A Chaotic World

Chapter 284: Entering the Ancient Tomb

Ten minutes passed quickly, and the poison masters followed Elder Xiquan's lead into the depths of the private area.

Lu Tianzi stayed near the tail end of the group, walking alongside Elder Ximo, Nanlan Qianxue, and Beiwei Jinguo.

Even though he had been curious about this area that was usually off limits to the public, he was disappointed to find out that there was really nothing to be seen.

They walked down an isolated path with nothing but trees on both sides, leading straight to a huge wooden gate.

Elder Xiquan turned around to speak. "Everyone, we are about to enter the sacred ground of our Healer Circle. I would have to ask everyone to do me a favour and not touch anything along the way."

Having said that, Elder Xiquan pushed the wooden gate open, revealing the inside to the public for the very first time.

The path that they were travelling on continued to stretch into the sacred ground, but the trees on both sides were gone. Instead, something else took their place tombstones.

There were numerous tombstones, at least hundreds of them. All of them were of identical design, stretching out in both directions. Engraved on the tombstones were the names of the deceased elders of the Healer Circle, as well as the many contributions that they had made to the Healer Circle.

Because of the nature of the organisation, many of these were contributions made towards furthering the understanding of poison arts, such as discovering new ways to neutralise a certain poison.

Taking in all this information filled everyone's hearts with respect.

It was only through building on their predecessors' discoveries that poison masters of today were able to reach their current heights, their names striking both fear and awe into the hearts of others.

These poison masters of the past might no longer be here, but it was only right that their deeds be immortalised for generations to come, allowing their descendants to remember all that they had done.

Who knows?

One day, they might just have their names engraved on a similar tombstone here as well.

That was thought that brought pride to their hearts.

The group continued to walk on till they reached the end of the path, coming face to face with a row of seven tombstones.

These tombstones were significantly different from the ones before, and looked far more grand and imposing.

Upon arrival, everyone's attention was immediately drawn towards the words engraved on these special tombstones.

Beichang Zifen, founder and first leader of the Healer Circle.

Xiquan Rui, second leader of the Healer Circle.

Xiquan Nuling, third leader of the Healer Circle.

Beichang Qingtian, fourth leader of the Healer Circle.

Xiquan Luopei, fifth leader of the Healer Circle.

Beichang Sheng, sixth leader of the Healer Circle.

Beichang Nian, seventh leader of the Healer Circle.

The names engraved on these seven tombs were that of the previous leaders of the Healer Circle, which explained why the tombstones looked this much nicer.

Seeing this, Beiwei Jinguo's eyes widened in realisation.

All of the past leaders of the Healer Circle were either from the Beichang or Xiquan lineage, and his teacher belonged to the Beichang lineage as well.

As he thought, his teacher's heritage was not simple at all!

Elder Ximo noticed Beiwei Jinguo's expression and said, "The previous leader, Elder Beichang Nian, is an exceptional man. But apart from his years of research that contributed greatly to the world of poison arts, he also gave the Healer Circle two irreplaceable gifts."

"Two irreplaceable gifts?" Beiwei Jinguo asked.

"That's right," Elder Ximo looked at the seventh tombstone, his eyes filled with emotions as he recalled the past. "He nurtured the two greatest poison masters of my generation, Elder Xiquan as well as your teacher Elder Beichang. In fact, Elder Beichang Nian is none other than your teacher's father."

"My teacher's father as well as teacher" Beiwei Jinguo repeated in a daze.

Who knew that he would be able to learn about his grandteacher at such a time?

"Under Elder Beichang Nian's guidance, both Elder Xiquan and your teacher grew to become formidable poison masters," Elder Ximo recounted. "In the end, one of them succeeded his position as the leader of the Healer Circle, while the other went adventuring to pursue greater heights in terms of poison mastery. Both of them are admirable in their own right, but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if your teacher chose to stay instead of venturing out."

"Then I would never have had the chance to learn of his glory," Beiwei Jinguo answered.

He only met his teacher after his teacher left Wondertrap Mountain. If Elder Beichang never did that, Beiwei Jinguo might have already died in the wilds by now.

Part of the reason why Beiwei Jinguo wanted to validate his teacher's heritage was also because he wanted to repay his teacher's kindness, hoping for everyone to learn of his glorious name even after his death!

Listening from the side, Lu Tianzi was forming his own thoughts.

