The Black Sand Mountain’s Mystery

Luo Zheng stood at the base of Black Sand Mountain, his gaze sweeping over the massive crowd of warriors, mercenaries, and cultivators gathered near the entrance. Some wore extravagant robes, their powerful auras revealing them to be elite disciples of major sects. Others looked like rogue cultivators, battle-hardened and ruthless.

The mountain itself loomed ahead, its dark, jagged peaks stretching into the stormy sky. Black mist drifted around the rocky surface, creating an eerie atmosphere. Occasional bursts of lightning flashed above, illuminating the area in brief, blinding light.

Luo Zheng remained calm. This place was dangerous—but that meant the treasure must be real.

Gathering Information

Before rushing forward, Luo Zheng decided to gather more information. He approached a group of cultivators whispering among themselves.

"I heard the treasure appeared deep inside the mountain, beyond the Dark Abyss."

"Yes, but that place is a nightmare! Strange creatures lurk in the darkness, and the terrain itself is deadly."

"Ha! Let them come. I have no intention of sharing that treasure with anyone."

Luo Zheng frowned. Dark Abyss? He had never heard of it before.

Moving through the crowd, he continued to listen. From what he gathered, the treasure was still untouched, but several powerful figures had already ventured inside, attempting to claim it.

"The Four Great Clans have sent their young prodigies here."

"Even the Blood Hand Sect has arrived. If they get the treasure, no one will stand a chance against them!"

Luo Zheng took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be simple.

Without hesitation, he moved toward the entrance, blending in with a group of mercenaries. As he stepped onto the black soil, an unsettling sensation washed over him—as if the land itself was rejecting outsiders.

The first stretch of the mountain was filled with sharp rocks and steep inclines. Some cultivators rushed ahead, eager to claim the treasure first, while others cautiously observed their surroundings.

Suddenly—

"ROOOARR!"

A monstrous creature leaped from behind a boulder. It had the body of a tiger, but its skin was jet black, covered in strange glowing runes. Its red eyes locked onto a group of warriors.

Before they could react, the beast lunged. Blood sprayed into the air as one of them was torn apart instantly.

Screams erupted as cultivators attacked the beast, but its black rune-covered body seemed immune to most attacks. Luo Zheng narrowed his eyes. A Rune Beast!

These creatures were rare but extremely dangerous. Ordinary weapons wouldn't work against them.

As the battle raged, Luo Zheng circled around, avoiding unnecessary conflict. He had no interest in fighting right now—his goal was deeper inside the mountain.

As Luo Zheng moved further up, he noticed something unusual—a narrow passage hidden behind a large boulder.

The main path was filled with cultivators, all fighting for survival. But this passage… no one had entered it yet.

Trusting his instincts, he slipped inside.

The deeper he went, the quieter it became. The only sound was the faint echo of his footsteps. The walls of the passage were strange—engraved with ancient symbols glowing faintly in the dim light.

Something was definitely hidden here.

Then—he saw it.

A massive stone door blocked the end of the path. It was covered in strange markings, and at its center, an ancient keyhole.

Luo Zheng stepped closer, studying it.

"This must lead somewhere important… but how do I open it?"

He reached out and touched the surface. The moment his fingers brushed against it—

RUMBLE!

The ground trembled as the engravings on the door lit up with a blinding golden light.

Then, slowly, the door began to open.

Luo Zheng's heart pounded. What was inside?

As the door fully opened, Luo Zheng stepped inside.

The air was thick with ancient energy, and at the center of the room, on a raised platform, was an old black chest.

The chest pulsed with a strange aura, as if something alive was sealed within.

Luo Zheng cautiously approached, feeling the weight of the moment. He reached out—

Suddenly—

"Who dares touch that?"

A deep voice boomed through the chamber.

Luo Zheng spun around. From the shadows, a figure emerged. He was a tall man, dressed in dark robes with a serpent-like mark on his forehead. His aura was terrifying—clearly a Sky Realm cultivator!

Luo Zheng clenched his fists. This wasn't good.

The man smirked. "A mere boy? How amusing."

Then, in a flash—he attacked.

