Chapter 94: Hunting

Wasting no time, Situ Hong had previously entered the cave to feed and hunt Ghost-Eyed Spiders. Knowing the environment better than anyone, it was more suitable for him to lead the way.

The cave passage was quite wide, enough for three people to walk abreast, and its height was about one *zhang* (3.3 meters).

"Junior Brother, pay attention to the cobwebs underfoot and the blind spots overhead," Situ Hong warned. "The bunched-up webs don't matter; what's important is to check for any taut strands. If you touch them, the Ghost-Eyed Spiders will certainly detect you."

"The blind spots overhead are also their favorite hiding places. Control your illumination pearl to keep it as close to the rock ceiling as possible. I'll go first; you follow."

He gave instructions as they walked.

After advancing about a hundred meters and turning a corner, the light behind them completely vanished, and the surroundings fell into complete silence.

Situ Hong performed a hand seal and took out a shield-like magical artifact from his storage pouch. It began to revolve continuously around him, emitting a faint spiritual glow.

Seeing this, Wang Yu followed suit, his divine sense rummaging through his storage pouch for a while before he finally found the spoils he had kept earlier.

They were the Black Scale Shield and the Golden Edge Whip, both high-grade magical artifacts.

Catching a glimpse, Situ Hong chuckled, "Junior Brother, you really have quite a fortune. When I was your age, I couldn't even afford a mid-grade magical artifact."

"That's because Senior Brother hadn't found the right path yet," Wang Yu replied.

Wang Yu's reply caused Situ Hong's face to darken slightly.

He had been chosen by Mother Peach Ghost five years after joining the Rebellious Spirit Blood Sect, when he was only at the third level of Qi Condensation.

His mouth was slightly agape, and just as he was about to retort, his expression changed.

"They're here!"

Wang Yu abruptly looked into the depths of the darkness, the crescent moon mark beginning to emerge in his eyes. He could see in the dark, but not very far; his vision was much shorter than when there was ample light.

Rustling sounds came from his ears, faintly mixed with sharp hisses. An unfamiliar and brutal aura surged into his senses, yet his divine sense could hardly perceive it.

"No, it's invisible!" Situ Hong suddenly shouted.

As Situ Hong suddenly shouted, chilling black mist emanated from his entire body, and a ghost spirit emerged from within him.

Understanding this, Wang Yu brought his right index and middle fingers together, while folding the other three fingers as close to his palm as possible.

Taking a shallow breath, he placed the hand seal before his mouth.

"Flame-Spitting Art!"

This was his first time using this art in actual combat, but in this confined space, its power was almost at its peak.

Pale white flames, with faint fluorescent blue outer flames, grew from thin to thick as they were continuously expelled from Wang Yu's lips. Spiritual energy flowed through his meridians, converging in his throat, and was then further catalyzed by the hand seal.

Flames with a chilling characteristic surged forth, completely filling the passage ahead.

Within the flames, a human-sized spider revealed itself, emitting a high-pitched shriek as its furry long legs flailed wildly.

In just three breaths, it became a charred mass, emitting the scent of burnt protein.

Situ Hong gasped.

The exhaled air was like a thick white mist, caused by a significant drop in temperature. Such was the nature of cold flames: though perceived as cold, they were actually scorching hot.

Their unique properties made them very rare.

"Junior Brother Wang... this flame is quite extraordinary," Situ Hong commented.

Wang Yu glanced at him, having no intention of concealing it. He had long wanted to legitimize his alchemy skills, and telling Situ Hong first was a good idea.

"It's recorded in the Cold Dragon Alchemy Art in the Scripture Pavilion," Wang Yu explained. "This is a pill-fire used for alchemy, but it's also quite effective in combat."

"Pill-fire?" Situ Hong exclaimed in surprise, then quickly added, "Junior Brother Wang, do you know alchemy? What's your proficiency?"

"It's alright, first-tier high-grade," Wang Yu replied.

Situ Hong was speechless.

He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. Right, remembering they were still in the Ghost-Eyed Cave, he had no time to chat further. After Wang Yu retracted the cold flames, Situ Hong quickly stepped forward to examine the corpse.

Soon after, he said with a serious expression:

"It's a first-tier mid-grade Ghost-Eyed Spider, which is why you burned it to death so quickly. But something's not right about it."

"What do you mean?"

"Invisibility," Situ Hong paused. "As far as I know, only the Spider Queen and a few elite Ghost-Eyed Spiders possess the ability to turn invisible."

"But this thing not only turned invisible, it could also blind spiritual perception; you could only see a blurry shadow. If it weren't for its low intelligence, making noise as it approached, I'm afraid..."

Wang Yu frowned slightly.

"Have you never encountered this before?"

"No," Situ Hong replied.

"What about fellow disciples who came in before?"

"I haven't heard any information about this," Situ Hong said.

"So they didn't make it out, then," Wang Yu mused.

Wang Yu shrugged. After Situ Hong pried out the three mature ghost eyes and put the corpse into his storage pouch, Wang Yu then said:

"Regardless, the mission must be completed. Let's stay vigilant."

"Very well," Situ Hong agreed.

They had just entered the cave, so there was no reason to retreat. Furthermore, both were somewhat confident in their own strength, so they decided to continue forward.

"Junior Brother Wang, step back a few paces," Situ Hong said. "Today, I'll let you witness Senior Brother's methods."

Wang Yu was naturally willing to save some spiritual energy.

"Go ahead."

Situ Hong let out a soft cry and took out a human-height black banner from his storage pouch. The banner displayed a ferocious ghost pattern; it was none other than the Five Yin Peak's renowned magical artifact, the Hundred Ghost Banner!

He activated it with spiritual energy and shook it a few times.

And black smoke ghost skulls flew out from it, one after another, at least forty of them. Most had the aura of early Qi Condensation, with five at mid Qi Condensation.

As the black banner waved forward, a large number of ghostly souls and ghost skulls surged forth together, creating a terrifying formation.

Situ Hong wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and explained:

"These are high-grade ghost souls I captured at the 'Ghost Altar Tombs' using nearly two thousand contribution points. After being cultivated by the sect, their foundations are excellent, and they have the potential to reach late Qi Condensation."

"Especially the leading five," he continued, "paired with Five Yin Peak's , they have a chance to enter Foundation Establishment in the future. It's just that maintaining them costs too much."

The Ghost Altar Tombs were one of the sect's foundations, a special building specifically for spending contribution points, similar in significance to the Corpse Raising Ground for Heavenly Corpse Peak.

One must know that wild ghostly souls and evil spirits generally have limited potential and are only valuable for consumption. Only ghost souls born in special spiritual lands have cultivation value, just as people have spiritual roots.

Ghostly souls and evil spirits also possess aptitudes similar to "spiritual roots," but they can be enhanced through postnatal cultivation. Raising so many at once, it was no wonder he felt the cost was great.

The sect's items were of good quality and high potential.

The corresponding prices were not something ordinary people could afford. Furthermore, since they also had to cultivate their destined spirit ghosts, it was well-known how poor disciples of Five Yin Peak were.

Although Situ Hong had generously revealed so much, Wang Yu offered many complimentary words while remaining highly vigilant. He always felt that Situ Hong was putting on an act.

Of course, this wasn't to say that Situ Hong harbored ill intent; perhaps it was just a habit of concealing his true abilities. Wang Yu never hesitated to assume the worst about others, yet he also possessed ample patience and tolerance.

This side of him, however, was only revealed to those who posed no threat.

"Let's go."