After Elder Ximo's explanation, Lu Tianzi finally understood why Xiquan Chong had been so aggressive towards Beiwei Jinguo all this while.

Elder Xiquan and Elder Beichang were considered the top two poison masters of their generation.

Since Beiwei Jinguo had inherited the heritage of the late Elder Beichang, Xiquan Chong must have felt pressured by Beiwei Jinguo's existence. It was not surprising then that he would come to see Beiwei Jinguo as a threat, as someone who could affect his chances of becoming the next leader of the Healer Circle.

If anything, Beiwei Jinguo was just unlucky enough to be involved with Xiquan Chong.

"Everyone, this way please," Elder Xiquan urged everyone on before walking straight past the seven tombs.

The tombs of the past leaders might be a magnificent sight, but that was not their reason for being here today.

Before long, the group arrived at their true destination.

On the surface, it was a cave that looked just like any random one out there, unremarkable to say the least.

However, any martial artist would be able to sense that the World Origin Energy in the surroundings was continuously flowing into the cave like an endless tide, as though there was a blackhole within that was frenziedly absorbing the energy in the surroundings.

Lu Tianzi rubbed his chin in contemplation.

Even if he were to set up an energy gathering formation, he would still be unable to replicate the sheer magnitude of this phenomenon. From the looks of it, this tomb was not as simple as he had first imagined!

"Everyone, I have one last thing to say before we enter," Elder Xiquan said. "This is not the first time that we of the Healer Circle have tried to enter. We might not know everything about what is inside, but from our experience, please be prepared to spend weeks within. The layout is like a maze with multiple levels of trials, all of which seemed to change everytime we enter. Of course, it is possible to retrace your steps anytime to exit, but if you ever choose to reenter, you would have to challenge the ever-changing traps all over again from the very start."

His words caused a slight commotion among the poison masters present.

"Spend weeks inside a tomb?"

"Ever changing traps?"

"Isn't that a little too exaggerated?"

The crowds started murmuring among themselves, many of them finding it difficult to believe Elder Xiquan's words.

Elder Xiquan naturally noticed this point as well, but he was not offended.

"Let us enter then," Elder Xiquan calmly led the way in.

If others wanted to ignore his warning, then they could do so at their own peril. Elder Xiquan could not be bothered to convince them otherwise.

The traps within the ancient tomb were mechanisms without flesh and blood. They naturally would not show mercy towards intruders.

The past few times Elder Xiquan tried to enter, he had been stopped short by the countless traps within, forced into a hurried retreat before he could obtain any sort of benefits.

Not just that, but he had even ended up injured each time he tried.

Since even he had suffered such a painful outcome, how many of these people present would be able to avoid a tragic fate?

Still, Elder Xiquan was quite optimistic about this attempt to breach the depths of the ancient tomb.

After all, there was strength in numbers.

As long as each of these people managed to render some assistance to the group, even if it meant tanking the traps with their lives, it could lead to a much greater progress into the ancient tomb this time.

On top of that, he now had the supreme genius Wuye Mingxuan by his side.

With his help, things would certainly go smoother than before.

As if that was not enough, they even had an Overlord realm powerhouse in the group this time!

That was an unexpected gain that Elder Xiquan had not even dared to hope for initially. The only problem was that if the Overlord realm powerhouse obtained the benefits within the ancient tomb, would she be willing to share it with the Healer Circle?

After all, even if she chose to hoard everything by herself, no one would be able to make her act otherwise!

Perhaps only Wuye Mingxuan, with his strong backing, would be able to make her think twice.

"Sir Wuye, what do you think about working with Lady Qianxue and Sir Tianzi?" Elder Xiquan asked with voice conveyance.

"Oh? You mean the young couple who is accompanying Beiwei Jinguo?" The handsome young man walking alongside him was visibly surprised by the seemingly random question. "But why do you suggest that? Are they familiar with the tomb layout?"

"That's not it," Elder Xiquan shook his head. "But if there are Overlord realm powerhouses in our midst, isn't it better to pull them over to our side? Things will go smoother with their help as well."

"Overlords?" Wuye Mingxuan blinked blankly. "You mean to say that Lady Qianxue and Sir Tianzi are Overlords?"

