Chapter 19 Below

The spiritual mist curled around them, no longer as thick now in the aftermath of the collapse. Zhao Lingfeng stood silent for a moment, his hand still resting on the Stone Claw Bear's wounded flank.

"We're going to find out what's really going on here," Zhao Lingfeng said quietly, his voice carrying a steel and anger that surprised even him. "Whatever's waiting down there, whatever set this trap... they'll answer for this."

The bear's eyes lit up. It still looked a little dumb, but perhaps sensing something, it shifted its massive form, moving to stand beside him rather than in front of him. No longer just a protector, but a companion ready to face whatever lay ahead together.

Looking down the descending path, Zhao Lingfeng could see the luminous fungi that had lit their way before seemed dimmer here, their glow struggling against an oppressive darkness that felt almost alive.

He felt that there was something was wrong with the spiritual energy in the air. Both Lin Tian and him had noticed this before, but this feeling felt stronger now. Fortunately, as long as he did not expend energy, it was still surprisingly manageable as long as he avoided the mist.

The bear let out a low rumble, its stone-armored form tensing. Clearly, it sensed the wrongness too.

"I know," Zhao Lingfeng patted its flank. "It's not exactly inviting, is it?"

He thought of Lin Tian, who had likely already found another path forward with the Earth Lotus Root in hand. The protagonist would be fine. That was how these stories worked. But Zhao Lingfeng wasn't a protagonist. He was just a reincarnated gamer trying to survive in a world that kept reminding him that it wasn't a game.

And yet...

Some quests, he thought with grim humor, you take on not because you're ready, but because you have to.

The bear's grinding whimper drew his attention back to their immediate surroundings. Its gaze was fixed on the rubble wall that entombed its companions. The loss was still fresh, the grief palpable in every line of its massive form.

"We'll remember them," Zhao Lingfeng promised, his voice soft but firm. "The Thunder Scale Drakes' courage, the Jade-Spine Serpents' sacrifice, the Spirit Wind Leopards' grace, …and the reassuring backs of your brother bears—none of it will be forgotten."

The bear turned to him, and in its eyes, Zhao Lingfeng saw a reflection of his own resolve. They were the survivors, and that came with a responsibility. Not just to live, but to make those sacrifices mean something. Especially for Zhao Lingfeng, as they had died for him.

While he only had known them for a couple of hours, but with everything that has happened, he definitely felt a connection with them.

Taking a deep breath of the caustic air, Zhao Lingfeng squared his shoulders. "Let's go see what's so important they needed to bury us to keep us from finding it."

Together, human and spirit beast, they began their descent into the depths of the secret realm. The darkness seemed to part before them, though whether in welcome or warning, neither could say.

Behind them in the settling dust, the wall of rubble stood like a tombstone for fallen friends.

But ahead... ahead lay answers.

***

Day 3.

[Progress toward the arrival of new System Features: 77%]

"Steady," Zhao Lingfeng murmured to his Stone Claw Bear companion as they navigated the twisted corridors. The beast's stone-armored form moved with surprising stealth despite its bulk, each step carefully placed to minimize noise.

Perhaps it was because of the aura of the Stone Claw Bear, most of the beasts they saw minded their own business. Yet, contrary to their actions, the majority of them looked like they wanted to pounce on anything they came across. Their low growls and restless movements filled the air, as if they couldn't stop themselves from making noise.

Another concerning point was that the deeper they went, Zhao Lingfeng felt that there was something strange with these chambers and tunnels. He couldn't quite make out what it was, but it had something to do with the form and structure.

Eventually, they found traces of what Zhao Lingfeng deduced to be tracks of cultivators. There were clear marks of recent entry, most telling by the lingering wisps of spent spiritual energy.

The bear suddenly froze, its small eyes fixed on something ahead. Zhao Lingfeng followed its gaze to see glints of yellow metal scattered across the ground. Not gold, but fragments of something that sparked faintly when disturbed.

"What do you think..." Zhao Lingfeng began, but the bear's warning growl cut him short.

