On the other side, Mu Lianchun and Liuming’s group had also chased the black figure to the edge of the mist.

However, they were blocked by a towering mountain. A cave opening was visible along the slope, and there was no other path around. Clearly, the person they were chasing had fled into the cave.

Mu Lianchun asked, “Should we go in?”

After a brief contemplation, someone stepped forward. Dressed in wide-sleeved white robes, with a clean and pale face, it was none other than Lord Xue Dao from the Liuli Sect. His demeanor was steady, and his voice was calm, “In battles between cultivators, we usually avoid being led into narrow caves to prevent ambushes. I believe we shouldn’t go in but find a way to force him out.”

Mu Lianchun agreed, “That makes sense.”

Liuming, the proud and impatient sect leader of Mo Fa Sect, seemed to have a different opinion but didn’t say much, “Fine, what’s your plan?”

Xue Dao took out a white jade bottle from his sleeve and said, “These are pills I recently refined—I’ve only managed to make three in total. Once dispersed with water, the smoke they release is colorless and odorless but highly toxic. It spreads with the wind, but it won’t continue moving if it encounters deathly energy. If we throw this into the cave, that demon may not die, but he will be forced out.”

Liuli Sect, known for its expertise in refining elixirs and poisons, was unrivaled among the Six Sects. Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, “Let’s try it.”

Xue Dao poured out one pill, instructed everyone to step back, dissolved it in water, and poured it into the cave. He then blocked the entrance with a stone, “Let’s wait a moment.”

Everyone stood at the cave entrance, slowing their breathing. Time passed—it had been a quarter of an hour. Xue Dao sat calmly on fallen leaves, his posture upright, one hand resting on a string. The string, thin as a thread, extended through the cave’s cracks, glowing with a transparent silvery light. The end that sensed the poison turned black, tensing, but didn’t move in the wind.

As time dragged on and the quarter-hour was about to pass, Xue Dao remained as still as a mountain. Liuming began to lose his patience, “Isn’t the guy dead yet?”

Xue Dao opened his eyes and made a sound of surprise, “Huh?”

Liuming frowned, “Huh, what?”

Xue Dao explained, “As you all know, my string technique can sense the airflow in the cave, even the presence of living beings. But after sensing for a while, I can still detect life, and the poison continues to flow—it hasn’t filled the cave.”

Liuming asked, “What does that mean?”

Xue Dao replied, “It means this cave likely has more than one exit. That demon…”

Liuming immediately grew furious, “You’re telling me after waiting for half an hour that the cave has another exit, and the poison’s useless? That demon could’ve long escaped by now! Besides concocting these useless elixirs, what else does your Liuli Sect do?”

Xue Dao’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stood there awkwardly, at a loss for words. Mu Lianchun quickly intervened, “Liuming, you’re being too harsh. Xue Dao’s elixirs would kill any ordinary cultivator out in the open. The problem lies not with the elixir but with that crafty demon. Why pick faults?”

Liuming turned his back, the sword array at his waist clinking with jade ornaments. His stance was proud, and his tone carried clear impatience, “I don’t have time to wait. If you’re too scared to go in, then my Mo Fa Sect people will.”

With that, he raised one hand, and in an instant, a long sword appeared in his palm. He hurled it towards the cave entrance. The stone blocking it shattered with a loud crash, sending dust and soil flying in all directions, forming a broad and smooth path. The weapons of the Mo Fa Sect were so sharp that summoning a single sword could flatten a mountain.

Liuming, full of self-confidence, left the others unsure of what to say. As he strode in, Mu Lianchun quickly motioned to Xue Dao, “We can’t let Liuming go in alone. We’ll go in as well.”

Xue Dao nodded, feeling ashamed, “Apologies for the trouble.”

Mu Lianchun laughed heartily, “No need to apologize, Xue Dao. Liuli Sect specializes in medicine and elixirs. You’re not a sect that engages in reckless brute force. During the War of Hate and Azure, if it weren’t for your sect’s support, the number of dead cultivators would have been immeasurable.”

