Tian Ning stepped back, highly alert: "We're not on the same team. What if you betray me?"
Meng Xian: "..."
In her heart, was he really unimportant?
Tian Ning slammed another fist against the wall, the warning clear. Everyone immediately fell silent, afraid of attracting the attention of this lunatic!
Pang Yi followed Tian Ning, too stunned to notice Zhuang Jiu's plight. With Tian Ning's incredible fighting ability, could she really help?
The cave was pitch-black. As the two moved forward, despite the lack of any obvious danger, the temperature of the entire space steadily increased. They felt as if they were inside a scorching volcano.
This was perfectly normal. A place that could nurture Fire Marrow would inevitably be extremely hot.
Tian Ning fared better; her clothes offered some protection. Pang Yi, however, was drenched in sweat, feeling as though she was about to be steamed alive.
"Fellow Cultivator Tian…"
Pang Yi was about to speak when her foot struck something that emitted a melodic sound. She looked down, but the darkness prevented her from seeing clearly what it was.
Tian Ning produced a small flame in her palm, illuminating the dark space. Pang Yi saw a qin, and instantly recognized it: "The Fuxi Qin! How could it be here?!"
Seeing Pang Yi's excitement, Tian Ning asked: "Do you know its Master?"
"No, I don't. But the Fuxi Qin, being a Divine Tool, caused quite a stir when it chose its Master. Because Sound Cultivators are few, the appearance of such a genius who gained the Fuxi Qin's recognition was a major event. Even though I was young at the time, I remember it well…" Pang Yi recalled, "But the Fuxi Qin's Master disappeared after entering the Immortal Island Secret Realm. Over the years, many have entered the Secret Realm seeking the Fuxi Qin, but I never expected to find it here…"
This was the Immortal Island Secret Realm; opportunity accompanied danger.
The flame in Tian Ning's hand grew brighter, allowing them to see their surroundings more clearly. They saw countless Magical Artifacts and Dimensional Pouches scattered on the ground, and…a pile of Bones.
Next to these Bones were Jade Tokens from various sects, belonging to disciples who had gone missing from various sects over the years in the Immortal Island Secret Realm. Yet, aside from the strange heat, there was no other obvious danger. How did these people die here?
From the moment they entered this cave, there had been an unsettling strangeness. These people seemed trapped, unable to escape.
Tian Ning: "Can you hold on and keep moving?"
"Yes…but Fellow Cultivator Tian, shouldn't we take some Magical Artifacts and Dimensional Pouches?" Pang Yi looked at the treasures strewn on the ground, shamelessly swallowing. So tempting! She didn't mind touching Bones!
Their Lingyun Sect was notoriously poor. They had never seen so many valuable items!
Tian Ning: "Can you open a Dimensional Pouch right now?"
Pang Yi shook her head.
Tian Ning: "You want to carry all this stuff as we move forward?"
Pang Yi shook her head vigorously like a rattle.
She was nearly cooked alive, and carrying a pile of items would exhaust her in just a few steps…
The agony of wanting something yet being unable to take it was overwhelming. Pang Yi stared longingly at the treasures, finally choosing to carry only the Fuxi Qin as she continued inward with Tian Ning. The greatest suffering in the world was this.
Shortly after they left, Lan Siran and her group arrived.
Because of Tian Ning, Lan Siran had used all of her Top-Grade Healing Pills. She hated her rival intensely, for repeatedly ruining her plans, but she dared not speak out. She would deal with Tian Ning after they left…
Lan Siran carried a spirit jade that glowed in the dark. Upon seeing the scattered Magical Artifacts and Dimensional Pouches, the Tai Chu Sect members' eyes lit up. This cave held such a Chance Encounter! They immediately rushed to collect items, fearing that their fellow disciples would snatch them. Some even fought over a single Magical Artifact!
"What are you doing? I saw it first!"
"It's clearly unowned. Whoever grabs it has the Ability!"
"With your poor aptitude, you don't deserve this sword. Give it to me!"
…
Meng Xian watched the chaos without intervening. These fools only saw immediate gain; they didn't realize that the greatest challenge here…was surviving!
In all likelihood, these people would end up like the Bones on the ground, forever buried here.
Lan Siran did not join the scramble for Treasure. These trifles were insignificant compared to what she truly desired! Besides, if she obtained that item, all the treasures here would become hers!
"Junior Martial Brother Meng Xian, I feel the calling is stronger now. Perhaps a Divine Tool wishes to Contract with me! You stay here to watch over our Senior Martial Brothers and Senior Sisters. I'll be right back…"
Meng Xian showed no concern, merely nodding slightly.
Everyone in Tai Chu Sect was busy grabbing things; no one paid attention to Lan Siran.
Lan Siran knew there was a small Fire Marrow mountain range ahead. Even a small piece could fetch an exorbitant price. If her Fire Spiritual Root could absorb the Fire Marrow, her alchemy skills would undoubtedly improve dramatically. And part of the reason this place was so hot was because of the Fire Marrow…
Lan Siran hurried forward. There was so much Fire Marrow, and they couldn't open their Dimensional Pouches using Spiritual Energy. Tian Ning wouldn't be able to carry away the Fire Marrow.
She comforted herself with these thoughts. After an unknown amount of time, Lan Siran reached a vast space. There was no path ahead; this was the place she sought.
But…Lan Siran stared at the empty scene, momentarily stunned.
Where was her Fire Marrow mountain range?
She looked toward Tian Ning and Pang Yi, who had arrived earlier. They were looking at a sparrow with a round belly.
Tian Ning poked the swollen belly; it felt firm. "That stuffed, can it still fly?"
Jiujiu stubbornly chirped twice, flapping its wings unsteadily before returning to Tian Ning's head.
Tian Ning instantly felt her head heavier. Goodness, how much Fire Marrow had it eaten? Tian Ning arrived later and didn't know that an entire small Fire Marrow mountain range had been devoured by Jiujiu!
Lan Siran rushed over in disbelief, questioning them: "Can you open Dimensional Pouches? Did you hide this entire small Fire Marrow mountain range?!"
She didn't believe that all the Fire Marrow had gone into the tiny sparrow's belly! These two must have used some special method to hide it! That was the Chance Encounter she had planned for… Why, why did they take her opportunity!
The voice of her Malevolent Qi echoed in her heart, unaware that Meng Xian, hidden in the shadows, heard everything.
Her opportunity?
Meng Xian found it amusing.
Pang Yi genuinely thought Lan Siran was being absurd: "Fellow Cultivator, we didn't see the Fire Marrow mountain range you mentioned when we came in. You arrived later than we did, so how would you know it was there?"
"Did you come here before? But you're only nine years old. To my knowledge, the Tai Chu Sect Leader's granddaughter is entering the Immortal Island Secret Realm for the first time this year. How would you know about the Fire Marrow mountain range?"
Pang Yi's words left Lan Siran speechless. She couldn't reveal the Truth; it was a secret she had to protect.
"