Following Behind with His Form Concealed

"Please take some time to get acquainted. This old man still has a few teahouse matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer."

With that, the teahouse proprietor turned and left the secret chamber.

Amid the curling fragrance of tea, the man in blue was the first to speak.

He rose and cupped his hands, his bearing composed. "I am Shen Lekang, courtesy name Jianzhang, twenty-eight years of age. I hail from a cultivation clan in Anxiong City under Emerging Cloud Peak's jurisdiction. Unfortunately, our enemies ambushed us six months ago. I alone survived and wandered here, which is why I have come to seek treasure."

Mo Chen's interest stirred. This man had a story behind him, but... to remain so composed after an enemy ambush, he either possessed exceptional resolve or was putting on an act.

Next, the plump cultivator laughed heartily. "My name is Yuan Ming, courtesy name Lang. I am thirty-four this year, born and raised in Tongxu City."

As he spoke, he patted his round belly. "My family runs several magic artifact shops in the city. If any of you need anything, just say the word. I'll be sure to give you a good price."

When Mo Chen's turn came, he offered only a brief introduction.

"I am Mo Chen, eighteen years of age. I have yet to undergo my capping ceremony and therefore have no courtesy name. You may simply call me by my name."

Mo Chen knew that the more one spoke, the more likely one was to slip up. Since I never age and my appearance never changes, I can give them any age I like and let them think I'm a greenhorn fresh out of the thatched cottage.

That way, he could keep lying low longer.

At that moment, the woman in purple rose gracefully, her eyes shimmering. "I am Xiao Liuwan, courtesy name Manyun. I trained at Sunset Glow Mountain and specialize in music and illusion arts."

After speaking, she brushed her slender fingers over the jade flute at her waist, her movements flowing like clouds and water.

Lastly, the woman in blue spoke gently. "I am Yang Yiliu, courtesy name Daisi, twenty-four years of age. Sister Liuwan and I have known each other since childhood and are as close as sisters."

She smiled faintly and continued, "I also know a little medicine. I hope everyone will look after me on this journey."

Once everyone had finished introducing themselves, Mo Chen was the first to ask, "May I ask, fellow Daoists, did all four of you accept the teahouse proprietor's invitation to join us in retrieving treasure from the Ancient Cultivator's Cave Abode?"

Yang Yiliu covered her mouth and chuckled, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. "You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Mo. Sister Manyun, Fellow Daoist Yuan Lang, and I were already traveling together. We agreed to this half a month ago. As for... Fellow Daoist Jianzhang, the senior recruited him later. Like you, he only joined in the past few days."

Shen Lekang nodded. "Indeed. I only saw the detailed information three days ago. I happened to need two Burrowing Rats as medicinal catalysts, and these three fellow Daoists were already part of the treasure-hunting party when I joined."

"Did the proprietor say when we should set out for the cave abode?"

This time, Yuan Ming answered. "The proprietor said that once all five of us had gathered and made our preparations, we could head there ourselves."

Yuan Ming stood excitedly as he spoke, rubbing his thick palms together. "They say there are plenty of fine things in that cave abode besides the pills I need."

Hearing this, Mo Chen suggested, "In that case, we're all in excellent condition right now. Why not leave immediately? The sooner we go and return, the less chance a long night has to breed troublesome dreams."

Shen Lekang smiled. "Fellow Daoist Mo is the youngest, yet the most impatient. Still, that suits me perfectly. Let's depart at once."

Mo Chen thought to himself, I'm not impatient about this. What I'm anxious about is Emerging Cloud Peak's upcoming entrance tournament.

Spending a month retrieving some treasure was not worth it.

Xiao Liuwan voiced her agreement as well. "I also think we should not delay."

"I have no objections either," Yang Yiliu added softly.

"Then it's settled!"

Yuan Ming immediately rose and headed out, the seven or eight Storage Bags hanging from his waist jingling.

Mo Chen and the other four then hurried through Tongxu City's eastern gate. As soon as they left the range of the gate's restrictions, all five formed hand seals. Spiritual light surged around them as they sped eastward through the air.

Mo Chen deliberately slowed down to remain at the rear, maintaining an unhurried Wind-Riding Technique as he carefully observed the four ahead.

Xiao Liuwan and Yang Yiliu, flying at the front, made a lovely sight.

Both women wore lavish enchanted robes embroidered with gold and adorned with jade, along with Spirit Jade Necklaces and Five-Color Sachets. They looked as though they were going to a banquet rather than an expedition.

The two women flew side by side, their sleeves fluttering. Every so often, they leaned close to whisper, letting out silvery laughter. They were as carefree as sisters on an outing, seemingly giving no thought to the dangers of this adventure.

