Chapter 289: Qi Zhi

As they were about to exit the cave, everyone caught sight of the immediate surroundings. The cave was situated on a steep and towering cliff. Between the foot of the cliff and the open plain lay a deep chasm.

"Conceal yourselves! Hold your breath!"

Yu Kong's voice was stern as he gave the warning, then activated his stealth technique, drifting silently down the mountainside.

Qin Sang surveyed the environment around them, then looked down into the chasm.

The chasm wasn't wide, but it was unfathomably deep, even more ominous than the Nether Abyss of the Kuiyin Sect. It was shrouded in Yin energy, yet it was much calmer than the Nether Abyss.

As they neared the chasm, Yu Kong paused, then gently pushed two corpses forward.

The two corpses drifted to either side, slowly descending into the chasm, hugging the edge as they fell inch by inch.

During the process, the patterns Yu Kong had drawn on the corpses flickered faintly, then the corpses completely vanished from sight, their auras entirely concealed as well.

Qin Sang secretly extended a wisp of his divine sense, sweeping over the spot where the corpses had disappeared, but found no anomalies.

Yu Kong seemed wary of disturbing something within the chasm, his movements exceptionally careful and cautious. Only after the two corpses were thoroughly hidden did he gently let out a breath.

"Follow me..."

Yu Kong transmitted a message. Instead of leaping directly across the chasm to gather the spirit herbs, he guided them to a hidden spot at the chasm's edge to conceal themselves.

Although everyone was concerned about the spirit herbs, Yu Kong's actions indicated that there was undoubtedly another mystery within the chasm. They could only patiently wait, lurking in the shadows with him.

Finally, Yu Kong, still not completely at ease, laid down patterns similar to those on the corpses around them.

Qin Sang still couldn't discern what kind of trap Yu Kong had set for Luo Xingnan and the other person, but he knew they couldn't wait any longer. Otherwise, Yun Youzi and Ge Yuan might not have time to find an opportunity to leave the group. So, he quietly crushed his Cohesion Jade.

They had been hidden for a long time, and still no one emerged from the cave, yet Yu Kong showed no signs of impatience.

They waited for a while longer.

Finally, a figure flickered at the cave's exit, followed by several more individuals emerging one after another.

The two leading figures were none other than Luo Xingnan and Sheng Yuanzi.

They had actually arrived together.

Behind them, two distinct groups stood clearly separated.

Qin Sang saw Yun Youzi and Ge Yuan, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. When he crushed the Cohesion Jade, he had specifically warned that there might be unknown dangers in the chasm and that Luo Xingnan and his companion were in grave peril. He hadn't expected them not to seek an opportunity to leave, but to follow along instead.

However, the two sides couldn't communicate at this moment, so Qin Sang didn't know if they hadn't had time to escape or if they had other plans.

With both powerful adversaries present, Yu Kong remained unperturbed. He scoffed, "They've both arrived at once. That saves me some trouble."

Qin Sang looked down at the chasm.

It was likely that the chasm contained dangers far beyond Qin Sang's previous imagination, giving Yu Kong such confidence that he could eliminate Luo Xingnan and his companion in one swift move.

Unfortunately, with the Cohesion Jade shattered, Qin Sang could no longer transmit messages or warn Yun Youzi and Ge Yuan. He could only hope they would fend for themselves.

If Yun Youzi and Ge Yuan couldn't escape this calamity, the subsequent plans would need to be reformulated; he would have to make two sets of preparations.

He had no grievances with Yu Kong, so a mutually beneficial outcome would be ideal.

Even if Yu Kong harbored ill intentions, he wouldn't deliberately target Qin Sang. The treasures Qin Sang possessed were far more potent than those of rogue cultivators, which could help bridge some gaps. As long as he was sufficiently cautious, finding an opportunity to escape wouldn't be difficult.

In fact, if he found the right chance, the possibility of a counter-attack wasn't small either.

Only Yan Wu posed a significant problem; whenever he looked over, Qin Sang felt a prickling sensation like a thorn in his back.

Qin Sang remained motionless, gazing at the figures above, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

The two groups stood at the cave entrance, gazing at the distant mountains.

"Where has Old Devil Yu gone?"

Sheng Yuanzi squinted, scanning the surroundings. He found the plain empty, and the distant mountains were shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern the situation within.

Luo Xingnan stared at the distant mountains, his gaze unusually mesmerized. He murmured, "Shao Chunhui truly found an extraordinary place! This must be the cave owner's medicinal garden. These spirit herbs are at least a thousand years old; they're truly dazzling! That old dog has probably already entered the mountains. We should set off now, lest he spoils these treasures."

Sheng Yuanzi glanced at Luo Xingnan. "Shao Chunhui returned empty-handed last time, which indicates that the restrictions within those mists aren't simple. It's perfect to let Old Devil Yu scout the way for us. Why are you in such a hurry? Since it's confirmed that Old Devil Yu is behind all this, shouldn't you recall your spy placed by my side?"

"Previously, I couldn't be sure if it was you, Old Ox-Nose, or Old Dog Yu, so of course, I had to make two sets of preparations."

Accused directly, Luo Xingnan showed no shame on his face. He withdrew his mesmerized gaze and waved to a thin old man behind Sheng Yuanzi. "Fellow Daoist Gong, come back."

The old man named Gong stepped forward and bowed to Sheng Yuanzi. "Each serves his own master; please forgive me, Daoist Priest."

"So it was you! Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Sheng Yuanzi snorted coldly, his gaze intense, revealing clear murderous intent.

Under Sheng Yuanzi's oppressive aura, the old man named Gong trembled slightly, his face turning a little pale.

Luo Xingnan stepped forward, shielding the old man named Gong from Sheng Yuanzi's aura. He said blandly, "The feeling is mutual! Old Ox-Nose, since we've decided to join forces against Old Dog Yu, dwelling on such trivial matters is pointless. Once Old Dog Yu is dead and we have the spirit herbs, we'll go our separate ways. I'll simply wait until I form my core, then return to burn incense for your ashes. Before that, I have no interest in scheming against you further. Besides... don't tell me you don't have your own people by my side."

"You want to form a core? In your next life!"

Sheng Yuanzi looked disdainful, pointing at a long-robed man behind Luo Xingnan. "Brother Chen, rest assured. I guarantee that Old Devil Luo won't dare to do anything to you in the future."

The long-robed man only said, "I just hope Senior doesn't forget his promise."

Sheng Yuanzi chuckled, sweeping his gaze over the crowd behind him. Pointing at the distant mountains, he said, "Just look at the brilliant lights on those mountains. There are more than enough spirit herbs there for each of us. However, the prerequisite is that we must break through the restrictions and eliminate Old Devil Yu, so all of you need to give it your all. But if anyone tries to deceive me, don't blame me for being merciless."

Luo Xingnan delivered a similar warning.

After warning the others, Luo Xingnan and Sheng Yuanzi discussed briefly, then led their respective groups down the cliff.

"Wait..."

Just as they were about to leap across the chasm, Sheng Yuanzi's figure paused slightly, signaling everyone to stop.

Luo Xingnan frowned and asked, "Did your people leave a secret mark?"

Sheng Yuanzi stared at the chasm and shook his head. "No, not that..."

Luo Xingnan scoffed, "Old Ox-Nose, you're getting more timid with age. It's just a small ditch; how can it scare you like this? If there were any real danger, there would surely be traces of a battle here."