Chapter 112: Welcome to Film City

This was the newly completed film studio within the scenic area. Unfortunately, it had barely been used before the apocalypse struck, and it was now largely abandoned. Unlike the previous venue for the anime festival, this place was filled with constructed sets alongside the natural scenery of the park.

Wu Jue stepped inside and was immediately amazed beyond what he had seen outside.

Meow Pu, running ahead, exclaimed, “Wow, this kind of film studio, I’ve never seen one before. Look, this is a set for filming—an ancient mountain village!”

Wu Jue glanced over and recognized a familiar old mountain village. Though its style was quite different from his own era, it still stirred a deep sense of nostalgia.

Unable to resist, he wandered in and casually pushed open a small wooden hut. Inside were a few tables and chairs, fairly complete for the scene.

He sat down immediately, soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere, thinking how nice it would be to have a drink in hand.

Just then, Xun’er threw on a large cloak and jumped over, asking, “Do I look like a heroine?”

Wu Jue laughed outright. With her small frame wrapped in such a huge cloak, she looked more like a magician performing a trick.

He coughed and said, “Come on, get inside so I can see.”

Xun’er agreed, wrapping herself fully in the cloak. Suddenly, Wu Jue grabbed her up and carried her out of the hut. “Now I’ve caught a live one. Later I’ll tie you up and sell you as dog meat.”

“No! Wu Jue, you villain, you drunken monk who only knows how to eat! Put me down!” Xun’er protested, kicking and squirming.

As Wu Jue teased her, Meow Pu suddenly darted over, saying, “Wait, something’s wrong here. I think I just saw a ghost.”

“No way, a ghost?” Wu Jue set Xun’er down and, once her head popped out, patted her gently. “Even if there is one, we’re not afraid. Especially with you here, Xun’er.”

Xun’er snorted coldly, “I don’t care. If there really is a ghost, it can scare both of you to death—really dead!”

Just as she finished her spoiled threat, a shadow flickered past in front of them. Meow Pu hadn’t been joking.

“No way, a real ghost? Trying to scare me to death!” With a flash, Xun’er burst out from under the cloak like a wild rabbit, charging toward the spot where the ghost vanished, suddenly full of energy.

Wu Jue stared, caught off guard, when Xun’er grabbed a flickering shadow and dragged it out. “Got you! Now be honest. Who exactly are you?”

The shadow was pale and faint, looking exhausted, yet it gazed at them with a pitiful expression. “I told you, don’t be afraid. I’m a ghost who died here, trapped in the film city. I drift here every day, unable to leave. I was startled when I saw you because it’s been so long since I’ve seen a living person.”

“A ghost, huh? Well, that’s fine. At least we’ve met someone who knows what’s going on,” Wu Jue said, no longer surprised. He urged Xun’er to ask the ghost what had happened here.

Xun’er snorted. “They need me now, want me to help. Hmph, I’m not going to make it easy for you.”

Wu Jue scratched his head. “Then let’s just stick around. The film city is huge; we can explore at our leisure. Right, Meow Pu?”

He and Meow Pu, one man and one cat, put on a show to tease Xun’er.

Xun’er stomped her foot. “So now you’re turning the tables and bullying me? Just wait and see how I deal with you later!”

Then, employing her irresistible interrogations, she forced the ghost to tell the truth.

Apparently, when the apocalypse broke out, this place was holding an anime festival. Someone infected with the virus appeared at the event and began attacking and biting others, spreading the infection.

At that moment, a mysterious Taoist appeared. Seeing how people were turning into zombies—many of them children—and how horrifying their deaths were, he pitied them. Using his sect’s method of sustaining life with ghosts, he transformed them into “living dead” who had lost their memories.

These “living dead” forgot the reasons for their deaths, reliving the day before their demise repeatedly, forgetting everything that happened before dawn, and starting anew.

Hearing this, Wu Jue and the others shuddered involuntarily.

Xun’er, unusually serious, said, “I once heard my mother say that since ancient times, Chinese Taoist immortals have mastered spiritual arts and communication with the underworld. I never imagined they could create living dead. Maintaining so many must consume vast spiritual energy; this Taoist’s arts must be very powerful.”

Wu Jue naturally became interested. “Do you know what happened to that Taoist afterward?”

The ghost answered nervously, “I don’t know. After he finished, he disappeared for a long time. I hid here, but later I think I saw him appear somewhere in the scenic area—probably training to ascend to immortality here.”

“This place really is strange,” Wu Jue marveled, sensing the troubles before him multiplied.

There were assassins secretly hunting him, living dead from the anime festival, and now a mysterious Taoist here—things were getting lively indeed.

He asked Xun’er, “Should we get serious and go fetch Ter? We need to carefully decide what to do next.”

Xun’er didn’t dare delay and hurried off to fetch Ter. Left alone with Meow Pu, Wu Jue spoke to the ghost, “Lead me. I want to take a look around upfront. I hope you’re telling the truth.”

The ghost shook its head repeatedly. “No, Master. Your yang energy is very strong; I’m afraid I won’t be able to bear it. Let me just give you directions; you should go yourself.”

Wu Jue shook his head, tired of the ghost’s rambling, and began walking forward.

The film city occupied nearly half the scenic area. Touring it fully was no small task. As Wu Jue moved ahead, he soon came across strange sights.

The scene switched again ahead, transforming into a city street—clearly a set for a modern film. Wu Jue wandered through, noticing the shops were built to look just like real ones.

Fortunately, no zombies had invaded this area, so the shops remained intact. Wu Jue couldn’t help but step inside to observe.

The setup was almost indistinguishable from the real world. If not for knowing it was a film set, one might think they had entered a bustling city.

While observing, Wu Jue suddenly sensed something floating across the street.

Another ghost?

He immediately gave chase and saw a shadow drifting quickly far away. It didn’t look like a ghost, nor was it solid. Wu Jue accelerated, using his lightness skill, and chased it out of the shopping district, stopping at the edge of a forest.

The shadow vanished, but the woods looked eerie and sinister. Wu Jue dared not enter rashly, suspecting ghosts lurked within.

He cautiously sensed movement inside and finally asked, “Friend, why did you lead me here? What do you want?”

After a long silence, a blue figure appeared, swaying on a branch. It said, “The incident happened suddenly—I didn’t want to attract attention. Are you the legendary monk who traveled through a hundred years?”

Unexpectedly, the visitor’s words revealed Wu Jue’s identity. He showed no surprise and asked, “And you? A Taoist from Mount Lao living here?”

The Taoist laughed from the tree. “You could say that. But I’m trapped here against my will. On this cursed land, I’ve expended all my strength. I don’t want you to suffer the same fate.”

“What do you mean?” Wu Jue’s suspicion grew.

“I advise you to leave quickly. This place isn’t suitable for you. Stay too long, and you’ll be trapped like me. Even with all your abilities, you won’t be able to escape.”

Hearing this, Wu Jue was stunned. It seemed the Taoist wasn’t unwilling to leave but was trapped by some force.

“I understand. You mean this place has some secret. The longer you stay, the harder it is to get out.” Wu Jue asked, “Is there no way to break the curse? So many living dead keep reliving their last day endlessly. Isn’t there a way to end it for them?”

The Taoist shook his head. “You’re a fool. Some things cannot be forced. Anyway, suit yourself. I don’t want to meddle in worldly affairs. Tomorrow, you’ll understand just how terrible this place is.”

With that, he refused to say more and vanished into the forest.

The apocalypse was truly a strange world. The troubles kept piling up. Wu Jue glanced back at the film city, ready for whatever came next.