The truly clever ones followed Xia Jue but did not enter the cave with him. Some had realized the moment they saw its entrance that Xia Jue was toying with them.
Indeed, how could someone as formidable as him fail to notice that he was being followed?
Especially by an entire crowd. Those rogue cultivators who followed him inside never stopped to consider just how poor his divine sense would have to be for him not to detect their presence.
"We miscalculated. I never expected so many people to know about the information that predecessor from the Azure Tide Sect left behind." The speaker wore the Heavenly Secret Sect's attire, identical to the personal disciple's sect robes Yun Huanling had worn earlier.
"Eldest Senior Brother, why don't we forget it? Our junior brother will probably be angry if he finds out."
The young man snorted. "His heart has wandered so far now, I bet he wishes he were an Azure Tide Sect disciple himself."
Another disciple beside him chuckled before saying, "Honestly, our chances of snatching it are slim. We might as well take a look and leave."
The man addressed as Eldest Senior Brother thought of how hopelessly weak his sect was in combat. His expression stiffened slightly, but he still held his neck rigid and said, "It's a sacred artifact, after all. We have to try before we know."
"Legend has it that this sacred artifact is a Buddhist treasure. It actually wouldn't be much use to us." Clearly, the speaker did not want to clash with the Azure Tide Sect either.
"Something Buddhist cultivators use? Why didn't you mention that before?" Eldest Senior Brother rubbed his chin. "If it's a Buddhist sacred artifact, then it really isn't worth fighting the Azure Tide Sect over."
A junior brother