As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining people were visibly moved.
The reason they stayed here was because they were unwilling to give up this opportunity.
Now hearing Luo Heng’s well-reasoned analysis, combined with their overwhelming numbers, they felt a bit more courageous.
"Taoist Friend Luo makes sense. Fortune favors the bold, and I share the same sentiment."
A clear male voice suddenly came from behind. The crowd turned toward the sound and saw a young cultivator dressed in a blue robe, holding a white fox, slowly emerge from behind the mountain wall. His aura was steady, and he was indeed a Foundation Establishment True Man!
"Chen...Taoist Friend Chen?!" Luo Heng was taken aback when he saw the newcomer, "Why are you here?"
"Taoist Friend Luo, it’s been a long time."
Chen Ye stroked the white fox’s fur and smiled nonchalantly.
He hadn’t planned to show up, but he was worried about the Vine King getting hurt. These people could accidentally cause serious trouble.
Given the Vine King’s prowess, under normal circumstances, that cultivator surnamed Qian should never have been able to escape.
Yet now the cultivator surnamed Qian merely lost an arm and managed to escape with his life... Perhaps when the Grotto Heaven crumbled, the Demonic Vine Clan suffered significant injuries.
Seeing Chen Ye unwilling to explain, Luo Heng could only smile awkwardly.
He thought to himself, "Now that Chen Ye is Lingyin’s Guardian, if he joins in, we won’t even get a sip of soup. Yet, I have no reason to refuse... Fortunately, I shared good relations with him in the past, he shouldn’t harm me."
Thinking like this, he felt a myriad of emotions.
In the past, Chen Ye had to act based on Luo Heng’s expressions, but now, the situation had reversed.
Luo Heng raised his voice to the crowd, "This person is a friend of mine, rest assured, everyone."
The group didn’t overthink it. Seeing danger in the valley, and now with a Foundation Establishment True Man joining, their confidence soared instantly.
Chen Ye looked around.
Apart from Luo Heng and the cultivator surnamed Qian, there were two other Foundation Establishment cultivators present.
"Tsk... If the Vine King is truly injured, these four Foundation Establishment cultivators joining forces and intentionally targeting might indeed pose a threat to the Vine King."
Chen Ye pondered silently.
Moreover, the Vine King had been in the Three Thousand Great Mountains for quite a long time.
Besides the obvious cultivators here, there must be others outside lurking in the shadows.
If he forcefully barged into the valley to take the Vine King away, even with the reputation of Lingyin’s Guardian, he wouldn’t avoid being targeted by everyone.
Luo Heng’s introduction and his mention of "friend" eased the wary looks on the cultivators’ faces outside the valley.
The two Foundation Establishment cultivators looked at Chen Ye but noticing his calm demeanor and his harmless-looking white fox, temporarily suppressed their doubts.
"Taoist Friend arrives just in time!"
A man in vigorous attire clasped his fists and spoke loudly,
"I am Peng Hai, and this is Yin Su. The demonic vines inside the valley are fierce. With an additional Foundation Establishment colleague, we have better assurance. May I know the name of this friend of Taoist Friend Luo?"
"I am Chen Ye."
Chen Ye returned the courtesy indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
Most of the cultivators looked excited, as if the treasure in the valley was already in their grasp.
He sneered inwardly but maintained a composed appearance, "How do fellow Taoists intend to proceed?"
The gray-robed Yin Su spoke with a hoarse voice, "This miasma contains wood poison, we need to clear the path with fire methods, forceful entry is not wise. I’ve observed the miasma’s flow, it resembles a tide, weakening by three parts on the west side every incense stick duration. At that time, I will clear the way with Infernal Yin Fire, Taoist Friend Peng and Taoist Friend Luo will guard the sides, Taoist Friend Chen will bring up the rear, everyone else follow quickly, pass through! After entering, first clear the demonic vines, then seek the treasures!"
He spoke with evident depth of cultivation and ample experience, making his words clear and organized, gaining nods of approval from the group.
"Tsk... These Demon Hunter Cultivators surely have some skills. I wonder how many hunts the Vine King has survived. Lucky for me to catch up."
Chen Ye clicked his tongue inwardly.
The Demonic Vine Clan, while potent inside the Grotto Heaven, became prime targets for Demon Hunter Cultivators outside due to the treasures they possessed.
"Chirp..."
The little white fox in Chen Ye’s arms moved restlessly, its fox eyes looking anxious toward the valley.
In its heart, it regarded the Vine King as a friend.
However, it seemed the Vine King had been hunted several times recently, and its aura was already weakened.
Worried, the little white fox gently scratched Chen Ye’s lapel with its paw.
Chen Ye patted its little head and communicated, "Since it’s your friend, I won’t act recklessly. Just can’t force our way through. Forcing entry would mean making enemies of many cultivators."
