Reborn in a cultivation world with my Ex girlfriends-Chapter 49: A Game of Ghosts and Schemes

Wang Li and Lan Yue rushed deeper into the tomb, their breaths shallow as they navigated the winding corridors. The ember pulsed faintly in Wang Li's storage ring, a reminder of what they had just barely managed to keep.

"That masked guy was strong," Wang Li muttered, rubbing his temple. "If he really wanted to, he could've killed us and taken the ember."

Lan Yue didn't slow down. "That's what worries me. He didn't need to fight us—because he has other plans."

They turned a sharp corner and entered a massive underground chamber, its walls lined with eerie carvings of ancient cultivators locked in battle. In the center of the room stood a large, ominous altar with runes that glowed faintly.

Wang Li felt a chill. "This place gives me bad vibes."

Lan Yue frowned. "We need to be careful. These runes aren't just for decoration. They were used for sealing something... or someone."

Wang Li glanced around, his instincts screaming at him to move. "What if whatever they sealed isn't dead?"

Almost as if answering his question, the room trembled. Dust rained from above, and suddenly, the glowing runes flickered, their light dimming.

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Lan Yue cursed. "Someone's breaking the seal!"

Wang Li drew his dagger. "You think it's Masked Creeper?"

Before she could answer, the air in the room grew suffocating. A chilling presence descended upon them.

A low growl echoed through the chamber, and a massive shadow slithered from the cracks in the floor. A monstrous spirit wraith—a half-formed entity of darkness and hunger—rose from the altar, its hollow eyes fixated on them.

Lan Yue tightened her grip on her sword. "This is bad."

Wang Li smirked despite himself. "When is it ever good?"

The wraith lunged. They scattered.

Wang Li rolled to the side just as its claw-like tendrils slashed through the stone where he had stood. Lan Yue retaliated with a swift sword strike, her golden blade cutting through the air with a sharp hum. The wraith recoiled, its ethereal form flickering, but it didn't dissipate.

"This thing's tough!" Wang Li muttered.

Lan Yue didn't reply—she was already weaving intricate movements, her sword forming a radiant arc as she slashed again. The wraith howled but didn't fall. Instead, its body began to regenerate.

Wang Li cursed. "It's healing?! Oh, that's just unfair."

Lan Yue clicked her tongue. "Normal attacks won't work. We need to find its core."

Wang Li's eyes flicked across the room. He spotted a faintly glowing sigil on the altar. "There! The runes—destroy them!"

Lan Yue nodded and leaped forward. But the wraith was faster. A shadow tendril lashed out, aiming straight for her.

Wang Li didn't think—he reacted. He flung his dagger, the Shadowfang, straight at the tendril, severing it in a flash of black light. The wraith shrieked, momentarily stunned.

Lan Yue seized the opportunity. She reached the altar and drove her sword straight into the glowing sigil.

The effect was immediate. The wraith let out a soul-piercing screech as the sealing magic exploded outward in a burst of golden energy.

The dark form twisted violently, its shadowy limbs flailing. Then, in an instant, it imploded, vanishing into the ether.

Silence fell.

Lan Yue wiped her brow. "That was too close."

Wang Li retrieved his dagger and gave a tired grin. "I'm getting really sick of all these undead things."

Before they could relax, however, a familiar voice echoed from the corridor behind them.

"Impressive. You two make quite the team."

The masked man was back.

Lan Yue's eyes narrowed. "Did you know that thing was in here?"

The man chuckled. "Perhaps. But why should I get my hands dirty when I have such capable... assistants?"

Wang Li glared. "You planned this? You wanted us to fight it?"

The masked man tilted his head. "Let's just say I enjoy seeing how people handle unexpected challenges."

Wang Li's hands clenched into fists. "You son of a—"

The masked man raised a hand, cutting him off. "Relax. I didn't come to fight. In fact, I came to make you an offer."

Lan Yue crossed her arms. "What kind of offer?"

The masked man stepped forward, his silver mask glinting. "I represent a faction that deals in knowledge, power, and... hidden truths."

Wang Li frowned. "Sounds shady as hell."

The man chuckled. "The world isn't as black and white as your sect would like you to believe."

Lan Yue scoffed. "Let me guess. You want us to betray our sect and join your little secret group?"

The masked man's smirk widened. "I wouldn't call it betrayal. More like... expanding your horizons."

Wang Li exchanged a glance with Lan Yue. Neither of them trusted this guy.

But something about his words nagged at Wang Li.

What hidden truths was he talking about?

The masked man sighed. "No answer? That's fine. I won't rush you. But the world is much larger than you think, Wang Li. When you're ready to see it for yourself, seek me out."

With that, he turned and disappeared once more, his presence vanishing like mist.

Wang Li exhaled. "This guy is seriously creepy."

Lan Yue sheathed her sword. "And dangerous. We need to be on guard."

Wang Li nodded, but his thoughts lingered.

Just what had they stumbled into?