Inside the depths of the maze…
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the stone corridor, steady and rhythmic. Julian led the group with a confident pace, his robe flowing behind him as if pushed forward by his unwavering momentum. His sharp eyes scanned the path ahead, occasionally flicking back to ensure his group was keeping pace.
Behind him followed four others—his handpicked team of cultivators, each chosen not only for their cultivation base, but for their reliability. Julian wasn't the type to suffer fools, not even in a trial meant to test cunning over strength.
"Hold," Julian said abruptly, raising a hand.
The others stopped without a word.
Julian crouched, examining the floor ahead. "There's a qi disturbance here," he said, his voice calm and clipped. "An active formation."
