The night enveloped the entire Fulong Mountain Range like a colossal, sky-obscuring beast.
The last trace of light on the horizon vanished completely.
The camp was plunged into darkness.
Bonfires were lit, and the warriors each took up their tasks.
Ling Xiao had returned from his scouting.
Regrettably, he hadn’t found the ancient warrior’s cave, suggesting the Exquisite Fairy hadn’t lied: the cave indeed only appeared after nightfall.
Not far off, the flat ground began to rise slowly, forming a hill dozens of metres high.
On this hill, a cave was clearly visible halfway up.
An ancient warrior’s aura seeped from it, confirming to Ling Xiao that it was indeed an ancient warrior’s cave, likely containing treasures.
“Awoo~~”
A chilling wolf howl echoed from the distance, sending shivers through the heart.
“Let’s go, Young Master Ling, the cave has appeared,” said the Exquisite Fairy, approaching with the cold-faced warrior and two other peak fourth-level Mortal Realm warriors.
“That place is narrow, too many people would be inconvenient, so just the five of us will go.”
“I’m only responsible for opening the formation, Fairy, you arrange the rest,” Ling Xiao said calmly.
“Very well, let’s move.”
The Exquisite Fairy and the cold-faced warrior led the way, with Ling Xiao in the middle, and the two peak fourth-level warriors trailing behind.
Both carried longbows, clearly skilled in archery, possibly even possessing bow-related martial souls.
Ling Xiao sneered inwardly, they were guarding against his escape.
But why would he flee?
He had no need to; if they targeted him, he’d simply kill them all.
Treasure hunting was something Ling Xiao always enjoyed.
His youthful spirit had a particular fondness for adventure and treasure.
The five reached the foot of the hill.
“We have only half an hour, so be cautious, Young Master Ling, it’s up to you!” the Exquisite Fairy said, looking at him.
The hill was tall, but the cave was only a dozen metres from the ground, with a stone platform nearby for standing.
Likely, the ancient warrior had chosen this spot for its unique advantage.
Without a word, Ling Xiao extended a finger, shooting out a qi sword that struck the hard rock, then transformed into a rope-like substance, wrapping around it.
He shortened the qi sword, climbing the steep cliff.
With the heavy formation stones on him, he couldn’t fly, so this crude method was his only option.
“Fairy, this kid’s movement skills are mediocre, he’ll be easy to deal with,” the cold-faced warrior transmitted to the Exquisite Fairy as Ling Xiao ascended.
“Yes, as I said, act only after we get the treasures, in case there are more formations inside,” she replied, her scheming deep, planning to use Ling Xiao before killing him.
Ling Xiao reached the cave entrance and retracted his qi sword.
He felt a surge of satisfaction, this technique was perfectly timed, without it, he’d have struggled to climb so high.
The cave’s formation wasn’t complex and had weakened over time.
For someone skilled in formations, breaking it was easy, but for the unskilled, it was an impossible task.
Ling Xiao took out his tools, tinkering briefly, and the formation suddenly flashed with dazzling light.
He didn’t break it but took control, repairing the nearly shattered formation for potential later use.
“How’s it going, Young Master Ling, can you break it?” the Exquisite Fairy asked as the four others leapt up.
Their movement skills were impressive, needing no ropes.
“It’s a bit tricky, but I’ll try!” Ling Xiao said, though he’d already cracked and claimed the formation, feigning difficulty to avoid suspicion.
After much pretend effort, he wiped fake sweat from his brow and panted, “Everyone, the formation’s broken, please enter.”
“You first!” the cold-faced warrior snapped, drawing his sword and pressing it against Ling Xiao’s back.
“Fairy, this isn’t what we agreed, wasn’t breaking the formation enough?” Ling Xiao said, feigning fear.
“Don’t be scared, this is just to ensure we all get the treasures, if there’s another formation inside, we’ll need you,” the Exquisite Fairy said, smug at his apparent fear.
This kid who dared defy her deserved this treatment.
“But what if you don’t keep your word and kill me?” Ling Xiao said, shrinking back as if terrified.
“Do as I say, or I’ll kill you now!” the cold-faced warrior barked, “Get in!”
“Fairy, I don’t want anything, just spare my life after we find the treasures,” Ling Xiao pleaded.
“Hehe, why would I kill you? Don’t worry, Cold Face is just hot-tempered, better listen to him,” the Exquisite Fairy said with a scornful smile.
Inwardly, Ling Xiao had already sentenced them to death.
Want to die? Once my cultivation advances, I’ll deal with you one by one!
His current strength couldn’t kill all four, but escaping was easy.
In a month, he’d reach the Sha Family Fortress to settle scores.
A month was enough to advance from mid-third-level to fourth-level Mortal Realm.
By then, without the human-dragon form and shedding the formation stones, killing them would be effortless.
For now, he’d grab the cave’s treasures, leaving their schemes empty!
With that, he stepped inside.
In that instant, he noticed a glint flying out from the cave.
Only his vision, enhanced by the Mountain River Martial Soul, could catch such details in the dark, as clear as day.
He tilted his head slightly, easily dodging the glint.
As it passed his cheek, he saw it was a “Ghostfire Bug.”
Resembling a firefly but far more ferocious, these third-level beasts emitted a strange glow in the dark.
That glow, however, was dangerous, releasing a special soul force that induced hallucinations.
Ling Xiao was unafraid, his soul force strong enough to resist such illusions.
