Soon the flesh-binding Grass stopped moving all at once. The central mass had collapsed, and where it had been the ground was dark and wet.
By the time I looked again, the disciple had already been dragged out. She sat at the clearing's edge, robes torn, hands still trembling.
Nobody spoke for a moment. The clearing was quiet except for the sound of the grass slowly settling.
Then the disciples stepped forward and began harvesting the strands.
I turned the page of the manual.
The next material listed was Heaviness Iron Ore. The description was brief: a dense spiritual metal found near rock formations where spiritual essence had compressed.
"This might be easy."
I closed the manual and looked at the field ahead.
The group finished collecting and began moving without discussion.
I followed behind them. Close enough that they knew I was there and far enough that none of them could stop me.
Well, they were experienced in finding these materials, so there was no reason to separate.
Hou Zi glanced back once. His expression had not changed since the clearing. The others also noticed I was following, but none of them said anything.
The terrain shifted gradually as we moved deeper. Dense vegetation thinned, and the ground hardened underfoot. Dark soil gave way to stone, breaking through the surface more frequently until the field became almost entirely rocky.
The group stopped to survey the terrain. Discussion followed immediately like a disciplined unit assessing risk.
"…We really cannot separate. This place is dangerous. Why are you so obsessed, Hou Zi?"
"Hah! I'm not. This is just natural ore territory. There won't be any problem here."
"You said that last time too. And look what happened."
"I know. But I also said to be careful—"
"Enough." Chen Wu cut in, and the group fell silent.
"We split into two groups. If anything happens, signal immediately."
No one objected. The disciples began dividing themselves.
One of them glanced toward me.
"What about him?"
"Ignore. He knows he can do nothing." Chen Wu replied flatly.
Without further delay, they split into two groups. And I followed the group led by Chen Wu.
[Why?.... Are you serious?]
They searched exactly the way the manual described. Checking cracks in the rock. Looking for exposed lines.
So did I.
Time passed, and really, I found nothing.
"Mmm… it says to look for longitudinal lines, but there are just rocks here?" I said, glancing toward the group.
No one replied. They continued their search without acknowledging my voice.
I sighed, tilting my head slightly as I walked. "I'm not that bad. Even the Buddha spoke of treating all beings with equality."
A pause.
"Take a two tailed bear, for example. If it sees a weak child and a strong man, where does it go?"
I looked toward a disciple.
"Of course it goes for the weaker one first. That is equality in its own way."
"But if it attacks the strong instead, doesn't the man still ask—why me, when there was easier prey right there?"
A faint shrug.
"That's not equality..."
"You demonic bastard, shut up. How dare you speak the Buddha's name with that filthy mouth of yours."
The shout came from my side.
I turned toward it and a bald-headed disciple stood there.
"A young monk… yet his heart is filled with so much hatred." I laughed.
The air tightened instantly.
"You—!" the monk's voice rose, sharp and offended.
But before it could escalate further, a voice cut across the tension from deeper within the rocky field.
"Here."
A disciple crouched beside a rock formation at knee height, palm pressed against its surface.
"Iron ores… and all in one place."
The group converged immediately and I moved in after them.
They began examining the surface, running their hands along the rock and marking many darker sections where the ores were concentrated.
Tools came out soon after. The first strikes landed and dense fragments broke free, each piece carrying the dull weight of spirituality. One by one, the disciples collected the loosened ore.
I stepped closer to the monk who was separating the ores." Pass me one too."
Everyone turned to me, their expressions hard to read. And the monk's hand tightened slightly around the ore he was holding.
I requested. "Please."
…..
Back where the two spirits waited, everything remained still. They were speaking quietly when both of them stopped at the same time, sensing something approaching.
They turned their gaze toward the passage from where figures appeared from the tunnel entrance.
It was the Bai group.
Master Tang walked in front with steady steps. His back was straight, his eyes calm as he looked ahead. Behind him, the others followed closely, their heads turning from side to side as they took in the surroundings.
Some stared upward. Others touched the stone walls as they passed, if confirming the place was real.
"Am I dreaming?" one of them muttered.
Another looked around with disbelief. "How can there be a place like this…"
Bai Feng grinned and leaned closer to the man ahead of them. "Hehe, Master Tang, looks like we hit a jackpot. With a place like this, our Bai Tribe will be—"
The air suddenly turned cold.
"HALT, DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP."
The voice cut through the air and the spirits appeared before them.
For a moment all froze.
"What the…?" Several people stepped back in shock as weapons rose almost instantly, blades and spears pointing at the two spirits.
But Master Tang raised his hand.
"Do not do foolish things."
The movement halted. The blades that had begun to rise stopped halfway.
Only then did Master Tang step forward. Bai Feng hesitated for a second before following him
Both cupped their hands politely and gave a small bow.
Master Tang spoke first."Ahem. Please forgive us. We are from the village above this place. We only discovered the entrance by chance while exploring the forest. If we have intruded somewhere we should not have, I ask that you overlook…"
The blue spirit interrupted him.
"Ah. The village…" It paused for a moment, as if recalling something distant. Then its voice grew firm.
"But you cannot go any further from here."
Master Tang did not react to the interruption. His expression stayed calm.
"May I ask why?" His eyes moved briefly across the place behind the two spirits, then returned to them.
"We believe this is an inheritance ground. If that is truly the case, then everyone should have a fair chance."
"But you people are late," the red spirit said.
He glanced at the blue spirit beside him, then continued without slowing."I will not speak in circles like him. The trial has already begun."
His hand moved slightly toward the path behind them. "However, you can wait here with us until the ones inside return with the materials."
SILENCE.
"Yes, that is a good idea," the blue spirit said. He pointed at Master Tang. "You. Come. Tell us about the outside world. We want to know what has happened during these past years."
Master Tang sighed helplessly. Behind him, Bai Feng, who had remained silent the entire time, finally spoke.
"It would be our pleasure. However, can you tell us about this place and the trial? That is all we ask in return."
"Hoho, young man, and such a smart mouth. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you that."
Bai Feng studied them for a moment. Then he glanced at Master Tang and tilted his head slightly.
Master Tang understood.
The two of them walked a few steps away from the spirits.
Their voices dropped.
"Master, what are those two?" Bai Feng asked quietly.
Master Tang looked at him like he had just heard something stupid.
"Fool. Those are spirits. Do not even think about trying anything here."
Others stared at Master Tang, not understanding his words.
Master Tang let out a tired breath.
"When a cultivator reaches the peak of the mortal realm, death does not always end everything. If strong regrets remain, the soul can linger and turn into a spirit."
Realization spread through the group.
One of them finally spoke. "So what do we do now? "
Another voice came from the side. "Wait. Didn't Village Head reach an agreement with the Clouded Peak disciples?"
Bai Feng gave a small nod. "If they obtain the inheritance, a part of it belongs to us."
A faint chuckle slipped out from someone nearby. "Heh. Then the only problem left is that other cultivator."
"You mean… what if he takes the inheritance first?"
"Quiet." Master Tang cut Bai Feng off and glanced to the side.
Bai Xia stood a short distance away. She had clearly heard everything.
"Do not even consider it," she said calmly. "I have no desire to get on his bad side again."
A brief silence followed.
Bai Feng snickered. "Yes, yes. You would rather stay close to his bedside…"
"What did you say?"
He ignored the brewing argument and turned back to Master Tang.
"Master, we will remain here. I want to watch how this ends with my own eyes."
Master Tang looked at him for a moment, then gave a faint scoff. "Hmph. Starting to sound like your old man."
The group quickly straightened and Bai Feng faced the two spirits again.
"We will do as you suggested."