Chapter 12 The Map Hypothesis

The Stone Fiend was not large, no bigger than a calf at most. Its body was slender, its claws unusually sharp, and after its death, its corpse rapidly turned to stone. Only from the severed part could one glimpse a faint red glow.

Wei Cheng’s heart stirred—could it be a Flame Stone?

He fetched a pickaxe and shattered the Stone Fiend’s corpse; sure enough, a fist-sized Flame Stone was nestled within. So, the Flame Stone was in fact the crystallized heart of the dead Stone Fiend.

Wei Cheng began to piece things together. Was this so-called mine actually the ancestral burial ground of the Stone Fiend clan? Earlier, Shen Qianshan had dug up a Flame Stone, and his previous encounter with a sudden attack was likely because he triggered a Flame Stone. Yet, there were other ores here, suggesting more than one Stone Fiend—and perhaps more than one type. Red for males, green for females?

He quickly banished this idle speculation and glanced at the others, who were still absorbed in their cultivation, wholly unaware of what had just transpired. This was something to be wary of; these novices didn’t even know to keep someone on guard.

On the other hand, given their circumstances, everyone was racing against time to cultivate—they couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.

He turned his gaze inward. Instead of meridians, now he saw the Mountain-Moving Visualization Diagram. Its power was immense; whether in attack or defense, his overall strength had increased four or fivefold. Yet, the diagram did not affect the quantity or quality of his Mountain-Moving inner force. He still possessed two cycles and thirty years of inner force, no different from the others in this respect.

Thus, he had to keep training, aiming for three cycles of inner force and the opening of the third innate meridian.

After a moment’s thought, Wei Cheng circled the mine. As expected, the space had four tunnels in the cardinal directions, but apart from the one already cleared, the other three were blocked.

In the vast mine where the Spider Fiend had dwelled, two tunnels remained sealed.

Wei Cheng analyzed the situation and shook his head. He was certain that the two blocked tunnels in the Spider Fiend’s cave did not lead to the Bat Fiend’s cave.

“This place has a strange layout,” Wei Cheng mused, eyeing the three sealed tunnels. One of them had previously echoed with the sound of a Flame Stone explosion—there must be someone in that direction. Yet, if they cleared the tunnel and proceeded, it might not be a joyful reunion.

“What if we clear the remaining tunnels in the Spider Fiend’s cave?”

---

“If the Spider Fiend’s cave is the first level and the Bat Fiend’s cave is the second, then clearing the way might put me right behind someone else,” Wei Cheng pondered, unable to reach a definite conclusion. He tried pressing his ear to the stone walls of each sealed tunnel, but heard nothing.

Eventually, he returned to his spot and resumed cultivating the Mountain-Moving technique with the others. Though he had delayed for quite some time, his cultivation speed was now extraordinary, circulating his inner force with the mountain’s momentum from the visualization diagram. Each cycle was more than half again faster than the others, and the inner force gained was nearly twenty percent greater.

This slight advantage, accumulated over time, would naturally become overwhelming.

Thus, about three days later, as Baldy, Yu Liang, Hu Hailong, Wang Wei, Cheng An and the others successively cultivated two cycles of Mountain-Moving inner force and broke through their second innate meridian, Wei Cheng was already ahead by half a day, having achieved three cycles and opened the third meridian.

He had finally attained a height unreachable by the others, and the gap between them was fully widened.

However, this was only within their own team. If other teams existed, surely someone would have claimed the first touch on the transmission monument, receiving the miraculous light and gaining powerful spirit. If they focused, they might also obtain a visualization diagram.

So, he had to keep forging ahead.

“Wei, should we keep waiting?” Yu Liang asked, eager and restless. With two cycles of inner force and the second meridian opened, he felt his strength had surpassed his previous limits, and with the first layer of Iron Shirt, his confidence soared. He was especially irritated by Zhang Yong and Han Dong, still cultivating.

Damn it, “Violet Qi From the East Society,” just thinking about it made him angry.

“Let them finish cultivating; we’ll clear the tunnel meanwhile, so neither task is delayed,” Wei Cheng replied, glancing at Zhang Yong and Han Dong. Their progress in the Purple Mist technique was slow; given the same amount of time, they had barely managed forty years of inner force.

“But let’s be clear: we must be tolerant of each other. Our team originally had three professions, now only two remain. The upcoming levels will only get harder; we cannot afford internal strife.”

“Yes, we’ll do as you say, Wei,” Yu Liang and the others quickly agreed.

Just then, Cheng An asked, “Wei, which tunnel do we clear? I recall two blocked tunnels in the Spider Fiend’s cave, but judging by their direction, they don’t lead here. Should we clear those first?”

“Honestly, I just have a habit from gaming—can’t stand seeing uncleared maps and question marks on side quests,” Cheng An’s words prompted laughter; it was true.

But Wei Cheng shook his head. “I was the first to touch the transmission monument in the Spider Fiend’s cave—the light shone on me for two seconds. In the Bat Fiend’s cave, the monument appeared similar, but the light lasted three seconds. Also, check for yourselves: isn’t the technique from the second monument slightly superior?”

“So, we can’t return to the Spider Fiend’s cave. Of the three sealed tunnels here, based on probability, one should lead to a higher-level checkpoint; the other two might go to similar-level checkpoints. Remember, each monument has ten slots, but a team starts with fifty people.”

Everyone was suddenly enlightened by Wei Cheng’s explanation.

“Let’s clear this one first.”

---

Wei Cheng pointed to the tunnel directly opposite the Spider Fiend’s cave; the other tunnel had once echoed with explosions. In a straight line, it was more likely to lead to the next level.

Without further ado, nine people began clearing the blocked tunnel.

Their state now was wholly different from before. Back then, Zhang Yong was a reckless bully, “Violet Qi From the East Society” was in its prime, and those cultivating Mountain-Moving had to endure bullying and toil, always on edge.

Now, the tables had turned.

Zhang Yong and Han Dong, still laboring over their cultivation, while the others had already reached two cycles of inner force—if they could clear the tunnel and touch the transmission monument before them, wouldn’t that be ideal?

Everyone worked diligently; in less than half a day, they had cleared over thirty meters. Based on experience, the end must be near.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yong and Han Dong still needed two more days to reach two cycles and open the second meridian.

“Let’s rest for now. Hu Hailong, go over there and call Zhang Yong and Han Dong when they finish this cycle,” Wei Cheng instructed. With his current strength, he was confident, but he knew caution was wise. With only eleven left, it would be foolish to divide their fighting strength further.

Seeing Wei Cheng’s command, the others remained silent; his reputation as an easy-going leader was not yet challenged.

About two hours later, Hu Hailong summoned Zhang Yong and Han Dong. Both were only ten years shy of two cycles.

“I don’t get why you’re in such a rush,” Zhang Yong grumbled, but quickly looked to Wei Cheng. “Of course, Wei, I don’t mean you.”

“Yu Liang, Hu Hailong, Cheng An—you guys think I don’t know what’s on your minds? Isn’t it obvious? I messed up before, and so many died; I admit I bear some responsibility. Now we’re down to eleven; shouldn’t we be more careful? If Han Dong and I open the second meridian, we’ll stabilize the situation. If need be, I’ll forego the monument.”

Zhang Yong’s tirade was loud enough to make Baldy signal him to hush, but no Stone Fiend was drawn.

Wei Cheng was already prepared to intervene if necessary.

A long silence followed.

“Wei, what’s your opinion?” Han Dong, usually reserved, suddenly asked.