Progress bar; 3.7%...3.8%...3.9%...
Looks like we stepped into a landmine.
Jin Yu thought, his eyes sweeping across the cave’s interior.
It was nothing like anyone had expected.
Despite the intense heat that had burst out moments before, what greeted them inside was a cold, silent world. Massive icicles clung to the ceiling like jagged stalactites, stretching impossibly deep into the cave where a soft, crimson glow pulsed in the distance.
Warm mist coiled lazily through the air, curling around them in veils of fog. It gave the cave an eerie, frozen beauty, but the system already told him the truth.
Poison.
Every breath they took was laced with it. A slow, beautiful death cloaked in cold mist and quiet awe.
But it doesn't matter, no matter how long I stay here, I'll just keep getting stronger.
Jin Yu thought.
But wait, what if these icicles are the source of the poison?, if I touch them...will my progress bar spike up?
His gaze lingered on the icicles, mischief gleaming in his eyes.
I gotta try it out.
Since there wasn’t much to observe near the entrance, they moved deeper into the cave. But as they progressed, the icicles became more densely packed, creeping down from the ceiling and clustering along the upper cave walls, their needle-sharp tips glinting like blades in the dim light.
Luckily, the cave’s width still allowed them room to pass without getting close.
But Jin Yu wasn't satisfied, he hoped they'd grow just a bit lower so he could touch them.
Chill, you'll get a chance.
He said to himself.
Step by cautious step, they ventured further in, never letting their guard down around each other.
Yet no matter how far they walked, the red light remained elusive, just as distant as before, glowing faintly from somewhere impossibly far ahead.
After an unknown stretch of walking, Jin Yu finally got what he’d been waiting for.
The icicles had crept even lower, now jutting from the cave walls like jagged teeth, narrowing their path by several meters.
None of the others dared approach them. It was as though some unspoken rule kept them away or an instinctive caution no one questioned.
Except Jin Yu.
As always, he broke the script.
He casually drifted toward the wall, graceful and unbothered, as if the deadly ice wasn’t there at all.
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Those ahead of him didn’t notice a thing.
But Seer who was far behind did.
His eyes sharpened the moment he caught Jin Yu’s subtle movement. His gaze darted between the descending icicles and Jin Yu's outstretched hand.
I hope these things are the source.
Jin Yu thought as his fingers inched toward one of the gleaming spikes.
A wave of dry heat met his hand.
Just as he was about to touch it—
A pale hand shot forward and caught his wrist.
Jin Yu exhaled sharply, eyes fluttering shut with familiar irritation. He didn’t need to look to know who it was.
He opened his eyes and muttered, “What now?”
Seer’s brows twitched with restrained anger.
“How many times do I have to save your bastard life? And you never once say thank you.”
Jin Yu rolled his eyes, unfazed.
“Knowing that I’m ungrateful and still saving me, doesn’t that make you the fool?”
Seer flung his wrist aside and jabbed a finger toward Jin Yu’s face, clearly on the verge of exploding.
His mouth opened, then closed again. Lost for words.
Jin Yu stared at him, bored.
Seer exhaled through his nose, lowered his hand, and muttered, “Forget it. Just move.”
He grabbed Jin Yu’s shoulder and spun him forward, giving him a shove.
Jin Yu let out a long, tired sigh but didn’t resist.
Up ahead, the girl and the three unholy cultivators had paused, watching the exchange with varied expressions.
The man at the front narrowed his eyes for the briefest moment, something unreadable flickering within them.
Then he turned back silently and resumed leading the way.
The deeper they went, the intense the heat, what started as just a warm mist have became hot, as though they were entering a furnace.
Gradually, the frozen world around them began thinning, the icicles grew sparse until eventually, no more could be seen.
The atmosphere had got burning hot at this moment, even breathing became a little difficult, it was as if they were breathing in fire rather than air.
The people in front had it worse, they had to protect themselves with a Qi barrier which happened to be draining them at an alarming rate.
And even worse, The four was starting to notice a difficulty in their Qi flow, like something was in their meridians, obstructing the easy flow of it. But they ignored it, as it was subtle and barely affected them.
The cultivator's expression had gotten grim at this point and he didn't look as nonchalant as before.
His companions were also growing restless.
The girl was still better but her fair complexion was starting to turn dark.
Jin Yu looked at everyone of them calmly, already knowing what was going on.
The toxins are at work.
He thought, looking at the system's alert.
Ding!
Fire toxins rejected!
Ding!
Hostile energy detected!
Absorbing.....
progress bar:20.3%...20.6%...20.9%..
His progress bar had spiked up from 0.1% per increase to 0.3%
He looked at Seer who appeared to be frowning but wasn't having much difficulty compared to others.
Seer met his gaze before looking him up and down. He raised a brow that seemed to be saying: You look okay.
Jin Yu gave an eye roll that said: none of your business.
The Red light got nearer, but the people got worser, their breath became laboured, their Qi barrier unstable.
Even though the toxins and hostile fire energy couldn't enter Jin Yu's body, his body still had to bear the normal heat lingering around. He was drenched in sweat, it was as if he was dipped in a pool.
After a few more steps, the unholy cultivator in front came to a halt.
“Let’s replenish our Qi,” he said flatly, and without waiting for agreement, sat down cross-legged. He tossed out a few black flags into the ground around him, it shimmered into life and released a grey mist into the surrounding, resisting the heat considerably.
He then pulled out a handful of black pills, tossed them into his mouth, and began circulating his energy.
His companions wordlessly followed suit.
Even the girl sighed in relief before sitting down and swallowing a pill.
Jin Yu only shook his head, an expression of faint pity crossing his face, as if watching toddlers eat dirt.
If only they knew…
They were inhaling poison with every breath. And now they were actively drawing it deeper in.
Seer leaned in and whispered, “What’s your secret? You look good.”
Jin Yu shot him a glance, flipped his damp hair back with a touch of flair, crossed his arms, and replied with smooth nonchalance
“There’s no secret, really. I’ve just always looked this good. You know....innate.”
He winked, the faintest smirk on his lips.
Seer rolled his eyes.
“Just say you won’t answer.”
He leaned back against the wall with a quiet huff.
Ten minutes passed.
Then—
“You two.”
The voice cut through the quiet.
The unholy cultivator stood again, looking straight at them.
They turned, mild interest flickering in their eyes.
“You should lead the way,” he said simply. Not quite a command. Not quite a request.
“Oh?” Jin Yu muttered, poking at his ear with a pinky.
He looked at Seer.
“Did you hear that?”
Seer didn’t blink. His expression turned serious.
“Nope.” he replied calmly.
The man’s face darkened.
“You’re both in good shape. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Jin Yu scratched his ear again, frowning.
“There it is again. Did you hear that, Seer? Sounded like whining.”
Seer squatted, scanning the floor with exaggerated focus.
“Maybe a bug,” he muttered. “Or a bitch, with a head full of shit.”
Jin Yu turned to him, face lit with awe.
“You’re brilliant, friend.”
Seer finally looked up, smiling. A cross between smugness and mischief twinkled in his eyes.
He stood up, tossed his pale hair behind his back and replied,
“You know….... Innate.” he winked.
Jin Yu nodded slowly, dramatically.
“Hmmmmm. I see.”
“You get it?”
“Oh, I do. I do.”
He nodded like a sage, expression theatrically enlightened.
Ding!
Influence +10,000
Ding!
Influence +10,000
Ding!
Influence +10,000
(Emotion provoked: Killing Intent)
