Chapter 30

"It's hard to say, I've been in a deep sleep for too long, but it's definitely something good." Old Liquor avoided the main point.

"We can only take it one step at a time." Lin Xuan made up his mind and set off with Tang Yu for the mysterious Devil Pit.

The Devil Pit is located within the Taihang Mountains, a black hole spanning several miles, bottomless. However, some precious herbs grow around it. Someone once tried to pick them, but fell into the pit and never came out.

Later, people discovered that whether it was animals or humans, once they got close, they would be sucked into the hole, their fate unknown. On the contrary, some plants grew exceptionally well.

Over time, no one dared to go there anymore, and it became a forbidden area. No one would risk it on a regular day. However, this time, someone found some brown stones near the Devil Pit, and some extraordinary herbs were cut from inside them.

This news immediately alarmed many martial artists. Now, many martial artists have headed to the Devil Pit, even the disciples of Zixia Sect have arrived, indicating the value of those mysterious stones.

Leaving Leyang City, the two headed straight for the southwest direction of the Taihang Mountains, where the Devil Pit is located.

Entering the dense forest, Lin Xuan and Tang Yu gradually slowed down. Although the Devil Pit is not deep in the Taihang Mountains, it is close enough, and powerful beasts often appear around it.

Moreover, the area is now a mix of people, so they had to be cautious.

The ground was covered with many rotten branches and leaves, which could sink one's feet when stepped on. Fortunately, both of them had excellent agility, and the soft ground did not affect them.

The deeper they went, the more lush the trees became. The massive trunks required several people to embrace. Ancient trees with lush leaves blocked the sky, and vines entangled, forming a complex terrain.

In the distance, tigers roared and apes cried, birds and beasts flew and ran, making it a paradise for wild animals.

"Roar!"

A leopard with green spots leaped down from a tree, its claws like knives, and its white teeth gleaming. Lin Xuan sidestepped and slashed with his sword, not using spiritual energy, relying on pure muscle strength to split the leopard in two.

This is the effect of the Golden Jade Body Tempering Technique, which has five levels. The first level can nourish the body and increase strength. Lin Xuan's strength has increased by about three levels, reaching nearly 5,000 pounds.

He did not use spiritual energy for another reason: it was too conspicuous. Once used, it would be like telling others he was there.

This vast forest is not like a sect; no one cares about the rules. A disagreement could easily lead to bloodshed. Lin Xuan did not want to reveal himself too early.

Thud! Thud!

The ground trembled slightly. Lin Xuan and Tang Yu exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. They leaped up and landed on a tree trunk, hiding their aura.

The ground trembled more intensely. Soon, a giant white jade elephant slowly walked over, its legs wider than ordinary stone pillars, each step creating a deep pit in the ground.

"Roar..."

The white jade elephant roared to the sky, the sound shaking the leaves off the trees. Lin Xuan and Tang Yu had to use spiritual energy to block their hearing to avoid being deafened.

"Roar!"

A black tiger with white spots, as large as a bull, leaped out from the grass, roaring at the white jade elephant, seemingly warning it not to come closer.

Boom!

The long elephant trunk lashed out like a heavenly hammer, smashing the black tiger into pieces. Then, the trunk coiled up, and the flesh and organs were sucked into its mouth.

Thud! Thud!

The white jade elephant roared again and slowly walked away.

Lin Xuan sighed in relief. Beasts of this level were not something they could fight. The two continued forward, more cautious this time, but the situation seemed to be getting worse.

Beasts that were rarely seen seemed to have all come out, and many demonic beasts were also roaming nearby, making the already dangerous Devil Pit even more perilous.

"Something's wrong. Why are there so many beasts here? It's like the deep part of the Taihang Mountains!" Lin Xuan frowned.

"Something must be wrong. Could it be related to those stones?" Tang Yu said, her expression tense.

"Yes, there are some things we don't know yet." Lin Xuan nodded. "It's too dangerous inside. Do you still want to go in?"

"I want to see my brother. I'm a bit worried about him." Tang Yu hesitated.

"How many inner sect disciples came?" Lin Xuan asked.

"I'm not sure, but I estimate that each of the three major forces has sent some people." Tang Yu thought for a moment. "Many inner sect disciples are on missions in the outer sect, and some are fighting demonic beasts on the front lines. Not many are left in the sect."

Lin Xuan felt a bit heavy-hearted. He originally thought only outer sect disciples would come, but now even inner sect disciples had appeared.

"I'll stay with you until you see your brother." Lin Xuan patted Tang Yu's shoulder and smiled.

The two did not stop. They were already very far from Xuantian Sect, and it was getting dark. If they couldn't find a place to rest before nightfall, they would be in danger.

Finally, at dusk, Lin Xuan found a cave. Next to the cave was a small lake, a suitable place to rest.

Lin Xuan and Tang Yu settled down, deciding to stay for the night and continue the next day. After all, this was a primeval forest, and the night was still very dangerous.

At dusk, the firelight flickered in the forest. Lin Xuan hunted a wild boar, cleaned it by the lake, and placed it on a spit. Tang Yu, like a little glutton, drooled continuously.

Lin Xuan watched with a faint smile, but suddenly his brows furrowed as he looked ahead.

At that moment, a shout came: "Brother, there's a firelight here!"

"Ha ha, great, we don't have to travel at night anymore!" A rough voice echoed.

Lin Xuan sat up straight, immediately gripping his long sword to be ready to act. Tang Yu also looked around vigilantly.

"We are from the Blood Red Mercenary Group, sorry to disturb you!" A loud laugh came, followed by five figures appearing before Lin Xuan.

They were a group of young, robust men, roughly between twenty and thirty years old. Each of them carried a backpack and had knives and swords hanging from their bodies, looking exhausted.

"I am Du Ping from the Blood Red Mercenary Group, and these are my brothers. We got lost in the mountains and want to stay here for the night. I hope you can accommodate us."

Lin Xuan glanced at the group. They had stern faces and sharp eyes, clearly people who lived on the edge. What surprised Lin Xuan even more was that Du Ping had reached the Sixth Stage of the Condensation Pulse, and the others were around the Fifth Stage.

"These people don't seem to have any ill intentions; they just want to stay for the night." Lin Xuan thought.

"We are wanderers, and we should help each other when we are out." Lin Xuan smiled and gestured for them to come in.

"Ha ha, then we won't be polite!" Du Ping laughed and walked over with his brothers.