The strange fragrance lingering in the air, which dramatically boosted one's strength with a sniff, was actually emitted from the mummy's body.

Presently, the mummy opened its mouth and took in a huge breath towards the middle-aged man in the Fifth Realm.

The life force of the middle-aged man in the Fifth Realm was wildly gushing into the mummy's mouth, getting absorbed by the mummy.

Moreover, the life force absorbed by the ancient cave from external mutated beings was also pouring into this mummy's body.

With the absorption of a large amount of life force, this mummy vaguely showed signs of reviving, as if it was about to open its eyes.

Xiao Mu was shocked and felt endless fear.

Just by looking at the style of the golden battle armor on the mummy, it was obvious that it was not a creature of human origin.

Once this True Realm powerhouse awakened, the consequences would be unimaginable. The whole human world would turn into a living hell.

Fortunately, a spirit talisman was stuck to the mummy's forehead at the moment.

The talisman bore the painting of a mountain, which seemed like a real mountain suppressing the mummy.

Besides, there was an ancient coffin behind the mummy, which apparently housed another corpse.

Two decayed arms, devoid of flesh and blood, emerged from this corpse within the coffin and brutally pierced the mummy's ribs.

From the decaying arms, a terrifying power was continuously flowing out.

This power was similar to a substance; with each burst, a golden cage would appear.

The cage penetrated into the mummy's body, completely locking it down.

However, this power was unable to completely seal the mummy. It was slowly awakening as it continued to absorb life force.

In addition to this, hanging high on the wall emanating golden light, was a Door-God Painting almost identical to the one in Xiao Mu's hand. A golden light covering was on the Door-God Painting, in which the Heavenly Master Zhong Kui held the Demon-descending Sword.

The sword pointed straight at the mummy.

A portion of the Power of Destruction flowing out from the mummy's seven orifices was divided and spread over the Door-God Painting.

The Door-God Painting emitted streaks of golden light to block this Power of Destruction.

However, the Power of Destruction obviously prevailed over the Door-God Painting, constantly suppressing it. This power compressed the golden light, which could only emerge an inch from the surface of the Door-God Painting.

Xiao Mu felt both shock and terror.

Powerhouses of the True Realm had mysteriously appeared in the human world ahead of time.

Although he was uncertain why, after this True Realm powerhouse arrived in the human world, it was directly suppressed and had become this mummy.

However, the person in the ancient coffin clearly could not keep this mummy suppressed forever. As it continued to absorb life force, the mummy would wake up sooner or later.

The moment the mummy woke up, it would be the time for a disaster to befall the human world.

"Save me!"

The barely audible voice of the middle-aged man in the Fifth Realm came again, pleading to Xiao Mu for help.

He was running out of stamina, if the mummy continued to absorb his life force for a while longer, his life force would completely disperse, and he would inevitably die.

Xiao Mu hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether to aid him.

However, he immediately let out a bitter smile.

In the face of a True Realm powerhouse like the mummy, what power did he have to save anyone? How could he save this middle-aged man of the Fifth Realm?

Whoosh!

The mummy seemed to have sensed something, and an immense suction suddenly surged within its wide-open mouth.

This absorption transformed into a black rainbow bridge, which fell onto Xiao Mu's head like a snake.

Xiao Mu was startled and hurriedly retreated. At the same time, he held the ancient bronze ring upright to resist the attack using the Power of Creation.

Unfortunately, this was futile. The suction wasn't transformed from the Power of Destruction, it was merely pure power.

Xiao Mu felt a heavy pressure on his head as if it had been suppressed. Immediately after, he could sense the violent suction force targeting his body.

Xiao Mu was horrified. At the same time, the life force within his body was surging up as if it wanted to leave his body and enter the mummy's mouth.

Yet, in the end, his life force only surged but was not absorbed.

Meanwhile, the mummy's body was releasing a strange aroma fervently, encompassing Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu felt a chill in his heart, instantly understanding something.

It was a problem with the aroma.

As long as one did not absorb the strange fragrance emitted from the mummy's body, the life force wouldn't be absorbed by it.

Fortunately, he had only absorbed a bit and had promptly used Dao Method Spiritual Energy to dispel it. Therefore, he was not affected by the suction from the mummy's mouth at the moment.

