infodatos Chapter 31 Seizing the Order
Chapter 31 Seizing the Order
At dusk, Liang Cheng arrived at the hills on the west side of the Stone Forest.
The setting sun was like blood, and mist flowed slowly between the stone pillars.
Liang Cheng hid to the side and observed carefully. There were far fewer spyers around the stone forest, but there were still three places where presences lurked.
They are all experienced and extremely patient.
He took out the map to confirm, and the mark pointed to a circular stone formation slightly east of the center of the stone forest, which was below Liang Chengji. He put the map away, and stealthily walked half a mile south along the hill ridge. In a densely wooded area, he silently slid down.
The moment you step onto the edge of the stone forest, the light dims, and gray-white stone pillars appear and disappear in the mist, their shapes twisted and bizarre.
With all five senses activated, Liang Cheng slowly advanced towards the central area according to his memory, deliberately choosing secluded gaps to pass through.
After walking forward for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the passage ahead suddenly widened, revealing an open space several tens of feet in diameter.
In the center of the open space, three thick stone pillars stand in a triangular shape, their shafts engraved with indistinct ancient patterns, and their bases scattered with gray-white bones, some human and some beast.
Liang Cheng stopped and hid behind a rock about half a person's height. On the other side of the open space, at the intersection of two passages, came the deliberately hushed voices of conversation.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"The map marks this area, but the stone goblin should be guarding the central stone temple area; this is just the outer altar."
"However, the altar might also provide clues. Let's look for it first."
Three figures emerged from the passage, all dressed in dark green outfits and carrying longbows; they were from the Frost Martial Arts School of Beishan Town.
The leader was a lean young man with well-developed chest muscles. He was indeed Leng Xinghan, the most outstanding archer of the Frost Frost Martial Arts School. He was at the peak of Dark Force and had reached the threshold of Transformation Force. It was said that he had once killed a third-level demon beast with a single arrow.
The three cautiously entered the open space and began to examine the stone pillars and surrounding traces. Liang Cheng held his breath and remained still.
Just as Leng Xinghan and his two companions were inspecting the second stone pillar, a sudden change occurred!
"Click click click—"
The pile of bones at the base of the stone pillar suddenly collapsed, revealing a dark hole. Immediately afterwards, several gray shadows shot out of the hole like lightning, rushing straight at the three people!
There were seven or eight strange creatures with limbs as thin as bamboo joints.
Stone Lizard Demon.
"retreat!"
With a sharp shout, Leng Xinghan drew his bow and fired three arrows almost simultaneously!
"Whoosh whoosh!"
The arrows accurately struck the first three, while the other two Frost disciples drew their swords and engaged the monsters in a fierce battle.
Leng Xinghan's eyes were cold and sharp. He trembled the bowstring and fired seven arrows in a fan shape, all hitting the stone lizard demon's open mouth at the same time.
"Pfft pfft pfft!"
The stone lizard demon screamed and collapsed to the ground.
"Walk!"
The three quickly disappeared into the passage.
Once the commotion had completely subsided, Liang Cheng quietly crossed the open space and continued towards the central area. The deeper he went, the thicker the fog became, and the denser and larger the stone pillars grew. The passage gradually sloped downwards.
After walking about two miles further, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a huge underground space.
The space is circular, with a diameter of over a hundred feet. Countless stalactites hang from the dome, and in the center of the ground, nine giant stone pillars, each requiring several people to encircle, stand in a ring. The surface of each pillar is carved with intricate and ancient patterns.
In the center of the circular area, there is a stone altar with a completely black square box on its surface, and a huge creature lying beside it.
A third-tier monster, the Stone Demon.
Liang Cheng held his breath and discovered that three groups of people were lurking in the shadows.
In the northeast corner, Leng Xinghan and two Frost Frost disciples hid behind a stone pillar.
Hidden to the southeast are the disciples of the Liuyun Martial Arts School, led by Wang Jingxiao, who is at the peak of the Dark Force and is skilled in movement techniques and swordsmanship.
Due west, not far from where Liang Cheng was hiding, Zheng Biao was staring intently at the black box on the altar, his eyes filled with a mixture of greed and fear.
Everyone held their breath.
Stalemate.
Time passes little by little.
In the direction of Liuyun Martial Arts School, a disciple's feet gently slid across the gravel, making a clicking sound, and Shi Xiao's tightly closed eyes suddenly opened!
"roar--!!"
"Attack!" Leng Xinghan was the first to react. The bowstring twanged, and three specially made armor-piercing arrows shot towards the face of the stone demon!
Almost simultaneously, Liu Suifeng drew his longsword, transforming into a green shadow, and attacked from the side with three junior brothers. Zheng Biao seized the opportunity to strike at the same time.
A chaotic battle erupted immediately!
