Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Seizing the Token
At dusk, Liang Cheng arrived at the hills west of the Stone Forest.
The setting sun was the color of blood, and mist flowed slowly between the stone pillars.
Liang Cheng hid to the side and observed carefully. The number of scouts around the Stone Forest’s perimeter had dwindled, but three presences still lay in wait.
They were all veterans, extremely patient.
He took out his map to confirm his location. The mark pointed to a circular Stone Array slightly east of the Stone Forest’s center. Liang Cheng memorized the position, put the map away, and crept south along the ridgeline for about a quarter of a mile. In a densely wooded area, he slipped down without a sound.
The moment he stepped onto the edge of the Stone Forest, the light dimmed. One by one, grayish-white stone pillars appeared and disappeared in the mist, their shapes twisted and grotesque.
Liang Cheng extended all five of his senses. Following the direction from memory, he advanced slowly toward the central area, specifically choosing to move through secluded crevices.
After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the passage ahead suddenly widened, revealing a clearing several dozen zhang in area.
In the center of the clearing stood three thick stone pillars in a triangular formation. Their surfaces were carved with blurry, ancient patterns, and scattered at their bases were grayish-white bones—both human and Demon Beast.
Liang Cheng stopped and hid behind a waist-high rock. From the other side of the clearing, where two passages converged, came the sound of deliberately hushed conversation.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"The map marks this spot, but the Stone Demon should be guarding the central Stone Hall area. This is just an outer altar."
"Still, the altar might hold some clues. Let’s look around first."
Three figures emerged from the passage, all dressed in dark green martial attire with longbows slung over their backs. They were from the Frost Martial Arts Hall of North Mountain Town.
The leader was a lean young man with a powerfully built chest. He was none other than Leng Xinghan, the most outstanding Archer of his generation from the Frost Martial Arts Hall. He was at the Dark Force Peak, already touching the threshold of Transformation Force. Rumor had it he once killed a Tier Three Demon Beast with a single arrow.
The three cautiously entered the clearing and began to inspect the stone pillars and surrounding tracks. Liang Cheng held his breath, not making a move.
Just as Leng Xinghan’s group was inspecting the second stone pillar, everything changed in an instant!
"CRACK CRACK CRACK—"
The pile of bones at the base of the pillar suddenly collapsed, revealing a pitch-black hole. Immediately after, several gray shadows shot out from the hole like lightning, pouncing straight at the three men!
They were seven or eight bizarre creatures with slender limbs like bamboo segments.
Stone Lizard Demons.
"Fall back!"
Leng Xinghan shouted sharply, drawing his bow with a reverse grip. Three arrows were nocked and fired almost simultaneously!
"SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!"
The arrows precisely struck the first three creatures. The other two Frost Disciples drew their blades and clashed with the remaining monsters.
Leng Xinghan’s eyes were icy. His bowstring vibrated continuously as seven arrows shot out in a fan-shaped arc, simultaneously striking the open mouths of the Stone Lizard Demons.
"THWAP THWAP THWAP!"
The Stone Lizard Demons shrieked and fell to the ground.
"Let’s go!"
The three of them quickly entered a passage and disappeared.
Only after the commotion had completely died down did Liang Cheng silently cross the clearing and continue toward the central area. The deeper he went, the thicker the mist became, and the stone pillars grew denser and larger. The passage began to slope downwards.
After about another half a mile, the path suddenly opened up, and a massive underground space appeared before him.
The space was circular, with a diameter of over a thousand feet. Countless stalactites hung from the dome. In the center of the floor stood nine colossal stone pillars in a ring, each so thick it would take several people to encircle it. The surface of each pillar was carved with complex, ancient patterns.
In the middle of the circular area was a stone altar. On its surface sat a pitch-black square box, and lying beside it was a behemoth.
A Tier Three Demon Beast, the Stone Demon.
Liang Cheng held his breath. He discovered three groups of people lying in ambush.
In the northeast corner, Leng Xinghan and two Frost Disciples were hidden behind a stone pillar.
On the southeast side hid the disciples of Liuyun Martial Arts Hall. Their leader was Wang Jingxiao, a Dark Force Peak expert skilled in Body Technique and Swordsmanship.
Directly to the west, not far from Liang Cheng’s hiding spot, Zheng Biao was staring intently at the black box on the altar, his eyes a mixture of greed and apprehension.
Everyone held their breath, their focus absolute.
A stalemate.
Time trickled by.
From the direction of the Liuyun Martial Arts Hall, loose gravel shifted under a disciple’s foot, making a soft clicking sound. The Stone Demon’s tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open!
"ROAR—!!"
"Move!" Leng Xinghan was the first to react. His bowstring twanged as he fired three specially-made Armor-Piercing Arrows at the Stone Demon’s face!
Almost simultaneously, Liu Suifeng unsheathed his longsword. His body transformed into a green shadow as he and three of his junior brothers attacked from the side. Seeing his chance, Zheng Biao also struck.
