Netherworld Retrograde

Outside the train window, the scenery silently twisted and faded.

The last embers of the sunset sank thoroughly into the horizon, as if pulling away the last trace of warmth from the world.

Darkness, thick as ink, instantly swallowed the entire forest, with a biting cold creeping in like a living creature, sneaking silently into the carriage through the closed window crevices.

The vibrant and lush jungle had completed a horrifying transformation in a very short time.

Those lush trees seemed to have been scorched by invisible flames, leaving only charred, twisted skeletons of dead wood, their jagged branches stabbing towards the leaden sky like countless ghostly claws scratching at the void in despair.

Bark peeled and mottled, revealing the pale or decayed interior beneath, indistinct in the dense night.

An intermittent, mournful cry of unknown origin drifted, sometimes distant, sometimes near, through the air.

Simultaneously, the scenery outside the window began to offer a suffocating sensation of repetition.

The same twisted deadwood extended at the same eerie angles, the outlines of peculiar rocks emerged and disappeared in the dark, and even clusters of faintly glowing lights at the roots of the deadwood, akin to ghostly fire, appeared in sight minutes later.

Again and again. It was as if this speeding train was trapped in an endless loop, a bizarre scroll made of bones and darkness with no way out.

The train's headlights cut through the night over and over, yet were swallowed by the darkness time and again.

If it were other caravans or travelers, they would probably be terrified by now, believing they had encountered a ghostly wall.

Yet inside the carriage of the Netherworld Train, the human warriors witnessing this scene were engulfed in confusion, bewilderment, and disbelief. There was not the slightest hint of fear!

They were eating hotpot and singing songs, and when they went out, they were robbed by bandits?

What a joke! Is there truly anyone foolish enough to rob Champion Team One?

Both of the champions were on the train, eating hotpot!

Even the Little Mad King, always expressionless, showed surprise.

Immediately, everyone's dubious eyes turned to Li Yelai.

"Did your curse activate?" Yang Chen asked in confusion.

After all, to be able to draw out enemies in such circumstances might only be achieved by the Giant City's greatest 'Monster Brushing Cage'.

The attention of everyone left Li Yelai silent, and he reluctantly spoke: "Don't look at me like this... If my curse had triggered, the Netherworld Train would have already broken down."

Li Yelai's You Must Meet Strong Enemies and Vehicle Killer are linked and will trigger together.

If the curse truly triggered, the situation that might arise: the Netherworld Train would suddenly derail, the train body flipping and disintegrating, with the compartment where Li Yelai is turning over dozens of times and ultimately crashing onto some rocks. Then, climbing out of the carriage, Li Yelai would immediately face some strong enemy.

And the so-called strong enemies include but aren't limited to, forbidden items yet to be discovered and now out of control. Some Void Realm Creature sealed in this area. Some hidden hostile force or Extraordinary Creature...

Don't ask Li Yelai why he's so sure; this is a conclusion he's tested personally.

"So it's not your You Must Meet Strong Enemies, but truly someone planning to rob us?" Yang Chen took a deep breath: "Could it be the Supremes have teamed up to rob us?"

Yang Chen was shocked, and the other strong warriors also looked peculiar. Is there really someone so daring?

Alright, alright, this isn't your ordinary bandit; we must respond with force!

"We're still about two hundred kilometers from No.1 Border City."

"We've traversed back and forth in this region multiple times yet could never escape this valley. Is it similar to a Mobius Ring?"

"More like a ghostly wall... a ghost? Returning Soul?"

"It shouldn't be; the Returning Souls are afraid of us too. Which Returning Soul is so bold?"

The leaders of Team One were discussing in confusion.

"It looks like a ghost, but can even the Netherworld Train be locked?" After thinking for a moment, Yang Chen asked: "Has this situation happened before?"

After acquiring the Netherworld Train, humans began constructing the traffic network of the four Giant Cities as military and commercial routes.

Especially the road leading to the rear Giant City, Lava Mine City, multiple paths were established.

But time was short, and no direct route between No.1 Border City and No.3 Border City existed yet.

Currently, the plan is to use this opportunity to pave a new route with the train.

The chosen path was officially measured and investigated.

"This nearby area..." After pondering, Zu Chao responded: "Indeed, there have been some incidents here, located in the back area and relatively safe. Caravans and Scavengers do visit, but as the mountain roads are rough, the number is small and gathering spots scarce."

"The initial plan from the Giant City was to design a transit station here. But I remember, colleagues from No.1 Border City shared with me that during their investigations, they heard of caravans disappearing after nightfall."

"And after some time, they would find caravans on the mountain roads, with all fuel consumed, food and ammunition depleted, and everyone missing. They had sent the Ye Boshou team to investigate yet found nothing. Such situations occasionally occur, but the truth remains elusive. The disappearance location is quite distant from here. Unexpectedly, we're affected this far off."

"Disappearing after nightfall, hard to find another time... indeed sounds like a ghost." Yang Chen said: "Any other information?"

"Nothing else, this region is far from our City No.3. Never thought it extends to here."

"So, here lies a possible ghost, randomly selecting victims, and right now it just happened to choose us? At this point, not sure whether their luck is bad or ours is good." Yang Chen couldn't help but chuckle: "Thanks to you, Night General."

Li Yelai helplessly shrugged: "I truly didn't activate the curse."

Yang Chen chuckled, nodding at Zu Chao and said: "Keep the Netherworld Train speeding; in a bit, slow down and pretend the fuel is exhausted."

"Alright." The several leaders understood, each heading off to prepare.

After the others left, Li Yelai said seriously: "It might be Heavenly Destiny Walker."

"Yes." Yang Chen also nodded: "Indeed, there's a significant chance. With their methods, they might precisely lead us into a ghostly territory. Nor are they afraid of alerting the enemy..."

"If unaware of the Heavenly Destiny Walkers beforehand, facing this circumstance, one might merely chalk it up to bad luck. The Returning Souls might be exploited by them." Cheese pondered: "Perhaps it's a probe, or maybe a delay?"

"Both possibilities are likely." Yang Chen gazed into the darkness outside: "Well, given the encounter, we can't let go of these Returning Souls. Exterminate them!"

After futilely racing for several hours, the Netherworld Train gradually slowed down, stopping in the wilderness as if its fuel were exhausted, like a cold coffin abandoned in the center of a wild graveyard.

And as the train halted, a brightly illuminated gigantic manor suddenly floated into view beside the train. With pointed roofs, towers, and elaborate sculptures shimmering in splendor under the brilliant lights, it sketched out a large and distinct silhouette, casting long and twisted shadows that extended to the cold steel hull of the train.

Meanwhile, an ancient court dance melody emanated from within the manor, echoing across this once desolate wilderness filled only with dry wood's wailing and dead silence. It seemed out of place, yet carried an irresistible allure.

As if a never-ending feast...

Soon, the manor's grand doors swung open.

The host of this place warmly invited the accidental travelers to join the banquet.

Ha, the mighty warriors of Team One chuckled.

I came here after all!

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