Elder Xiquan nodded. "Prior to our arrival, my subordinates have come into contact with the young couple, and realised that while Sir Tianzi is only at the First Cycle Origin Core realm, Lady Qianxue is actually an Overlord realm powerhouse."

"Lady Qianxue is an Overlord realm powerhouse?" Wuye Mingxuan let out a meaningful smile. "Elder Xiquan, I am afraid you might have been duped."

"Duped?"

This time, it was Elder Xiquan's turn to be surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Sir Tianzi is indeed at the First Cycle Origin Core realm, but Lady Qianxue is certainly not at the Overlord realm," Wuye Mingxuan shook his head. "In fact, she has yet to even break through to the Origin Core realm, and is still an Essence Condensation realm martial artist."

"She is only at the Essence Condensation realm?" Elder Xiquan raised an eyebrow doubtfully.

Elder Xiquan knew of Wuye Mingxuan's stellar reputation and that he would never speak carelessly. But somehow, he still found it difficult to believe those words.

How could his subordinates have confused an Essence Condensation realm martial artist for an Overlord realm powerhouse?

Seeing that Elder Xiquan did not really believe his words, Wuye Mingxuan simply smiled, not bothering to explain any further.

However, his words had already planted a hint of doubt within Elder Xiquan's mind.

The group had been walking through a narrow tunnel up to this point, but they finally arrived before a slightly larger area.

In front of them, a layer of green mist blocked up the entire way.

"The first obstacle has changed once again," Elder Xiquan exclaimed in exasperation. "It was a yellow mist the last time I came, and before that it was purple. As expected, the traps are ever changing and unpredictable."

"Let us first identify the source of the poison," Elder Beilan carefully observed the green mist. "It is dangerous, Chong'er, so make sure you stay behind us from now on."

"Yes, Elder Beilan!" Xiquan Chong nodded before taking a step back.

With that, the numerous poison masters present started to investigate the identity of the green mist with their own unique ways.

Similarly, Lu Tianzi looked over from near the tail end of the group.

Just like the elders, he was observing the green mist in an attempt to find any distinguishable properties that could help with identifying it.

But soon, Lu Tianzi's mind wandered.

Before he knew it, Lu Tianzi found himself wondering about how the gas was contained within the small area instead of spreading over to where they were standing.

And if what Elder Xiquan said was true, the fact that the poison kept changing everytime they entered was quite suspicious as well.

Lu Tianzi was starting to think that there could be some kind of special formation in place, responsible for setting the rules of the ancient tomb.

"There is no reason to dally here," Wuye Mingxuan's words broke everyone's focus.

"What do you mean, Sir Wuye?" Elder Xiquan turned to look at him in surprise. "Or has Sir Wuye already found a way to pass this?"

"This level of obstacle is not enough to stop me yet," Wuye Mingxuan answered with a gentle smile. "I will break through by force, so make sure you take the chance to follow."

"By force?" Elder Xiquan felt the corner of his lips twitch.

As though he did not even notice Elder Xiquan's reaction, Wuye Mingxuan stepped forward and started driving the Slaughter Essence origin core in his inner world.

Wuye Mingxuan's act of driving his Slaughter Essence conjured up a storm of energy, causing his loose red robes to flutter violently. But even when faced with the strong gales, Wuye Mingxuan remained standing with his head held high, his hands clasped calmly behind his back.

Even with the dark cave walls as backdrop, Wuye Mingxuan looked just like a scholarly gentleman, unwavering against all odds.

Everyone was still in the midst of admiring his suave figure when an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon the area, forcing everyone to drive their Slaughter Essence to guard themselves.

It was only at this moment that everyone was forced to understand that Wuye Mingxuan was not all about his looks.

This overwhelming pressure was something that none of them could withstand with ease. Even the Sixth Cycle Origin Core realm Elder Xiquan was shocked to find himself trembling in fear.

If not for the fact that they were not the direct targets of his might, nobody here would have been able to even remain standing!

Even while guarding Nanlan Qianxue and Beiwei Jinguo with his Essence energy, Lu Tianzi narrowed his eyes in concern.

There was no doubt about it.

The reason why he was unable to detect Wuye Mingxuan's cultivation level was not because the latter possessed methods similar to the jade pendant from his master.

Even without such means, he would never have been able to see through Wuye Mingxuan's cultivation level anyway.

Because this supreme genius from the central regions, Wuye Mingxuan, was an actual Overlord realm martial artist!