"This beast is at least of an Emperor-ranked level. It might even be a Saint, but it has been asleep for thousands of years. Even if it wakes now, the beast won’t be able to move its body. We will fully take advantage of this."
"Although it can’t move its body, it can still wield the energy it has refined over the years, and it has some extremely dangerous attacks. We’ve never truly seen it unleash its full power because we’ve never actually attacked it before. When that happens, be mindful of your own safety."
"The beast’s affinity lies with the Wood Element. It’s a Master of healing itself while breathing life into plants, and those plants might be far more dangerous than that little flower following you," he said, glancing at the small poppy as he continued.
"All in all, once we arrive, we’ll group up for the task. I’ll work alone, the formation team will work alone, and the six of you will work as a unit. Make sure you survive the fight. Extraordinary rewards await you."
With that said, Zhou Long said no more, but instead spent time sprinting ahead, pointing toward the distant mountains for everyone to see.
A large group of twelve surged across the landscape. Along the journey, they passed many fields and farms sustained through agriculture. Contrary to appearances, these farms were not part of small family villages but scattered independently.
Through the ever-changing scenery of fields, roads, open plains, and forested areas on Sunday, Zhou Long successfully led the group through the first day. As the sun dipped low beyond the cave’s edge, he came to a halt.
Watching the horizon, Yan Xiaobao flashed a bitter smile as memories of the sun danced through her mind. Though her body remained in the forest, she continued building among the four Divine Beasts across the world, even within the Demon Residence Cave.
Eventually, they set up camp at the outskirts of a small woodland, with Yan Xiaobao starting a fire and collecting wood. Sha Yun set up the tents, while Deng Wu and Wang Julong prepared the food.
The team had been together for a long time, each member knowing their role. Every time they camped, their coordination worked like a well-oiled machine.
The seamless teamwork amazed them all, surprising even themselves as they realized what they had been doing only when Wang Julong and Deng Wu called out to them. The food was ready and smelled divine.
The meal consisted of warm broth with vegetables and meat, all of which they’d purchased before the journey. Tempted by the inviting aroma, the group—made up of learned experts—nearly drooled. Having not rested all day, the tantalizing scent lured them, and Wang Julong even chuckled as the growls of empty stomachs betrayed the cultivators’ reservations.
"Come and eat," she said softly before pouring the broth into bowls. Then she added, "There’s plenty for everyone." Shortly after, all twelve experts sat cross-legged on the ground, happily enjoying the prepared meal.
Wang Julong and Deng Wu made sure everyone had enough to eat. After finishing the hearty meal, most of the group dozed off, leaving only Yan Xiaobao and Sha Yun awake, their vigilant eyes scanning their surroundings.
"How long do you think we’ll be stuck under this ground?" Sha Yun raised her head, curious, gazing at the star-filled sky. The moon hung directly beneath the stone ceiling, its sight unlike anything seen by outsiders or even close friends.
"I don’t know," Yan Xiaobao replied honestly. "I can’t even tell how long we’ve been here," he added with a sigh. "The passage of time in the tunnel muddles my sense, but I think we won’t leave within a year."
Sha Yun nodded, not surprised that it might be longer. "We’re going to fight this beast," she continued, scanning cautiously to ensure everyone was asleep. "Is there something else on your mind?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry for her friend.
Yan Xiaobao smiled bitterly before giving a small nod, sharing his concerns in a low voice. Having Sha Yun nearby was truly one of the few things that brought him peace. She was always there for him, supporting him, even noticing things he tried to hide. His actions never escaped her watchful eye.
As the night deepened and the moon rose higher, Sha Yun understood Yan Xiaobao’s thoughts entirely. Yet even so, she couldn’t address his concerns directly. Listening to him speak, she too noticed how strange it was for someone as esteemed as Zhou Long to seemingly show favoritism toward Yan Xiaobao. It felt odd, as if she and the others were invisible to Zhou Long.
Although Sha Yun hadn’t realized it before, Zhou Long had never seemed interested in interacting with her or the others. It was as though none of them mattered to him, which puzzled her deeply. Before this journey, he’d had only two conversations with Yan Xiaobao about their training, making his behavior all the more baffling. Not once had anyone noticed Zhou Long entering their courtyard.
With the moon climbing high above, Deng Wu and Wang Julong woke from their slumber. Both prepared to take over the second watch of the night, nodding wearily as Yan Xiaobao and Sha Yun retreated to their tents, falling asleep almost instantly.
Through the rest of the night, nothing significant occurred. As dawn broke, Sha Yun quickly packed up all the tents while Deng Wu whipped up breakfast in the form of porridge. Seeing yet another satisfying meal awaiting them, everyone was in high spirits, eating contentedly, knowing full well there would be no rest in the day ahead. Before they were fully awake, they charged forward—towards the demon’s beast with urgency, seizing every fragmented second in their favor.
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