Chapter 13: The Sunken Labyrinth
The Regent’s words hung in the air, instantly extinguishing the lingering heat from Corbin Ashton’s outburst.
The petty squabbles and veiled insults vanished, replaced by a sudden, sharp focus.
The threat of a beast tide was a familiar terror, a recurring nightmare for the province. But a newly discovered labyrinth?
That was an unknown quantity, a wild card that could change the very fabric of their world.
The atmosphere in the Hall of Silent Stone shifted from tense to electric. The previous topics were forgotten, replaced by a single, overwhelming emotion that united every person in the room: greed.
"A labyrinth?" Lord Thorne’s voice was a low rumble, his earlier aggression now sharpened into a point of intense interest.
The Regent gestured to an aide, who placed a single, intricately carved stone tile on the centre of the table. It pulsed with a faint, ancient light, its surface covered in runes unlike any known script.
"Our scouts made two discoveries of vital importance," the Regent continued, his voice dropping lower, commanding their full attention.
"First, the Labyrinth radiates a density of Qi that is purer and more potent than anything found even in the core of a spirit stone mine. The air itself is thick with energy. Cultivating inside for a single day would be equivalent to a month of effort outside."
A collective gasp went around the table. Such a cultivation environment was priceless. It could shave years, even decades, off a cultivator’s journey.
"Second, and most crucial," the Regent said, his eyes sweeping over them, "the entrance is protected by a natural, ancient formation."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before delivering the final, world-altering piece of information.