Ghost Talisman Scripture: No Living People Allowed.

Chapter Four: The Underwater Secret Path

I was entangled by those fluffy "ghost hairs," and they wouldn't let go, which frustrated me greatly. It was as if they were trying to take me down with them in their final moments.

Since I couldn't speak in the water, I angrily shook myself violently, trying to shake them off.

But this girl was incredibly clever; her arms and legs clung to me like an octopus, and no matter how much I shook, I couldn't shake her off.

Frustrated, I could only bang my head against her forehead repeatedly. If I knocked her out, I'd have a chance; if I passed out first, then I was out of luck.

After being banged on repeatedly, the hands clinging to my back started trying to untie the ropes, and I finally stopped attacking.

But the rope, soaked in water, became even tighter, and it was difficult to untie.

And the riverbed seemed bottomless; we kept sinking, but we never seemed to reach the bottom.

The rope, though difficult to untangle, was finally freed. With a struggle of my arms, it came undone.

Once my hands and feet were back to normal, the first thing I did was pull downwards. In a life-or-death situation, survival is paramount; who cares about anything else?

Besides, you're not my aunt or uncle, or my wife. Why should I die with you?

This girl was strong; she clung to me tightly, and I couldn't pull her off—she was a scoundrel.

Adding to the difficulty, I couldn't gain any leverage in the water, and I was almost out of breath, but it was still futile.

Just then, we suddenly found ourselves stuck in a narrow gap. We clung to each other even tighter, almost sinking into each other completely.

"Ghost Hair" was still pulling downwards with all her might, dragging us several meters down the rock with our backs to the ground. I felt the skin on my back being rubbed raw; the pain was excruciating, a truly agonizing agony.

Amidst the pain, I realized there seemed to be a dark spot at the bottom of the river, what the locals called a "rabbit well." No wonder so many people drowned; falling into that bottomless pit meant certain death.

Finally, I passed through this narrow gap, feeling a sense of relief at having survived a near-death experience.

But Xiaoxi still clung tightly to me, refusing to let go, leaving me utterly helpless.

Since I couldn't shake her off, I decided not to waste my energy and instead try to figure out how to escape this predicament.

Just then, a few strands of ghostly hair swung around our waists, feeling icy cold.

Suddenly, an idea struck me: a silent incantation.

The Ghost Talisman Classic records that Taoists use incantations in four ways: incantation, chanting, whispering, and silent incantation.

Incantations and chanting are self-explanatory; a whispered incantation is like the exorcism incantation Xiaoxi chanted by the river.

The silent incantation is recited in the mind; it's a high-level skill, and ordinary people who haven't cultivated the Qi of No Talismans cannot use it.

Immediately, I formed a sword gesture with my right hand, bit my index finger, and swiftly swept it down along the ghost's hair, silently reciting the "Nine Netherworld Steps Incantation": "Seven Lords of the Northern Dipper, Great Holy God of the Heavenly Gang.

Great Dharma King of Li Xie, Heavenly Protector of Me.

I illuminate the path of the Three Realms, shining brightly upon the Northern Nether Palace.

I obey the decree of Heaven and Earth, to shatter the gates of the Nine Netherworlds.

I obey the decree of the Heavenly Venerable, to break open the City of Fengdu.

Hurry, hurry, as the decree of the Great Compassionate Savior Heavenly Venerable commands!"

The ghost's hair, already tainted by a man, was already a blow; combined with the silent incantation and the sword gesture, it snapped off with a tremor.

Not only did the ghost's hair at the waist break, but the hair at Xiao Xi's ankle also broke.

We immediately rose upwards, crashing headfirst into the narrow gap.

Now I was in trouble. I'd been dragged down by Guifa, and to get back up, we'd have to separate, but Xiaoxi wouldn't let go. And we couldn't talk in the water. What to do?

Just as I was getting anxious, I suddenly found an opening on the left. Afraid Guifa would catch up again, I didn't think twice and grabbed the protruding rocks on either side of the opening, swimming in.

It was a slope inside, and climbing up the rocks was easy. Just as I ran out of breath, I burst out of the water with a splash.

My heart nearly exploded with joy. I gasped for air as I continued climbing, trying to get as far away from Guifa as possible.

The slope was relatively gentle, and carrying someone wasn't too strenuous.

However, it was pitch black ahead; I had no idea what lay ahead.

After climbing a few meters, I found myself on a platform. I patted Xiaoxi on the back of the head and said, "We're here, let's get off."

The girl was either dead or unconscious; she was completely still. I tried to pry her arm off again, but I still couldn't.

This was truly both funny and frustrating. It seemed like she had become a part of me. It looked like I'd need a splitting machine to separate her.

I frantically rummaged through my shoulder bag and found a small flashlight. The beam was incredibly strong, several times brighter than the light I'd used on the shore.

Looking up, I realized we were basically at the end of the slope. There were a few steps leading up to an arched doorway.

The doorway was made of stone blocks, very neatly constructed, clearly handmade.

I was stunned. I shone the flashlight inside. The space seemed large. What was this place?

Then I remembered a story Grandpa Chen from my village told me when I was a child. He said there was an ancient tomb in our area, teeming with zombies. A tomb raider once went in and was poisoned.

Later, the tomb raider was arrested and, supposedly, bit several people to death in prison, all of whom turned into zombies.

A few years ago, I saw a group of people from the city surveying the area near the river; I heard they were looking for the ancient tomb.

Could this be the legendary tomb teeming with zombies?

I scratched my head, thinking that Grandpa Chen liked to drink, and when he drank, he'd start rambling. His stories couldn't be taken seriously. Zombies might not exist, but the ancient tomb was more plausible.

However, I still had some doubts. The Ghost Talisman Classic contained a lot about zombies. I used to think there were no ghosts or gods, but now that ghosts exist, how could there not be zombies?

What if there were a few living inside? Besides, I have a tail I can't shake off; I can't run fast anyway.

As I hesitated whether to go in, I noticed Xiaoxi's stomach trembling, as if she was trying hard to hold back her breath.

My eyes darted around and I understood immediately. This girl wasn't actually unconscious. Don't be fooled by her closed eyes; she was still being stubborn, afraid I'd abandon her.

I muttered to myself, "What a lucky day! One after another, good fortune has fallen from the sky. This one's much prettier than Xiaoqing, and she's been clinging to me like this. If it weren't for the ghost in the water, I would have given in long ago.

Hmm, it's not too late now, before she wakes up..."

Before I could finish, the girl let out a sharp cry, jumped off me quickly, and took several steps back.

Coincidentally, she was relaxed now, and being held like this made her whole body feel hot and bothered; her little head swelled up.

Seeing my lower body, she immediately blushed, covered her eyes, and cursed, "You're shameless, you're lewd, you're a pervert!"

I awkwardly turned around and said, "Are you being unreasonable? You promised yourself to me and insisted on holding me tight. How am I the one who's shameless and a pervert?"

"You...you're just a pervert anyway."

Knowing she was in the wrong, she was stubborn and wouldn't admit it.

I couldn't help but laugh inwardly and said, "Okay, I'm a pervert. Then stay away from me, or I'll really start acting like a pervert."

"Pah!

If you dare act like a pervert, I'll cut you off..." She stopped there, too embarrassed to say the rest.

This girl was clever and interesting. I wanted to tease her a bit more, but then a strange sigh came from the round door, followed by a voice: "Come...come..."