As the groups prepared to enter the mysterious cave in the inner region of Tiger Mountain, tension hung in the air like a thick fog. Xiao Wei, still concealed among the rogue Cultivators, stayed toward the back of the crowd, watching everything with a calm, calculating gaze. His cloak was gone, replaced by a dirt-stained tunic and dust-smeared face to hide his identity. It wasn't perfect, but in a crowd this large, it was enough to avoid unwanted attention.
"Hey there, what's your name?"a voice called out from Xiao Wei behind.
Xiao Wei turned slightly, his expression neutral. Standing just a few paces away was the boy with the sharp eyes—Shi Feng. He was not much older than Xiao Wei at most 20 years old, yet his presence was hard to ignore. Those cold, eagle-like eyes held an awareness that didn't belong to a normal young Cultivator. From the moment they had entered the forest, Shi Feng had been silent and aloof, ignoring both Hu clan members and rogue Cultivators alike.
So why was he suddenly interested in Xiao Wei?
"It's Xiao Wei, senior"Xiao Wei replied respectfully, offering a slight bow.
He didn't know Shi Feng's background, but anyone who had reached the Ninth Layer of the Martial Master Realm at such a young age couldn't be underestimated.
Shi Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Don't be so polite. I am not much older than you. You can call me by my name."Shi Feng said.
Xiao Wei hesitated. This boy might be friendly now, but something about him felt unpredictable, as if there was a storm beneath the surface.
"I wouldn't dare, senior."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Feng let out a disappointed sigh.
"You're no fun."Shi Feng said and paused, his eyes scanning the crowd.
"Also, don't hang around the Hu clan if you're from the Xiao clan."Shi Feng siad and without waiting for a reply, he turned and melted back into the crowd, his robes fluttering behind him.
Xiao Wei stood still, heart skipping a beat.
"Shit, why did I use my real name? That was such a stupid mistake."Xiao Wei muttered under his breath.
He looked around cautiously. No one seemed to have overheard. Even so, Shi Feng now knew his identity. He didn't act hostile, but that didn't guarantee anything in a place like this.
Half an hour later, the entire assembly had regrouped near the entrance of the cave. The mood had shifted—tension, excitement, and greed danced in everyone's eyes. Even the more experienced Cultivators couldn't hide their anticipation. A cave that once belonged to a powerful Cultivator, buried deep within the Tiger Mountain and protected by a Tier 7 Armored Snake… who knew what kind of treasures awaited within?
Hu Sun stepped forward, his voice loud and commanding.
"Everyone, we are about to enter the cave. Let me make something very clear. Rogue Cultivators are to follow the instructions of the clan members at all times. If anyone tries to run off with a treasure or disobey orders… we won't hesitate to kill."Hu Sun said as his gaze swept across the mixed crowd of clan members and rogue Cultivators
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Most of the rogue Cultivators nodded silently, accepting the terms. The power balance was clear. Only the six Martial Grandmasters here had the strength to suppress that Armored Snake. The rest of them were just here to pick up scraps, unless they got very lucky.
"When treasures are discovered inside the cave, clan members will have first rights to choose. Anything remaining can be taken by the rogue cultivators."Hu Sun added.
It was a harsh rule, but a reasonable one in the Cultivation world. The rogue Cultivators didn't like it, but they had no choice but to accept.
With the hierarchy established, the group began to enter the cave.
The six Martial Grandmasters led the way, stepping into the darkness without hesitation. Behind them followed the Cultivators in the Martial Master Realm—people like Shi Feng, the Hu Clan's second young master, Hu Wen, and several other elites from Mo City. Finally came the Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivators, including Xiao Wei, who stayed at the back of the group, walking at a slow, cautious pace.
The entrance of the cave was wide, its ceiling adorned with jagged stalactites. Cold air wafted out of the darkness, carrying with it the faint scent of blood and sulfur. The stone beneath their feet was rough and uneven, and strange moss glowed faintly along the walls, providing just enough illumination for them to navigate.
As they descended deeper into the cave, the temperature dropped further. Conversations grew quiet, weapons were drawn, and even the most arrogant Cultivators became tense. This was not a place to let one's guard down.
