The oppressive aura of demonic energy seeped from the hidden entrance, chilling the air around Li Yao and Yan Mu. Before them lay the threshold of danger- a direct confrontation with the malevolent forces they had been sent to eradicate. The last vestiges of twilight had faded, and the Serpent's Tooth Range was now cloaked in inky darkness, broken only by the distant glimmer of stars.
Li Yao's eyes scanned the nearly invisible opening. "The concealment array is Grade One, High-Tier," he murmured. "It's more of a visual distortion than a robust defense. We should be able to bypass it with minimal effort, but the true defenses will likely be within."
Yan Mu nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. Once inside, we stick to the plan. We analyze and then strike. We need to be swift and silent until we understand the full layout and the strength of the cult."
Li Yao retrieved a pair of sleek, dark grey talismans from his storage pouch- a gift from Deacon Bai. "These are Shadow-Merge Talismans. They should help us blend with the darkness once we're past the array. And I have a few basic offensive and defensive talismans ready, just in case."
Yan Mu gave a curt nod, his hands already resting on the hilts of his dual swords. "My lightning arts are not subtle, but they are fast. If we're discovered, I'll create an opening."
Taking a deep breath, Li Yao focused his spiritual energy, channeling a sliver of Qi to disrupt the flow of energy maintaining the illusion. The thorny vines shimmered, and the shadowy entrance wavered for a moment, becoming slightly more defined.
"Now," Li Yao whispered.
They slipped through the opening, activating their Shadow-Merge Talismans as they did. Their forms seemed to dissolve into the ambient gloom, making them little more than deeper shadows in the already dark passage. The air inside was cold and heavy, carrying the metallic tang of old blood and a pervasive sense of despair. Faint, almost inaudible sounds echoed from deeper within a muffled cry, the clinking of chains, a guttural laugh- painting a horrifying picture of what lay ahead.
Li Yao's senses extended, mapping the immediate surroundings. The initial passage was narrow and descending, with multiple side tunnels. Low-level demonic Qi fluctuations consistent with patrols were detected.
They proceeded cautiously, Yan Mu in the lead, his movements economical and predatory, while Li Yao followed closely, his senses heightened. It wasn't long before they encountered their first demonic cultivators- two figures in ragged, dark clothing, their faces pale and their eyes glowing with a faint, cruel light. They were patrolling a junction of two tunnels, their cultivation at the mid stages of qi refining realm..
Before the demonic cultivators could register their presence, Yan Mu exploded into motion. A flicker of silver, a crackle of suppressed lightning, and his dual swords danced. His speed was incredible; one moment he was a shadow, the next he was a whirlwind of deadly precision. The first demonic cultivator fell with a choked gasp, a clean strike to the throat. The second, alerted by his companion's sudden demise, turned to raise an alarm, but Li Yao was ready. A swift,low powered Qi blast from his palm- a palm technique focused for concussive force- struck the cultivator's temple, stunning him for a critical second. It was all Yan Mu needed. His second sword swept out, and the demonic cultivator crumpled silently to the ground.
It was over in less than five heartbeats. No alarms raised, no prolonged struggle.
"Efficient," Li Yao commented quietly, already analyzing the fallen cultivators for any identifying marks or tokens.
Yan Mu sheathed his swords, his breathing even. "They were weak. The ones deeper in will be stronger."
They continued their advance, the grim sounds growing slightly louder. After neutralizing another pair of sentries with similar efficiency, they found a crudely carved side chamber that seemed to be a guard station. On a rough-hewn table lay a tattered map, depicting a more extensive network of tunnels and chambers than Li Yao had initially been able to perceive from the entrance.
Li Yao quickly committed the map to memory, cross-referencing it with his own observations. The updated layout suggested a central chamber ahead, with multiple smaller cells branching off a main corridor. A significant concentration of demonic Qi was noted in the central chamber and one specific cell block.
More chillingly, scattered around the table were implements of torture and discarded, bloodied rags. The horrifying plight of captives was no longer an assumption but a sickening certainty.
As Li Yao absorbed this grim information, a low, agonized moan echoed from a nearby corridor- the one leading to the highlighted cell block. It was followed by a coarse laugh and the distinct, sharp crack of a whip.
Yan Mu's eyes hardened, a dangerous glint of lightning flickering within their depths. "Captives," he stated, his voice a low growl.
Li Yao's own heart clenched. The mission parameters were clear: eliminate the demonic cultivators. Rescuing captives was a secondary objective, if possible. But the sounds of suffering were a direct affront to everything the Embercloud Sect stood for.
Before they could formulate a plan, a new voice, harsher and carrying an undeniable note of authority, cut through the gloom from the direction of the central chamber. "Bring the new ones to the altar! The Master is preparing the ritual! He requires fresh essence!"
The words sent a shiver down Li Yao's spine. A ritual? Fresh essence? The urgency of their situation had just escalated dramatically. The leader was active, and the captives were in imminent, mortal danger.
Li Yao and Yan Mu exchanged a look. The time for stealth was rapidly coming to an end. They had to act, and act now.