Chapter 33 - Second Floor: Garden of Whispers P.1

"Is everyone fine?" Xin Jin asked as he casually approached Luo Mei, Gu Xian'er and the others.

"Jin! You're okay!" Gu Xian'er exclaimed as she jumped into his arms, nearly knocking him over.

"Of course I'm okay." He replied reassuringly,"Why wouldn't I be?" He added like it was obvious.

"We were quite worried. After we exited from the portal and found that you were gone, we couldn't help but think the worst." Luo Mei spoke as she came close and joined the hug, wearing a relieved smile.

"Does that mean you were all together this whole time?" Xin Jin asked with a hint of surprise. He had assumed that like him, everyone had been scattered, left to fend for themselves. Now it seemed that he had been the odd one out.

"Indeed, Master Xin." Spoke Lu Qiáng as he approached to give a summary of what happened.

"So that's how it is." Xin Jin said thoughtfully as he listened to the story of their adventures.

After entering into the Inheritance Tomb, the group; minus Xin Jin, encountered several shadow creatures right off the bat. However due to their skills and coordination, they effectively dealt with the situation, as well as all subsequent battles.

As they discussed, the large chamber slowly began to fill as individuals who were either lightly injured, as well as large groups, either mixed or from the same Sect kept trickling in.

The reason that Xin Jin and the others didn't immediately head for the portal to the second floor was due to it being encased by yet another barrier.

However, the stone stele acting as the timer this time was rapidly dissipating its golden aura.

It seemed that by the rate it was going, the second level would open in less than an hour.

Thus, Xin Jin sat next to Luo Mei and Gu Xian'er as the group began to relax to a certain degree, resting in order to regain their energy.

After about 50 minutes had passed, it seemed like nobody else would be arriving. The initial numbers from the outside had decreased significantly, settling somewhere in the 20,000 range from the massive number of over 100,000 cultivators.

Once again, when the barrier disappeared, another pulse of energy spread out, stirring everyone to their feet.

It was time.

Like before, Xin Jin's group held back, allowing for everyone else to take the initiative.

Upon seeing the last of those present entering the swirling portal, their group exchanged glances, nodded to one another, before steadily approaching the vortex that led to their next destination.

Xin Jin wore a serious expression, which was mirrored by the others, and with a inaudible sigh, stepped through.

Whoosh!

The swirling energy was just as intense as the previous time as Li Jiāng nearly threw up after arriving on the other side.

Xin Jin and the rest were, while not to the same degree, also feeling mildly unpleasant.

This sensation quickly vanished however when they all finally took in the surroundings.

It was stunning.

Trees, flowers of varying colors, their scent filling the air, as well as a multitude of butterflies meandering about.

A towering tree, probably over 500 meters tall eclipsed the artificial sun in the distance.

However, something didn't quite feel right to Xin Jin or the others.

"It's too quiet..." Huáng Yù Míng said softly with narrowed eyes, her intuition as an assassin telling her that something wasn't natural about the whole thing.

"Keep on your toes. We could be under attack any second." Lu Qiáng advised everyone.

After a brief discussion they all agreed to set out towards the north, in the direction of the massive tree that dominated the horizon.

Approaching the only clear path through the forest, everybody took their position, maintaining a proper formation.

'Jewel, are you there?' Xin Jin asked, hoping to finally get some information from the System.

[I am. I'm glad we can communicate again.]

'Mm. What do you think of this place?' He inquired

[It's very strange. I can vaguely sense multiple living beings, though I'm unsure of their exact location.] She replied in a way that indicated the System was mildly concerned.

'What about the first level, any input on why there was interference?' Xin Jin asked

[I do have a theory, but it shouldn't be possible, at least not in the Lower Daemon Realm.] Jewel stated, somewhat unsure.

'....oh? And why might that be?' He inquired after some thought.

[Because if I'm right, then that would mean you encountered a 'Law'. The Law of Darkness to be exact. Such a thing should be impossible to manifest or manipulate bellow the Lower Daeva Realm where such things are used to amplify cultivation.]

'Wait, then how is this 'Law of Darkness' here?' Xin Jin questioned with a furrowed brow, not understanding how something from a higher Realm could exist in this Inheritance Tomb.

[Honestly, I don't-]

*Thump!*

*Crash!*

Before the System could complete its explanation, something came barreling through the silent forest.

"Get ready!" Xin Jin shouted as everyone quickly assumed a defensive position, ready for battle.

*Crack!*

*Snap!*

The ground began to rumble violently under the weight of whatever was approaching.

But just as fast as it started, the seeming chaos abruptly stopped, puzzling everyone.

Suddenly, after a few short moments of anxiety, barely audible voices flowed ethereally from the trees.

"Hey you..."

"Hehehe..."

"Play with us..."

The voices sounded like small children, but for some reason made a shiver run down everyone's spine as a palpable chill filled the air.

Almost at the same time, the mellow scent of wildflowers began to increase, overwhelming the senses, as a pink mist began to surround the group.

[Ding! Be careful! I just detected a sudden spike of an hallucinogenic compound in the air, and it highly potent!] Jewel yelled as a feeling of irresistible euphoria began to invade Xin Jin's thoughts.

"Cover your mouth and nose, the air is filled with drugs!" He shouted a warning while simultaneously tearing his right sleeve, creating a makeshift mask in order to gain some protection.

While most of the group was able to maintain a portion of their rationality and follow Xin Jin's example, Li Jiāng was not as lucky due to his lower cultivation.

The young Warhammer users eyes glazed over as he tried to head into the unknown.

Luckily, Lu Qiáng managed to react in time, tackling the other to the ground.

"No fair! No fair!" Came the voices again, clearly irate.

Nearly a dozen vines, thick as an arm, shot out from within the mist, aggresively whipping towards Lu Qiáng and Li Jiāng, attempting to drag them away. However, Wú An and Wú Gāng both stepped in to block with their shields.

"We've got this!" They shouted in unison.