Chapter 12: Dead End

Li Miao opened his eyes, but did not return the gesture. He said indifferently, "I am just a wanderer of the martial arts world, with no fame to speak of. It is only natural that the Guild Leader does not recognize me."

"Li Miao, at your service."

Lao Qifeng searched his memory, but found nothing, which only made him feel more perplexed. He naturally did not believe that Yin Minjun was truly withdrawing. The change in her attitude must have stemmed from these "two martial arts friends."

However, experts in the martial arts world usually make a name for themselves in their twenties. Li Miao looked to be in his early thirties; if he had achieved success in internal energy, the nourishment of his vital energy would make him appear younger, meaning he might be even older. To be obscure at thirty-something—what kind of person could he be?

It was common knowledge that for someone like Li Miao to cultivate in Shuntian Prefecture and actually succeed was highly unconventional. The logic was simple: if you don’t fight, how do you learn to fight? Cultivating in isolation cannot produce a true expert. While internal energy can be honed alone, techniques must be tempered through countless battles. No one had ever heard of someone becoming a master simply by following a manual and practicing against a wooden dummy.

By their twenties, one's techniques should be proficient, and continuing to train in seclusion within a sect offers little room for improvement. Thus, sects throughout the world generally send their disciples down the mountain in their twenties to gain experience. Walking the path of the martial arts world inevitably leads to conflict, and conflict is where techniques are honed. After such a journey, one should break free from the rigid, formulaic constraints of their early training.

Lao Qifeng, feeling curious, decided to test him. "Master Li, please forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of your name."

"Since we are entering the tomb together tomorrow, perhaps you could share what kind of martial arts you excel in? It would help us understand each other and provide better cover when the time comes."

Li Miao laughed. "As I said, I am just a wanderer, unknown and unremarkable. I am but a common idler."

"I am merely an old acquaintance of the Hengshan Sect, and as I happened to be passing by, Elder Yin invited me to join in the excitement. I will not get in anyone’s way."

"As for my martial arts..." Li Miao waved his hands in the air, creating a sharp whistling sound. "Just some ordinary hard-style training. Nothing worth mentioning."

Lao Qifeng took a look; it was indeed a mediocre hard-style technique, barely reaching the standard of a second-rate fighter in the martial arts world. Reassured, he exchanged a few polite words and said no more. *Perhaps he really is just an old acquaintance of the Hengshan Sect. I wonder what great favor he did for them to be treated with such respect.*

*Regardless, as long as his martial arts are poor, there is no need to pay him much attention. Once inside the tomb, hidden from the sun, we shall see who truly has the mettle.*

An hour later, the group finally reached an agreement.

Tomorrow, each faction would send five experts of second-rate level or higher. Independent experts, provided they were at least second-rate, could also join. Once inside, they would look out for one another to explore the tomb. Once the "Wedding Dress Divine Skill" was found, it would be up to everyone’s own ability. Whoever could carry the manual out of the tomb gate would be the rightful owner. Once outside the gate, no one was permitted to fight for it.

The others would remain outside, guarding the perimeter and forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. With the outcome settled, regardless of whether it was favorable or not, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They bid farewell to Yin Minjun and returned to prepare their men.

The next day, the group gathered at the tomb entrance. The Beggar Sect, the Cao Guild, Emei, Qingcheng, and Kongtong each sent five people, along with three independent first-rate experts. Together with Li Miao, Yongjie, and Yin Minjun, a total of thirty-one people were chosen to enter.

It was already late, so the group took some dry rations and water before walking into the tomb. Li Miao and his two companions followed at the rear.

As soon as they entered, Yin Minjun couldn't help but shudder. The walls and floor of the tomb passage were covered in a dense, crawling carpet of insects! Those walking in the front, caught off guard, made a "squelching" sound underfoot as they trampled countless bugs.

No matter how high her martial arts were, Yin Minjun was still a woman, and she felt a natural fear of insects. She instinctively shrank behind Li Miao. This was not because she had come to rely on him after only two days. Firstly, Deng Boxuan had sung Li Miao's praises so highly that even if Yin Minjun believed only a fraction, Li Miao was still a rare hero. Secondly, when Li Miao had stopped her from kneeling the day before, he had used his internal energy to support her from a distance. As a first-rate expert, she could perceive the vastness of that energy. Martial artists always respect the truly powerful. Combined, it was no wonder Yin Minjun felt a subconscious sense of admiration for him.

Li Miao smiled silently and flicked a strand of vital energy toward her neck. It was the same "Ice Soul Palm" he had used in Tai'an City to calm Jiao Qingfeng, chilling and biting. Yin Minjun shivered, and her nerves steadied.

"Elder Yin is a renowned first-rate expert, yet you fear insects?" Li Miao laughed.

"You make a fool of me, sir..." Yin Minjun’s face flushed slightly. The Hengshan Sect was composed mostly of women—a rare sight in the martial arts world. She had joined in her youth, and while she was beautiful, she had never been involved with men. Furthermore, her talent was exceptional, she had earned fame at a young age, and she held a high position; few men in the martial arts world caught her eye. Li Miao’s martial arts were unfathomable, he had been praised to the heavens by her Sect Leader, and he possessed a heroic appearance. He was a rare man who could completely surpass her. Hearing his playful teasing, she felt a trace of shyness.

"No matter. However, this is the Tomb of the Miao King. Beyond this point, common poisonous insects will be the least of your worries—I fear even *gu* insects would not be a surprise."

"Elder Yin, you should prepare yourself mentally so you do not lose your composure and get hurt when the time comes," Li Miao said with a smile.

"Understood..." Yin Minjun replied softly.

The group moved forward and soon reached the point where the previous scouts had been forced to retreat. Here, the insects were not mere pests but poisonous creatures that would actively attack. Fortunately, the people who had entered were at least second-rate experts. They struck in succession, and within moments, the ground was cleared of poisonous bugs.

However, there was no path forward. Lao Qifeng stepped up to inspect the obstacle: a massive stone slab, chiseled perfectly flat, clearly placed by the tomb’s architect as a barrier. He channeled his internal energy and struck the stone with his palm.

*Boom!*

The force was immense, sending stone dust flying and leaving a palm print on the surface. Lao Qifeng frowned. The slab was a single, solid piece, and by the sound of it, it was three or four feet thick. Such thickness could not be breached by human force in a short time. He looked around, struck the surrounding walls a few times, contemplated for a moment, and turned back.

"This is likely not a dead end. I suspect there is a mechanism to open this stone wall. Let us each explore the surrounding chambers and see if we can discover anything."