Chapter 134: The Soul-Snatching Gu

"Brother Feng, do you mean there is something else in this dense forest?" Zhang Hu’s voice trembled slightly.

Qin Feng did not answer. He stared deep into the woods with profound eyes, as if he could peer through the layers of shadows to see the secrets hidden within.

Suddenly, a dull, booming sound erupted from deep within the cave, cutting Qin Feng’s thoughts short.

"Move!"

Qin Feng decided instantly, leading Zhang Hu and Abu in a sprint toward the source of the noise.

As they ventured deeper, the booming grew deafening, accompanied by waves of heat, as if something were about to burst forth from the earth.

"Brother Feng, this commotion... could it be caused by Mr. Liu and his group?" Zhang Hu asked, gasping for air.

"Very likely." Qin Feng frowned. "They planted so much dynamite in the cave earlier; it seems they intended to collapse the entire cavern."

Thinking of the deranged actions of Mr. Liu and Morey’s gang, anger surged within Qin Feng, and he quickened his pace.

Finally, they reached the source of the roar—a massive underground grotto. Inside, flames soared and thick smoke billowed. Several figures could be seen flickering in the firelight; it was indeed Mr. Liu, Morey, and the others!

"Hahaha! The treasure is mine! No one can take it from me!" Mr. Liu appeared deranged, holding a massive luminous pearl high above his head, laughing maniacally.

"Damn it! They’ve already got their hands on it!" Zhang Hu gritted his teeth.

Qin Feng remained silent, his gaze locked on the pearl in Mr. Liu’s hand, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Something’s not right..."

He noticed a man he had previously seen among Morey’s crew. In the grotto, the firelight illuminated Mr. Liu’s face, twisted with ecstasy. He held the pearl high as if flaunting his victory.

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes and activated his X-ray vision. The sight before him sent a jolt through his heart. That was no luminous pearl—it was a human head!

The sallow skin, the bloodless lips, and those wide, staring eyes seemed to be accusing them in silence. Even more chilling was the eerie black mist seeping from the head's seven orifices, coiling around Mr. Liu’s arm like a venomous snake.

"Brother Feng, what is it? What kind of treasure is that? It’s so shiny—no wonder those bastards would risk their lives to grab it!" Zhang Hu stretched his neck, trying to get a better look.

Qin Feng didn't reply. Instead, he turned his gaze to Morey and the others. They, too, had become strange; their eyes were vacant, yet their lips were curled into eerie smiles. They hovered around Mr. Liu mechanically, like marionettes.

"Something is wrong..." Qin Feng whispered. "That thing is malevolent. It seems Mr. Liu and his men have been controlled."

"Controlled? Brother Feng, don't scare me! In this day and age, where would you find demons or ghosts?" Though Zhang Hu claimed disbelief, the sight made his skin crawl.

"Brother Feng is right, Hu." Abu turned uncharacteristically serious. "I’ve seen similar situations in my tribe. Those people have had their minds taken over by something called a 'Soul-Capturing Gu'."

"Soul-Capturing Gu?" Zhang Hu gasped. "What do we do?"

Qin Feng said nothing, staring fixedly at the head in Mr. Liu’s hand. Under his X-ray vision, the black mist grew thicker, as if it might strike at any moment.

"Run!" Qin Feng decided immediately. "This thing is wicked. Let’s get out of here first!"

Before he could finish, Mr. Liu suddenly turned his head. His empty eyes stared straight at Qin Feng, his mouth stretching into a ghastly arc.

"Want to run? Too late! Leave my treasure behind!"

As soon as he spoke, Morey and the others rushed toward the trio like madmen. Their speed was startling, far beyond that of normal human beings.

"Damn it! Let’s fight them!" Zhang Hu grabbed his weapon, roared, and charged forward. Abu drew the dagger from his waist, weaving through the crowd with agility, his strikes precise and lethal.

Qin Feng’s brow furrowed. These controlled individuals had completely lost their reason and were attacking with ruthless abandon; a moment of carelessness could lead to injury. He dodged the attacks while searching for a breakthrough.

"Bang!" A gunshot rang out. The bullet whistled past Qin Feng’s ear, leaving a deep groove in the stone wall. Qin Feng whipped his head around to see a pistol in Mr. Liu’s hand, pointed directly at him. The sound of the shot echoed in the cavern, making their eardrums ache. The bullet had missed his nose by a hair's breadth, the searing heat even singeing the hair on his forehead.

"Brother Feng, watch out!" Zhang Hu shouted, not idle himself as he swept two attackers off their feet with a club.

These guys were fearless, as if drugged. Even after being knocked down, they struggled to crawl back up and continue the assault—more persistent than zombies.

Abu was not having an easy time either. Despite his agility, he was outnumbered and inevitably took a few hits. Had he not been raised in the Miao region with a tough constitution, he would have collapsed by now.

Qin Feng dodged a flying kick from Morey and cursed inwardly, "Damn it, these guys are ruthless. If I don't draw some blood today, we might not make it out."

He dodged and weaved, keeping a close eye on Mr. Liu, waiting for a chance to counterattack. The black mist on the head grew denser, almost forming a black flame burning fiercely above Mr. Liu’s head. Mr. Liu’s expression grew more fanatical, his mouth twisted in a cruel smile, as if he had been completely consumed by the evil power.

"Can't drag this out any longer!" Qin Feng knew that if they continued like this, they would eventually be worn down.

His eyes darted as a plan formed. He deliberately exposed a gap in his defense and moved a few steps toward Mr. Liu. Seeing this, a savage grin flashed in Mr. Liu’s eyes, and he pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The gunshot echoed once more through the grotto.

"Brother Feng!" Zhang Hu and Abu cried out in alarm, but it was too late to stop him.

However, the expected spray of blood never came. Qin Feng’s figure vanished from the spot as if he had never been there.

"What?!" Mr. Liu’s expression shifted, staring in disbelief at the empty space.

Just then, a figure flashed behind him, fast as lightning!

"Bad news!" An alarm bell rang in Mr. Liu’s mind, but it was too late to dodge.

He felt a sharp pain in his wrist; the gun flew from his hand, tumbled through the air, and clattered to the ground. Qin Feng stood firmly behind Mr. Liu, looking down at him with a cold sneer. "With only this much skill, you dare come out and make a fool of yourself?"

Mr. Liu clutched his agonizing wrist, his eyes filled with terror and rage. "How... how do you have such speed?"