When they dismounted from the bones, they discovered that their location was not level ground but a colossal mountain of bones or a bone range.
The ground was entirely composed of bones, which emitted strange colors, appearing in a myriad of hues, some resembling jagged rocks, while others were as colossal as small mountains. Two bones pierced the sky, reaching straight for the clouds, like two sheer bone peaks.
Witnessing this immense and awe-inspiring bone sea, Ning Beichen and the other two were utterly stunned by the scene before them.
"What on earth is this place? Why are there so many bones here?"
This was the question most burning in the minds of Ning Beichen and the other two.
As Ning Beichen gazed at the vast bone sea, scenes from a magnificent, ancient era flooded his mind.
Gigantic creatures, beings capable of destroying heaven and earth, soared through the skies, gracefully traversing the cloud seas, breathing in mist, mingling with light, covering thousands of miles in an instant, reaching the highest heavens and the deepest abysses, as if they were the masters of this world.
Such colossal beings could only have existed in an ancient world akin to the Shan Hai Jing, and had long since become lost to time.
Modern cultivators could perhaps only reminisce about that captivating and wondrous world through books, films, and their imaginations.
"Mr. Ning, don't you think this bone mountain and the previous bone ridge resemble some kind of creature?"
Zhao Yingdie said to Ning Beichen in awe.
"What creature does it resemble?"
Ning Beichen asked, while Ling Jue perked up his ears.
"A dragon."
Zhao Yingdie replied.
Her words instantly conjured images of dragons in the minds of Ning Beichen and Ling Jue.
Eastern dragons were naturally not like the four-legged lizards of the West, but the divine dragons of the ancient East.
However, it had to be said, with Zhao Yingdie's reminder, even Ning Beichen felt that the bone ridge from before, combined with the bone sea here, did indeed resemble the body of a dragon.
Of course, this was assuming dragons truly existed.
After all, divine dragons only existed in mythology. No one in modern times had ever seen a true dragon, nor had anyone discovered dragon bones or dragon corpses. Therefore, no one knew for certain if divine dragons actually existed.
Let alone this world, even in the Mortal Realm from which Ling Jue hailed, no one had ever seen a divine dragon.
However, regardless of whether this was a divine dragon or not, it was now just a pile of useless bones. Perhaps one could boil them for calcium, but more likely, they would be poisonous. Thus, Ning Beichen soon lost interest.
"Hey, look, there's another opening here!"
Ling Jue suddenly pointed to a spot, drawing Ning Beichen's and Zhao Yingdie's attention. They followed closely and indeed found an entrance there.
"Wait a minute, this isn't an opening, it should be the mouth of this creature."
Zhao Yingdie suddenly said.
Ning Beichen looked up, then glanced at the row of bones on the ground, and nodded in agreement with Zhao Yingdie.
This entrance was clearly the mouth of this colossal creature, and very possibly the mouth of a divine dragon.
However, this creature was dead. No matter how majestic it was in life, or whether it was a divine dragon, it was now just a pile of bones. They naturally felt no fear.
Since they had come this far, it would be a shame not to go in and take a look. Thus, the three of them decided to enter.
Upon entering the giant mouth of the unknown creature, the light around them dimmed. The further they walked, the darker it became, giving them the sensation of descending into an abyss, sending shivers down their spines.
After walking for an unknown duration, they arrived at a peculiar place that resembled an altar. On the altar were some strange vessels, as if someone had performed sacrifices here.
Ning Beichen stepped forward to examine it. The more he looked, the more his heart pounded with alarm. The altar was entirely covered in bones, not the bones of any creature, but human bones.
The altar was as large as half a basketball court.
Yet, this altar was covered in bones.
Based on Ning Beichen's experience, these human bones were mostly those of infants, which he found horrifying and gave him a glimpse into the cruelties of that ancient era.
Ning Beichen spotted a relatively intact skull amongst the bones. He walked over and picked it up. Before he could examine it closely, he heard a chilling sound.
"Who?"
"Who's there?"
"Get out!"
The three of them spoke in unison, their eyes warily scanning their surroundings.
"Heh heh heh..."
A child's laughter echoed from within the altar, followed by countless black shadows drifting out from it.
"Be careful!"
Ning Beichen warned sternly.
These black shadows were all malevolent entities, and not just one or two, but an innumerable amount. Even Ning Beichen felt a sense of dread.
Ling Jue and Zhao Yingdie, likely having never encountered such malevolent entities, looked at these shadows blankly. Ning Beichen, however, had already drawn his bronze ancient sword and was ready to fight.
At this moment, the overwhelming black shadows surged towards them.
Ling Jue and Zhao Yingdie immediately attacked the shadows, but to their bewilderment, their attacks had no effect whatsoever.
Just as the black shadows were about to engulf Ling Jue and Zhao Yingdie, Ning Beichen swung his bronze ancient sword fiercely, forcing all the malevolent entities back.
However, these entities were more difficult to deal with than any Ning Beichen had faced before. Previously, as long as Ning Beichen used his bronze ancient sword, these entities would not dare to approach him.
But these present entities merely retreated, showing no signs of giving up.
"Xu Mi Palm!"
Ling Jue struck at the malevolent entities with a palm strike, but his Xu Mi Palm could not harm these black shadows at all.
Zhao Yingdie also attacked. Seeing her bring her palms together, she then flicked her fingers, and countless finger winds shot out like a machine gun towards the shadows.
However, her attacks, like Ling Jue's, were unable to inflict any damage on the malevolent entities, merely a futile effort.
Conversely, Ning Beichen's attacks could force these shadows back.
"I'll hold them off, you two retreat."
Ning Beichen said to them.
Ling Jue and Zhao Yingdie immediately retreated, while Ning Beichen stood before them. As soon as the malevolent entities approached, Ning Beichen would strike to force them back.
However, this was merely a temporary solution, not a cure. Ning Beichen could only temporarily repel these entities, not drive them away or destroy them.
Ning Beichen had encountered malevolent entities in other blessed lands before, but none were as difficult to deal with as the ones here. Now, even using the Songshan Swordplay, he could only force them back.
Originally, Ning Beichen intended to escort Ling Jue and Zhao Yingdie out first. But before long, large numbers of malevolent entities appeared before them as well, blocking their path.
With no other option, Ning Beichen could only lead them back. Soon, they found themselves back at the altar.