Chapter 075: The Mysterious Cave

(Thanks to Pin Fan for the reward of 100,000 reading coins, marking the birth of the second Alliance Leader of Immortal River Storm.)

Senior Brother Yun stumbled out of the cave, battered and disheveled, startling the other disciples of Windfeather Sect, who all turned their eyes toward him in alarm.

In the next instant, a piercing, heaven-shaking screech echoed from within the cave.

The cry was deafening; the crowd’s blood surged violently, their minds thrown into chaos. Those of weaker cultivation, like Yang Xiaoqian, grew pale and staggered, nearly coughing up blood.

A chilling, terrifying aura swept out from the cave...

Countless bats trembled in midair, fluttering their wings as if in worship, pausing briefly in awe.

The assembled disciples stared in horror at the mysterious cave.

A moment later—

Whoosh—

A dazzling, sinister purple light, nearly ten feet long, shot out from the cave, soaring into the sky.

As the purple radiance unfurled, Xu Xuan and his companions focused their gaze, unable to suppress a gasp.

Before them hovered a demonized Bat King. Its eyes glowed like crimson candles burning in the Reading Pavilion, its body adorned with garish purple markings. Its wings spanned three or four meters, and as it flew, a powerful gale swept up around it, sending sand and stones flying, shrouding the area in darkness.

A cold, dreadful aura radiated from the demonized Bat King, commanding the submission and trembling of countless bats, instilling fear in every disciple present.

Judging by its presence, the Bat King’s cultivation was at least comparable to a high-ranking Immortal Adept, perhaps even approaching the Spirit-Consolidation stage!

It hovered briefly in the sky, then its scarlet, icy eyes locked onto Senior Brother Yun, emitting a sharp, shrill cry as it charged with ferocious winds.

Senior Brother Yun’s expression tightened; he raised his hands, spiritual light bursting forth. A green gourd floated in midair, spewing a haze of emerald mist that collided with the Bat King, producing a thunderous boom.

In the blink of an eye, Senior Brother Yun staggered backward, his face pale as he poured more power into his magical artifact.

Xu Xuan noticed that the green gourd was the very artifact previously used for levitation—a mid-grade magical item, not only capable of flight but also equipped with a unique formation array, its value immeasurable.

"Quickly, support Senior Brother Yun!"

By now, many disciples of Windfeather Sect had gathered near the cliff. Besides the group led by Le Feng and Yu Qin, another true disciple of the fifth Qi Refining stage had arrived, bringing two Immortal Adepts to assist.

The demonized Bat King, beset from all sides, grew increasingly savage and frenzied. It unleashed a terrifying screech that shook the land for miles, overwhelming those of weaker cultivation, leaving them dazed and dizzy.

With a mighty swing of its wings, the Bat King sent a blinding sweep of purple light tearing through the air. The attackers, shaken in spirit, stumbled in disarray.

"Ah!"

A cry of anguish came from a second-stage Immortal Adept; his protective aura shattered before it could fully form, and his body was sliced in half.

"That beast killed Senior Brother Zheng—we must avenge him!"

The remaining adepts, all at least third-stage Qi Refining, rallied around Senior Brother Yun who held the front line, their spells forming a barrage that almost engulfed the Bat King's massive form.

Victory seemed imminent, but as the Bat King let out another piercing cry, thousands of bats surged forth, swiftly reversing the tide.

"Two more fourth-stage Immortal Adepts! Everyone else, spread out and hold back the lesser bats! Le Feng, take a few and head into the cave!"

Senior Brother Yun fended off the Bat King’s relentless assault while issuing precise orders.

No one dared question him.

Soon, Brother Fei and another fourth-stage adept joined the fight against the Bat King. Those below fourth stage broke off, engaging the surrounding bat swarms.

Thus, the strongest disciples suppressed the Bat King, while others contained the lesser bats, stabilizing the situation.

"We're entering the cave."

Le Feng beckoned Xu Xuan and three or four others, leading them inside.

Senior Brother Yun’s abilities and composure were beyond doubt, Xu Xuan mused, but why send them into the cave? Was there something hidden within?

He wasn’t alone; Lin and Yang Xiaoqian seemed equally thoughtful.

"Heh, Le Feng, looks like we get to work together again," Wan Fushan shamelessly tagged along.

Better to venture into the cave for potential fortune than risk life battling the bat demons outside, he thought.

Xu Xuan and Yang Xiaoqian both snorted, secretly scornful.

As they reached the cave entrance, a few lingering bats rushed out, sparking another brief skirmish.

Xu Xuan did not compete, choosing instead to stand close by Yu Qin, protecting her with a defensive stance.

