Moreover, the area surrounding the temple was barren, devoid of any vegetation, exuding an air of peculiarity.
It was unreasonable that there was nothing to uncover.
"Let us withdraw," Fongo declared, leading his companions outside.
Turning to the nearby graveyard guards, he commanded, "Dismantle the temple.
" His words elicited a moment of astonishment from the others.
"Are you mad? Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the deities?" Luo Lee exclaimed, her hair standing on end at the mere thought of demolishing a temple.
Her reaction sparked an epiphany in Fong Ho, reinforcing his resolve.
"Dismantle it.
" The surrounding guards, unburdened by any moral qualms, immediately obeyed Fong Hows orders, brandishing their weapons to commence the demolition.
A cacophony of crashes ensued as the temple s roof and walls were swiftly reduced to rubble.
The already cracked statue toppled amidst the chaos.
The debris was unceremoniously discarded onto the nearby ground.
As the statue crashed down, a pitch black entrance was revealed beneath its pedestal.
Indeed, the statue was but a ruse devised by the Red Duke.
Understanding the fear that the populace held for the divine, no one dared to defile the temple.
The thoughts of the others mirrored in Jia.
No one was willing to desecrate the statue.
There truly is something here.
And Jia exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.
The Red Duke had astutely recognized that the fear of the temple would deter any attempts at destruction, showcasing his cunning.
"What should we do next?" And Xiao inquired, "I shall employ the skeletal gray sparrow once more.
" Fong Hao responded, resuming his previous position.
The skeletal gray sparrow took flight again, darting into the hollow beneath the statue as space.
Sunlight streamed through the opening, illuminating a vast space.
The walls were composed of ochre stone slabs, intricately carved with elaborate patterns and embedded with numerous solar essences.
A stone staircase appeared on one side leading downward.
The gray sparrow approached, gliding down the staircase.
On the second level, the expansive space mirrored the first, featuring the same yellow stone walls adorned with intricate designs and solar essences.
However, on either side of the walls stood several stone coffins.
According to the customs of the Blood Clan, these coffins likely housed the foes of this level.
Behind the coffins, an entrance leading further down was visible, indicating that this place extended beyond merely two levels.
Fungho refrained from directing the Gray Sparrow any closer, instead allowing it to return along its original path.
He released the divine state, awakening from his trance.
Upon noticing the hopeful gazes of the others, Fong how elucidated.
Below lies the construction of the downward tower where we have discovered a stone sarcophagus on the second level.
Given the characteristics of the blood clan, it is likely that our adversary resides within.
And what comes next? And Jia inquired further.
Let us proceed.
Arrange for personnel to descend with caution.
Fong how instructed.
Understood.
The group responded quickly dividing their tasks.
The confined internal space limited Fong house combat effectiveness.
Thus, he and Inja would remain outside.
Domiga and Luo Lee would lead 10 grave guards into the depths, prepared to retreat swiftly in the face of danger while also having the option to summon additional grave guards for support.
A rope ladder was lowered into the opening.
Domiga led the team into the cavern while Fongghao commanded the skeletal gray sparrow which perched upon the shoulder of one of the accompanying graveguards.
"It's quite hot here!" exclaimed Lu Lee, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
Fong Ha! Through the gray sparrow felt no temperature.
Yet upon observing Luo Lee's condition, he could surmise the oppressive heat surrounding them.
The essence of the sun permeated the area, providing an abundance of thermal energy.
Domiga offered a brief explanation, directing his gaze towards the entrance to the next level.
Let's descend.
The team commenced their cautious descent down the stone steps.
Just as they neared the second subterranean level, Luo Lee suddenly cautioned, "Stop! They're traps!" Yet her warning came too late.
The foremost grave guard had already stepped onto the final stone step.
Crack! The steps sank.
The stone panels of the adjacent wall slid open, revealing a multitude of ominous black arrow slits.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Arrows as thick as javelins swore forth, hurtling towards the group.
Chapter 273.
The soulseeking corpse! Bang! Bang! Bang! Arrows shot forth from the arrow slits in the wall, accompanied by a haunting whistle.
The six grave guardians at the forefront were caught off guard, instantly struck by the arrows.
Their bodies, soaring like kites, severed from their strings before being impaled against the opposite wall.
One guardian skull was shattered while three others suffered crushed necks and vertebrae, succumbing to immediate death, their bones scattered upon the ground.
The remaining two guardians, their metal plate armorpierced, were hit in the chest and shoulder respectively.
Though they survived, their combat efficacy was severely diminished.
They had originally brought 10 soldiers, and this trap had taken half their forces in an instant.
Fongo observed the unfolding scene through the perspective of the Grey Sparrow.
When he had sent the Sparrow in to scout, it had been in flight, thereby evading any traps.
Only now did he realize the presence of such perilous mechanisms.
Thud, thud, thud.
without granting the group ample time for contemplation.
A series of vehement knocks resonated from within the stone sarcophagus at the end of the chamber.
Bang! Following a resounding crash.
The sealed lid of the coffin was forcefully lifted and five figures swiftly arose from within.
At that moment, Fongo caught sight of the information regarding the foes emerging from the sarcophagus.
Soulseeking corpse, eighth tier.
The corpses, now sitting upright, moved their stiff bodies with a jerky motion.
Their forms were highly decomposed with flesh long since decayed, exposing their ghastly white bones.
They resembled the zombies Fong Ho had encountered before, perhaps of a more advanced kind.
Clad in tattered battle armor, the corpses turned their heads rigidly, fixing their gaze upon Fong How and his companions.
Subsequently, they retrieved long swords from their respective coffins and began to emerge from the stone sarcophagi.
Are there any more traps? Domiga inquired once more.
Yes, there should be a trap in the middle, Lui indicated, pointing toward the stone slab positioned centrally in the hall.
A mere inclination to inspect would reveal that this slab rose approximately 5 mm above the ground.
Crack.
No sooner had Luo Lee spoken than one of the recently risen soulseeking corpses staggered forward, placing a foot upon the elevated stone slab.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Another volley of arrows as thick as javelins shot forth from side, impaling the two approaching corpses and hanging them against the distant wall.
"Well, it seems that trap has been triggered," Luo Lee remarked.
Domigan nodded, promptly issuing the command, "Avance and slay them.
The graveguardians, having received the order, brandished their long swords and charged towards the remaining three soul-seeking corpses.
The two distinctly different forms of the undead engaged in fierce combat.
The skirmish did not endure for long.
The three corpses were swiftly dispatched, while the two that had triggered the mechanism and were suspended against the wall met their end at the hands of passing graveguardians.
With all foes eliminated, an immediate silence enveloped the surroundings.
At the end of the path leading to the next level, the graveyard guardians brought forth a silver chest.
However, Fong Halo, still in the form of skeletal gray sparrow, found himself somewhat powerless when it came to opening such a chest.
He suggested they lift the chest higher and bolster their numbers.
Flapping his wings, he remarked that there was no rush to open the chest.
A silver chest did not evoke overwhelming excitement, and they could open it together.