Tunnel on the Verge of Collapse

While reviewing the structure of this first arc and writing this chapter, I realized that it would be more interesting to show a bit more about the escape process.

So, I edited the last few sentences of the previous chapter to make it seem like he hasn't left the tunnel yet and then wrote this chapter.

Both to deepen the mystery of the sect and to provide a better sense of continuity.

So, I hope you enjoy it.

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The dust had yet to settle.

Broken stone lay scattered across the ground, burying what had once been an open passage. The air was thick with the scent of crushed rock, and the last echoes of the collapse still lingered in the shrine's ruined chamber.

A heavy silence filled the space.

The masked man stood before the sealed tunnel, unmoving.

"He planned his escape before I even arrived."

He clicked his tongue in irritation, regretting his moment of hesitation.

This is the second defeat that he, a cultivator of the foundation establishment, has come into the hands of this small cultivator of qi condensation.

His spiritual sense pulsed outward, trying to pierce the thick layers of rubble, and trace Lu Chen's steps

Nothing.

The lingering traces of Decay Qi still permeated the passage, interfering with his search.

But it didn't matter.

He had already confirmed what he needed.

His fingers twitched, considering forcing his way through. A single strike would be enough to blast the rubble apart.

But, it will be too risky.

If he stays here making so much noise, someone from the sect might investigate.

He couldn't afford to expose his presence yet.

For now…

Lu Chen could run.

But there was nowhere he could hide.

With that thought, the masked man faded into the shadows.

…

The walls trembled around him.

Lu Chen sprinted through the darkness. His muscles screamed in protest, but he couldn't afford to stop, not even for a second.

Behind him, the tunnel groaned like a dying beast.

Crack!

A large rock dislodged from the ceiling, crashing down where he had been just a moment ago. 

Dust choked the air.

The passage was narrow, unstable, and filled with jagged debris that could snap in an instant. The ground under his feet was insidious, one wrong step, and he'd be buried alive.

His mind raced.

"The tunnel is collapsing faster than I thought, if I don't reach an exit soon, I'll die here!"

Another deep rumble shook the tunnel.

Lu Chen jumped forward, narrowly avoiding a chunk of stone that came crashing down just behind him. But before he could recover, the ground beneath his foot suddenly gave way.

"Damn it!"

A massive fissure had opened ahead.

Without thinking, Lu Chen twisted his body midair, forcing his foot against the crumbling edge and launching himself sideways.

His back slammed against the opposite wall, pain throbbing through his ribs, but he ignored it.

With a final push, he rolled forward just as the gap collapsed entirely.

A near miss.

But the danger wasn't over.

Another tremor.

The entire passage tilted slightly, and Lu Chen lost his balance. He barely managed to hold on to the uneven wall.

But he kept moving. If he stopped, he would die.

A faint gust of air brushed against his skin, Lu Chen's eyes sharpened.

"There's finally an opening ahead!"

Using the shadow steps at the limit, he threw himself forward just as the tunnel behind him collapsed completely.

A deafening boom filled his ears, followed by silence.

Lu Chen stumbled forward, his body aching, but he had made it.

Finally the passage stopped collapsing

Then, he saw it.

A massive stone door, half buried beneath layers of dust and age. The engravings had long since faded, but the markings were unmistakable, the sect symbols

"This place… was part of the Azure Sky Sect?"

Well, it was to be expected, it was in the sect's territory, so it's normal that it was part of it. But it was so abandoned that it seemed to have no connection.

But now it's no time to think about it.

Lu Chen pushed his body forward, forcing the heavy door open with the last of his strength.

Light. Fresh air.

His body staggered forward, emerging into the open.

A forgotten courtyard stretched before him, overgrown with wild grass. one of the outer training grounds.

He made it.

But just as he was about to leave, a strange sensation crawled up his spine. Something deep inside the ruined shrine passage was calling to him.

He looked back, and couldn't see anything unusual, but…

"There's something here."

His instincts screamed at him to investigate.

But now wasn't the time.

"I'll come back for it later."

With that, he turned away and disappeared into the night.

...

The Azure Sky Sect loomed ahead.

Lu Chen moved swiftly, avoiding open paths and populated areas.

Zhao Feng's disappearance was already causing some tiny waves.

A group of Inner Sect disciples had gathered near the training fields, whispering in hushed voices.

"Zhao Feng hasn't been seen today…"

"He was last spotted near the abandoned shrine, he was looking for something for the last few days in that area."

"Did something happen to him?"

Lu Chen's expression remained neutral as he passed by, keeping his presence unnoticed.

"Tch. Are people missing him already? It's good to have friends."

This wasn't surprising. Zhao Feng had status, even if he was weak. His sudden disappearance wouldn't go unnoticed.

He wasn't afraid of being suspected at the moment, after all, no one seemed to know about his disagreement with Zhao Feng.

But it would be bad if they could trace his presence back to the ruins. at that point it would be easy to put the pieces together.

As long as he acted naturally, there was no reason to believe he was involved.

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