The deeper he explored the inner layers of the Imperial Palace, the more he marveled at its utterly irrational structure—a damned configuration that could hardly exist in three-dimensional space.
It was like a toy box jumbled into a mess.
Even though every corner inside looked solemn and majestic, there was not a single place that conformed to reason.
Sometimes, turning a corner revealed a multitude of decrepit palace complexes. Yet, pushing open a tiny wooden door and stepping beyond the humble gate, he would find himself in a grand hall where countless masses of flesh writhed like worms.
Passing through a corridor, the false landscape transformed into a genuine peril straight out of Hell. When he stepped back, the world changed once again.
If not for the Raven's guidance, he might have lost his way in this maddening maze long ago.
This Imperial Palace contained not only chaos and disorder but also a subtly maddening power.
Huai Shi guessed that if one were influenced by the external sights, the more recklessly one ventured forward, the more terrifying and gruesome the scenes would become, until, finally, one would be completely trapped in the deepest depths of Hell.
But when he passed through the long corridor and pushed open the paper door before him, he found himself standing before a silent shrine.
In the distance, the crisp ringing of a bell resounded.
It was indistinct, heard from beyond the soaring torii gates, but that clear ringing carried a strange Magic Power, dazzling and entrancing, compelling one to plunge into its source.
After waiting for only a brief moment, Huai Shi saw several dazed Attendants stagger through the torii, following the clear bell sound into the darkness.
Before long, they reached their end, becoming withered skeletons in the sated darkness.
In the courtyard beyond the torii, the bell's ringing grew more high-pitched and crisp, drawing in the prey caught in its trap, solidifying into a tangible form.
The Kagura Bell.
The ritual instrument of Yinzhou's Native Religion slowly vibrated in the darkness, emitting a rhythmic, low sound. As layers of bell tones overlapped, a faint, distant song and melody arose from the deepest part of the dark courtyard.
Flickering flames ignited.
Yet, in this deathly silent shrine, they brought no warmth; instead, they made the place feel even more chilling.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten—"
It was unclear whether it was a chant or a song. A child's low murmur abruptly sounded beside his ear, seeming to burrow into his Soul, softly incanting an ancient, unintelligible spell: "Buri bu, yura yura shi, buri bu..."
The crisp sound of white jade colliding gradually emerged from this lingering chant, echoing continuously in his mind.
Not until he suddenly awoke from his stupor did he realize that he had, at some point, recited the inexplicable words echoing in his mind and had taken a step past the torii...
He felt a stiffness on his face.
At first, he thought his face had frozen. But when he touched it, he felt an icy, smooth, Iron Stone-like texture. Not until he staggered back out of the torii did his petrified skin revive under an infusion of life, returning to normal.
Then, he saw:
As the sacrificial hymn was sung, all the vegetation in the shrine's courtyard rapidly petrified, until finally, it resembled clusters of exquisite jade, frozen in alluring and vibrant poses.
Wisps of black mist rose from them, saturated with greed and ferocity. A single droplet was a potent poison, enough to destroy Huai Shi's Soul.
He couldn't go in.
His Death Perception hammered at his consciousness as never before, delivering a stark verdict: entering meant certain death.
He should have turned and left, but the Stigma of the Mountain Ghost seemed to rejoice, sensing something hidden within the shrine and beginning to pulse with Resonance.
Huai Shi was certain: there was something inside, something he absolutely had to obtain.
Miss this chance, and it would be lost forever.
He didn't know when this thought had surfaced, but it left him in a dilemma, unable to decide. This place was far too dangerous for him; even a fleeting glance from a Snake-faced Attendant had left a withered mark on his arm that still hadn't faded.
"To do it or not to do it, that is the question."
Huai Shi scratched his head, desperately wishing someone would come along, say a few words, egg him on, and give him courage. But just when he needed it most, the Raven had vanished.
He had no idea where it had gone.
He had to face this dilemma alone.
There's still a little time...
Huai Shi felt his pocket and squatted outside the torii gate like an old farmer, examining the increasingly sinister shrine. He pondered, analyzed, hypothesized, verified, considered, and deliberated. Then, he pinched out his cigarette.
He turned and walked away.
Time to slip away, he thought. Too many freaks in this place.
You only live once; it shouldn't be wasted like this.
But after taking only two steps back, he began to feel regretful. He glanced back at the darkened, unlit shrine, recalling the Raven's words: the chance to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle, and a motorcycle into a Battle Axe, was right before his eyes!
I've already come this far, he mused. It's a special occasion, and I'm still young... Is it really okay to just walk away like this?
Huai Shi heaved a long sigh, gritted his teeth, and stamped his foot.
He decided to go through with it.
Casting aside his final hesitation, he carefully took out the crumpled flyer from his pocket.
He studied the image of Little Cat on it.
Alright, first, draw a circle.
A chilling wind howled, rising out of nowhere.