The corridor was narrow, allowing only a single file, leaving no room for evasion. Everyone brandished their longswords, weaving a curtain of light to shield themselves.

Li Muzhan instantly drew his sword to protect himself and Liu Biyun. Clang, clang, clang, clang... The bolts piled on the ground, already reaching above their knees.

Li Muzhan inwardly shivered. He couldn't tell what mechanism fired these bolts, but their force was immense; even his palm tingled from the impact.

"Junior Brother Song, Junior Sister Song, are you alright?" Li Kaiyu quickly asked.

Song Zhigang mumbled resentfully, "I took an arrow."

Li Kaiyu pressed, "Is it poisoned?"

"It feels like it!" Song Zhigang grunted, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Big Brother, sit down!" Song Ling sharply chided. As Song Zhigang sat, she moved her sword tip, slicing open the short arrow lodged in his calf. Blood immediately spurted out.

Song Ling then bent down, gripping the arrow, and pulled, spurting a jet of blood. Li Kaiyu rushed over with a vial, sprinkling powder onto the wound while simultaneously sealing the acupoints nearby.

Moments later, Song Zhigang’s bleeding stopped. He then swallowed a red pill and let out a long, relieved breath.

Though the corridor was pitch black, it could not hide them from sight. Song Zhigang’s face suddenly turned pale; he had lost more than half his fighting strength.

He cursed viciously, "This mechanism is utterly insidious!"

He had reacted and swung his sword to block, but he hadn't anticipated the sheer power of the bolts. His hand went numb, causing a slight delay in his movement, and thus he was struck.

"Big Brother, how are you?" Song Ling asked anxiously.

Song Zhigang nodded, "It’s nothing serious. I’m lucky, I won't die!"

"Big Brother, still be careful!" Song Ling chided him softly.

Her entire body was tense, displaying a lingering look of terror—she had been genuinely frightened.

Li Muzhan spoke in a gentle voice, "Everyone, allow me to take the lead."

"Big Brother!" Liu Biyun pouted.

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "This is only the first level of traps, a mere show of force. It will only get stronger ahead. I’m thick-skinned; taking a few hits won't matter."

"Big Brother, it's too dangerous!" Liu Biyun insisted, her tone laced with complaint.

Li Kaiyu looked at Li Muzhan, "Brother Li truly intends to lead?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I will lead, but I get first pick of anything we find, how about that?"

"...Very well!" Li Kaiyu pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly.

Mo Jiye murmured quietly, "Brother Li, are you truly confident?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "This place is certainly interesting. Biyun, stay with me. Everyone else, keep a good distance apart."

"...Alright then," Mo Jiye conceded with resignation.

He felt a growing sense of caution regarding this tomb, as if they had truly stepped into a dragon’s den. A single mistake here could cost them their lives; the mechanisms were far too vicious.

Among the group, Li Muzhan possessed the highest martial arts skill, and he was volunteering to take point. Mo Jiye knew this was the best approach.

———— Li Muzhan walked ahead, with Liu Biyun closely following, advancing slowly. Though the corridor was dark, it didn't hinder their vision. They followed the stone floor, navigating two turns.

Li Muzhan suddenly stopped, his expression turning grave.

"Big Brother, what is it?" Liu Biyun stopped and turned to ask.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "There is danger ahead. We cannot proceed further!"

"What danger?" Liu Biyun inquired curiously.

The others slowly caught up. They had maintained a distance of several dozen feet behind, giving them time to react to anything. Seeing Li Muzhan halt, they gathered near.

"Brother Li, what's wrong?" Mo Jiye quickly asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "There is danger ahead. It's best not to approach."

"What danger?" Mo Jiye asked Liu Biyun the same question, frowning as he stared into the inky blackness of the corridor.

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, "I don't know; I can't see clearly, but I feel an extreme peril. It’s best if we stop here and try another path instead!"

"We must go look," Mo Jiye frowned, "I'll check it out!"

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hand, "Wait a moment!"

Mo Jiye looked at him, "Brother Li, I know your intuition is sharp. But we can't just flee without a fight, can we? We need to know what the danger is!"

Li Muzhan stated, "Judging by the mechanism just now, the tomb owner’s ruthlessness is unparalleled; he leaves no escape routes for anyone. In my view, let's forget this one and try another path!"

Mo Jiye remained unconvinced and looked at Li Kaiyu, "What about you from the Shadow Secret Sect?"

Li Kaiyu glanced at Li Muzhan, then looked towards Song Zhigang and Song Ling. Song Zhigang said, "Senior Brother Li, there’s no harm in listening to advice. Let’s heed Brother Li's words!"

Li Muzhan smiled. Song Zhigang had a mild and generous nature, never seeking trouble or taking risks—a man content to guard his gains, who would survive the longest in the martial world.

Song Ling glanced at Li Muzhan, snorted, but offered no objection. Since Song Zhigang was injured, this wasn't the time to show bravado. It was better to believe the warning than to dismiss it.

Li Kaiyu pondered briefly, then slowly nodded, "Very well then, we’ll take another route."

Li Muzhan looked toward Mo Jiye. Mo Jiye offered a wry smile. Xie Jianfeng spoke up, "I'll scout ahead. If things go south, I’ll run back!"

Li Muzhan frowned, "I fear you might not be able to run back if trouble arises."

"It’s not that ominous!" Xie Jianfeng waved his hand, "Relax, I'll be careful. Just wait for me a moment; I’ll be right back!"

Li Muzhan frowned deeper, "Brother Xie, let’s forget it. This is a dead end; it’s not worth risking your life!"

The more Li Muzhan urged caution, the stronger Xie Jianfeng's resolve became. He waved dismissively and turned to leave.

———— Li Muzhan sighed, resignedly saying, "Everyone, be careful. If real danger strikes, it might not be so easy to avoid."

