Yet the next day the problem persisted.

The villagers began to suspect foul play and started to keep watch at night.

As darkness enveloped the land.

Strange sounds emanated from the well, prompting the bravest among them to investigate.

A shadow emerged from within, swallowing a villager hole.

Subsequently, a humanoid monster began its assault on the villagers.

The village organized its strongest use to attempt to drive away the creature, but instead many lost their lives.

They sent word to the nearby city.

Yet, no one came to their aid.

With the well compromised and danger looming, the inhabitants gradually vacated, leaving the village desolate.

Was a ghost one that could devour a person whole? Fongo inquired.

Curiosity peaked.

The term ghost likely refers to the departed souls.

Even beings like Nelson, those orange huge specters.

Do not consume the living, the old man clarified.

The act of devouring sounds more akin to that of a beast or monster.

Indeed, it seemed as though its entire chest cavity opened wide, swallowing an adult in a single gulp.

As the elder recalled the harrowing scene, a look of fear crept across his face.

Fungho glanced at Injia and Ditiga, both of whom shook their heads slightly.

They were unable to deduce the identity of the creature based on the elers's description.

And what of its method of attack? Fongo pressed on.

What do you mean by method? The old man queried.

Air.

I mean, how does it attack? Does it possess any ranged abilities? It was merely the act of waving one's arms and devouring people.

Nothing more was observed, nor did any professionals arrive to intervene.

The old man pondered, uncertain if there were other long range techniques.

All encounters with the monster transpired under the veil of night, illuminated only by the moonlight.

When they witnessed the carnage, their instinct was to flee, leaving no room to contemplate the means of attack.

All right, elder, lead us inside to have a look, Fongghao insisted once more.

The old man hesitated for a moment, then resolutely declared, "I will guide you to the wells location, but beyond that, I cannot assist.

This village is deserted, and if the situation cannot be resolved, it would be prudent to await the Lord's troops.

" "Very well," the elder led several individuals into the village.

The desolate village emanated a sense of abandonment with scattered baskets, furniture, and the remnants of collapsed structures strewn about.

This is as far as I can take you, he said, his body trembling slightly.

He gestured toward a well, its mouth constructed of stone bricks overgrown with weeds and mud.

The scattered debris and various tools suggested a struggle as if everything had been dragged toward the well, reminiscent of water rushing through an open slle.

All right, elder, you may return to the village.

If we manage to resolve this predicament, we will send someone to inform you.

Fongghao reassured him.

Oh, um, all right, the elder replied, turning and fleeing as if from danger.

All eyes were fixed on the wells location, awaiting Fong How's command.

Clearly, this matter did not concern them.

Intervening would only invite trouble, potentially endangering their lives.

What should we do? And Xia inquired.

Patience, Fongghao replied, opening his backpack as the skeletal gray sparrow fluttered forth.

Watch closely.

Funho mounted the cargo platform at top the giant lizard, reclined, and invoked a divine presence.

A sphere of soul fire ignited within the gray sparrow's eyes.

Soaring toward the wells opening, circling above the well, he observed only the accumulated mud and debris, devoid of anything unusual.

Peering into the depths, he discerned the stillness of the water below.

with no sign of abnormality.

With a swift command, he directed the gray sparrow to plunge directly into the well.

Sunlight streamed in, dispelling the darkness.

Midway down, the gray sparrow unfurled its wings, hovering in place.

A colossal crack marred the wall of the well, revealing not soil or stone, but a shadowy void, a portal to another realm.

The shattered bricks bore the same mud and weeds as the well's mouth.

It appeared the creature spoken of by the elder emerged from this fissure or perhaps retreated into it.

Embracing a reckless spirit, Fongo ventured into the opening.

His vision gradually acclimated to the darkness, revealing the interior scene.

A narrow stone corridor, its walls meticulously heuned from gray weathered stone, remnants of water, stains evident.

He pressed onward.

Upon entering the chamber, the walls, illuminated by phosphorescent stones, cast a bright glow throughout the space.

However, Fong Hao's heart grew increasingly heavy with dread.

This was a room constructed entirely from human skulls, and being within it felt akin to descending into the depths of hell, a chilling sensation enveloping his entire being.

At the center of the room stood a stone desk adorned with decaying scrolls of paper and tarnished greenish lamps.

alongside various objects whose identities had long since faded into obscurity.

It was evident that someone had once inhabited this eerie place, a dwelling fashion from skulls.

What manner of person would choose to reside in such a local? It was utterly grotesque.

The flickering flame of the soul within his pupils danced as Fong how suppressed his astonishment, continuing his search for the monstrous entity he sought.

The stone slabs beneath his feet still bore traces of muddy footprints, leading directly to a massive ceramic jar beside the stone desk.

Could this jar be the source of the creature? Fong Hao pondered quietly.

Yet something fell to miss.

If the jar contained a monster, its name should have been visible to him.

The absence of any displayed name indicated it was not the target of his quest.

Perhaps the creature lay hidden within the jar.

According to the elers's description, it could expand its abdomen to swallow an adult hole.

How could it possibly conceal itself in a jar? Lost in thought, he approached the jar with haste.

The gray sparrow perched at top the stone desk.

Peering down into the jar's opening.

Inside lay an abyss of darkness, seemingly alive with some viscous substance that writhed slowly.

Fong Hao leaned in closer, striving to discern the nature of its contents.

Suddenly, a shadow surged forth from the jar's mouth, enveloping the gray sparrow in a vast net before retracting back into the ceramic vessel.

Outside the well near the rear of the giant lizard, Fong How jolted upright, exclaiming in shock, "What the hell? You scared the life out of me.

" He pressed his left hand against his heart, attempting to calm its frantic rhythm.

Chapter 235.

The filthy monster Fong House suddenly awakened, startling the guards nearby.

The infantrymen immediately drew their weapons, assuming combat stances, their vigilance focused on the wells opening.

And Jia, with a single push, leapt onto the back of the giant lizard, studying the astonished Fong Ho.

What happened? She inquired.

The skeletal gray sparrow is dead.

Fongghao replied.

What enemy did you see clearly? I did.

It was a mud monster.

He elucidated, recalling the moment the creature from the earth and jar had slain the skeletal gray sparrow, managing to discern its name in that fleeting instant.

Filthy mud monster ninth tier.

The mud has become sensient.

This world is even more bizarre than the journey to the west.

How can mud attain consciousness? What do you mean? And Xiao was perplexed.

The filthy mud monster, a ninth tier creature, Fong Ho reiterated.

What is that? and Jia had neither seen nor heard of it before.