Morning mist still lingered over the forest when the mission party departed.
Dozens of cultivators moved through the mountain paths, heading toward the cave spoken of by the village chief.
The atmosphere was strangely quiet.
Only footsteps and rustling leaves disturbed the silence.
Li Xuan walked among them without drawing attention.
Calm.
Silent.
Yet from time to time—
Mocking laughter drifted from ahead.
The black-robed cultivator walked with two companions, speaking loudly enough for others to hear.
"There are too many useless people in this mission."
His eyes shifted deliberately toward Li Xuan.
A sneer appeared.
"I can already imagine it."
"When danger comes inside that cave…"
"He'll probably fall to his knees at my feet, begging me to save his life."
His two companions burst into laughter.
Others glanced over, some amused, some indifferent.
Li Xuan simply ignored them and continued forward.
As if none of it concerned him.
The black-robed cultivator's smile stiffened.
He had expected anger.
Or humiliation.
Instead—
He had been ignored.
A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
(Keep pretending.)
(Once we enter the cave…)
(I'll make sure no one leaves with your corpse.)
A devilish smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Hours passed.
At last—
They arrived.
The cave stood hidden among steep cliffs, its entrance dark and ancient.
Cold air drifted from within.
The group entered cautiously.
At first—
It seemed ordinary.
Stone walls.
Narrow passages.
Nothing unusual.
But as they ventured deeper—
The tunnel opened into a vast inner chamber.
And there—
Four separate paths stretched into darkness.
Left.
Right.
Center.
And a narrow passage sloping downward.
Everyone stopped.
Confusion spread.
Which route led to the pill?
No one knew.
Voices rose in discussion.
Then—
An Initial Core Formation cultivator stepped forward.
He was the strongest among them.
His aura alone silenced much of the doubt.
"I will take the left passage."
He swept his gaze over the group.
"Follow me."
"If danger appears, I can protect you."
His words carried weight.
One by one—
Cultivators began following him.
Trusting strength.
Trusting numbers.
Soon nearly everyone moved toward the left path.
Li Xuan remained still.
Watching.
Silent.
Then—
Without a word—
He turned toward the center passage.
And walked into the darkness alone.
Or so it seemed.
Hidden in the shadows—
Three figures watched.
The black-robed cultivator.
And his two companions.
They had not truly gone with the others.
They had been waiting.
Watching.
The black-robed cultivator saw Li Xuan disappear into the center path—
And smiled coldly.
(So you chose death yourself.)
Inside this cave—
No one would know how a useless man died.
A beast attack.
A trap.
An accident.
Any excuse would do.
With that thought—
The three slipped into the darkness after him.
Li Xuan moved silently through the center passage.
His footsteps were light.
Measured.
The darkness stretched endlessly ahead.
He seemed unaware.
Yet his senses remained alert.
The deeper he went—
The stranger the cave felt.
No beasts.
No traps.
No movement.
Only silence.
Too much silence.
After some time—
A faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Subtle.
Yet unmistakable.
Li Xuan suddenly stopped.
His eyes sharpened.
That scent—
Medicinal.
Yet strangely ancient.
Unlike any ordinary pill.
His thoughts stirred.
(Could it be… the hidden pill?)
A faint light flickered in his eyes.
But almost at once—
Another thought arose.
(No danger so far…)
(That itself is danger.)
In a place like this—
Such calm was unnatural.
Which could only mean—
Something far more dangerous was waiting.
Then—
For a brief moment—
Li Xuan sensed something.
Faint.
Cold.
Like hidden killing intent moving in the dark.
His eyes narrowed.
Just as his thought was about to settle—
Slash!
Slash!
Two sharp waves tore through the air behind him.
Fast.
Deadly.
Aimed straight for his back.
Li Xuan's eyes contracted.
His body reacted instantly.
He twisted aside—
Dodging by a narrow margin.
Boom!
The attacks struck stone.
Fragments scattered.
Dust rose.
Li Xuan turned sharply.
Cold light flashed in his eyes.
Silence.
Then—
A cold laugh echoed from the darkness.