Chapter: Deeper Secrets and an Unexpected Encounter
As Bhoumik neared the wall Maya had pointed out, he too began to sense something strange emanating from it. The faint, almost imperceptible ripple of energy tingled in his fingertips as he ran his hand across the cold stone surface. "I can feel it too," Bhoumik muttered, eyes narrowing. "But how do we open it?"
Without a word, Maya slipped from his hand and grew larger, her ancient serpent form uncoiling as her body shimmered with energy. With a single powerful swipe of her tail, she smashed through the stone, revealing a hidden passage beyond.
"Let's go," Maya said with a nod, her tone calm yet commanding.
Bhoumik took a deep breath, his heartbeat quickening as he stepped through the broken wall and into a new chamber. Unlike the previous rooms, this one was different—it was filled with weapons. Swords, spears, and other battle gear lined the walls, each glowing faintly with a mystic light.
Bhoumik's eyes widened in awe. "This place... it's full of weapons." His gaze roamed over the array of armaments, resting momentarily on a long sword whose design caught his eye. "There's a spear too... and so many others."
Maya slithered forward, her serpentine eyes narrowing. "These weapons are special. High-grade, enchanted with powers long forgotten by the outside world. They were forged in an era where battles were won by the sharpness of one's blade and the strength of their spirit."
Bhoumik hesitated before picking up the long sword. It was surprisingly heavy, but its craftsmanship was undeniable. The blade's surface shimmered, almost as if it contained a power waiting to be unleashed. "This one is incredible," he whispered, testing its weight in his hands.
Maya nodded approvingly. "It's a good choice. I can sense the energy within it. But you should take more—these aren't just for decoration. You'll need powerful weapons for the challenges ahead."
Bhoumik turned to a spear that caught his attention next. Its shaft was wrapped in intricate designs, and the spearhead gleamed with an ominous, fiery glow. He grabbed it, feeling a surge of energy course through his arm. "These weapons... they're unlike anything I've ever seen."
Maya smirked. "You'll learn how to use them, boy. You have the memories of the sect, remember? Everything you need to know about wielding those weapons is buried in your mind."
Bhoumik nodded, though his heart raced. He could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders growing heavier with each step forward. Clutching the sword and spear, he and Maya exited the chamber, returning to the area where the fire wolves had been subdued earlier.
"Is there anything else hidden here?" Bhoumik asked as they approached the wolves, who remained docile under Maya's suppressive aura.
Maya closed her eyes, her spiritual sense extending throughout the ruins. After a moment, she opened them and pointed to an area in the far corner. "There's something else. Follow me."
Bhoumik trailed after her as she led him underground, descending deeper into the ruins. They arrived at a massive stone door, adorned with ancient carvings that seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy.
Bhoumik studied the door, his brow furrowing. "This looks... ancient. More so than anything we've seen so far."
Maya nodded, her voice laced with intrigue. "That's because this sect is older than most people realize. It's at least ten thousand years old, maybe more."
Bhoumik glanced at her in surprise. "How do you know that?"
"My parents passed down the knowledge to me," she said, her tone casual but laced with hidden depth. "It's part of my inheritance."
"Ten thousand years…" Bhoumik whispered in awe, running his hand across the door. "But how do we open it?"
Without answering, Maya shifted into her full serpent form, her massive body coiling around the door. With a powerful push, she forced the ancient stone door open, its creaking echoing through the underground chamber. Once the door was open, she shrank down to her smaller form and perched herself back on Bhoumik's arm.
The room they entered was vast, shrouded in darkness. Bhoumik could feel a rich concentration of spiritual energy pressing in on him, thick in the air like an invisible fog.
"Maya," Bhoumik said, his voice barely a whisper, "this place... it's filled with spiritual energy."
Maya's eyes glinted in the dim light. "Yes, this is a perfect spot for you to begin cultivating. If you wish to start, now is the time."
But before Bhoumik could respond, a deep, feminine voice echoed from within the darkness. "So, someone finally came here…"
Bhoumik froze, his body tense as his eyes darted around the room. In the center of the vast space, two glowing eyes appeared—one blue, the other red—piercing through the darkness like beacons. A chill ran down his spine.
"Who's there?" Bhoumik called out, his voice wavering slightly.
From the shadows, a figure emerged, stepping gracefully into the dim light. It was a woman, her beauty so overwhelming that Bhoumik was momentarily speechless. She had the aura of divinity, her presence commanding yet serene. She wore a flowing teal and gold garment, adorned with intricate patterns, and her long silver hair shimmered under the faint light. Her piercing blue eyes glowed with a strange, ancient wisdom, and in her hand, she held a staff that seemed to radiate power.
The woman smiled, though there was a trace of amusement in her expression. "I've been trapped here for hundreds of years, and you've finally freed me."
Bhoumik swallowed hard, regaining his composure. "Who are you?"
The woman's smile widened slightly as she took a step closer, her eyes scanning Bhoumik from head to toe. "My name is Indrali Mehari. But I'm more interested in you, boy. How did a mere mortal manage to reach this continent, and without cultivation, no less? And even more curious..." Her gaze flicked toward Maya, who had hidden herself within Bhoumik's clothes. "You have a Heaven-Swallowing Python as your pet."
Maya, sensing that she had been discovered, slithered out and coiled herself around Bhoumik's arm, her eyes wary as she gazed at Indrali. "She found me..." Maya muttered.
Indrali chuckled softly. "Of course I did. There's no hiding from me."
Bhoumik's mind raced, struggling to process everything. "Indrali... if you've been trapped here for so long, why were you imprisoned?"
Indrali's smile faded slightly, her expression becoming more serious. "That's a long story, one that involves ancient grudges and betrayals. But you... you've set me free. And for that, I owe you something."
Bhoumik's breath caught in his throat as Indrali's eyes gleamed with a strange light. What had he just gotten himself into?
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