Chapter 78: Entering the Lake

I originally thought that this more than a mile journey would be difficult, but in fact, not only did we not see any ghosts or spirits, we didn’t even see any ghostly mist. Apart from the low, gloomy sky, there was a depressing feeling of rain coming, making people feel depressed.

After climbing over the hill, the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts was already in front of us. The clear, light blue water gently lapped the shore, and a thin layer of blue smoke covered the entire lake. The distant scenery was a little unclear, but the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts was actually quite beautiful, with vast, rolling waves, so that people would not associate it with the famous place of evil.

“Chengqing, do you want to open a divination to calculate why we have been so quiet on this journey and what the reason is?” Looking at the beautiful scenery of Wan Gui Lake, my heart was not at peace, but instead there was an indescribable sense of crisis that permeated my heart. I frowned and thought, but I couldn’t think of an answer, so I could only turn to Chengqing.

Cheng Qing was very calm, and he glanced at me and said, “Is fortune telling omnipotent? It is not easy to get some clear hints in the long flow of the future, so how can it be used to answer your doubts?”

I coughed awkwardly. Although I didn’t mind what Chengqing said, my face was getting uglier and uglier. Chengxin said to me, “It’s lucky that nothing happened along the way. According to what you said, you don’t want anything to happen. If nothing happens, you’re upset. What kind of strange reasoning is this?”

“The ghost Rakshasa never appeared, and the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts is probably even more terrifying. Especially these ghosts, when I think back, whether they were in the ghost fog or outside it, they all seemed to have no thoughts of their own. They…” I said with some heaviness, but Xiao Chengqian interrupted me.

“I said, Chengyi, whether it’s good or bad, you always have to go into the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts. Even if you figure out the cause and effect, the danger won’t be reduced by half. Let’s go.” Xiao Daxiaozhu is always dashing.

I didn’t say anything more. I thought that our group wouldn’t have an answer for a while, so why should we demoralize ourselves before the action? Although I personally think that being able to figure out the cause and effect will definitely be beneficial to our actions!

“Chen Ge’er, let’s go. The boat is over there,” said Ji Feng kindly. The direction he was pointing to was where two strange boats were parked.

In my impression, a normal wooden boat is composed of a bottom and a canopy, with a place for people to stand and row at the front and back. But these two boats are oval-shaped, and from a distance, they look like rugby balls.

When I got inside, I realized that the boat’s sail was movable and could be pulled down to instantly close off an additional cabin. The closed cabin was connected to the bottom of the boat, so from a distance it looked like a rugby ball.

The sail is decorated with intricate patterns. The monsoon explained to me, “The patterns on this ship were developed by many great men hundreds of years ago to protect the people on board. Later, the ship was finally built, and naturally the patterns were carved on it. Incidentally, this formation was once perfected, and it was also related to your master, because your master perfected it.”

Another connection to my master? I was helpless about my master, who I had never met but was everywhere!

While talking, Ji Feng took out a small package and gave it to me. When I opened it, I saw ten jade talismans, just like the ones that Mr. Zheng gave me when I was in the ghost mist.

The runes engraved on these ten jade talismans were much more complicated than the ones Zheng gave me. I couldn’t recognize what they were at first, and could only look at Ji Feng in confusion.

“Even the simplest formation requires a starting object to activate it. These jade talismans are the starting objects for the ship sail formation! We can’t make any more copies, and each use requires a long period of ‘cultivation’. These jade talismans can support the entire ship’s formation for three quarters of an hour, and after three quarters of an hour… So, you have to master the right time to use them.” Ji Feng said to us seriously.

“You said it can only last for three quarters of an hour?” Cheng Yuan was obviously a little incredulous that such a complicated formation could only last for three quarters of an hour.

“In the past, it could only support two more quarters. It was your master who perfected the formation, so it can support for so long! Don’t underestimate these three quarters. Within the three quarters of the formation, even the most powerful ghosts and spirits cannot affect you or attack you! The boat itself has the effect of preventing evil spirits and ghosts. Don’t forget that all the wood, combined with Taoist refining, is… Ji Feng hurriedly explained to Cheng Yuan, obviously proud of the boat.

