Abyss Walker

Chapter 37 The Altar of Dugu

His hands moved swiftly, forming hand seals, and he chanted incantations. A powerful force surged from his body, causing the magical elements in the air to fluctuate violently. The phantom of a giant dragon gradually materialized above the altar, its scales shimmering with a metallic sheen, its enormous wings spreading across the night sky like dark clouds that blotted out the sun.

The dragon let out a deafening roar, a sound filled with majesty and power. Under the dragon's might, the surrounding evil creatures scattered and fled like leaves swept up by a gale, their eyes filled with fear and despair.

The power of the dragon soul was so immense that Yun Muhan's body bore a tremendous burden after the dragon soul dissipated. His body trembled violently, his face turned ashen, and he finally couldn't help but cough violently. A mouthful of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth and dripped onto the stone slab of the altar, a particularly shocking sight.

Seeing this, Ye Yunxi hurriedly stepped forward to support Yun Muhan, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety. Yun Muhan waved his hand, indicating that he was fine, but a bitter smile appeared on his lips, clearly indicating that the price of summoning the dragon soul this time was not small.

The surrounding air seemed to become calm as the dragon soul dissipated, but beneath this calm lay more unknowns and dangers.

"That tree demon isn't an ordinary tree demon; it's the master of the forest and absolutely cannot die. We need to hurry; those demons will be back soon." Yun Muhan's expression softened slightly.

"Okay, Brother Mu Han, you absolutely must not take such risks again next time."

Yunye and the other person continued towards the altar.

The air before the altar seemed to grow heavy with the discovery of the ancient book. Its cover bore the marks of time, each crack seeming to whisper untold secrets. The pages were yellowed, the edges worn, yet the text remained clearly visible, exuding a mysterious power.

Yun Muhan and Ye Yunxi's eyes scanned the pages carefully, their expressions gradually shifting from initial surprise to focus and seriousness.

Every word and every picture in the book could be the key to breaking the curse. Following the instructions in the book, they carefully operated on the altar, every movement filled with solemnity and caution.

As they activated the array following the steps in the book, the stone slabs on the altar began to vibrate slightly, as if some dormant power was awakening. The patterns on the altar gradually lit up, emitting a faint glow. This light flowed slowly along the patterns like water, eventually converging at the center of the array.

At the center, as the light converged, a platform slowly rose, upon which rested a crystal-clear gem.

The crystal emitted a warm, soft, and pure light, seemingly capable of purifying all evil and filth. Liquid appeared to flow slowly within the crystal, each movement carrying a mysterious rhythm that resonated with the array on the altar.

The crystal's light grew brighter and brighter, its warm glow illuminating the entire altar and even dispelling the surrounding darkness. The light also reflected on Yun Muhan and Ye Yunxi's faces, their eyes sparkling with hope.

The surrounding air seemed to become fresher from the warm light. The array and crystals on the altar became the center of this space, their power subtly altering everything around them. Yun Muhan and Ye Yunxi stood before this power, their hearts filled with awe and anticipation.

"This crystal is the healing power that the Forest Lord spoke of." Yun Muhan carefully removed the crystal and then quickly returned to where the Forest Lord was.

Fifteen minutes later...

When the Forest Lord saw the crystal in their hands, its eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Yun Muhan and Ye Yunxi placed the crystal at the base of the Forest Lord's roots, and the crystal's light began to permeate the Forest Lord's body. Its branches and leaves gradually regained their vitality, and the cracks in its bark began to heal.

The Forest Lord's voice grew stronger: "Thank you, two brave adventurers. You not only saved me, but also this forest."

"I will always remember the kindness and courage of young friends Yun and Ye. If you ever need anything, please feel free to come to me; I will do my utmost to help." The Forest Lord's tone was full of goodwill.

"Senior, this junior does indeed need assistance," Yun Muhan said respectfully.

"Young friend Yun, please don't be so polite, tell me quickly."

"I sensed a precious sword in the Sunset Altar. May I ask if you, senior, would be willing to part with it?"

"A sword? Young friend Yun, are you referring to the sword that was sealed by the Sunset Altar?" The Lord of the Forest remained calm.

"Yes! This junior is willing to enter the altar alone to gain the sword's approval."

"No, Brother Mu Han, absolutely not! That altar is too terrifying! We absolutely cannot go in! I don't agree! Brother Mu Han, you absolutely cannot go!" Ye Yunxi was extremely anxious.

“Young friend Yun! That sword in the altar doesn’t recognize a master so easily, otherwise it wouldn’t have been sealed in the altar. Tens of thousands of years have passed, and that sword still emits a terrifying light. Wouldn’t I have harmed you by letting you go?”

"I humbly request your permission, senior!"

"Young friend Yun, you saved me, and I should indeed repay you, but the sword spirit of that sword on the altar is far too violent. I absolutely cannot agree to your request." The Lord of the Forest was also anxious.

"Senior, what if I insist on entering the altar?" Yun Muhan's tone was firm and unwavering.

"Young friend Yun, why be so fixated on a single sword?" The Lord of the Forest asked with a hint of doubt.

"May I ask, senior, what is the significance of that sword?"

Yun Muhan at this moment: In the ancient times, the Demon Continent was besieged because of this sword. In the end, all the experts in the Demon Continent and even the Lord of the Forest were killed. However, the culprit who caused all this was just a small half-orc.

"Very well, young friend Yun is so persistent, it's not something I can stop." The Forest Lord's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

"No, we can't let Brother Mu Han take the risk. At the very least, we have to bring Yun tide along."

"I trouble the Lord of the Forest to look after my little sister."

"I will certainly live up to your trust, young friend Yun."

The Lord of the Forest gently raised his hand, and a beam of white light flew towards Yun Muhan, who instantly disappeared from his spot.

He slowly awoke, feeling a little blurry before his eyes. After blinking hard, he gradually saw his surroundings clearly.

Yun Muhan's consciousness gradually cleared from its hazy state, his vision becoming clearer, as if he were slowly waking from a dream. He found himself no longer in the familiar forest, but in a space filled with a mysterious aura.

The green here is lush and deep, as if it were the color of the deepest part of the forest, making people feel both tranquil and oppressed.

Yun Muhan felt a restraint on his body, a restraint that stirred a sense of unease within him. He tried to move his limbs, only to find himself tightly bound by thick ropes, which wrapped around his body like vines, preventing him from moving freely.

The more he struggled, the tighter the ropes tightened, as if consciously resisting his resistance, causing him to feel suffocated and in pain.

Yun Muhan's heart raced. His eyes darted around, searching for a chance to escape. Just then, he noticed a sword not far away. The blade emitted a faint green light, which stood out starkly against the green-toned space.

However, this precious sword was not free; it was firmly bound by several thick iron chains, which coiled around its blade like giant pythons, fixing it to the ground and preventing it from being easily moved. The green light emanating from the sword seemed to speak of its power and yearning; it awaited someone who could free it.

Yun Muhan's gaze fell on the sword, and he thought to himself: One of the Nine Swords of Dugu, a legendary divine weapon, its blade possesses the strongest poison-attribute elemental power in the world. If I can obtain it, I can get rid of these ropes.

The sword's imprisoned posture appears both tragic and mysterious. It lies there quietly, like a bound king, waiting for the day it regains its freedom.