Chapter 84 Entering Dongfengling

At this moment, Jiang Li had a clear premonition in his heart - this operation was bound to be no easy feat. However, his heart was as firm as a rock. He was not the least bit flustered; instead, he was somewhat expectant.

Following the markings on the map, the team advanced along a winding path.

On the way, they were occasionally harassed by a small group of demonic beasts. Jiang Li and the others casually struck and killed them, smoothly clearing these obstacles without any pause.

Finally, after some detours, they discovered a cave entrance in a valley. Jiang Li didn't rush to enter. First, he closed his eyes, and his spiritual consciousness spread out like a tide, enveloping the surroundings.

Moments later, his brows furrowed slightly. He had already made a judgment - this cave was completely different from the surrounding environment. It was deathly silent, as if no one had set foot here for a long time.

Inside the cave, weeds grew in profusion, spider - webs stretched across, and bats flitted about in the darkness, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The stench of decay in the air was strong, making people feel dull and oppressed. However, Jiang Li didn't sense any major threats. His spiritual consciousness swept around, but he didn't detect any obvious dangers.

"Someone has been here before," Jiang Li murmured to himself, his tone exuding calmness and confidence."This area around Dongfengling has always been restless. There are numerous demonic beasts, and it's also the center of activities for some mysterious forces. Although I don't fully know all the secrets here, I believe that as long as we follow the map, we will eventually find the core position to break the mountain - protecting great formation."

Jiang Li expanded the coverage of his spiritual consciousness once again, carefully perceiving the subtle fluctuations in the air.

The environment inside the cave was deathly silent. Apart from the spider - webs and bats, there seemed to be no signs of any other living beings.

He let out a slight sigh of relief. The doubts in his heart dissipated as his spiritual consciousness confirmed the situation, and his determination became even firmer.

"Let's go in and take a look," Jiang Li commanded in a low voice and took the lead, stepping towards the cave entrance.

The darkness at the cave entrance seemed to devour all the light. Only a few faint rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the cave ceiling barely illuminated the path ahead.

The stench of decay in the air grew stronger, and the oppressive atmosphere made people feel suffocated, as if every step was bringing them closer to an unknown abyss.

Jiang Li's gaze was sharp, but his steps didn't hasten. He remained vigilant. He was gauging the dangers ahead in every detail, and each step was cautious yet firm.

As the team delved deeper into the cave, the stench of decay in the air became even more intense. The deep passageway twisted and turned, as if every second was bringing them closer to an unknown abyss.

A faint sense of unease welled up in Jiang Li's heart. Although his spiritual consciousness hadn't detected any obvious dangers, after all, this was someone else's territory.

Suddenly, Jiang Li stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as if he had caught something.

In the air inside the cave, there was a faint fluctuation of spiritual power, rippling gently like a small wave. The fluctuation was so subtle that it was almost imperceptible, but Jiang Li's spiritual consciousness was extremely sharp, and he immediately caught it.

"Everyone, be careful," Jiang Li warned in a low voice, his tone carrying a seriousness that couldn't be ignored. The team members immediately became alert, adjusting their states, gripping their weapons tightly, and constantly keeping their eyes on the movements around them. Jiang Li expanded his spiritual consciousness again, carefully trying to capture the source of that trace of spiritual - power fluctuation.

Although that fluctuation was weak, it carried an intentionally hidden aura, as if it was resisting him, giving people a sense of elusiveness. Jiang Li's brows furrowed slightly, and he had already made a decision in his heart:"Let's go deeper."

The team continued to move deeper. The structure of the cave became more complex, the passageways gradually narrowed, and the air became even more stuffy, as if every second was squeezing their breath.

In the Dongfeng Village within Dongfengling, the afterglow of the setting sun fell on the manor. The wind blew, raising a rustling sound of dust and leaves.

At this moment, a man dressed in a black close - fitting outfit rushed to the outside of the hall. Panting heavily, he reported eagerly,"Young Sect Master! The undercover agent in the city just sent a message. The city lord is gathering a team of no less than a thousand people, and their destination is unknown."

Cheng Yankun was standing in the center of the main hall with his hands behind his back. Hearing this, he slowly turned around, his brows slightly furrowed and his gaze cold."A thousand people? Is the news reliable? Where are they going?"

Beads of sweat appeared on the subordinate's forehead, and his tone became even more nervous."We haven't found out their specific destination yet. There's no one from our side in that team, and the undercover agent risked his life to discover this. This team might be coming towards Dongfeng Village. Young Sect Master, should we take precautions in advance?"

Upon hearing this, a glint of coldness and disdain flashed in Cheng Yankun's eyes.

He slowly walked down the steps and came in front of his subordinate, sneering."A thousand people? Just a bunch of rabble. Even if they're all Martial Lords, facing the mountain - protecting great formation of Dongfeng Village, they can only be in vain outside the formation. What's there to be afraid of a thousand pigs?"

He waved his hand, his tone full of undisguised contempt."The mountain - protecting formation that you've painstakingly set up in this small place over the years can't be easily shaken by just a thousand people. If they dare to come, let them give it a try. Let's see if they're really that stupid or if I've underestimated my own formation."

Then, he turned and walked deeper into the hall. A chill and a murderous intent gradually emerged in his eyes. His voice was low yet full of oppressive force."Rather than paying attention to these trivial matters, it's better to concentrate on dealing with the main business. Tonight, I'll personally go to Heluo City to retrieve the Yunling Gourd that belongs to me, and... the head of that bastard Jiang Li."

His tone grew colder, making the subordinates present involuntarily shiver.

"Let them come if they want. This is exactly an opportunity to teach those who dare to challenge the might of Dongfeng Village a bloody lesson!" Cheng Yankun's voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying an unassailable arrogance.

He walked to the center of the hall and sat down on the main seat, his eyes glinting with deep malevolence and a murderous air.

He looked at the old steward beside him. His tone was neither hurried nor slow, but it was suffocatingly oppressive."Remember, don't take this matter too seriously. The defenses of Dongfeng Village are solid enough. If they dare to invade, they're just courting death."

He paused for a moment, then slightly narrowed his eyes, a cruel smile appearing on the corners of his mouth."Tomorrow's operation is of utmost importance. This time, I'll take action personally and won't leave that bastard Jiang Li even the slightest chance of survival. The Yunling Gourd is mine, and I want him to witness his own failure and death with his own eyes!"

Cheng Yankun stood up, his hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the front of the main hall. Gazing at the distant mountains, he murmured in a low voice,"Jiang Li, after tomorrow, your name will cease to exist in this world."

His undisguised murderous intent filled the air like a tangible presence. The subordinates in the hall didn't dare to look up, their eyes lowered, as they felt the intense anger simmering within the Young Sect Master.

At this moment, Cheng Yankun turned his head and looked at everyone in the hall, then gave a solemn order,"Tonight, everyone take your positions. The mountain - protecting formation must be fully activated. Strengthen the patrols, and no one is allowed to slack off. I want to ensure that Dongfeng Village is as solid as a rock. As for that team... if they really dare to come, let them end up with no place to bury their bones!"

The subordinates all cupped their hands and responded,"Yes, Young Sect Master!"