At this time, the lake of ghosts was slightly windy, and the smoke on the lake began to drift and flow. I don’t know why I was a little panicked. I always felt that I should leave here as soon as possible. I interrupted Ji Feng and said, “Tell us how to use this jade talisman. I think we should leave as soon as possible and return quickly.”

Ji Feng was interrupted by me, and he was a little embarrassed to scratch his head, smiled at me apologetically, and then pulled open the boat cover, jumped on the boat, and began to explain to me in detail where the jade talisman needed to be installed.

I noticed that the boat had some dried food and water in reserve, and looked at Ji Feng with puzzlement. Do we need to reserve these on the lake here?

Ji Feng quickly saw my confusion and explained to me, “This was specially prepared for you a few days ago when you were about to set off. Who knows… (Wan Guiwei Village), you are going to enter the natural formation. I don’t know the specific situation, but there has always been a legend that the water there cannot be drunk, and the fish that can be caught there cannot be eaten. Moreover, it is very easy to get lost in there. Although there are streetlights, it is best not to use them unless absolutely necessary. In short, it is always better to prepare some food.

My heart sank little by little. From what Jifeng said, the danger in the natural formation was probably even greater than I had expected, and there was even a high chance that we would be trapped inside.

Afraid that I would be confused, Jifeng suddenly walked to the bow of the ship and tore off a piece of flowered cloth that had been covering something. Under the flowered cloth was a small bronze carriage with a little man standing on it with his arms outstretched. It looked like a delicate work of art.

“What is this…?” I was puzzled.

“This is the lighthouse. It is said to be inspired by the legendary chariot of the sun in ancient times, and it is modeled after the legendary chariot of the sun.” Ji Feng licked his somewhat dry lips as he explained to me, and he couldn’t help but look a little proud when he talked about it.

A lighthouse modeled after the legendary chariot of the sun? What is the meaning of this? For a moment, I felt like I had grasped a clue, but I couldn’t figure out the specific reason. I just frowned and thought about it for a while, and then gave up.

Jifeng kindly moved the lantern to the bow of the boat and then said, “I don’t want you to use this lantern unless you absolutely have to. The first reason is that there isn’t much incense in the lantern, but the amount you have is more than enough. It can only last for an hour at most. The usual practice is to light it for a short while when you really can’t find a way out, and then move forward according to the direction it points to. The second reason is that once the lantern is lit, the boat will be like it is equipped with dozens of searchlights, and ghosts will be able to detect you. I don’t need to say more about this, do I?

I was shocked to hear that it had such an effect! I thought to myself, if the ghosts can see us in this place that is said to be a small hell, the consequences are unimaginable. It seems that we really shouldn’t use this lantern unless it is absolutely necessary.

“This boat is very light and very slippery. Do any of you have boating experience?” After explaining everything, Ji Feng kindly asked us.

We looked at each other and said that, to be honest, none of us really knew how to row! Ji Feng took the oars and poles out and said to us, “It’s not that difficult. This way! I’ll give you a ride. Take a few people and I’ll teach you how to row! When we get to the outer area, you can row by yourself.”

As soon as Ji Feng finished speaking, a strong wind began to blow on the lake. The wind was very strong, and it instantly rippled the lake, and the smoke covering the lake was also blown away. I could also vaguely see some mountain shadows on the distant lake. At this moment, a strong sense of unease suddenly welled up in my heart.

I felt that we had to leave quickly, and there was no time to be fussy. I almost spoke to everyone in a hurry, saying, “Get on the boat and leave. This wind is abnormal! Ji Feng, you can stay on our boat for now.”

The two boats were one large and one small. The large boat was naturally reserved for us. Everyone was a little strange when they heard me urge them to get on the boat, but since we were about to enter the lake anyway, there was nothing to argue about. Under my urging, everyone jumped on the boat.

“Let’s go!” Ji Feng picked up the oar and, with a strong push, the boat finally left the water, sending out ripples.

I stood behind Ji Feng, staring at the ripples in the water. I felt that there was something hidden beneath the ripples, as if there were countless figures beneath the water. Among them, there was a face that suddenly looked up and smiled at me in a gloomy way…

I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine, but at that moment, a pair of hands rested on my shoulders…