Chapter 38: Tomb of the Martial Initiation Expert
As Zhen Yi, Yu Mei, Mingliang, Mengting, Liu Wei, Zhang Yitian, Chen Jing, Lianhua, Liu Yong, and Lian Yaoshi approached the entrance of the Martial Initiation Expert tomb, they saw a group of people from other kingdoms already waiting outside. The tomb was located on the snowy top of a mountain, with steep cliffs and rugged terrain surrounding it. The entrance was marked by a large stone archway, decorated with intricate carvings of martial arts scenes and symbols.
At the entrance, they saw a shimmering barrier that seemed to prevent cultivators of Sky Assaulting level and above from entering the tomb. This was a safety precaution to ensure that only those who were qualified to explore the tomb could enter. The barrier glowed with a faint blue light and seemed to hum with energy.
Zhen Yi, Yu Mei, Mingliang, Mengting, Liu Wei, Zhang Yitian, Chen Jing, Lianhua, and their chaperones, Liu Yong and Lian Yaoshi, learned about this restriction after inquiring with the people from their allied nations who had previously explored the tomb. They were told that the barrier was a mystical formation that could only be passed through by those who possessed the required level of cultivation.
As they waited at the entrance, they observed other groups from different kingdoms also waiting their turn to enter the tomb. Some of them appeared to be elite cultivators, easily identifiable by the powerful aura they emitted. The atmosphere was tense, as everyone knew the dangers that lay ahead in the tomb.
As Zhang Yitian finished checking their equipment, Chen Jing spoke up. "Zhang Yitian, do you think we're ready for this? I heard this tomb is filled with traps and dangerous creatures."
Zhang Yitian turned to face him with a reassuring smile. "We've been preparing for months for this expedition. We have some of the best cultivators from our kingdom with us, and with our teamwork and communication, we can overcome any obstacle. Just remember to stay alert and trust your instincts."
Mingliang added, "And don't forget to watch out for each other. We're a team, and we need to make sure everyone makes it out of there safely."
Liu Wei nodded in agreement. "Right, we're not just here to find treasures, we're here to learn and grow stronger as cultivators. Let's make the most out of this opportunity."
Their chaperone, Liu Yong, spoke up. "Remember, the tomb has been sealed for centuries and we have no idea what we might find inside. Stay vigilant and stay together, and we'll get through this."
With a final nod of agreement, they all stepped towards the entrance, ready to begin their adventure into the unknown.
Finally, it was their turn to enter the tomb. As they passed through the barrier, they felt a strange sensation wash over them, as if the barrier was examining their cultivation levels and their intent to explore the tomb. Once they passed the examination, the barrier dissipated, allowing them to enter the tomb's entrance hall.
The first thing they saw when they entered the tomb was a big stone tablet in the middle of the room that says "Welcome, my young friends. May your journey be filled with peril and discovery. Know that only those with a pure heart and a steadfast spirit shall reap the rewards of this tomb. Beware of the traps that lie ahead, for they are many and deadly. But fear not, for the treasures that await you are worth the risk. Remember, luck favors the bold. Proceed with courage and honor, and may the gods smile upon you. -Liu Xiaohua"
Zhang Yitian informed the group, "This tomb must belong to Liu Xiaohua. From now on, we must proceed with caution and always be vigilant of our surroundings," reminding them of the potential dangers they may encounter.
Chen Jing was unaware that there were other explorers in the area, hailing from the Kingdom of Frosthold. As they prepared to enter the tomb, one of the Frosthold cultivators pulled out a communication talisman and quickly sent a message to Chen Sheng, informing him of Chen Jing's presence in the tomb they were about to explore.
"Chen Sheng, we've spotted Chen Jing at the entrance of the tomb. What should we do?" the Frosthold cultivator said urgently through the talisman.
The voice of Chen Sheng came through the talisman, crackling with urgency. "Follow them into the tomb," he ordered, "but do not reveal yourselves. Keep a close eye on their movements and strike when the opportunity arises. Succeed in this, and I will reward you handsomely upon your return." The Frosthold cultivator who had spotted Chen Jing nodded in understanding, his heart racing with the anticipation of what was to come. "As you command, my lord," he replied before tucking the communication talisman away and turning to his companions. "We have our orders. Let us proceed with caution and patience."
As they entered the tomb, Zhang Yitian and his team remained unaware of the Frosthold cultivators watching them from the shadows.
