Chapter 32 - First Floor: Labyrinth of Shadows P.2

*Clang!*

*Clack!*

The sound of clashing weapons echoed throughout the chamber as Xin Jin barely managed to blocked a series of incoming strikes.

His movements were solely defensive at first, hoping to learn the patterns of the Shadow creatures attacks.

He eventually saw frustration build within his opponent as its swings became more hurried and aggressive in an attempt to overwhelm him.

The scythe like appendages sliced in from a wide, horizontal arc, just barely missing his throat.

In that instant, Xin Jin spun to the side and launched a blinding uppercut with his blade, deflecting another incoming blow.

He then reversed his momentum, dropped to one knee, and thrust in low, his jabbing sword catching his nearly invisible adversary square in the abdomen.

"Skreee!"

The beast released an ear piercing howl as the Blade of Impermanence sank deeply into its flesh, as blood splattered upon the stone floor.

At this point, the mysterious shadow once again slincked off into the darkness.

Xin Jin, every wary of another possible ambush, maintained a defensive stance as he guarded against the unexpected.

However much to his surprise, even after waiting close to 2 minutes, no further attempts to claim his life came.

'Is it a trap? Perhaps to get me to lower my guard?' Xin Jin thought

Another 4 minutes passed with nothing happening, and so without waiting any longer, he began to move ahead rapidly while using his movement technique, the Feathered Serpent Steps, to move in a fluid, yet unpredictable serpentine pattern.

After traveling for quite a distance and not coming under attack again, Xin Jin decided to inquire about his situation from the System.

'Jewel, are you there?' He asked silently

[I -m, -ut t-ere see-s to -e som- ty-e of -nte-fera-nce.]

Xin Jin could hardly make out the garbled response, but he caught the jist of it.

This level of the Inheritance Tomb obviously had some strange interference, most likely stemming from the veil of darkness shrouding everything.

With a serious expression, he gave up on receiving any answers, and continued searching for an exit.

At certain times he would encounter a fork in the tunnel, and instead of contemplating which direction he should head in, Xin Jin left it up to 'fate'.

Using his sword as a guide, he held it vertical on its tip, then let go. Whichever way it pointed after falling was the path he took.

These actions led him to the left, right, right again, then another left.

Soon after taking his most recent direction change, he once again heard the sounds of combat from up ahead.

Hoping to encounter someone capable enough to work with, he sprinted ahead as quickly as possible.

Roughly 30 seconds later, Xin Jin came across a pair of cultivators who appeared to be from different Sects as they valiantly struggled against a trio of the same shadow beasts as the one that had attacked him earlier.

Without a moment of hesitation, he rushed toward the rear of the nearest creature which was currently engaged with a young looking male who was wearing forest green robes, and had a tree like emblem stitched on the left side of his chest and wielded a metal whip with a sharp blade at the tip.

There was a sect token at his waist which was Jade green and said 'Thousand Oaks Sect'.

Despite Xin Jin's rapid movements, as well as the lack of visibility, the young man somehow sensed him approaching, spurring him into a flurry of attacks to keep the beast before him occupied.

Using this opportunity, Xin Jin struck decisively, piercing the shadow through its back, all the way through, in one fluid motion.

"Gaaa...!"

It howled miserably as it collapsed to the ground with a thump, a pool of dark, oil-like blood pooling underneath it.

"T-thank you, you saved my life." The cultivator in green said breathlessly.

"No pro-"

"Shut up and help me!" yelled the other cultivator, a woman in light blue with a snowflake emblem on her chest.

Xin Jin and the young man looked at each other and nodded, both flanking from opposite sides as the female cultivator held the other creatures off with a wall of ice.

After a series of accurate and deadly strikes, Xin Jin and the others managed to restrain, and eventually kill the remaining creatures.

"Huff...huff..."

The young man in green collapsed after the fight was over, obviously exhausted.

The female cultivator however was in much better condition, despite having a few superficial wounds.

"So who are you? what sect are you from?" She asked in a cold manner after taking a drink of water.

"Xin Jin. No sect." He replied casually.

"And you two are...?" Xin Jin then asked the both of them.

The man in green finally stood up and introduced their side.

"I'm Li Lín of the Thousand Oaks Sect. This is Wu Yue of the Northwind Ice Sect."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Xin Jin said with a polite smile while cupping his fists.

"No need to be so polite, Brother Jin. If you hadn't arrived when you did, we may not even be alive to speak with one another." Li Lín said with a voice filled with gratitude.

"Hmph, I had everything under control." Wu Yue said with an icy tone.

"Haha, perhaps you did, but I am certain I was nearing my limits." Li Lín replied with some doubt.

Xin Jin watched their back and forth with a hint of amusement. From his point of view, they seemed to get along quite well.

After a moment of thought, Xin Jin decided to ask if they were willing to join him in searching for a way out, upon which Li Lín readily agreed while Wu Yue simply nodded.

Whith the three now grouped up, they made quick time exploring the dark, maze-like tunnels, occasionally encountering the occasional shadow creature or two.

However, the trio seemed to work effectively with one another as their weapons, styles, and techniques seemed to compliment one another very well.

Eventually, after killing their seventh opponent, they eventually stumbled upon a large group inside a massive chamber with another portal. From a cursory glance Xin Jin counted at least 2,000 individuals. Most were exhausted and bloody, while others were mostly or even entirely unharmed.

"Well, I'm going to go look for my sect mates. Please take care Brother Jin." Li Lín said with a voice filled with hints of worry and hope.

"You as well Brother Lín." Xin Jin replied with a smile.

Wu Yue simply nodded farewell, which Jin responded to in kind.

After a few minutes of searching, Xin Jin finally discovered his original group, none of which were even slightly hurt.