Exploring the Cold Pool

Hearing Zhao Qi's words, Yang Linghu set aside his other thoughts and began to ponder cautiously.

Secret treasure grounds all harbor their own legacies, but uncovering these inheritances is far more difficult than merely hunting for spirit materials.

The information Gu Zhengyuan had provided did not include details regarding any hidden areas.

"Junior Brother Zhao is right. The royal secret order has been issued, and our purpose for this trip is the Black Snake Blood Scale. We must treat that as our primary objective."

Yang Linghu continued, "I believe we should forgo exploring this cave for now. Once we have secured the blood scale and are on our return journey, we can consider it again. What do you think?"

Liang Yi and Zhao Qi had no objections. The three consumed their antidote pills, descended into the poisonous valley, and bypassed the cave to press on in search of the Black Snake.

Shortly after they had departed, a strange, eerie sound faintly echoed from within the cave.

"Dam...nable..."

"Why... did they not... enter?"

A low, hoarse voice emerged from the deepest part of the cavern. A bizarre entity, shrouded in Black Snake scales, had a body that pulsed and swelled rhythmically.

Its true form was impossible to discern; only through the fissures between the dark scales could one faintly distinguish features resembling a human's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

"I cannot... hold on much longer..."

"I cannot wait... another decade..."

"I require... fresh flesh and blood..."

As the creature's body twitched, the low, raspy whispers gradually faded.

"Oh? Senior Brother! Look! There is a cave here!"

"Indeed there is!"

"Excellent! This must be a hidden area within the secret ground. It is highly likely the true inheritance is hidden within!"

"Wait, this cave looks ominous. Could it be dangerous?"

"Do not worry, Junior Sister. We are fully prepared with talismans and spiritual treasures, and we are all at the third level of Qi Gathering. Even if we encounter danger, we have sufficient means to handle it!"

These voices drifted into the cave from outside. Upon hearing them, the bizarre creature let out a cackling laugh.

"Exactly..."

"I am the inheritance. Come in and claim it!"

As it spoke, it writhed, and a yellowed book was squeezed out from its own flesh.

The bloated body then began to contract rapidly until it was the size of a ball, lying motionless to the side.

......

Relying on their antidote pills, Yang Linghu and his companions successfully crossed the poisonous valley and reached a region shrouded in miasma.

They drew the Miasma-Breaking Talismans they had prepared, each clutching one as they moved slowly into the mist.

Unlike the previous valley, this miasma zone was home to aggressive insect-type creatures.

The three formed a defensive formation with Yang Linghu in the lead, while Liang Yi and Zhao Qi guarded the flanks, advancing with steady discipline.

After half a day, they traversed the miasma zone, and the temperature dropped sharply.

They had entered a new layer beneath the secret treasure ground.

The air was damp and cold, filled with black rocks and frozen pools-the habitat of the Black Snake spirit beast.

The three planned to find a location to rest, but at that moment, Yang Linghu felt a jolt in his heart as he sensed danger closing in from behind.

Without a moment's hesitation, he whirled and threw a punch.

Crack-

A water arrow flying through the air shattered against his blow.

The trio looked toward the source and spotted a pitch-black snake coiled around an inverted stone pillar behind them.

Its eyes gleamed with malice as it stared, its azure-blue forked tongue flicking rhythmically.

The black scales blended almost perfectly with the dark rock, rendering it nearly invisible to the naked eye.

"Do not panic, it is only at the first level of Qi Gathering."

Yang Linghu released his Divine Sense. Beyond the snake above them, he detected two more figures lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

He signaled their locations to Liang Yi and Zhao Qi, instructing them to stand ready. Then, he leaped forward and cleaved both the Black Snake and the stone pillar in two with a single palm strike.

Caught off guard, the two snakes hiding in the shadows were quickly spotted by Zhao Qi and Liang Yi, who dispatched them with a few swift techniques.

After dealing with the three Black Snakes, Yang Linghu scanned the surroundings.

Aside from a few Black Snakes sleeping within the cold pools, there were no other corpses. Black Snakes were territorial and aggressive toward intruders; the lack of other bodies indicated that they were the first cultivators to reach this area.

"Since we have gained the initiative and remain undisturbed, we must move quickly to locate the Black Snake Blood Scale. Let us sweep this shallow area first!" Yang Linghu commanded.

The three spread out, keeping a distance of three zhang between them, with Yang Linghu in the center to provide support. They checked each cold pool in turn, neutralizing the sudden bursts of cold breath with their prepared Fire Talismans.

After two hours of meticulous searching, they had cleared the entire first habitat. The snakes here were mostly juvenile and had not yet begun to shed their skin. They found only two second-level Black Snakes, which were deep in their pools, fast asleep.

However, the labor was not entirely wasted. In the center of the region, the trio discovered a blue crystal emitting a faint, cold light.

Recognizing its value, Yang Linghu sealed it with a technique and placed it into his storage bag, intending to present it to the Immortal Venerable upon their return.

With the area cleared, they ventured deeper into the treasure ground.

As they descended further, the cold became more biting. When they arrived at the next area, even with the protection of their Fire Talismans, Zhao Qi began to shiver violently due to his lower cultivation, frost forming on his brows.

Seeing this, Yang Linghu decided that Zhao Qi and Liang Yi should return to the upper level to wait while he pushed forward alone.

The snakes they would encounter ahead were mostly at the second level, which posed too great a risk for Zhao Qi.

"You two must remember: if you encounter danger, turn and flee immediately. Preserving your lives is the priority," Yang Linghu instructed.

Zhao Qi looked worried. "Senior Brother Linghu, you are heading in alone-please be careful!"

Yang Linghu offered a confident smile and spread his arms, manifesting his Tiger-Head Bracers.

"Do not worry, Junior Brother Zhao. I cannot speak for the outside world, but within this secret treasure ground, there are few who can truly challenge your Senior Brother."

He looked at Liang Yi. "Mr. Liang, I entrust Junior Brother Zhao to your care."

"Rest assured, Young Master."

Once they had departed, Yang Linghu moved with greater speed, no longer needing to hold back. With his current combat prowess, the second-level Black Snakes here were no threat; he could kill them effortlessly.

However, the area was vast and the pools were deep, making his solo progress slow. It took him two full days to search every pool, during which he recovered three more of the blue crystals.

"Strange..."

While seated in meditation to regulate his breath, a doubt surfaced in Yang Linghu's mind.

He was not troubled by the absence of the Blood Scale, but rather by the complete lack of other cultivators.

Three days had passed since they entered the valley. While the entrance was slightly secluded, it should have been discovered by others by now.

Yet, having fully explored the second zone, he had seen no sign of anyone else.

Yang Linghu's thoughts drifted back to the cave Zhao Qi had triggered.

"Could that cave truly hold an inheritance, and has it drawn the attention of every other cultivator?" he wondered.

It was only a conjecture; he would know the truth only once they left. Regardless, it was fortunate for him, as it granted him ample time to hunt for the Black Snake Blood Scale.

What Yang Linghu did not know was that by choosing to enter the depths of the underground first, he had avoided a catastrophe.

Following them, three other parties of cultivators had discovered the valley and chosen to explore the cave.

Without exception, none had walked out alive.

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