Mochen took a Fire Tinder from his robes and lit it, illuminating the surroundings.
The cave was not large. Inside were more than a dozen iron cages, each holding Black Obsidian Scorpions, as well as several clay jars containing unknown insects steeped in liquid. A considerable pile of medicinal herbs lay in one corner. Lin Taichu swept his gaze over them and saw that most were poisonous plants used to cultivate Gu Worms.
"It seems this is one of their Gu Worm cultivation sites," Lin Taichu said. "We'll destroy it, take some Black Obsidian Scorpions and medicinal herbs, and leave them a mark so they know someone has their eye on them."
Qingxuan drew his Short Blade from his waist. "I'll destroy the cages. Mochen, watch the entrance and don't let anyone come in. Physician Lin, find something to carry the herbs and Black Obsidian Scorpions."
The three divided the work. With a single slash, Qingxuan split open an iron cage, and the Black Obsidian Scorpions crawled out and scattered in every direction.
Lin Taichu found a cloth sack and filled it with some poisonous grass and several Black Obsidian Scorpions. He then carved the character "Ling" into the wall with his blade—a deliberately vague mark that would leave the Variant Sect unable to tell who had done it.
Just then, footsteps and voices suddenly sounded outside. "I think I heard something moving inside earlier. Let's go take a look."
Mochen immediately blew out the Fire Tinder and whispered to the other two, "Someone's coming. Hide!"
The three hurried behind a pile of medicinal herbs. They had barely concealed themselves when three people in black robes entered the cave, each carrying a torch.
"Strange. I clearly heard something just now." The leader frowned and looked around.
When he saw the