17 Chapter 17: Monument

Chapter 17: Monument

"Village Leader," Jiang Lei spoke calmly, his eyes fixed on the barrier, "could you share more about this barrier's history? How long has it been here, and what do you know about how it was made?"

Bai Zheng's expression shifted, a blend of seriousness and fatigue evident in his eyes. He gazed at the shimmering barrier momentarily before meeting Jiang Lei's eyes.

His voice carried a sense of helplessness as he began to tell a story that spanned many years.

"Our village has been trapped within this barrier for longer than anyone can recall," Bai Zheng explained. "The barrier's existence stretches back farther than anyone's memory, generation after generation living within its confines. Its origins reach beyond even the oldest tales in our village."

Jiang Lei listened attentively, grasping at every detail. The Village Leader's words wove a narrative that was tightly intertwined with their very existence.

He had expected the barrier to be made recently, but the reality was far more intricate than he was intially thinking.

Zheng's gaze turned distant as he continued, a tinge of sadness coloring his voice. 'Legends speak of an ancient pact formed to shield our village from external threats."

The barrier was created to safeguard us but turned into a prison.Its creator remained a mystery, and all our efforts to breach it have failed.

Jiang Lei's brow furrowed, trying to understand the situation. The barrier had been part of the village's existence for countless generations, but its true purpose remained hidden.

He shifted his gaze towards the monument.

In the midst of the village's uncertainty, the monument stood as a connection to the past. Its carvings shared stories of earlier times, reminding the villagers of their history. As Jiang Lei looked at the monument, he felt drawn to it.

Turning his attention back to Bai Zheng, Jiang Lei's curiosity extended to the monument before them. "Village Leader," he inquired, "does this monument held any significance to the barrier?"

"You're right, the monument is as old as the barrier itself. However, the monument's origins are as shrouded in mystery as the barrier that entraps our village. For generations, we have sought to discover its purpose, but none of our generations could come up with any clue about its origin."

"We could not even come close to the monument."

Jiang Lei's curiosity deepened. The fact that no one could even approach the monument increased his curiosity towards the monument ."Why is it that you can't come close to the monument?" he asked.

Bai Zheng's expression grew solemn. "Whenever anyone attempts to approach the monument, a powerful force repels them," he explained.

"It's as if there's an invisible boundary that we cannot cross. Our attempts to touch or even study the monument have all met with failure."

The mysterious nature of the monument mirrored that of the barrier, and Jiang Lei couldn't help but wonder if there is a connection between both.

"It seems both the monument and the barrier hold secrets that have eluded your village for generations," he murmured.

"Indeed," he agreed. "Perhaps you may uncover the truth behind the monument. If there's anyone who can break through these mysteries, it might be only you, Jiang Lei."

"I will try to approach the monument, just as I did with the barrier. Perhaps there's a clue hidden within its engravings that can help us to get the solution of our problem ."

Bai Zheng regarded Jiang Lei with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "Jiang lei ,Your willingness to help us, despite being a newcomer, is commendable. But please, be cautious. The forces involving in this is beyond our imagination."

Jiang Lei offered a reassuring smile. "I will on guard, Village Leader. The more I understand about it, the more I understand how careful I should be.

Jiang Lei walked slowly, step by step, getting closer to the old monument that stood like a guardian of forgotten times.

The carvings on its surface held secrets that intrigued him, and he couldn't resist his curiosity.

The air around him felt heavy, and an odd pressure pushed down on him, getting stronger with every step. He frowned, a mix of interest and annoyance showing on his face.

"This monument is very unique," Jiang Lei said to himself, speaking softly in the quietness around him. He kept moving forward, looking at the intricate designs on the stone.

When he attempted to reach the monument, he felt a shock through his fingers, causing him to pull back in surprise. His heart raced, "The pressure... it's like the monument has senses," he thought, full of wonder.

"This force, it's as if the monument is challenging me,"he said, his voice full of astonishment.

With each step he took, the pressure got stronger, testing him. As he got closer, the pressure reached its highest point, a strong burst of power that almost overwhelmed him.

The pressure surrounding him was unlike anything he had ever felt, an unseen force that pushed down on him heavily. His steps became slow and difficult, as if his body had turned into something heavy and hard to move.

Using the power he had gained from his cultivation level—the Fifth Layer of the Mortal Realm—he attempted to use it against the strong force that hindered him. He put all his strength into it, and his body shook from the effort.

Jiang Lei's technique, which he had practiced a lot, helped him at this time. He used his ember steps. Suddenly, he was able to move forward quickly. He crossed thirty steps in almost no time.

Even with all his efforts, the monument was still seventy steps away. It was a very long distance that seemed impossible to cross.

Jiang Lei's struggle was clear—he looked tired, breathed heavily, and his heart beat fast. But he didn't give up. He wanted to move forward.

Jiang Lei's struggle continued, as he forced himself to take another nineteen steps. Each step felt like an immense effort, his determination the only thing propelling him forward.

The distance between him and the monument slowly closed, until he was just fifty steps away—the closest he had been so far.

But then, as he attempted to take that crucial step, the force that had hindered him before intensified exponentially. It was as if an invisible wall of pressure crashed into him, a force so overwhelming that it felt like his entire body was being crushed from all sides.

"Boom"

The force was so intense that he stumbled and crashed to the ground with a loud thud.

"Crack""Crack"

The sound of bones cracking echoed in the air as Jiang Lei's body bore the brunt of the force.

"pooh"

Blood surged into his mouth, his body unable to withstand the pressure that had surged to an unbearable level.

Struggling to move, every inch of his being in agony, Jiang Lei's vision blurred as he coughed violently.

Blood spattered onto the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably from the immense strain. He realized that he had pushed himself too far.

In that moment of pain and desperation, Jiang Lei's mind raced. He understood the harsh reality—he had underestimated the monument's power. It was a force beyond his comprehension, and he had paid a heavy price for his ambition.

Lying on the ground, his breath ragged, Jiang Lei clenched his fists in frustration. Despite his determination, he had come face to face with his limitations.

He looked towards the monument which seems to close but still too far His eyes burning with determination.

"I've never accepted defeat, and a mere monument will not defeat me."