Without explaining much, they drag us into another part deep underground.
!
I can hear sounds of growling...? A beast is nearby?
Currently, we are positioned in a line as Kai Feng guides us across tight tunnels. He stands at the front while Fan Ling keeps an eye on us from behind. The only form of light is from the torch Kai Feng is carrying.
As I am standing near the end of the line, the light barely helped. Not that it is problem.
A chill runs down my spine.
I can feel Fan Ling's gaze behind...how strong is he?
------------
Fan Ling
level: 46
Hp: 100K
Qi: 92K
Qinggong: 323
Strength: 721
Intelligence: 25
--------------
What?! 100 thousand hp? And that absurd amount of Qi! H-How?
I remember Bai Long's status screen having a higher level than Fan Ling's, yet Fan Ling is stronger.
That brings the question: what exactly does 'level' represent?
...
I shake the thoughts off my head. It is not important.
My curiosity made me throw a glance at Hao Xiang. His eyes are empty but determined to survive. Among all of us, he exudes the most ferocious aura.
--------------
Hao Xiang
Title: Fated Emperor
level: 7
Hp: 800
Qi: 10
Qinggong: 8
Strength: 28
Intelligence: 11
Special Stats:
Luck:200
-----------------
I widen my eyes in surprise.
He has a title!
------------------
Title: Fated Emperor
Perks:
+100% exp
+2 Extra free stats given every level upgrade.
+200 Luck
+100% Mastery speed
Luck:
A stat that increases your chance of lucky encounters and survival rate in dangerous situations.
---------------------
I glare at the unfairness presented before me.
Before I can rant about it, I realise I had already stepped out of the cramp passages and into another large cavern. The height of this cavern is gargantuan and I can see at least 7 holes around the rocky walls that lead to a deeper labyrinth.
...
The disciples present, including me, gaze around the large space and fail to notice that Kai Feng is gone. The torch he was holding is laying on the ground.
I no longer feel Fan Ling's gaze.
Quickly turning my head, I realise he is gone...along with the route we came from.
"The passage we came from is gone!?" A woman exclaims, alerting the other disciples.
?!!
I step forward amidst the confusion and touch the part of the cold wall.
-------------------
Would you like to attempt unlocking this illusion array?
Difficulty: S
[Yes][No]
Attempts left: 3
--------------------
!
I didn't notice it...but it makes sense now.
*thud*
!!
In an instant, all of us turn our attention to the sound. In the void of darkness, nothing can be seen but we could hear the footsteps of something.
*grrrr*
It's a beast...a hungry one.
Others might not be able to see it. But I can. It's a black tiger that is slowly approaching us, its skin blends into the surroundings but it can be differentiated from its crimson pupil.
...
The beast circles us. Soon, a few other beasts appear from the dark and join the party.
Looking at the other shadow assassin disciples, they've noticed it too.
Hao Xiang slowly moves to the torch and picks it up. At that moment, one of the beasts lunges at him.
!!
However, Hao Xiang jumps back and avoids it. A disciple beside him steps up and strikes the beast with his fingers, plunging it deep into the skin and propelling it away.
That's when the chaos starts, all the beasts' attacks sent the group into disarray as everyone protects themselves. The shadow assassin's disciples, however, only learnt a Qinggong technique, we have no choice but to run.
I split up from the group and step into the dark as the sound of battles attracted more beasts.
I understand it now, this is the next ordeal we must survive...
*bam bam bam*
*thud thud thud*
*flap flap flap*
I can hear waves of beasts swarming the place, all rushing over to join the battle.
For assassins, we have to avoid detection and only accomplish our goal. That's why our fundamental revolves around Qinggong.
For the main vanguards of the sect, they must not back off and fight under pressure.
As for the poison disciples...
I grab onto a ledge and pull myself up, getting a nice view of the battle from above. Beside the ledge is a hole, swarms of bat-like beasts fly out, attempting to engulf the group below.
Hao Xiang waves the torch around until a female poison disciple stops him and takes out a lump of powder from her robe and throws it in the air.
"Light it up!" The slim woman with black ponytail hair and blue eyes says.
Hao Xiang touches the powder with the torch and the atmosphere lights up in flame, temporary brightening the cave and killing many bats.
"No!" I exclaim.
I, who was hiding in the dark, is exposed by the light. The leftover bats around dive at me.
The atmosphere turns grey.
-------------------
Many enemies have found your weak point.
What is the player's next move?
1- Attack
2- Defend
3- Flee(Locked due to the high number of enemies)
--------------------
I gulp as one frozen grey bat almost thrust its claw into my face.
The options this time are...quite simple and mundane. There's no timer as well.
I want to attack.
----------------------
Choose the course of action:
1. High-Risk High Return
2. Low-Risk Low Return
-----------------------
High-risk high return...?
...
Sooner or later, those people might force us to fight against one another or fight something ridiculously strong. Hao Xiang is a gifted individual...and the only way for a normal person like me to survive is to take risks and grow stronger.
Besides, I have 2 more lives.
Option 1.
----------------
Option 1 has been chosen
Commencing battle...
----------------
I lose control of my body as my body leaps forward at the swarm of bats, pulling out the dagger in my inventory and slashing down, splitting the horde into two.
------------------
12 bats killed
+2400 exp
------------------