Before them lay a long, narrow corridor, which lay strewn with martial artists from several major forces.

The manner of death for these individuals was equally horrific, their bodies shriveled as if all their lifeblood had been sucked dry.

"Lin Chen, we shouldn't continue moving forward. I've detected a strange aura ahead, and it's too powerful for us to handle," Wu Shitong said with apprehension.

At this moment, everyone's faces were solemn, the sound of battle within was exceptionally brutal, and from time to time, martial artists let out piercing, agonized screams.

Lin Chen glanced at the group and said in a heavy voice, "Shi Tong is right, the aura inside is too bizarre. You all retreat first, I'll go in alone and find out what's happening."

Although he knew there were many dangers inside, Lin Chen had no intention of backing down.

After all, it was very likely that inside lay clues to his own origins, and if he missed this opportunity, he might regret it for life.

But it was different for the others, they had no reason to risk their lives for his sake.

"Lin Chen, I am the Director of Bureau 118 and the person responsible for this mission, I will not shrink back no matter what," Xie Wanling said with determination.

"What does Lin Chen take us for? How could we possibly abandon you here alone?" Zhang Yu also spoke with gravity.

"I'm going too. Don't underestimate us, Lin Chen. If you're not afraid to die, naturally we aren't either," Xu Ye said with an indifferent expression.

Wu Shitong clenched her teeth and said, "Lin Chen, take me with you, no matter what lies ahead, I won't be afraid."

Hearing everyone's words, Lin Chen felt warmed inside and nodded to the group, "Thank you all. As long as I, Lin Chen, have breath in me, I will ensure all of you are safe."

Lin Chen and his companions followed the blood-stained corridor toward its depths, with the sounds of battle drawing ever closer.

When the group reached the end of the corridor, the space before them suddenly opened up.

Ahead was a massive palace, and in the center of the palace there was a huge stone coffin which, however, was already open, with a few people fighting a bloodied creature.

A martial artist swung his sword at the monster, but in a flash, it vanished on the spot only to reappear behind the martial artist in the next instant. Its pitch-black claw reached out and grabbed the martial artist's head.

"Ah!"

Accompanied by a scream, the martial artist's essence blood was drained in an instant, and his dead body thudded down to the ground.

"Damn, it's a ghost spirit."

Xu Ye's face shifted slightly.

Although these martial artists were strong fighters from major forces, they were powerless against the ghost spirit.

Soon, the ghost spirit had drained the essence blood of all the strong warriors, and quickly, there was only one strong warrior left in the hall who continued to resist desperately.

This ghost spirit was unusually tricky; with every martial artist it absorbed, its strength would increase by a notch.

Bai Kun's face was extremely grave at the moment. Upon entering the palace, they had opened a stone coffin, expecting to find treasures, but instead, they had unleashed this thing.

The strong warriors from the major forces had all been drained dry by the ghost spirit, and now only he remained, but he was also at the end of his rope.

"Dammit, this ghost spirit has already reached the True Yuan realm; we are no match for it," Zhang Yu's expression darkened slightly.

At this point, Bai Kun's expression was growing worse and worse. The more this ghost thing fought, the stronger it became. At first, he was able to hold his own against it, but after it devoured several martial artists from the major families, its strength only continued to grow, and now even if he wanted to escape, it was very difficult.

"That old ghost from the Bai family is in danger," Zhang Yu said with a hint of a smile.

"He's from the Bai family?" Lin Chen's gaze sharpened. The Bai family was a sworn enemy of his, and if this Family Head of the Bai family, who was already at the True Yuan realm, died here, it would mean eliminating a major threat for himself.

"Indeed, this old ghost is the Bai family's Family Head, Bai Kun; we've met him once at a gathering," Zhang Yu said with a smile.

"What should we do?" Xu Ye asked apprehensively as he looked at the two figures locked in battle in the hall.

The ghost spirit had reached the True Yuan realm, and if they were discovered by it, it would be very difficult for them to escape.

Lin Chen's gaze tightly locked onto the battle, knowing that to reach the depths of the relic, they must pass through this grand hall. If the two fighters inflicted heavy damage upon each other, then they would still have a chance.

"Let's watch a bit longer!" Lin Chen said with a furrowed brow.

Just then, a sudden change occurred in the hall. Bai Kun feinted an attack and turned to flee, and to Lin Chen's dismay, the old codger was running right in their direction.

"Damn it, this bastard has spotted us, and he wants to use us as a shield!"

"Retreat, fast!"

Lin Chen said to the others, his face turning pale.

Bai Kun, looking at Lin Chen's group, showed a vicious smile, "Trying to run? Stay behind and block the ghosts for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Kun waved his hand, intending to close the stone door.

Lin Chen's eyes sharpened as he leaped up, blocking Bai Kun's attack.

"You all get out of here!" Lin Chen roared at the others.

"Lin Chen, we won't leave you behind," Xie Wanling stubbornly yelled back.

Seeing that none of them were willing to leave, Lin Chen's expression grew uglier.

He landed and kicked Xu Ye's backside.

A burst of energy emanated, pushing the others directly out of the stone door.

Then, with a swing of the Thunder Sword, boom, the stone door was sealed by Lin Chen's attack.

"You bastard, are you seeking death by blocking the stone door?" Bai Kun said furiously.

Bai Kun roared furiously, "Kid, come over here and block this damned ghost for me!" Waving his hand, a surge of energy came hurtling toward Lin Chen, trying to pull him over.

"Dream on if you think I'll be your scapegoat!" Lin Chen snorted coldly as he slashed the Thunder Sword through the air.

A fire serpent split the wave of energy in two and cleaved towards Bai Kun.

Bai Kun's face showed a ferocious grin, flicking his wrist, he threw an ice blade, shattering Lin Chen's fire serpent.

"Just a fire element, do you think you can escape my grasp?"

Suddenly, he fixed his gaze, because as the firelight dissipated, a bolt of thunder shot towards Bai Kun.

"How is this possible!" Bai Kun's face paled, never having expected the fire-affiliated Lin Chen to unleash a metal-oriented attack.

"Crack!"

Bai Kun's leg was struck by Lin Chen's attack, causing his body to falter.

In that instant, the ghost had already entwined itself around Bai Kun from behind!

"No, don't!"

Bai Kun's body was devoured by a black mist.

Although Bai Kun fought desperately, his vital essence was still being devoured by the ghost, bit by bit.

"Thud!" Bai Kun's emaciated corpse collapsed to the ground.

Behind Bai Kun, a shadow slowly stood up.

Step by step, the shadow walked towards Lin Chen: "Tsk tsk, I never imagined I'd be this lucky to have so many fools provide me nourishment and this perfect body," the shadow said.

Hearing the ghost's words, Lin Chen's face changed: "Damn it, this bastard wants to possess someone!"