"Holy Infant Herb?"
Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow.
Seeing this, Pan Zhuang felt secretly pleased and continued.
"Exactly. Although the Blood-striped Python is injured, it’s still an Early Stage Earth Palace realm demon beast. Together, we have a chance. If the two of you join, our odds are better, and the spirit grass will naturally be divided equally."
Gu Sheng looked at Ling Xiao, who shook his head slightly, a warning in his eyes.
"The Holy Infant Herb is useful to me."
Gu Sheng transmitted a secret message.
"It can help me break through the first level of the Nine Dragons Universe Technique to perfection."
Ling Xiao frowned.
"These people obviously mean no good."
"It’s fine, let’s see how things go."
Seeing the two remain silent, Pan Zhuang added.
"If you two are worried, you can leave anytime. We core disciples wouldn’t trouble our own."
Gu Sheng made a decision.
"Alright, we’ll go with you and take a look."
Pan Zhuang showed a satisfied smile.
"Great! Then let’s not delay and set off now."
As they approached Xuanming Divine Mountain, an invisible force devoured everything.
The whole mountain range was shrouded in eerie darkness.
"Be careful, this is where the real danger begins."
Pan Zhuang lowered his voice, holding a luminous pearl that barely illuminated a few steps ahead.
Gu Sheng squinted his eyes, feeling the surge of spiritual power around him.
His fingers unconsciously pressed on the hilt of his sword, ready for any unexpected situation.
Beside him, Ling Xiao appeared more tense.
"Pan, are you sure that beast is seriously injured?"
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but confirm again, speaking in a suppressed voice, almost through gritted teeth.
Pan Zhuang glared back at him.
"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false? Last night’s battle shook the entire valley. If I hadn’t seized the opportunity, I wouldn’t have called you."
"A demon beast near the Heavenly Palace realm..."
Gu Sheng muttered to himself, his eyes sparkling.
"Even if it’s injured, it’s not something we can deal with easily."
"That’s why we need to strike it when it’s down!"
A tall and thin cultivator behind Pan Zhuang interjected, named Zhao Wuhen, who was Pan Zhuang’s close friend.
"The treasures in that beast’s lair are enough for all of us to break through a minor realm!"
The team continued to move forward in the darkness, everyone suppressing their breath such that even the sound of footsteps was barely audible.
Gu Sheng’s divine sense quietly expanded, perceiving movements within a hundred feet.
"Wait!"
Gu Sheng suddenly raised his hand, signaling the team to stop, and everyone tensed instantly.
"What is it?"
Pan Zhuang asked nervously.
Gu Sheng didn’t answer but closed his eyes, concentrating fully on perceiving. Moments later, he said in a low voice.
"Something’s coming from the northeast."
Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath and quickly hid in the roadside bushes.
Ling Xiao moved a beat slower and was pulled into the bushes by Pan Zhuang.
"Conceal your breath!"
Pan Zhuang’s secret transmission carried an uncompromising command.
Heavy footsteps approached, accompanied by rough panting.
Through the gaps in the bushes, Gu Sheng saw a large shadow moving slowly.
It was a giant wolf-like demon beast, entirely black, with only its eyes glowing red.
With each step it took, the ground trembled slightly.
"Peak Earth Palace realm..."
Gu Sheng judged in his heart, silently thankful that he detected it early.
The beast stopped less than ten meters from their hiding spot, its huge head turning left and right, seemingly sniffing for something.
Ling Xiao’s breathing became rapid, and Gu Sheng could sense his fear.
"Hold steady."
Gu Sheng transmitted to Ling Xiao, while quietly channeling some spiritual power into him to help calm his breath.
The beast suddenly took a step in their direction, and everyone’s nerves were on edge.
Pan Zhuang’s hand was already on his storage bag, ready to take out a life-saving talisman at any moment.
At this critical moment, a sharp scream echoed from a distance.
The giant wolf beast immediately turned and ran towards the sound, disappearing into the darkness in no time.
"Whew—"
Zhao Wuhen exhaled deeply, nearly collapsing to the ground.
"That was close, almost got us killed here."
"Shut up!"
Pan Zhuang scolded harshly.
Before she could finish, Yu Tianyi eagerly stepped forward.
"Rest assured, Junior Sister Jin, if I find any treasures, you’ll be the first person I think of."
Jin Xianyun covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes carrying a hint of enchantment.
"Senior Brother Yu is so kind to me."
Seeing this, Pan Zhuang’s eyes flickered with an imperceptible coldness, and he also stepped forward.
"Junior Sister Jin, I’ve heard that the legendary Holy Infant Grass might grow in the cave. If I can get it, I’ll surely give it to you."
"Really?"
Jin Xianyun’s eyes lit up, turning to face Pan Zhuang, her voice sweet as honey.
"If Senior Brother Pan can truly obtain the Holy Infant Grass for me, I’m willing to do anything for him."
Yu Tianyi’s expression stiffened, his grip on the sword hilt tightened, but he quickly forced a smile.
"Junior Brother Pan jests. Such spiritual objects as the Holy Infant Grass are not so easily found."
Pan Zhuang glanced at Yu Tianyi with a faint smile and didn’t respond.
Gu Sheng stood on the edge of the team, observing everything coldly.
He noticed that whenever Pan Zhuang spoke with Jin Xianyun, his eyes would inadvertently glance towards the depths of the cave, a certain hidden longing in his gaze.
"Gu Sheng, what are you thinking?"
Ling Xiao walked to Gu Sheng’s side and asked in a low voice.
Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze and said softly.
"Nothing, just that this cave seems a bit strange."
Ling Xiao nodded.
"Indeed, I keep feeling like something is watching us."
At this moment, Pan Zhuang suddenly raised his voice.
"Everyone, there’s something we must confirm before entering the cave—who among you has brought the Azure Dragon Token?"
Everyone exchanged glances, Gu Sheng and Ling Xiao exchanged a look, each taking out a Green Jade Token from their bosom.
"I have one."
Gu Sheng said calmly.
"So do I."
Ling Xiao added.
Pan Zhuang displayed an "as expected" expression.
"You must discard them. The demon beast in this cave has a special sense for Azure Dragon Tokens; carrying them closer will alert them."
"Is that so?"
Yu Tianyi asked, skeptical.
Pan Zhuang’s expression was serious.

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