As soon as Xiao Manxuan’s voice fell, a faint buzzing sound came from the cracks in the ground, followed by a surge of "black cloud." This "black cloud" consisted of countless hair-sized insects, which surged out in a mass. Anyone with trypophobia would definitely faint upon seeing it.

Little Zi immediately rushed up, fearlessly shuttling back and forth within the insect cloud, eating joyfully. To ordinary people, insects are fatal, but to these insects, Little Zi is the king of Gu Worms, and the little worms are nothing but food.

Ning Luoxi seized the opportunity to take out a talisman, sticking it to the edge of the ground crack. The talisman instantly flickered with a red glow, followed by a spreading red halo shockwave, sweeping across the entire basement.

Little Zi, who was initially eating happily, was startled and turned back, flying away with a flash of purple light, hiding inside the protective amulet. But the insects weren’t so lucky; the halo swept through them, burning them all to ashes, turning them into a puff of smoke that disappeared completely—cleaner than the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

The halo also swept across the ground crack, and then the entire basement flickered red, the light vanished, restoring everything as if nothing had happened.

"Wow, that’s so cool." Xiao Manxuan exclaimed with wide, curious eyes, full of admiration and wonder.

"Alright, the insects can’t get out for now." Ning Luoxi clapped her hands and said simply.

"What about the other types of insects outside the passage? What should we do?" Xiao Manxuan recalled the insects in the silk passage and felt uneasy again; in the lab, those insects were highly aggressive.

Ning Luoxi thought for a moment and then said, "I’ve observed those insects; their aggression isn’t as strong as these little ones. Of course, that is if they aren’t provoked. If provoked, they’re also extremely dangerous, so none of the basements here should be approached by students. They’re ordinary people, not opponents for the insects."

"Curiosity killed the cat, let’s hope nobody becomes that curious cat," Lin Tian said calmly.

After sealing the ground crack, Lin Tian and the others checked again to confirm there were no issues before retreating the same way they came. However, both Lin Tian and Ning Luoxi knew that the seal was temporary; how long a single talisman would last was uncertain.

Even if Zhang Lingyu came personally, it’s impossible to completely seal it. You must understand that below might very well be the place sealing Jiang Chen. Even ancient mighty figures couldn’t thoroughly seal it, let alone just a Demon Exorcist.

After exiting the basement, Lin Tian found a thick steel rod as usual and resealed the door. While a steel rod couldn’t stop experts, it could at least block those curious students.

Such thick steel rods require a large hydraulic cutter or a fire cutter to sever, and of course, students couldn’t possibly bring such tools in, so as long as it prevents ordinary people, that’s good.

"Alright, I’m leaving now. While you’re at school, keep an eye on things; it’s not clear yet, and I can’t publicly seal this place," Ning Luoxi looked at Lin Tian and hesitated a little, but eventually requested. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Lin Tian shrugged his shoulders and said casually, "I can’t monitor here twenty hours a day. Whoever wants to be that curious cat and get themselves killed, I can’t control it. I can’t promise anything; I can only say that if this place truly explodes, I, Lin Tian, will not retreat."

Ning Luoxi didn’t look disappointed or anything; she nodded understandingly, "That’s good enough. If things threaten your life, you don’t need to risk everything; your own safety is important too."

A smile crept across Lin Tian’s lips as he slightly smiled, "Is Instructor Ning caring about me?"

Originally, Lin Tian intended to make a joke to lighten the dull atmosphere, but little did he know, Instructor Ning wasn’t an ordinary girl—she was impervious to Lin Tian’s teasing, remaining unfazed as she merely responded faintly, "I suppose so, and also, Xuanxuan, remember your safety is most important too."

"Alright, Sister Luoxi." Xiao Manxuan said with a smile.

Ning Luoxi waved her hand, not giving Lin Tian a glance before turning to leave. Lin Tian wasn’t bothered and called out from behind, "Luoxi, shall I drive you back?"

"No need, I’ll go back myself," Ning Luoxi replied without looking back, just waving her hand.

"But you’re heading in the wrong direction; there’s no school gate over there." Lin Tian smirked, reminding her.

Ning Luoxi halted her steps, stopped: "I’m... going to check out the surroundings, don’t mind me." She then walked away even faster.

"Hey, Lin Tian, those who don’t know would think you’re a playboy, with that tone, teasing virtuous women everywhere," Xiao Manxuan teased coyly.

"What if I truly was a playboy?" Lin Tian asked seriously.

"I don’t care; I just know you are Lin Tian." Xiao Manxuan tilted her chin slightly, puffed up her chest, and said charmingly.

"What if one day you suddenly find the Lin Tian in front of you isn’t the one you know?" Lin Tian retracted his smile, his voice somewhat ethereal.

Xiao Manxuan tilted her head slightly, looking at the Lin Tian beside her, concentrating and steadfastly, "No matter what you become, you’re Lin Tian in my heart. Remember, don’t ever ask such questions again, or I’ll have Little Zi punish you."

The little girl finally revealed a very bold expression, though her eyes remained filled with pure laughter, and Lin Tian felt struck deep in his heart, leaving him momentarily stunned.

He said nothing, merely looking at her, his gaze unwavering.

"You... why are you staring at me like this, ignoring you now." The little girl’s face subtly blushed, and she threw a charming look at Lin Tian before turning and running off.

Lin Tian slightly lowered his head and then lifted it, his face reverting to its usual carefree smile, leisurely following the little girl, watching her brisk steps, as if witnessing a fairy jumping.

Having visited Wu Xiuluo tonight and then made a trip to the basement, by the time Lin Tian returned to the dorm apartment, it was past midnight.

After practicing, Lin Tian lay on the bed, his mind naturally floating to those scenes—stone doors, dark passages, the mysterious calling seemingly echoing in his ears.

That night, Lin Tian had a dream—dreaming of opening a heavy stone door, behind it a long, dark passage. Even though he had night vision, and even though he tried to activate super perspective, he couldn’t see what lay deep in the passage.

Suddenly, from the depths of the dark passage, the sound of flowing water echoed, splashing, and soon a blood-red expanse appeared before him. That was not a water flow but surging blood, like a tide, rushing swiftly toward him.

He was swept into the Blood Sea, surrounded by a sea of blood, endlessly sinking downwards. Unsure of how long he sank, suddenly the blood sea vanished, and he landed on the ground.

All around were rocky walls, a secret underground chamber. In the center of the chamber stood a rock platform, upon which lay a crystal coffin!

Lin Tian walked over without hesitation, reaching out to push open the coffin lid, but suddenly, blood started flowing out of the seams of the lid!