Deeper Into The Mountain

Shame burned in the young lord's gut, his eyes bloodshot with humiliation. He had just mocked the young cultivator as a "frog in a well", and he immediately did something even Senior Luo said would take months. He could feel the shame from being slapped in the face.

The weight of a hundred mocking gazes pressed down on him, the silent laughter of his peers echoing in his ears.

Senior Luo, his face ashen, stared at Tu He with disbelief. Questions swirled in his mind, but pride prevented him from seeking answers from a junior. With a curt nod, he strode forward. "Let us proceed." As the most powerful cultivator present, he naturally assumed the mantle of leadership.

The young lord from the Brave Clan, his jaw clenched tight, followed with his entourage, their gazes flickering between Tu He and Ming Ren with a mixture of curiosity and resentment. The remaining cultivators, sensing the shift in power dynamics, cast hesitant glances at the Earth Sect delegation before cautiously moving deeper into the mountain.

Tu He, his mind buzzing with unanswered questions, stole another look at Ming Ren. He was intrigued by the young cultivator's abilities, his calm demeanor amidst chaos, and the air of mystery that surrounded him. "We shall accompany you," he declared, aligning himself and his followers with Ming Ren's group.

At that point, he already considered Ming Ren's group together with them. He was extremely curious about his abilities.

The passage they followed was illuminated by the soft, ethereal glow of Luminous Wind Spirit Stones embedded in the cavern walls. These crystals, a rare treasure, not only provided light but also circulated fresh air. 

The path stretched on, winding deeper into the mountain's heart. Time seemed to lose all meaning as they walked, the silence broken only by the rhythmic thud of their footsteps and the occasional drip of water from unseen fissures. Finally, they arrived at a vast chamber where the path splintered into a myriad of tunnels, each disappearing into the darkness.

Senior Luo halted, his brow furrowed in concentration. "There are too many paths," he muttered, his voice laced with apprehension, "and I sense danger lurking within each."

Understanding the unspoken command, the young lord from the Brave Clan dispatched scouts into the various tunnels, demanding other clans contribute their own members to the perilous task. Screams echoed from the darkness, followed by an unsettling silence. None returned.

"There is no easy path," Senior Luo confirmed, his expression grim.

The young lord from the Brave Clan, his eyes gleaming with a ruthless glint, offered a chilling solution. "Then we shall send them in until one breaks through."

Senior Luo, however, had a different plan. 'Young Master,' he whispered, using a sound transmission to shield his words from prying ears, 'What if they reach the treasure before us? From this point onward, I am confident in my ability to navigate these tunnels. Let us make the other clans choose a different path each.' 

A cruel smile spread across the young lord's face. Turning to the assembled cultivators, he declared, "You have all ridden the coattails of the Brave Clan for long enough. From now on, only those willing to submit to our authority may follow. We shall take this path. Of course, you are free to choose other paths."

Many, fearing the unknown dangers of the other tunnels, chose to pledge their allegiance to the Brave Clan, swelling their ranks. The remaining cultivators, a mix of independent clans and loose cultivators, dispersed among the remaining paths, their faces etched with a mixture of defiance and trepidation.

"Young Master, which path shall we take?" one of Tu He's subordinates inquired.

Tu He turned to Ming Ren, seeking his guidance.

Ming Ren closed his eyes, his spiritual sense extending like an invisible web, mapping the treacherous paths that lay before them. The first challenge the cultivators would face was a series of traps that had been carefully placed throughout the tunnels, seemingly by the mountain's guardians. These traps included pitfalls that would swallow up unwary travelers, swinging blades that would slice through anything in their path, and explosive talismans that were triggered by mystical symbols.

However, Ming Ren could tell those traps were not ancient, and thus had been planted there not too long ago, which led him to guess it was the work of those who spread the Spirit Bugs and led them into this trap. 

As they progressed deeper into the mountain, the cultivators would encounter more and more ferocious spirit beasts. Those beasts all had something in common: they were attuned to metal spiritual energy, turning them into formidable opponents in this metal qi filled mountain.

There was no escape, no easy way out. Their only option was to venture deeper, to confront the challenges that awaited them, and to hope that fortune favored the bold.

"They are all the same," Ming Ren finally spoke, his voice calm but firm, "It won't be easy."

Tu He, though a young lord accustomed to comfort and authority, surprised everyone with his next words, "Then we shall face them together." He stepped into the nearest tunnel, his expression resolute.

The groups varied in size as they ventured into the unknown. The largest, led by the arrogant young lord and Senior Luo, boasted the most cultivators, their strength bolstered by those who had submitted to the Brave Clan's dominance. Ming Ren's group, smaller but united by a shared sense of purpose, followed close behind.

Ming Ren, aware of the need to conserve his spiritual energy for the trials ahead, initially remained at the back. However, the traps were cunning and deadly, their mechanisms hidden within the very fabric of the tunnels. He knew that without his guidance, casualties would be inevitable. Despite his reservations about revealing his abilities, he couldn't stand by and watch these cultivators, even those he barely knew, walk blindly into their deaths. 

"Ye Huian, take the lead," he instructed, his voice low but clear.

The young woman, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and determination, stepped forward without hesitation.

Ming Ren's choice was strategic. Ye Huian, with her Metal Innate Constitution, thrived in this environment. The pulsating Metal Qi invigorated her, replenishing her reserves and enhancing her strength with each step. No matter how much Spiritual Energy she spent, she would still be in the best shape out of them.

"Wait, it's dangerous. I will go first," Tu He said.

"No need," Ye Huian rushed in front without thinking twice.

'There is a small killing array ahead,' Ming Ren transmitted, his spiritual sense painting a vivid image of the trap's location and mechanics within Ye Huian's mind. 'Strike here to disable it.'

Astonishment flickered across Ye Huian's face as she perceived the hidden danger with crystal clarity. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the secrets of the tunnel. With a powerful swing of her blade, she shattered the array's core, rendering it inert.

"How did she…?" Tu He, witnessing this feat, couldn't help but marvel. He recalled Ming Ren's earlier intervention with the entrance formation and realized that this young cultivator possessed extraordinary abilities.

As they progressed, Ming Ren continued to guide Ye Huian, revealing hidden traps and guiding her strikes with uncanny precision. Spike traps, disguised pitfalls, and waves of metal-infused Living Rocks, animated by the mountain's potent Qi, were all neutralized before they could harm the group.

While Ming Ren's party navigated the treacherous tunnels with relative ease, the other groups were not so fortunate. Screams of pain and cries of despair echoed through the caverns as cultivators fell victim to the hidden dangers. Many, realizing the futility of their efforts, retreated and sought refuge with the Brave Clan's group, hoping their superior numbers would offer some protection.

However, even by using the other cultivators as fodder, they struggled to keep pace with Ming Ren's group, as Senior Luo had to spend a lot of time disabling the arrays.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ming Ren's party emerged into a hidden valley nestled within the mountain's heart. A Lost City lay before them – a breathtaking spectacle of crumbling towers, overgrown plazas, and streets paved with timeworn stones. Towering Metal Trees, their bark shimmering with an otherworldly sheen, dotted the landscape, their branches laden with luminous Spirit Fruits and sparkling Spirit Gems.

The sight of such treasures ignited a spark of greed in the hearts of the cultivators. Several of Tu He's subordinates, their eyes gleaming with avarice, rushed forward, their loyalty momentarily forgotten in the face of such riches. Even Tu He and the others, save for Ming Ren, Ye Huian, and Old Lai, were drawn towards the allure of the Lost City's bounty. It was not that Ye Huian and Old Lai didn't care to compete for treasures, but, since Ming Ren hadn't moved, they knew it wasn't safe.

"Stop!" Ming Ren's voice boomed, halting Tu He just as he was about to step into the clearing.

Heeding the warning, Tu He froze, his gaze questioning. The rest of his party, however, ignored the command and surged forward, their hands outstretched to claim their prize.

"Follow me!" Ming Ren urged, his voice laced with urgency, "Do not stop, or you will die!" He turned and sprinted towards a towering stone stele that stood at the heart of the Lost City.

Old Lai and Ye Huian, trusting in Ming Ren's judgment, followed without hesitation. Tu He, after a moment of indecision, gritted his teeth and abandoned the allure of the treasures, choosing survival over immediate gain.

"Young Master, these treasures…"

As they ran, the horrifying truth of Ming Ren's warning became clear. The clearing erupted with ferocious spirit beasts – Living Rocks, Metal Scaled Snakes, and Metal Bats, their numbers seemingly endless, their eyes burning with a predatory hunger. The cultivators who had succumbed to greed were swiftly overwhelmed, their screams swallowed by the cacophony of battle.

Tu He and his followers dashed after Ming Ren, but those that were already much further in couldn't retreat in time and died.

"There are too many!" Ye Huian shouted, her voice barely audible over the roars and screeches of the spirit beasts.

No matter where they looked, the clearing teemed with monstrous forms, their metal-infused bodies reflecting the eerie glow of the Luminous Wind Crystals.

Reaching the stone stele, Ming Ren instructed, "Buy me some time!" He swiftly sat down cross-legged, his eyes closing in concentration as he focused his spiritual sense on the ancient structure.

Ye Huian and Old Lai, their backs pressed against the stele, stood guard, their weapons a whirlwind of motion as they fended off the relentless onslaught. Tu He and his remaining followers, realizing the gravity of their situation, joined the fray, their initial greed replaced by a desperate fight for survival.

"We cannot hold them much longer!" Tu He roared, his voice strained with exertion as he parried the strike of a massive Metal Scaled Snake.

"It is enough," Ming Ren announced, his eyes snapping open, a newfound intensity radiating from his being. The stone stele pulsed with energy, its runes glowing brightly. A circular formation materialized on the ground around them, its edges crackling with lethal energy.

With a deafening roar, the killing array activated, unleashing a wave of destructive force that pulverized the spirit beasts within its radius. The remaining creatures, sensing the deadly power of the formation, retreated in terror, leaving behind a field of mangled corpses and shattered stone.

