frightfiction Chapter 437 They are talking to me
Chapter 437 They are talking to me
After everyone had tried it, Yanfei was surprised to find that only she, Yelan, Jiuqiren, and Xiao could trigger the reaction of this Taiwei Instrument.
"It's one thing for Araki Ichito to be a demon, but since Hisaki Shinobu can activate it, there's no reason why Sora, who can use so many elemental powers, can't make it light up... And the most outrageous one is you, Xu Ning!"
Yanfei looked at Xu Ning in surprise and asked, "How come you can't light them all up? By the way, aren't you even a true Liyue native?"
Although Xu Ning was also a little puzzled, he didn't argue with Yan Fei. He just smiled and explained, "Perhaps I am also a mixed-race person with blood from other countries! Alright, since the four of you have all confirmed that you can operate the Taiwei Instrument, then let's not stay here any longer."
Ye Lan moved the Taiwei ceremonial plate to a spacious flat area and turned to remind Yan Fei.
“Yanfei, I need to remind you that this space seems to read our memories and then materialize them as obstacles, just like the various phantoms and creations we see. If I’m not mistaken, this Taiweiyi Plate is probably also a creation of this space, and you simply cannot take it out of this cave.”
Although Yan Fei was a little worried about her mission, she thought about it again and realized that being able to get so many people away from this hellish place unharmed made her mission seem less important than what the instrument could do.
"But think about it, we are actually relying on this space, a void created by our memories, to escape the space that created it. It feels really strange, like using a gun that doesn't exist to break free from constraints."
The four people in charge of operating the control panel first took their positions, with Yelan, Yanfei, Xiao, and Jiuqi Ren each standing in one of the directions.
The four of them placed their hands on the central Taiwei Instrument Plate. Yelan instructed them, "See this jade ball rotating in the center of the instrument plate? When we begin, everyone must operate this jade ball to make it rotate in reverse. If it is still working now, this direction should represent a seal. Reversing it may be the correct way to open the gate."
Seeing Yelan giving instructions to everyone, Arataki Ichito glanced at his two unfortunate buddies beside him, "It feels like the three of us have become a burden, just standing there dumbly, unable to help at all..."
Xu Ning shook his head, took a swig from his wine gourd, and said, "Don't rush, we're not just sitting around doing nothing. We might be busier than them in a little while."
Araki Ichito immediately perked up. "Why? Could something serious be about to happen?"
"Hey cowherd, you're wrong. Who would want obstacles on their escape route? Quick, spit a few times."
Paimon, who was flying beside Sora, immediately glared angrily at Arataki Ichito.
Araki Ichito knew he was wrong, so he chuckled and spat a few times, watching Xu Ning eagerly await his next words.
Xu Ning glanced at Paimon, who was puffing up in anger, and said, "I'm not hoping for something to happen."
“This strange space we are in is like a huge living thing. From the moment we entered, it has been spying on our minds, responding to our imaginations and guesses, and then using our memories and imaginations to turn against us. I don’t think it will let us out so easily.”
Kongji said, "You mean, this space is very likely to use illusions or something to stop us when we leave home using the Taiwei Instrument?"
Xu Ning nodded and said, "It's highly likely. In any case, it's never wrong for us to be prepared. Brother Yidou, you're still standing behind Hisaki Shinobu, helping her to withstand any possible attacks."
Araki Ichito laughed and said, "Isn't this what an older brother should do? No problem, I can even help you take care of your benefactor and that young man as well."
Xu Ning smiled. "As for Kong, I'll trouble you to look after Yan Fei. I'll take care of Ye Lan and Xiao."
After discussing it, the three of them stood in formation around the four people in the center. Ye Lan smiled slightly when she saw their positions.
"Now that everyone is ready, let's begin."
The four of them poured elemental power into the Taiwei Instrument Plate almost simultaneously, and the entire Taiwei Instrument Plate began to light up.
Ye Lan solemnly recited: "Within Yin and Yang, within the Five Directions. Water, fire, wind, and thunder, endlessly cycling. Holding the Seven Stars on Earth, the Three Gates open, the meridians and parallels connected..."
As the incantation to activate it began, the small ball in the center of the Taiwei Instrument Plate slowly stopped rotating under the control of the four people, and then began to rotate in the opposite direction.
Xu Ning had been paying close attention to the connection between the Taiwei Instrument Panel and this space.
He discovered that the instant the Taiwei Instrument stopped rotating, the entire space seemed to be erased of all scenes, turning into darkness.
Only the stone platform beneath their feet remained, steadily supporting them.
As the small ball began to invert, the stone platform beneath their feet trembled slightly and began to rise rapidly upwards.
"Oh, oh, oh, it looks like it's going to work. We really should leave here."
Araki Ichito burst into loud laughter in delight.
However, Xu Ning's words immediately made Araki Ichito swallow his laughter.
"Watch out for those shadows around us; they seem to want to attack us."
Araki Ichito's eyes widened as he looked around. "Hey, what are those things? Whose memories are these? Are they... are they ghosts again?"
"Hey! As a ghost, why are you always so afraid of ghosts?" Paimon said with a look of exasperation.
"I hate it! Why did they have to leave? Why didn't they stay and be like us? Didn't we agree on this from the beginning?"
"Why did you have to come in when you could have just blocked the exit? And now you're going to die here in agony?"
"You've already run away once, and now you're back. Why not stay? Why try to escape again?"
A series of resentful whispers rang in everyone's ears.
"Are these... are these the people who stayed here? Do they not want us to leave? Do they want to keep us here and turn us into phantoms with them? Sora, I don't want to become like them!"
Kong hurriedly comforted Paimon, "No, I absolutely won't stay here with you. We'll definitely get out. But what they were saying was strange, like they were talking to someone..."
“They were all talking to me.”
Xu Ningjing looked quietly at the phantoms in the darkness and spoke slowly.