Until this moment, including the now-deceased cultivator, the trio had been utterly oblivious to any presence behind them. Seeing the shadowy figure materialize silently at their backs froze the remaining two men with terror. The Eighth-Level Golden Core middle-aged cultivator reacted swiftest. As he spun around, a golden flying sword had already been summoned, slicing through the air with a whoosh towards the black figure.
What happened next defied their expectations. The flying sword slashed down unhindered. The shadow offered no evasion as the blade's light passed cleanly through it, diagonally splitting the figure in two. Yet, not a drop of blood flowed, nor was there the sound of striking solid matter... This was clearly a figure composed purely of dark, swirling mist!
"An illusion?!" The Eighth-Level Golden Core cultivator's expression froze in disbelief, his mind instantly grasping at this explanation. But in the very next heartbeat, he watched in horror as the cleaved sections of the shadowy figure instantly knit themselves back together. Simultaneously, an indescribably powerful, chillingly sinister aura exploded from the entity!
This aura was undeniably real, yet profoundly different from any ordinary cultivator's presence. It radiated an unspeakable, penetrating coldness, inducing a suffocating sense of oppression. Its sheer intensity was no weaker than that of a Golden Core Perfection cultivator!
After a split second of stunned shock, the Eighth-Level Golden Core cultivator seemed to recall something, his face instantly draining of color. He shrieked in terror, "A ghost cultivator... it's a ghost cultivator! Be careful!!"
His final cry of "Be careful!" was aimed at his companion beside him, but it came far too late. Even as his warning echoed, the shadowy figure ahead flickered violently forward, lunging like a shadow-panther. The Sixth-Level Golden Core cultivator had no time to mount a defense—not even his protective spirit light barrier could be activated—before the dark figure enveloped him…
"Ahhh!!" BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!... "AAAAAGH!!!"
The tunnel reverberated with explosive impacts and screams of pure despair. Yet, this cacophony lasted only mere seconds before it cut off abruptly, plunging the corridor back into a tomb-like silence.
Before the wall-sized slab of Jade Radiance Stone, three corpses lay sprawled. Each bore signs of a gruesome end. The Eighth-Level Golden Core cultivator's eyes stared wide open, filled with the horror of his final moments, refusing to close in death.
Standing amidst the carnage was the shadowy human silhouette. It stood motionless, head slightly bowed, as if lost in some dark rapture. Faintly, an almost imperceptible, spine-chilling "Heh heh heh..." seemed to emanate from it. The sound was unnervingly unnatural, not like a single voice, but a horrifying chorus woven from multiple tortured whispers, chilling the very air.
Tap, tap…
At that precise moment, the faintest sound of footsteps echoed unexpectedly from behind. Then, a figure emerged from around the bend. Clad in a long black robe patterned with intricate dark designs, his face was obscured, though his build suggested a young man. Stepping into view, his eyes swept dismissively over the three corpses littering the ground. A scornful snort escaped him:
"Hmph! Ghost cultivator? Pathetically ignorant fools!"
With a casual flick of his right hand, the entity the Eighth-Level Golden Core cultivator had mistaken for a 'ghost cultivator' suddenly dissolved into a plume of black smoke. It streaked silently back towards the young man, swirling into a small, dark banner held in his grasp...
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the underground maze.
"ROAR!!!"
A pained beastial roar echoed as a Tier Three, Sixth Grade Burrowing Jackal collapsed, convulsing, its throat pierced clean through by the Crimson Soul Flying Sword. It lay still moments later.
Wang Chen watched Lin Feng retrieve his flying sword, unable to hide a spark of envy in his eyes. He whistled appreciatively, "Wow... Brother Lin, I truly never expected you to possess an Epic Spirit Weapon Flying Sword!! I'm absolutely green with envy!"
He glanced down at the Medium Grade Spirit Weapon flying sword in his own hand, his expression turning distinctly glum.
Lin Feng chuckled lightly. "Just a fortunate find, pure luck."
"Talk about utterly heaven-defying luck to stumble upon an Epic Spirit Weapon! Why can't I ever get that lucky..." Wang Chen sighed with mock 'jealousy'. Even as he spoke, he was already moving forward, carefully extracting a spirit herb nestled in the corner ahead. He weighed it thoughtfully in his palm before tossing it deftly towards Lin Feng. "Not bad luck at all. Found a Tier Three Yellow Spirit Root right off the bat. Brother Lin, how about you collect everything for now? We'll split the haul properly once we're back."
"Sounds good, I'll hold onto it." Lin Feng accepted readily, pulling out an empty herb pouch to store the Yellow Spirit Root. He then collected the crumpled jackal corpse into his spatial ring.
Wang Chen's spirits lifted again. "Heh heh, having a treasure-detecting spirit beast is incredibly convenient! Looks like even if we don't find the Void Cloud Flowers this trip, our haul won't be anything to scoff at. Come on! Let's keep moving!"
...
Thus, Lin Feng and Wang Chen continued their seemingly random trek through the labyrinthine depths. Whenever Xiaoqiu sensed treasure nearby, they faithfully followed its directions. Piece by precious piece, rare materials and spirit herbs were uncovered. As Wang Chen had predicted, even if the elusive Void Cloud Flowers remained unfound, their journey was already proving immensely fruitful.