Indeed, Liuli Sect’s techniques were more refined and delicate, unlike the mightier sects, which is why they had less influence. Hearing Mu Lianchun’s warm words, Xue Dao’s opinion of him improved greatly, and he smiled, “Thank you, Sect Master Mu, for speaking up for me. It’s truly embarrassing.”

Mu Lianchun smiled again, “Now that the Six Sects are facing such great calamities, we need to work together and move forward as one. Let’s not be too polite.”

Xue Dao cupped his hands and then proceeded into the cave.

Inside the cave, it was dark and damp. After a brief exploration, they realized it wasn’t as narrow as expected. In fact, it was quite spacious, which only heightened their caution. Mu Lianchun warned, “Everyone be careful. There are plenty of places for the demon to hide. Getting ambushed would be disastrous.”

Xue Dao nodded, while Liuming glanced at him without saying a word.

They walked for a while and came across a fork in the path, with tunnels leading in both directions. Xue Dao muttered in realization, “So this is where it splits.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “This cave seems man-made. Judging by the soil’s freshness, it’s likely that traps were just recently set. We must be cautious.”

Liuming snorted, still angry over earlier events.

However, Xue Dao didn’t react much. They had both been students at the Rongku Sect’s sanctuary. Liuming had always been arrogant and self-centered, while Xue Dao had been more gentle. He had gotten used to Liuming’s haughty ways, having been mocked by him from childhood into youth.

Mu Lianchun probed the cave depths and said, “Since there are two paths and we can’t afford to split up, why don’t we leave for now and discuss it further once Sect Master Xing and the two Yin-Yang Lords arrive? What do you all think?”

This hit Liuming’s sore spot, and he scoffed, “It’s because you’re all so cowardly that people like Xing Jiangxin get to act with impunity, thinking they can disregard us.”

Mu Lianchun frowned, “…You.”

Xue Dao looked anxiously between Mu Lianchun and Liuming.

Mu Lianchun chuckled coldly and said, “Liuming, do you think you can handle that demon?”

Xue Dao broke out in a cold sweat. That was definitely a sore spot for Liuming. No wonder Mu Lianchun had often fought with him back in school. Back then, Liuming was the designated heir of Mo Fa Sect—arrogant and prideful. Meanwhile, Chu Hanjin, from Far Mountain Sect, was secretly set to become the next sect master, holding a prestigious position. In school, only one person could be the top, and Liuming often clashed with Chu Hanjin. As Chu Hanjin’s senior, Mu Lianchun had to defend him, leading to frequent verbal and physical fights with Liuming. The school had seen fires, floods, and even lightning strikes as a result.

As the two seemed ready to start arguing again, Xue Dao wiped his forehead nervously, “Both of you…”

“Whether or not I can handle him, we’ll only know when we meet,” Liuming said dismissively, “If you’re too scared, don’t follow. I’ll take the left path, and you all can take the right.”

Xue Dao quickly tried to intervene, “That’s not a good idea—”

But Liuming didn’t listen and entered the cave with his people.

Those remaining exchanged silent glances. After a while, Xue Dao remarked, “Liuming is angry again.”

Mu Lianchun snorted.

Xue Dao could only attempt to explain, “Liuming does have his reasons. Taking down Chu Hanjin and Yue Lin is a chance to gain great honor. The task was split: Sect Master Xing and the two Yin-Yang Lords are responsible for capturing Chu Hanjin, and we are tasked with capturing Yue Lin. But if we stop at every road fork waiting for them to help, won’t we become the laughing stock of Sect Master Xing?”

Mu Lianchun sighed, “You have no idea how dangerous that demon is.”

Xue Dao’s expression grew more determined, “At worst, it’s death. If those two truly wreak havoc on the world, who knows how many more lives will be lost? Today, no matter what, we must capture them. I’ll go find Liuming. He’s just being stubborn. I’ll stick with him for safety.”

Mu Lianchun nodded, “Right, with such dangerous foes, we must be extra cautious.”

