The face of the corpse-like Lu Zong clearly registered a flicker of deference, followed by an awkward glance toward Ma Xiong. He seemed about to argue, but Elder Qian interjected, “Ma Xiong, what are you doing? This is clearly Lu Zong, a living Lu Zong! How could he possibly be a dried corpse? Have you taken leave of your senses, boy?”

Ma Xiong glared fiercely at Lu Zong, condensed his weapon energy, and stepped up to him, taking a deep sniff of his scent. A potent stench of decay immediately assaulted him—a smell that indicated Lu Zong had been dead for a long time. The real Lu Zong’s odor came from sweat; it was absolutely nothing like this.

He thus became even more certain of his conviction. Extending his hands, he delivered a sharp strike to the figure’s abdomen. The corpse-like Lu Zong’s stomach instantly collapsed inward, as if a massive cavity had materialized from thin air. Ge Mei watched Ma Xiong with an expression of pure astonishment, then turned his gaze to the sunken belly of the figure. Wonder bloomed across his face like sprouts after a spring rain; he could scarcely believe his own eyes. He had been desperately hoping for his friend to emerge, yet here was his friend being treated this way, as if Ma Xiong were an entirely different person from the one who had been eagerly waiting just moments before. He couldn't grasp what was happening and could only stare at Ma Xiong, awaiting his next move.

At that moment, Ma Xiong suddenly pulled a dagger from his pocket and began hacking mercilessly at the corpse-like Lu Zong without hesitation. To everyone’s shock, the figure did not bleed a single drop. He merely stared at Ma Xiong with eyes full of bewilderment, then looked down at the gash across his body, before collapsing heavily onto the ground. Immediately following his fall, a great plume of mist erupted from the wound, enveloping Ma Xiong. Ma Xiong instantly felt a suffocating sensation and scrambled to escape the vapor cloud.

Elder Qian and Ge Mei were frozen stiff with fright, staring blankly at Ma Xiong, unable to comprehend why he had acted so drastically. Ge Mei, in particular, felt on the verge of vomiting just looking at the corpse on the ground, though nausea was currently the least of his worries, as he found himself feeling progressively worse.

The sorrow etched on Ma Xiong’s face was profound, deeper perhaps than the grief of a man discovering his wife’s infidelity. Suppressing the rage churning within him, he fixed a dangerous gaze on Elder Qian and demanded, “Elder Qian, explain this to me! I simply cannot make heads or tails of it.”

Elder Qian was speechless, his lips trembling as he stammered, “I… I don’t know what’s going on either! This… uh… I truly have no idea why Lu Zong ended up like this. I distinctly saw a living Lu Zong just moments ago… but I never imagined… he, he truly is…”

Ma Xiong roared, “Stop talking! I already know what happened! I saw the whole truth; you don’t need to hide it from me. I witnessed every single thing you did inside that tomb.”

This time, it was Elder Qian’s turn to be shocked. He stared at Ma Xiong, mouth agape, and quickly asked, “How did you see everything I did? Where did you see it from?” As he spoke, he fixed Ma Xiong with an aggressive glare, utterly astounded.

Ma Xiong replied with a touch of mockery, “Have you forgotten that small hole that allows one to see the truth of everything? I saw you through that very opening.” He then pointed his finger in the direction of the small hole. Ge Mei happened to be standing right in front of it, and seeing Ma Xiong point, he quickly stepped aside, fearful that Elder Qian might misunderstand. Elder Qian’s expression turned serious as he followed the direction of Ma Xiong’s finger and indeed saw the small aperture. He lowered his head and peered inside, confirming that he was looking directly into the interior of the tomb chamber, not the structure of the tent outside.

His expression froze; he stared at the small hole for a long time. After what seemed an eternity, he slowly raised his head, his face now completely overtaken by undisguised astonishment. He urgently asked, “What else did you see? Tell me quickly!”

Ma Xiong showed no fear of Elder Qian whatsoever. He reasoned that since his closest friend had sacrificed himself, he had nothing left to lose; at worst, he would fight Elder Qian to the death today. He responded in a harsh tone, “We also saw something drag you into that hole. Explain to yourself: what exactly was that black claw all about?”

Elder Qian shot Ma Xiong a look tinged with panic. Ge Mei’s attention also snapped onto him. He stammered, “This… uh… this is a long story… but I swear to you, I harbor absolutely no ill will toward you. You must believe me.”

