Chapter 86: The Undead Emerge

Fu Heng's curses from below did not stir Lin Qian's heart in the slightest, nor did they evoke any sympathy. Lin Qian knew that if Fu Heng's plan had succeeded earlier, his methods would have been even more despicable.

Lin Qian's past experiences on the prison island had taught him well: while one can maintain a kind heart, mercy towards an enemy should never be allowed.

As the sky grew darker, those on the top floor of the library began to feel a tinge of unease. The so-called undead were likely to start moving soon.

"Stay alert, everyone. We don't know where these undead will come from," Lin Qian warned. "It's possible that they could emerge from within this very library."

Lin Qian's words made everyone swallow nervously as they carefully scanned their surroundings. On the top floor, Ye Xin subtly moved closer to Lin Qian.

Lin Qian noticed Ye Xin's small gesture and smiled inwardly, thinking, "She's still a girl after all."

With this thought, Lin Qian took the initiative to reach out and gently grasp Ye Xin's soft, delicate hand.

Ye Xin, who had been feeling uneasy about the unknown threat of the undead, felt a wave of reassurance wash over her with Lin Qian's unexpected action. When she shyly glanced up at him, she found his eyes full of warmth and amusement.

Blushing, Ye Xin quickly lowered her head, embarrassed to be caught looking.

Lin Qian chuckled softly and continued to hold her hand as he turned his gaze back to the scene below.

The small sun in this world had set, and the twilight had faded away, replaced by the bright light of the moon, illuminating the ruins. By the moonlight, Lin Qian could see that the thin mist, which had previously hung over the ruins, was now converging into wisps and streams, gathering in a specific direction.

Lin Qian noticed that the mist was being drawn toward the scattered withered trees in the ruins. Unlike the dense forest of dead trees they had previously encountered, the trees here were fewer in number but much larger in size.

As he observed the mist being absorbed into these withered trees, Lin Qian realized the truth.

The mist that had shrouded the ruins during the day was actually being emitted by these trees. During the day, the trees released the mist, but at night, they reabsorbed it.

Lin Qian finally understood why the mist had been so thick in the forest of dead trees, yet barely noticeable in the ruins. The dead trees in the forest were numerous, producing a dense fog, while the fewer trees in the ruins generated only a faint mist.

The others, having noticed the same phenomenon, nodded in agreement.

"It seems these dead trees are similar to spiritual trees, but the opposite in nature," Ye Xin mused aloud after a moment of contemplation.

The others nodded in understanding. Spiritual trees, cultivated by alchemists, absorbed nutrients during the day and released spiritual energy. Many sects, including the Wanxiang Sect, planted spiritual trees to enhance the concentration of spiritual energy within their territories.

"What if these dead trees were originally spiritual trees that underwent a drastic transformation? During the day, instead of producing spiritual energy, they now emit this mind-bewitching mist," Lin Qian suggested.

Lin Qian's words sent chills down everyone's spines. If this were true, what kind of catastrophe had this ancient sect faced to cause such a change in the trees?

While they pondered this unsettling thought, movement below caught their attention.

In the astonished gaze of Lin Qian and the others, they saw the withered trees in the ruins begin to tremble.

The ground around the roots of these trees started to churn, and soon, dark, gaping holes appeared at their bases.

Moments later, pale hands emerged from these dark holes, grasping the edges as the owners of the hands pulled themselves out.

What climbed out were the undead of the death zone. Their skin was deathly pale, their hair tangled and filthy, and their eye sockets were dark hollows, glowing with eerie green flames. They wore tattered remnants of clothing, and their bodies emitted a palpable aura of malevolence.

Despite their decayed appearance, their bodies showed no signs of rot. Under the moonlight, their pale skin even glinted with a metallic sheen.

"Lin Qian, let me go! Release me, or I swear I'll haunt you forever!" Fu Heng's panicked shouts echoed through the night as he struggled against the Binding Rope.

Lin Qian, watching from the top floor of the library, simply nodded. "As you wish."

With a wave of Lin Qian's hand, the golden Binding Rope loosened on its own and fell to the ground, releasing Fu Heng.

"Give me one of those upper-grade Class B recovery pills," Lin Qian said, extending his hand toward Lei Qian.

Without hesitation, Lei Qian handed over a jade bottle. Lin Qian took one pill from it and tossed the bottle back. Then, with a smile, he threw the pill down to Fu Heng. "This is an upper-grade Class B pill. Go ahead, take it."

Lin Qian's action left Ye Xin and the others momentarily stunned. Ding Zhirong was particularly puzzled. "Weren't we going to let him die? Why give him a recovery pill and let him go?"

Below, Fu Heng swallowed the pill and felt his strength rapidly returning. He looked up at Lin Qian and laughed maniacally. "Lin Qian, have you lost your mind? Hahaha..."

With a sneer, Fu Heng activated his essence weaponry, ready to face the advancing undead.

Lin Qian merely smiled and pointed at Fu Heng. "If we don't let him recover, how will we gauge the strength and characteristics of these undead?"

"Compared to you, Fu Heng is indeed strong for a Nirvana realm cultivator in Linhai Prefecture. These seven or eight undead might not be able to handle him, and he could escape," Li Letian said, stroking his chin.

Lin Qian shook his head. "He won't get away. Have you forgotten about the withered forest?"

"But the mist in the withered forest has disappeared at night. It should be easier to leave now, right?" Wang Lanxin asked.

"Did you already forget what we just observed? The withered forest at night is likely more dangerous than during the day," Lin Qian replied with a smile.

His words made everyone realize the gravity of the situation.