Chapter 134: Entering the Underground Grotto

Hearing Chen Mu’s renewed proposal, the group decided to let him give it a try. Although Chen Mu was young, the strength he had just demonstrated proved he was fully qualified to have a say in the matter.

Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus and intended to let him attempt it, Chen Mu spoke again: "In truth, even if everyone had joined forces earlier, it would have been difficult to break this barrier. Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Li Beihang’s attempt created an opportunity. His actions were not in vain; from my observations, although the barrier does not appear to be broken, his series of efforts created a breach, making it no longer as complete as it once was."

Upon hearing this, those who had expected Chen Mu to mock Li Beihang were surprised. Realizing that it was Li Beihang who had actually exposed a flaw in the formation, they turned their gazes toward him. Their eyes no longer held ridicule or contempt, but rather a hint of respect and acknowledgment.

Li Beihang, whose complexion had been dull and gloomy, looked bewildered at first, but then a touch of color returned to his pale face. Though he was still somewhat dazed, his sense of resentment and inferiority dissipated slightly.

Seeing Chen Mu speak up for Li Beihang and reveal the truth, the other three members of the quartet felt a sense of gratitude toward him. Though Huo Mingyan and the others still could not fully read what kind of person Chen Mu was, they felt he was not the type to spread falsehoods or stir up trouble. Even if his methods were indeed ruthless, they believed he was not a deeply wicked or malicious person.

Lu Gao, while still somewhat put off by Li Beihang’s current state, felt his favor toward Chen Mu increase due to this defense—a testament to the fact that Lu Gao truly cared for his companion.

Once Chen Mu confirmed the formation had a weakness, everyone hurriedly asked what they should do next.

Chen Mu pondered for a moment and said: "From here on, we do not need everyone to break the formation. I have some minor techniques I will share with my companions, and then the six of us will break it together. Of course, this requires the participation of Fellow Daoist Li Beihang. Since I was brought here to observe by his group, it is only natural that I join their quartet. As for the final person, it will be my companion, Xue Tian. Although he, like me, uses techniques to conceal his aura, his strength is actually above mine, so there is no need to worry about his capability."

Hearing this, the crowd looked at Xue Tian, whose cultivation level was also unfathomable, and felt puzzled by his peculiar name.

Xue Tian ignored the curious gazes, standing quietly in place with his eyes closed as if he were meditating. It was as if he had been oblivious to everything since arriving—including the incident where Chen Mu was provoked and his subsequent retaliation—making the others find him completely inscrutable.

Now that everyone saw a glimmer of hope for breaking the barrier, their irritation vanished, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Chen Mu’s next words caused dissatisfaction once more. He demanded that for them to break the formation, they must agree to one condition: his group must be allowed to enter first and choose one item of their preference, after which the rest would be obtained based on individual ability.

As soon as this demand was raised, some prepared to object, but Chen Mu was firm: if they did not agree, he would not proceed with the breaking of the formation.

Furthermore, Chen Mu pointed out that even with a flaw in the formation, relying on mindless brute force would take a long time. By then, more people would arrive, and if any experts at the Primordial Spirit stage appeared, none of them would stand a chance at the treasures within the grotto.

The group’s expressions soured, but they felt helpless. Chen Mu was right; they knew the strength of the formation well, and relying on Chen Mu’s method was the only way to break it in a short time.

One of them asked, "Fellow Daoist, how long will it take to break this formation? If it takes too long, we might as well attack it together."

"Too long? Not at all. Since there is already a flaw, with my method, it will take at most one hour to break it," Chen Mu replied with a grin, giving them a very satisfactory answer.

The group was ecstatic. Breaking the formation in such a short time meant they could enter the grotto of the Fuchen Daoist sooner, allowing them to secure treasures before the latecomers arrived.

Although they were unhappy with the condition, they all agreed, considering the speed at which Chen Mu could break the formation. They reached an agreement and swore a Daoist oath that if they successfully entered the grotto and discovered treasures, the six-member team of Chen Mu must be allowed to pick one item first.

After the oaths were sworn, Chen Mu shared the method with Xue Tian and the four members of Huo Mingyan’s group, who stood there in a daze, wondering how things had escalated to this point. Under the expectant gazes of the others, the six began their preparations.

Chen Mu and the other five stood at the edges of the formation on the ground of the underground grotto, continuously weaving hand seals according to the steps they had discussed.

The method Chen Mu taught them was the "Multi-Ring, Multi-Seal Breaking Technique," which he had learned from Rou'er. As the six of them rapidly wove their seals, the flickering barrier began to distort.

