The Elders moved toward the rift, their robes snapping in the gale of spiritual energy pouring from the mountain.
"Disciples," Elder Lin Yufei said, her voice like a silk ribbon cutting through the roar of the wind. "Enter the mountain. Claim whatever treasure lies within for the Azure Cloud."
Yan Beiming of the Crimson Sun Sect snorted, glancing at his own small group.
"I only see two disciples behind you, Yan Beiming," Lin Yufei teased,she turned towards him,her fingers grazing his armored shoulder. "If your sect is running low on talent,she said,I could lend you this boy. He's quite... sturdy."
"Enough!" Yan Beiming roared, his aura exploding into a sea of orange flames. "Do not mock the Crimson Sun! These two are worth a hundred of your dancing girls."
Lin Yufei laughed, a sound like chiming silver. "Always so hot-blooded. No wonder you've never found a wife, Yan Beiming. Your temper burns everyone away."
"Silence! You two, move!" Yan Beiming barked. His two disciples shot forward on their flying swords, their eyes narrowing at their Elder for a split second before they vanished into the mountain's maw.
Lin Yufei turned her mocking gaze toward the silent Elder Han Yue. "And you? Why are you hesitating? I thought your 'Sword Sect' was supposed to be the bravest."
Han Yue's eyes were fixed on Wang Fang. "Give me the boy."
"Oh? You want my new toy?" Lin Yufei smiled dangerously. "What are you willing to trade?"
"I found him first," Han Yue hissed.
"And I have him now," she countered. "Possession is the only law here."
Han Yue's expression shifted from anger to a cold, calculated dread. He leaned in, his voice dropping. "I sense a soul-eating danger inside that mountain. I didn't bring my strongest... only those in Qi Condensation. I won't waste their lives as scouts."
"Then let the boy go first," Han Yue continued. "Give him to me, and I will return him when this is over."
"Hu hu hu, not a chance," she laughed.
Han Yue suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice vibrating with the power of an oath. "I swear by the Heavens, if I betray our deal for this boy, let my cultivation scatter to the four winds."
Lin Yufei's playful air died instantly. An oath on one's cultivation was absolute. She released her grip on Wang Fang, tossing him toward Han Yue.
The Sword Elder didn't catch him gently. With a flick of his fingers, jade beads materialized out of thin air, snapping onto Wang Fang's wrists and ankles.
"What is this?! Let me go!" Wang Fang shouted, struggling.
"Ninefold Soul Shackles," Han Yue muttered, his hands moving in a blur of seals.
The beads flared with a sickly violet light. Wang Fang's world turned into a white-hot scream of agony. Every meridian felt like it was being filled with molten lead. He collapsed, his teeth grinding so hard they nearly shattered.
"Su Qingmei," Han Yue commanded. "Take the cur. Use him to spring the traps."
"Yes, Master." Su Qingmei stepped forward, his eyes devoid of pity as he grabbed Wang Fang.
"He cannot disobey now," Han Yue added. "The shackles will shred his soul if he tries."
Su Qingmei bowed and began dragging Wang Fang into the mountain. As they crossed the threshold, the jagged rocks vanished, replaced by a lush, glowing cavern. Ancient spiritual herbs, radiant and thick with power, carpeted the floor.
"Hundred-year stalks... everywhere," Wang Fang wheezed, his eyes wide despite the pain.
"Long time no see, brat," a voice spat from beside him.
Wang Fang turned his head slowly, his vision swimming. "Who... who are you?"
Xuan's face turned a violent shade of purple. "You... you don't remember me?!"
Bai Lu and He Sun stepped into view, their swords drawn. "We met you at the village the other day!"
Wang Fang blinked blankly, his mind focused only on surviving the agony. "What village?"
"You bastard!" Xuan snarled, his killing intent boiling over. "You dare act like we're beneath your memory?!"
"Enough," Su Qingmei snapped, his hand on his hilt. "We're close. I can feel the air thickening."
They stepped into a fog so dense it felt like cold water. Suddenly, Wang Fang's hair stood on end. His instincts screamed.
"MOVE!" Ye Heimin screamed.