Luo Zheng's muscles tensed as he faced the powerful cultivator standing before him. The man's presence alone made the air feel heavier, his aura pressing down like an invisible mountain. The serpent-like mark on his forehead glowed faintly, an ominous sign of his strength.

"A mere boy? How amusing," the man repeated, his tone laced with mockery.

Luo Zheng's mind raced. I can't fight him directly. The difference in power was too great. He had to find a way to escape.

Just as the man took a step forward, preparing to attack—

BOOM!

The chamber shook violently, as if something ancient and powerful had just awakened.

Luo Zheng's eyes widened as cracks spread across the stone wall behind him. Dust and debris fell, and before anyone could react—

CRASH!

The stone wall exploded into countless fragments, sending shockwaves through the room. Luo Zheng instinctively shielded himself, bracing against the impact.

And then, from the darkness beyond the broken wall—

A massive black wolf emerged.

The Black Horned Wolf

The beast was enormous—standing nearly five feet tall, its dark fur blending with the shadows. Its crimson eyes gleamed with a predatory light, filled with bloodlust and rage.

But what stood out the most was the small black horn on its forehead, pulsing with strange energy.

The moment the wolf's eyes locked onto Luo Zheng, a deep, guttural growl rumbled from its throat.

Luo Zheng's instincts screamed at him. This beast was dangerous.

But before he could react—

"Damn beast!" the Sky Realm cultivator snarled

The wolf's gaze shifted towards the man, its lips curling back to reveal razor-sharp fangs.

For a moment, the two locked eyes—and the killing intent in the room surged.

Luo Zheng immediately understood. The wolf saw both of them as enemies.

And just like that—

The fight began.

The Wolf vs. The Cultivator

With a deafening roar, the Black Horned Wolf lunged forward, its claws slashing through the air.

The cultivator reacted instantly, his sleeve flicking back as a black energy blade formed in his palm. With a single strike, he met the wolf's attack head-on—

BOOM!

The impact shook the entire chamber, sending dust and shattered stone flying in all directions. The cultivator was forced back several steps, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

"You're stronger than I expected," he muttered, wiping a bit of dust off his sleeve.

The wolf growled in response, lowering its body into an aggressive stance.

And then—they clashed again.

The cultivator moved with inhuman speed, his black energy blade slashing through the air. But the wolf was even faster, dodging with unnatural agility. Its claws swiped at the man's chest, forcing him to block at the last second.

Sparks flew as claw met energy blade.

Luo Zheng's Plan

Luo Zheng stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching the fierce battle unfold. This was his chance.

The two opponents were evenly matched, their attacks creating shockwaves that shattered the ground beneath them.

But no matter how strong they were—they couldn't come out of this fight unscathed.

Luo Zheng's eyes flickered with calculation. If one of them died, the other would be weakened. And then… I can finish them off easily.

But he had to be careful. If he made a move too soon, he'd become their common enemy

So he waited

The cultivator's attacks became more aggressive, his movements growing sharper and deadlier. The black serpent mark on his forehead burned brighter, as if drawing on hidden power.

"Die, beast!" he roared, slashing down with a massive arc of black energy.

The wolf howled and leaped back, dodging at the last second—but the blade still grazed its side, leaving behind a deep wound.

Black blood splattered onto the stone floor.

Luo Zheng's fingers twitched. The wolf was injured now.

But it wasn't done yet.

With a burst of unnatural speed, the wolf twisted mid-air, its claws glowing with dark energy.

Before the cultivator could react—

SLASH!

A deep wound appeared on his left shoulder. Blood soaked his robe as he stumbled back, cursing under his breath.

Luo Zheng's lips curled into a smirk. Good. Keep fighting. Tear each other apart.

Both the cultivator and the wolf were breathing heavily now. Their movements had slowed slightly, their wounds taking a toll on them.

Luo Zheng knew this was his moment.

He took a silent step forward, positioning himself perfectly.

Who would fall first?

Would the wolf finish off the injured cultivator?

Or would the cultivator land a killing blow on the wolf?

Either way, Luo Zheng was ready to strike the survivor.

The battle had become a gamble—and he was prepared to claim the prize.

To be continued