In front of them lay a vast, open space nestled deep within the mountain's belly. The walls, inlaid with countless glowing white stones, cast a bright, ethereal light throughout the cavern, making it as clear as day. At the heart of the cave, a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying greeted them: countless ghost soldiers stood in perfect formation, waving their broken, rusted weapons and bloodstained military banners. It was as if they were victorious soldiers, returning from a bloody battlefield, shouting silently into the void ahead of them.
Li Mufan had no time to dwell on his shock. His gaze swiftly moved past the ghostly ranks to the far end of the cavern, and what he saw made his heart skip a beat.
A massive throne, encrusted with gems, dominated the far wall. Upon that throne sat a skeleton wearing a regal crown. The crown's top was adorned with a massive, milky-white cylindrical gemstone, glinting ominously in the glowing light. A short sword, gleaming with cold, murderous intent, was buried deep in the skeleton's chest. Scattered around the base of the throne were piles of blackened, crumbling bones, their origins unknown.
Cuihua instinctively retreated behind Aqiang, her eyes wide with fear as she whispered in a trembling voice, "Master... What is this?"
Though Cuihua was tough, this scene of ghost soldiers and ancient skeletons rattled her nerves. Li Mufan himself felt his scalp tighten and his heart race. Before he could speak, Cuihua took a few fearful steps backward, her foot crunching down on a dry bone fragment lying forgotten on the cave floor.
"Crack!"
The sound echoed sharply through the cavern, and the three of them froze. Their eyes snapped to the bone beneath Cuihua's foot, then quickly shifted back to the ghost soldiers.
A chill ran down Li Mufan's spine. Thousands of hollow, empty eyes were now staring directly at them.
It was a gaze that transcended time and death, a cold, unyielding stare that bored into their souls.
Cuihua's voice quivered with fear. "Y-Young Master, we should... we should run."
Run?
The thought crossed Li Mufan's mind, but he dismissed it almost immediately. Fleeing might lead them back into the sinister fog outside. They were trapped either way.
Steeling himself, he took a deep breath, clenching his fists as he stepped forward. "Li Mufan, a descendant of the human race, pays his respects to His Majesty! Greetings to all our honored ancestors!"
The ghost soldiers remained still, their hollow eyes fixed on him. Li Mufan took a calculated risk and moved toward the throne, each step slow and deliberate.
"We three entered this sacred place by accident, disturbing the slumber of the ancestors. We beg for your forgiveness."
As he approached the throne, he noticed that the ghost soldiers didn't react. Emboldened, he stepped right through one of them. The soldier's form shimmered as he passed through, confirming Li Mufan's suspicions.
These ghost soldiers weren't physical beings. They were fragments of heroic spirits, remnants of the warriors who once fought valiantly for the human race. They posed no immediate threat.
Reaching the throne, Li Mufan knelt before the skeleton, whose ancient crown still glittered in the soft light. His voice was heavy with respect.
"My revered ancestors, we have inadvertently disturbed your eternal rest. I apologize deeply for our transgression. Your deeds are monumental—your protection of humanity during your life, and your blessings after your death, will never be forgotten by those who come after."
He paused, then raised his voice, conviction flowing through his words.
"Today, the world is in turmoil, with hundreds of races vying for supremacy, while our human race falters. These are dire times for our people. Though I am but one man, I swear to do all in my power to fight back against the barbarians who threaten our existence. When the time comes, with enough arms and provisions, I will lead our armies to cleanse the world, avenge our past defeats, and restore the ancient glory of our ancestors!"
His words echoed throughout the cavern, and a sudden warm breeze swept through the cave, carrying with it a sense of something ancient and powerful. The skeleton on the throne began to disintegrate, turning into glowing motes of light that slowly drifted into the air.
The ghost soldiers, too, shimmered softly, their silent forms beginning to fade.
"Clang!"
The crown and dagger fell to the floor with a resonant sound, the last remnants of the king's authority.
Li Mufan gazed at the items for a moment, then shook his head softly, turning to Aqiang and Cuihua. "Gather these. We'll see if there's anything else hidden in this cave."