Even more terrifying, the Ghostfire Bug was incredibly fast.
Its body was entirely composed of a special ghostly flame, impervious to swords or water, only vulnerable to specific water or ice-based true essence techniques.
Ling Xiao could deal with it, but he had no intention of doing so.
If this Ghostfire Bug could kill the cold-faced warrior behind him, he’d happily step aside.
“Ah—!”
A scream rang out from behind.
Ling Xiao smirked inwardly.
Glancing back, he saw one of the cold-faced warrior’s eyes had been scorched by the Ghostfire Bug.
But as a fifth-level Mortal Realm warrior, he struck the bug with a sword infused with icy true essence at the critical moment.
The Ghostfire Bug froze, falling to the ground and shattering.
However, the cold-faced warrior had lost an eye.
Though the Exquisite Fairy could stop the bleeding, she couldn’t regrow the lost eye.
“You bastard, I’ll kill you!” the cold-faced warrior roared, raising his sword, but the Exquisite Fairy stopped him.
“We’re allies for now, kill him and your eye was lost for nothing.”
That was just for show; she secretly transmitted, “He’s yours to deal with later, kill him however you want, just hold off for now.”
Hearing this, the cold-faced warrior barely suppressed his rage.
They continued deeper.
The cold-faced warrior no longer dared to hold his sword to Ling Xiao’s back, wary of another surprise attack and Ling Xiao’s lack of warning.
The cave entrance was wide enough for three to walk abreast without issue, pitch-black inside, but faint glimmers flickered faintly.
Experienced treasure hunters knew such glimmers often signalled treasures.
The group was excited but restrained, still letting Ling Xiao lead.
At the entrance, Ling Xiao noticed sword and blade marks on the cave walls, likely remnants of a battle.
Perhaps the ancient warrior fought here, defending his cave but succumbing to severe injuries.
This was just a guess; the truth would only be clear after exploring further.
Ling Xiao proceeded cautiously.
Being at the front, he’d be the first target of any danger, and the slightest carelessness could cost him his life.
In the silent, eerie cave, only their faint footsteps and the sound of dripping water echoed, the air thick with earthy and faintly rotting smells.
No one spoke, all tense, aware anything could happen in this environment.
Suddenly, Ling Xiao stopped, and the Exquisite Fairy, following too closely, couldn’t stop in time and bumped into his back.
Her body pressed against his skin.
But Ling Xiao felt no stirrings.
He knew this angelic-looking, seemingly kind woman was arrogant and venomous at heart.
*Slap!*
The Exquisite Fairy swung at his face.
Ling Xiao dodged, and her palm struck the cave wall, leaving a three-inch-deep handprint in the rock.
If that had hit a face, it would’ve shattered the skull.
“You little pervert, why’d you stop?” she snapped.
“Fairy, there’s a Dragon-Severing Stone blocking the way, inscribed with runes, clearly reinforced by a formation, unbreakable without Cave Heaven Realm strength,” Ling Xiao explained.
The group looked and saw a massive stone slab ahead, etched with runes glowing faintly gold in the dark.
“This must be where the ancient warrior passed, setting up this stone to prevent sneak attacks during recovery, yet still died of wounds,” the cold-faced warrior deduced.
“Exactly, Ling, open it now,” the Exquisite Fairy said, impatient to reach the long-sought treasure, dropping her facade.
“I’ll open it, but he kneels and apologises first,” Ling Xiao said, pointing at the cold-faced warrior.
“You’re courting death!” the cold-faced warrior growled.
“Sure, I’ll die opening it anyway, might as well die with dignity. You kneel and apologise, and you, Exquisite Fairy, kneel too, kowtow, call me Grandpa Ling three times, then I’ll open it,” Ling Xiao said with a smile.
“Cold Face, kneel!” the Exquisite Fairy, trembling with rage, actually knelt and ordered the cold-faced warrior to do the same.
This woman was something else.
Her ability to endure what others couldn’t made her a serious threat to Ling Xiao.
She had to be eliminated after this.
“Grandpa Ling! Grandpa Ling! Grandpa Ling! We were wrong to threaten you!” the four, including the two peak fourth-level warriors, knelt, called him grandpa thrice, and apologised.
Ling Xiao then worked on the Dragon-Severing Stone.
It was intricately designed with mechanisms and formations, challenging to open.
But for Ling Xiao, it wasn’t too difficult.
His Mountain River Martial Soul activated, his eyes flashing with runes.
After about twenty breaths, a “clack” sounded, and the stone began to rise slowly.
As it rose, the Exquisite Fairy and cold-faced warrior exchanged a glance, their eyes burning with anger and killing intent.
This Ling must die!
But for now, they had to endure.
“You two guard here,” the Exquisite Fairy told the two peak fourth-level warriors, “to keep beasts out.”
It was obvious to anyone this was to prevent Ling Xiao’s escape.
After such humiliation, they wouldn’t rest until he was torn apart.
Beyond the stone, a soft glow emanated, from a light-absorbing formation similar to one Ling Xiao had destroyed in a pharmacy.
It was brightly lit inside.
