"Hmph, this Old Monster is so dreary. Could he still be deep asleep?" Blood Shadow Cave Master snorted coldly.
"No, we've blocked the void and suppressed the Earth Element. Though Old Monster in Stone is of Nascent Soul Level and was born from the Earth Core, his instincts to escape underground are deeply ingrained. This time, Earth Escape is banned; he must have realized that. He just doesn't dare to come out because he sees that the Great Cave Master is with us," Demon Heart Cave Master flattered Mo Yuan Cave Master.
Mo Yuan Cave Master's expression was indifferent, "Come, let us meet with Old Monster in Stone."
Saying this, he was the first to fly downwards.
Demon Heart and Blood Shadow exchanged glances and quickly followed him.
The cave within this Heavenly Pillar Giant Tree was complex and full of secret paths, but it couldn't confuse cultivators at the Nascent Soul Level.
Moreover, they had previously sent cultivators to pay homage to the mountain and clarify the path.
Although those cultivators had been killed by Demon Heart Cave Master, the intelligence they brought back had not been destroyed.
Thus, Mo Yuan and the other two soon arrived at the final cave chamber by the mountain wall.
The vast entrance of the cave was pitch black as if it swallowed all the light.
The previous group of cultivators from the Six Cave Sect had stopped here, had set up an Array, and sacrificed many companions.
From beginning to end, they never dared to delve deep into the cave.
But Mo Yuan and the other two pressed on without slowing, crossed through a passage directly, and saw the Stone Ball at the bottom of the cave.
Mo Yuan and the other two cultivators stopped ten steps away from the Stone Ball.
"Old Monster in Stone," Mo Yuan called softly.
Demon Heart and Blood Shadow looked solemn, secretly on guard.
Though they had numbers on their side, this was, after all, Old Monster in Stone's turf, and he had the advantage of the terrain.
Old Monster in Stone had resided here for many years, possibly developing formidable capabilities. In any case, being cautious could not be wrong.
They did not know that Old Monster in Stone had long been dead, now hosting inside his body were a Mechanical Dragon and Sun Ning.
Sun Lingtong and the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat were taken out and tightly attached to the Stone Ball.
As for Ning Zhuo, he was gasping for breath, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
Just moments ago, he was racing against time, fully exhausting his spirit, and activating the Stone Cast Earth Treasure Divine Power from his Divine Ocean Dantian.
Despite being supported by massive Mana from Ten-Thousand-Li Traveling Dragon, Ning Zhuo barely managed to restore the Stone Ball before the arrival of the three cultivators.
Ning Zhuo had never thought that he would help restore the Stone Ball to its original look.
The Stone Ball temporarily fooled the three Nascent Soul cultivators.
But this life-and-death severe test had just begun.
When Mo Yuan Cave Master softly called "Old Monster in Stone," Sun Ning had to respond.
Not responding would be a contempt toward Lu Hong, a great master of Nascent Soul Level!
So, following the content in the memory segments, Sun Lingtong spoke in an old and hoarse voice, "Lu Hong, have you completed the Thousand Peak Earth Vein Map you promised to make for me?"
Mo Yuan Cave Master's expression immediately darkened.
This touched on an old matter.
Mo Yuan Cave Master was skilled in painting. Years ago, seeking a breakthrough in his artistic skills, he wanted to paint the Earth Vein Map of Thousand Peak Forest.
He took the initiative to find Old Monster in Stone, spent a lot of time, and paid a heavy price to finally persuade Old Monster in Stone to cooperate.
Old Monster in Stone was of Earth Core, and possessing the Thousand Peak Earth Vein Map would greatly aid his cultivation.
Both combined their efforts but had only completed thirty percent of the exploration when they were ruthlessly suppressed by the Ginseng Whisker Dragon King.
The Ginseng Whisker Dragon King, a Divinity Transformation Level being, was undoubtedly the strongest in the Thousand Peak Forest, having the most faith, thousands of whiskers reaching deep into the ground, spreading across many Heavenly Pillar Giant Trees, entwining roots and vines.
Though Mo Yuan Cave Master and Old Monster in Stone were a strong team, they were only at Nascent Soul Level and no match for Ginseng Whisker Dragon King.
Their attempt to probe the entire Thousand Peak Forest's Earth Veins also intruded on Ginseng Whisker Dragon King's interests.
Controlling such a critical element as Earth Veins was naturally the safest in one's own hands.
Unsurprisingly, Mo Yuan Great Cave Master and Old Monster in Stone suffered a crushing defeat.
Their first cooperation ended in failure.
Old Monster in Stone was severely injured and bore resentment towards Mo Yuan Great Cave Master because, initially, Lu Hong had assured the great potential of the venture, hyped up for a long while, severely underestimating the existence of Ginseng Whisker Dragon King.
Now, Sun Lingtong bringing up this old issue had two purposes.
The first was naturally to affirm his identity, proving that he indeed was Old Monster in Stone.
The second was to preemptively block the three cultivators' invitation because once Old Monster in Stone moved, he would no longer be in the form of a Stone Ball, and Sun Ning would be exposed!
Lu Hong said coldly, "Old Monster, do you still have the face to mention that past matter?"
"If it weren't for you withdrawing early, fighting side by side, we could have cut off a hundred whiskers of the Dragon King."
"Instead, you fled mid-battle, leaving me to fight alone, cutting over thirty whiskers and then having to surrender."
"You indeed suffered severe injuries, but was I not injured as well?"
"And since then, my Six Cave Sect had to establish a Dragon King Temple, offering incense to Ginseng Whisker Dragon King from then on!"
"It was our side's huge sacrifice that finally pacified the Dragon King's wrath. From this perspective, you owe me a favor."
Sun Lingtong immediately retorted, "Hmph, if it weren't for your instigation, I would have been fine by myself. Why would I have gotten injured?"
"This time, I won't leave no matter what you say."
"Let the grand army of Liangzhu Country come if they want. Worst comes to worst, I'll leave Thousand Peak Forest!"
Sun Lingtong's heart skipped a beat.
Even wrapped in Stone Skin, staying calm was difficult.