Qin Moyao looked at Chen Yang in surprise. "How do you know all this? Is it another case of your universal knowledge?"
"Exactly," Chen Yang replied. "It's like solving an equation. You don't necessarily have to go inside to know. You can draw conclusions through various logical deductions."
Qin Moyao pursed her lips. "You haven't even studied much, yet you know so much."
Chen Yang chuckled in response.
About half an hour later, they arrived at the Golden Years Bar. After parking, they donned their equipment, strapping on oxygen tanks and propane canisters. Fully geared up like bomb disposal experts, they approached the rusty metal shutter at the bar's entrance.
Qin Moyao removed her oxygen mask and said, "Damn, we forgot to get the keys."
Chen Yang took off his mask as well. "The keys wouldn't work anyway. Look, the keyhole is completely rusted."
"So how do we get in?" Qin Moyao asked, perplexed.
Chen Yang smiled. "That's not a problem. Put your mask back on and follow my lead. Remember, once we're inside, stay close to me no matter what you see. If there's real danger, I'll get us out of there."
Qin Moyao nodded.
Chen Yang added one more warning: "This imposter Program Ya is skilled in hypnosis and creating illusions. Remember, no matter what happens inside, it's all fake."
Qin Moyao nodded solemnly.
With final instructions given, they put their masks back on. Chen Yang then forcefully pulled up on the metal shutter, breaking the rusty lock and lifting it open.
Behind the shutter was a tempered glass door, also locked.
As soon as the shutter was raised, Chen Yang and Qin Moyao saw nothing but darkness inside. In the blackness, it felt as if a pair of eyes were glaring at them malevolently.
The sensation was deeply unsettling.
Qin Moyao felt fear creeping into her heart. Chen Yang reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly. His gesture helped calm her nerves.
Next, Chen Yang kicked in the glass door. The lock shattered, and shards of glass flew everywhere.
The barrier that had contained all the resentful energy was now broken.
Simultaneously, Chen Yang noticed a change inside the bar. This change would be invisible to ordinary people, but he sensed it. The resentful energy inside, which had been surging like the Yellow River, should have gushed out as soon as the door opened, dissipating into the surroundings. Instead, some force was actively containing it.
As a result, no poisonous miasma assailed Chen Yang and Qin Moyao.
They surveyed their surroundings. The bar's layout was still recognizable—the counter, dance floor, and stage—but everything was dilapidated, covered in dust and cobwebs.
Their oxygen masks prevented them from smelling the decay.
The neon lights from outside cast a faint glow inside.
Chen Yang and Qin Moyao switched on their headlamps. As the beams of light swept across the room, they both recoiled in shock. They saw a woman with long hair, blood flowing from her seven orifices, her face contorted. She was lying there, motionless.
Qin Moyao, unable to scream due to her mask, was terrified and nearly lost her footing.
Chen Yang, though brave, felt his heart constrict. He stared coldly at the woman.
But in an instant, the woman vanished.
Chen Yang removed his oxygen mask, having sensed the absence of toxic air. He told Qin Moyao, "It's just an illusion created by the spirit. A cheap trick."
Qin Moyao looked again and saw nothing, allowing her to relax slightly.
As she moved to remove her mask, Chen Yang stopped her. "Keep yours on."
Qin Moyao, relying entirely on Chen Yang in this situation, obediently complied.
Just then, an icy voice resonated in their minds. It was a woman's voice, warning, "Leave now, or face death!"
The malevolent spirit was issuing a threat.
Clearly, the spirit had realized that Chen Yang and Qin Moyao weren't easy targets. Hence the warning, rather than immediately attacking as it would with ordinary people.
Qin Moyao looked at Chen Yang, her eyes questioning what to do next.
Before Chen Yang could respond, the metal shutter crashed down with a thunderous bang, sealing off the entrance and plunging them into darkness.
Simultaneously, the resentful energy began to disperse. As waves of toxic miasma surged towards them, Chen Yang, ever observant, quickly put his mask back on. When the resentful energy enveloped them, both felt as if they were submerged in ice-cold water. However, the chill couldn't penetrate their protective suits, only swirling around them.
Chen Yang took Qin Moyao's hand and started moving forward. As they walked, their bodies felt incredibly heavy, as if wading through water.
The resentful energy had become as thick as liquid, like an ocean surrounding them.
