Chapter 62 Entering the Wind and Thunder Cavern
“Master Chu, let’s continue on our way,” said Lei Jianqin. “I have no idea what got into Liu Run, but he’s ruined the reputation of the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall. However, as the daughter of the hall master and captain of our five-person squad, I assure you—I will not let you down!”
“Sister Lei, you’re too modest,” Chu Feng replied with a gentle smile, and the four resumed their journey.
As they traversed the central area of the Wind and Thunder stone desert, the wind and lightning were nearly absent, but the heat radiating from the ground was wild and intense, warping the space around them. Every so often, they had to consult the guiding fish to avoid losing their way.
They not only had to watch out for terrifying hidden pits, but also for sudden attacks from sand beasts. Their pace slowed considerably compared to before.
“Die!”
Suddenly, a bull-headed rock python shot out from behind a boulder. With a loud shout from Fan Qianjun, two shining silver snowflake axes flew out, slicing off the python’s head and body in a single strike. Blood splattered everywhere, but in the blink of an eye, the scorching sand absorbed it.
Whoosh!
Not far ahead, Tang Jiao, her tears wiped away, loosed an arrow. The sharp tip pinned a three-foot-long millipede to the ground.
Thus, the four pressed forward, fighting off sand beasts as they went. Up ahead, Liu Run, relying on his swift and agile movements, deftly avoided the monsters. He scarcely drew his sword, nor did he seem to suffer any injury.
An hour passed.
Through endless yellow sand, the five had emerged from the heart of the Wind and Thunder stone desert and approached its edge, where the path became easier.
Boom!
Boom!
Suddenly, two muffled thunderclaps rolled across the sky. As the thunder sounded, the horizon bloomed with blue light, and fierce lightning bathed the world in azure.
Wooo!
Wooo!
The wind howled, its mournful cry mingling with the thunder’s rumble.
“Sister Lei, the heat here has faded, and the thunder and wind are roaring. The lightning is stronger than ever—it seems we’ve left the desert and reached the entrance to the Wind and Thunder Stone Grotto,” said Tang Jiao.
“Exactly! The guiding fish points right to it—this should be the entrance of the grotto,” Lei Jianqin nodded.
Hearing this, Chu Feng’s heart stirred. He quickly asked, “Sister Lei, from your tone, am I right in guessing this is your first time at the Wind and Thunder Stone Grotto?”
Chu Feng thought: If all four from the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall are here for the first time, things could get interesting.
“Not at all. The others have visited a few times before; as for me, this is my tenth time here.”
Lei Jianqin explained, “Don’t misunderstand, Master Chu. At the entrance to the grotto, the wind is fierce, and thunder easily destroys any markers. The terrain here shifts every few hours in minor ways and every two days in major ways!”
“Oh, so that’s how it is,” Chu Feng nodded. Observing the raging wind and thunder, it was clear how easily the landscape could change.
With the entrance confirmed, Lei Jianqin led the five into the Wind and Thunder Stone Grotto.
The moment they crossed its threshold, Chu Feng felt as if worlds had split—outside, the wind and lightning were mild, but within, they surged like mountains crashing down, thunder roaring with irresistible force.
Chu Feng looked about, but the fierce sand and blinding lightning made it impossible to see far. Overhead, fifty yards up, stone beams and slabs arched like bridges, and the surrounding area was hemmed in by protruding stone walls.
He and his companions seemed like ants entering a shattered stone egg, the interior battered by storms and thunder as wild as a raging sea.
Boom!
Boom!
A series of thunderclaps echoed overhead.
Each blast sent the ground’s loose stones bouncing, the earth trembling like a boiling cauldron. The constant jarring made their hearts race, blood surging, impossible to find calm.
Wooo!
Wooo!
Hurricanes swept through.
Some winds slashed horizontally, others spun up in tornado-like columns, sweeping all directions. Some surged in waves, one after another, the later winds driving the former, lifting the sandy ground in billows like ocean tides.
The wind and thunder alone were fearsome, but the stones made matters worse. Their power manifested in stones of every size. A single lightning strike could shatter a stone pillar; the fragments, swept by wind, shot forth like thousands of arrows, raining down on Chu Feng and his party.
“Sister Lei, are we sure this is the right route? The wind and thunder here are so intense!” Tang Jiao asked, a tremor in her voice.
“No mistake! Last time we were here, the wind and thunder weren’t as fierce. That was because the Wind and Thunder Catastrophe was further off. Now, with catastrophe near, the wind and thunder here are much stronger,” Lei Jianqin explained, then turned to Chu Feng. “Master Chu, we’ve entered the grotto. Following the safest route, we’ll soon encounter Thunder Convergence Beasts. It’s time for you to take the lead! If you meet any non-human entity, no need for words—just strike with your spear and kill!”
“Sister Lei, are you saying there’s more than one form of Thunder Convergence Beast?” Chu Feng asked.
“Yes,” Lei Jianqin replied, “Thunder Convergence Beasts come in several known forms: there are burrowing scorpion-type beasts, the most common surface-dwelling ones, and winged ones that fly above.”
“So many varieties?” Chu Feng was surprised; he’d assumed Thunder Convergence Beasts were all the same, not realizing their diversity. He regretted not asking beforehand.
“Very well, I’ll take the lead,” Chu Feng said, raising his King’s Shadow-Tracking Spear and moving ahead.
“Hehehehe!”
Barely had he taken a few steps when a strange, chilling laugh rang out. Before him appeared an enormous bear, its body swollen and blue fur bristling. It lunged at Chu Feng with open jaws.
“Die!”
Chu Feng shouted, thrusting his spear into the bear’s head. With a surge of force, the bear’s skull burst apart.
Boom!
Chu Feng flung the corpse several yards away; as it hit the ground, its surface sizzled audibly. Chu Feng saw that the sound came from lightning energy inside the bear’s body—its flesh was like a miniature lightning field.
“Beautifully done, Master Chu!” Lei Jianqin gave Chu Feng a thumbs-up, thoroughly impressed by his immediate display of skill.
“Master Chu, from what we know, the Lightning Bear is among the strongest Thunder Convergence Beasts. Yet it couldn’t last a single round against you. If this is any indication, things might be easier than we expected!” Tang Jiao nodded and smiled at Chu Feng, recognizing his strength.
“I’ll act with caution and do my utmost to slay the Thunder Convergence Beasts,” Chu Feng replied.
“Hmph!”
At this, Liu Run snorted coldly and said, “Chu Feng, don’t think I don’t see your pride. Don’t get cocky—there are plenty of Thunder Convergence Beasts stronger than Lightning Bears. You’d best stay humble and careful, or you’ll pay for any mistake you make!”
“Thank you for your warning,” Chu Feng nodded. “But unless I make a mistake, maybe you should keep your mouth shut and not annoy the whole team.”
“What did you say, Chu Feng? Say it again—I dare you!”
With a sharp sound, Liu Run swung his sword in a mock slash, its tip aimed at Chu Feng as if he meant to cut him down where he stood.