Chapter Fifty-Three: A Sudden Change Within the Cave

In truth, with Li Xingyu’s current strength, if he summoned all the true energy suppressing the energy core within him and exerted his full power, he alone could break through the defenses of this cave mansion. Although the combined force of his true energy might not match that of the seven working together, there were inevitable issues with coordination and mutual repulsion among their true energies, so it wasn’t simply a matter of one plus one equaling two. Moreover, if he used his laser gun, he could also break through; but first, he had never considered monopolizing whatever lay within—after all, its contents were unknown, and there was no need to risk offending the Four Great Powers. Even though, with his spells, he should have no trouble handling the others, Li Xingyu had never truly fought against real experts, and he had no clear grasp of Mu Chenhua and the others’ true abilities.

While Li Xingyu weighed and analyzed the situation, the others had nearly finished their discussion. Since his strength had surpassed their expectations, they decided that the six with the highest cultivation, including Li Xingyu, would be responsible for breaking through the cliff wall’s defenses, while Elder Qin from the Qin family’s branch and the Dragon Master would keep watch. Once the decision was made, they all carefully approached the cliff wall once again. The six exchanged glances, and with tacit understanding began to marshal the true energy within their bodies. As their true energy surged, a tremendous aura emanated from each of them. The two keeping watch, seeing their actions, also heightened their senses and remained vigilant to any movement around them.

Once everyone was ready, Master Ouyang gave a meaningful look, and the group, in perfect unison, struck their palms against the section of the cliff where the energy fluctuation was strongest. Though six people attacked, their coordination was flawless; there was only a resounding “thud” as twelve palms landed on the cliff simultaneously.

The instant their hands touched the cliff, a distinct depression formed, but there was no sign of stone fragments flying—it was as if the wall possessed an extraordinary toughness. In that moment, all of them felt the energy fluctuations within the wall intensify drastically, and a tremendous rebound force pressed against their palms. Apart from Li Xingyu, Mu Chenhua, and the Mistress of Linglong, the other three staggered slightly.

This outcome did not surprise them; they knew it would not be so easy to break through. The change in the cliff wall only confirmed this was indeed the entrance to a cave mansion, a discovery that secretly delighted them. The six then intensified their output of true energy. Although none of them knew the methods for unraveling a cultivator’s formation or defense barriers, they understood that if their attack exceeded the defensive threshold, the barrier could be breached—though such a break would be irreversible.

Li Xingyu, too, increased his attack’s intensity in step with the others. After raising his strike to the pinnacle of the Innate Realm, he stopped. His intention was that, if the barrier could be broken with the others’ help, there was no need to expose more of his true strength.

When all six reached their maximum power, the depression in the cliff deepened considerably and the energy fluctuations grew even more violent—so much so that even the two on watch were drawn in by the turbulence. After sustaining the assault at this level for half a quarter of an hour, the defense seemed on the verge of collapse, yet it always held by a hair’s breadth. Apart from Li Xingyu, the others began to feel uneasy; with their abilities, they could only maintain such an attack for another half a quarter hour at most. If the barrier remained unbroken, matters would turn dire—it would take years for them to recover their cultivation, and even stopping now would require over a year to regain their strength. Even if the slightly weaker two joined in, the chance of breaking through would not improve greatly.

As the leader of this assault, Master Ouyang now found it difficult to make a decision. Clearly, they had underestimated the defenses here. While he weighed the pros and cons, the two on guard had also picked up on the situation. The Dragon Master hesitated, unsure whether to step in—his sudden addition might help them succeed, but it could also disrupt their stable assault, leading to a backlash that would injure everyone involved.

Elder Qin, meanwhile, fixed his gaze on Li Xingyu. Having realized the current predicament, he recalled his earlier suspicions about Li Xingyu. If his guesses were correct, only Li Xingyu could break their impasse. Anxious, he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t be sure his assumptions were right. Even if they were, Li Xingyu’s previous behavior had shown he was unwilling to reveal too much; if Elder Qin spoke and drew his ire, he might be safe for now, but what about the future?

Imagining the repercussions for himself and his clan should such a powerful figure bear them a grudge sent chills down his spine—he would rather forfeit this rare opportunity than risk such an outcome.

Li Xingyu, of course, understood both the situation and the others’ dilemma; he could even guess at Elder Qin’s gaze and the thoughts behind it. After weighing the matter, he gave the others a look indicating they should persist, then began to summon his true energy, preparing to deliver his most powerful blow to the barrier, hoping once and for all to break the defense at its threshold.

As the other five still wondered why Li Xingyu wanted them to keep going, they suddenly sensed his aura surge severalfold. Before they could recover from their shock, Li Xingyu unleashed his strongest strike against the cliff’s defense.

This time, there was not a sound; it seemed as if the entire cliff trembled under the force of his attack, and cracks began to spread from the edge of the energy field. The others had no time to consider the change in Li Xingyu—this was the prelude to the cave mansion’s defense crumbling. They inhaled sharply and maintained their most powerful assaults; Mu Chenhua and the Mistress of Linglong increased their output even more, clearly pushing themselves to their utmost limits.

With a thunderous explosion, a doorway two meters high and over a meter wide appeared in the cliff. The dust within the cave, stirred by the unleashed true energy, filled the entrance so that nothing could be seen inside. At that moment, all six—including Li Xingyu—sat cross-legged on the ground, calming their breath. The ferocious attack, sustained for over half a quarter hour, had pushed them to their limits; though they were not internally wounded, their vitality was greatly depleted. They had to rest and regulate their energy, allowing the true energy within to stabilize and relieve the nearly overwhelmed meridians. Even Li Xingyu did not feel well after his full-power strike; the energy core wrapped in true energy within him showed signs of instability.

The other two, seeing the defense broken but the six still resting, dared not act rashly. After the initial excitement, they continued their vigil, occasionally probing the cave with their senses.

Li Xingyu was the first to finish regulating his energy and rise. He gave Elder Qin a deep look, then turned his gaze to the newly revealed entrance. Since the dust still swirled inside and his Hawk’s Eye technique would be of little use, and since the cave was unlikely to be very deep, Li Xingyu sent his spiritual sense into the tunnel. Before he could examine the interior in detail, he felt a tremendous aura surge out from within. Facing this force, Li Xingyu felt as helpless as an ordinary man before a raging ocean storm.

He hastily withdrew his spiritual sense, and as the others finished their rest and looked up to inquire about his sudden pallor, a deafening roar echoed from within the cave, shaking them so violently they nearly lost their footing.

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