Cave Exploration

Chapter 34: Cave Exploration

"You scoundrel, let go of me! If those mercenaries find you treating me like this, you'll never make it out of the Monster Beast Mountain Range alive!" Xiao Yi Xian, held tightly by Xiao Tian, hissed in anger and embarrassment, her beautiful eyes filled with fury.

However, upon hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, Xiao Tian not only didn't loosen his embrace but tightened it, holding her even closer. He said calmly, "Save your strength. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will hear you!"

A flush of annoyance spread across Xiao Yi Xian's delicate face. She struggled in Xiao Tian's arms for a moment longer before biting her lip and saying, "Then let me go first, and I'll tell you what's hidden down here!"

Hearing this, Xiao Tian slightly loosened his grip, his eyebrows raised as he looked at her with interest.

Xiao Yi Xian glanced at Xiao Tian and reluctantly began, "Once, while gathering herbs, I discovered a hidden cave behind this thicket of trees. Judging by the traces, this cave is ancient, likely left by a powerful senior. As for what treasures lie within, I don't know yet."

After saying this, Xiao Yi Xian glared at Xiao Tian, still angry.

The secret at the bottom of this cliff was something she had discovered on her own, but now it had been so easily revealed to someone else.

"A cave left by a powerful individual?" Xiao Tian rubbed his nose, becoming somewhat curious.

"We should focus on finding a way up first. If we take too long, Kyle and the others will get suspicious!" Seeing Xiao Tian's thoughtful expression, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly mused.

"Kyle, the young leader of the Snake Nest Mercenary Group?" Xiao Tian asked her with a faint smile.

"Yes," Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly, then whispered, "Since you know Kyle's identity, you should also know the strength of the Snake Nest Mercenary Group. Offending them won't end well for you. To be honest, not long ago, when the Wolf Head Mercenary Group merely harassed me, Kyle brought his men and wiped them out!"

As she spoke the last sentence, Xiao Yi Xian's tone clearly carried a hint of threat, as if she was certain Xiao Tian wouldn't dare offend Kyle.

However, she failed to notice that when the name "Wolf Head Mercenary Group" was mentioned, Xiao Tian's eyebrows twitched, and he blurted out, "He's lying to you. Kyle didn't wipe out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

Hearing Xiao Tian's confident tone, Xiao Yi Xian looked at him and said calmly, "If it wasn't him, was it you? I'm not joking. If we return too late, they'll get suspicious. You don't want the secret of this cave to be known by more people, do you?"

Xiao Tian didn't care if the mercenaries got suspicious. Since he had already reached the bottom of the cliff, he wouldn't leave easily. There was no reason to give up when he was at the doorstep of treasure.

"If you don't want me to deal with you right here, I suggest you lead the way!" With a calm gaze fixed on Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Tian shrugged his shoulders and then took the lead, walking towards the cave entrance.

"You..." Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian stomped her foot in exasperation and had no choice but to hurry after him.

After a moment, Xiao Yi Xian crouched down, picked up some dry firewood from the ground, tied it all up, sprinkled it with a pale yellow powder, and then used a tinder to light it. She said angrily, "Here!"

Xiao Tian was taken aback. After taking the torch, he stepped into the cave.

However, after only a few steps, Xiao Tian frowned and stopped.

The cave was incredibly deep, as if leading to the abyss of hell, sending chills down his spine. More importantly, his soul power couldn't penetrate it; he could only sense that there seemed to be something else within!

"Bang!"

Just as Xiao Tian paused in thought, a soft, delicate body suddenly bumped into his back, followed by Xiao Yi Xian's embarrassed and furious voice, "You scoundrel, why did you stop so suddenly!"

Hearing this, Xiao Tian turned and glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, pouting, "Why don't you go first?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian had no choice but to huff and fall silent. The cave was deep and eerie, and the cold was bone-chilling. There might be some magical beasts lurking within, and she certainly didn't want to be the one to risk her life.

"Hold on to me. There are hidden dangers in this cave, and I don't want to collect your corpse!" Just then, Xiao Tian's brows furrowed, and he reached his hand back, saying solemnly.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian hesitated for a moment before finally extending her tender, fair hand and grasping Xiao Tian's broad palm.

Feeling the delicate touch in his palm, Xiao Tian smiled faintly and slowly explored deeper into the cave.

The cave was long, about several hundred meters. Before long, glowing stones appeared on the walls on both sides, illuminating the entire dark passage.

On either side of the passage, countless giant rocks were piled up, forming stone platforms.

The platforms were carved with various patterns. Some resembled humanoid creatures, others looked like animals, and some even depicted ferocious ghost faces, lifelike.

"Chirp chirp!!"

At that moment, a chilling, eerie screech sounded in both Xiao Tian's and Xiao Yi Xian's ears.

Xiao Tian's eyebrows shot up, and he immediately pulled Xiao Yi Xian's hand back.

After they steadied themselves, they discovered that many snake-like magical beasts had appeared in front of them without them realizing it, their forked red tongues flicking.

These were first-tier magical beasts called Rock Snakes. They lived in the rock walls year-round, their bodies as hard as iron and impervious to blades and spears. Their venom was extremely potent, and a single slip could be fatal.

"We're finished! With so many Rock Snakes, we probably can't get through!" Looking at the vast swarm of Rock Snakes before them, Xiao Yi Xian instinctively clutched Xiao Tian, saying with some panic.

"If you don't want to die, hold on to me tightly, quickly!"

At this moment, Xiao Tian's expression was serious. He turned around and urged Xiao Yi Xian.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth and could only hug Xiao Tian tightly. Her slender, fair wrists wrapped around his neck, and her beautiful face was flushed, pressed right against Xiao Tian's ear.

Feeling the soft, warm, jade-like sensation in his embrace, along with the faint fragrance that drifted from her silken hair brushing against him, Xiao Tian's heart fluttered. His hands couldn't help but tighten around her slender waist, pulling her close.

The next moment, a sharp glint flashed in Xiao Tian's eyes. With a sudden surge of strength, he lifted Xiao Yi Xian's delicate form and leaped, using the momentum of his ascent to swiftly pass through the terrifying horde of Rock Snakes.

However, just as he cleared the snake swarm, a bizarre sight unfolded. These Rock Snakes had all sprouted fleshy wings and were rapidly swooping down towards them!

Witnessing this, Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face instantly turned pale. She cried out in panic, "This is really it, we're finished! These Rock Snakes have already advanced to second-tier magical beasts. With wings, they can soar through the sky like eagles, and they're incredibly fast!"

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's panicked expression in his arms, Xiao Tian said calmly, "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Hold on tight!"