Xiao Wei kept his mind alert. He didn't care about the treasure right now, his goal was some thing else.
With his Shadow Soldier hidden safely in his shadow and the Martial Techniques he practiced, Xiao Wei was confident he could protect himself if anything went wrong.
But in a place like this… it was rarely enough just to survive. He had to be smarter, faster, and more ruthless than the rest.
The deeper they went, the more Xiao Wei noticed subtle signs of battle. Burn marks on the walls, claw marks along the stone, and pools of dried blood.
Just as the procession of Cultivators continued deeper into the massive cavern, a sudden shout echoed through the tunnel.
"Stop!"a Mo Clan Martial Grandmaster roared, his voice sharp as a blade slicing through the tension.
The group halted instantly, instinct honed by battle and fear making even the brashest rogue Cultivators freeze mid-step. Weapons were unsheathed, Spiritual Energy rippled through the air, and the younger disciples began forming defensive stances.
A soft, rhythmic rustling began to echo through the cavern.
Rustle... Rustle...
Suddenly, a fissure in the cave floor split open with a violent rumble, and a monstrous figure surged from the depths.
A snake — no, a behemoth — more than three meters tall, with a body as thick as a boulder and scales that shimmered like obsidian, erupted into view. Its entire body was encased in thick, black armor-like plating, each scale overlapping like a forged breastplate. Two reptilian eyes glowed red beneath heavy armored lids, and venom dripped from its fangs with a hiss that made even the ground tremble.
"The Armoured Snake!"someone cried in terror.
"Everyone, attack now!"Hu Sun shouted, instantly bursting forward with a Middle Tier Human Grade Martial Technique Fire Palm.
He thrust out his palm, and a flaming palm image appered, slamming into the Armoured Snake's body. The technique exploded on impact, but only left a faint scorch mark on the Armoured Snake impenetrable hide.
The other Martial Grandmaster Realm experts leaped into action. A Xiao Clan elder conjured a golden spear of pure Spiritual Energy and hurled it with force that cracked the air. Another elder from the Mo Clan unleashed a wide slashing Technique that filled the cave with crescent arcs of wind.
But their combined force barely left scratches. The Armoured Snake hissed, more enraged than injured.
Boom!
With terrifying speed, the snake's tail lashed out, a blur of motion that smashed directly into one of the Xiao Clan elders. The man was sent flying like a rag doll, crashing into the cave wall with a sickening crack. He coughed blood, his aura faltering.
"Damn it! Its black armor is too strong! None of our attacks are penetrating!"Hu Sun growled.
The snake reared its massive head, mouth wide open, venom gathering at the tips of its fangs like bubbling acid.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the roar of battle. An arrow — sleek, dark, and fast as lightning — streaked through the air and struck the snake directly in its left eye.
Screeeeech!
The Armoured Snake recoiled with a furious shriek, its eye now a gushing pit of black ichor. Blinded on one side, it twisted its huge body and began lashing out at random, spraying poison in wide arcs.
The Martial Grandmaster Elders didn't let the opportunity go to waste. A Xiao Clan Elder roared and channeled all his strength into a concentrated attack.
"Tiger Claw!"
A tiger projection appered and slashed it's claw into the side of the Armoured Snake, this time leaving a deeper gouge.
"Who fired that arrow?"shouted one of the Xiao Clan elders, scanning the crowd.
No one answered. No one even saw where it came from.
Whoosh!
A second arrow flew. This one struck the Armoured Snake's right eye with surgical precision, blinding it completely. The beast let out another guttural scream, writhing in agony. Its thick tail swung madly, smashing rock pillars and scraping deep trenches into the floor.
"It's blind! It can't see anymore!"
"Keep attacking! Aim for the gaps in its armor!"
The six Martial Grandmasters launched an all-out assault. Techniques burst like fireworks — wind blades, fire bursts, golden fists, and other strikes filled the cave. Their combined power finally began to wear the snake down.
Meanwhile, the mysterious archer — still unseen — continued loosing arrows at precise intervals. Each one struck vulnerable points: joints in the armor, the soft underbelly, and the open mouth. It was clear these weren't random shots, but the work of an expert marksman who knew monster anatomy in detail.