Voices echoed from somewhere ahead, a jumble of urgent shouts and heated arguments. Zhao Lingfeng pressed himself against the wall, gesturing for the bear to stay low. Together, they crept forward until they reached a vantage point overlooking a chamber.

Below, about thirty cultivators had gathered, their forms illuminated by hastily deployed light talismans. Zhao Lingfeng recognized a few faces. One of them was his Junior Brother Liu and the other was his Senior Brother Fan Wei. Both of them and the rest appeared haggard. Their robes bore signs of recent combat; tears, scorch marks, and in some cases, stains of blood.

"It went this way!" A young woman in green robes pointed down one of the chamber's branching paths. "The Thunder Silk's trail is still fresh!"

"Thunder Silk?" Zhao Lingfeng whispered to himself, then his eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of what they were pursuing.

A large beetle scuttled across the chamber's far wall, its yellow-copper carapace gleaming in the fungi and talisman light. Two prominent horns curved from its head, crackling with visible electrical energy. Each movement of its six legs left trails of sparks against the stone.

[[ELITE]] LV18 Twin-Horned Yellow Beetle]

Zhao Lingfeng's breath caught.

It was on a higher level than the wolf he had fought with, but it was considered an elite. Its nameplate was written in dark purple. In games, elite enemies are stronger than regular foes, often with higher stats, unique abilities, or resistances, but they typically appear alongside other enemies and aren't a major focus.

Judging by its large appearance, it was probably an adult too. It was roughly the half the size of his bear companion. These creatures were notorious in thunder-rich regions, known for creating nests of valuable Thunder Silk. The crystallized electrical essence they produced was worth a fortune to the right buyers.

A look of confusion and concern rose from Zhao Lingfeng's face.

The beetle moved with an aggression that seemed at odds with its species' typically very timid in nature.

More concerning was the absence of its mate.

The cultivators below had split into two clear factions. One group that had sway of two thirds of the party, led by a broad-shouldered youth in red robes, advocated immediate pursuit with overwhelming force. The other, smaller faction called for giving up and look elsewhere.

"You've all seen the signs," a grey-robed youth named Tan Rei, who was Level 15, warned. "Three other groups passed through here chasing similar opportunities. None returned. We should—"

"Which is exactly why we must act now!" the red-robed youth [Level 15 Qin Yi] cut him off. "Every moment we waste in debate is another chance for someone else to claim the prize! Most of us here aren't even at least in the 7th level of Qi Refining. If those ahead of us encounter this beetle, what do you think would happen?"

"Brother Qin, surely you see reason," Tan Rei tried again. "This beast is too fast. If we keep antagonising it, it would surely try to shake us off and lead us to a place far from its nest."

A sharp crack of electricity cut through the air. The beetle had paused on a wall, its horns blazing with power. The display sent most of the cultivators scrambling for cover.

The beetle wasn't just fleeing.

"Do you think I don't know that?" Qin Yi drew his sword. "But look at how aggressive this timid beast is! This must mean we are quite close to its nest. There's no way this beast would leave its nest unattended."

"But that would mean we would have to face another beetle! With our combined strength, it may be possible to kill one beetle. But two is absolutely impossible."

"You are right, but also wrong! It is true we can't kill two, but I suspect that this beetle must be the one guarding the nest. Not the one seeking out for food."

"But how can you be so sure? The magical beasts of this place are much more wild and aggressive than usual. There is no guarantee that this is true, and what we are doing would be a waste of time! It is better to go deeper and find the spiritual ores." Tan Rei retorted.

The beetle scuttled deeper into the passages, and the cultivators' argument reached its breaking point.

Qin Yi snorted. "If you want to go deeper and be empty handed or at the mercy of others, go ahead. Those who want a chance at obtaining a portion of the famed treasure of Thunder Silk and a part of the beast follow me!"

The larger faction surged forward in great pursuit while the minority led by Tan Rei reluctantly stood where they were. Some of the members originally part of Tan Rei's faction apologized to Tan Rei and quickly went to catch up with the others.

Only a pitiful six remained out of the thirty.

Zhao Lingfeng found it a little surprising that his Senior Brother Fan Wei was among the ones who stayed behind.

