493: Stone Guardians

Stone Guardians

The large group of disciples gathered outside the labyrinth entrance were mostly first and second years, or the weaker third and fourth year disciples. The guardians at the entrance of the labyrinth were far too great a task for the weaker disciples to handle. With the restriction of six disciples taking on the guardians at one time, strength was the only thing that mattered.0

Some of the groups had attempted to try their luck regardless, to devastating consequences. Many disciples were injured to some extent, while some had lost limbs, or almost died. The guardians did not pull their punches, and watching some of the disciples nearly lose their lives discouraged most watching.

Occasionally a group of stronger disciples, mainly from the third and fourth year class would take on the guardians and pass by. Envious gazes would stare at those groups, as all they could do was gaze. 

"Gah!"

"Retreat!"

Frenzied cries rang out from the entrance of the labyrinth as a group of disciples was attempting to enter. They were second and third years, and had cultivations at the very initial stage of Early the Heaven Tribulation realm. However, even that wasn't enough, and they were overwhelmed by the guardians.

John arrived before the labyrinth entrance, which was a large bridge that led directly into the heart of the labyrinth. The bridge was twenty yards wide and one hundred yards long. He arrived at the entrance of the bridge, but found his body stopped by an invisible formation.

"That's the restriction I was talking about," Chase said to John from behind. "We will only be able to enter when the group in front of us retreats, or enters the labyrinth."

"I guess we wait then," John replied casually while the rest of the group stood behind him.

Their arrival caught the interested gazes of the other groups behind them. Some of the expressions were that of intrigue, while others were amused or mocking.

"Rayen and his group are on the bridge right now, are all at the Early Heaven Tribulation Realm, and still can't get by…yet this group wants to enter?" one of the second years mocked while staring at John's group.

This youth had attempted to enter but was forced back by the guardians, causing his mood to be incredibly sour. 

"They're just first years who know nothing," another replied before his gaze locked onto Gerrid. "Wait…isn't that Gerrid? Why the hell is he helping those weak first years?"

"Gerrid? You're right. What the hell is he doing with them?"

"Who knows. Maybe one of them is from a rich family and paid him to help them enter," another in the group spoke up.

Bang!

A disciple from the bridge flew out of the restriction zone as he was attacked by one of the stone guardians. His body tumbled over several times before coming to a stop, and the five other disciples quickly retreated as well.

The stone guardians returned to their locations directly in front of the labyrinth, awaiting the next challengers. 

"Goddamnit," a disciple from the group that had just failed, cursed out angrily. "We were so close, but still failed. Damn it all."

John's group glanced at the group that had just failed, before John started walking forward.

"Let's go. Stay close to me and just walk behind me," John instructed as he moved forward. 

The others nodded their heads and followed behind John. They all felt themselves cross over the formation boundary, and the stone guardians quickly took note of the new arrivals. Their lifeless eyes lit up with a green light as they started moving towards the group.

Heavenly Lightning Domain!

John activated his domain as hundreds of lightning nodes sprung up in the sky. He focused his mind on the task at hand, and continuous beams of lightning started snaking from one node the next, lighting up the entire area around him.

Before long, hundreds of continuous lightning beams linked together to form a five layered cage around the group. The lightning cage caught the attention of all those outside, as they stared at it in slight awe.

"The Heavenly Lightning Domain," several disciples called out, as most of them knew how to use this domain. However, the amount of power as well as profundity of the lightning was shocking to them.

Not only that, but the Heavenly Lightning Domain was used to attack at random from many different locations, which could be used to surprise opponents and overwhelm them. Using it like this, where each node was being continuously used to form a cage would be incredibly taxing on one's essence reserves. Not only did it drain a lot of Qi, but it also required an immense amount of Qi throughput to do as well. It was something many the other disciples knew they were unable to do, and those that could do it would only be able to maintain it for less than a minute.

"Is it Gerrid's lightning domain?" a disciple asked as they all inspected it closer.

"No…it's not his…it's the first year boy at the front of the group…how is this possible?" many called out in shock, unable to believe that a Meridian Forging disciple could have such powerful Qi.

Adam, Chase, and Iris looked around in all directions as they stared in awe at the lightning cage. Gerrid's expression was mostly neutral, as he had already seen the cage before.

"So this is how we're getting by?" Adam asked with a valiant look on his face and his chest puffed out. "I figured we would fight the guardians!"

"You're more than welcome to try," John replied as he opened a small hole in the lightning cage and gestured for Adam to leave.

Adam's prideful expression quickly turned into one of panic as he took a step back and waved his hands.

"No. No. No. This is your moment to shine. I won't take it away from you," Adam replied.

"Shameless," Iris spat out at Adam, causing him to look at her with a frown.

"What? If you wanna fight then let's fight!" Iris said to Adam, displeased by the look on his face.

Adam opened his mouth as if to say something, but decided against it as he fell into silence.

John continued to steadily move forward, and soon they arrived before the four stone guardians. The guardians each held a different stone weapon, and they all slashed down on the lightning cage at the same time with incredibly powerful attacks.

Bang!

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