Chapter 9: Shadows of the Tomb
The deeper Bhoumik ventured into Green Hell Paradise, the more the air seemed to change. The rich spiritual energy of the area felt denser, heavier, as if the very atmosphere was charged with unseen power. Bhoumik's sharp eyes scanned the landscape, carefully following the treasure map he had found in the storage rings of the two dead cultivators. Each step brought him closer to the ruins or tomb that the map had marked, a place where unimaginable power was rumored to be sealed.
But the journey wasn't without its challenges. Bhoumik had grown stronger over the past months, but the beasts here, lurking in the shadows, were even stronger—4th-grade magical beasts prowled the forest, their menacing presence forcing Bhoumik to stay on high alert. He had managed to avoid direct confrontation, relying on his growing mastery of Thunder Steps to move swiftly and evade danger.
It was late afternoon when Bhoumik's progress was interrupted. Up ahead, voices echoed through the forest—loud, confident voices. Bhoumik's body tensed, his instincts kicking in immediately. He crouched low, moving with the silent grace of a predator, and slipped behind a cluster of thick trees. His heart beat steadily as he observed from the shadows.
Through the dense trees, Bhoumik saw them: five cultivators, each one exuding a powerful aura. They looked to be in their twenties, each wearing distinct black robes embroidered with the symbol of a burning sun—the mark of a powerful sect. Their cultivation was far above his own, ranging between the 4th and 5th levels of the Grandmaster Realm. They were far too strong for him to confront directly.
He stayed hidden, controlling his breath , so they wouldn't sense his presence. Bhoumik's sharp gaze focused on their leader, a man with long, dark hair tied back in a warrior's knot, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of confidence and impatience.
"How much further, Jing Wen?" the leader asked in a low, commanding voice, addressing another cultivator in the group—a tall man with a sharp, angular face and calculating eyes. "We've been traveling for days. Are you sure this map is leading us to the right place?"
The man named Jing Wen nodded, a smirk playing on his lips as he pulled out a parchment map. "Yes, Chang Hui, I'm certain. We're close now," Jing Wen replied, his voice filled with barely contained excitement. "The tomb of Shen Mu is just beyond this ridge. If the legends are true, the treasures inside could elevate our sect to untouchable heights."
Bhoumik's heart skipped a beat. Shen Mu. He had heard that name before. A name that was whispered in old stories, a cultivator of such immense power that he had once held the strength to destroy entire nations with a flick of his finger. The tales said that Shen Mu had reached a level of cultivation so high that he could no longer be challenged by anyone in the mortal world. But his arrogance had led to his downfall, and he had been sealed away, his tomb hidden deep within Green Hell Paradise.
Now, it seemed that Bhoumik wasn't the only one searching for the tomb. These cultivators were after the same treasure.
Another cultivator, a burly man with a scar running down the side of his face, grunted impatiently. "I've heard those legends too," he said, crossing his arms. "But we're not the only ones hunting for this tomb. If Shen Mu's treasures are as powerful as they say, you can bet other sects will come sniffing around soon. We need to move quickly."
Jing Wen chuckled softly, his confidence apparent. "Let them come, Feng," he said, his eyes gleaming with greed. "By the time they realize what we've found, Shen Mu's power will be ours. And then, there won't be anyone left to challenge us."
The leader, Chang Hui, remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. He wasn't as careless as the others. "We can't afford to be overconfident," Chang Hui warned. "This tomb has been hidden for centuries. If it were easy to find, it wouldn't have stayed sealed this long. There could be traps, or worse—" His gaze darkened. "—something guarding it."
The group fell silent at Chang Hui's words, a tension settling over them. They knew as well as anyone that powerful cultivators like Shen Mu didn't just leave their treasures unprotected.
Bhoumik, still hidden among the trees, felt his blood run cold. A tomb with world-destroying power—that was what these men were after. And they were powerful enough to get it, far more powerful than Bhoumik was at the moment. His instincts screamed at him to retreat, but his curiosity and ambition wouldn't let him leave just yet.
The conversation among the cultivators continued, and Bhoumik listened carefully, his sharp mind piecing together everything they said. They were close—very close—to the tomb. If Bhoumik could just follow them and slip in unnoticed, there was a chance he could claim some of the treasure before they realized he was there. But it was a risky gamble. If they caught him, he wouldn't stand a chance against cultivators at the Grandmaster Realm.
