’t the tomb of any emperor.

Then, whose tomb was it?

Yao Yao was lying on Chong Yan’s chest, seriously contemplating this question.

Chong Yan’s spiritual consciousness could extend outward, and this Emperor’s Tomb was enormous.

It occupied the veins of an entire mountain, and it was due to this that the massive tomb carried a heavy and gloomy aura, causing the abundant spiritual energy in the mountains to become viscous.

Just like the ever-changing Naitian Secret Realm and the desolate underwater tomb, it was undoubtedly a good place to bury and conceal lost divine power.

Chong Yan now knew that it was that person’s body that had later encountered problems, causing his eyes, heart, and spine to be lost and scattered.

But from the encounters since the Eastern Sea, the trapped ancient demon who had spent thirty thousand years in the abyss finally realized that what “parents” could do in this world was far beyond what he had imagined.

Chong Yan’s heart felt slightly cold.

The little person in his arms moved slightly, lifted her head, and whispered softly in his ear.

“Chong Yan, how did you find me? Did you see anyone else?”

Clearly, there was an invisible formation within this tomb, and its area was astonishingly large. Yet, as soon as Yao Yao woke up, Chong Yan was already right in front of her.

Chong Yan lowered his head to look at her.

Actually, this movement was not easy because the empty coffin was already narrow, and Chong Yan was too tall. In order to hold her, Chong Yan almost let Yao Yao press against his body.

But he didn’t mind the tightness.

Her breath fell on his neck, and Chong Yan instinctively tensed his neck. He also spoke in a low voice, “You have… my bones.”

They were too close.

Yao Yao heard the soft, magnetic voice of Chong Yan, as if it gently brushed against her ear bones. She was momentarily dazed, then remembered.

Ah, the bone pendant. Yao Yao reached into her bag and touched it. She had been carrying Chong Yan’s bone pendant with her, so it was no wonder he found her so quickly.

And no matter where she was, Chong Yan would find her.

A sense of security emerged, feeling like she had brought a fierce dog with her when going out. So, Yao Yao planned to cautiously stick her head out and release the little jellyfish to illuminate the surroundings.

As she extended her hand, she quietly asked, “When you arrived, did you see anything around?”

“Yes, they’re still here,” Chong Yan supported her and paused before adding, “There are many of them.”

When Chong Yan arrived, he concealed his presence and didn’t alarm “them.”

Those things lowered their heads, standing almost silently, filling this side hall, including the present moment.

Yao Yao: “…”

Yao Yao imagined that densely packed scene, and her head felt like it exploded instantly. She quickly retracted her head and hid in his embrace.

Chong Yan was momentarily stunned, then tried somewhat awkwardly to lift the corners of his lips. He held her even tighter.

Trembling, Yao Yao felt a strange sense of embarrassment from being observed. She didn’t dare to lift her head and even spoke in a hushed tone, almost as a whisper, “W-what are they exactly? Did you get a clear look at their appearance?”

Her fluffy head rubbed against his neck, and Chong Yan unintentionally tightened his embrace even more.

Very soft, very warm, she was like a bundle pressed against him.

The tips of the beast’s teeth unconsciously ground together, sensing her warm breath brushing against his neck and the corners of her lips, like gentle pecks.

Chong Yan felt a bit uneasy and moved slightly. For some reason, his throat rolled, and he finally said, “They look like humans.”

Or rather, they were humans.

Layer upon layer, countless heads.

The mountain people of the past, the people who were rumored to have disappeared from the town below the mountain, generation after generation remained here.

Perhaps many of them had participated in the construction of this grand Emperor’s Tomb but couldn’t leave afterward.

How many souls were imprisoned here?

However, before Yao Yao could continue feeling afraid, the coffin beneath them suddenly emitted a faint glow.

With this faint light, the scene in the side hall gradually became clear.

The four corners of the side hall were adorned with carved coiling dragons, exquisitely chiseled. However, amidst this luxurious place, people filled the entire room.

Yao Yao was startled.

She used Chong Yan’s hand to cover her face and secretly looked through the gaps between his fingers.

So many, so many faces.

They were indeed humans, but each person’s clothes were very ancient and worn, as if they had been trapped in this Emperor’s Tomb for a very long time. However, their expressions were incredibly diverse, ranging from pain, fanaticism, hope, to numbness.

All of them stared fixedly at the empty coffin.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice something unusual about these “people.”

They hardly seemed to breathe.

It was as if…

“Soul fragments,” Chong Yan whispered behind her ear, “the souls of living people.”

They knelt before the empty coffin, their knees on the ground, hands tightly clasped, heads bowed, and they prostrated themselves.

Hollow pairs of eyes overflowed with emotions like dried-up wells.

They were praying.

What were they seeking?

Yao Yao dared not make a sound, but for some reason, as she looked at the faces of these soul fragments, she felt a sense of sorrow in her heart.

“Seeking life,” Chong Yan said softly.

Their prayers were accompanied by ancient runes, clearly indicating that they had been trapped here for a very long time.

With each prayer, Yao Yao saw their expressions gradually changing in unison.

Their pupils dilated, their lips formed stiff curves, and they chanted loudly.

Yao Yao’s heart was involuntarily accelerated.

This emotional state was akin to grievances, possessing an incredibly strong influence. It felt as if she herself were inverted at the bottom of this colossal Emperor’s Tomb, with voices echoing and eroding her being.

She didn’t know whom they were praying to, but it was evident that these soul fragments firmly believed that their wishes would come true. This belief created an increasingly powerful suction force.

Their souls could not find rest, wandering in agony. It was no wonder they exhibited intense and tormenting emotions. It was no wonder the Illusionary Emotion Demon could cultivate near the vicinity and become almost a demon.