Meanwhile, on a neighboring peak dozens of yards away, a maiden as ethereal as cold mist stood atop the summit, seven or eight Sword Sect disciples gathered behind her, their eyes glinting with excitement.

"Senior Sister Yu, Yun Yuanhang is holding off the Bat King, and he's sent others into the cave. There might be treasure within..."

A youth behind her, his face pale as jade, smiled. In terms of elegance, only Le Feng could rival him.

Yu Mo nodded, "There is mystery in the cave, but if we take advantage of the chaos, with Yun Yuanhang’s calm and cunning, he would abandon the Bat King and foil our plans."

"What then?" the handsome youth hesitated.

"We only send two or three, and their cultivation must not be high."

Yu Mo’s eyes, bright as stars on a cold autumn night, scanned her companions and settled on a cool, distinguished man.

"I was thinking the same," Nie Han replied, his voice ringing like drawn steel. He leapt forward, leading two Sword Sect disciples toward the cave.

Nie Han had just departed when, from several miles away, a sword-shaped flare suddenly shot into the sky.

"Not good—our sectmates are in trouble!"

Yu Mo hastily led her disciples toward the signal.

Seeing the flare, Nie Han paused.

"Brother Nie, there’s a distress signal," one disciple said hesitantly.

"With Yu Mo there, it should be fine. If she cannot resolve it, neither can we."

Nie Han pressed onward, swift as thunder, soon entering the cave.

The Sword Sect trio’s movements did not escape the notice of Yun Yuanhang and his Windfeather Sect companions battling the Bat King.

"Senior Brother, three Sword Sect disciples have entered the cave as well," reported the fifth-stage true disciple.

"Only three low-level adepts. With Le Feng and five or six others, there should be no problem," Yun Yuanhang replied coolly.

...

...

Xu Xuan’s group of six, led by Le Feng, hurried into the cave.

With Le Feng, a fourth-stage adept at the helm, the bat swarms blocking their way were dispatched with ease.

Whenever Le Feng waved his hand, waves of blue and red flame rolled forth, incinerating dozens of bats into charred corpses on the spot.

After a short journey, footsteps echoed behind them.

Who goes there!

Xu Xuan, at the rear, called out softly. The group turned to find three Sword Sect disciples had also entered the cave.

Leading them was Nie Han, whom Xu Xuan, Wan Fushan, and the others recognized from the bandit suppression campaign.

"So, it’s Brother Nie," Le Feng greeted, his expression lighting up.

"Le Feng, these Sword Sect brats are here to snatch the spoils. Let’s kill—run them off," Wan Fushan urged indignantly, changing his words midway in deference to the sects’ relationship.

"If you want a fight, I am at your service," Nie Han’s gaze was cold as a blade, a faint ringing sword intent radiating endless battle spirit around him, and he glared fiercely at Wan Fushan.

Wan Fushan shuddered, feeling chilled to the bone, as if reliving the lethal sword strike Nie Han had unleashed during the bandit campaign.

At this point, Nie Han’s cultivation was only third-stage Qi Refining, yet his boldness was remarkable.

"If you want to fight, then fight," asserted Lin, also at third stage, his tone harsh and unyielding.

Clang!

A flash of cold light—Nie Han’s sword left its sheath, a bolt of sword energy slicing through the air.

Splurt!

Blood sprayed as Lin’s ear was severed, falling from his head. He was enveloped in a bone-chilling cold, frozen in place.

No one expected Nie Han to strike, and so swiftly—everyone was stunned.

Le Feng, the only one capable of intervening, was too far ahead, leading the way.

"Ah!"

Once they recovered, Lin let out a howl.

Nie Han stood alone, sword in hand at the center of the cave, facing six foes, his aura formidable. He sneered, "You are not qualified to be my opponent."

Xu Xuan applauded inwardly—what a satisfying strike! He’d long been irritated with Lin, wishing Nie Han had finished him off, or perhaps dealt with Wan Fushan as well.

"Nie Han, what is the meaning of this, attacking our sect’s disciples?" Le Feng’s power surged, his robes billowing. Though usually genial, he now wore a look of anger.

"Le Feng, upon entering this secret realm, I intended to use you as my stepping stone," Nie Han’s sword intent gathered, his magical sword humming faintly, as if sharing his fury.

"A stepping stone? Very well!"

Le Feng laughed instead of raging, summoning a fan with a blue handle and red feathers. Infusing it with power, it floated in midair, erupting in a wave of flame ten feet high, veiled in blue mist, adding to its majesty.

Instantly, the dim cavern was illuminated as though it were daylight.

The others were forced to retreat, leaving only Le Feng and Nie Han standing, eye to eye, neither backing down—tension thick in the air.

(Midnight update, Monday fast-food bonus chapter, please vote for recommendations~~~~)