Everyone retreated about five li(2.5km) before stopping. Deng Wen let out a long breath and said, “It seems like we can only change our direction. We didn’t meet these Earthfire Rats in our last excursion. Who would have thought that this place became their territory. We’ll have to explore once more.”

Zhao Hai stood not far from Deng Wen. Before he could ask, a person beside Deng Wen said, “Elder, wouldn’t it be better if we explore?”

Deng Wen looked at the person and said, “Exploring means that people are going to die. Do you know how many people we sacrificed to find this route? This time, we don’t know how many would perish before we find a proper path.”

Just as Deng Wen finished his explanation, Long Xiang’s voice was heard, “Tyrant Blade Sect’s Zhao Hai, leave your team and scout the road ahead.”

Hearing Long Xiang, Deng Wen’s complexion couldn’t help but change. He knew Zhao Hai’s status in the sect. He was the sect’s future hope. Making him scout the path ahead was practically sending him out to die.

Deng Wen was about to refute, but Zhao Hai explained, “Elder, let me go. If I don’t, they would find ways to deal with the Tyrant Blade Sect. Moreover, I know that Elder Long wouldn’t risk my life.”

Upon hearing this, Deng Wen couldn’t help but stare. Then he nodded. Zhao Hai was now a person of the Long Clan. Long Xiang should have no reason to sacrifice Zhao Hai.

After talking to Deng Wen, Zhao Hai moved and went beside Long Xiang. Long Xiang looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Bring five people with you and explore the way ahead. Mark the dangerous areas, the intensity of danger isn’t important.”

After saying this, Long Xiang sent a voice transmission to Zhao Hai, “Second Uncle wants you to collect meritorious contributions so that you can raise your rank in the clan. Although the path ahead is dangerous, you should be fine given how you were able to find the clan’s seal. However, make sure to take care of yourself. Your life is more important than the mission.”

Zhao Hai complied, then he chose five people behind Long Xiang to go with him. Seeing this, the Matchless Sword School, Sword Hegemon Sect, and the Imperial Beast Sect’s people couldn’t help but show a fierce expression. They have a grudge against the Tyrant Blade Sect while the Matchless Sword School has a grudge against Zhao Hai. They were looking forward to Zhao Hai dying.

The five people chosen by Zhao Hai had a resolute expression on their faces. This was the first time they entered the underground world. They also heard about the terrible conditions here. Now, they were part of a small group who would scout out an unknown region. Wasn’t this a scheme to kill them? They also knew very well that if they didn’t go, the Long Clan wouldn’t let them off.

Zhao Hai led his team of six forwards. He glanced at the five people behind him, all of them were juniors from the Long Clan. He didn’t hide anything from them as he waved his hand and released a swarm of bugs. In a blink of an eye, the bugs burrowed underground and disappeared.

Seeing Zhao Hai’s actions, his five companions couldn’t help but stare. Then they showed surprised expressions as they looked at Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai looked at everyone and said, “Follow me. I’ll make sure we’re safe. Let’s go.” As he said that, he stepped forward. The five hastily followed behind while keeping caution.

After walking for a while, Zhao Hai stopped. Then he pointed in front of him and said, “There’s a bug nest ahead. Mark this place as dangerous. Let’s turn left.” Someone immediately complied and marked the area using a jade slip. The jade slip would emit a small amount of spiritual fluctuation. If one wasn’t careful, they would miss it. These jade slips were best used to mark out areas. Most importantly, the jade slips would provide directions for people to follow.

Once the markings had been made, Zhao Hai turned left. After half an hour, Zhao Hai shifted his direction while the others marked the area.

Zhao Hai and his team proceeded forward in a cautious manner. Quite a distance behind them were Long Xiang and the others. They were also moving forward while paying attention to the marks made by Zhao Hai’s group. They also mapped the path they took to use it in their future operations.

Long Xiang originally thought that Zhao Hai and the others would be discovered by the underground world’s beasts. This way, he could change the scouting team and list Zhao Hai as having made a meritorious contribution. This would also ensure Zhao Hai’s safety.

But Long Xiang didn’t expect that they would reach this far forward with Zhao Hai’s help. The more they followed the marks left behind by Zhao Hai’s team, the more Long Xiang became surprised. Unexpectedly, they didn’t meet any attacks. They have completely evaded the territories of the underground world’s beasts.

The group walked for several hours without meeting any beasts. Long Xiang couldn’t help but sigh in amazement. He now believed that Zhao Hai was truly capable of entering the depths of the Mountain of Demon Beasts on his own.