"We'll set up camp here for the night," Chang Hui finally said, his tone decisive. "At first light, we'll move toward the tomb's entrance. Stay alert. I don't want any surprises."
The group nodded, and they began to prepare a small camp, lighting a fire and setting up their weapons for easy access.
Bhoumik stayed perfectly still, waiting for the cover of darkness. His mind raced as he calculated his next move. He couldn't confront these cultivators directly, but he could follow them—learn more about the tomb's location and wait for the right moment to make his move.
As the sun began to set and the light faded from the sky, Bhoumik remained hidden, his breathing steady and controlled. The cultivators were gathered around the fire, speaking in low voices, unaware of the shadow lurking just beyond their sight.
He observed their group carefully. Chang Hui, the leader, was clearly the most cautious and disciplined of the bunch. Jing Wen, with his sharp wit and confidence, seemed to be the strategist. Feng, the burly cultivator with the scar, appeared to be more of a brute force type, while the other two—Li Rong and Zhao Wei—were quieter, but equally dangerous, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.
Hours passed, and soon, the forest was swallowed by the darkness of night. The fire crackled softly in the distance, casting long shadows over the group. Bhoumik knew that now was the time to move. If he wanted to get closer to the tomb without being detected, he would need to do it while they were resting.
Silently, he activated Thunder Steps, his body moving with lightning speed as he darted through the trees, circling around the campsite. He kept his movements light and silent, his dark eyes constantly scanning the area for any sign of traps or detection. The rich spiritual energy in the middle region of Green Hell Paradise was almost suffocating now, but Bhoumik had grown used to it. His senses were sharper than ever, and he could feel the subtle shifts in the air as he moved.
Eventually, he found a small vantage point—a rocky outcrop just above the camp—that gave him a better view of the group. From here, he could monitor their movements while staying out of sight.
As Bhoumik settled into his hidden spot, he overheard Chang Hui giving orders to his group. "We'll split up at first light," Chang Hui said. "Jing Wen, you and Feng will take the left ridge and scout the area for any signs of activity. Li Rong and Zhao Wei, you'll secure the perimeter around the tomb's entrance. I'll go in alone."
"Alone?" Jing Wen raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"
Chang Hui nodded, his expression serious. "The tomb will likely be filled with traps. I'm the most experienced at handling them. I won't risk losing any of you to whatever's inside. Once I've cleared the path, we'll go in together and claim the treasures."
The others exchanged glances but didn't argue. They trusted Chang Hui's judgment, and they were clearly eager to get their hands on whatever treasures lay hidden in the tomb.
Bhoumik's mind raced as he listened. This could be his chance. If Chang Hui went into the tomb alone, it would leave the others scattered and vulnerable. He could follow them from the shadows, learning more about the tomb's layout and traps before making his own move.
But it would be dangerous. One mistake, and he'd be dead.
As the night deepened, Bhoumik made his decision. He would follow them in the morning—stay hidden and observe. His Thunder Steps and Heavenly Palm would give him the speed and strength he needed to avoid detection, but he'd need to be smarter than ever. These cultivators were stronger than him, but they weren't invincible. If he played his cards right, he could slip in and out of the tomb before they even knew he was there.
But first, he needed to rest and prepare for the day ahead. Bhoumik retreated a safe distance from the camp, finding a small hollow under a large tree where he could meditate and recover his strength. His breathing slowed as he entered a deep state of meditation, focusing on his spiritual energy, replenishing the energy he had used over the past few days.
The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or distant roar of a magical beast. But Bhoumik's mind remained clear and focused. He would need all of his strength and cunning to survive what was coming.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke through the trees, Bhoumik was already awake, his body coiled with tension. He watched as the group of cultivators began to pack up their camp, ready to head toward the tomb.
As they moved, Bhoumik followed silently from the shadows, his Thunder Steps keeping him hidden as he moved in perfect synchronization with the forest. He stayed far enough behind that they wouldn't sense him, but close enough to hear their conversations and track their movements.
The air grew heavier as they neared the location marked on the map. Bhoumik could feel the intense pressure of the spiritual energy here, far stronger than anything he had encountered before. It was clear now—this was no ordinary tomb.
Whatever was inside, it held a power that could change everything.