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Two were monks in cassocks, their heads shaved. The taller one radiated kindness, his face serene; the other, muscular and fierce, held a heavy Zen staff.
Behind them stood a man and a woman. The man was tall and handsome, the woman dazzlingly beautiful, her eyes bright with confidence.
The kind-looking monk folded his hands in greeting.
"Amitabha. I am Faxiang."
The fierce monk struck his staff against the ground with a deep thud.
"Fashan."
The tall man cupped his hands.
"Li Xun of Fenxiang Valley."
The beautiful woman bowed gracefully.
"Yan Hong."
Their introductions fell into the night air, heavy with presence.
Qi Hao's lips twitched, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he cast a glance at Zhang Xiaofan and silently bowed.
Zhang Xiaofan studied the newcomers.
He had heard of them all. Faxiang and Fashan were the strongest disciples of Tianyin Temple, with Faxiang already at the peak of the ninth level of the Jade Purity Realm...just a step away from the Shangqing Realm. His cultivation was frightening.
Li Xun and Yan Hong were likewise renowned talents of Fenxiang Valley, no less formidable.
Zhang Xiaofan bowed respectfully.
"Four senior brothers and sister, thank you for coming to our aid.
We disciples of Qingyun are deeply grateful."
Faxiang's kind gaze lingered on him, thoughtful.
"Now that the eight of us are gathered, why not proceed directly into the cave?"
"Agreed," Zhang Xiaofan replied without hesitation.
The Six-Combination Mirror floated ahead, its golden light illuminating the way as the group of eight stepped into the black maw of the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats.
The golden glow lit the stone walls, revealing ancient carvings and eerie shadows.
The air was heavy, carrying the scent of death.
As they walked, Zhang Xiaofan's thoughts drifted inward.
The sects may have come here to root out remnants of the Demon Cult. But for me… that isn't the true purpose.
My goal lies deeper...the first volume of the Heavenly Book, hidden within the ruins of the Blood Refining Hall beneath the Dead Soul Abyss.
If I can obtain it… and all the volumes… immortality itself will be within reach.
Behind him, Faxiang spoke, his tone both warning and kind.
"These vampire bats were once bred by the Demon Sect.
Their cruelty is a legacy of that evil. Junior Brother Zhang, you fought bravely just now, but the dangers ahead are far greater. If you are in peril, stay behind me."
Zhang Xiaofan glanced back, surprised by the monk's concern. He clasped his hands respectfully.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Faxiang. I will remember your guidance."
The monk smiled gently.
"Junior Brother Zhang, your victory in the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament stunned the world. But youth is still youth. Be cautious—the Demon Cult's treachery knows no bounds."
"Yes!" Zhang Xiaofan replied, his gaze sharpening as he peered deeper into the cave.
The path ahead was dark and perilous. Somewhere beneath lay the Black Water Mystic Serpent, a monstrous beast that even legends feared. And beyond that, perhaps… the Heavenly Book.
His hand tightened on the firestick.
Caution is necessary… but the goal is within reach.
The group of eight pressed deeper into the abyss.
Chapter 54: Come on, Continue! What Are You Afraid Of?
The Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats was a place of dread. Eight hundred years ago, this sprawling maze of tunnels was the stronghold of the Blood Refining Hall, one of the Demon Sect's most vicious branches. Though long abandoned, its sinister reputation remained.
Now, the righteous sect disciples had stepped into its depths.
The air was damp and thick with a metallic tang. Drips of water echoed off the stone walls, blending with the distant flutter of unseen wings.
The group had been walking for a long time, yet the cavern seemed endless, twisting into darkness without end.
Zhang Xiaofan frowned, unease prickling at his chest. He gripped his fire stick tightly and warned:
"We're deep inside the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats. Everyone, stay sharp. The Demon Sect could ambush us at any moment."
His words made the others instinctively tighten their grips on their weapons.
Qi Hao raised his Ice Sword. Lu Xueqi unsheathed her Tianya Divine Sword, its cold light shimmering in the gloom. Faxiang from Tianyin Temple murmured a chant, his palms glowing faintly with Buddha's light.
Even the usually playful Zeng Shushu tucked away his folding fan, serious for once.
Suddenly, Lu Xueqi's gaze sharpened.
"Listen! There's movement ahead!"
The group tensed.
Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaofan flicked his finger, sending the Liuhe Mirror spinning into the darkness.
A flash...whoosh!
Something sharp and blood-red streaked out of the shadows, slamming into the Liuhe Mirror.
A ringing clang! echoed through the cave, and the bloody streak vanished as quickly as it came.
The next instant, dozens of blood spheres shot out, hurtling toward them like crimson meteors.
"Dodge!"
The disciples scattered, parrying or evading. Those who struck the blood spheres with their weapons found them bursting apart with sharp pops!...exploding into clouds of thick red mist.
Within moments, the cave was drowned in a choking crimson fog.
Vision blurred, silhouettes wavered, and even spiritual sense felt suppressed.
The group of eight was split apart.
Zhang Xiaofan tightened his grip on the fire stick.
The Liuhe Mirror, glowing faintly at his side, had lost its effectiveness in the mist. Using it now would only split his focus. Calmly, he put it away.
"All that's left… is you," he muttered to the fire stick.
A sudden blur!
From within the mist, a shadow lunged at him with startling speed.
As it came closer, the figure revealed itself...an ugly, dog-headed man with a lean, wiry frame.
His face was twisted and vicious, and in his hand gleamed a weapon shaped like a jagged fang.
It was the infamous Wild Dog Taoist.
"Kid!" he snarled, eyes locking on Zhang Xiaofan. "You look weak....perfect target!"
With a feral leap, he closed the distance in an instant, swinging his fang weapon straight at Zhang Xiaofan's skull. The strike was fast, vicious, enough to split a man in half.