42: Chapter 42 The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

"There's an ambush outside too!" Chaos erupted among the people inside the cave!

Seizing this opportunity, Ye Chen's figure shot backward, charging towards the cave entrance! Two Wang Family Disciples blocking his path were sent flying with two slashes of his sword!

"Where do you think you're going!" Tiger Wang and the Ye Family Elder roared in fury as they gave chase.

Ye Chen burst out of the cave entrance, and with a backhanded slash, he struck the rocky wall beside the opening!

"BOOM!"

The already unstable rock wall collapsed once more. Falling rubble temporarily blocked the pursuers.

"Retreat!" Ye Chen shouted to Scarface and the others.

The Lin Family group did not linger in the fight. They immediately turned and fled deeper into the ice field.

Tiger Wang and the Ye Family Elder blasted through the rubble and charged out, only to see the distant receding figures of Ye Chen and his group. They stomped in rage but dared not give deep chase in the dark night.

"Ye Chen! I, Tiger Wang (the Ye Family), will not rest until you are dead!"

Angry roars echoed outside the Fire Lizard Cave.

In the distance, Ye Chen stopped and looked back at the cave entrance, now ablaze with light. The corner of his mouth lifted in a cold arc.

Not rest until I'm dead? It was already that way long ago.

And this... is only the beginning. The night was as dark as ink, the wind and snow growing fiercer.

Ye Chen's group shook off the pursuit of the Wang and Ye Families. After galloping across the ice field for half an hour and confirming no one was following behind...

...they finally came to a stop within a dense forest of ice pillars.

"Hah... exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!"

Lin Dong leaned on his sword, panting heavily, yet his face was flushed with excitement.

"Brother Ye, you were just incredible back there! Surrounded by so many, you moved as if through unguarded territory, cutting down two in a row! Tiger Wang and that old bastard's faces turned green with anger!"

Scarface also revealed a smile, patting Ye Chen on the shoulder.

"Young Master Ye, brilliant tactics! That'll give the Wang and Ye Families a real headache! With their losses, they shouldn't dare to come looking for trouble again so easily for a while."

His gaze towards Ye Chen was filled with admiration. This youth was not only formidable in strength, but his courage and strategic mind far surpassed his peers.

Ye Chen's breathing was steady. He gave a slight nod.

"When the enemy is sick, strike for the kill. They are in disarray now, which is the perfect opportunity for us to explore the mining area and search for resources."

His gaze swept over the group.

"Everyone, take this chance to rest and recuperate quickly. After daybreak, we will head deeper into the mining area to scout towards the 'Red Iron Mountain'."

"Red Iron Mountain?"

Scarface's brow furrowed slightly.

"That's the main mining area, the most fiercely contested. And it's said there are swarms of 'Earth Fire Scorpions' there. It's extremely dangerous."

"Wealth is found in danger."

Ye Chen's tone was calm.

"The main forces of the Wang and Ye Families have suffered losses, so their control over Red Iron Mountain will inevitably weaken. Moreover, I need some fire-attribute Ore or demon cores to balance the cold qi in my body and seek a Breakthrough."

He wasn't telling the complete truth. Balancing the cold qi was true, but more importantly, the jade booklet within his Sea of Consciousness was faintly transmitting a subtle sense of attraction, pointing towards the depths of Red Iron Mountain. It seemed something was calling to it.

Seeing Ye Chen's mind was made up, Scarface no longer objected. "Alright! We'll follow Young Master Ye's lead!"

After the series of events, he had already developed deep trust in Ye Chen's judgment.

Everyone found their own spots to sit cross-legged, swallowing Medicinal Pills and circulating their Cultivation Techniques to rest and recuperate.

Ye Chen also found a spot sheltered from the wind by an ice wall. Closing his eyes, he turned his vision inward, consolidating the cultivation level he had just Broken Through.

At the same time, he carefully savored the insights gained from his life-and-death battles with the Disciples of the Wang and Ye Families. Life-or-death combat truly was the fastest path to improving one's strength.

An hour later, the sky began to lighten slightly, and the wind and snow gradually subsided.

The group had mostly recovered their condition. After eating some simple rations, they set off once more, heading in the direction marked on the map for Red Iron Mountain.

Red Iron Mountain was located in the center of the mining area, the main production zone for the Mysterious Iron veins.