A chaotic battle erupted instantly!
The Stone Demon roared, swatting the arrows away with a sweep of its right arm and smashing its left fist toward the Flowing Cloud Sword Array.
Liu Suifeng’s Body Technique was like the wind, his sword flashing as he exclusively targeted the creature’s joints. Leng Xinghan fired arrow after arrow in rapid succession, pinning down the Stone Demon’s movements. Meanwhile, Zheng Biao had already charged to within five zhang of the altar!
The Stone Demon spun around and took a step, causing the ground to tremble violently. Its right fist smashed down toward Zheng Biao like a meteor. Zheng Biao roared and met the blow head-on with both palms!
"BOOM—!!"
A shockwave exploded outward. Zheng Biao was sent flying backward, deliberately spitting blood in mid-air to vent the force and prevent internal injuries. The others were staggered by the aftershock and forced to retreat.
The power of the Stone Demon’s single punch was terrifying!
But that punch also left a momentary opening on its chest.
In that instant, Liang Cheng moved.
His toes tapped lightly on a stone pillar, launching him into the air. He soared over everyone’s heads, diving straight for the thickest stone pillar behind the Stone Demon. The Unity of Body and Will, granted by the Perfection of his Mixed Element Stance, allowed him to make three subtle shifts in direction mid-air.
He landed and rolled to the base of the pillar. He opened the black box. Inside lay a Dark Gold token engraved with "Lie Mountain."
The Lie Mountain Iron Order!
Liang Cheng snatched it. It was heavy and cold to the touch.
The very instant Liang Cheng grabbed the token, the Stone Demon let out a furious roar and went completely berserk. It abandoned all its opponents, its blood-red eyes turning to Liang Cheng. With a single step, the ground shook and the mountains trembled!
"Liang Cheng!!! He took the Iron Order!"
Zheng Biao roared hoarsely.
"Stop him!"
Leng Xinghan’s gaze turned frigid. He swiveled his bow, aiming it at Liang Cheng.
Liu Suifeng hesitated for a moment before leading his men to surround him as well.
A Stone Demon in front, pursuers behind.
Liang Cheng stuffed the Iron Order into his robes and shot backward, rushing toward the other side of the circular area where two stone pillars stood farther apart.
"Trying to run?" Leng Xinghan sneered, firing three arrows at once to block off the paths to the left, right, and above.
Liang Cheng didn’t dodge or evade. He pushed his Stone Armor Skill to its absolute limit, and a grayish-white light flashed beneath his skin.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"
The three arrows struck his back and shoulders as if hitting solid metal. The arrow shafts shattered and ricocheted away. Liang Cheng’s body swayed slightly, but instead of slowing down, his speed increased!
"What?!"
Leng Xinghan’s pupils constricted. The Stone Demon had already closed the distance to five zhang behind Liang Cheng, its giant fist descending with mountain-cleaving power!
Liang Cheng pushed off with his feet, unleashing the power of his Perfected Mixed Element Stance. With a twist of his body, he shot out from the edge of the punch’s slipstream. In the instant he passed by Zheng Biao, a vicious glint flashed in Zheng Biao’s eyes. Disregarding his own injuries, he struck out with a palm at Liang Cheng’s waist, trying to block his escape!
"You’re courting death!"
Liang Cheng’s eyes turned cold. With a seemingly casual flick of his left hand, an inconspicuous piece of rubble shot from his fingertips, precisely striking a Qi Blood node on the side of Zheng Biao’s knee.
Zheng Biao’s palm strike was only half-complete when he suddenly felt his right leg go numb. His Qi Blood flowed in reverse, and he lost his balance, stumbling and falling forward.
He fell directly into the path of the Stone Demon that was chasing Liang Cheng. The creature’s furious punch descended without hesitation.
"No—!!!"
Horror and despair flashed through Zheng Biao’s eyes.
"BOOM!!!!"
The Stone Demon’s massive fist smashed squarely into Zheng Biao’s back. The sound of bones shattering rang out like popping beans. Zheng Biao’s entire body was driven into the ground like a rag doll, a mangled mess of flesh and blood, killed instantly.
With the Stone Demon’s punch blocked by Zheng Biao, Liang Cheng seized the opportunity to slip through the gap between the pillars. He vanished into the narrow passage behind, speeding away without a backward glance.
"After him!"
Seeing Liang Cheng escape with the Iron Order, the others immediately wanted to give chase.
"ROAR!"
But the Stone Demon had already turned to block the entrance to the passage. Its enraged gaze swept over everyone. Leng Xinghan, Liu Suifeng, and the others were forced to a halt. Facing the berserk Stone Demon, their expressions turned utterly grim.
"Work together, or we’ll all die!"
The fierce battle reignited!
...
In the dark passage, Liang Cheng pushed his speed to the absolute maximum. Behind him, the roars of the Stone Demon and the sounds of fighting gradually faded into the distance.
His expression was calm.
’The first Lie Mountain Iron Order is mine.’
