Chapter 369: Ghost Gate (Part 2)
With a deep shout from Yang Haoran, the space diagonally above them suddenly rippled violently. Immediately after, a crack appeared in the space, slowly expanding until it finally transformed into a pitch-black, enormous gate.
The black gate hung suspended, enveloped in Yin Qi. An ancient, weathered, and chilling aura assailed them. Furthermore, both felt a powerful sense of oppression emanating from this black gate.
What lay beyond the black gate was invisible to the naked eye; only a strange black liquid could be seen flowing, emitting faint glimmers of light.
On either side of the black gate stood two stone statues. These statues were tall and imposing, with green faces and fierce fangs, their monstrous visages distinctly inhuman.
The statues were lifelike, holding deadly weapons, their eyes gleaming with malevolence, conveying an impression of extreme ferocity and cruelty.
They seemed to be guarding the gate, forbidding anyone from approaching. Yet, they also appeared to be mere decorations, serving only to complement the gate.
But regardless of the possibility, one thing was certain: their presence made the already ominous and strange black gate appear even more sinister and peculiar.
Both Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing were Underworld agents; naturally, they wouldn't naively believe these two colossal stone statues were merely decorative. For these statues also exuded an extremely strong sense of oppression.
If they were to force their way through, both estimated that these two stone statues would, more likely than not, spring to life and prove they were far more than mere inanimate objects.
The Ghost Gate, typically the essential path to the Underworld. As Underworld agents, both Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing possessed the ability to summon the Ghost Gate, through which they could directly enter the Underworld.
Yang Haoran had never summoned the Ghost Gate before; today was his first time. Usually, he had no reason to go to the Underworld, hence no need to summon the Ghost Gate.
Although he had never summoned the Ghost Gate previously, as an Underworld agent, he still knew how to do so. Otherwise, what would he do if he ever truly needed to rush to the Underworld?
Having successfully summoned the Ghost Gate, Yang Haoran felt a sense of awe, but also a touch of curiosity. After all, it was his first time; who wouldn't be a little curious about a first?
"What are you gawking at? Let's go."
Xu Meijing's aloof voice cut through his thoughts, bringing Yang Haoran back to reality. He saw Xu Meijing, hands in her pockets, stride gracefully towards the Ghost Gate suspended above.
Yang Haoran smiled, likewise tucking his hands into his pockets, and followed Xu Meijing's steps. However, after taking just one step, a slight jolt ran through Yang Haoran's heart.
For with that step, the oppressive feeling emanating from the Ghost Gate intensified slightly.
Though surprised, Yang Haoran's steps didn't falter. While the pressure from the Ghost Gate was strong, it wasn't so overwhelming as to impede his movement.
After a few more steps, Yang Haoran's slight surprise morphed into genuine astonishment. With each stride, the oppression from the Ghost Gate was multiplying.
Taking another step, the smile vanished from Yang Haoran's face, and his brow furrowed slightly.
He glanced at Xu Meijing beside him, noticing her brows were also tightly knit. Clearly, the pressure from the Ghost Gate was making her quite uncomfortable.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran activated the Spirit Power within his body, forming a protective barrier that enveloped both him and Xu Meijing.
The black barrier was visible to the naked eye, a sphere encompassing both of them. With the Spirit Power shield, the oppressive feeling they endured instantly vanished.
The intense oppressive sensation dissipated, but the Spirit Power barrier formed by Yang Haoran began to distort and deform under the immense pressure released by the Ghost Gate.
Yang Haoran, by his own strength, resisted all the tremendous pressure from the Ghost Gate. Although the barrier twisted and deformed, it did not shatter.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran channeled more Spirit Power into the barrier. With a resonant hum, the barrier instantly stabilized, no longer twisting or deforming.
Given Yang Haoran's character, he typically wouldn't use his Spirit Power unless absolutely necessary, viewing it as a waste.
If he were to expend his Spirit Power for every minor inconvenience, and then encountered a major problem with too much already consumed, he would be placed in a very passive position.
In his view, only by rationally utilizing his Spirit Power could he maximize his combat potential. Someone who didn't know how to manage their Spirit Power, even if they had more than their opponent, could very likely be defeated.
Even before he possessed Spirit Power, Yang Haoran had a habit of not wasting money, always saving more to have a fallback and to use when it truly mattered.
Now, he had no interest in money, but this habit transferred to his Spirit Power. Conserving Spirit Power as much as possible was the only way to avoid being caught off guard in unexpected situations.
In the current situation, if he were alone, he would absolutely not use Spirit Power to resist the pressure from the Ghost Gate. He would choose to endure it with his physical body, and only when he truly couldn't bear it any longer would he activate his Spirit Power.
However, with Xu Meijing here, he couldn't do that. He didn't want to see Xu Meijing struggle under the pressure. He would rather expend his Spirit Power, even though he disliked doing so, to shield her from it.
Seeing Yang Haoran release a barrier to block the pressure from the Ghost Gate, a faint smile appeared on Xu Meijing's proud face.
"Your strength has grown considerably again," Xu Meijing said with a smile, sensing the aura around Yang Haoran.
"It has indeed improved somewhat, because I consumed a Soul Pill," Yang Haoran replied with a smile.
"No wonder. Your strength has risen significantly since I last saw you, leaving me far behind once more. However, after we return from the Underworld this time, I'm confident I'll surpass you again. Do you believe me?"
Xu Meijing's words were brimming with confidence, and beyond that, Yang Haoran also detected a hint of anticipation.
Yang Haoran smiled, saying, "Of course I believe you."
Yang Haoran naturally knew Xu Meijing was proud and fiercely competitive, but he didn't mind. In his opinion, as long as she was happy, that was all that mattered. And if he was the one bringing her that happiness, all the better.
Seeing Yang Haoran's simple reply, devoid of surprise or any inclination to ask for reasons, Xu Meijing looked speechless.
"You're truly a bore. Aren't you going to ask why I'm so confident? " Xu Meijing asked.
"It's probably because you have a great number of souls in your possession, more than I could have imagined," Yang Haoran responded with a smile.
As Yang Haoran spoke, they arrived at the Ghost Gate, and their footsteps halted.
"You guessed correctly! Just wait until then; you'll be astonished," Xu Meijing said with a hint of smugness.
Yang Haoran smiled, then looked again at the stone statues on either side of the Ghost Gate. After a brief glance, he retracted his gaze.
"I'll go in first to clear the way for you," Yang Haoran said.
"There's no need to clear any path. We're Underworld agents; passing through the Ghost Gate is perfectly safe. Let's go, Smiling Tiger."
Xu Meijing spoke, then pulled a hand from her pocket, grabbed Yang Haoran's arm, and together they stepped into the Ghost Gate.
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