As the evil spirit dissipated, the lingering deathly aura in the tunnel gradually faded. Wang Quan and Daoist Feng Ming, along with the others, stood catching their breath. The Foundation Establishment-level evil spirit they had just faced was far stronger than anticipated. Although they had managed to defeat it, each of them had expended significant amounts of spiritual energy.
Wang Quan slowly circulated his Five Elements Secret Art to stabilize his spiritual energy, but a growing sense of unease began to creep into his thoughts.
"We've only just entered this tunnel and already encountered such a powerful Foundation Establishment-level evil spirit. If we go further, there might be even more terrifying enemies."
His eyes narrowed as he deliberated their next move. This tunnel clearly hid many unknown dangers, and the possibility of encountering even stronger spirits loomed large. Wang Quan started considering whether it might be wise to retreat for now.
"Daoist Feng Ming, shouldn't we consider withdrawing?" Wang Quan quietly suggested. Although he was strong for his level, facing Foundation Establishment evil spirits placed immense pressure on him. If they ran into more spirits of this caliber, they might not be as fortunate next time.
Daoist Feng Ming's face was equally grave, clearly realizing the severity of their situation. He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You're right. It's not looking good. To face a Foundation Establishment evil spirit so soon after entering means worse is likely ahead."
He glanced at the other cultivators, who all wore similarly grim expressions, and made a decision.
"We should retreat. The environment here is far too strange. Pushing forward recklessly could lead to disaster for all of us."
Daoist Feng Ming spoke calmly, displaying the prudence of a seasoned cultivator. He understood the fine line between bravery and foolishness. This tunnel clearly concealed immense dangers, and continuing further would only increase their risk.
The others nodded in agreement—none of them wanted to end up in a life-threatening situation here.
"Let's head back," Wang Quan said, feeling a bit relieved as they prepared to retreat. They could always regroup and reassess the situation later.
The group quickly turned and began retracing their steps towards the entrance. However, after a short while, Wang Quan sensed something was off. The surroundings had started to change—subtly at first, but unmistakably so. The cold aura still permeated the air, but the passage they had just traversed now seemed unfamiliar, as though they were walking through a different tunnel altogether.
"Strange... This isn't the path we took," Wang Quan murmured, frowning. He distinctly remembered the tunnel they had entered was lined with ancient runes, and there were cracks and markings along the floor. Now, the corridor appeared unfamiliar, almost as though they had wandered into a different place.
Daoist Feng Ming also noticed the strangeness and immediately halted. He extended his spiritual sense to explore their surroundings, trying to detect any anomalies.
"This is wrong... Where's the branching path we passed earlier?" he muttered under his breath, his tone laced with unease.
Despite heading back the way they came, the tunnel now seemed unnaturally long, with no sign of the earlier fork in the road. The scenery around them grew increasingly indistinct, as though they were trapped in an illusion. No matter how far they walked, the exit seemed impossibly distant.
"This... this feels like a ghostly maze," Lei Feng said, his brow furrowed in frustration. He gripped his spiritual treasure tightly, his spiritual energy swirling around him, ready for whatever dangers might emerge.
"A ghostly maze..." Wang Quan's eyes narrowed as a deep sense of unease settled in. The term referred to an eerie formation or illusion designed to trap cultivators. Those caught inside would unknowingly wander in circles, never finding their way out.
They had likely stumbled into a powerful array or illusion conjured by an evil spirit, causing them to lose their way.
"This tunnel may have been sealed with a powerful illusion or formation long ago. Continuing in this direction will only trap us deeper," Daoist Feng Ming said gravely.
Everyone exchanged worried glances, fully aware of the danger.
Wang Quan began strategizing internally. They were clearly caught in some kind of maze-like formation, and without a way to break it, they could end up wandering this tunnel forever. Worse, powerful evil spirits could be lurking, waiting to strike.
"We need to find the core of this formation. If we can destroy or disable it, we might be able to escape," Wang Quan suggested, his expression resolute. Though he was proficient in the Five Elements Secret Art, his knowledge of formations was limited, and they would need someone skilled to break through.
Daoist Feng Ming nodded in agreement. "We'll have to pause here and search for the core of this array. It's our best chance at finding a way out."
Just as they began planning, the deathly aura around them thickened, and an eerie presence seemed to close in from the darkness ahead. Wang Quan's sharp senses detected a ripple of danger.
"Be ready—something is coming," Wang Quan warned, his spiritual energy surging in anticipation. His Five Elements energy flowed through his meridians, preparing him for battle.
Daoist Feng Ming was already on alert, his long sword glowing faintly with blue light, ready to unleash sword energy at a moment's notice.
The deathly mist around them churned violently, as if an invisible force was whipping it into a frenzy. Then, from the distance, a series of deep growls echoed through the tunnel. With the sound came powerful ripples of spiritual energy, the oppressive aura around them growing even more suffocating.
"More evil spirits!" Lei Feng shouted as he raised his hands, lightning crackling between his fingers as he readied himself for the onslaught.
Wang Quan's expression hardened as the golden flames on his sword flared once again. The heat of his fire energy caused the air to hum and distort as his sword surged with power.
From the darkness ahead, several massive, shadowy figures began to take form. The thick, black deathly aura roiled around them, and these spirits appeared far more solid than the mid-tier ones they had faced earlier. These were clearly Foundation Establishment-level evil spirits.
"More Foundation Establishment evil spirits!" Daoist Feng Ming's face darkened as he swung his sword, sending out a blast of sword energy to meet the incoming spirits.
Without hesitation, Wang Quan followed up with a blazing slash of his own. A golden dragon of fire roared forth from his sword, surging toward the spirits with tremendous heat. The sword energy blazed through the air, pushing back the oppressive deathly aura and striking the spirits head-on.
The battle against the encroaching spirits had only just begun, and it was clear this fight would be even more perilous than before.