Chapter 68: Baby in Hand, Cease Fighting at the Hour of the Dog

Zhao Xing used Wind Surge, accelerating the six straw figures as they rushed into the cave.

Simultaneously, more than ten other straw figures crouched along the predetermined retreat route.

"Quick, search faster!"

Zhao Xing's heart pounded, and his breathing became rapid. Even though he was only controlling the straw figures, his emotions surged as if he were about to unearth a rare treasure.

However, rationality still prevailed: "Treasures indeed stir the heart, but I must be quick. The mountain cat is incredibly agile; I need to find what I'm looking for within fifteen minutes."

"I must retreat within fifteen minutes! No matter how many more treasures there are, I won't linger!"

Zhao Xing continuously repeated this rule to himself.

Because after the straw figures delved deeper, he sensed that there was more than one treasure within the cave!

Upon entering further, the cave branched into four diverging paths, each emanating a strong attraction.

"Disperse!"

Zhao Xing immediately ordered the straw figures to enter each of the four paths.

Visibility was dim inside the cave, and the straw figures stumbled forward. Fortunately, they were resistant to falls. Eventually, he simply commanded them to crawl on all fours, which surprisingly increased their speed.

Thump!

The sensation transmitted from the first straw figure soon made Zhao Xing's heart race.

At the end of one of the paths lay a complete skeleton, almost identical to the one Zhao Xing had first seen. A fist-sized purple stone was lodged between its ribs. The stone pulsed with electrical energy, and the two ribs it was wedged between were charred black.

Swoosh~

The straw figure ran to retrieve the purple stone, and smoke quickly began to rise from its hand. It was fortunate that this was a Mighty Vajra figure; a figure made of green vines might not have been able to carry it.

"Return!" Zhao Xing immediately commanded this Mighty Vajra figure.

Having traversed the route previously, the Mighty Vajra figure returned smoothly. As it exited the cave, a second group of straw figures immediately awaited. A Swift-Footed straw figure grabbed the Mighty Vajra, accelerating its movement.

There was no time to inspect it. Because the second straw figure inside the cave had made a discovery.

After reaching the end, in a dry, spherical chamber, natural light shone upon a stone platform. A thin piece of yellow paper floated there. The second straw figure immediately took the yellow paper.

"Return!"

Zhao Xing felt a thrill of excitement. That's the second one!

Not long after the second straw figure returned, his luck erupted for the third time. Surprisingly, both of the other two paths yielded discoveries simultaneously!

In the third path, the straw figure discovered a spring, its source gushing with primal energy, the entire pool enveloped in an extraordinary ethereal mist. Four blue lotus flowers rested on the water; one was in full bloom, while the other three were still in bud. The straw figure reached out to pluck them, but an icy mist quickly covered its hand. Even though it was fast enough, by the time it pulled off the lotus pod, its right hand was frozen rigid and immobile, forcing it to cradle the pod with its left hand.

In the fourth path, surprisingly, the straw figure found a shimmering, glowing cup in a nest piled high with furs!

"This cup?!" Zhao Xing's heart leaped; it was undeniably one of the strange phenomena he had witnessed just before entering the mountain!

It was truly a huge surge of luck; treasures were found on every single one of the four paths! However, the more this happened, the more apprehensive Zhao Xing became. The passive activation of luck followed a pattern of decline after three successful triggers. It was too early to rejoice; he might not be able to get all of them out!

Hiss!

Just then, an angry roar echoed from a distance. The mountain cat reappeared within a three-li radius, observed by Zhao Xing.

"It's back, I should run too."

Zhao Xing immediately slung the bamboo scroll box over his shoulder and leaped onto the back of a Swift-Footed straw figure.

"This mountain cat, still just a cub, has already reached such a level of power. It seems it was nurtured by a spiritual mountain. Otherwise, a normal mountain cat's bloodline wouldn't be this formidable."

