Chapter 982: Encirclement

Chapter 982: Chapter 982: Encirclement

Outside the Jiang Ancient Clan, in a secluded mountain surrounded by peaks, the sky and earth seem unusually tranquil, as if hiding some unknown mysterious power.

The terrain here is treacherous, with peaks undulating like a Giant Dragon lying coiled.

Dense forest blocks out the sun, with ancient trees reaching the sky, vines like snakes entwined between the trunks, and low-hanging mist hovering along the mountainsides, giving the entire mountain range an exceptionally deep and mysterious aura.

In the deep mountains, there lies a winding path leading to the mountain belly. This path is narrow and steep, seldom trodden, even the most seasoned hunters would hesitate to venture it.

At this moment, the usually lifeless forest is filled with a killing aura.

The birds and beasts in the mountains seem to sense some sort of threat, retreating deeper into the woods, leaving an atmosphere of deathly silence.

Jiang Qi, clad in black robes, with a Longsword at his waist, stands atop a large rock before the mountain.

His gaze is sharp and cold, staring into the forest ahead, as if he could pierce through the dense fog and directly into the depths of the mountain.

Behind him, a group of Jiang Clan soldiers stand solemnly, each fully armed, tense and serious.

They wield long spears and wear armor and helmets, forming an orderly array, enclosing the entire mountain tightly.

Following Jiang Qi’s orders, the soldiers are divided into several teams, orderly defending each entrance and vital passage of the forest.

Every important position has been meticulously set with sentries, even seemingly inconspicuous mountain paths are closely guarded.

At the foot of the mountain, hundreds of soldiers are arrayed neatly, with their spears and shields reflecting faint light, resembling an impregnable wall of bronze.

Jiang Qi knows well that if he retrieves the treasure this time, his strength will be greatly enhanced.

Therefore, he cannot afford any negligence.

Gazing at the deep mountain shrouded in layers of mist, Jiang Qi’s heart is filled with complex emotions.

The treasure and Token mentioned by Xue Wei leave him skeptical, yet his greed and unwillingness prevent him from easily giving up this opportunity.

"Strengthen the guard, ensure no one can approach this place!" Jiang Qi commands coldly, his voice exuding an indisputable authority.

"Yes, Saint Son Jiang!" The guard beside him immediately accepts the order and goes to relay it.

With Jiang Qi’s command, the soldiers’ actions become more tense and orderly.

Their eyes sharp as eagles, closely watching every corner around them, any movement cannot escape their notice.

The mountain wind whistles by, swirling a few dead leaves in the air, spreading a heavy oppressive feeling across the Valley.

Jiang Qi’s face remains cold and stern, his eyes glowing with an unfathomable light.

As time progresses, the sky gradually darkens, the mist in the mountains thickens, like a heavy curtain hiding the entire mountain range.

Yet even in this darkness and fog, Jiang Qi remains calm and resolute, directing his soldiers to be fully prepared.

At this moment, he has made the entire mountain airtight, neither humans nor beasts can easily enter or exit this forest.

Just then, a Jiang Clan subordinate clad in Light Armor hurriedly cuts through the woods, rushing towards the giant stone before the mountain.

Through the dense fog, he sees Jiang Qi standing on the stone, immediately kneeling respectfully, clasping his hands, reporting loudly: "Saint Son Jiang, the cave’s location has been found!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qi’s stern face shows a barely perceptible change.

His gaze immediately sharpens, a trace of uncontrollable anticipation flashing in his eyes.

After a silent moment, he steps down from the giant stone, appearing especially composed yet authoritative.

"Lead the way." His tone is concise, yet carries an irresistible force.

The subordinate immediately rises, leading Jiang Qi through dense forest paths.

With each advancing step, Jiang Qi’s anticipation continues to deepen.

His pace is steady and powerful, eyes fixed ahead, as if he’s already seen the rumored cave.

With every step, Jiang Qi’s movements carry a hint of urgency. Although his stance is sturdy, a close observation reveals that he’s walking slightly faster than usual.

The expectation hidden in his heart, like an undercurrent, quietly surges beneath his calm exterior.

Finally, after passing through a sinister copse, they arrive before a steep cliff.

The cliff is overgrown with moss and vines, appearing especially dark in shadow.

In the middle of the cliff, a narrow crevice subtly reveals a faintly visible pitch-black cave entrance.

The entrance is nearly concealed by nature’s flora, if not for careful searching, it would be hard to find.

"Saint Son Jiang, here is the cave entrance." The subordinate stands respectfully to the side, pointing at the concealed cave entrance.

Jiang Qi’s gaze locks onto that cave entrance, showing a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

He quickly walks to the entrance, his eyes surveying the surroundings, as if assessing the cave’s authenticity and its hidden secrets.

He reaches out to gently push aside the vines covering the entrance, revealing a clearer view of the cave entrance.

At the moment, though his actions remain steady, each move subtly indicates an irrepressible anticipation.

Jiang Qi slowly approaches the entrance, his eyes gleaming with complex light.

Jiang Qi took a deep breath to suppress his excitement, his expression recovering a bit of sternness.

Though eagerly anticipating the discoveries within the cave, he knows well that he must remain calm now, for the cave may hold not only treasures but also unknown dangers.

He slightly tilts his head and instructs the subordinate beside him: "Have people on guard to ensure the entrance’s safety."

The subordinate immediately accepts the order, quickly arranging personnel around the entrance for any sudden incidents.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qi continues to gaze at the dark cave, anticipation and caution intertwining in his heart, making him all the more eager to unveil the cave’s mysteries.

Jiang Qi, along with a few elite guards, holding torches, slowly enters the cave. Inside, it’s pitch-black; the torchlight merely illuminates a few feet around them.

The air carries a cold, ancient aura, as if the cave has been sealed off for countless years.

The stone walls are covered with mottled moss, occasionally water drips from the stalactites above, echoing "drip, drip," like some unknown creature is watching them from the shadows.

The cave passage is narrow and winding, the ground uneven, occasionally presenting bizarre stone formations embedded in the walls, seemingly narrating the long-hidden secrets of this land.

The further they walk, the colder the cave becomes, the torchlight increasingly swallowed by darkness, only their footsteps echoing in the silent cave, sounding particularly heavy and oppressive.