The Northern Mountains were unlike anything Tang Xiu had ever seen before. The dense forest around them gave way to steep cliffs and rocky paths that seemed to twist in unnatural ways. The air was thick with a strange energy, as if the land itself was holding its breath. Every step they took seemed to echo through the silence of the mountains, amplifying their presence.
As they trekked deeper, the trees grew taller, their branches intertwining overhead to form a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The path was narrow, with sharp rocks jutting out from the ground, threatening to trip them at every turn.
Lei Xian, ever the cautious one, kept his eyes darting around, his hand always resting on the hilt of his sword. "Boss, are you sure we're going the right way? This place feels… wrong." He shivered, his words carrying a hint of unease.
Tang Xiu didn't answer immediately, his eyes scanning the path ahead. He could feel the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on them. "The artifact is here," he said simply, his voice calm but firm. "Trust me, this is the path we need to take."
Lei Xian glanced around, not fully convinced but willing to follow his leader. "I hope you know what you're doing."
The air grew colder as they ascended, and soon the distant sounds of the forest—birds, rustling leaves, the calls of animals—began to fade. All that remained was the eerie silence that seemed to wrap around them. Tang Xiu's senses were on high alert, his every instinct telling him that something was wrong.
As they reached the foot of a massive mountain, a sudden flash of light caught Tang Xiu's attention. He froze, his eyes narrowing as the light flickered in and out of existence, like a beacon drawing him closer.
"Boss, what is it?" Lei Xian whispered, his voice barely audible. He could see the flicker of light too, but he didn't dare speak louder.
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a slight smile. "The artifact is close. Stay sharp, we're almost there."
They continued to climb, the path becoming steeper and more treacherous. The rocks beneath their feet felt unstable, as if the mountain itself was alive, shifting with each step they took. But Tang Xiu was unbothered. He had been through worse in his previous life.
As they rounded a corner, they came upon a large stone door embedded in the side of the mountain. The door was ancient, its surface covered in strange runes and symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light.
"This is it," Tang Xiu said, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and caution.
Lei Xian stepped forward, inspecting the door. "It doesn't look like any ordinary door. These runes… they're not something you'd see on any regular building. Are you sure it's safe?"
Tang Xiu nodded. "The door is a test. We need to solve it to proceed."
Without waiting for Lei Xian's response, Tang Xiu reached out and placed his hand on the door. The runes on its surface flared brightly, and a low rumbling sound filled the air. The ground beneath them trembled as if the mountain itself was waking up.
"Stay back!" Tang Xiu ordered, his voice sharp.
A series of heavy stone blocks slid out from the wall, forming a massive set of traps designed to block their way. The traps consisted of spiked barriers and swinging blades, each more dangerous than the last.
Lei Xian stepped back, his eyes wide. "What the hell is this? It's like something out of a nightmare."
Tang Xiu didn't hesitate. With a single step, he dashed forward, his movements fluid and precise. He dodged the first set of spikes, then twisted around a blade that came swinging toward him. The traps were fast, but they were no match for his cultivated speed. He was untouchable.
Lei Xian watched in awe as Tang Xiu navigated the deadly obstacles effortlessly. It was clear that his strength was on another level entirely. He couldn't even begin to comprehend how Tang Xiu was doing it.
After what felt like an eternity, Tang Xiu reached the center of the door. A single glowing rune floated in the air, pulsing with a steady rhythm. He stared at it for a moment before pressing his palm to it.
The rune flared with light, and the massive stone door slowly began to open. The rumbling noise stopped, and the traps vanished as if they had never been there.
"Let's go," Tang Xiu said, stepping through the now-open door. He motioned for Lei Xian to follow.
Lei Xian hesitated for only a moment before following him inside. The air was colder here, and the walls were lined with ancient symbols that seemed to shift and change as they passed. There was an overwhelming sense of power in the air, and Tang Xiu could feel the artifact's presence growing stronger with each step.
At the end of the narrow corridor, they came to a massive chamber. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and atop it rested a glowing orb. The light from the orb bathed the entire room in a warm, golden glow.
Tang Xiu's eyes widened. This was it. The artifact he had been searching for. The power he had long been deprived of was within his reach.
He stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. The moment he reached out to claim the orb, a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Who dares to disturb the trials of the Northern Mountains?" The voice was ancient, filled with an otherworldly authority.
Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. He wasn't surprised. He had expected something like this.
"I'm here to claim what is rightfully mine," Tang Xiu said, his voice calm yet unwavering.
The voice did not respond immediately, but the ground beneath them began to tremble once more. The temperature dropped sharply, and the air became thick with pressure.
This was only the beginning. Tang Xiu was about to face the true challenge.