The little white fox felt a pang of emotion, the bad Human Race could indeed be bad, but sometimes quite decent.
"Senior Yin Su’s plan is excellent, Chen has no objections."
Chen Ye nodded, seemingly genuinely considering their interests,
"But since the situation in the valley is unclear, I hope fellow Daoists remain vigilant, don’t let greed cloud your judgment."
"Hmph, naturally," Peng Hai replied boldly, "Taoist Friend Chen, don’t hold back, we might need to rely on you later!"
Chen Ye smiled politely.
Oh no, am I being too cunning?
Luo Heng cupped his hands toward Chen Ye, "Thanks for the trouble, Taoist Friend Chen."
He felt a nagging unease, sensing Chen Ye’s appearance here was no coincidence, but unable to fathom the reason.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, as Yin Su expected, the miasma on the west side slightly calmed and even became a little lighter in color.
"Burning Yin Fire!"
Yin Su let out a low shout, pushing his withered palm forcefully forward!
A cluster of eerie green flames roared outward—not hot, but bone-chilling cold. Wherever it passed, the green miasma sizzled like snow thrown onto a red-hot iron, quickly melting away.
"Charge in!" Peng Hai and Luo Heng exchanged a glance and rushed into the valley first.
Chen Ye followed closely behind.
"Chirp chirp! (Should we kill them?)" the Little White Fox quietly sent a voice transmission to Chen Ye.
This little fox truly had a strong killing intent.
Moreover, if it was communicating via voice transmission, why not speak in human language?
Chen Ye shook his head: "If we kill them, I’d become a traitor to the human race..."
The Little White Fox sneered: "Chirp chirp! (I am a demon by nature!)"
But Chen Ye had his own methods.
In the past, he had killed many cultivators, and in a grotto heaven, he picked up quite a few treasures.
For instance, a Spirit Beast Bag.
The Spirit Beast Bag is a common type of magical artifact among cultivators, with a special interior space that nurtures its contents.
Suitable not only for storing spirit beasts but also for storing spirit plants and other items... After all, if it can hold spirit beasts, storing other things is a piece of cake.
However, its cost is far higher than a Storage Bag.
Usually, only Foundation Establishment Cultivators are qualified to use it.
When he killed the Myriad Puppets Cultivator, he obtained a bag for storing puppets, which turned out to be a Spirit Beast Bag—five bags in total.
Though for a demon plant, it’s unsuitable to reside permanently in a Spirit Beast Bag, it’s sufficient to bring out the Vine King.
Moreover, these cultivators would never expect that this bloodthirsty demon vine would voluntarily enter someone’s Spirit Beast Bag!
Upon entering the valley, the scene changed dramatically.
Countless blue vines as thick as dragons or serpents sprawled across every inch of the valley, and the air was so rich with Wood Spiritual Qi it seemed almost tangible.
At the same time,
dozens of vines as thick as arms suddenly burst through the miasma, lunging at everyone!
"Watch out!"
The Foundation Establishment Cultivators’ expressions tightened, each employing their own methods.
In an instant, the miasma surged again, filled with danger everywhere, immediately scattering the newly formed team with no time to worry about anyone else.
"Damn it!"
Luo Heng’s face turned ashen, seeing nothing but a foggy mess, with undulating vine tendrils everywhere—cultivators nowhere in sight.
This Vine King consciously divided them!
No wonder so many Demon Hunter Cultivators couldn’t deal with this demon vine!
Luckily, it seemed far weaker than before.
Perhaps... it was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment?
...
Chen Ye’s pupils contracted slightly as he stirred his spiritual power, wrapping his body in gentle spiritual power.
This was precisely the Protective Profound Light from the Withering and Prosperity Profound Light Manual!
At the same time, his empty left hand’s five fingers hooked, covered in a faint metallic sheen.
The large cycle within him allowed him to adapt, transforming his spiritual power into any attribute!
This grasp contained pure Gold Series Spiritual Power!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Three vines stabbed toward him.
Chen Ye’s Protective Profound Light fluctuated violently, while his left hand accurately seized the main trunk of one of the vines! The tentacle was cold and slimy, with a struggling, twisting force beyond an ordinary early-stage demon beast!
"Hmph!"
Chen Ye let out a muffled snort, his five fingers suddenly exerting force! His fingertips gleamed with a golden glow, fiercely piercing into the tough skin of the vine!
"Chirp chirp!" the Little White Fox quickly cried out a few times.
The vine attempting to strangle Chen Ye’s arm suddenly stiffened, and the ferocious and violent aura retreated like a tide.
Chen Ye’s face lit up with joy, decisively saying: "Little White, now, let it take me over!"
The Little White Fox nodded vigorously, and after a moment, chirped again.
Chen Ye immediately understood, gripping the vine tightly, his feet pushing off with force, his figure moving like lightning.
The vine also cooperated by retreating swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, it carried him into the roiling green miasma!