Rebirth Immortal-Chapter 30: The Hidden Path

Ye Chen and his team stood at the edge of the mountain range, the dense forest stretching out before them. The trees were thick, their shadows casting a dark veil over the ground. There was an eerie silence in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The path they needed to take was hidden, concealed from the eyes of anyone who didn't know where to look.

The jade token Master Li had given them lay in Ye Chen's hand, its smooth surface a reminder of the dangerous journey ahead. He turned to his team, who were all ready and focused.

"Stay alert," Ye Chen said in a low voice. "We don't know what kind of traps or obstacles the Shadow Sect has set up. We need to stick together and move quickly."

Zhao Ming checked his weapon, adjusting the straps on his back. "We're ready. No one will get past us."

Lin Xia was the most cautious of the group, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. "We need to be careful. The Shadow Sect is known for setting up illusions and hidden dangers. We can't rely solely on our strength."

Ye Chen nodded. "We'll rely on our wits as much as our strength. Let's go."

They moved deeper into the forest, each step taken with care. The trees grew closer together as they climbed higher, the air thinner and colder. The further they went, the more isolated they felt. There was no sign of any other travelers or animals, only the distant sound of water flowing through a stream.

After what felt like hours of trekking, they reached a clearing. In the center was a large rock formation, its jagged edges pointing toward the sky like the teeth of some giant creature. Ye Chen could feel something was off. This place didn't look natural.

"Is this the spot?" Zhao Ming asked, his voice wary.

Ye Chen studied the rock formation carefully. There was a faint glow coming from the cracks in the stone, a soft light that seemed to pulse with life. He stepped closer, his hand hovering over the surface of the rock.

"There's something hidden here," Ye Chen said. "This is the path Master Li mentioned."

Lin Xia raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"

Ye Chen nodded. "I can feel it. There's a mechanism that opens the path, but we need to trigger it."

They all moved closer to the rock, inspecting the cracks. Zhao Ming ran his fingers along the surface, feeling for any hidden switches or buttons.

"I don't see anything," he said after a moment.

Ye Chen's mind raced. He needed to figure this out quickly. The Shadow Sect was not far from this place, and they had no time to waste. Suddenly, something caught his eye. A small, almost invisible inscription on the rock's surface, hidden in plain sight.

He knelt down to examine it more closely. The inscription was in an ancient script, one that Ye Chen had seen before in his studies. It was a trigger for a secret entrance, designed to open only for those who knew the right sequence. Ye Chen quickly ran his fingers over the symbols, tracing the pattern.

"There we go," he muttered, pressing the final symbol.

With a low rumble, the ground beneath them shifted. The rock formation split apart, revealing a narrow passage leading deep into the mountain.

"Let's move," Ye Chen said, leading the way into the passage.

The air grew even colder as they entered the tunnel, the walls of stone closing in around them. The passage was narrow and winding, with sharp turns and uneven ground. It was clear that this path was not meant for comfort. The walls were slick with moisture, and the scent of earth and decay filled the air.

They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. Ye Chen felt a strange sense of foreboding. The Shadow Sect was close, and he could feel the weight of their presence in the air. They were being watched.

"I don't like this," Zhao Ming said, his voice low. "It feels like we're walking straight into a trap."

Lin Xia was already on alert. "I agree. We need to be careful. The Shadow Sect doesn't leave anything to chance."

Ye Chen didn't respond, but his senses were sharpened. He was ready for anything.

The passage twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the mountain. As they walked, the temperature continued to drop, and the tunnel began to widen. They emerged into a large cavern, its ceiling high above them. In the center of the cavern was a pool of water, its surface still and glassy.

"This is it," Ye Chen said, his voice echoing in the cavern. "We've reached the heart of their path."

Zhao Ming looked around. "But where are the guards? This is too quiet."

Ye Chen felt it too—the silence was unnatural. The Shadow Sect was known for its deadly traps, and this place had none. It was as if they were being lured into a false sense of security.

He stepped closer to the pool, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and a sharp sound rang through the cavern. The water in the pool began to swirl, rising up in a spiral like a violent storm.

"Get back!" Ye Chen shouted.

But it was too late. The water exploded from the pool, crashing toward them with incredible force. Ye Chen leaped back just in time, but Zhao Ming wasn't so lucky. The wave of water hit him with full force, sending him crashing into the cavern wall.

"Zhao Ming!" Lin Xia cried, rushing to his side.

Zhao Ming groaned, struggling to push himself up. "I'm fine... just a bit shaken."

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Ye Chen's eyes narrowed as he looked at the water, which was now settling back into the pool. But something was wrong—the water was beginning to glow, pulsating with dark energy.

"It's a trap," Ye Chen said, his voice tense. "The Shadow Sect knew we would find this path. They've set us up."

The water began to swirl again, but this time it formed into shapes—twisting and shifting like serpents, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

"Get ready!" Ye Chen shouted.

The water creatures lunged toward them with frightening speed. Ye Chen drew his sword, ready for battle. The creatures were made of pure water, but their strength and agility were no less than that of real beasts.

Zhao Ming and Lin Xia quickly regained their footing, weapons drawn, prepared to fight. The three of them stood back-to-back, forming a defensive circle as the water creatures closed in.

Ye Chen's mind raced. These creatures were no ordinary beasts. They were infused with the dark energy of the Shadow Sect. He could feel the pressure building around him, the very air growing heavier with each passing moment.

"We need to destroy them quickly," Ye Chen said, his voice calm despite the danger. "Don't hold back!"

With a roar, the creatures attacked. Ye Chen's sword flashed as he sliced through the first wave of water beasts, his movements swift and precise. But for every one he destroyed, two more seemed to take its place.

The battle raged on, each of them pushing their limits. The creatures were relentless, their glowing eyes full of malice. Ye Chen's sword danced through the air, cutting through the water, but the beasts were made of liquid, always reforming and coming back for more.

Then, Ye Chen remembered the jade token. He reached into his pocket and gripped it tightly, his mind focused on the power within it. With a sudden burst of energy, he activated the token.

A wave of light surged through the cavern, striking the water creatures and causing them to writhe in pain. The creatures screamed, their bodies starting to disintegrate as the light from the token burned through their essence.

In moments, the creatures were gone, leaving only the faint scent of water in the air. The cavern fell silent once again.

Ye Chen lowered his sword, breathing heavily. "That was too close."

Zhao Ming wiped the water from his face, still recovering from the shock. "What was that? Some kind of ancient magic?"

Ye Chen nodded. "The Shadow Sect is full of tricks. We need to be ready for anything."

They stood in the cavern, catching their breath. The path ahead was still unclear, but Ye Chen knew that they were getting closer to their goal. The Shadow Sect's base was within reach, and they would stop at nothing to destroy it.