Mo Chen really could not understand what these two, decked out in glittering jewels... were playing at.

Did they come out to enjoy the spring scenery?

Or do they already know there's no danger on this trip?

Yuan Ming wore a tight round-collared robe and kept stealing glances at the two women's graceful figures. A smile constantly lingered at the corners of his mouth, though there was no telling what he was plotting.

Shen Lekang stood in stark contrast to those three.

Clad in a Black Crane Cloak, he flew at a cautious distance, his gaze continually sweeping the forests below. His right hand remained pressed against his Storage Bag, ready to act at any moment.

That was what someone who had truly rolled across a knife's edge looked like.

For martial artists, more than seven hundred li of mountain roads would take two or three days even on horseback.

For Qi Refining cultivators, however, it was only a journey of six to eight hours.

Green mountains and clear waters swept beneath their feet along the way. Birds occasionally scattered in alarm, but nothing unusual occurred.

"Look, everyone. That mist-shrouded peak ahead is where the cave abode lies."

Yuan Ming checked the guiding map and pointed it out to everyone, then dismissed his Wind-Riding Technique and descended into the dense forest below.

The others followed close behind, landing in a secluded valley.

Ancient trees towered into the sky, and vines coiled like pythons. A cave entrance hidden beneath weeds was barely visible.

Without a careful search, it would have been easy to miss.

"To think such a treasure site was hidden in these desolate mountains!"

Yuan Ming exclaimed in admiration, though his eyes kept surveying their surroundings.

"It certainly is well hidden. According to the source, that cultivator stumbled upon this place while chasing a spirit beast. But since he was only at the third level of Qi Refining, he sold the information to the Four Directions Teahouse."

Yang Yiliu frowned and took out a silk handkerchief to cover her nose. "This is the cave abode we're supposed to enter? It's so gloomy, and it reeks of mold."

"You jest, Fairy. This cave abode is ancient, and Demon Beasts occupied it afterward. Naturally, there will be demonic energy and foul odors."

The five said no more and entered the cave opening one after another.

Shortly after all five figures had vanished completely into the cave abode's entrance, a man emerged from the woods.

Had Mo Chen and the others seen the man's appearance after he dispelled his Form-Concealing Art, they would have found him all too familiar. He was none other than the Four Directions Teahouse proprietor who had arranged the expedition!

The proprietor scanned the area again with his divine sense. After confirming that Mo Chen and the others had not noticed him, he quickly took a set of strange Runic Formation Flags from his Storage Bag and deftly arranged them around the entrance.

He cast a hand seal. The formation flags flashed with spiritual light and rose into the air. After circling several times, they enveloped the entire mountaintop, then sank into the ground and disappeared.

"Hahaha! My Mutant Demon Python will soon advance. The formation inside can operate on its own for several days. All I need to do now is collect the remaining materials in the cities to reinforce the spirit beast's master-bonding mark, and I'll be able to command an initial-form Demon Beast."

The thought filled the teahouse proprietor with delight.

While using the information to lure everyone here, the Four Directions Teahouse proprietor had roughly sensed that the five were scheming against one another. But that did not matter at all. They would all be devoured by the spirit beasts in the cave anyway.

The proprietor remained immersed in his own schemes, congratulating himself on a plan as seamless as a heavenly robe.

"Using the Stone Marrow Pearl to lure people here was truly brilliant!"

"Anyone who needs a Stone Marrow Pearl to replenish their spiritual root must have a water spiritual root in their [Eight-Character Five-Note Resonance]. Just the thing to nourish those python spirit beasts of mine..."

Then the proprietor struck the ground with his palm and poured magical power into the formation like mad. He only stopped once a Barrier unfurled and he had confirmed that the cave entrance was tightly sealed.

After returning to the Four Directions Teahouse, the proprietor summoned his trusted subordinate to the Inner Chamber.

"You needn't help out at the teahouse for the time being. Go to the surrounding immortal cities and collect these materials for me. You'll still receive your wages!"

A waiter accepted a Jade Slip with a smile, but shortly after probing it with his divine sense, his face fell. "Proprietor, these materials are far too rare. They're only found in the Half-Limit Secret Realm and other ruins. If we try buying them in the immortal cities, we might not gather them all even in a year."

The proprietor's expression grew grave as well. "I know. That's why you'll visit the immortal cities to the north, while I try my luck in those to the south. That way, we might collect all these materials within half a year."

"Once my pythons have devoured those people, they'll hibernate for about a year before advancing to the initial-form stage. We don't have much time, so we must split up. Don't worry about the funds. You won't be short of spirit stones."

Only after hearing the proprietor's words did the cultivator smile and agree to the task.