"This…"

"We will be safe here."

Exhausted but alive, the surviving cultivators collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling with a mixture of adrenaline and relief. Ye Huian, though battered and bruised, remained the most composed, her Metal Innate Constitution allowing her to recover quickly from the strenuous battle.

Tu He, his respect for Ming Ren growing with each passing moment, approached the young cultivator. "You are truly exceptional," he admitted, his voice filled with admiration.

"But… our situation is still…" One of Tu He's subordinates said.

"Is there even a way out of this accursed mountain…?" 

"There must be," Tu He insisted, his gaze scanning the seemingly endless expanse of the Lost City. "We are deep within the mountain, yet there is air to breathe. That means there is a way for it to enter, and if there is a way in, there must be a way out."

Ming Ren shook his head, his expression grave. "That may be true in most circumstances, but not here. Do you see those Spirit Crystals? They are called [Luminous Wind Spirit Crystals]. They create both light and air. There is no natural opening, no hidden tunnel leading back to the surface."

Despair threatened to engulf them. They had escaped one death trap only to find themselves ensnared in another.

"There's no way there's a simple way out. We have come way too far down inside the Mountain," Ye Huian said, "Even the way we came in wasn't available before."

"There is a way," Ming Ren stated, his voice firm despite the dire circumstances, "This hidden city was not built without an escape route. It is likely an advanced Teleporting Formation, capable of transporting us out of this mountain."

"So, we are to rely on the arrogant fools from the Brave Clan to find it?" a cultivator scoffed, "They would sooner see us dead than offer their assistance."

"We cannot simply wait here and hope for a miracle," Tu He added, his voice laced with frustration. "We can't go deeper without any clue either. I've never seen so many Spirit Beasts together, and they are all very tough."

Ming Ren understood the true reason behind the beasts' strength and ferocity. In this Metal Qi Rich environment, all those Spirit Beasts carried the Innate Metal Element, and they were from species that bred extremely quickly. While Water-attributed creatures would normally thrive in such a place, their scarcity and slower reproductive cycle made them ill-suited to dominate this environment.

"Damn it!" Ye Huian slammed her fist against the stone stele, her voice raw with frustration. "Are we simply to wait here like cornered rats?"

"That's not an option," Ming Ren stated, his voice grim, "Don't you remember? The Spirit Bugs."

The words struck Ye Huian like a blow, her mind reeling. 

In a normal environment, maybe they would be able to hold on there for a long time. But that place was crawling with Spirit Bugs, strengthened by the Metal Qi, which meant that, aside from her, everyone else would eventually run out of Qi and fall under the poisoning symptoms.

"Spirit Bugs?" Tu He questioned, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Ming Ren, his gaze serious, decided it was time to reveal the truth. He recounted the events leading up to their arrival, from the orchestrated beast tide to the discovery of the hidden formations and the suspicion of a larger conspiracy at play.

"No... that's madness!" Tu He exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "Everything has been a trap? Even those Spirit Beasts? Isn't that crazy? Why would anyone do that? And those Spirit Bugs… I know I've been having trouble circulating my Spiritual Energy and depended on pills, but…"

"It matters not why," Ming Ren interjected, "It also doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. By the time you realize it's true, it will be too late to regret. I have been conserving my spiritual energy because of this reason. But, if we stay here, it doesn't matter. We will die from weakness."

Ming Ren sighed grimly. He had been conserving his own spiritual energy, anticipating this very scenario. But even his reserves were finite. Staying here meant succumbing to the poison, their bodies becoming puppets for whoever controlled the Spirit Bugs.

"Shit," one of Tu He's subordinates muttered, his face pale with fear, "If I had known, I would have never set foot in this cursed mountain."

"We all share that sentiment," Ming Ren admitted with a wry smile, "But despair serves no purpose. There is still a chance, a way out of this predicament."

A flicker of hope ignited in their eyes.

"I have found the way out," Ming Ren revealed, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation, "but it is guarded by a powerful Teleporting Formation. To activate it, we need to trigger four additional formations scattered throughout the city, similar to the one we just encountered."

The weight of his words settled upon them. Four more brutal battles, each against overwhelming odds, stood between them and freedom.

"We have to fight those metal-infused monstrosities again until you activate the formation four more times?" a cultivator questioned, her voice a low growl. 

Ming Ren nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "The final activation may take the longest, pushing us to our limits. It will be a test of our strength, our resilience, and our will to survive. It will be dangerous, but we can do it, since we have Ye Huian with us."

A tense silence descended upon the group as Ming Ren's words hung in the air. All eyes turned towards Ye Huian, the weight of their survival suddenly resting on her shoulders.

"Me?" Ye Huian's voice wavered, a flicker of vulnerability betraying her usual confidence. Despite her bravado and strength, the enormity of the task ahead gnawed at her resolve. Could she truly be the key to their escape, the one to lead them through the trials that awaited?

"If you can't do it, none of us can," Ming Ren affirmed, his gaze steady and unwavering. A gentle smile touched his lips, conveying a confidence in her that transcended words, "But first, I will teach you a set of arts!"