Chapter 10: The Gathering Storm
The air around Shen Mu's tomb felt heavier with each step Bhoumik took. The spiritual energy in this area was thick, almost suffocating, and the deeper he ventured, the more intense the pressure became. Following the group from a safe distance, Bhoumik moved silently, keeping to the shadows. His body was coiled with tension, every sense sharpened as he activated Thunder Steps to maintain his speed and stealth. The treasure map had led him here, but now he realized the journey ahead would be far more dangerous than he had imagined.
As he crept closer to the tomb's entrance, Bhoumik saw them—Chang Hui and his group of four black-robed cultivators, but they were no longer alone. A new group had arrived, their crimson robes adorned with the symbol of a dragon coiled around a flame. Flame Serpent Sect. These cultivators were known for their ruthless pursuit of power, and their leader, Lu Qing, exuded the presence of a powerful Spirit Realm cultivator.
Bhoumik felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Spirit Realm. The gap between his own strength and someone like Lu Qing was enormous. If he were caught, he wouldn't stand a chance.
He slipped further back into the forest, using the cover of thick trees and rocks to hide. As more figures emerged, Bhoumik counted at least twenty cultivators, each one strong and dangerous. Some were from organized sects, like the Flame Serpent Sect, but there were also rogue cultivators, hardened and battle-worn, standing apart from the rest. One of the rogues caught his attention: Cai Heng, a Grandmaster Realm cultivator with a reputation for assassination and underhanded tactics. His eyes scanned the gathering, cold and calculating.
The tension among the cultivators was palpable, and Bhoumik could tell that none of them trusted each other. They were all here for the same reason—the treasures of Shen Mu, rumored to hold the power to destroy entire nations.
From his hiding spot, Bhoumik watched as Lu Qing from the Flame Serpent Sect stepped forward, his voice carrying through the clearing. "So, it seems we're all after the same thing," he said, his tone laced with arrogance. "But I hope you Grandmasters realize that treasures like these aren't meant for those still playing in the lower realms."
Chang Hui, standing at the forefront of his group, met Lu Qing's gaze without flinching. His calm, cold expression betrayed no fear. "The treasures of Shen Mu belong to whoever is strong enough to claim them," he replied evenly. "We'll see who that is."
Tension rippled through the crowd, but no one made a move. Bhoumik remained still, carefully observing the shifting dynamics between the cultivators. It was clear that the Flame Serpent Sect and Chang Hui's group were the strongest here, but the rogue cultivators led by Cai Heng were no less dangerous. Each side was waiting for the right moment to strike.
Finally, Chang Hui spoke to his group. "Let's move." His eyes scanned the entrance to the tomb, a dark opening carved into the rocky hillside. He motioned for Jing Wen, Feng, Li Rong, and Zhao Wei to follow, and they cautiously approached the entrance, while the others watched closely. Lu Qing's group followed not far behind, and even Cai Heng and his rogues moved toward the entrance, keeping their distance but clearly intent on entering the tomb as well.
Bhoumik's heart raced. He needed to stay hidden, but he also had to get closer. If the tomb contained the kind of power these cultivators believed, it could change everything for him. But he had to be patient. One wrong move, and he would be dead before he even got a chance to see the treasure.
As the cultivators entered the tomb, the atmosphere shifted. The spiritual energy inside was even more overwhelming, and the walls were lined with glowing ancient symbols, remnants of a long-forgotten era. Bhoumik stayed several paces behind, using his Thunder Steps to move soundlessly. His eyes tracked every movement, watching as Chang Hui led the way.
It wasn't long before the first trap was triggered.
The ground trembled, and a series of stone spikes shot up from the floor, nearly impaling Jing Wen. He dodged just in time, but the spikes were coated with a shimmering black poison. Bhoumik's eyes narrowed as he studied the trap. Even the smallest scratch from those spikes would be fatal.
The group paused, growing more cautious as they moved forward. Bhoumik kept his distance, his sharp mind analyzing every step they took. The tomb was designed to kill, and only those who truly understood its dangers would survive.
Suddenly, another trap activated—a blast of fire spiritual energy erupted from hidden cracks in the walls, nearly engulfing Li Rong in flames. The group barely managed to evade the attack, but the tension was clear. Each step they took was a gamble with their lives.
Bhoumik's mind worked rapidly as he followed them deeper into the tomb. He was learning from their mistakes, observing how they avoided the traps. He knew that if he could survive the tomb's dangers, there would be a moment—one single moment—where he could make his move and claim part of the treasure before the others realized what was happening.
After what felt like an eternity of navigating deadly traps, the group finally reached the first chamber of the tomb. The room was vast, circular, and lined with towering stone statues. Each statue depicted a figure of immense power, their features worn with age but still radiating a sense of dominance. At the center of the chamber was a large stone altar, and resting on it was an ancient scroll, glowing faintly with pale blue light.
The room fell silent as the cultivators laid eyes on the scroll. Even from his hiding place, Bhoumik could feel the immense power emanating from it. This was a piece of Shen Mu's legacy—a martial technique or perhaps a key to unlocking more of the tomb's secrets.
The tension in the room escalated as each group realized that they had reached a pivotal moment. No one made a move, but everyone was waiting for the first sign of weakness. Bhoumik's heart pounded in his chest. If a fight broke out, this could be his chance to slip in and steal the scroll while the others were distracted.
The first to step forward was Lu Qing, his fiery Qi surging as he approached the altar. "The treasures of Shen Mu belong to those who have the strength to take them," he said, his eyes locked on the scroll.
But Chang Hui wasn't about to let the Flame Serpent Sect claim the prize so easily. He stepped in front of Lu Qing, his sword glowing with spiritual energy. "You won't be taking anything, Lu Qing," Chang Hui said coldly. "Not without a fight."
The tension snapped, and the cultivators' auras flared. Cai Heng's group, standing off to the side, watched carefully, their hands ready to draw their weapons. Bhoumik knew it was only a matter of time before violence erupted.
But before anyone could make a move, a low growl echoed through the chamber. The sound was deep, ancient, and filled with malice. Every cultivator froze, their eyes snapping toward the shadows in the corner of the room. A massive figure emerged from the darkness—a hulking beast, its body twisted and grotesque, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light. This was no ordinary guardian. It was a creature born from Shen Mu's power, left behind to protect his legacy.
The room erupted into chaos as the beast lunged forward, its claws tearing through the air. Lu Qing's fiery spiritual energy surged as he met the creature head-on, while Chang Hui moved with deadly precision, his sword slicing through the air. The battle was fierce, and Bhoumik watched from the shadows, his heart racing.
This was his chance. While the others were distracted by the battle, he could make his move. But he had to be smart. One wrong step, and he'd be caught in the crossfire.
Bhoumik's eyes flicked to the scroll on the altar. That was his target. The treasure of Shen Mu awaited him.