With no way back

The tunnel was still thick with the oppressive deathly aura even after the battle. The lingering energy caused the air to shudder, as though torn by invisible forces. Several Foundation Establishment-level evil spirits had finally been repelled by Wang Quan and the others, but the cost was steep for the group of rogue cultivators.

Wang Quan withdrew his sword, his breathing heavy as spiritual energy surged violently within his meridians. His Five Elements energy was nearly depleted. He scanned his surroundings, a heavy feeling of unease setting in.

Two of the Qi Refining cultivators lay lifeless on the ground, their souls having been eroded by the evil spirits' death aura. Their spiritual bodies were disintegrating, leaving no signs of life. Daoist Feng Ming's face was grim, the loss weighing heavily on him.

"Two more have fallen..." Wang Quan thought, shaken by the scene before him. Although they had barely escaped the battle, the team had lost two members, and the remaining cultivators had little spiritual energy left. If they encountered another wave of Foundation Establishment-level evil spirits, they might not survive.

Feng Ming glanced around the tunnel, still thick with dark energy, knowing the dangers ahead had not been resolved. He let out a low, frustrated sigh, his voice grave. "If this continues, we will only lose more people."

The group was now weary, their spiritual energy nearly drained. Only Feng Ming appeared to have some strength left, but even he understood that pushing forward would lead to even greater peril.

"We are running low on energy. If we go any further, it may lead to complete disaster." Feng Ming spoke heavily, his gaze falling on Wang Quan and the remaining cultivators.

Wang Quan nodded. He knew that continuing forward in their current state was a death sentence. Though his cultivation was formidable, dealing with multiple Foundation Establishment-level evil spirits had left him drained. Pressing on without recovering their strength would only worsen the situation.

Lei Feng wiped sweat from his brow and muttered, "But we can't even find the way back. It feels like we're trapped in a ghost maze. It won't be easy to escape."

A tense silence settled over the group, an oppressive weight bearing down on their spirits. The maze-like tunnel, shrouded in dark energy, had ensnared them like an invisible web, preventing them from moving forward or retreating. It felt like a giant trap, waiting to devour them one by one.

"We've likely been caught in a formation," Wang Quan said quietly, his face calm but serious. His spiritual sense had scanned the area repeatedly, yet he couldn't find a path out. It was clear that a powerful array or illusion was at work, one they couldn't break unless they located the formation's core.

Feng Ming's face darkened, and he nodded slowly. "Yes, this formation is very strange. The key must lie deeper within the cave."

His gaze turned toward the deeper part of the tunnel, his expression firm with resolve.

"If we can't retreat, there's only one choice."

Feng Ming's voice was steady but resolute. "We must press forward. If we can find the heart of this cave, we may be able to locate the formation core and escape."

Wang Quan frowned slightly, feeling some doubt. However, he understood that retreating was no longer an option. The path ahead was fraught with unknown dangers, but staying put would only bring more despair.

"You're right, senior. Since there's no turning back, we must move forward," Wang Quan agreed. He sat down in meditation to replenish his spiritual energy, using his Five Elements technique to stabilize his depleted reserves. The other rogue cultivators also sat to meditate, while Feng Ming stood watch, keeping an eye out for any threats.

As time passed, the air remained heavy with the scent of death, the oppressive atmosphere unrelenting, though no new evil spirits emerged. This brief respite allowed them some much-needed recovery.

"These spirits... each one of them contains a tremendous amount of soul energy," Wang Quan thought as he observed the remnants of the fallen spirits. The Foundation Establishment-level spirits were much stronger than the mid-tier ones he had encountered earlier. Their spirit bodies held incredibly pure soul energy, which could significantly boost his own soul strength if refined.

However, now was not the time to focus on refining these spirit fragments. He pushed the thought aside and concentrated on recovering his spiritual energy.

After a while, Wang Quan's energy began to stabilize, and the Five Elements energy within him flowed more freely again. Though he hadn't fully recovered, he had regained enough strength to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

He opened his eyes and rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the deeper part of the tunnel. Feng Ming also stood up, signaling the group to prepare for what lay ahead.

"Let's go. The only way out is to go deeper," Feng Ming said, his voice filled with determination.

Wang Quan gripped his sword tightly and followed the group deeper into the tunnel. His mind was focused and alert, knowing that each step forward required utmost caution. The threat of evil spirits still loomed large, and only by finding the formation's core could they hope to break free of this trap.

As they ventured further, the deathly aura thickened once more. The air grew heavier, pressing in on them like an invisible force. Wang Quan's breathing quickened slightly, sensing that they were nearing the heart of something far more dangerous.

"This place... it feels increasingly wrong," Wang Quan thought, his mind racing. His Five Elements energy surged through his body, preparing him for the imminent threat lurking in the darkness.