Ding Fan heard the little girl's words and couldn't help but be startled. Clearly, the 'Gathering Spirit Herb' wasn't something one could easily encounter; it required significant fortune. Ding Fan felt that completing the task given to these two divine warrior girls wouldn't be an easy feat.

At this moment, Ye Ningbing, though unfamiliar with the concept of 'Gathering Spirit Herb,' could see from everyone's expressions that this herb was no ordinary thing, and acquiring it didn't seem to be an easy task.

He Qianyao was also taken aback upon hearing the little girl's words. She had naturally heard of the Gathering Spirit Herb. Most cultivators hadn't even heard of it, let alone obtained it. She herself had only inadvertently overheard her father mention it in the past, and she still remembered the remarkable expression on her father's face when he talked about it.

It was obvious from her father's expressions that the Gathering Spirit Herb was no ordinary matter. After all, her father was a Divided Thought Stage cultivator, clearly an outstanding expert, and even so, his look of longing back then showed that acquiring this herb was extremely difficult.

At this moment, Li Zong, upon hearing the two little girls, looked shaken for a moment, then quickly glanced at them with some confidence and said:

"I know many mysterious places where you may find what you need. Don't lose heart."

Hearing Li Zong's words, the two divine warrior girls looked at him with gratitude, evidently feeling that his words offered both help and comfort. At this moment, He Qianyao, hearing his words, felt somewhat relieved. Clearly, his consolations were effective. Thinking about it, while the Gathering Spirit Herb was indeed rare, since this was the Thunder Abyss, it was the place with the greatest chance of opportunity for cultivators—perhaps it really was possible that it might be found here.

Moreover, as a cultivator who had at least been here before, Li Zong obviously knew more about the situation inside, and having him guide them greatly increased their chances. Immediately, He Qianyao looked at Li Zong sincerely and gratefully said:

"Thank you, Li Zong."

Li Zong, upon hearing He Qianyao's words, merely gave a casual smile and shook his head modestly, displaying a gentleman-like demeanor.

Seeing this, Ding Fan couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly. Ding Fan was clearly not swayed by Li Zong's words. The Gathering Spirit Herb was not something that an ordinary cultivator could just stumble upon. Even if a cultivator did happen across it, they would definitely try every means to hog it for themselves. Clearly, there were very few who would kindly offer it up. Being Gathering Spirit Herb, even if a cultivator below the Emergence Stage obtained it, they wouldn't be able to consume it themselves, but they would surely keep it. After all, the more one advances in their cultivation, the more challenges they face. With this Gathering Spirit Herb, it significantly enhances the ease of cultivation.

Even if some cultivators didn't want to keep it for themselves, they would certainly attempt to sell it, as this kind of spiritual material could be exchanged for a substantial amount of cultivation resources, which were precious to any cultivator.

The main issue was that this kind of thing wasn't something you simply come across. The idea of just stumbling upon it was unrealistic. Any cultivator with any experience in the Cultivation World would not believe Li Zong's nonsense.

However, everyone present seemed to believe Li Zong had been to the Thunder Abyss before, lending his words more credibility in their eyes. But Ding Fan knew this was just superficial. Even if he had visited before, finding the Gathering Spirit Herb was out of the question.

As the Gathering Spirit Herb was rare throughout the Cultivation World, finding it wasn't a matter of simply venturing into the Thunder Abyss. It was a matter of fate, not just a matter of going to a particular place.

It was clear to Ding Fan that Li Zong's goal was to lead everyone into Thunder Abyss. Ding Fan sensed something unusual about the Thunder Abyss, and Li Zong's persistent attempts to lure everyone in suggested some kind of trickery.

Then Ding Fan looked toward Li Zong, maintaining a calm expression and said:

"You must know that this Gathering Spirit Herb is a one-in-a-million treasure. Why are you so sure you can find it?"

Li Zong, upon hearing Ding Fan's words, looked slightly stunned and then turned somewhat grim. His intentions might have been partially seen through, but being no less an old fox, he maintained a warm demeanor and said to Ding Fan:

"Benefactor, since we're already here, why not look around and give it a try?"

Ding Fan, hearing this, was about to retort, but at this moment, He Qianyao and others quickly chimed in:

"Exactly, since we're already here, we should definitely search. And since Brother Li Zong has been here before, our chances of finding it are much greater, right?"

The two divine warrior girls, hearing He Qianyao's words, promptly nodded in agreement and said:

"We will definitely look for it!"

"Yes, I too believe we will find it."