Sensing the mountain cat's approach, Zhao Xing knew that the lotus pod and the golden cup might not be retrievable. Because the mountain cat was already close to returning, but the straw figures carrying the lotus pod and the golden cup had only just run out of the cave.

"I have to abandon one, otherwise I'll lose both. Which one does it value more?"

Zhao Xing activated his Clear Sight spell to observe the mountain cat's movements. He discovered that it was prioritizing the straw figure carrying the golden cup.

"Run in the opposite direction with the golden cup!"

Zhao Xing gave a decisive order, forcefully suppressing his reluctance with immense willpower. The straw figure carrying the golden cup abruptly threw it forward. At the golden cup's landing spot, an ambushing straw figure quickly leaped up. Without hesitation after catching it, it immediately threw the cup to a third designated spot.

Running, they couldn't outrun the mountain cat, but the Mighty Vajra figures could throw it much faster. The mountain cat had difficulty catching up for a moment.

The golden cup was passed to the last straw figure. The direct distance from Zhao Xing was already three li, and this last straw figure was standing before a cliff.

"Throw!"

The straw figure forcefully threw the golden cup forward. But at that moment, the mountain cat let out a roar and completely vanished from sight. The next second, a large hole appeared in the Mighty Vajra figure's body, as if it had been pierced by a bolt of lightning.

The golden cup had still been thrown. With an angry roar, the mountain cat also leaped down the cliff. Then, holding the golden cup in its mouth, it seemingly stepped on air and sprang back up to the clifftop.

"You're incredible; I give up."

Witnessing this scene, Zhao Xing couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "This damn thing is a Kung Fu cat!" It even used a movement technique secret art in the end!

"But these three treasures are mine."

Zhao Xing smiled faintly, pointing a finger towards the sky. Thick clouds rolled, and thunder roared forth. Icy rain enveloped the cliff, and a chilling wind swept through. Afterward, Zhao Xing calmly retreated.

..............

Where is the safest place for mountain climbing? Naturally, it's the Altar Square on the main peak of Mount Donghu.

To evade the mountain cat's pursuit, the Swift-Footed straw figures raced wildly, carrying Zhao Xing to the mountaintop. The Altar Square was already in sight.

"Who's there?"

"Huh, why are so many straw figures coming up?"

"Hmm? What's going on? Why is my heart suddenly pounding?"

"Damn, it's a spiritual essence! Those straw figures are carrying spiritual essence!"

"Heavens, what a powerful sensation! Is it a mid-grade or high-grade spiritual essence?!"

Around the square, resting climbers all stood up, gazing intently in one direction. When Zhao Xing rushed up the mountain, everyone sensed the spiritual essence he carried. Countless gazes, both overt and hidden, fixed on him with ill intent.

A streak of light shot out from a large tree outside the Altar Square, heading straight for Zhao Xing.

Whizz, whizz, whizz!

Three arrows struck the body of the Vajra Bamboo figure, their arrowheads penetrating three inches deep, but failing to pierce through. The arrow attack had just ended.

Another voice rang out in his ear: "Friend, the spiritual essence you possess is destined for me; please stop!"

Zhao Xing instinctively slowed his steps, but the next moment, he let out a cold snort and broke free from the restraint.

"Young man, quickly put down the spiritual essence, or you will be entangled by karmic fire!"

A mellow voice assailed him from the front, and three Swift-Footed straw figures instantly burst into flames.

"Those who block me shall die!"

With a furious roar from Zhao Xing, a chilling wind suddenly swept up from the ground. Accompanied by the eerie breeze, his voice seemed to penetrate directly into the souls of all observers, making them shiver involuntarily.

Taking advantage of the momentary impact on the crowd, Zhao Xing was flung by a Mighty Vajra figure. Using the momentum, he leaped directly into the Altar Square.

In the center of the square was a sundial, its pointer coincidentally indicating the Xu hour. The sundial was engraved with the words 'Cease Conflict', signifying that from that moment, all fighting was prohibited within the square.

"Phew~ Just in time," Zhao Xing sighed in relief.