At this time, Long Xiang felt a spiritual fluctuation in front of him. Then he heard the sound of battle. Long Xiang stared, then his complexion changed as he said, “Everyone, stay here. Do not move.” Then he flew straight forward.

The reason Long Xiang had such a response was because he felt that Zhao Hai and his team weren’t fighting beasts. They seem to be fighting against Ghost Cultivators.

In fact, like Long Xiang thought, Zhao Hai and the others were indeed fighting against a Ghost Cultivator. This Ghost Cultivator was only in the Earth Monarch Stage. After discovering the enemy, Zhao Hai discussed it with his team and decided to deal with the enemy first. It was because of this that there was a fight.

When Long Xiang arrived, Zhao Hai and the others already killed the Ghost Cultivator. Seeing the Ghost Cultivator on the ground, Long Xiang couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Zhao Hai replied, “It’s possible that the Ghost Cultivator is here for a trial. I found out that he was alone so we decided to kill him.”

Long Xiang didn’t oppose Zhao Hai’s decision. Conversely, he agreed, “Very good. If we let this fellow discover our tracks, we will be in great trouble. The best move is to kill him. In any case, the Ghost Cultivators aren’t one huge organization. They wouldn’t suspect us for killing him.”

Zhao Hai nodded, “It’s only because he’s alone that I suspected that he’s on a trial. If I’m not mistaken, there should be a path close by. Should we use it?”

Long Xiang took out a jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual force. Then he nodded and said, “There is indeed a path out of the mountain range. It’s to our right. If we walk around 20 li(10km), we could leave the mountain range. There’s a Ghost Cultivator village on the other side. However, we cannot go there. It’s too close to our entryway. We cannot risk exposing our entry to the underground world. We’re going to walk along the mountain range for three days before we exit.”

Zhao Hai nodded, “Alright. Then we’ll continue moving forward.”

Long Xiang nodded, “Be careful. When it gets dark, look for a place to rest.”

Zhao Hai complied. Then he waved his hand and led his team forward. In a blink of an eye, the small team vanished from Long Xiang’s sight. As he looked in Zhao Hai’s direction, Long Xiang couldn’t help but mutter, “Second Uncle’s vision is correct once again. This kid has true skill.”

Long Xiang returned to the main group and commanded everyone to proceed. At this time, Deng Wen arrived and asked, “Old Xiang, what happened? Is there a problem with the people in front?”

Long Xiang looked at Deng Wen and said, “Don’t worry, they’re fine. Zhao Hai and the others just encountered a Ghost Cultivator. The enemy has already been killed.”

Deng Wen nodded, then he smiled bitterly and said, “Those Yin Yang fellows are really lucky. They gained a monstrous disciple with very little effort. The kid’s skills truly surprise people.”

Long Xiang smiled faintly and said, “It’s not only you. My Long Clan is also surprised. This is the first time we encountered a genius like him.” Deng Wen smiled proudly before returning to the Tyrant Blade Sect’s team. But the way he talked with Long Xiang was seen by the people from the other sects. These were people who participated in the mission for the first time. As soon as they saw Deng Wen talking with Long Xiang, their expressions couldn’t help but turn serious.

The people who participated in the mission were from different sects. Their hearts weren’t exactly aligned. They were wary of each other and were afraid of being treated as cannon fodder. From the way Deng Wen and Long Xiang talked with each other, it was obvious that they had a good relationship. And because of this, Long Xiang might protect the Tyrant Blade Sect’s people from being in danger. This would push the others into being the cannon fodder instead.

But those who participated in previous missions didn’t think much of it. Even if Long Xiang was close to Deng Wen, Long Xiang wasn’t a person who let his feelings cloud his judgment. He would send whoever was most suitable to be sent. He wouldn’t care about his relationship with the other party.

This wasn’t Long Xiang’s first mission, so he immediately knew what the newcomers were thinking. However, he didn’t treat them seriously. The team leaders sent by the sects were well aware of his methods. They knew what kind of person he was. The newcomers were the minority of the group. They can’t make a huge impact on the entire group’s morale.

The main group continued to follow the marks left by Zhao Hai’s team. After traveling for three hours, the Earthfire Pillars began to get brighter and brighter. It was as if dawn was coming.

Long Xiang looked around and was about to send people to instruct Zhao Hai and the others to take a rest. However, he found out that a member of Zhao Hai’s team had arrived. He walked up to Long Xiang and bowed, “Elder, we have found a place to rest ahead. Mister Zhao Hai wants me to lead you over there.”

Long Xiang nodded. Then he waved his hand and led everyone to follow the cultivator.