Yao Jiaojiao pretending to be a Dragon Phoenix Academy elder gave the Ziling Sect people a fright. They lacked confidence, and even if some of them suggested taking Yao Jiaojiao down, Ren Zhijiu ignored the suggestion. Instead, he had everyone leave immediately.
He was very clear on how scary the devouring phosphorus poison was. Unless the academy sent their Heaven Battling Realm experts here, nobody would be able to fully explore this place.
Thus, his retreat was, in a way, a strategic step forward. He would first deal with Yao Jiaojiao and wait for the Ziling Sect reinforcements to arrive before deciding on his next course of action. With the departure of the Ziling Sect people, Yao Jiaojiao started observing her surroundings. Soon, she regrouped with Ugly Gambler and Smiling Monk.
“Ahead of us is devouring phosphorus poison miasma. I’m afraid there are even more terrifying poisonous life forms inside as well. It won’t be easy for us to search this place,” said Yao Jiaojiao.
“Is this actually the place we are looking for? Is there a mistake?” Smiling Monk was doubtful.
Xiang Shaoyun quickly took out the incomplete map he had obtained from Ugly Gambler and said, “This location was found in accordance with this map. I am not sure if this is the actual place.”
Ugly Gambler ignored him and said, “Let’s go take a look together.”
And thus, he took the lead and strode toward the poisonous miasma. At the edge of the miasma, he ignored the poison and walked right into it.
“Has Ugly Gambler gone mad?” Smiling Monk exclaimed in alarm.
They might be strong, but they were no Heaven Battling Realm cultivators. How could they step right into the devouring phosphorus poison miasma?
Yao Jiaojiao said, “This fellow is tight with Old Poison. Perhaps he got some nice treasures that can protect him in this poisonous miasma.”
She was correct. In truth, Ugly Gambler had a pill capable of curing all sorts of poisons in his mouth, which was why he had shown no fear toward the poison around him. However, the massive number of devouring phosphorus bugs that had suddenly appeared was tricky even for him.
After two hours, he finally charged out of the miasma and shouted, “Apart from a bunch of bugs, I found nothing. Kid, are you messing with me?”
As he said that, he flashed toward Xiang Shaoyun and gripped his neck, choking him.
“Ugly Gambler, you can’t harm my little boyfriend!” Yao Jiaojiao shouted as she sent her palm over. Ugly Gambler did not dare to fall out with Yao Jiaojiao, so he quickly released Xiang Shaoyun before dodging the palm.
“Yao Jiaojiao, don’t tell me you have really taken a liking for this kid,” grumbled Ugly Gambler.
“That’s right. I have taken a liking to him. You can’t rough him up as you wish!” answered Yao Jiaojiao.
“Fine, I won’t touch him. But if he can’t give me an explanation, I will make his life hard,” said Ugly Gambler with a sneer.
“Jiaojiao, it’s better we investigate this thoroughly. Who knows if this kid is playing a trick on us,” advised Smiling Monk.
“I’m not lying. The place you seek is underground, right under the poisonous miasma,” said Xiang Shaoyun confidently.
“How can you prove that?” Ugly Gambler asked.
“I sensed it after comprehending the profundity of earth,” said Xiang Shaoyun. He couldn’t say he had relied on a treasure seeking mouse, as that would create trouble for Shou Xie.
“Hehe, that’s it?” Smiling Monk wore an odd smile on his face. It gave Xiang Shaoyun a feeling that all his secrets were exposed. However, he gritted his teeth and insisted, “Yes!”
Right after saying that, he calmed himself and circulated his earth energy, forming a connection with the power of earth beneath him and becoming one with the earth. An unending stream of earth energy poured into his body, and his entire being turned unmovable, as if he had become a boulder, a mountain.
He then vaguely sensed that something ahead of him was cutting off his senses, making it impossible for him to sense the power of earth ahead of him. The three Villains sensed Xiang Shaoyun’s change, and astonishment appeared in their eyes.
Evidently, his current condition startled them all. They were all experts whose comprehension on the profundity of powers was no lower than his. In fact, they knew even more than him.
However, when they were his age, not only were they much weaker than him, they also hadn’t comprehended the profundity of powers. Apart from that, they could sense that Xiang Shaoyun had a high affinity with the profundity of earth, comparable to their affinity to the profundity of their respective powers.
They couldn’t even begin to imagine how it was possible. As a fresh Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, even if the kid could touch upon the concepts of profundity, he shouldn’t be able to reach a level where he could become one with an entire patch of land. That was a feat that should only be possible for those in the Soul Foundation Realm.
They were unaware that in order to train his Havoc Dance, Xiang Shaoyun had gained a profound impression on all powers. And with the help of the Desolation mantra, his comprehension on the different powers had reached an even deeper level. His progress was something nobody could duplicate.
He looked at the three and said, “Beneath the poisonous miasma, I can sense a severance of power. There is really something down there. Coupled with what the map indicates, is it hard to believe that this is the location you seek?”
“Haha, I trust you,” said the Ugly Gambler with a smile.
“Let’s not wait. We should dig our way through,” said Smiling Monk with a look of excitement.
“Were you not listening? There is a severance of power. It is definitely isolated from the world. With our strength, can we really penetrate the isolation? Furthermore, we are not the only ones who have discovered this place. We need to plan this through,” said Yao Jiaojiao.
“What do you think we should do, then?” asked the Ugly Gambler.
“We need to get Boss Li and the others here as well. Only then will we stand a chance,” proposed Yao Jiaojiao.
“No!” rejected both Ugly Gambler and Smiling Monk at the same time.
Ugly Gambler said, “If Boss Li is here, there won’t be anything left for us.”
“That’s right. We should first try. If we fail, we can then consider other alternatives,” said Smiling Monk.
“Fine, since you want to try, go ahead. I will temporarily withdraw,” said Yao Jiaojiao decisively.
“Jiaojiao, you won’t be going to find Boss Li, right?” asked Smiling Monk, his eyes narrowed.
“Hehe, can’t you trust me?” said Yao Jiaojiao with a sneer. “Even if you can’t trust me and I really am going to look for Boss Li, I won’t be able to return that fast, anyway. You still have enough time to do whatever you want here.”
“Since that is the case, Yao Jiaojiao, you watch our backs and keep the other group away. I’ll give it a try with Smiling Monk. If we really manage to get anything, you will get your share,” said Ugly Gambler.