As Xue Dao was about to head into the cave, Mu Lianchun suddenly stopped him, looking hesitant, “Xue Dao, could you give me one of those poison pills you used earlier? If I find out he’s in the right-side cave, I might need it to take him down.”

Xue Dao paused, “This… This poison is very potent. I’m not sure…”

After a moment of thought, he pulled out one pill and placed it in Mu Lianchun’s palm, “Remember, use it in a confined space. The drug is colorless and odorless. By the time it’s detected, the toxicity will have already acted inside the body.”

Mu Lianchun took it gravely, “I’ll be careful.”

Xue Dao nodded and then quickly turned to follow Liuming into the cave, his white robe fluttering as he disappeared into the darkness.

Mu Lianchun watched his departing figure, then looked down at the pill in his hand. His eyes reflected a calm emotion. After a moment, he tucked the pill into his sleeve.

—

Liuming stepped on broken stones, the cave resembling a grotto eroded over the years. It was spacious and deep, with the damp walls occasionally dripping water. The cold within the cave was intense.

He hadn’t walked long when he heard a shout from behind, “Liuming, slow down.”

Liuming turned to see a figure in a treasure blue robe hurrying toward him. It was Mu Lianchun, “You’re moving fast.”

Liuming grunted, “What are you doing here?”

Mu Lianchun replied, “Even though we didn’t part on good terms just now, the Six Sects need to be united. So, I came to accompany you, to look out for each other.”

Liuming snorted and looked him over, “Where’s your entourage?”

“Oh,” Mu Lianchun’s eyes brightened as he smiled, “I left in a hurry, and they haven’t caught up yet.”

It seemed he was indeed eager to lend a hand. Liuming, despite his pride, said no more, and eyed him with a challenging look, “Then let’s go.”

Mu Lianchun hummed an affirmation, standing by his side. They followed the cave walls, but as they went further, the path became increasingly narrow. Some chasms were hundreds of feet deep, echoing with hollow, cold winds. Yet, the path was connected only by a thin strip of stone, looking extremely precarious.

After crossing this section, they encountered a pool of cold water, the sound of dripping water echoing around them. The rock walls were lined with icy mountain spring water, and the cracks between the stones were jagged and broken.

“This cave is deep, and the cracks in the rocks are wide. If that demon is hiding here, it’s very likely we’ll miss him if we don’t search thoroughly,” Liuming commented. He turned his head to see Mu Lianchun squatting by the pool, his hand dipped in the cold water. Liuming wasn’t sure if he was even listening.

Liuming frowned, “What are you doing?”

Mu Lianchun responded casually, “I dirtied my hands on the rock wall earlier, just washing them off.”

Liuming shook his head, clearly impatient with his behavior.

After washing his hands, Mu Lianchun spoke slowly, “I’ll check the upper part of the rock wall to see if it’s hiding anything. Liuming, you search down here.”

Liuming replied, “Make it quick.”

Mu Lianchun then leapt up to a higher ledge. With a turn, his treasure blue robe vanished from sight.

Liuming followed his instructions and began searching the nearby rock walls. After a while, he realized Mu Lianchun hadn’t returned, “Hmm?” he wondered aloud, “Haven’t you finished searching yet?”

There was no reply.

Growing impatient, Liuming clicked his tongue and called out, “Mu Lianchun!”

His voice echoed off the cave walls, reverberating like a pebble hitting water. After shouting, a vague, heavy sensation suddenly surged in Liuming’s chest, as if he was being smoked and roasted.

“What?”

Liuming paused, stunned. When he gathered his energy again, a fierce poison surged through his body. He quickly pressed his fingers to his acupoints to stop the poison’s spread and held his breath, shouting, “Don’t breathe!”

“Ugh!”

“Ah!”

But his companions screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground, their faces turning a bluish-purple.

It appeared they had been poisoned for a while!

When did this happen?

Why would Mu Lianchun poison him?!

