Chapter 27 - A Barrier to Entry

The newly exposed structure within the crater was grand indeed.

In Xin Jin's opinion, the building resembled a scaled down version, roughly half the size, of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt.

However, the most obvious difference between the two, aside from the size, was that the Inheritance Tomb seemed to be constructed out of some type of Black Marble or Granite stone that was polished to a spectacular shine.

The causeway leading to the entrance was also paved from equally striking polished white limestone blocks that were clearly over a Ton each, and lined on either side with massive stele approximately 10 meters tall each at 5 meter intervals, all of which had intricate engravings of climactic battles between Gods and Devils as well as a number of protective formations.

Xin Jin wasn't disappointed with the size of the Tomb, as he knew based on his previous lifes knowledge that such a structure was more than likely just the surface level window dressing.

In all likelihood there was an extensive network of tunnels, chambers, and deadly traps across multiple levels either underground or in some sort of Pocket Realm created solely to house all the treasures contained within.

In fact, He would be quite disappointed in whoever the Inheritance Tomb belonged to if what they were all seeing was the true full extent of the Tomb given the nature of the Lower Daemon Realm as a world of cultivation. Surely, anyone with enough wealth and power to warrant such a place would be able to build something truly incredible.

"Well, shall we see what's inside?" Xin Jin said to his group with an excited expression.

However, before anybody was able to respond to his question, a voice that sounded like it was dripping in arrogance and malice sounded out from within the extensive crowd, one which Xin Jin, Luo Mei and Gu Xian'er recognized all too well.

"Tch, I had expected you to be some ignorant peasant, but even I, in all my wisdom never imagined you to be so stupid as to assume you could just walk right in, Xin Jin."

With a deep frown, Xin Jin turned to see the approaching Huo Shaoyang as he forced his way through the crowd with a wicked sneer, much to the chagrin of those he so rudely pushed past, ignoring their cries of dissatisfaction.

Xin Jin, for the most part, was quite irritated that this waste of humanity would directly seek him and his group out only to begin hurling insults as soon as he opened his foul mouth.

However, instead of biting back in an equally venomous manner, he chose a more tactful approach.

"Sigh," With a stoic expression, Xin Jin decided to try and pry some information out of Huo Shaoyang,"Then pray tell, Young Master Huo, why can't we enter the Tomb?"

Instead of directly answering his question, Huo Shaoyang simply nodded with his chin towards one of the disciples from the Holy Dragon Fire Sect that had accompanied him.

A moment later, the disciple bent over, pick up a palm sized stone before throwing it without much force towards the direction of the Inheritance Tomb.

However, when it reached a distance that was in line with the lip of the crater, the stone suddenly struck some form of illusory barrier, stopping dead in its tracks.

Just as the stone hit the barrier, Xin Jin and the others could just make out small ripples on the surface before quickly fading.

"See?" Huo Shaoyang said with a smug grin,"If it were so easy to get in, why would any of us still be standing around outside?"

"So, what then, everyone is stuck outside without a way forward?" Xin Jin patiently asked, knowing that those with personalities similar to Huo Shaoyang loved boasting about their insight the most.

"Obviously not." Young Master Huo said while shaking his head.

"You see that Stele over there?" He said while pointing to a Stele that was bigger than the others and which sat directly in front of the large double doors that served as the entrance to the tomb.

When Xin Jin turned his gaze in its direction, he suddenly noticed that it wasn't just bigger, but that the engravings also radiated with a soft golden light that seemed to be slowly fading from top to bottom over time.

"It's a timer." Xin Jin stated without waiting for Huo Shaoyang to continue his explanation.

"Tch, At least it seems you CAN use your brain. Yes, it's a timer. The barrier won't be completely gone until sunrise tomorrow morning." Huo Shaoyang stated while also taking another jab at Xin Jin.

"I see. Well then I suppose we'll be camping out for the night." Xin Jin said to his followers before preparing to find a place, any place, as long as it was far enough from Huo Shaoyang and his band of minions.

Just as Xin Jin and his group were about to leave, Huo Shaoyang finally took notice of the others behind him, and when he noticed one person in particular, he nearly lost his mind from anger.

"Gu Xian'er! What in the hells are you doing following this trash, Xin Jin!?" Huo Shaoyang yelled with a number of veins popping out of his forehead and neck while releasing his spirit energy to the limit, causing those who were too weak to stumble back and fall.

Gu Xian'er merely glanced at him with a look of contempt before grasping Xin Jin's hand before speaking words that baffled all those present that knew of this Gu family Young Miss,"What does it have to do with you whether I follow my Husband or not, Huo Shaoyang?"

Gasp!

The sound of audible gasps spread through the surrounding crowd as Huo Shaoyang seemed to alternate between shades of red and green, looking like he couldn't decide between rage and disbelief.

"H-husband!?" Young Master Huo croaked with a hoarse voice,"No...no no, it's not possible! You must have been deceived! Yes! You're being deceived by this bastards good looks!" He yelled in outrage, completely unwilling to accept that someone such as Gu Xian'er, whom he had been pursuing for years would fall for this...dandy peasant!

"Men! Kill this son of a whore and drag this bitch back to our camp! It seems she is in need of a lesson on the difference in status!"

However, before anybody from the Holy Dragon Fire Sect could even pull their weapons out, a massive amount of Spirit Energy crashed into them, freezing them in place.