Previously, they could not see the entrance to the grotto because the barrier had concealed it, leaving only a patch of grass that looked slightly different from its surroundings. Now that the formation was distorting, the entrance appeared before them intermittently, filling everyone with excitement—it proved Chen Mu’s method was effective and he had not been lying.

Time ticked by, and the barrier distorted more violently. It was clear the formation had become extremely unstable; if they persisted, the chaotic energy would inevitably lead to its self-collapse.

In less than an hour—half an hour, to be precise—the formation collapsed and broke under the chaotic energy guided by Chen Mu.

As the formation shattered, everyone cheered, for the entrance to the Fuchen Daoist’s grotto was finally clearly visible. Although it was just a plain and unremarkable hole in the ground, they all knew it held many rare treasures, as it was the lair of the Fuchen Daoist.

After breaking the formation, everyone bowed to thank Chen Mu and his team before jumping into the cave to begin their exploration. Chen Mu’s group of six did not lag behind, and after a brief moment of recovery, they followed suit.

Upon entering, they discovered under the illumination of their spells that the grotto was not as simple as it seemed. The passages were intricate and labyrinthine, as if the owner had anticipated someone breaking his formation and had set a new puzzle.

The tunnels branched off in every direction. After a moment of thought, the group decided to choose their own paths, hoping to stumble upon the treasures. While the others were clueless, Xue Tian and Chen Mu wore crafty smiles. Since Xue Tian had already condensed his soul into a Primordial Spirit, his divine sense could peer through the labyrinth, making it hold no secrets. Chen Mu, with the assistance of Rou'er’s divine sense, could also easily discern the structure and locate the treasures.

At this moment, Huo Mingyan said gratefully, "Brother Chen Mu, thank you for teaching us the breaking method. Now, it is finally my time to be useful. I am a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect. I have a small beast called a Treasure-Seeking Squirrel, which is naturally gifted at sensing rare materials and treasures. As long as we follow it, we will surely reach the Fuchen Daoist’s true residence."

Huo Mingyan smiled charmingly and tapped her spirit beast bag, revealing a snow-white, adorable little squirrel. It peered curiously at its surroundings, fearlessly darting around Huo Mingyan and the others.

However, the moment it was stared at by Xue Tian, it bristled as if scared, and immediately scurried onto Chen Mu, trembling and refusing to let go.

This was the first time Huo Mingyan had seen her squirrel so terrified; it clearly sensed something from Xue Tian. Furthermore, she was speechless that her pet, when frightened, had rushed to Chen Mu instead of her, causing her to look at him with a hint of jealousy. She had spent a great price to tame this beast, yet it showed such intimacy with Chen Mu upon their first meeting, which left her feeling miserable.

Huo Mingyan looked at Xue Tian with trepidation and then at Chen Mu, at a loss for words. Xue Tian merely glanced at the squirrel, then moved a distance away from Chen Mu and stood still like a wooden statue.

Chen Mu felt awkward and curiously examined the squirrel on his shoulder. With his Divine Race physique and the bloodline of the Monster Race, he had a natural affinity for such creatures, which was likely why the squirrel was so drawn to him.

He awkwardly picked up the snow-white creature to hand it back to Huo Mingyan. Seeing that Chen Mu had no intention of stealing her pet, she felt slightly relieved, but the next scene made her stomp her feet in anger.

The squirrel looked at Chen Mu with teary eyes, gripping his hand tightly and refusing to let go, as if he were its true master. If the others didn't know the truth, they would have thought Chen Mu was abandoning his loyal and cute pet.

Chen Mu’s head was filled with black lines. He immediately said, "Sister Yan, this... I don't know what's going on. I swear I have no intention of coveting your little beast."

Huo Mingyan scoffed; she didn't believe his nonsense. She was certain Chen Mu must have done something, otherwise, why would her pet be so smitten with him?

Seeing she didn't believe him, Chen Mu had no choice but to put on a stern face and say to the little creature, "I know you have gained intelligence. You are a beast with a master, so you should follow her properly. Harassing me like this puts me in a difficult position. Be a good girl and go back to Sister Yan."

The creature shook its head pitifully, refusing to release his hand. Huo Mingyan was so anxious she was on the verge of tears.

Aside from Xue Tian, the other three in the team looked at the scene with strange expressions. They knew how difficult it had been for Huo Mingyan to obtain the squirrel, but the situation was so awkward and bizarre that they didn't know what to say.

Helpless, Chen Mu had to apply a slight bit of his bloodline pressure. Feeling the deterrence, the squirrel tremblingly released its tiny claws, though it continued to look at Chen Mu with reluctance.

Seeing her pet return, Huo Mingyan stopped crying, but she still looked at Chen Mu with a sense of grievance, as if he had taken advantage of her.