The two hesitated for a moment before Zhu Jingkong said gravely, "Young Master Tang, we certainly won't get the Spirit Flame if we don't go in. Let's take a look inside. Stay behind me and proceed carefully."
"All right!" Tang Yan nodded in agreement.
Their figures flashed as they reached the cave entrance and carefully examined the interior.
Inside was a very deep passage, twisting and turning out of sight. It was fairly spacious, and there seemed to be wind inside; from the entrance, they could hear it howling against the rock walls.
Seeing nothing unusual, the two walked into the cave.
Tang Yan extended his Heart of Taiji, but detected nothing unusual along the way either.
After they had walked five or six li, the view before them suddenly opened up. A spacious chamber lay within the cave.
Thirty zhang away, a mass of green flame blazed fiercely. Despite the distance, Tang Yan could still sense the power of Life Force emanating from it.
"This should be Nurturing Nether. My soul feels incredibly comfortable!" Zhu Jingkong declared.
"It should be. I'll try to lock onto it!" Tang Yan had just taken a step forward when several eerie green points of light suddenly appeared in the gloom.
The green points multiplied, soon becoming a dense, countless multitude!
The two focused their eyes and could not help being startled. They were all rats the size of leopard cats!
After briefly examining them, Zhu Jingkong said gravely, "Nether Mountain Rats, fifth-tier Spirit Beasts! They live in rocky caves. Their fur is as tough as stone, and their claws and teeth are extremely sharp, easily tearing through their prey's defenses.
"Their tier isn't low, and there are a great many of them.
"If you're a little too weak, once they swarm you, they'll