Chen Yang held the electric lighter in one hand and Qin Moyao's hand in the other. His goal now was to find the center of the formation, where the Taoist artifact was likely located.
Chen Yang was certain that the artifact was the spirit's lifeline.
All this resentful energy, manipulated by the spirit as a weapon, must have been generated with the artifact's help.
Now, the Golden Years Bar was saturated with this viscous resentful energy. This place had become the spirit's stronghold, its domain.
Chen Yang's courage in entering wasn't mere recklessness. Having learned about magical formations from his master, he understood that the spirit's control over the resentful energy must be facilitated by a formation. He closed his eyes, trying to sense the formation's center.
Earlier, when the resentful energy had contracted, it was because the formation's core acted like a vacuum cleaner's motor. This central hub allowed for the concentration of all the resentful energy. Chen Yang cleared his mind, blocking out all external distractions.
Immediately, he sensed that all the resentful energy was like ocean waves, subtly converging towards the center. This center was in the middle of the Golden Years Bar.
Chen Yang began moving towards it.
He also realized that the spirit was likely guarding the formation's center, controlling everything. Going there would be incredibly dangerous. But he had come to resolve this situation and couldn't turn back now.
He led Qin Moyao towards the formation's center.
The center was located in the warehouse.
As they approached the warehouse of the Golden Years Bar, the pressure intensified, making it harder to breathe.
If they hadn't had the foresight to bring oxygen tanks, they would have been reduced to ashes by now.
Qin Moyao's admiration for Chen Yang grew even stronger.
At this moment, Qin Moyao was undoubtedly excited, thrilled, and terrified all at once.
The truth behind this horrifying mystery was about to be revealed.
Soon, they reached the warehouse door.
The door was shut tight. It was a metal door, securely locked.
Chen Yang struck the door with his palm. A loud bang echoed, but the door didn't budge.
Chen Yang was surprised. The force of his strike should have been enough to break it open. He struck again.
Another loud bang, but the door remained unmoved.
Qin Moyao looked at Chen Yang anxiously.
Chen Yang pondered for a moment, then smiled coldly as he understood. This was an illusion!
He activated the electric lighter, and immediately, a blue laser-like flame shot out.
With a hiss, the metal door in front of them suddenly vanished.
Qin Moyao watched this miraculous scene, dumbfounded.
As she looked around, she finally understood. They had already entered the warehouse; there was no door at all.
Their headlamps swept across the room, revealing that Chen Yang and Qin Moyao were standing in the middle of the warehouse. The shelves around them were stocked with countless bottles of wine, beer, and snacks like popcorn. The beer had surely expired, but the wine could still fetch a good price.
The shelves were covered in cobwebs, and a thick layer of dust coated the floor.
Chen Yang looked up towards the top of the warehouse, where there was a desk. As their light beams reached it, a woman suddenly appeared in the chair.
She wore a green dress, her hair tied back in a ponytail. Her face was strikingly beautiful, her eyes full of tranquility. She appeared to be a quiet, peaceful girl.
This girl was the fake Program Ya!
Everything that had happened was her doing.
Although she looked beautiful, Chen Yang and Qin Moyao knew it was an illusion. She had long since died, her body decayed to dust.
Program Ya turned her gaze to Chen Yang. Her expression changed dramatically, from serene to cold. All her hatred was hidden, but an endless chill emanated from her. Her aura shifted completely, from quiet beauty to bone-chilling terror.
Such a drastic change in a person's demeanor was truly alarming.
Suddenly, Program Ya waved her hand. Instantly, all the resentful energy contracted, condensing into a black sphere that hovered beside her. The entire scene was eerie, as if they had stepped into a mythical realm.
Chen Yang realized Program Ya wanted to talk. He removed his oxygen mask and said firmly, "It's time to stop, Program Ya."
"My name isn't Program Ya. My real name is Bai Yinshuang," she replied. Her words had no sound, but they echoed in Chen Yang and Qin Moyao's minds.
"Bai Yinshuang?" Chen Yang and Qin Moyao silently pondered, finding the name rather strange.
Qin Moyao also removed her oxygen mask.
Bai Yinshuang's gaze swept over Chen Yang and Qin Moyao, finally resting on Chen Yang. She spoke coldly, "You're a very special person. In all these years, you're the first to break in and see me. Your heart is righteous, and you seem fearless. This is because you've never done anything to trouble your conscience, nor do you have many desires. Thus, you are strong in your lack of desire!"