The closer they got, the more active the fire-attribute Spiritual Qi in the air became, forming a stark contrast with the cold qi of the ice field. It made one feel as if caught between ice and fire.

The ground also gradually changed from ice layers to reddish-brown rock, the temperature rising noticeably.

Along the way, they encountered several small groups of fire lizards and Earth Fire Scorpions, all easily dealt with by the group.

Ye Chen discovered that while using ice-attribute Cultivation Techniques was somewhat suppressed in this environment...

...when dealing with these low-level fire beasts, it actually had a remarkable effect. Extreme cold against intense heat often yielded twice the result with half the effort.

After advancing for roughly another hour, a massive crimson valley appeared ahead. Steam rose from within the valley, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur mixed with metal.

The valley's rocky walls were dotted with mining caves of various sizes. Outside many caves were signs of battle—scattered weapons and bloodstains.

Clearly, this place had seen fierce competition.

"We're here. This is the main mining area of Red Iron Mountain," Scarface said, his expression grave.

"Everyone, be careful. Watch the mining caves and rock crevices. Earth Fire Scorpions love to hide in them."

The team slowed their pace, advancing into the valley with great caution.

They hadn't gone far when the sounds of clashing weapons, shouts, curses, and fighting came from ahead.

"People!" Lin Dong whispered.

The group concealed their figures and quietly approached.

Up ahead, outside a relatively large mining cave, two groups were locked in combat.

One group wore miscellaneous clothing, resembling Loose Cultivators or people from a small Family, about seven or eight in number. They were being besieged by another group of over ten people and were in dire straits.

And the ones besieging them were none other than the fierce bandits of the Black Wind Stockade!

The one-eyed man leading them was precisely the Third Leader who had been frightened off by Ye Chen outside the Cold Pool Secluded Valley!

"It's the Black Wind Stockade!"

Scarface's eyes turned cold. "They're robbing the mining cave!"

Among the besieged Loose Cultivators, one figure made Ye Chen's gaze sharpen.

It was that young woman from the Green Wood Sect named Liu Yiyi, whom they had rescued outside the Ice Crystal Forest earlier!

Her clothes were now stained with blood, her face pale. She and a fellow Senior Brother were fighting back-to-back, barely holding on, their sword techniques already showing signs of disarray.

"It's the people from the Green Wood Sect," Lin Dong also recognized them.

"Do we help?"

Ye Chen pondered briefly.

He had enmity with the Black Wind Stockade. While he had no relationship with the Green Wood Sect, they had crossed paths before.

More importantly, with the Black Wind Stockade here, perhaps he could gather some information about the Black Wind Fiend.

"Prepare to move."

Ye Chen said in a low voice.

"Brother Scarface, take some men and attack from the left flank, create chaos. Brother Lin Dong, follow me in a surprise assault from the right flank to rescue the Green Wood Sect people. Make it quick!"

"Alright!"

The group quietly dispersed.

Scarface led his men, using scattered rocks as cover, advancing towards the Black Wind Stockade's flank.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen and Lin Dong, like two phantoms, silently circled around to the other side.

Outside the mining cave, the battle was nearing its end.

Another Green Wood Sect Disciple fell, leaving only Liu Yiyi and that Senior Brother struggling desperately, several new wounds on their bodies.

The One-Eyed Dragon grinned savagely. With one slash, he sent Liu Yiyi's long sword flying and reached out to grab her shoulder.

"Little lady, you're quite the looker. Come back to the stockade with this lord for some fun!"

Liu Yiyi's face paled in terror, her eyes filled with despair.

At that moment—

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several sharp arrows shot out from the scattered rocks on the left, accurately striking down three Black Wind Stockade bandits!

"Ambush!" The One-Eyed Dragon was startled. He retracted his hand and whirled his head around.

"Kill!" Scarface led his men charging out from the left, blades flashing!

Almost simultaneously, two figures streaked in like lightning from the right!

Ye Chen's ice scar sword left its sheath. A frigid blue sword aura, like a crescent moon, slashed towards the One-Eyed Dragon!

Lin Dong, meanwhile, thrust his sword towards another Black Wind Stockade captain!

"It's you?!"

The One-Eyed Dragon recognized Ye Chen's face. Shock and rage filled him as he raised his blade to block!

"CLANG!"