Unable to absorb the life force from Xiao Mu, the mummy appeared greatly irritated, emitting a stronger strange aroma. An intense suction emerged from its mouth, relentlessly drawing energy from Xiao Mu. A severe pain throbbed through Xiao Mu's scalp, making him fear that his brain would be sucked out next.

"Shield!"

Xiao Mu used the Door-God Painting to protect his head, slightly weakening the suction and alleviating his discomfort.

He then looked around and finally fixed his gaze on the Door-God Painting hanging on the wall.

This Door-God Painting was also suppressing the mummy. Although it was ineffective, at least it was limiting the mummy's activities.

Xiao Mu hesitated.

Should he take the Door-God Painting?

If he did, would the mummy awaken prematurely?

If the mummy awakens, it would plunge the human world into endless calamity.

As a being of the True Realm, the mummy cultivates the power of destruction, which is capable of obliterating the human world entirely.

Suddenly, Xiao Mu noticed something.

With the erosion of the destructive force, the Door-God Painting hanging on the wall started to deteriorate, seemingly unable to resist any longer. It was evident it wouldn't last for long before it would turn to ash and be utterly annihilated.

"It's better I take it than let it be destroyed."

The power of the Door-God Painting greatly enticed Xiao Mu.

This Door-God Painting was definitely more potent than the one he had. Should he acquire it, his strength would increase substantially.

After some thought, he decided to take the Door-God Painting.

The mummy of the True Realm was too powerful, and the Door-God Painting couldn't counter this effectively. It could only delay the mummy's awakening, which was inevitable.

"When I reach the Fifth Realm, I will return the Door-God Painting. No, I will use other even more potent methods to replace the Door-God Painting and seal the mummy."

Xiao Mu murmured to himself, uttering a vow — or rather a promise.

In terms of sealing the mummy, the Door-God Painting couldn't be much help. After all, the Door-God Painting, as magnificent as it was due to unleashing its innate abilities, wasn't yet on par with top-grade artifacts. It was a high-grade magical weapon at best.

A high-grade magical weapon was essentially useless against entities of the True Realm such as this mummy.

In Xiao Mu's possession, however, it could provide unimaginable assistance.

Once Xiao Mu ventured into the Fifth Realm, he would be off better, though still unable to fully seal the mummy, he could at least delay its awakening.

With these thoughts, Xiao Mu no longer hesitated and reached out to remove the Door-God Painting.

Boom!

Between the two Door-God Paintings, a strange connection seemed to exist. They vibrated simultaneously, flying towards each other.

Xiao Mu was surprised, then delighted.

The two Door-God Paintings had merged into one.

Zhong Kui, the celestial master, held a special place among the door gods.

There were many door gods, and most had pairs.

Shen Tu paired with Yu Lei, Qin Qiong with Yu Chigong, Guan Yu with Zhang Fei, but Zhong Kui was his own counterpart. Door-God Paintings featuring Zhong Kui as the deity had him appear the same on both sides of the door.

The golden light was trembling, and the two Door-God Paintings instantly merged into one.

The power of the Door-God Painting increased again, but due to a lack of strange energy particles, it still couldn't be classified as a top-grade artifact.

However, the power of the unified Door-God Painting was absolutely not inferior to ordinary top-grade artifacts.

Xiao Mu was delighted, holding the Door-God Painting once again above his head as a shield.

The Door-God Painting emitted an astonishing golden light, like a celestial curtain protecting Xiao Mu completely.

The intense suction force from the mummy's mouth trying to absorb Xiao Mu's life force was instantly cut off under the protection of the Door-God Painting.

Wuuu!

Just as Xiao Mu was beginning to rejoice, a horrifying event occurred. The mummy, free of the Door-God Painting's constraints, began to awaken more rapidly.

Its eyelids twitched, showing signs of opening.

The thick destructive force rushed out, covering the entire ancient cave in an instant.

The ancient cave immediately turned pitch black, reminiscent of a deep abyss, and nothing could be seen.

"Ah~"

A muffled groan from the man in the Fifth Realm rang out. His life force was entirely absorbed by the mummy, and under the erosion of the destructive force, he turned to ashes.

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