Chapter 80: The Blind Gravekeeper

Chen Qi took a deep breath and continued reading the text.

After another lamp-triggered hint, he unknowingly arrived at a new place.

[The stone statue ignited the flame in its hand, illuminating this space for you.]

[The voice echoes in your mind. You close your eyes, carefully discerning the “voice” you just heard. Rather than a sound, it is more like the lingering will of this tomb resonating through you.]

[Would you like to observe this place?]

Yes.

[You grip your long blade and observe the tomb. Before you lies a vast stairway and countless stone statues.]

[But unlike the statues above, which retain a hint of motion, these are much more at peace, sitting quietly on the ground as if they have long since accepted their own deaths.]

[You look up at the wall above. Countless coffins are embedded in the ceiling.]

[You notice how neatly the coffins are arranged; this is an extension of the boundless cemetery above.]

[You glance around—there is no exit here.]

A dead end, an extension of the burial chambers above...

Chen Qi pondered for a moment.

So, guided by the hints, he had come to the lower part of the cemetery, which was, in fact, the tomb of the Lady of Mist.

There was nothing to do but move forward.

[You hold your breath and proceed cautiously.]

[The little Shadow Lamp Fox climbs onto your shoulder, swaying its tail to provide you with light.]

[You look around. Though the faces of the statues are lifelike, there is no trace of vitality.]

[You follow the stairway, ascending step by step.]

Chen Qi also held his breath, trying to stay as calm as possible. The moment a monster appeared, he would have to react instantly.

[You reach the burial ground atop the stairway. On the wall ahead, you see a vertically placed bronze coffin.]

[Beneath the bronze coffin, you spot a gem-like eye staring at you…]

Staring at me...

Chen Qi drew a deep breath; a chill crept over him.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

[“Another one…”]

[“Human, finally, there is light. Light… Give me light…”]

[You turn toward the source of the voice, to your left rear—a mound-like stone grave.]

[Moss constantly falls from the grave, revealing a twisted face. In an instant, a terrifying figure, three meters tall, rises from the tomb, darkness filling his eye sockets!]

The edges of the screen turned a dark red; crimson text flashed rapidly!

Not good!

[You have encountered a lost, twisted monster, clinging to its last shred of consciousness.]

[The Blind Gravekeeper has noticed you!]

[He radiates a terrifying aura. Beware for your life!]

Unable to determine level!

This was a monster at least five levels above his own! And judging from the text, it was anything but a pushover.

Chen Qi felt a tight string pulled taut in his heart!

[“Light, give me the light!” the Gravekeeper roared.]

Without hesitation, Chen Qi tapped the text, first ordering the Shadow Lamp Fox to extinguish its light, then ringing the Bell of Mist.

[You ring the Bell of Mist. The mist spreads, forming a foggy domain…]

[Even within the mist, the blind monster can instinctively track your general direction.]

[“Give me light! Only then can I die!”]

The Blind Gravekeeper spat out a thick, black breath. Covered in moss, he swung his giant spade and smashed it down toward you!

[Within this tomb, you feel this is a monster that desperately craves death. Yet, even so, he struggles on with his final shred of consciousness—writhing, furious!]

[“Light, I need light! Without it, I cannot die!”]

The Gravekeeper roared, attacking you.

You summon the Shadow Soul, barely withstanding the blow!

[The Blind Gravekeeper, sensing contact, raises his giant spade and brings it down hard on the Shadow Soul’s head.]

[Your Shadow Soul suffers tremendous damage and dissipates like a wisp of smoke.]

[Seizing the instant your Shadow Soul is struck, you tense every muscle and dash forward at full speed!]

[With the Mist Ring and Nightwalker’s Garb, your speed and stealth are exceptional.]

[You reach the wall and begin to climb upward, soon gazing down from above.]

[Within the mist, you hear the Blind Gravekeeper’s enraged roar. Bereft of sight, he seems unable to pinpoint your location.]

Success! You’ve found the wall and reached a high vantage with the Black Rain Boots.

Safe for now… for now.

Whew…

Chen Qi exhaled deeply, thankful for the Shadow Soul’s role as a meat shield, absorbing a deadly blow.

[You hold your breath above, carefully watching the Gravekeeper. He has returned to kneel before the Lady of Mist’s coffin, his body twitching as he lights the surrounding torches one by one!]

Try to wear him down?

Given the power just displayed, only ranged attacks could chip away at him.

It was indeed a feasible approach, but as the description implied, it would take time.

But ranged attacks might also expose his position.

And crucially, Chen Qi didn’t know how long the Bell of Mist’s fog would last…

Once the mist dissipated, relying on the Nightwalker’s Garb alone would not be enough to deal with this foe.

Chen Qi sat in his chair, searching for another solution.

The text had indicated this was a monster that craved light.

He wanted light…

But how could he give light to a blind creature?

Wait—that wasn’t impossible…

Chen Qi opened his inventory.

Earlier, while traversing the Lightless Abyss, the Houndmaster had acquired a special potion.

It was a specially concocted hallucinogen; once taken, it would cause the brain to perceive illusions of light!

Perhaps this item could resolve the situation.

But to administer the potion, he would have to approach his foe.

The Shadow Soul was injured, but the Shadow Lamp Fox could still trigger its Giant Shadow form one more time!

The Giant Shadow form was quite durable!

It would have to be the two of them—together.

Chen Qi took out the long-unused Raven Staff.

Though the Raven Staff’s cost of 4 points of spirit energy was now hardly impressive in terms of damage, as a ranged distraction, it remained quite effective.

He’d give it a try—if it failed, he would just have to wear the monster down with time and potions…

Come, Gravekeeper!

[With the Black Rain Boots, you find a favorable position.]

[The ravens swoop in an arc, flanking the enemy from behind, drawing his attention…]

[You discuss your plan with the Shadow Lamp Fox!]

[“I understand, Master!” the fox nodded.]

[You hold your breath. Black flames ignite along your blade.]

[In midair, the Shadow Lamp Fox triggers its Giant Shadow form!]

Let’s go, Shadow Lamp Fox!

[Together, you and the Shadow Lamp Fox launch a descending assault!]

[The Giant Shadow Lamp Fox strikes the three-meter-tall Gravekeeper with a heavy blow!]

[Boom!

The Gravekeeper tenses his muscles and swings his giant spade, blocking the attack!]

[Domain of Black Flame!]

[As the Shadow Lamp Fox is struck, black fire pours from its back, enveloping the enemy!]

[The Gravekeeper roars. You thrust your blade at his mouth and toss in the hallucinogenic potion.]

[In an instant, you withdraw your blade, unleashing Blackfire Burial!

Raging flames pour from the tip, preventing further attacks on the Lamp Fox.]

[Stab!]

[You deliver a vicious thrust.]

[The total damage is 10% of his health!]

Only 10%!

Chen Qi was startled—this creature’s health was monstrous!

[You sheath your blade and leap back!]

[As if tasting something delicious, the Blind Gravekeeper’s battered body hungrily absorbs the hallucinogen.]

[He begins to sway unsteadily.]

[“Light… At last, before death, I finally see the light… Thank you…”]

The wounded Gravekeeper staggers forward a few steps, the last of his obsession fading. His giant form collapses, falling into the void, dead.

It worked!

Chen Qi couldn’t help but smile.

[Your mastery of Dance of Black Flame: 50%]

[In this perilous moment, you have fully comprehended Blackfire Burial!]

(End of this chapter)