Sword met saber. The One-Eyed Dragon felt an icy, bone-piercing force surge up his arm. His entire arm instantly went numb. He staggered back, heart filled with terror!

How was this kid's cold qi even more terrifying than last time?

Ye Chen gave him no chance to catch his breath. His swordplay unfolded, attacking the One-Eyed Dragon like a violent storm!

His cultivation had greatly advanced, his swordsmanship even more fierce. The annihilating chill made the One-Eyed Dragon hesitant and constrained, able only to defend with no chance to counterattack!

On the other side, Lin Dong had also entangled the other captain.

Scarface and his men charged in, disrupting the bandits' formation. The pressure on Liu Yiyi and her Green Wood Sect companion lessened greatly. Seeing reinforcements, their spirits soared, and they fought back with renewed vigor.

The tide of battle instantly reversed!

Although the Black Wind Stockade bandits were fierce, facing the well-coordinated, stronger Lin Family team and a baleful star like Ye Chen, they were soon routed, suffering heavy casualties.

"Retreat! Retreat now!"

Seeing the situation turn sour, the One-Eyed Dragon feinted a slash to force Ye Chen back, then turned and fled!

The other bandits also scattered like birds and beasts.

Ye Chen did not pursue, letting them escape into the mountain forest.

One shouldn't chase a desperate foe. Moreover, he needed survivors to carry the news back.

The battle ended. Seven or eight Black Wind Stockade corpses littered the ground.

Of the Green Wood Sect, apart from Liu Yiyi and that Senior Brother, all the other Disciples had fallen in battle.

"Thank you... thank you, Young Master Ye, Young Master Lin, Brother Scarface, for saving our lives!"

Liu Yiyi, still shaken, pulled her Senior Brother forward. They bowed deeply, her voice choked with sobs.

She had multiple injuries, her clothes torn, revealing glimpses of fair skin, making her appear pitiful and delicate.

"Miss Liu, there's no need for such courtesy. It was a small effort," Ye Chen said, gesturing for them to rise. His gaze swept over the chaotic scene.

"How did you end up clashing with the Black Wind Stockade here?"

Liu Yiyi's Senior Brother, a tall young man named Chen Feng, answered with a bitter smile.

"We heard this mining cave had just discovered a rich vein and came to try our luck. We hadn't been mining for long when we encountered the Black Wind Stockade. They attacked without a word, trying to seize it..."

His gaze towards Ye Chen was filled with gratitude and awe. The strength Ye Chen had displayed earlier far exceeded his imagination.

Ye Chen nodded. That was the Black Wind Stockade's way of doing things.

A thought occurred to him. He asked,

"Miss Liu, Brother Chen, have you heard any news about the Black Wind Stockade's leader, the Black Wind Fiend?"

Liu Yiyi wiped her tears, thought for a moment, and said,

"When we were coming here, we seemed to hear a few Loose Cultivators discussing it. They said the Black Wind Fiend took most of his elite forces towards the deepest part of the mining area a few days ago, in the direction of the 'Molten Fire Abyss'. Rumor has it something incredible was discovered there, drawing people from several major forces."

"Molten Fire Abyss? A treasure?"

Ye Chen and Scarface exchanged a glance, both seeing gravity in the other's eyes.

The Molten Fire Abyss was the most dangerous place in the mining area. It was said to connect to the earth's core fire veins, perpetually engulfed in flames. Ordinary Cultivators didn't dare approach.

For the Black Wind Fiend to go there personally, his ambitions were likely not small.

"Thank you for the information," Ye Chen said, cupping his hands.

"This place isn't safe. The Black Wind Stockade might return. Your injuries are serious. Why not travel with us? We can watch out for each other."

Liu Yiyi and Chen Feng naturally jumped at the chance, quickly expressing their thanks.

The group quickly scavenged the battlefield, collecting valuables from the Black Wind Stockade bandits' bodies and some high-quality Mysterious Iron Ore already mined from that cave. Then they swiftly left this dangerous place.

While resting in a concealed rock crevice, Ye Chen sat alone on a reddish-brown rock, gazing in the direction of the Molten Fire Abyss, his eyes profound.

The Black Wind Fiend had gone there. The Wang and Ye Families likely wouldn't miss it either.

Molten Fire Abyss... the jade booklet's sense of attraction also seemed to vaguely point in that direction.

Could the thing attracting the jade booklet be within the abyss itself?