Looking at the long, dim passageway, Niannian felt a bit queasy inside.
There was no light at the end, not even the end itself was visible.
It was as if a huge monster in the distance had opened its blood - red jaws, waiting for her to approach and then deal a fatal blow. It made her feel uneasy.
She involuntarily took a few steps back.
Shen Weixun turned around and saw that instead of moving forward, Niannian was quietly stepping back, which was out of character for her. He couldn't help but stop.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Niannian shook her head. She seemed to be born without the nerve for fear. Although she felt a bit uneasy, she wasn't afraid.
It was as if there was a voice calling her, calling her name and inviting her to go forward.
Who was it?
Her strong curiosity urged her to take a step forward, gradually walking side by side with Shen Weixun.
They walked forward in silence. When they were halfway through, they heard a chaotic sound of footsteps behind them.
Looking back, they saw He Qing and the other two who had set out, as well as the strong man who had inherited Lu Ban's craftsmanship.
And the man who had fought with the strong man before.
"The others are guarding above in case of emergencies and to prevent our escape route from being cut off. The four of us discussed and came to help you. There's no reason to let you two kids take the lead while we sit back like useless people."
He Qing pushed his glasses. His pupils had somehow turned vertical.
That was the unique shape of a snake's eyes.
Ah, it seemed that the immortal had possessed him.
"Hehe, I don't have any special skills. I'm just thick - skinned and can take a beating. Generally, demons and ghosts can't get close to me. Oh, by the way, my name is Tieniu."
The man who had been beaten on the ground by the strong man scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
There was no sign of any supernatural power on him. Niannian curiously did a simple divination.
The result was a bit unexpected. He had the family - inherited Golden Bell Shield technique and was also of the pure - yang body.
Well, no wonder he was thick - skinned and could take a beating. Demons and ghosts couldn't do anything to him.
These four people were indeed relatively powerful on the island.
With them around, it gave them a bit more peace of mind.
"One more person means one more strength. Thank you, brothers."
Little Tuanzi obediently thanked them with a milky smile.
"Hey, no need to thank. You're so cute!"
The strong man felt a bit embarrassed. It was the first time he had ever come into contact with such a soft and milky - looking kid.
He had a rough appearance. Due to years of sawing wood with iron tools, his muscles were extremely well - developed.
He looked so big that few kids would get close to him.
Niannian was the first kid who didn't cry but showed a smile when seeing him.
"Hehe..."
Being praised for her cuteness, Little Tuanzi was overjoyed.
The first time she saw this big brother, she really wanted to back off. But that was just because of the huge difference in their body sizes. The sense of oppression made people feel uncomfortable.
She wasn't actually afraid.
"Alright, let's not waste time. Let's go quickly."
Like Niannian, Shen Weixun also felt a tinge of uneasiness in his heart.
This slight uneasiness wasn't enough to make him back down, but it was enough to make him anxious.
If they didn't get out of here quickly, he always felt that something unexpected was going to happen.
Niannian nodded slightly and followed Senior Brother Shen forward.
The people who had caught up later followed behind.
Soon they reached the end.
There was only a ladder extending vertically upwards. They had to climb it.
Shen Weixun took the lead and climbed to the top in a few moments.
The wooden board sealing the top wasn't fixed tightly. It opened with a gentle push.
After Shen Weixun climbed up, he first observed the surroundings to make sure there was no abnormality or danger before letting Little Tuanzi climb up.
After everyone had reached the ground, they finally had the time to carefully observe the surrounding environment.
In front of them was a building that looked like a ancestral hall.
It was very dilapidated, with many holes in the roof.
The main door of the ancestral hall was gone. From the outside, they could clearly see the memorial tablets lying haphazardly on the ground inside.
There was also a small door beside the place where the memorial tablets were enshrined. There was a curtain hanging in front of the small door.
The curtain was very clean, which was extremely out of place in such an old and dilapidated ancestral hall.
Shen Weixun looked around warily and then slowly walked to the curtain. He pulled it open and saw pearls piled up on both sides of the floor. In the center was a table, and on the table lay a huge strange fish.
The fish had a very strange appearance. Its body was like an upturned small cauldron. It had a bird - like head but fish - like fins. Its belly had been cut open in the middle and was stuffed with pearls. Occasionally, a pearl would roll to the ground with a cracking sound.
"Senior Brother Shen, it's still alive."
Tears welled up in Niannian's eyes in an instant.
She clearly felt the sad and desperate emotions conveyed by the fish.
It made her feel stuffy and extremely uncomfortable.
She also saw that there was a half - human outline protruding from the fish's body.
It was hazy, as if it was the fish's soul.
The nearly transparent figure was struggling and wailing.
It was writhing its body, desperately trying to break free from some kind of restraint but to no avail.
"Cro... cro... cro..."
The fish lying on the table suddenly let out a howl. It turned its head with a piercing look in its eyes and thrashed its body back and forth.
"Help... me... kill... me... Kill me, and the curse will disappear..."
The Biyi fish managed to utter five words. Its eyes were full of pleading.
It was a longing for death.
The people present instantly understood what was going on. For a moment, they felt a chill run down their spines.
The curse was real, and the blood - covered people were real too. But the Biyi fish wasn't dead. Instead, it had been captured and imprisoned here.
The curse of the Biyi fish was for revenge, for death, and to trap the evil people on the island.
The people on the island were willing to turn into monsters in order to obtain wealth.
They guarded the half - dead Biyi fish and were willing to cower here forever rather than let it die a quick death.
The blood - covered people tried every means to break out of their cages and tortured the Biyi fish. Neither side was willing to let the other go.
The Biyi fish should still have a long lifespan, but it couldn't escape its current predicament.
At this moment, it probably just wanted a quick and painless release, rather than waiting for death in such a long - lasting pain.
They had been deceived.
In the end, they had still been deceived.
Niannian silently took out a Miao knife from her small satchel and slowly walked forward.
She rarely killed living things and never killed innocent lives.
Even if the other side was a demon or a ghost.
But now, in order to fulfill the Biyi fish's wish, Little Tuanzi decided to break this rule.
It was in so much pain.
If this act was considered harming the innocent and she would have to bear the sin, she was willing to do so.
Niannian's eyes were full of tears. She stroked the fish's body with her small hand and whispered, "You're in so much pain, aren't you? It's okay. I'll help you."