Liuming quickly realized someone had impersonated Mu Lianchun, and that impersonator had to be the demon. Such vile tactics made Liuming furious, wishing he could tear the perpetrator apart. But with everyone poisoned, they no longer had the strength to pursue further, and the demon might take advantage of the situation to attack them.

After a moment’s thought, Liuming grabbed his followers, sealing their meridians with a slap on their backs, and ordered, “Get out quickly, find Lord Xue Dao for an antidote!”

He then hurried back the way they came, rounding a corner when suddenly, a figure in a plain white robe appeared. It was Xue Dao, looking serene and approachable.

Liuming felt a relief but then paused, his steps halting.

Xue Dao, noticing him, quickened his pace. His eyes lit up, “Liuming, why are you back?”

Liuming hesitated, “What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you going after that demon alone—it’s too dangerous. So, I excused myself from Sect Master Mu and the Wujido Sect Master to find you, you—”

He excused himself from Sect Master Mu?

So the earlier Mu Lianchun was indeed the demon in disguise.

As Liuming pondered this, he heard Xue Dao’s tone rise in surprise, “You’ve been poisoned?”

His companions, their faces now a sickly purple, were unable to walk and knelt on the ground.

Liuming’s face flickered between light and dark, “Yes.”

“What happened?” Xue Dao hurriedly asked, “Let me see.”

Liuming held the hilt of his sword as Xue Dao approached, pulling out a box of universal antidote.

However, as he rummaged, a white jade bottle fell out.

But he didn’t have time to worry about that; he quickly checked the pulse of a cultivator. Liuming stepped behind him, picking up the jade bottle, and a flash of insight struck him.

This was the poison Xue Dao had tried to use earlier to draw out the demon—colorless, odorless… dissolved in water… by the time it was detected, it had been circulating in the dantian for a while…

Liuming suddenly realized, picking up the bottle and pouring out its contents. Originally there had been three pills, but now only one remained…

As Xue Dao checked the cultivator’s pulse, his expression grew more serious, “This poison, how could it be—”

Before he could finish, a sudden chill of murderous intent surged from behind him. Just as he turned around, he heard a “pff” sound as a sharp sword blade plunged into his abdomen, slicing through cleanly and swiftly, then withdrawing, causing blood to spurt wildly, staining his plain white robe.

Xue Dao stared at him in shock.

Liuming’s expression was haughty, the blood-stained sword tip pointing at his face, his hand behind his back, “You’re not Xue Dao.”

Xue Dao’s eyes widened slightly, his words broken, “Liuming…”

It was known that Mo Fa Sect excelled in weaponry. The sword strike had carried spiritual energy, directly shredding his organs and meridians, coming with fierce momentum.

Xue Dao’s face was filled with disbelief. He looked down at his wound, then at the jade bottle he had dropped to the ground, the scattered poison pill beside it.

It seemed Xue Dao had realized something, blood gushing from his mouth, “Mu… Lianchun…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence. The light in his eyes dimmed, and he collapsed to the ground, his face hitting the cold floor.

Liuming also coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood, resting on his sword.

The force of his earlier thrust was vigorous, causing the spiritual energy in his body to surge again, carrying the intense poison, raging and corroding like a dry sponge, quickly depleting his spiritual energy.

Liuming coughed several times, his vision blurring, and he fell onto Xue Dao’s body.

His sword was stained with Xue Dao’s blood, and his body had absorbed Xue Dao’s poison. The two of them lay together, from a distance, appearing as if they had killed each other.

Deep within the dark cave, a figure dressed in bamboo-leaf green quietly emerged.

His footwear was clean, his steps light, he quietly approached the two lords, casting a glance over them.

Both men were not dead yet, but they wouldn’t last much longer—one would die from excessive blood loss, the other from the effects of the poison.

Xue Dao had truly wanted to help Liuming, but unfortunately, it had backfired.

From the other end of the cave, footsteps could be heard, likely Xue Dao’s followers finally arriving.

Although Bai Gu felt it was a pity, he had no regrets. He bent down, picked up the scattered poison pill, turned, and disappeared into the depths of the cave.