Blood Bead, Soul Bead! Ye Xu's Scheme!

The tacit understanding between them needed no words. Li Bufan immediately said, "Everyone, you saw it yourselves. My wife and I didn't contribute much to breaking this formation. We won't be looking at this thing."

A sharp glint flashed through Zhao Xuanshan's eyes as he turned to Li Bufan. "Oh? We've come this far, Li Brother. You're willing to give it up?"

Li Bufan smiled. "At the end of the day, this belongs to your Western Ridge sects. I'm an outsider to begin with, dragged into this for no reason. Watching the excitement is enough for me."

Ye Yao covered her mouth and smiled. "Li Brother certainly knows how to read the room."

"You flatter me, Fairy." Li Bufan waved a hand.

Zhao Xuanshan stared at Li Bufan for a moment, seemingly judging whether his words were true. In the end, he nodded. "Since Li Brother has no intention of taking part, then step aside for now."

"Fine. Let's go, Zhiyan."

Li Bufan took Lin Zhiyan's hand and retreated to the edge of the plaza.

Zhao Xuanshan, Ye Yao, and Chu Cangjin once more gathered around the pearl, each remaining wary of the others.

Yet none of them noticed the faint curve that rose at the corner of Lin Zhiyan's lips.

"Bufan, there's a pearl beneath the ground. It should be the key to this formation. That pearl... I've already taken it," Lin Zhiyan transmitted, her voice carrying a trace of weakness, but even more relief.

Li Bufan's heart jolted, though his expression remained unchanged.

"You took it?" he transmitted back. "When?"

"Just now. The instant that stone pillar shattered, I drew out the pearl underground through its connection to my blood aura."

"This thing is called the Blood Soul Pearl. It is a true Cave Heaven treasure. The one