The haunting spell was cast, and suddenly a pale purple huge vortex appeared at the mouth of the well. The powerful suction force quickly pulled countless ghostly figures towards the well's mouth.
The ghosts let out a chorus of screams. One after another, they fell into the well. The ghosts in the distance tried to escape, but were all sucked down and lost their footing.
In Yusra's astonished gaze, I walked forward proudly.
Right in front of me was the ruined city wall and gate of the Ghost City. Just looking at these huge stones, if it weren't for the map's indication, I really couldn't figure out that these stones were the defense facilities of this huge city back then.
As I approached, I thought, how can we rebuild it? Should I build the city wall myself using these huge stones? But, with my level, it's impossible for me to build it exactly as it was back then. Besides, I also need to be able to move them.
I turned to Yusra and asked, "You've been here for so long. Do you have any insights on rebuilding the Ghost City?"
Yusra turned her head and snorted, "You're so powerful. You're doing this task all by yourself. Why ask me anything?"
What a hassle! If the person in front of me was a man, that would be great. Even if he was only level 0 and knew nothing, it would be better than this witch. At least, it wouldn't affect my mood.
I suppressed my anger and patiently said, "Miss Yusra, since we are doing the same task now, of course we need to pool our wisdom and think of ways. Two people are definitely better than one."
Yusra's voice suddenly became dull, and it was hard to hear clearly: "I've been fighting monsters for the past half month. I have no time to think."
I finally understood. If I stayed here for half a month without finding any clues, I might be like her and not be able to say anything.
I asked curiously, "Your burden is quite heavy. The materials you brought can last for half a month."
Yusra snorted and said, "I always cast spells with the bones on the ground. You can't see that there's not a single bone here?"
I was startled. It was really strange that a girl was holding a handful of bones and chanting an unknown language every day, in the ruins.
We followed the map's indication and headed towards the city center. We continued to subdue the ghosts in the city, and as the number of ghosts decreased, the sky no longer became gloomy.
I asked in confusion, "Could the Ghost City lose its self-repair ability because it was shrouded by the ghosts'怨气? If so, the generations of experts should have a way to solve it, right?"
Yusra now wasn't arguing with me as much. She said seriously, "Yes, high-level Taoists, wizards, monks, and priests all have methods to eliminate ghosts."
The buildings of the Ghost City were mostly destroyed. I wondered how fierce the battle was back then. Perhaps it would take several ultimate magic spells to cause such extensive damage.
We couldn't find any clues for the moment. I started looking for treasures in the ruins. So many high-ranking people couldn't complete the task. I couldn't do it either. I can't come here for nothing. In ancient cities, finding something is better than nothing, even if it's not good equipment, it can still be considered an antique.
Yusra followed me for a while, constantly giving me a contemptuous look behind me, making me feel uncomfortable. I turned and coughed, "Why are you following me stupidly? Help me look around too, see if there are any clues that can help us restore the Ghost City."
Yusra snorted and said sarcastically, "Alright, you know how to search these places. Why don't others know? You don't know that the first batch of thousands of people sent by the king here had already searched this place thoroughly?"
My face turned red. I said, "We can't ignore the task clues. Maybe they missed something by accident."
Yusra turned and walked away. "Then just search slowly. I'm going to practice the array magic. By the way, I forgot to tell you, the 'Food Beast' appears throughout the Ghost City. Even if the treasure is buried several kilometers underground, they can drill through the ground and eat it."
My secret was exposed and my face turned bright red. Fortunately, no one saw it. However, I was somewhat skeptical. When Yusra walked away, I took out a spare golden sword and placed it on the ground.
Suddenly, all the ruins in the city made a noise at the same time. Then, from the ground and beneath the huge rocks, countless creatures like ground squirrels emerged. They were shining with various colors, some like metal, some like gems. In a moment, I was stunned by the terrifying clicking sound. Looking down, I saw hundreds of "treasure-hunting beasts" had bitten my golden sword until it was completely gone.
I fled in terror, but the treasure-hunting beasts obviously wouldn't attack humans or anything equipped on their bodies. Soon, the treasure-hunting beasts disappeared together, and everything seemed as if nothing had happened around me.
I let out a sigh of relief and looked around. It seemed that the treasure-hunting plan had failed as well. I should better study how to do this task. After a few days of research, Yusra would probably have mastered the array spell to the expert level and be able to go out.
In the following days, I searched everywhere for the escaped ghosts and collected them one by one into the jar. However, contrary to my imagination, I thought that since these ghosts had been "conquered", they should be able to listen to my summons and I could build a ghost army. It seemed that such a good thing was impossible. Hehe.
I tried to fight a seemingly very weak ghost. The ghost also had levels, HP and various attributes, and the attack effect was equivalent to dark magic. However, my physical attack and most of the magic were ineffective against it. Only fireballs and priest magic could scare it away.
The ghosts were basically nowhere to be found. I began to use the archaeological technique to excavate the buildings I was most interested in according to the map of the ancient city. Such as the governor's mansion, the library, the magic academy, the temple, etc.
The harvest was still considerable. Although most of the ancient books had weathered, I still learned many skills and production methods from the stone carvings and parchment books. These were quite different from modern ones, and they benefited me a lot. Besides, there were many books, and with my archaeological technique and the universal instrument, I still couldn't understand them. So I kept them.
There was nothing to play with. Let's see how Yusra's array spell is going.
Yusra was always setting up the array in the wild. We didn't talk for these few days, and when we met, she didn't even raise her eyes. It seemed that she was very dedicated.
I called out to her from afar: "Great Wizard, how is your array going?"
