Still, as Han Yu stood there with his friends beside him, Han Yu felt a familiar fire kindle in his chest. Danger and opportunity walked hand in hand. For someone like him, who relied not just on qi but on the emotions of others to fuel his path, such moments were both peril and blessing.
He tightened his grip on the scroll. "Then let us not waste time. If the tomb has chosen to reveal itself early, we must be ready to face whatever it intends to show us."
Wu Shuan gave a sharp nod. Fatty Kui groaned under the weight of his sack but still grinned, eager for what lay ahead.
The camp around them buzzed with restless energy, disciples moving like ants preparing for war. And amidst it all, Han Yu's eyes gleamed with quiet determination.
The game had changed overnight, but he was ready to play his part.
Later in the morning, Han Yu, Wu Shuan, Fatty Kui, and a large contingent of disciples gathered before the towering gates of the newly opened alchemy complex.
The air was thick with tension, though excitement hummed beneath the unease. Unlike before, when Han Yu and Wu Shuan were simply juniors tagging behind the likes of Xuan Qing and Senior Brother Duan, this time things were different.
The mantle of responsibility had fallen onto their shoulders.
Having stepped into the Core Condensation realm, they were no longer viewed as helpless juniors.
Though they had not yet been officially promoted into the Inner Court, the circumstances made formalities meaningless. The sect needed every capable hand to lead expeditions. The elders had been clear: there was no time to waste on ceremony.
Two teams of ten had been assigned to this complex.
Han Yu was placed in charge of one team while Wu Shuan led the other. Fatty Kui, sturdy as ever and now brimming with confidence, acted as their sole supplier and porter. His immense strength as a body cultivator made him an invaluable asset.
With so many supplies needing to be carried, few could match his efficiency. Yet at the same time, his brute strength ensured he could defend himself should the need arise.
As the gates creaked open, an acrid smell of herbs and faint lingering alchemical fire drifted out, curling in the morning air. Han Yu narrowed his eyes as he peered into the shadowed passage.
"Remember," Han Yu said firmly to the disciples under his lead, "stay behind me and do not stray from the formation. The alchemy complexes are not known for being forgiving. If you value your lives, keep your minds clear."
The disciples nodded quickly, faces pale but determined. Many of them were nervous, but the sight of Han Yu and Wu Shuan walking ahead with calm steps reassured them. Follow current novᴇls on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
The Crimson Cloud Sect was present as well, their own group of disciples led by two senior figures. The two sects were allies, and while there was minor rivalry, now they were proper collaborators.
The opening of all the complexes at once, coupled with the sudden appearance of the main tomb, had changed everything. Resources had to be managed carefully, and collaboration became the only sensible path forward.
The first stretch of corridors within the alchemy complex was deceptively calm. Shelves lined with shattered jars and dried herbs lay scattered, and the faint lines of old formations glimmered beneath the dust.
Yet it was not long before the first trap revealed itself. As one disciple's boot pressed down upon a tile, the walls shuddered and sharp darts flew out from hidden holes.
"Down!" Han Yu barked, throwing out a talisman that turned into qi surging outward in a protective veil. The darts clattered harmlessly against the barrier before falling to the ground.
Wu Shuan stepped forward, his own qi flaring as he scanned the runes along the walls. "These traps are embedded with basic formations," he muttered. "But they are far more dangerous than they appear. Whoever made this complex was no amateur."
It took nearly an hour of careful progress to bypass the first stretch of traps. Fatty Kui proved surprisingly useful, spotting inconsistencies in the stonework with his now experienced sharp eyes and occasionally absorbing the brunt of collapsing mechanisms with his sturdy body.
Then came the beasts. Within the heart of the corridors, nests of spirit-infused serpents slithered from broken jars. Their scales glimmered with a metallic sheen, and each hiss carried a faint poisonous mist. Han Yu wasted no time.
"Hold formation! Do not scatter!"
He charged forward, his qi surging into his fists as he smashed through the first wave of serpents. Wu Shuan followed, sword gleaming as he cut a path. Behind them, the disciples channeled their limited techniques to assist, emboldened by the strength of their leaders.
The Crimson Cloud Sect disciples flanked from the opposite side, their fire techniques searing through clusters of serpents.
It was a battle that would have been harrowing months ago. Yet now, with their cultivation having stepped into a higher realm, both Han Yu and Wu Shuan cut through the beasts with relative ease. Sweat clung to the brows of the younger disciples, but not a single casualty was suffered.
By the time they pushed deeper, the scent of herbs grew stronger. The walls of the next chamber were lined with alchemical murals, faded but still faintly glowing. In the center sat a cluster of intact shelves, preserved behind a layer of protective formations.
"This must be it," Wu Shuan said, his eyes widening. "The storeroom."
The formations guarding it were intricate, but not beyond their current ability. With the assistance of Crimson Cloud Sect's disciples, they managed to unravel the barrier. As the shimmering veil dispersed, the group stepped into the chamber.
Rows of jade bottles and pill boxes gleamed under a faint luminescence. The scent of medicine filled the air, invigorating their bodies. Han Yu picked up one of the bottles, inspecting the seal.
"These are recovery pills. Some are damaged, but most are intact," he said, relief evident in his voice.