Chen Sheng couldn't help but smile to himself as he thought, "It seems even the heavens are on my side." He had no doubt that the group he sent to explore the tomb was more than capable of dealing with Chen Jing and his team. With the promise of a reward, the cultivators from the Kingdom of Frosthold were more motivated than ever to ensure that they succeeded in their mission.
As they walked deeper into the tomb, they encountered more traps that tested their teamwork and coordination. At one point, they came across a hallway with tiles that lit up as they stepped on them. They quickly realized that only certain tiles could be stepped on without triggering a trap. Working together, they carefully stepped on the safe tiles and made it to the other end unscathed.
In another room, they were met with a puzzle that required each member to work together and use their skills to solve it. Yu Mei used her expertise in mathematics to figure out the correct sequence, while Chen Jing's knowledge of ancient texts helped them decipher the ancient symbols. Zhang Yitian's strength was needed to move the heavy stone blocks into place, and Zhen Yi's sharp eyes spotted the hidden clues that led them to the correct solution.
As they successfully solved the puzzle and opened the door to the next room, they breathed a sigh of relief. "Great job, everyone," Zhang Yitian said, smiling at his team. "That was a tough one, but we made it through together."
Mengting nodded in agreement. "I'm glad we have such a strong team. We can handle anything that comes our way."
Lianhua added, "Yes, but we need to stay focused and keep working together. We never know what other challenges we might face."
As they continued on, they came across a room filled with mirrors. The mirrors seemed to be enchanted and reflected different images of themselves, making it difficult for them to tell which way was the correct path. They tried to communicate with each other through the mirrors, but their voices seemed to be distorted. "This is tricky," Liu Wei said, frowning as she looked around at the mirrors. "We need to figure out which way to go."
Zhang Yitian nodded. "Let's use our weapons to mark the correct path. We can use the reflection of the mirrors to make sure we're going in the right direction."
The team worked together, carefully marking the correct path with their weapons and using the mirrors to guide them. They managed to make it through the room without triggering any traps, and breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped into the next hallway.
However, their relief was short-lived as they suddenly heard a loud rumbling sound. They looked up and saw the ceiling starting to collapse. "Move quickly!" Mingliang shouted, as they all ran towards the end of the hallway.
They made it to the end just in time as the ceiling collapsed behind them, blocking their path back. They looked at each other, their hearts racing from the close call. "We need to be even more careful from now on," Zhen Yi said, his voice shaking slightly. "We never know what other dangers lie ahead."
As they continued through the tomb, they encountered more traps that tested their skills and teamwork. Suddenly, they heard a loud hissing sound and saw a cloud of green gas coming towards them. Zhang Yitian quickly shouted, "Everyone, hold your breath and cover your nose!" They pulled out their cloths and covered their faces, successfully avoiding the poisonous gas.
In another room, they encountered a narrow bridge that seemed to lead to the other side of a deep chasm. The bridge was unstable and the wooden planks were old and rotting. "This doesn't look safe," Mingliang said worriedly. "We can make it across if we move slowly and carefully," Mengting replied, taking the lead. They proceeded one by one, holding onto each other's hands for balance, until they made it safely across.
Despite these challenges, they managed to work as a team and overcame each obstacle. However, their luck eventually ran out when they fell into a trap that separated them into different groups.
As the ground beneath their feet crumbled, they scrambled to grab onto anything they could to avoid falling into the darkness below. When the dust settled, Zhang Yitian found himself with Mingliang, while Mengting and Liu Wei were in another section. Zhen Yi and Lianhua were together, and Yu Mei and Chen Jing were in a separate section.
"Is everyone okay?" Zhang Yitian called out to the others, but there was no response. He tried to use his communication talisman to reach the others, but it seemed that the trap had disrupted the signal.
Zhang Yitian and Mingliang started to explore their section, looking for any clues or a way out. They encountered a few traps along the way, but managed to avoid them by working together. However, the further they went, the more they realized that they were deep within the tomb.
Meanwhile, Mengting and Liu Wei were also exploring their section, trying to find a way back to Zhang Yitian and the others. They had encountered some traps as well, and it seemed that the deeper they went, the more complex and dangerous the traps became.
Zhen Yi and Lianhua were in a section filled with strange artifacts and symbols, studying them carefully to try and make sense of their purpose. They noticed that some of the symbols were glowing faintly, and it seemed that they were connected to the traps they had encountered earlier.
Yu Mei and Chen Jing found themselves in a section filled with ancient weapons and armor. Chen Jing was fascinated by them, studying each one carefully. However, Yu Mei couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
As each group explored their section, they were unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone