C23 Mausoleum

Within a pitch-black palace, Hua Hsing stood at the center, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.

Suddenly, a blinding light caught his attention. The next moment, a sinister aura enveloped the entire palace.

"Have I become separated from the others?" Hua Hsing murmured to himself, puzzled.

This was supposed to be the legendary tomb, yet Hua Hsing noticed nothing amiss.

"Is that light over there?" Hua Hsing's eyes widened as he spotted a distant brightness. Without hesitation, he dashed toward it.

Despite his efforts, the light remained elusive, and Hua Hsing had been walking for a solid hour.

"Am I trapped in a labyrinth?" Hua Hsing couldn't help but feel exasperated. It appeared he was indeed in a maze.

With careful thought, Hua Hsing began to seek an exit from the maze.

Meanwhile, other warriors who had ventured into the tomb were similarly ensnared, all searching for their own escape.

Two hours later, Hua Hsing encountered someone in the maze—the Seventh Day from the Seven-heaven Sect.

The Seventh Day gave Hua Hsing a distant glance before turning away, clearly not regarding him as a rival.

Another two hours passed, and Hua Hsing discovered a uniquely colored flower in the distance. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a Body Refining Flower.

"A Body Refining Flower!" Hua Hsing exclaimed with delight. He quickly approached the flower and harvested it into his Space Ring.

Just then, Hua Hsing encountered another individual, Sunn Yunjun.

"Hua Hsing, since fate has brought us together here, your time has come to die," Sunn Yunjun declared upon seeing Hua Hsing, launching a barrage of powerful punches at him.

Hua Hsing countered with a punch of his own, but the force sent him stumbling back, his hands throbbing with pain.

"I'm no match for Sunn Yunjun at this moment; a direct confrontation is out of the question," Hua Hsing thought to himself. With a light tap of his foot, he vanished swiftly into the maze. Sunn Yunjun attempted to pursue, but the labyrinth quickly disoriented him, and he lost his way.

"Damn it, Hua Hsing, next time we cross paths, I swear I'll kill you," Sunn Yunjun spat out in anger.

Time ticked away slowly. Hua Hsing had been navigating the labyrinth for six hours with no exit in sight.

During his wanderings, however, Hua Hsing encountered Zhang Bofeng. Zhang Bofeng attempted to strike, but Hua Hsing's overwhelming strength sent him reeling. Had they not been within the confines of the maze, Zhang Bofeng might well have met his end.

At last, after six hours, Hua Hsing emerged as the first to exit the maze. Settling into a cross-legged position, he promptly consumed the Body Refining Flower, knowing that bolstering his strength was imperative. Should he encounter Sunn Yunjun in the tomb, there would be no mercy.

His golden heart throbbed intensely for a moment, and then the medicinal power of the Body Refining Flower was fully absorbed. Hua Hsing felt a surge of strength; his cultivation level ascended from the early to the middle stage of Qi Refining Stage Level Four.

Surveying his surroundings post-absorption, Hua Hsing realized he was still within the Underground Palace. Yet, an ominous coffin stood at the forefront.

"Hmm? Could the secret lie within the coffin?"

Though puzzled, Hua Hsing didn't hesitate. He strode forward, arriving at the coffin's side. As he prepared to pry it open, the lid of the coffin quivered. A red mist burst forth, followed by a chilling laugh that echoed in Hua Hsing's ears.

Startled, Hua Hsing summoned all his power and struck the coffin with a punch. As he stumbled backward, the lid flew open, revealing a skeleton that rose slowly from within.

"What is this?"

Hua Hsing was astounded, sensing a potent, bloody aura emanating from the skeleton.

"So, someone has discovered this place," the skeleton remarked in a ghastly tone.

"Who are you?" Hua Hsing demanded, his voice icy.

As he confronted the skeleton, Sunn Yunjun, members of the Seven-heaven Sect, and others converged outside the maze, their eyes falling upon the skeletal figure.

"Hua Hsing?"

The member of the Seven-heaven Sect was taken aback. It was unexpected that Hua Hsing would be the first disciple to emerge from the labyrinth. But in the next instant, he noticed the skeleton resting within the coffin.

"Who is this?"

He inquired.

"I'm not sure; I've only just come across it," Hua Hsing replied gravely.

"So many humans have come here to meet their end," the skeleton remarked icily, its presence exuding a deadly aura.

"You will all perish. The Yellow Spring Sect is destined to rise once more," the skeleton rasped.

"This is bad. Everyone, run!"

It was unclear who yelled out first, but it sparked a frantic dash among the crowd.

The skeleton's power was formidable. With a mere twitch of its bony hand, a blade of Qi materialized before the group.

"A Qi Transforming Stage master?"

The revelation sent a wave of panic through the crowd, prompting them to scatter, including Hua Hsing.

Those at the Qi Refining Stage stood no chance against a Qi Transforming Stage adversary.

"Perish."

The skeleton let out a contemptuous snort, and the Qi blade cleaved through the air, striking several disciples and bisecting them instantly. The carnage was horrific.

"Run for your lives!"

The seventh day and the others watched in horror as the skeleton effortlessly dispatched several disciples at the Qi Refining Stage Level Four. Their expressions turned ashen as they made a beeline for the tomb's exit.

An unmistakable exit lay to the left of the palace. If they could make it out, there might be a sliver of hope for survival.

"You're all doomed."

The Bloody Skeleton emerged from the coffin with an eerie creak. It then exhaled a mist that swiftly enveloped the disciples.

Their screams were pitiful as they were reduced to mere piles of bones, a chilling sight to behold.

"I refuse to die here."

Sunn Yunjun, in the midst of his escape, was visibly shaken as he hastened his flight.

Apart from Sunn Yunjun, Hua Hsing, Fang Chen, and Jiaang Xue, the Bloody Skeleton's mist had claimed the lives of all the others.

"These will make fine minions."

The Bloody Skeleton appeared to reconsider its plan, aiming to enslave these few as its underlings.

A ghastly chill spread across his desiccated face. With a wave of his hand, a thick scent of blood filled the palace, encasing everyone within.

"Senior Brother Zhang."

As Zhang Bofeng was about to flee, he suddenly felt a surge of force from behind. In an instant, his body was propelled forward uncontrollably.

"Senior Brother Zhang, forgive me."

Jiaang Xue's voice rang out as she pushed Zhang Bofeng's body into the mist, using it as a temporary shield. In that moment, she swiftly escaped from the tomb.

Zhang Bofeng's agonized scream echoed as the mist consumed him, and he perished instantly.

Jiaang Xue's escape prompted Sunn Yunjun and others to seize their chance. Their gaze fixed on Hua Hsing, who was directly in their path.

"Hua Hsing, you're staying behind."

With a fierce shout, Sunn Yunjun launched a punch, forcing Hua Hsing back, then darted towards the tomb's exit.

Hua Hsing, repelled and attempting to flee, found himself immobilized by the overwhelming power of the Qi Transforming Stage.

"Is this where I die?" Hua Hsing thought, filled with defiance.

Amidst his contemplation, a mist enveloped him, seeping into his mind.

"With such formidable strength at the Qi Refining Stage Level Four, you're a true prodigy. I need a lieutenant like you." The Bloody Skeleton declared, and the mist around Hua Hsing vanished.

His eyes now vacant, Hua Hsing was under the Bloody Skeleton's sway.

"Move out."

Witnessing Hua Hsing's subjugation, Sunn Yunjun was consumed by fear, nearly escaping.

But the Bloody Skeleton afforded them no opportunity.

"Escape from me? Impossible!"

With a contemptuous snort, the Bloody Skeleton's palm shot out, ensnaring both 7th Heaven and Sunn Yunjun.

"No..."

Sunn Yunjun's resistance was futile. As the mist enveloped them, their wills were overpowered.

"Master."

Hua Hsing and the others bowed to the Bloody Skeleton.

"My injuries are yet to heal. From this day forth, you three will serve me. Obey my commands, and when the Yellow Spring Sect rises once more, boundless wealth and honor will be yours." The Bloody Skeleton's raspy voice promised.

"Yes, Master," the three of them responded with a nod.

Although one had managed to flee, the Bloody Skeleton didn't believe she could cause any significant trouble.

"Damn, one got away. We can't linger here much longer," muttered the Bloody Skeleton in a hushed tone. Leading Hua Hsing and the others, they promptly vacated the tomb.

Jiaang Xue emerged from the tomb and swiftly put distance between herself and the grave site.

Two hours later, Jiaang Xue had left the Liang Yun Mountain Range and arrived in Liang Yun City. Without pausing, she made a beeline for the Azure Edge Sword Sect.

Upon her return to the Azure Edge Sword Sect, Jiaang Xue's first order of business was to seek out her master.

After recounting the events to Elder Ma, he became pensive.

"So you encountered a Bloody Skeleton in the tomb, which claimed to be affiliated with the Yellow Spring Sect?" Elder Ma inquired.

"Master, the Bloody Skeleton is at the Qi Transforming Stage. We stood no chance against it. Sunn Yunjun, on the seventh day, Senior Brother Zhang Bofeng, and others fell victim to it. I barely managed to escape," Jiaang Xue explained, her voice tinged with urgency.

"This is a matter of great significance. Tell no one else but me," Elder Ma instructed gravely.