Chapter 534 - 508: Ancient Cave Mansion, Mutual Scheming

When he heard Ximen Lie Fire’s voice, Zhaang Ye was first startled, then delighted. A flash of killing intent glinted in his eyes. Ximen Lie Fire had relentlessly hunted him, leaving him in a sorry state. Now that his strength had increased dramatically, he believed that if he coordinated with the Fire Spirit, he could very likely kill Ximen Lie Fire in a surprise attack.

A distance of eight hundred li was nothing to a True Dao Fifth Layer expert; it could be crossed in an instant. And in that brief moment, Zhaang Ye accomplished three things.

First, with lightning-fast hand seals, Zhaang Ye summoned a massive sphere of water. He then had it transform into a current that washed away all traces of the Water Monster’s presence.

Second, Zhaang Ye swiftly changed out of his cyan robes. With a grasp at the empty air, he pulled a set of the Water Monster’s black robes to him and put them on.

As he accomplished the second task, Zhaang Ye also completed the third. He activated his Cultivation Technique and instantly took on the Water Monster’s appearance. He then concealed his aura, revealing only a faint trace of water-aspected energy.

The Water Monster had practiced a Water Element Technique. Since Zhaang Ye had just comprehended the Water Realm, his aura was remarkably similar to the Water Monster’s—so much so that even an Elder from the Black Water Sect might not be able to tell them apart. Furthermore, by using his ’Specializing in Qi to Achieve Softness’ Concealing Breath technique to hide the vast majority of his aura, he became profound and unfathomable, making his disguise even more convincing.

Having accomplished these three things, a hint of a smile touched Zhaang Ye’s lips. Imitating the Water Monster’s voice, he said deeply, "Leaving ahead of schedule? What’s going on?"

WHOOSH!

As Zhaang Ye spoke, the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi rippled faintly. A moment later, Ximen Lie Fire arrived beside him, trailing a crimson streak of flame.

Ximen Lie Fire’s gaze swept over Zhaang Ye, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He had a vague feeling that the Water Monster seemed a little different, but he didn’t dwell on it. He said gravely, "Water Monster, our original plan was to set out to open this Ancient Cave Mansion in three months. But now, many experts have appeared in the vicinity. If we don’t act soon, someone else might discover it!"

"An Ancient Cave Mansion!"

Zhaang Ye had originally planned to kill Ximen Lie Fire the moment his guard was down. But upon hearing the three words "Ancient Cave Mansion," he was instantly both shocked and overjoyed, and he immediately abandoned his plan to attack.

In the Ancient Wilderness of long ago, Celestial and Earthly Treasures were commonplace, the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi was incredibly dense, and powerful cultivators and Exotic Beasts were beyond number. Although those beings had long since vanished into the river of time, the legacies they left behind were anything but trivial. A cave mansion left by an Ancient Strong Person would likely contain priceless weapons, Cultivation Techniques, Elixirs, or other Celestial and Earthly Treasures. Zhaang Ye wasn’t about to let such an opportunity slip by.

Zhaang Ye suppressed his elation and said with feigned displeasure, "Shouldn’t the location of an Ancient Cave Mansion be well hidden? Why would a large number of experts be swarming a place like that?"

Ximen Lie Fire said resentfully, "The Ancient Cave Mansion is located near a newly discovered Essence Stone mine. To protect it, I sent a few of my disciples to occupy the mine and keep away any trespassers. I never expected they would all be killed.

My disciples are dead, as are several experts from Cyan Bamboo City, so the Essence Stone mine has become ownerless. Now, people from millions of li around are flocking here, intending to seize the mine for themselves. Others are scouring the vicinity, hoping to find another one.

The experts showing up near the mine are as numerous as ants; you can’t kill them all. To prevent them from discovering the Ancient Cave Mansion, we have no choice but to open it ahead of schedule!"

Hearing this, Zhaang Ye was inwardly shocked. He’d had no idea that Ximen Lie Fire’s true purpose in sending his disciples to occupy the mine was to protect the nearby Ancient Cave Mansion.

’This Ximen Lie Fire is definitely a cunning, calculating man,’ Zhaang Ye thought. ’He’s invited me to help open this Ancient Cave Mansion, but he almost certainly harbors malicious intentions.’

Zhaang Ye grew wary, but his expression remained unchanged. He mulled it over for a moment before saying, "If there’s a risk of the Ancient Cave Mansion being discovered, then let’s set out at once."

A flicker of hidden killing intent flashed in Ximen Lie Fire’s eyes. He chuckled. "Heh, in that case, let’s be on our way!"

SWOOSH!

Ximen Lie Fire transformed into a streak of red light and shot toward the heavens. Zhaang Ye executed his Body Technique and followed close behind. One in front of the other, they soon covered a distance of over a million li.

After flying through a mountain range for some time, they finally landed on a moderately sized peak. Ximen Lie Fire laughed heartily. "Water Monster, the Ancient Cave Mansion is nearby. You practice a Water Element Technique and have exceptionally keen senses. Can you find it?"

