The Mountain and River Map clearly showed where treasures were located, where dangers lay, and what kinds of monsters were present.
Even the number of monsters blocking the path was marked with red dots.
It was precisely this ability that allowed him to kill so many pursuers in the Fulong Mountain Range.
Now, this powerful ability was proving its worth once again.
However, he didn’t want to pave the way for others, so he decided to let Bai Feifei choose a path first, then follow.
If she chose the same path, he would go along.
If not, even better.
Leng Hao, being close to Ling Xiao, could see the strange inscriptions flickering in Ling Xiao’s eyes, as if analysing something.
He was inwardly amazed, understanding why his master had urged him to befriend Ling Xiao. This guy was simply too powerful and mysterious, following him was indeed the right choice.
Bai Feifei’s face was grim. Despite her high cultivation, she had no experience with such a maze and felt completely out of her depth.
“Heh, these ten paths must be extremely dangerous. It’s better if we don’t split up, sticking together is safer,” Tantai Lingzi suddenly said with a smile.
“Senior Sister Tantai, I beg to differ,” Ling Xiao shook his head. “If we all stick together and encounter trouble, we might all be wiped out. How about this: with eleven of us, we split into two teams? I’ll take Dai Yuling and Leng Hao, and the rest of you form another team. That way, we won’t get on each other’s nerves.”
Though he didn’t want everyone to take the same path, he also didn’t want too many teams.
Splitting into two teams like this was ideal, as it reduced the chance of the other team choosing the path he wanted.
No one opposed this suggestion.
After all, Bai Feifei’s group had more people and greater strength.
The teams quickly divided, and Bai Feifei’s group left first.
Ling Xiao then entered one of the paths.
Just as the two teams entered their respective paths, a figure appeared at the entrance.
The figure was blurry, as if made of smoke, its features impossible to discern, but its size suggested it was human.
The figure hesitated briefly at the entrance before following Ling Xiao’s path.
…
As Ling Xiao and his team entered the path, a foul stench hit them, carried by a gust of wind so repulsive it made them want to turn back.
The cave was filled with eerie gusts and strange noises that sent chills down their spines.
Ling Xiao had Dai Yuling and Leng Hao follow behind him, as he could clearly see the situation in the path.
The foul wind was caused by countless venomous snakes, densely packed and hair-raising.
Though the snakes varied in appearance, they all bore the same dark green inscriptions.
“That’s a venom array!”
This array, embedded in the bodies of venomous creatures, could amplify their poison by more than double.
The strength of the effect depended on the array’s quality and materials.
The venom arrays on these snakes boosted their poison by about three times. If bitten, except for Ling Xiao, the other two would be in serious trouble.
“Ling Xiao, leave this to me!”
Dai Yuling knew she couldn’t handle powerful monsters, so these level two or three beasts were perfect for her.
A cherry tree martial soul appeared behind her, scattering pollen.
The pollen drifted among the snakes, causing them to grow drowsy and lose their fighting ability.
Indeed, Dai Yuling’s cultivation and combat methods had evolved uniquely, which was intriguing.
Ling Xiao had been somewhat worried, but now he was reassured.
Among the snakes, a tiny golden snake, no longer than a thumb, lay silently behind a rock, observing the three intruders.
Unbeknownst to it, Ling Xiao had already noticed its presence.
This snake was a level seven beast, with a venom array that amplified its poison by about ten times. A single bite would instantly kill Dai Yuling or Leng Hao.
Thanks to Dai Yuling handling the other snakes, Ling Xiao could focus on this golden snake.
The moment the other snakes were nearly all asleep, the golden snake struck.
It moved with incredible speed, darting towards Dai Yuling’s throat.
Whoosh!
A flash of sword light, like lightning, pierced the tiny golden snake in an instant.
Thud!
The snake fell to the ground, twitched a few times, and went still.
Ordinary weapons might struggle to kill such a snake, but Ling Xiao’s flying swords were rare treasures, all sharing one trait: speed!
“Increases sword control technique speed by double! Increases flying sword speed by double!”
Though they lacked special abilities, their enhancement effects surpassed even Ling Xiao’s treasured swords.
Ling Xiao was very satisfied with these flying swords.
He used them primarily for surprise attacks, rarely in direct combat, so speed was critical for their effectiveness.
A rare treasure was a rare treasure, and with Ling Xiao’s sword control technique at the bronze scroll level, its power was comparable to top-tier gold-grade martial arts. If it couldn’t kill a level seven beast, it might as well be sold for scrap.
“Thank you!” Dai Yuling said, still shaken.
“No need, we’re teammates, we help each other,” Ling Xiao replied.
Leng Hao was even more astonished.
Ling Xiao’s skills were not only powerful but also versatile, far beyond what an ordinary martial artist could compare to.
“While the snakes are unconscious, let’s move forward!”
Ling Xiao felt something strange, as if someone was following him. But after calculating, there were only eleven disciples left, and he was familiar with all their auras. Yet, the aura of this pursuer was different.
It felt unsettling.
The aura was faint and intermittent, sometimes making him think he was imagining it.
But with his cautious nature, Ling Xiao tampered with the golden snake’s corpse while handling it.
Then, he continued forward with Dai Yuling and Leng Hao.
…
Not long after Ling Xiao, Dai Yuling, and Leng Hao left, a shadowy figure stealthily appeared where they had been.
As the figure lifted its foot to continue tracking, a golden light shot up from the ground.
It was the supposedly dead golden snake.
The figure couldn’t dodge in time and was bitten.
Shockingly, the golden snake was instantly incinerated to ash, causing no harm to the figure.
“I didn’t expect that kid to be so cunning, using soul force to infuse the snake’s corpse to target me!”
The figure stood there, seemingly surprised.
