Exploring the Cave

Chapter 58

As the Nascent Soul True Lord gave the order, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators swarmed into the Lishan Mountain Range from all directions.

Hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators might seem like a large number, but when they entered the Lishan Mountain Range, it was just like a drop of water falling into the vast river, not causing even the slightest ripple. This mountain range, which was capable of providing sustenance for a fourth-rank great demonic beast, was so extensive that its scale could be compared to that of an ordinary Core Formation force.

Li Changmeng also entered the mountain range at this moment. He didn't have the intention of searching for the ancient treasure. Instead, he wanted to take a close look at how the situation would develop and also see which lucky fellows would trigger the "surprise" he had left behind.

On the other side, among the team from the Feilai Sword Sect, there were ten Foundation Establishment cultivators who came this time. There were nine direct Foundation Establishment disciples of the sect and Li Changmeng, who was an outsider honorary member.

The reason why Li Changmeng was brought here alone was related to Heixing. This clone had joined the Feilai Sword Sect together with Heixing. At this time, Heixing had already reached the peak of the first rank as a spiritual beast.

Excluding the aspect of spiritual consciousness, the perception ability of a demonic beast was often much more sensitive than that of a cultivator. The Feilai Sword Sect also thought that instead of adding one more Foundation Establishment disciple, it would be better to have an additional spiritual beast, as it might increase the chance of finding the ancient treasure.

Coincidentally, the restriction set by the Nascent Soul True Lord was only for Foundation Establishment cultivators, and there was no such restriction on spiritual beasts. However, if someone really brought out a third-rank spiritual beast, the Nascent Soul True Lord would definitely take action.

"Heixing, remind me as soon as you sense the aura of the treasure," Li Changmeng said.

Heixing nodded sensibly and quietly hung on Li Changmeng's back.

"Deacon Li, for this trip, we will form groups of two. You can be in a group with me," a pretty female cultivator named He Zichan took the initiative to propose to Li Changmeng.

As soon as these words were spoken, the other cultivators all looked over. The meaning in their eyes was very clear: if you dare to agree, you're going to be in big trouble.

Cultivators are not beings without desires. Wealth, a suitable cultivation partner, cultivation methods, and a good cultivation environment are all important aspects in the cultivation path. A good Taoist partner can also bring mutual benefits and complementarity to one's cultivation journey.

And the one who spoke, He Zichan, was exactly the daughter of a Core Formation elder of the Feilai Sword Sect. Among the cultivators in this team, several of them had volunteered to come here because He Zichan was going to participate.

If Li Changmeng were to form a group with her, then what chance would the others have?

"Sorry, Fellow Daoist He. I'll just be in a group with Fellow Daoist Li Cheng," Li Changmeng refused without even thinking, as he didn't know He Zichan at all and wanted to avoid any potential trouble.

"Sister He, since Deacon Li has already decided to form a group with Junior Brother Li Cheng, how about we be in a group together?" A suitor of He Zichan quickly spoke up.

"Then... all right," He Zichan said with a look of regret and reluctantly agreed.

The ten people formed groups of two and separated to search in different areas of the mountain range.

"Deacon Li, why did Senior Sister He want to form a group with you?" Li Cheng was very curious. He was the one who had introduced Li Changmeng into the sect, so the two of them were quite familiar with each other. He was really puzzled about how Li Changmeng had caught He Zichan's attention.

"I don't know either. Maybe she just mentioned it casually," Li Changmeng shook his head. But the regretful expression on He Zichan's face at the end had already indicated that she might have some hidden purpose that others didn't know.

Unfortunately, when Li Changmeng activated his Hundred Eyes Divine Ability, the information it provided was just some insignificant things.

[He Zichan] [Mid Foundation Establishment Stage] [Seductive]

This was also one of the major drawbacks of this divine ability. Most of the time, it couldn't provide the information that he really wanted.

There was so much information contained within a person or a thing. His divine ability could only display three aspects of it.

The only part that might be a little bit useful among these was probably the word "seductive".

However, Li Changmeng didn't really feel that she was particularly seductive. Maybe she showed that side of her in private when no one else was around. On the surface, she still seemed to be a relatively proper female cultivator.

The matter about He Zichan was just a small episode. Li Changmeng and Li Cheng didn't take it too seriously either. They focused more of their attention on the search for the ancient treasure.

The two of them were searching when they soon encountered another group of people.