Zhaang Ye sent out his Spiritual Sense, carefully surveying the area. He suddenly caught a faint trace of the Power of Space. But when he tried to focus his search, he couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

’How strange,’ Zhaang Ye thought. Just as he was about to search again, the Fire Spirit’s voice suddenly rang in his mind: ’Master, I see it. A small Spatial Array has been placed on this peak, concealing the cave mansion. To break it, two experts with opposing powers must strike simultaneously.’

’It takes two experts with opposing powers to break it!’ Hearing the Fire Spirit’s explanation, Zhaang Ye instantly understood. ’Ximen Lie Fire cultivates a Fire Element Technique, so naturally, his power is that of fire. The Water Monster’s Cultivation Technique was a Water Element Technique, the exact opposite of Ximen Lie Fire’s. By joining forces, they would be able to break this small Spatial Array.’

’That must be why Ximen Lie Fire invited the Water Monster.’

Though Zhaang Ye now knew a Spatial Array was on the peak, he didn’t let on. He scanned his surroundings earnestly for a while longer before saying with feigned dejection, "This old man’s abilities are limited; I truly cannot find the cave mansion. Ximen Monster, just point it out already! Where is this Ancient Cave Mansion?"

A smug look flashed across Ximen Lie Fire’s face. He chuckled. "The cave mansion is, in fact, right here on this very peak. It’s just hidden by an Array. It’s impossible to find unless it’s the night of a full moon, which only happens once a century. Heh. Well then, let’s strike together and break this Array!"

Ximen Lie Fire flew up and landed on a massive black stone. He pointed at it and said, "This black stone is the core of the Array. All we have to do is strike it together. By using our two opposing powers to shatter it, we can break the Array and open the cave mansion."

Hearing Ximen Lie Fire’s explanation, Zhaang Ye’s pupils constricted slightly. ’He himself had no clue how to open this Ancient Cave Mansion, yet Ximen Lie Fire was completely familiar with the process. This meant that Ximen Lie Fire was likely proficient in the Array Dao—not just a powerful True Dao Fifth Layer expert, but an Array master as well.’

Sensing Zhaang Ye’s worry, the Fire Spirit said in his mind, ’Master, you needn’t worry. Ximen Lie Fire most likely just happened to find a map of this Ancient Cave Mansion by a stroke of luck. Otherwise, with his level of skill, there’s no way he could have located the core of the Spatial Array.’

Hearing the Fire Spirit’s analysis, Zhaang Ye’s heart was put at ease. He asked the Fire Spirit, "Fire Spirit, you existed within an Ancient Space Array in the Ten Thousand Volcanoes for a very long time, so you have a deep understanding of the Power of Space. With your current abilities, can you break this small Spatial Array?"

The Fire Spirit replied, "I cannot. While I am proficient in Spatial Arrays, this one is different from the one in the Ten Thousand Volcanoes. It requires raw power to break. I am far too weak right now; I simply don’t have the strength to open it by force."

Zhaang Ye was secretly disappointed. ’He had planned to kill Ximen Lie Fire as soon as he knew the cave’s location, but it seemed that plan was no longer feasible.’

’Fine,’ he decided. ’I’ll strike the moment the cave mansion is open. Even though the Fire Spirit is relatively weak, its power is still equivalent to an expert at the Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer. Together, we can definitely kill Ximen Lie Fire.’ Zhaang Ye cemented his plan in his mind.

While Zhaang Ye was making his own secret plans, Ximen Lie Fire was scheming as well. ’The Water Monster’s aura is simply unfathomable. But this time, I’ve already made my own arrangements. After we break the Array, his power will be severely depleted. At that moment, with my forces attacking from both inside and out, I’ll kill him in one fell swoop!’

Both Ximen Lie Fire and Zhaang Ye wore smiles, presenting a picture of perfect harmony. But deep in their hearts, a chilling killing intent festered, each man eager to slay the other.

Ximen Lie Fire placed a palm on the giant black stone and said with a chuckle, "Water Monster, place your palm on it as well. Then we’ll both release our power at the same time and use our opposing forces of water and fire to shatter this Array in a single blow!"

Zhaang Ye nodded and placed his palm on the giant black stone.

With a great shout from Ximen Lie Fire, both men activated their Cultivation Techniques at once. Two vast streams of power surged into the black stone with a ROAR. Under the strain of their immense power, the entire stone shuddered and began to emit a faint glow.

Zhaang Ye felt as though the stone were a bottomless pit, endlessly and continuously absorbing his power. In just the span of a few blinks, a third of his Celestial River Righteous Qi had been consumed!

BOOM!

Just as a shocked Zhaang Ye was about to pull back, the black stone suddenly erupted in brilliant light before exploding with a deafening BOOM. A simple, ancient-looking portal appeared on the mountainside, and a desolate, primeval aura drifted out from within.

The Ancient Cave Mansion was officially open!

The very instant the cave mansion opened, Zhaang Ye’s Spiritual Sense locked onto Ximen Lie Fire. The Punishment Whip transformed into a brilliant golden light and lashed out at him. At almost the exact same moment, Ximen Lie Fire’s aura locked onto Zhaang Ye as a Long Sword wreathed in roaring flames slashed toward him!

-(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)