THE CELESTIAL PATH

Chapter 15: CONFRONTATION ON THE MOUNTAIN

Chapter 15: "Confrontation on the Mountain"

The three friends, Liè Rén, Qián Chén, and Xiǎo Lóng, finally reached the mountain after hours of navigating through treacherous terrain. They had been searching for the rare Golden Lotus herb, said to have powerful healing properties, and Fǎ Xiān needed it for a potion.

As they approached the area where the herb was supposed to grow, they noticed another group of cultivators standing about 200 meters away, opposite them. The group consisted of five men and women, all wearing the same uniform and emblem of a nearby sect.

"Ah, looks like we're not the only ones after the Golden Lotus," Qián Chén said, his eyes narrowing.

The leader of the other group, a tall and muscular man, stepped forward. "You're just a bunch of insignificant cultivators. We're from the nearby sect, and we have the authority to take the herb. Hand it over, and we might spare your lives."

Liè Rén's eyes flashed with anger. "We're not going to give it to you. We were here first, and we need it for our master's potion."

The sect leader sneered. "Your master? Ha! Our sect is far more powerful than any master of yours. Hand over the herb, or face the consequences."

The two groups stood facing each other, the tension between them palpable. Liè Rén, Qián Chén, and Xiǎo Lóng knew they couldn't back down, not when they had come so far and risked so much. But the sect group was larger and more experienced, and they had the authority of their sect behind them.

"We're not afraid of you," Xiǎo Lóng said, his voice steady. "We'll fight if we have to."

The sect leader laughed. "You think you can take on us? We'll crush you like the insignificant bugs you are."

With that, the two groups charged at each other, their weapons at the ready. The battle for the Golden Lotus had begun.

The battle began with a flurry of martial arts techniques, both sides exchanging blows and displaying their skills.

Liè Rén, with his fire affinity, unleashed a powerful "Dragon's Fury" punch, aiming for the sect leader's chest. However, the leader was too quick and dodged it with ease, counterattacking with a "Wind Blade" s***h, which Liè Rén barely blocked with his arm.

Qián Chén, with his water affinity, used his "River Flow" technique, creating a wave of water that crashed into one of the sect members, momentarily stunning him. However, another sect member, at Chi Gathering Stage 1, retaliated with a "Thunderclap" strike, sending Qián Chén flying backward.

Xiǎo Lóng, with his wood affinity, employed his "Tree Root" stance, anchoring himself firmly to the ground and absorbing the impact of an incoming attack. He then countered with a "Vine Whip" strike, entwining his opponent and restricting their movement.

The sect leader, impressed by the trio's skills, called upon his two Chi Gathering Stage 1 members to join the fray. One of them, a tall and muscular man, unleashed a "Mountain Crusher" technique, generating a massive shockwave that sent Liè Rén and Qián Chén stumbling backward. The other, a woman with a cold gaze, used her "Ice Shard" technique, summoning a hail of icy projectiles that Xiǎo Lóng barely deflected with his wood affinity.

Despite being outnumbered, the trio refused to yield, their determination and teamwork allowing them to hold their ground against the sect's relentless assault. The battle raged on, each side trading blows and showcasing their unique martial arts techniques.