CHAPTER 714: CHAPTER 98: METICULOUS PLANS WITH UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS_2

Mo Ying’s thoughts were exposed by Zhang Yan’s single remark, causing her ears to flush with embarrassment.

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment, then said, "I will settle here to breathe for a while. In an hour, I’ll set off. As for what you should do, you may decide for yourselves."

With that, he sat cross-legged on the stone platform, closed his eyes, and silenced his breathing, speaking no more.

Mo Ying deliberated briefly. This trip to the Demon Cave had allowed her sectmates to gather quite a few Spiritual Shells, even affording them the purchase of a Flying Boat. The hundred-mile distance ahead was neither short nor long, and now the Spiritual Energy here was so abundant it astonished her. If they ventured deeper into the Demon Cave, there would likely be even greater rewards—certainly worth the risk.

The key consideration, however, was that following Zhang Yan would mean that even if they encountered danger, as a senior of the sect, he could hardly stand by and do nothing.

Thus, after returning, she brushed aside the concerns she initially harbored and shared her thoughts with her sectmates. Many agreed immediately. Though a few remained hesitant, they couldn’t prevail against the majority’s decision and ultimately chose to come along.

Mo Ying then returned to Zhang Yan’s location, gave a respectful bow, and said softly, "Uncle Zhang, we are willing to travel with you."

She waited for a moment but saw Zhang Yan remain motionless and silent as he sat. Bending her knees slightly in another show of respect, she then lifted her skirt and departed, releasing the Flying Boat. The group boarded, quietly adjusting their breathing in preparation for their departure.

An hour passed. Zhang Yan swished his sleeves and rose from the stone, transforming into a cloud of mist as he flew forward.

Mo Ying and her sectmates, spotting this, hastily steered the Flying Boat to follow. However, Zhang Yan’s tunneling speed was incredibly fast; in the blink of an eye, his figure had vanished. They uneasily pressed on for a hundred miles, at which point they discovered an area sealed by a Prohibition—much to their delight. After a brief discussion, they decided to venture further inward.

Thus, they proceeded cautiously, observing intervals to rest. Along the way, they encountered several True Demons with spiritual wisdom lurking behind their Flying Boat, spying upon them. However, thanks to the protective Arrays spaced every hundred miles, their journey remained largely uneventful.

After three days, they had reached the depths of the Demon Cave and once again saw Zhang Yan’s figure. Mo Ying called out in surprise and joy, "Uncle Zhang!"

Zhang Yan, noticing they’d caught up, nodded faintly.

At this point, he slowed his pace. Although the past few days had yielded no discoveries, he showed no signs of impatience.

Just as he was preparing to move again, he sensed a subtle trembling from his Soul Splitting fragment. A thought stirred in his mind, and with a flick of his sleeve, he brought forth a piece of Beautiful Jade.

A faint shadow of Su YiAng’s Soul Splitting emerged from the jade and spoke anxiously, "Master, I entered into a duel with a Disciple of the Demon Dao some days ago and suffered serious injuries. I’ve been recuperating by consuming souls, and for this reason, I failed to report back earlier. I beg your forgiveness!"

Zhang Yan, understanding the circumstances, smiled and said, "Su Daoist, there’s no need to dwell on this matter. Let me ask you—are you familiar with the situation here?"

Su YiAng blinked, glanced around, and quickly replied, "Master, isn’t this the Sea Eye Demon Cave? I’ve resided here for over twenty years. I may not know it inside and out, but I have a general understanding."

Zhang Yan nodded and asked, "I thought as much. Have you encountered any disciples of the Blood Essence Sect while here?"

Su YiAng shrank back slightly and answered cautiously, "Master, not only have I crossed paths with them, but there was one occasion when I seized the opportunity to devour the soul of one unsuspecting disciple..."

Zhang Yan’s eyes gleamed at this revelation and pressed further, "Do you know from where these disciples entered the Demon Cave?"

Su YiAng hesitated momentarily before responding, "Though I can roughly pinpoint the location, I also noticed high-level cultivators guarding the area. The disciples of the Demon Sect are particularly adept at dealing with Devils, so I haven’t dared approach closely and can’t be certain."

Revitalized by this lead, Zhang Yan said, "Su Daoist, I have no need for you to guide me. Simply share the path with me."

There was no reason for Su YiAng to hide anything, so he recounted everything he knew in full detail.

Zhang Yan listened intently, nodding as he memorized the information. Observing Su YiAng’s dimming shadow—duller after speaking extensively—he said, "Su Daoist, return and recuperate for now. If I require assistance, I will summon you again."

Grateful beyond words, Su YiAng replied, "Thank you, Master, for your understanding!"

Zhang Yan tucked the Beautiful Jade back into his sleeve.

With a clear direction now, he no longer needed to stumble blindly. After calculating his next moves, he ascended and landed upon Mo Ying’s Flying Boat, addressing the group, "You may continue cultivating here. There’s no need to venture further. The Prohibition Array I’ve set will ensure your safety. If I do not return, you may leave after achieving Perfect Cultivation."

Having said this, he leaped from the Flying Boat, transforming into a surge of smoke and thunder that sped away, disappearing within moments.

Mo Ying steadied her thoughts and turned back to her sectmates, saying, "Uncle Zhang brought us deep into the Demon Cave—this is a rare opportunity. Fellow sectmates, we must treasure it."

In the following days, the disciples found their cultivation accelerating noticeably thanks to the dense Spiritual Energy. They eagerly practiced their Cultivation Techniques, each striving to seize the fortuitous moment.

Following the path Su YiAng described, Zhang Yan flew westward. By midday, he reached a cave entrance. He didn’t approach directly but observed from a distance. It wasn’t long before he discerned several clues.

Although no Arrays were set up here, the area had clearly been deliberately arranged. Upon closer inspection, traces of human activity could be detected.

Leaving the area unguarded by Arrays was an intentional ploy to enhance concealment.

Zhang Yan did not rush into the cave. Instead, he circled the exterior, contemplating. If it were him orchestrating defenses here, he certainly would have placed a Magic Artifact in an inconspicuous corner—not necessarily to injure intruders but at least to alert himself of their arrival.

After mulling it over, he smiled faintly and found a hidden boulder outside the cave. Casting a concealment spell, he sat motionless like a statue.

If this indeed was an entrance, the Demon Sect disciples were bound to emerge eventually.

He waited patiently. Ten days passed without the slightest movement, but his expression remained unchanged, as if time itself held no meaning.

Twenty more days elapsed, still without incident.

Resolute and steadfast, he continued to sit unmoving.

On the thirty-sixth day, all of a sudden, a blood-colored figure flashed before the cave’s entrance.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)