"What could it be?" Mo Jiye asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It might be even fiercer than before, even... worse!"

He suddenly let out a sharp shout, drew his sword, and transformed into a flare of bright light, instantly slicing two large stones from the rock wall. The large stones shattered into a pile of pebbles.

Song Ling and the others’ expressions shifted slightly; they hadn't expected Li Muzhan's sword to be so fast.

"Big Brother?" Liu Biyun asked in surprise.

Li Muzhan said gravely, "Everyone, move quickly!"

"What is it?" Liu Biyun asked urgently.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "We have big trouble coming! ... Quickly gather the stones and prepare to block the water!"

As his words fell, Xie Jianfeng reappeared, moving like lightning. From far off, he shouted, "Run! It’s poisonous water!"

"Poisonous water?" Mo Jiye paused for only a moment before turning and running without hesitation. The three from the Shadow Secret Sect also recognized the danger and bolted.

"Big Brother, hurry and run!" Seeing Li Muzhan remain still, Liu Biyun urgently tugged his arm.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "It’s too late. You all go first; I’ll block it for a moment!"

"Big Brother?" Liu Biyun looked at him, stunned. Then her bright eyes widened: "Big Brother, run!"

With a whoosh-gush sound, she saw the dark flood surge forward like a giant dragon toward Xie Jianfeng, almost catching him. Xie Jianfeng's movement technique was superb and he managed to stay ahead.

Witnessing this savage torrent, Liu Biyun felt a chill. A foul, fishy stench reached her even from a distance; this water must contain potent poison. Contact meant almost certain death.

Li Muzhan said sternly, "Biyun, get a head start; I need a moment to set up the barrier!"

Liu Biyun urgently shook her head, shouting, "Big Brother, you can't block it! Let's go, hurry!"

Li Muzhan gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Her body floated weightlessly like willow catkins. Amidst her struggling, she was propelled over ten zhang away, catching up with Mo Jiye and the others.

Li Muzhan’s figure flashed, and he appeared in front of Xie Jianfeng. He snatched his sash, tossing the fleeing Xie Jianfeng away from the chasing water dragon in an instant. Then, he landed before the pile of stones and slowly pushed forward with both palms.

The stones tumbled and rose higher and higher, finally blocking half the flow. Li Muzhan’s sword light flashed, and another pile of stones appeared. He pushed them with both palms, creating another obstacle.

Li Muzhan repeated the process, creating nine defensive lines in quick succession. By the time he prepared the tenth, it was too late—the black water had arrived.

———— Crash! Gush... The flood slammed into the stones, tearing down the defensive lines one by one. At the final line, the rush was finally halted.

Li Muzhan had already returned to Liu Biyun’s side. She glared at him indignantly, but the two of them stopped and looked back, not rushing to flee.

Seeing the flood finally contained, Liu Biyun excitedly grabbed Li Muzhan’s arm.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Pure luck!"

Liu Biyun glared at him, "Big Brother, that was too close!"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "If we hadn't stopped it, it would have gained speed. Didn't you notice it was downhill? Everyone would have been swept away."

"Sigh... This person truly is vicious!" Liu Biyun sighed, shaking her head.

Li Muzhan responded, "Why would he be polite to those who would desecrate his tomb? If it were me, I'd be even crueler!"

"That's true," Liu Biyun slowly nodded. "Feng Batian was never a good person, even over a thousand years ago; he did as he pleased."

While they were speaking, everyone returned. Xie Jianfeng, his face flushed red, said, "Brother Li, thank you!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand. Mo Jiye asked, "Junior Brother Xie, this water was indeed toxic, wasn't it?"

"It certainly was!" Xie Jianfeng nodded. "The smell almost made me faint. If I had touched it, who knows what would have happened!"

Liu Biyun snorted, "All because you wanted to show off!"

Xie Jianfeng argued, "I was just curious, and besides, with Brother Li here, we weren't afraid of danger!"

"How can Big Brother save you every time!" Liu Biyun complained crossly.

Li Kaiyu floated swiftly past the group and returned quickly, holding a strip of cloth in his hand. The cloth was somewhat shredded, looking as if it had been gnawed by a dog.

"It really is highly toxic!" Li Kaiyu said, shaking his head.

Seeing the state of the cloth, everyone felt a fresh wave of alarm. Such potent poison, even with an antidote, might be useless; it would instantly destroy the skin and flesh.

In this world without Gang Qi protection, the flesh was exceptionally fragile. Ordinary poisons could be neutralized by antidotes, but this kind of extreme toxin offered no recourse.

Li Muzhan stated, "This is a dead end; let's try the other path!"

"Good," everyone agreed.

Such a potent poison blocked their way; no matter how skilled they were, they could not pass. They had no choice but to change routes.

Thus, the group exited the corridor and chose the second path. Unfortunately, the second path was much the same as the first—the mechanisms were deadly, offering no opportunity for exploitation.

When they chose the third path, it was the same. The group retreated from the three routes and gathered, their brows furrowed. The mechanisms on these three paths were truly despair-inducing; even superior martial arts were useless.

"What should we do?" Liu Biyun frowned, "We can't get in at all."

Mo Jiye looked toward Li Kaiyu, "Brother Li, what do you think?"

The three were also deep in thought, feeling unwilling. They had found the hidden treasure but were blocked from entering. The greater the obstacle, the more precious the treasure must be, suggesting immense rewards if they could get through.

Li Kaiyu said gravely, "If all else fails, we’ll have to resort to the crude method!"

"Dig through the mountain?" Mo Jiye asked.

Li Kaiyu nodded, "That is the safest way!"

Li Muzhan laughed softly. Mo Jiye quickly asked, "What do you think, Brother Li?"