He wondered if he stayed because of his Junior Brother Liu.

Zhao Lingfeng wanted to quietly pursuit.

He was very interested in the Thunder Silk.

While he wasn't completely clear with the path he wanted to follow, the elemental destructive power of thunder was something that he felt would suit his martial path. So, this rare opportunity could not be given up.

He had a sudden wicked thought to rob the Thunder Silk under everyone's noses, but felt that this was not feasible. It was still against his conscience to do such a thing, and he could only scold himself for failing to put himself into the proper cultivator mindset.

But there was much more practical reason why he couldn't do so…

He was a mere level 5 cultivator.

When he leveled up, he was still stuck in the 3rd level of Qi refining.

He was cannon fodder and was one of the weakest here!

Zhao Lingfeng's eyes flashed with determination.

To increase my chances of obtaining even a portion of the Thunder Silk, there was only one thing to do…

***

"We have less than three days of opportunity and you want to waste it chasing after a nimble aggressive beast?" Tan Rei watched the last few hesitant cultivators hurry after Qin Yi's group. "The Thunder Silk is valuable, I won't deny that. But think! If such a beast is nearby, then there must be traces of thunder-attribute spiritual ore in these passages."

"But Senior Brother Qin said the Thunder Silk—" one of the remaining cultivators started.

"Is a specialized resource that most cultivators won't spend too much time pursuing," Tan Rei cut in. "The ore might not be as glamorous, but think about it. Most groups will chase after obvious treasures like that beetle's nest. Meanwhile, we could quietly excavate these deposits. For weaker Qi Cultivation realm disciples like us, that's already considerable profit."

Junior Brother Liu shifted uncomfortably. "But if we work carefully, surely the risk—"

"Risk?" Tan Rei scoffed. "Yes our numbers are enough, but the beast is clearly at the peak of Qi Refining. How many of us would be lucky to escape with our lives after a battle? Better to take the safer path. These lower passages are dangerous enough without deliberately seeking out spirit beasts. If we're careful, avoid the obvious threats, we could—"

Tan Rei suddenly stiffened, his hand instinctively moving to his sword hilt.

Something prickled at his spiritual senses. There was a presence that hadn't been there moments before.

"Senior Brother Tan?" one of the remaining cultivators asked, noticing his tension.

He turned slowly, peering into the darkness behind them. The chamber's dim illumination from fungi and talismans created more shadows than light, but he saw nothing unusual. Yet that feeling persisted, like being watched by a predator.

Everyone followed his line of sight.

There was nothing.

"Was it my imagination?" Tan Rei mumbled.

Just when Tan Rei was about to relax…

"A-Above?" Junior Brother Liu whispered, his voice carrying a tremor.

They looked up into the gloom.

Two gleaming eyes stared back from the darkness, reflecting the talisman light with an otherworldly gleam. The eyes were small, set wide apart… but too wide for any human.

Several cultivators drew their weapons. Fan Wei stepped forward, his sword raised defensively.

The eyes didn't move, didn't blink.

Then came a sound that made their blood run cold.

GHRRRRRRR...

The rumble echoed through the chamber like grinding stones, seeming to come from everywhere at once.

THOOM!

A massive shape plummeted from above, striking the ground with earthshaking force. The impact sent several cultivators stumbling, others scrambling backward as debris and dust filled the air. Through the haze, they could make out only a towering silhouette and those same unblinking eyes, now level with their faces.

GRAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOWR!

The roar scattered the dust like a gale, revealing a Stone Claw Bear of incredible size, its rocky hide bearing battle scars that somehow made it look even more imposing. Atop its back, positioned like an emperor on his throne, sat a mysterious figure.

He sat straight-backed on his unlikely mount, looking down at them with calm authority that seemed at odds with his known status known only to few.

"Junior Brother Zhao?!"

"Senior Brother Zhao?!"

The two Liuyun disciples present cried out in utmost disbelief.

"I hear you have concerns about pursuing that beetle,"

Zhao Lingfeng said, his voice carrying clearly through the chamber.

"Perhaps we could discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement."