15: The Secret of the Cave

Inside the private room of the Spirit Tea House, the aroma of tea lingered. Bai Zhan sat in the main seat, his expression somewhat solemn.

He picked up the teacup, took a light sip, then put it down. His gaze swept across Xu Qi'an and Wan Feng's faces, and he slowly began, "Fellow Daoists, since everyone is here, I'll get straight to the point."

Xu Qi'an sat to the side, his expression calm, as if indifferent to everything.

Wan Feng still maintained an arrogant demeanor, his fingers lightly tapping the table, appearing somewhat impatient.

Seeing this, Bai Zhan didn't waste any more words and said directly, "A few days ago, I discovered a Cultivator's cave dwelling. This dwelling is divided into two levels: the outer layer and the inner layer."

"The outer layer of the cave dwelling has already been conquered by me. Inside, there are some low-level elixirs and Cultivation Techniques. That book, Elixir Refining Miscellaneous Records, and a few scrolls of array secrets were obtained from within."

Bai Zhan smiled helplessly, then continued, "Unfortunately, the inner layer of the cave dwelling is protected by an array of at least the Qi Refining Late Stage. There are also various mechanisms within the array. I cannot break it alone, which is why I asked the two Fellow Daoists for help."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qi'an's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Daoist Bai, since you've asked for our help, how will the treasures be distributed after the matter is concluded?"

"Just this Elixir Refining Miscellaneous Records isn't enough!"

Xu Qi'an thought for a moment, then asked in a feigned naive manner.

Bai Zhan glanced at him and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Diao, rest assured, I, Bai Zhan, have always been fair."

"As for the treasures in the inner layer of the cave dwelling, if the number is a multiple of three, we can divide them equally. However, I will choose first, and you two will..."

Bai Zhan looked left and right, hesitating to speak.

Upon hearing this, Wan Feng snorted coldly, "Then the second treasure will be chosen by me. I am the main force in breaking the array. What is your intention, Fellow Daoist Diao?"

Xu Qi'an sneered inwardly: They haven't even broken the array yet, and they're already thinking about how to divide the treasures.

However, Xu Qi'an didn't plan to reveal his strength. Anyway, when it came to dividing the treasures, strength would ultimately decide.

"I don't know their true capabilities, and they don't know mine. Since I'm acting naive, they should lower their guard against me."

Xu Qi'an's mind stirred, and his expression immediately showed a hint of anger. He said in a low voice, "Hmph, I have no objection. However, I hope Fellow Daoist Wan can truly break the array and isn't just putting on a show."

"You!" Wan Feng's face instantly turned ugly. He slapped the table and was about to angrily scold Xu Qi'an.

Bai Zhan finally intervened at this moment, persuading like a good old man, "Oh dear, you two, why the fuss? Let's show our true skills when we get to the cave dwelling."

"Hmph!" Xu Qi'an and Wan Feng simultaneously turned their heads away and let out a cold snort.

The three discussed some details further. Bai Zhan acted extremely sincere, even proactively offering some suggestions for breaking the array.

Xu Qi'an, on the other hand, kept acting like a simpleton, asking naive questions from time to time, causing Wan Feng to frown repeatedly.

Finally, the three agreed to meet three days later one kilometer outside the Qingzhu Market. Xu Qi'an then left the Lingyun Tea House first.

On the way back, Xu Qi'an sneered inwardly.

It didn't matter whether Bai Zhan genuinely wanted to break the array or what his intentions were.

He now cultivated both cultivation and Body Refinement. His strength at Body Refinement Fourth Level and Qi Refinement Sixth Level was enough to directly confront a Cultivator of the Qi Refining Late Stage.

Coupled with the large number of Grade 1 High-level Talismans he had accumulated, even if Bai Zhan and Wan Feng joined forces, he would definitely have the upper hand.

"However, I still need to make some more preparations."

"If I could get a Grade 1 Super-level Talisman, that would be of the greatest use to me."

Xu Qi'an murmured to himself.

For the next three days, Xu Qi'an stayed indoors. Besides practicing using the High Grade Qingzhu Sword, he focused on using Talismans and putting them into the gathering treasure basin.

Finally, on the evening of the third day, Xu Qi'an was blessed with extreme luck and finally produced a Grade 1 Super-level offensive Talisman: the Wood Sword Talisman!

This Talisman emitted a green spiritual light throughout. Intricate runes and a small sword were carved on it.

"With this Talisman, I have another trump card!"

Currently, Xu Qi'an had hundreds of Grade 1 High-level Talismans, plus the current Grade 1 Super-level Talisman.

If these hundreds of Talismans were thrown out, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator might have to retreat and avoid the sharp edge.

Xu Qi'an held the Wood Sword Talisman, a flicker of confidence in his eyes.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Xu Qi'an arrived at the meeting point one kilometer outside the Qingzhu Market as agreed.

From a distance, he saw that Bai Zhan and Wan Feng were already waiting there.

"Fellow Daoist Diao, you're finally here!" Bai Zhan walked up with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of warmth.

Xu Qi'an nodded and said in a feigned simple and honest manner, "I was delayed on the way. Sorry to have kept Fellow Daoist Bai Zhan waiting."

Wan Feng glanced at him and said coldly, "Since everyone is here, let's set off."

Bai Zhan smiled, took out a map from his storage bag, and pointed to a marked location on it, saying, "The cave dwelling is deep within Pizi Mountain, about half a day's journey from here. Let's hurry and try to get there before dark."

Xu Qi'an glanced at the map, secretly memorized the route, and then followed behind Bai Zhan and Wan Feng, heading towards Pizi Mountain.

Along the way, Bai Zhan acted extremely enthusiastic, talking to Xu Qi'an from time to time, trying to probe his background.

Xu Qi'an, on the other hand, kept playing dumb and naive, showing no signs of cunning, causing Wan Feng to frown repeatedly.

"Fellow Daoist Diao, you Cultivate both cultivation and Body Refinement, and you're young and promising. May I ask what Cultivation Techniques you practice?" Bai Zhan asked with a smile.

Xu Qi'an scratched his head and smiled honestly, "Just ordinary Qi Refining and Body Refinement Cultivation Techniques, nothing special."

"Isn't it because my Spiritual Root is too poor that I went into Body Refinement?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Bai Zhan's eyes, but he quickly smiled again and said, "No matter. When we enter the cave dwelling, perhaps we can find better Cultivation Techniques."

Xu Qi'an nodded, thought for a moment, but then asked, "Then, Daoist Bai, what Cultivation Technique do you practice? This humble one is also very curious!"

Bai Zhan was slightly taken aback, then also said, "Hahaha, I also practice ordinary Qi Refining Cultivation Techniques."

"Is that so?" Xu Qi'an asked, pretending to be confused.

Bai Zhan nodded.

Towards evening, the three finally arrived deep within Pizi Mountain.

Bai Zhan pointed to a mountain wall ahead and said, "The cave dwelling is there. There's an illusion array outside, so ordinary people wouldn't be able to find it at all."

Xu Qi'an looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw faint spiritual energy fluctuations on the mountain wall.

"Let's go, let's go in." Bai Zhan said with a smile, a hint of imperceptible coldness flashing in his eyes.