Chapter Twenty-Two: Crisis in the Secret Chamber, Fierce Battle Against a Formidable Foe

Dong Changfeng had cultivated in the mountains since childhood, enduring countless hardships. By chance, he had obtained an ancient secret manual, from which he learned many powerful spells, including the "Heavenly Thunder Curse" he had just unleashed.

He had come in search of the treasure because its fate was inextricably linked to his sect. He understood that if the treasure fell into the hands of villains, it would bring about a catastrophe, so he refused to retreat despite the mounting dangers.

The secret passage wound downward, the cold, damp air sliding across his skin like the icy tongue of a serpent. A sickening, putrid stench filled his nostrils, as if something had been decaying there for a very long time. Dong Changfeng held his breath, his every step echoing faintly; he walked with extreme caution.

Finally, the space opened up, and he arrived in a vast underground chamber. In the center stood a colossal pool of blood, radiating an unsettling, dark red glow like the eyes of a demon. The surrounding walls were covered in eerie runes that seemed ready to writhe and come to life at any moment. The air was thick with the heavy scent of blood, a suffocating shroud that assaulted his nasal passages. Dong Changfeng couldn't help but shiver; the place was so ominous that his scalp tingled, as if countless cold fingers were stroking the back of his neck. He gripped his long sword, the cold touch of the hilt grounding him, and surveyed his surroundings with vigilance, ready for battle.

"Heh heh, Junior Brother Dong, I never expected you to actually find this place!" Suddenly, the cold, mocking voice of Senior Brother Chen emerged from behind a massive boulder, sounding like a frozen blade scraping against ice.

Dong Changfeng’s heart skipped a beat. He spun around to see Senior Brother Chen, Elder Fang, and Junior Brother Zhu standing behind him, their faces twisted in greedy, sinister smiles that looked particularly grotesque in the dim chamber.

"So, you had this planned all along!" Dong Changfeng let out a cold snort. His sword left its scabbard with a shimmering flash, the cold light appearing even more biting under the crimson glow of the blood pool.

"Enough talk! Hand over the treasure, and we will spare your life!" At Senior Brother Chen’s command, the three of them lunged at Dong Changfeng simultaneously.

"You bunch of pathetic wretches think you can steal my treasure? Keep dreaming!" Dong Changfeng sneered. His figure moved like lightning, instantly engaging the three of them in combat. Sword light flickered and blades danced, the chamber filled with the violent sounds of battle. The rhythmic clashing of steel echoed through the room, ringing in his ears.

Just then, a strange phenomenon occurred! Black mist erupted from the blood pool, rapidly coalescing into ghostly monsters. They let out shrill, piercing shrieks—a sound like fingernails clawing across a chalkboard—as they drifted toward Dong Changfeng.

"What the hell are these things?!" Dong Changfeng felt the pressure mount as he dodged the attacks of Senior Brother Chen and his cohorts while simultaneously fending off the spectral entities. These monsters were erratic and impossibly fast, appearing immune to physical strikes; ordinary sword techniques couldn't even leave a scratch on them.

The ghost monsters cackled, their wide, blood-stained maws spraying a cloud of green gas toward Dong Changfeng.

"Oh no!" Dong Changfeng cried out inwardly, scrambling to dodge. The green gas carried a pungent, acidic stench that made his eyes sting, smelling like a mixture of rotten eggs and harsh chemicals. The moment the gas touched his clothes, the fabric sizzled and emitted white smoke. He felt a sharp, burning pain on his skin, as if he had been seared by fire. He quickly circulated his internal energy to shield his body, finally preventing the foul substance from further corroding his handsome face.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Chen let out a triumphant laugh. "Hahaha! Dong Changfeng, so you have your limits! Let's see how arrogant you are now!" With a malicious glint in his eyes, he commanded the ghosts, "Go! Finish him!" His voice boomed through the chamber. The others joined in with cruel laughter; even Junior Brother Zhu, though terrified, forced himself to continue the assault.

Now, caught between enemies, Dong Changfeng’s situation grew dire. The ghosts were elusive and unpredictable, while the three men lurked nearby like predators. He felt like a piece of cake surrounded by flies, utterly exasperated.

"You think I'm a kitten just because I haven't bared my claws?" Dong Changfeng roared. He whirled his sword into a wall of steel, forcing the encroaching ghosts back as the wind from his blade whistled through the air. Seeing an opening, he rapidly formed hand seals, his fingers moving like a blur. Eyes closed, veins bulging on his forehead, he chanted the incantation at breakneck speed, his internal energy causing the very air around him to hum. "Heaven and Earth, Infinite Law! Heavenly Thunder Curse!" In an instant, the runes in the chamber seemed to awaken to his power, shining with a blinding light.

A dazzling bolt of white light erupted from his hands, tearing through the darkness like the first rays of dawn and striking a ghost monster with irresistible force.

"Boom!" With a thunderous explosion, the entire chamber shook violently. The ghost was instantly reduced to ash. The powerful shockwave, like a surging sea, sent Senior Brother Chen and his two companions flying back like fragile leaves. They stared at Dong Changfeng in terror, as if they had witnessed something impossible.

"This... how is this possible?!" Senior Brother Chen’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Dong Changfeng sneered, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. "This is only the beginning!" He surged forward like a released arrow toward Senior Brother Chen.

"You..." Senior Brother Chen’s expression shifted wildly.

Dong Changfeng pounced like a panther. "You little punk, daring to ambush me!" He sneered, throwing a punch that carried a gale of wind, whistling straight at Senior Brother Chen.

Senior Brother Chen blocked in a panic, but the immense force sent him stumbling backward. His arm went numb, as if it were about to snap, and a sharp pain shot through it.

"Damn, he’s strong!" Senior Brother Chen cursed internally, quickly steadying himself and brandishing his sword in a desperate counterattack. However, Dong Changfeng was faster and more agile, slipping through his defenses like an eel.

"Is this it? Is this really all you've got?" Dong Changfeng mocked while dodging. "Your swordsmanship is like an old lady doing Tai Chi—soft and completely lacking in power!"

Senior Brother Chen was so infuriated his eyes turned bloodshot. Like a maddened bull, he abandoned all caution, driven only by the desire to kill Dong Changfeng. Yet, Dong Changfeng easily sidestepped his chaotic strikes, continuing to taunt him.

The two traded blows, sword light flashing and fists flying. Dust swirled in the chamber, creating a miniature cyclone. Dong Changfeng grew more spirited with every exchange, a look of steely resolve in his eyes. Every punch and every strike of his sword carried an unstoppable momentum, like a tiger intent on tearing its prey to shreds. Senior Brother Chen, by contrast, began to falter; his breathing became ragged and heavy, his movements sluggish.

"Bang!" With a dull thud, Dong Changfeng landed a heavy blow on Senior Brother Chen’s chest. He was sent flying, crashing to the ground and vomiting blood, his face deathly pale.

"A chicken like you wants to steal my treasure?" Dong Changfeng brushed the dust from his hands, casting a disdainful glance at the fallen man. He turned, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over the others. Junior Brother Zhu trembled in fear, his body swaying like a leaf in the wind, and Elder Fang’s face grew grim.

"Anyone else not convinced?" Dong Changfeng stood proudly in the center of the chamber, his presence overwhelming.

Just then, a hidden door appeared on the chamber wall. A powerful aura leaked from the crack, tinged with mystery and danger. Dong Changfeng narrowed his eyes, a surge of curiosity rising within him. He walked slowly toward the hidden door and reached out...

"Click."