Stone Demon roared, sweeping his right arm to deflect the arrows, and smashing his left fist into the Flowing Cloud Sword Formation.
Liu Suifeng moved with the speed of the wind, his sword flashing, targeting the gaps between joints. Cold Star Arrows flew like a string of pearls, restraining Shi Xiao's movements. Zheng Biao had already rushed to within five zhang of the altar!
Shi Xiao turned around and took a step forward, causing the ground to tremble violently. His right fist slammed towards Zheng Biao like a meteorite. Zheng Biao roared and struck the blow with both palms!
"boom--!!"
The shockwave exploded, sending Zheng Biao flying backward. He coughed up blood in mid-air to prevent internal injuries, while the others were thrown back by the aftershocks.
The power of Stone Demon's punch is terrifying!
But this punch also briefly exposed its chest.
Liang Cheng moved instantly.
He lightly touched the stone pillars with his toes, using the momentum to leap into the air, passing over the heads of the crowd, and heading straight for the thickest stone pillar behind the stone demon. The perfected Hunyuan stance brought about a unity of body and mind, allowing him to complete three subtle turns in mid-air.
After landing and tumbling, they reached the base of the stone pillar. Opening the black box, they found a dark gold token engraved with the words "Lieshan".
Lieshan Iron Order!
Liang Cheng grabbed it; it was heavy and icy cold to the touch.
Almost the instant Liang Cheng received the token, the stone demon roared furiously, completely going mad. It abandoned all its opponents, its eyes bloodshot as it turned to Liang Cheng. With a single step, the earth shook!
"Liang Cheng!!! He's taken the ironclad order!"
Zheng Biao roared hoarsely.
"Stop him!"
Leng Xinghan's eyes suddenly turned cold, and he turned his bow and arrows, pointing them at Liang Cheng.
After a slight hesitation, Liu Suifeng also led his men to surround them.
Stone demons were in front, and they were surrounded from behind.
Liang Cheng stuffed the iron token into his bosom, then retreated rapidly, rushing towards the other side of the circular area, where there were two stone pillars with a wider gap between them.
"Trying to run?" Leng Xinghan sneered, firing three arrows simultaneously to block the left, right, and top.
Liang Cheng neither dodged nor avoided, but activated his Stone Armor Technique to its fullest extent, causing a flash of grayish-white light to appear beneath his skin.
"Clang clang clang!"
Three arrows struck Liang Cheng's back and shoulder, like hitting metal. The arrow shafts broke and bounced away. Liang Cheng's body swayed slightly, but his speed increased instead of decreasing!
"What?!"
Leng Xinghan's pupils shrank suddenly. At this moment, Shi Xiao had caught up to Liang Cheng and was five zhang behind him. His giant fist, carrying the power to split mountains, crashed down!
Liang Cheng exerted force with his feet, unleashing the full power of the Hunyuan Stance. He turned and darted out from the edge of the fist wind. Just as he passed Zheng Biao, a fierce glint flashed in Zheng Biao's eyes. Ignoring his own injuries, he struck Liang Cheng's side with a palm, trying to block his way!
"court death!"
Liang Cheng's eyes turned cold, and with a seemingly casual flick of his left hand, an inconspicuous pebble flew from between his fingers, accurately striking a vital point on Zheng Biao's knee.
Zheng Biao's palm strike was only halfway through when he suddenly felt a numbness in his right leg, his blood and qi rushed backward, and he lost his balance and staggered to the ground.
The direction he fell was exactly the path Shi Xiao was following in pursuit of Liang Cheng, and Shi Xiao's ferocious punch landed directly on him.
"No--!!!"
A look of horror and despair flashed in Zheng Biao's eyes.
"boom!!!!"
The stone goblin's giant fist slammed solidly into Zheng Biao's back, the sound of bones cracking ringing out like popping beans. Zheng Biao was smashed into the ground like a rag doll, his flesh mangled and bloodied, dying instantly.
Shi Xiao's fist technique was blocked by Zheng Biao. Taking advantage of the situation, Liang Cheng passed through the gap between the stone pillars and disappeared into the narrow passage behind, speeding away without looking back.
"Chase!"
When the others saw Liang Cheng take the iron token and run away, they immediately wanted to give chase.
"roar!"
Shi Xiao had already turned around and blocked the entrance to the passage. His furious gaze swept over everyone. Leng Xinghan, Liu Suifeng, and the others were forced to stop. Facing the berserk Shi Xiao, their faces were extremely ugly.
"Work together, or we'll all die!"
The fierce battle resumes!
……
In the dark passage, Liang Cheng pushed his speed to the limit, and behind him, the roars and sounds of fighting from the stone demons gradually faded away.
His expression remained calm.
The first Lieshan Iron Token is in hand.