Unfathomable Senior

Chapter 704

In a dimly lit cavern, four individuals found themselves frantically running away from shadowy monsters that lurked in the darkness. They clutched onto a single torch, its flickering flame providing the only source of light in the eerie underground space. The torch illuminated the rugged walls of the cavern, casting long shadows that danced and twisted with their every movement.

Their footsteps echoed throughout the cavern, creating an unnerving cacophony that mixed with the distant growls and hisses of the pursuing monsters. The sound that was previously muffled by the void-like darkness now produced a resounding echo. The torchbearer remained in the back of the group with a solemn expression on his face. This protective light was quickly dying out and the monsters just continued their pursuit with no end in sight.

“There has to be a safe room somewhere, spread your senses!”

“That’s easier said than done, Senior Brother!”

Huo Qiang called out while trying to incinerate one of the shadowy claws coming their way. While his flame was able to push the attacker away soon its form was replaced by another.

Their movements were swift and agile as they skillfully evaded obstacles that threatened to trip them up. The torchlight illuminated stalagmites and stalactites, which quickly started falling down in an attempt to bar them from going forward.

“Husband, the darkness is too thick, it’s impossible to tell where we should go...”

“If it comes to this, then I guess we’ll have to do something a bit drastic, Zhi give me the torch, and all of you, get ready to run.”

Zhang Zhi didn’t hesitate in giving the white torch to Zhang Dong who was determined to find a path in this treacherous depth. The area they found themselves in was a lot more spacious with nothing visible outside the ten-meter radius this torch was providing them. If they continued with this tactic in a few minutes the flame would be gone. Thereafter the shadowy fiends would have free reign to assault them from all directions.

“Get ready, it's going to get bright, there has to be a tunnel leading out.”

With a swift motion, he launched the torch up into the air, its flames dancing wildly as it soared higher and higher. As the torch reached its peak, a moment of anticipation filled the cavern. Zhang Dong infused a hefty amount of his own spiritual energy into the white stick of wood to overcharge it. Suddenly, with a resounding explosion, the torch burst into a brilliant display of light and illuminated the cavern they found themselves in.

To everyone's surprise, the place they found themselves in was a lot larger than they anticipated. It became clear that they would have never been able to discover the way out if they kept to the old strategy. Even as the light filtered through the darkness and pushed away the monsters inside no hidden passage was revealed. However, right at the end of the explosion of light, a tiny gleam of hope caught their eyes.

“There, I can see something!”

Liena called out while sprinting forth. A lone passage became visible in the vast distance to all of them. Without any discussion, the four marital masters activated their movement skills and tossed themselves toward their new destination. Time was of the essence as the light source they relied on was quickly fading. The previously dancing light that easily revealed the judged edges and crevices of the cavern walls was going out.

“This might feel strange but bare with it...”

“Yes, Patriarch. Would you allow me to?”

“Sure, go ahead, just be careful we’ll be right behind you.”

Zhang Zhi urged the leader to let him enter the chamber first. His fear of potential traps murdering him was there. On some previous occasions, Zhang Dong had walked into some hidden encounters that would have potentially cost him his head if he was not quick on his feet. Now when the stakes were a lot higher, Zhi felt like it was time to step up. If he was injured it was fine as long as their number one fighter remained in full health to clear the level. If they reached the safe zone at the end of the fiftieth floor then it wouldn’t matter if he lost a limb or two.

After lighting the path forward the four torches remain lit. The massive doors started to creek and swung open to reveal a darkened chamber with no lights just like everyone expected. The only light there was coming from the room the three were in and they knew that the moment they went inside, these large doors would close behind them. Zhang Zhi moved forward at the point of the formation, his eyes darting around as he tried to feel out any potential traps.

“Is this place empty? I don’t see any paths heading out...”

Huo Qiang called out while looking around. The chamber itself was mysterious, with ancient symbols etched into the walls, and the only source of light emanating from flickering torches. Soon just as they predicted the way behind them began to close and soon they were surrounded by a pitch-black void.

Suddenly, a low growl resonated from above, causing the martial masters to instinctively look up. From the ceiling, a shadowy figure began to materialize, its presence both daunting and ethereal. The beast emerged with a sense of grace, its form shifting and contorting as if made of smoke and darkness.

“Spread out, it's coming!”

This being had no true shape, it looked like an ooze made from obsidian water. It descended from above in a torrent of darkness that wanted to swallow up the light that they were producing. Even though this being was illuminated by their torches it didn’t seem to waver as the lesser shades that they encountered during their travels.

All of them jumped to a corner of the circular platform they were battling. The moment the creature's body slammed into the middle it erupted in a hail of some sort. Instantly Zhang Dong realized that the light they were holding on to was in danger. His instincts told him to protect the torches at all cost as they were the only thing that would allow them to fully perceive this monster.

“It’s trying to douse out the torches, don’t let its body touch the torches!”

His allies nodded as they performed techniques to protect themselves from the water-like discharge. When the darkness connected with their elemental techniques it quickly attempted to engulf them. The fact that it was in close proximity to the light source would not turn this darkness away, yet the room continued to shift. Losing this source would force them into an unfavorable position so they needed to finish it fast.

Huo Qiang let his fists roar and Zhang Zhi performed a thousand cuts with his blade. The chamber was quickly filled out with particles of water and fire that attempted to destroy the beast made of shadowy energy. Their combined efforts and teamwork at first seemed to push back the strange creature but the darkness persisted. The more they moved the quicker the flames died out and soon Qiang’s torch was gone leaving only three to illuminate the area.

‘This form is probably not its true body, this monster must have some type of core that is hidden where the light from the torches can not reach...’

Zhang Dong was sure that if they continued with a conventional approach then the battle would be lost. Before the torches went out they needed to locate this beast's true body and slay it...