The Solitary Path to Divinity

Vera's face cycled through shades of white and red, but she couldn't find a single word to counter Solon's outburst.

"Shut up! Running your mouth at a time like this—what good does it do?" Quiver snapped, then turned to Vera, her face tight with worry. "Senior Sister Vera, the snakes are almost on us. We can't hold them off. Better to charge through and take our chances. Even if some of us don't make it, it's better than all of us dying in this cave."

A cackling laugh echoed from ahead.

A few meters away, a gaunt-faced young man in black robes marked with a small skull appeared. He raised his hand. Six small cyan flags dropped to the ground. Black light flared. A chill wind whipped through the tunnel.

"So, disciples of the Palace." His eyes lingered on the women, a smirk playing on his lips. "Pretty little things. On any other day, Senior Brother might take his time getting to know you. But Foundation Establishment waits for no one, so I'll have to restrain myself. I've set up the Ghost Tiger Formation here. If you don't believe me, feel free to test it. I'd advise against wasting your energy, though. You won't break it anytime soon. Better figure out how to deal with those snakes behind you."

"Evil Valley cultivators. The Ghost Tiger Formation." Quiver's voice was flat. The name carried weight. Breaking it would take at least two or three core disciples like Vera, each with a magic artifact. But Vera had already burned through most of her spiritual power holding off the snake swarm. And the Evil Valley team had at least one core disciple of their own. If Vera led the charge, she might not even save herself. Behind them, the snakes were closing in. What could they do?

"Junior Sister," the gaunt-faced man called out, all reason and charm, "our sects have never crossed paths. I've no quarrel with you. You've seen those Purple Ginseng plants. The Black-Scaled Winged Wind Serpents are too many for any one team to clear out. You hold the high ground, hold them off for a while. When you're spent, we'll take over. Together, we deal with the snakes, then split the Ginseng. What do you say?" He paused, letting the offer hang. "Work with us, and we all walk away. Try to break through, and we'll have no choice but to defend ourselves. Anyone who tries will die."

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"Low." Angus spat the word. Even the slowest among them could see it now. The Evil Valley cultivators must have found the snake swarm long ago. Too many to kill alone. So they'd set a trap, waited for the Palace team to walk into the cave, then sealed it behind them. Let the Palace disciples bleed themselves against the snakes. When the swarm thinned, they'd stroll in and take the Ginseng. As for their offer to "take turns" fighting? A child wouldn't believe it. If the Palace team fought, they'd die—by snake or by Evil Valley blade.

"Senior Sister Vera, what do we do?" Solon paced at the edge of the Ghost Tiger Formation, his voice tight with anxiety. "Maybe we should just charge. If we're going to die anyway, at least we make them pay."

But they all knew how that would end. The enemy held the high ground, had a formation set, and could strike with numbers. Only two of them could charge at a time—and they'd be cut down by ten Evil Valley cultivators and their formation. Even Vera couldn't survive that. Who would be the first to die?

"Quiver, keep your archers ready. Watch the Evil Valley team. Everyone else, take turns holding the snakes." Vera's teeth pressed into her lower lip, almost drawing blood. There was no time left. She pulled a large net from her pouch and launched it against the cave wall. It stuck fast.

"A top-grade spirit net!" Angus's face brightened.

"The materials are reinforced with tungsten. Not a magic artifact, but as tough as one. The snakes' venom won't destroy it easily. We take turns. The big ones can't get through. We just kill the ones small enough to slip through." Vera's orders came fast, clipped.

The swarm slammed into the net and bounced back. Again and again, they threw themselves at it, spitting venom.

Solon and the others let out shaky breaths. They raised their shields, cutting down the few snakes small enough to squeeze through the mesh. Venom splattered through the net, hissing against their shields. Shields flickered, threatened to collapse. They fell back, and fresh disciples took their places.

Dozens of snakes died. The team steadied. But Vera's face remained tight. The Evil Valley cultivators were behind them. Holding off the snakes was only buying time.

" Senior Brother Blade, they've got a net—a strong one. It's holding the snakes back. What do we do?" one of the gaunt-faced man's junior brothers asked.

"No rush, Lawr." Blade's smile was cold. "We only need to hold this tunnel. They're trapped. Either they charge us, or they fight the snakes until they drop."

"Lawr, don't worry." A plump woman with inviting eyes leaned close, her voice honeyed. "Senior Brother Blade's planning is flawless. We already took down the Star Palace team. Even if we can't get the Ginseng right away, the spoils from these Palace disciples will make this trip worthwhile."

Lawr wasn't so easily convinced. "They're holding for now, but they have the advantage of terrain. Taking them will cost us. And we have to watch for other sects. If someone catches us in this cave with snakes at our back, we're done."

Blade's smile faded. He nodded slowly. "You're right. Lawr, take two men. Scout outside. If another team gets close, signal immediately. Gather what food you can. We may be here a while. If it comes to it, we can always withdraw."

Lawr nodded, picked two capable disciples, and slipped out of the cave.