Seeing this, Ding Fan felt that some words he wanted to say now seemed impossible to express. The crowd indeed had a point. Since they have already arrived, they should take a look around.

However, when Ding Fan asked the other's intention, it was clear that he wasn't disagreeing with seeking the Gathering Spirit Herb, but wanted to test the other's attitude. It was evident that the other party was deeply hiding something. Ding Fan wasn't in a rush; as long as he remained cautious, he'd be fine. Even if the other party had bad intentions, Ding Fan believed that with his extraordinary senses, he could foresee it.

At this moment, Ye Ningbing noticed Ding Fan's behavior and increasingly sensed something was unusual. Apparently, Ye Ningbing understood Ding Fan very well. Ding Fan wouldn't act like this without reason, clearly indicating he had something on his mind. Yet, clever Ye Ningbing also realized Ding Fan didn't want to talk about it, so she stood by his side. She understood that even if the whole world opposed Ding Fan, she would unwaveringly stand with him.

Though Li Zong, the cultivator, appeared congenial and had a warm demeanor, it meant nothing to Ye Ningbing. Ding Fan was comforted by Ye Ningbing's support and tightly held her hand as they continued walking through the Thunder Abyss with the others.

Rumble...

Occasional deafening thunderclaps echoed, a normal occurrence in the Thunder Abyss. Neither Ding Fan nor the others found it strange.

Yet, the two little divine warrior girls felt uneasy. Although they practiced Spiritual Cultivation, they were still young—barely in their teens—and were scared in the booming Thunder Abyss.

Apart from He Qianyao, who comforted them occasionally, Li Zong also purposely tended to the two small divine warrior girls, to an almost excessive extent, Ding Fan felt. Not only Ding Fan noticed this, but even He Qianyao was surprised by how gently Li Zong comforted the young girls.

It's rare for a man to consistently transform himself into a child's companion to comfort them—this seemed too peculiar. Very few male cultivators could achieve this level.

In Ding Fan's eyes, it was apparent that Li Zong had ulterior motives. However, to the two young girls and He Qianyao, he appeared to be an exceptionally good man.

Ding Fan said nothing and continued their journey. At this moment, Ye Ningbing, observing Li Zong's actions, frowned slightly, revealing her own suspicions.

After some time, despite extensive searching, the group discovered no valuable Spiritual Materials or Yuan Beasts. Clearly, the environment couldn't support Yuan Beast habitation. The party arrived at a vast plain, the sky a gloomy gray, laden with accumulated thunderclouds—lightning might strike at any moment.

The group stood there as Li Zong gazed at the plain, a glint of excitement flashing briefly in his eyes. Clearly unnoticed by others, Li Zong addressed the group:

"Beyond this plain lies an Underground Palace. I've been there before but didn't delve deeply. The details are unclear, but it's evident there are many treasures inside. Why not try our luck? Finding the 'Gathering Spirit Herb' would be wonderful, wouldn't it?"

Hearing Li Zong's words, the group's spirits were revived. Despite finding no treasures along the way, Li Zong's words reignited their enthusiasm for treasure hunting.

He Qianyao, smiling gently at Li Zong, said:

"In that case, let's proceed quickly. Treasures won't wait for us; if others get there first, we'll miss out on everything!"

He Qianyao spoke excitedly, confident that the Underground Palace Li Zong mentioned was brimming with treasures. She was eager and impatient.

Ye Ningbing heard Li Zong's words but said nothing and looked at Ding Fan. Ding Fan's furrowed brow indicated that he had something on his mind, raising Ye Ningbing's alertness, making her less inclined to blindly trust like He Qianyao.

Ding Fan extended his Divine Sense over the plain and noticed many unusual areas. It was evident that the plain wasn't as simple as Li Zong claimed. As Ding Fan's gaze fell upon the thunderclouds above the plain, he realized that their arrangement hinted at a Formation—potentially more complex than it seemed.

While Ding Fan's realization was tentative, he was certain that the plain wasn't as straightforward as it appeared.

Then Ding Fan once again extended his Divine Sense, searching for alternative routes nearby. To his delight, he indeed discovered another path.

Just as the group was about to enter the plain, Ding Fan suddenly stopped them, saying:

"Something's off in there; it's unlike the usual Thunder Abyss. I discovered another route; let's take the other path."

Hearing Ding Fan's words, Li Zong was taken aback. It was unexpected that his plan, on the brink of success, had been seen through, and the alternative path had been discovered; it seemed almost unbelievable!

Clearly, the other party also seemed to enter the Thunder Abyss for the first time, yet they located an alternative path. Achieving this wasn't something ordinary people could do.