"Deacon Li, they are from the Yin-Yang Formation Sect. We'd better stay away from them. The people from their sect are very proficient in using formations," Li Cheng saw the approaching people from a distance and reminded Li Changmeng to keep away. However, that group of people rushed over towards them.

"Two fellow Daoists from the Feilai Sword Sect ahead, please stop for a moment," one of them shouted, revealing their identities. The two of them stopped and wanted to see what the other party wanted.

"Two fellow Daoists, I am Qin Hao from the Yin-Yang Formation Sect. Our two sects have always had a good relationship. We found a cave ahead where we suspect an ancient treasure might be hidden. However, the cave is too narrow inside, and it's not suitable for our Yin-Yang Formation Sect to fully utilize our formation abilities.

It's your Feilai Sword Sect that can display astonishing strength in such a place," Qin Hao explained.

"A cave suspected to have an ancient treasure? If you really found it, you could have explored it secretly on your own. Why are you still looking for us to cooperate?" Li Cheng didn't agree immediately but instead asked the other party a question.

And then Qin Hao also explained the reason. That was because the cave was not discovered by their force alone but was found by several forces at the same time.

Their Yin-Yang Formation Sect, although it was a Nascent Soul-level sect, its strength mainly lay in the use of formations. It was really not convenient for them to show their full strength in a battle inside the cave.

"I see. Then if we manage to obtain the ancient treasure..." Li Cheng asked.

"If we obtain the ancient treasure, please hand it over to us. We will give you a satisfactory compensation later. After all, we are cooperating, and this ancient treasure is more suitable for our sect to possess," Qin Hao said.

Li Cheng looked at Li Changmeng. Seeing that the latter had no objections, he nodded and agreed.

Qin Hao's proposed distribution plan seemed unfair on the surface, but in fact, it was quite reasonable. These Foundation Establishment disciples came here to search for the ancient treasure. Even if they obtained it in the end, it would ultimately be for the benefit of the sect behind them.

Since the other party had promised to provide compensation, they wouldn't really suffer any losses.

Moreover, the Feilai Sword Sect was only a Core Formation-level sect, while the Yin-Yang Formation Sect was a Nascent Soul-level sect. The gap in strength between the two sects was huge.

Finally, it was indeed true that their Feilai Sword Sect had a good relationship with the Yin-Yang Formation Sect. There were even rumors saying that their sect master addressed several Core Formation elders of the Yin-Yang Formation Sect as brothers.

After forming a brief alliance, the five of them came to the cave where the ancient treasure was suspected to be hidden.

"This cave is so well-hidden, and it looks really deep. If the ancient treasure is really hidden here, it's indeed very possible that it's inside," Li Cheng looked at the hidden entrance of the cave and thought that there was a high possibility of an ancient treasure being inside.

"Yeah, I think so too," Li Changmeng also nodded. However, there was actually no ancient treasure inside, only a little "surprise" that he had prepared.

"All right, let's go in quickly. The previous several groups of people have already gone in. If they find the ancient treasure, there might even be a battle. At that time, we will rely on you guys," Qin Hao was a little anxious. Now that they were already at the entrance of the cave, there was no need to waste time on speculations.

"Don't worry, Deacon Li. You stay behind me and let Heixing pay attention to the aura of the ancient treasure. We'll go in front," Li Cheng drew out his sword and took the lead.

Don't underestimate the Feilai Sword Sect just because it's only a Core Formation-level sect. It's just that its top-level combat power is not that strong. When a cultivator of the same realm is considered alone, the sword cultivation techniques of the Feilai Sword Sect are not weaker in combat power than those of the disciples from a Nascent Soul-level great sect.

Especially in a narrow environment like this cave, they could even give full play to their strength, reaching up to 120% of their normal capabilities.

Li Cheng led the way in front, Li Changmeng was in the middle, and the people from the Yin-Yang Formation Sect were at the back. The few of them entered the cave in this order.

Inside the dark cave, from time to time, cold water dripped down, and there was a faint earthy smell that couldn't be dispelled.

This cave was actually forged by Li Changmeng. But he had only slightly arranged the natural cave that originally existed in this mountain range to make it look more like a place where an ancient treasure was hidden.

Deep in the cave, a cool breeze blew over, and along with the breeze came a stench of extreme decay, which was really disgusting.

"What's going on inside?" Spontaneously, everyone felt puzzled. They wondered why there was such a strange smell in this cave...