Just as Minos predicted earlier, the crowd started to become more dense. Eventually the number seemed to settle at around 150 people before no one else arrived.
The inheritance also seemed to sense the lack of new arrivals, and suddenly a loud boom went off in the mountain, knocking everyone standing nearby backwards.
Minos was flung into a tree, but managed to twist his body at the last second, minimizing the damage. Compared to others, he was lucky, he witnessed one person get flung head first into a large stone, nearly killing him.
The entire crowd was disorientated, but the mountain wasn't yet done with its performance. Out from the mouth of the cave came a bright light, revealing its core.
The cave was empty, and wasn't very deep, making people wonder where exactly the inheritance was hidden, but Minos seemed to notice something strange.
The rock wall at the back of the cave was moving strangely, as if it was a liquid rather than a solid. The light also seemed to originate from that wall, making Minos think the secret was hidden behind it.
Minos started looking at the people with sword insignia's thinking they'd take the lead, but they soon proved him wrong.
"Everyone, we are members of the Thousand Split Sword Sect. We have taken this inheritance site under control, however since our sect is generous, we've decided to allow our fellow cultivators to take the lead." Said the middle-aged man with the purple sword insignia.
"Wow, the Thousand Split Sword Sect is very kind!" Said an older man from the crowd.
"Yes, the Thousand Split Sword Sect cultivators are a perfect example of chivalry. More sects should be like them." Responded someone else among the group.
Minos listened to all this with suspicion. A sect never survived off generosity, hence this stunt clearly served another purpose.
It was likely that the Thousand Split Sword Sect was worried about the risk on the other side of that rock wall, hence they wanted to get a few guinea pigs to test the road for them.
While Minos was smart enough to realize that, there were quite a few people in the crowd who didn't share the same intelligence.
Instead, with big smiles on their faces, they walked into the cave. As their bodies touched the rocky wall, it started to ripple, like a pebble being dropped into a pond, and soon the first person vanished into the other side.
After about a dozen people had entered, the disciples from the Thousand Split Sword Sect finally walked in. Of course, with the weakest walking first.
With the final disciple with the purple sword insignia finally entered the secret realm, a signal seemed to go off, and the entire crowd waiting around the mountain rushed in.
Minos took his time, instead looking around to see if he could find Venix. Any help would be critical considering the danger he was about to face.
Soon his eyes landed on a person wearing a black robe. The exact same robe Venix had worn back in the sect. He also walked at the same pace, with the same stature.
Minos walked up to him, before bumping him on the shoulder. The person in question turned around, revealing a face Minos had never seen before.
"What do you want?" The person said in a grumpy voice.
"No need to play these games, Venix. Your eyes instantly give away your identity." Minos responded calmly.
"Who are you?" Venix responded with an anxious voice.
"No worries, it's me, Minos." At this time Minos was wearing a disguise, and since he and Venix had only met once, it was natural that he didn't recognize him.
"Minos? What are you doing here?" Venix asked with some confusion in his voice.
"I'm here for the same reason you are." Minos said, before continuing. "Given our strengths alone, we stand no chance against the Thousand Split Sword Sect. Of course even if we act together it's still a hopeless cause, but at least we can watch each other's backs."