Chapter 169: Transmigration into the Ghost Domain (Part 1)

Lin Chen walked through this eerie forest, the surrounding darkness almost swallowing her vision.

The air was filled with the scent of decay, mixed with an indescribable, pungent odor.

Her feet stepped onto the damp soil; it was soft and icy, giving her a strange sense of unreality with every step.

Her heartbeat accelerated involuntarily, and the mist around her drifted before her eyes, vaguely resembling countless shadows twisting and wandering.

Those shadows moved silently, sometimes drawing near, sometimes drifting away, emitting a chill.

The withered branches in the dense fog were like long, thin ghostly hands, reaching towards Lin Chen with the breeze, as if trying to grab her.

Lin Chen couldn't help but shiver, subconsciously extending her delicate hand to gently tug at Lin Fan's sleeve, whispering:

"Brother Fan, look over there."

Her voice carried a hint of surprise and reliance, yet she completely failed to notice the subtle change in how she addressed him, calling "Bai Fan" as "Brother Fan."

This unintentional call instantly caused the two identities of Lin Fan and Bai Fan to subtly overlap, as if time had returned to the warm moments deep within her memory.

Lin Fan glanced at the dense fog and comforted her softly: "It's nothing, just black mist, no need to worry. Let's continue on our way and try to get through this dark forest before nightfall."

"En!" Lin Chen was a bit scared and moved closer to Lin Fan, the two of them almost brushing against each other.

Being so close, her faint, fresh fragrance lingered around Lin Fan's nose, appearing and disappearing.

The fragrance emanating from Lin Chen did not resemble any flower or grass in the mortal world;

rather, it was a freshness of the purest kind in heaven and earth, carrying a hint of sweetness like dew, making one's mind feel peaceful.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, feeling an indescribable comfort, and deep within his heart, there was a faint stirring.

This fragrance was Lin Chen's natural scent, carrying an irreproducible, natural freshness.

Lin Fan almost subconsciously reached out his hand, wanting to gently pull Lin Chen into his embrace.

He quietly extended his hand, just about to touch her slender waist.

Seeing that he was only an inch away, his heart suddenly trembled at the last moment: What if I scare her? What if she develops a dislike for me because of this?

That momentary hesitation made Lin Fan instantly sober up, so he quietly retracted his hand and walked forward, pretending that nothing had happened.

This scene was seen by Yin Miaoxue, Princess Hu Qinlan, and Princess Jin Xuan behind them, who couldn't help but cover their mouths and giggle, teasing each other:

"Our Young Master has some thoughts about Senior Sister Lin Chen too!"

Princess Jin Xuan smiled and teased softly, "But he seems a bit timid. I really want to help him out."

Yin Miaoxue covered her mouth and smiled: "This kind of thing still requires him to take that step himself. We can't help him."

Princess Hu Qinlan's eyes flashed with a playful light: "Who says that? Watch me."

She quietly slipped to Lin Chen's side, took her arm, and said coquettishly: "Lin Chen, my stomach hurts."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen understood instantly; this must be her period.

"Brother Fan, you take everyone and continue walking; we will catch up in a moment."

Although Lin Fan was a bit reluctant, he understood in his heart that girls always need some privacy at such times.

"En, we will walk a bit slower. Catch up quickly when you are done."

He then turned around and led the team forward slowly, pacing himself a bit slower.

Lin Chen and Princess Hu Qinlan fell behind the team. Princess Hu Qinlan held her stomach with both hands, pretending to be in great pain, and looked playfully at the team as they gradually moved away.

Lin Chen gently extended her hand, transmitting spiritual energy through her palm into Princess Hu Qinlan's lower abdomen, carrying a hint of warmth, and gently rubbed her stomach.

"How is it? Are you feeling better?"

Princess Hu Qinlan closed her eyes comfortably: "En, much better. Lin Chen, you are so kind."

Lin Chen revealed a shallow smile: "Alright, let's catch up with the team quickly."

She supported Princess Hu Qinlan as they moved forward, her pace slow and careful, appearing exceptionally gentle.

After walking for a while, Princess Hu Qinlan suddenly tilted her head, with a sly smile, and whispered:

"Lin Chen, what do you think of my Young Master?"

Lin Chen was stunned and answered casually: "Young Master Bai Fan? He's quite good."

Princess Hu Qinlan persisted in asking: "I mean… do you have that kind of, you know, that kind of romantic liking between a man and a woman?"

This question instantly caused Lin Chen's face to flush red.

Throughout the journey, her feelings for Lin Fan had indeed gradually undergone subtle changes.

From initial appreciation to a hint of indescribable affection, she also always couldn't help but overlap the figures of Bai Fan and Lin Fan.

Lin Chen lowered her head slightly and said softly: "I don't know, I am very confused."

Princess Hu Qinlan's smile became brighter, and she gently shook her hand: "Being confused means you have feelings; otherwise, why would you be confused?"

Lin Chen looked up, a look of surprise appearing on her face: "Is that so?"

Princess Hu Qinlan blinked and said playfully: "Of course! Lin Chen, do you want me to help you?"

Just as the two were chatting and laughing, suddenly, a strange sound came from the dark forest, accompanied by a cold wind.

A black shadow, carrying a pungent, rotting stench, pounced towards them.

Lin Chen's eyes sharpened. She protected Princess Hu Qinlan and quickly spread her arms, and a Void Barrier drifting with black swan feathers appeared quietly.

It was Lin Chen's Void Barrier. She had become very proficient in using the Void Barrier and could almost cast it instantaneously as a reflex.

'Bang!' A strange-looking creature collided with the Void Barrier and was then knocked heavily to the ground.

That was a "Ghost Tooth Hedgehog," about the size of a hedgehog or rat, but its body was covered with sharp bone spurs, and the spurs shimmered with a dark red light, as if soaked in deadly poison.

"It is a Ghost Tooth Hedgehog, also known as the army ants of the Ghost Domain." Lin Chen said in a low voice, a hint of nervousness flashing across her face.

Though the Ghost Tooth Hedgehog was not large in size, it was extremely lethal.

Their bodies were covered in bone spurs as hard as knives, and they were adept at hiding in the damp, soft soil, making them almost impossible to detect.

They were numerous, their movements coordinated flawlessly, and they could dig intricate underground tunnels beneath the soft surface.

They moved in groups underground in a highly tacit marching formation.

Yet, there was almost no ripple on the ground. Once they launched a surprise attack, it was like the arrival of doomsday, and nothing survived wherever they passed.

"Ghost Tooth Hedgehog!" Princess Hu Qinlan panicked instantly, grabbed Lin Chen's hand, and ran forward.

"Young Master, there's a situation! Quick…"

Before she could finish her words, the ground beneath their feet suddenly shook violently, and then it collapsed abruptly.

The entire ground collapsed as if it had been hollowed out, and the hundred-person team instantly lost support, falling towards the depths of darkness with cries of alarm.

Lin Chen felt gravity pulling her down rapidly in an instant; the surroundings were dark and deep, echoing with the shouts of the team.

She subconsciously protected Princess Hu Qinlan, but her heart was ice cold.

Below, countless Ghost Tooth Hedgehogs were waiting, their fangs gleaming with a dark light, disgusting liquid flowing from their mouths, and their bloodthirsty maws wide open, anticipating the arrival of their prey.

"Everyone, be careful! Quickly set up spiritual energy defenses! Lin Chen! Lin Chen!" Lin Fan shouted for Lin Chen, but received no response.