Ma Xiong offered no reply, merely glancing at Ge Mei before saying, “Then tell me now, what is Lu Zong’s situation exactly? Is there any chance he can still survive?” Although he had formed a rough judgment about his friend’s fate, he needed a definitive answer before he could find any measure of peace.

Elder Qian paused before speaking. “If you had asked me earlier, I would have confidently told you the answer was no. However, now, I might actually have a brilliant idea that could lead us to Lu Zong yet.”

Ma Xiong pressed eagerly, “What brilliant idea is it? Tell me quickly! I’m willing to risk any danger, just tell me!”

A mysterious smile touched the corners of Elder Qian’s mouth. “Since that opening can see me, it must also be able to see Lu Zong. If we can figure out where Lu Zong is through that means, won’t the problem be solved?” He looked expectantly at the stunned Ma Xiong for his reaction.

Ma Xiong slapped his thigh in realization. “Yes, why didn't I think of that? Such a simple solution! But how can we see Lu Zong?” He walked to the small hole and peered in, but saw nothing—only the empty expanse of the tomb chamber.

Elder Qian chuckled. “It’s not hard to achieve this, either. All you have to do is silently recite Lu Zong’s name in your heart, and you will see him through the little hole. You must understand, this isn't just a place of spatial activity; it’s a divine artifact capable of sensing the mind! As long as our hearts are sincere, we will surely succeed. Ma Xiong, try it now. Remember, focus all your spirit on looking.”

After Elder Qian finished speaking, Ma Xiong immediately rubbed his temples, then bent down, peering into the opening. Soon, he lifted his head, excitedly declaring to Elder Qian, “Elder Qian, I see him! I finally see him! I see Lu Zong…” He broke off suddenly, “Ah, why is Lu Zong gone again? I didn’t even get a good look!”

Elder Qian instructed, “If you saw him, keep watching him closely. Do not let your focus waver, and do not think about anything else whatsoever. Just remember, don't think of anything else—only Lu Zong.” He then walked over to Ma Xiong.

Ma Xiong bent down again to investigate the situation inside. This time, he confirmed it: Lu Zong was indeed lying inside a room piled high with stones. The surroundings were nothing but rock. He examined it carefully; the entire stone chamber didn't seem very large, perhaps only ten square meters. Various stones were haphazardly stacked inside, and he couldn't fathom their purpose. If it was a tomb, there were no burial offerings on the ground. But if it wasn't a tomb, he clearly saw two dried corpses sitting upright, seemingly guarding a stone casket situated between them. He couldn't tell what was inside. Most astonishingly, Ma Xiong found he could see through the casket.

He asked Elder Qian with a slight tremor, “Elder Qian, I see Lu Zong lying in a stone chamber, inside a casket within that chamber. Two dried corpses are seated around the casket, as if they are guarding it. I don't know what’s so important about it. Do you know where he is right now?”

As he mentioned the words casket and stone chamber, he noticed Elder Qian’s expression flicker and tighten, as if he already understood the situation. Ma Xiong quickly pressed, “Look closely at the casket—are there any patterns or markings on it?”

Ma Xiong focused his gaze intently on the casket and indeed saw several lines sketched onto it with very simple strokes. The humanoid shape was the clearest thing he could discern, so he quickly replied, “Yes, yes, there are definitely lines on it! Elder Qian, please tell me, what is going on? How did you know there were lines on it?”

Elder Qian sighed, paused, and cleared his throat before answering, “The reason I know is because I have been there before.”

Ma Xiong exclaimed excitedly, “Then this is easy! You quickly lead the way for us, take us to that place! Then we can surely find Lu Zong! Let’s go now, stop wasting time here! If we delay too long, I’m afraid Lu Zong won’t survive.”

However, Elder Qian was not as hasty as Ma Xiong. He stood his ground, stopping the two men who were about to move forward. “This place is extremely perilous. I fear that once we enter, there will be no return. If we fail to save others only to lose our own lives, it will be a disaster. Ma Xiong, are you certain you still want to go?”

Ma Xiong offered no further words. He simply walked up to Elder Qian, grabbed his arm, and declared with resolute determination, “Even if I die there, I must rescue Lu Zong. Enough talk—let’s go! Lu Zong must be waiting impatiently.” With that, he pulled Elder Qian along and started walking forward. Elder Qian threw his head back and let out a long cry. “Alas, since you are so resolute, I have nothing more to say. We can only trust in fate. But we shouldn’t worry too much, because once we pass this hurdle, we will quickly reach our destination, the Demon Tower. Then, you will understand the truth of everything.”