The long-lost familiar aura that Meng Zhang sensed was Yin Qi. The Yin Qi inside the mine was extremely dense, although it couldn't compare to the Trial Ground. However, to ordinary cultivators, it was enough to consider this place as a Netherworld.
As soon as Meng Zhang emerged from underground, several ghosts that happened to be nearby were attracted by the rich Yin Qi and rushed towards him. A cold and eerie atmosphere enveloped him, but a surge of Yang He's aura emanated from Meng Zhang's body. His Lesser Yang True Qi resembled the rising sun, emitting a scorching light. The ghosts that approached were instantly vaporized before they could get close.
This ruckus alerted more ghosts, and they swarmed towards Meng Zhang like moths to a flame. Without panicking, Meng Zhang lightly shook the Soul-Shocking Bell in his left hand. This First Rank superior magic tool was a loot he acquired from Boss Zhang. Its attack targeted the target's soul directly, causing Soul shaking and confusion, rendering the targets motionless.
The mine was now infested with ghosts, and the Ghosts that roamed the area seemed to come in endless waves. With the help of the Soul-Shocking Bell, Meng Zhang effortlessly cleared out the hovering ghosts in the air, causing them to fall to the ground in a daze, just like Luo Ye had described.
Brandishing his right hand, Meng Zhang used the Fire Seal. Fiery flames spewed out from it, turning the surrounding ghosts into ashes. This First Rank superior Fire Seal served two purposes - it amplified the power of fire-based spells for Refining Qi stage cultivators, and it could release nine fire serpents to automatically attack enemies. Meng Zhang's Lesser Yang True Fire, which already possessed the power to vanquish evil spirits, became even stronger after being enhanced by the Fire Seal, making it the bane of the ghosts.
Although the number of ghosts around Meng Zhang was not insignificant, they were almost defenseless against his two magic tools. However, he still remained vigilant as he was only on the upper level of the mine, and there were many more layers underground. He took a rough direction and proceeded forward.
The mine's original tunnels had collapsed or caved in. However, Meng Zhang didn't need to worry about being buried alive with Earth Escape talismans on him. Whenever he encountered a sealed-off area, he would take out a Bursting talisman and blow it up to create a passage.
As he went deeper into the mine, the Yin Qi grew denser, and stronger ghosts appeared - not just ordinary ghosts, but also vengeful spirits, and zombies, which possessed physical bodies and had strong resistance against the Soul-Shocking Bell and Lesser Yang True Fire. Dealing with these zombies proved to be quite challenging for Meng Zhang, but eventually, he managed to burn them to ashes with his Lesser Yang True Fire, albeit taking a bit longer.
In addition to the visible ghosts, the invisible Yin Qi was almost everywhere. For ordinary cultivators, prolonged exposure to such Yin Qi would cause severe damage to their bodies. However, Meng Zhang had dealt with Yin Qi many times before and was not worried about this issue. His Lesser Yang True Qi circulated within his body, keeping him warm and protected from the Yin Qi.
This place was not the Trial Ground, and there were no rewards or benefits for eliminating ghosts. While it cost some true qi, Meng Zhang was more concerned about using up Bursting talismans, which were not cheap. With dozens of Bursting talismans in his possession, he couldn't afford to be too profligate. He didn't know how long this situation, where he could only go forward and not retreat, would last.
Before entering the mine, Meng Zhang had observed the surrounding area using the Deception Breaking Eye. Based on the knowledge he gained from the Trial Ground, he had some expertise in divination and geomancy. The location of the mine was surrounded by several hills, forming a naturally Yin area. The underground was a gathering place of Yin Qi and fiendish Qi, a natural breeding ground for ghosts. It was not surprising that so many ghosts appeared here, given the vast number of people who had died in this mine.
However, after entering the mine, Meng Zhang noticed that the environment here was not entirely naturally formed but had traces of artificial arrangement. Thanks to the vast knowledge he gained from the Trial Ground, despite his young age and lack of experience outside, his insights and experience surpassed many seasoned cultivators in the Cultivation World.
The situation inside the mine was undoubtedly the work of Ghost Path cultivators. While Ghost Path cultivators were not as universally reviled as demonic cultivators, they were still detested in the Cultivation World. People naturally had a hostile attitude toward those who manipulated ghosts, and Ghost Path cultivators were more likely to fall into demonic cultivation compared to other cultivators. It was safe to say that at least seven or eight out of ten Ghost Path cultivators would eventually succumb to demonic cultivation and become fully-fledged demonic cultivators.
In the Flying Swan Sect's territory, Ghost Path cultivators were not welcome. If any dared to appear openly, they would be collectively expelled or hunted down by various forces in the area.
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