The next day, at the first glimmer of dawn.
At the foot of Buzhou Mountain, the southeastern "Ancient Dust Path" entrance—its massive ancient stone steps resembled the gaping maw of a great beast.
Nearly a hundred members of the official expedition stood in solemn formation, their auras concentrated.
Leading them were Scarlet and Adam Spanner. Scarlet wore red robes with silver armor, her Liaoyuan spear in hand, radiating a commanding presence. Adam was dressed in dark blue-green fitted attire, a longsword at his waist, formation flags on his back—refined elegance sharpened with an edge.
Margaret had come personally to see them off, with Dustin standing at her side.
Gazing at the assembled team, Margaret said gravely: "Everyone, the road ahead is perilous. I will be waiting here for your triumphant return! Remember—safety first!"
"Yes! Your Highness!" The company responded in unison, their voices shaking the mountain's base.
Scarlet and Adam gave Margaret and Dustin one final salute with clasped fists, then turned, their eyes fixed on the ancient stone steps extending endlessly upward.
"Move out!"
The team embarked on their ascent of Buzhou Mountain. Almost simultaneously, whistling sounds came from other directions as escape lights and figures of various colors flowed like streams from all sides into this colossal peak that had reawakened after three thousand years of slumber.
Dustin watched until the team's figures disappeared around a bend in the ancient path, shrouded in mist, and stood silently for a long while. This was all he could do for now. The road ahead, they would have to walk themselves.
Margaret came to his side and asked softly: "Dustin, how far do you think they can go?"
Dustin gazed toward the summit hidden above the clouds and mist, and said slowly: "Buzhou Mountain's trials vary from person to person. Scarlet is fierce and courageous; Adam is steady and clever. Together, they complement each other perfectly. As long as they don't succumb to greed or impatience and proceed with caution, they should gain something. As for how far they can go... that depends on their fortune and fate."
Buzhou Mountain, the Ancient Dust Path.
At first, the mountain trail was relatively gentle. Only the omnipresent flight-suppression pressure made everyone feel heavy, their steps less nimble than on flat ground.
Surrounding them were silent gray-brown cliffs. The pure spiritual energy permeating the air also carried a weighty quality.
After roughly a shichen of marching, the terrain grew steep. The stone steps became badly broken, requiring hands and feet to climb.
A faint mist carrying a peculiar, bloody sweetness began to spread—this was the "Bone-Eroding Miasma" mentioned in the intelligence.
The miasma not only obstructed vision but could also corrode protective spiritual energy and numb perception.
"Put on your miasma-warding talismans! Circulate your techniques to resist! Speed up and get through this area!" Adam calmly commanded, simultaneously casting several mind-clearing talismans to disperse some of the dense fog ahead.
Scarlet took the vanguard, her spear sweeping through the air. Crimson spear light blazed like flames, pushing back the encroaching miasma and several colorful venomous snakes lurking in the fog.
The team followed closely, advancing rapidly.
However, from deep within the miasma came shrill howls as several black shadows lunged out! They were "Rotbone Apes"—demonic beasts mutated by the miasma. Their bodies were covered in festering sores, reeking of decay. Their claws and fangs contained deadly poison, and they moved with ghostly speed.
"Formation! Defend!" Scarlet shouted. Her Liaoyuan spear transformed into a cloud of fire, shredding the two Rotbone Apes that charged first. The Dragon Guard elites quickly assembled into battle formation, blades, swords, and spell-light flashing as they clashed with the swarming beasts.
The fighting was brutal. Occasionally, team members were slashed by poisoned claws, or collapsed with blackened faces after inhaling the miasma.
The accompanying medics coordinated with Adam to quickly treat the wounded and purge the toxins.
Scarlet, meanwhile, fought like a battlefield valkyrie, her spear striking like a dragon, invincible, firmly holding the vanguard.
After a fierce battle, they finally routed the Rotbone Apes. Headcount revealed three seriously wounded who had to be carried by companions, and five with minor injuries, though the miasma poison would take time to purge. Morale dipped slightly.
"Rest in place for a quarter shichen. Treat wounds and replenish strength." Adam ordered, while vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Near a rock crevice, he discovered half a rusted broken sword and a few dim spirit stones—clearly relics of previous climbers, though their spiritual energy was nearly depleted and of little value.
After resting, the team continued upward. Once they cleared the Bone-Eroding Miasma zone, the view opened dramatically onto a relatively flat but bizarre valley covered in crystal clusters of varying sizes and colors. Sunlight filtering through thin clouds refracted through these crystals, creating mesmerizing, dreamlike halos of light.
"Careful—this may be the natural zone of a 'Bewildering Light Phantom Crystal Formation'!" Adam warned. He had studied similar records. "These crystals can refract light and spiritual energy, producing illusions that confuse the senses and can even trigger inner demons."
Before he finished speaking, several team members' eyes had already gone glassy. Some muttered at empty air, crying or laughing. The surrounding light and shadow began to warp, conjuring phantom paths, treasure lights, and even apparitions of deceased friends and relatives.
Scarlet's gaze hardened. She slammed her spear to the ground and barked: "Hold your minds! It's all illusions!" With her higher cultivation and firm willpower, she was less affected by the phantoms.
Adam immediately took out the "Huiming Mirror" Dustin had given him and infused it with spiritual energy. The dull mirror surface emitted a hazy bronze glow that spread outward, enveloping a dozen nearby team members. Those touched by the light quickly shed their confusion and regained clarity.
"It works!" Adam was delighted. He directed the team member holding the Huiming Mirror to spread out, expanding the area of protection.
However, illusions weren't the only danger.
From the beautiful crystal clusters, razor-sharp light blades would occasionally shoot out without warning, or clusters would burst into blinding flashes. Under the dual assault of illusions and physical attacks, the team advanced with difficulty. People were constantly being cut by light blades or stumbling into hidden crevices while dodging phantoms.
Just as the team reached the center of the valley, a sudden change occurred! The largest crystal clusters simultaneously erupted in blinding light. The beams intertwined, forming in the air a semi-transparent giant phantom wielding a sword of light! The giant let out a soundless roar and swung its sword at the team. Before the light sword even reached them, its piercing sword intent was already causing skin to sting!
"It's a guardian phantom spirit condensed by the formation! Its power is approaching Golden Core!" Adam cried out in alarm. "Don't fight it head-on! Scatter! Find the formation eye or weak points!"
Scarlet, however, showed no fear, battle intent rising in her eyes: "Let me take it on!"
– Marinien
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