Yusra trembled and called out to me: "Don't come closer! Be careful... Be careful, my array might take your life!"
I stopped immediately, and I was a little puzzled. Although Yusra still had that same tone, not at all gentle, her voice seemed a little weak, different from before.
Perhaps she was tired. Studying the array all day long must have taken a lot of mental energy.
I smiled: "Great Wizard, take a rest. I'll make you some dishes, and this steel bed can be placed here. You can sleep for a while."
Yusra coldly said: "Don't worry about me."
Her voice was still a little weak. I couldn't bear to contradict her anymore. I smiled and placed the steel bed on the ground: "How long until you reach the expert level?"
Yusra still said coldly: "Do you think it's as easy as upgrading from beginner to intermediate? I only just upgraded from super-grade one to super-grade two. It will take another half month to reach the expert level."
I was stunned. It turns out that it's so difficult to improve skills. I can't wait. Without me, I don't know how my friendship town would change.
Just the losses in the town could deplete the town's funds within a few days. We can't keep Baxter helping us all the time.
The lottery event couldn't be held without my Fire God's Eye showing up. The other people's items were at most at the precious grade. Now they have no more appeal. Besides, the Baxter brothers had already sold several precious-grade items a few days ago. I was anxious in my heart, pacing back and forth in the city with a troubled expression. Suddenly, a brilliant thought flashed through my mind: "Teleportation Array!"
Haha, with a teleportation array, I would become the leader of the town again and could directly open the teleportation between Friendship Town and the Dark City! Great! I'm truly a genius!
Excitedly, I took out the materials and wanted to start construction, but the system warned: "This place cannot have a teleportation array."
Strange! The existing buildings couldn't be repaired, and new buildings couldn't be built either. What was the reason?
I tried other buildings again, but none could be built. Suddenly, I jumped up: "The founding stone of the city!"
Could it be that the founding stone of the Dark City was no longer here? Was it stolen by the Demon God? Was it stolen by the people in the city? Or... Oh dear, couldn't it be the "Food Beast"?
I first looked for the temple where the founding stone was placed according to the map. The founding stone was a secret, not marked on the map, but for someone like me who knew about it, it wasn't a difficult task, because above the temple, there had to be a mound of earth, and the orientation also had to be considered. If it was the temple where the founding stone was placed, it couldn't be too far from the city center.
Soon, I found the place, beneath the city bell tower ruins.
Using the excavation technique, I dug the secret passage, and then used the "Disassembly Technique" of the thief to dismantle the mechanisms on the road. Fortunately, due to the long age and the key components of the mechanisms being eaten by the Food Beast, it wasn't too difficult.
Finally, I entered the interior of the temple. This temple had a style slightly different from modern times, but obviously more effective. I didn't have the time to observe, and pushed open the main hall door.
On the murals inside the temple, all were ancient stories of the Dark City, the characters were lifelike, and the scenery was as real as if it were there. I was stunned for a while, and only came to my senses when I realized that it wasn't the time to learn painting. Besides, my painting skills had already reached full level.
My gaze fell on the altar in the center, where the place where the founding stone was supposed to be placed was empty.
A rustling sound came, and I looked in the direction of the sound. A smaller creature than the others was lying in the corner of the wall. Although this little creature's head was still smaller than a baby's fist, its belly was high and bulging, as big as a watermelon! Judging from its appearance, it seemed very uncomfortable and weak.
There was a small hole punched on the wall of the temple, just big enough for its head to pass through. However, with its huge belly now, it was impossible.
Haha, I immediately realized that my judgment was correct. It was this Food Beast that swallowed the founding stone!
I drew out the long knife and staff, and first cast a detection spell: "Tyrant, a 60-level boss, unknown attributes."
My hand trembled, but fortunately, the detection was successful. A 60-level boss! Although it was inconvenient to move now, any spell would probably be too much for me to handle.
Let's get Yusra, it would be safer for two of us, and if I had to complete this task alone, wouldn't she have been wasting half a month here?
I ran out of the city quickly and shouted loudly to Yusra: "I found a solution, hurry up, come with me!"
Yusra's head seemed to raise, but then immediately dropped down, as if saying something. I didn't hear it.
I approached her strangely, around the array on the ground, and I found that she was indeed not right.
Taking a few more steps closer, I carefully pushed her, and her body fell softly.
I was shocked. What happened to this girl?
Yusra's low voice came, and I finally understood: "You... go away... I... I'm sick..."
My heart tightened. According to the legend, people who came to the Dark City would later contract a fatal disease and die. Could it be that Yusra was also infected!
I rushed over, touched her forehead, and my hand was pushed back. I could only lift her veil.
Under the veil was a terrifying face that seemed scorched by fire, only the area above the eyes was smooth and beautiful. My heart trembled, completely not expecting her face to be like this.
Yusra weakly raised her hand as if trying to cover her veil. I hurriedly helped her cover it up. However, I could clearly see that her face was pale and she was indeed ill.
I quickly performed the healing spell on her and took out some advanced medicine for her to take. The experience of previous illnesses still remained vivid in my memory. My medicine was still of high quality.
Yusra's weak voice came: "It's no use. My profession is doctor and alchemist. Since the first day I came here, I have been treating myself. Today, it's finally too late..."
Looking at her appearance and hearing her weak voice, the aversion I had towards her seemed to have vanished. I only felt a great pain in my heart, as if a good friend was about to leave me.
I forced a smile: "Fortunately, you're gone. You can go back outside now and prepare new materials. Don't use mine anymore..."
Yusra softly said: "You don't know? When players enter here, the resurrection point is automatically set to the Ghost City. Otherwise, I would have died out here already..."