The beast tide had thinned, leaving behind a forest carpeted in carcasses and broken trees.
Ye Chen knelt by a stream, washing the blood from his face. He was exhausted. His Ancient Solar Physique had burned brightly, saving forty disciples, but the cost was high. His meridians ached, and his Qi reserve was less than thirty percent.
"Brother Ye," a disciple approached, limping. "We found something ahead. A structure."
Ye Chen stood up, sheathing his heavy sword. "Lead the way."
The survivors limped through the dense foliage until the trees gave way to a massive clearing.
In the center stood a pyramid of white marble, untouched by the vines and moss. It radiated a sharp, cutting aura that made the air feel like needles against the skin. Above the entrance, carved in ancient script, were the words:
"Tomb of the Horizon Sword Saint."
"A Sword Saint's inheritance!" A disciple gasped. "This must be the core of the Trial!"
Ye Chen's eyes lit up. "The Horizon Sword Saint... a legend from three thousand years ago. It is said his sword could cut the separation between sky and earth. If we obtain his inheritance, the Azure Cloud Sect will rise to new heights."
"Or," a cold voice interrupted, "we will die trying to open the door."
The group turned. Walking out of the shadows of the pyramid was a group of disciples in purple robes. The Violet Sword Sect.
Their leader, a tall man with a thin, cruel face, stepped forward. He held a rapier that hummed with electricity.
"Lei Ming," Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. "So the Violet Sword Sect survived the beast tide too."
"Barely," Lei Ming spat. "Someone... or something... stirred up the forest. But it doesn't matter. This Tomb belongs to sword cultivators. You Azure Cloud trash use heavy swords and spells. You are unworthy."
"The inheritance belongs to the fated!" Ye Chen retorted, stepping forward.
Tension spiked. The Violet Sword Sect had twenty disciples. Azure Cloud had forty, but half were wounded.
From the back of the Azure Cloud group, Mo Tian (disguised as Han Fei) watched, leaning against a rock. He was munching on a piece of dried meat.
[Target Analysis: Lei Ming] [Cultivation: Foundation Establishment - Stage 1] [Weapon: Purple Lightning Rapier (High Grade)] [Trait: Arrogant but skilled.]
"Two dogs fighting over a bone," Mo Tian thought. "But the bone is trapped in a stone."
He looked at the entrance of the Tomb. It was sealed by a Sword Qi Barrier.
"System. Analyze the barrier."
[Analysis Complete] [Type: Nine-Palace Sword Array] [Unlock Requirement: High-purity Sword Intent or Massive Brute Force.] [Hidden Mechanism: The barrier absorbs blood to weaken.]
Mo Tian smiled. Absorbs blood? So the 'Righteous' Sword Saint was a pragmatist.
"Stop arguing!" Ye Chen shouted. "The barrier is still up. If we fight now, neither of us gets in."
Lei Ming scoffed, but lowered his rapier. "Fine. We open it together. Once we are inside... then we settle this."
Ye Chen walked to the barrier. He placed his hand on the shimmering field. He closed his eyes, channeling his intent.
"Solar Sword Intent!"
The barrier rippled. Ye Chen was a genius; he had comprehended Sword Intent at the Qi Condensation realm. The barrier recognized him as a candidate and began to thin.
"He is opening it!" The disciples cheered.
Mo Tian watched closely. He saw what they didn't. The barrier wasn't just opening; it was feeding. Tiny tendrils of red energy were leeching from Ye Chen's palm.
It takes vitality, Mo Tian noted. Ye Chen has plenty. But the others...
"Help him!" Lei Ming ordered his men. "Inject your Qi!"
Sixty disciples placed their hands on the barrier.
Flash.
The barrier pulsed.
"Nngh!" A Violet Sword disciple turned pale, collapsing. "My... my Qi..."
"Hold on!" Ye Chen gritted his teeth. "It's almost open!"
Mo Tian didn't help. He stood in the back, checking his fingernails. He watched as the barrier drained the collective vitality of the group.
Crack.
The marble doors groaned. The seal shattered.
A gust of ancient, stale air blew out from the tomb, carrying the scent of rusted iron.
"It is open!" Ye Chen gasped, stumbling back. He was pale, but his eyes burned with triumph.
"Go!" Lei Ming didn't wait. He kicked a fallen Azure Cloud disciple out of the way and charged into the dark tunnel with his men.
"Despicable!" Ye Chen shouted. "Team, follow me! Do not let them claim the legacy!"
The Azure Cloud disciples rushed in.
Mo Tian waited until the last person had entered.
He walked to the entrance. He ran his finger along the doorframe, collecting a drop of fresh blood left by a disciple who had been trampled.
He tasted it.
"Fear," Mo Tian whispered. "Delicious."
He stepped into the darkness.
"System. Map the interior. I want the shortcuts."
[Mapping Area...] [Hidden Path Detected: 30 meters ahead, behind the statue of the Guardian.] [Note: Main path leads to the 'Trial of Bravery'. Hidden path leads to the 'Control Room'.]
Mo Tian's mask seemed to glow in the dark.
"While the Hero plays the game," Mo Tian chuckled, "the Villain rewrites the rules."