Deep within the Taibai Stronghold, in a secret chamber, a faint smell of blood permeated the damp air. Several spirit lamps on the walls cast a dim glow that, rather than dispelling the chill, only deepened the oppressive atmosphere.
The chamber's doors were tightly shut, sealing out the clamor outside.
Creak- The heavy stone door slowly opened with a dull rumble, like the low growl of an ancient beast.
Steward Li stepped into the chamber, dressed in a black robe with subtle patterns.
The instant he entered, a pungent smell of blood and chaotic spiritual power swept over him. His brows immediately knitted, and a trace of wariness flashed through his eyes.
When his gaze fell on the four people sprawled across the floor, he froze as though struck by lightning.
Steward Li's eyes widened, filled with disbelief, alarm, and shock.
Four cultivators lay sprawled on the cold floor, their spiritual power surging wildly around them like horses that had broken their reins.
Secretly alarmed, Steward Li bent down to examine them carefully.
One had a face as pale as paper and blackish-purple lips, clearly poisoned;
another's breathing was so faint it was almost imperceptible, and their sea of consciousness was a chaotic mess. Their divine sense had clearly been destroyed, leaving them in a deep coma.
"This... what on earth happened here?" Steward Li murmured, unable to hide the shock in his voice.
As he continued examining them, he discovered that three were experts at the Qi Refining tenth layer, while the fourth had reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.
Yet the spiritual qi within them was sluggish and stagnant, their auras weak and chaotic, with a strange baleful qi faintly lingering around them. They must have practiced the Demon Fiend Art, causing their cultivation levels to fall.