Their path also crossed numerous demonic beasts, but Tier Three creatures posed little real threat to the pair. Wang Chen could handle a late-stage Tier Three beast alone, and with Lin Feng present, even multiple Tier Three beasts appearing simultaneously were dispatched with relative ease.
For two full days, they navigated the maze, amassing significant spoils, but the Void Cloud Flowers remained elusive.
On the third day, shortly after dealing with a Tier Three, Eighth Grade Twin-Headed Centipede that attempted an ambush, Lin Feng scanned the path ahead, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Wang Chen, haven't you noticed? The beasts we're encountering are getting progressively stronger."
Wang Chen nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, I have. If I had to guess, we're probably nearing the third layer now... Huh?! Wait!"
"What is it?" Lin Feng instantly tensed, seeing the sudden shift in Wang Chen's expression, likely caused by something his divine sense had detected. He swiftly expanded his own spiritual awareness, sweeping the immediate surroundings, but detected nothing amiss. However, he remained wary; the maze's deceptive nature could easily be masking a threat.
Excitement flashed in Wang Chen's eyes. "I... I think I recognize the layout of a passage up ahead!! If my divine sense isn't playing tricks on me... Come on! Let me show you!!"
He hurried forward, Lin Feng close behind. They soon arrived at a collapsed fork in the tunnels. Wang Chen's excitement surged. He turned to Lin Feng, "I remember this spot! When that Loong-Tailed Crocodile was chasing me, I passed right through here! This collapse? That beast caused it!"
Lin Feng's face lit up with hope. "Does that mean the Void Cloud Flowers could be nearby?"
"Very likely!!" Wang Chen affirmed, his gaze turning distant as he strained to recall the chaotic events. After a long pause, disappointment clouded his features. "No good... I was just running blindly for my life back then. I honestly can't recall the exact direction..."
"Don't worry," Lin Feng reassured him. "It confirms we're definitely close." He turned to Xiaoqiu perched on his shoulder. "Xiaoqiu, any feelings? Anything at all?"
Wang Chen also looked up at the little creature, hope blazing in his eyes. Xiaoqiu scrunched its nose, concentrating intensely. Its eyes suddenly brightened slightly, and it pointed a tentative claw towards the right passage.
"This way? Let's go!!" Wang Chen's disappointment vanished, replaced by eager determination as he immediately strode into the right-hand tunnel.
Guided by Xiaoqiu, the duo twisted and turned through the maze for the better part of the afternoon. Though Wang Chen didn't spot any further familiar landmarks, Xiaoqiu's reactions grew increasingly pronounced. What began as hesitant indications solidified into absolute certainty, the little creature even showing palpable excitement. This signaled that whatever it sensed—even if not the Void Cloud Flowers—was assuredly a high-grade treasure.
Half a day later, the cramped tunnels opened abruptly into a vast cavern roughly the size of a football field. A colossal, dried-up subterranean riverbed formed a deep gouge down its center. Around the cavern walls, numerous passage mouths gaped like dark, hungry throats, leading off into unknown directions. The tunnel Lin Feng and Wang Chen emerged from was merely one among many.
"QIU!!!"
The instant they stepped into this open space, Xiaoqiu on Lin Feng's shoulder let out a sharp, startled cry. Almost simultaneously, both Lin Feng and Wang Chen's expressions changed drastically. Instinct took over; they stomped hard on the rocky floor, propelling themselves sideways like lightning bolts.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The explosion shook the cavern mere milliseconds after they leaped aside. From the closest passage entrance on their right, a colossal shadow erupted in a shower of shattered rock. It crashed down with earth-shattering force directly onto the spot Lin Feng and Wang Chen had occupied just a breath before. Had their reflexes been even a fraction slower, they would have been crushed into paste.
Stumbling back over twenty meters, the two cultivators finally managed to steady themselves, hearts pounding, and looked up. As the swirling dust began to settle, revealing the monstrous form within, Wang Chen's fear evaporated, replaced by fierce triumph. He blurted out, "The Loong-Tailed Crocodile!! It's HIM!!"
The beast resembled a living battle tank. Its overall shape evoked a crocodile, but immensely magnified. Armored plates covering its back shimmered with a metallic, iron-like hardness. Its massive tail, distinctly draconic in shape, lashed out casually, shattering a boulder taller than a man into gravel. The teeth visible in its gaping maw were each as thick as an ear of corn, projecting pure terror. Two bulbous eyes glowed with a sinister crimson light, locking onto Lin Feng and Wang Chen with murderous intent.
Wang Chen gauged the powerful aura radiating from the beast, his eyes narrowing. "It's already reached the Tier Three peak stage!! Looks like it really did consume those Void Cloud Flowers!"
The Loong-Tailed Crocodile's presence here was undeniable proof the Void Cloud Flowers were nearby. Elation surged within both Lin Feng and Wang Chen. Now, the task was clear: first, eliminate the beast; then, secure their prize.
They exchanged a single, determined glance and a subtle nod. Flying swords materialized in their grips, ready for battle.
However, just as they prepared to strike…
"AAAAAGH!!!"
A blood-curdling scream ripped through the tense silence, freezing both men in their tracks.
Whirling instinctively towards the source, they saw a figure scrambling frantically out of a tunnel entrance about forty meters away, diagonally behind them. Close on the figure's heels, pursuing with unnatural, ghostly speed, was a shadowy black silhouette!