Chapter 1949: Chapter 1949: Ghost Hunter
"What is this? I feel a resisting force, and the sound is quite unpleasant," the Enchantress asked with a frown.
Li Yao chuckled, "This is the Soul Sound Wave. If you can hear it, it means your spiritual power is strong enough; otherwise, it wouldn’t be just a headache."
"If I stay in this state continuously, I’ll have no combat power at all. If it doesn’t work, I can just stay here and monitor the ritual, and you can go ahead," the Enchantress said helplessly.
At that moment, her mind was full of roaring noise, which wasn’t a big issue in short bursts, but if it continued indefinitely, she’d surely go mad.
"Take out your lantern and release some soul power; it will neutralize this influence," Li Yao said while looking towards the square and the rising bloody glow. "The ritual hasn’t reached a critical point. It’s just gathering the power of faith, and enjoying this sacrifice isn’t that simple. It requires a complex conversion process, so there’s still plenty of time. No need to watch."
"I see." The Enchantress’s lantern suddenly shone, small soul light dots swirling around her, and instantly, that feeling vanished: "Indeed, there’s no problem now."
"We should descend from the church’s upper window; it’s easier that way and we can directly ransack from top to bottom. The actual destination should be beneath the church," Li Yao said.
"Since the key is below the church, what’s the worth up here? It’s likely some religious items we can’t use or take," the Enchantress questioned.
Li Yao first leapt to the church’s top and then shot spider silk, while the Enchantress also sprayed spider silk. With the force pulling her, she swiftly crossed dozens of yards to reach the church’s top.
"It seems you don’t understand Amon at all; she loves jewels and wealth and can be described as a goddess of wealth. Amon’s church statues are made of gold, surrounded by wealth, with devotees donating items to express their pious faith. You think just the Archbishop could gather so many expensive gemstones? Though many were collected, there are surely reserves inside the church, and that’s our upper-level goal," Li Yao said.
"Since there’s a lower level, treasures should be safer underground, right?" Though the Enchantress understood, new doubts arose.
"That’s a long story and also relates to Amon’s preferences. Hmm, this window is open, perfect for entering," Li Yao deftly attached the rope and quickly jumped into the church.
Once inside, it was a long corridor, and the Enchantress also descended through the window onto the corridor.
"This should be about Amon’s legends, right?" The Enchantress remarked, gazing at the radiant dome.
"Wait," Li Yao quickly drew the Star Bow and continuously charged it.
"What is it?" the Enchantress asked.
"There’s a napping guard within the portal—no, he can’t participate in the ritual, yet he’s praying, quite devout," Li Yao could clearly see a human-shaped outline.
Initially thinking he leaned against the wall to nap, upon closer look, finding him on one knee, in prayer.
The Enchantress saw Li Yao release the bowstring, no sound emerging, only a faint ghostly light traceable, barely visible even the shadow of the arrows.
"Is it over?" The Enchantress questioned in shock.
Li Yao put the bow away and led the way toward the room at the end, saying, "You’ll see when we check it."
The door wasn’t locked; the two effortlessly pushed it open.
It was a prayer room for rest, centered with a goddess statue shimmering with nurturing radiance.
Beneath the statue, a person knelt quietly.
The Enchantress stepped forward, approached the front, and saw the person’s head drooped powerlessly, hands clutching a Black Steel Arrow emitting dark mist.
The Steel Arrow was inconspicuous, with only occasional rune flickers that vanished quickly.
This person held the arrow by its shaft, purple blood dripping from the tip, while the arrow’s end was still in his throat.
His eyes were perplexed and pained, yet minimal pain, more confusion, and he clearly wondered how his throat was pierced, how did this arrow come here.
Silent, swift, no time for evasion.
"That’s terrifying. I’ve heard it enhances speed, traverses Void without leaving a sound. How could anyone survive an ambush? With this ring, you’d become a fearsome ghost assassin." The Enchantress marveled, Li Yao already formidable, now, with this ring’s boost, his fear factor grew exponentially.
Previous arrows were fast and powerful, but not unstoppable.
Now, swift beyond measure, nearly invisible, if it weren’t enough, with no sound, what’s the fun anymore?
"Void Arrow, that’s the basic trait. If there’s sound, clues would be left, discounting the Void. Now you should understand why the Void Lord doesn’t need to act; his followers draw many into the Void faction. The Void’s eeriness and strength are without match, toughest without absolute power. Though I don’t covet Void’s power, remaining virtuous, yet fate has me entwined with Void-related equipment." Li Yao said.
Had she not seen Li Yao swiftly looting the guard, the Enchantress nearly believed him.
Seeing Li Yao split the guard’s lantern soul energy, she shook her head helplessly.
"And yet you lean toward lightness, look at your profession, Dark Ranger; look at your methods, Reaper’s Scythe, Lich form enhanced into Mechanical Avatar, Dark Touch, Broodmother, all related to Void, hardly light at all," the Enchantress joked.
"You’ve forgotten about all my Titan Equipment, haven’t you? And the Star Bow." Li Yao said while touching the statue, then shook his head in disappointment.
"What’s wrong?" the Enchantress asked puzzled.
"I thought it was gold, but it’s copper. Those miserly priests, no wonder Amon’s church declined, too decadent," Li Yao replied.
Except for the statue, the place was simple with no valuable items. The most worthwhile for the guard was the Black Crystal and lantern, but of no use to Li Yao and limited value to the Enchantress.
The two exited through another portal, seeing Li Yao staring at the twinkling dome. The Enchantress asked, "Do you think those shining lights on the dome are gemstones?"
"That possibility exists, you’ve got a point. Can’t miss any, if they’re gemstones, we’d hit the jackpot," Li Yao’s eyes lit up and continued, "Though I’m currently looking at the murals on the dome, which have archaeological value."...