Snatching Food from a Tiger’s Mouth

Long Lingyu’s gaze swept around, and for lack of a better word, his expression seemed quite strange.

Since they were invisible, as long as they moved quietly and avoided touching the Stone Demons, there would be little danger.

However, other trial-takers were also present in the Stone Demon Forest.

The Stone Demon Forest served as an excellent training ground.

Slaying Stone Demons yielded valuable gem materials, which could be forged into treasures or used to enhance one’s weapons, making them quite valuable.

Thus, sounds of battle often echoed through the Stone Demon Forest, but their distant location ensured they remained unaffected.

“Be careful.”

As they walked, Long Lingyu glanced at Kong Xiu, seemingly without intention.

Just as Kong Xiu was about to step on an inconspicuous stone, Long Lingyu immediately sent a divine sense warning.

Alerted by Long Lingyu, Kong Xiu halted his step.

He looked down, only then realizing a stone lay buried in the sand beneath his foot.

Upon closer inspection, he discerned it was part of a Stone Demon.

While they couldn’t instantly tell if a stone was a Stone Demon’s body, a careful perception with their power would reveal it.

This process was troublesome, preventing immediate detection.

Often, by the time one realized, they had already stepped onto the monster.

Kong Xiu stepped back, avoiding the Stone Demon, and then asked through divine sense.

“Brother Long, you can spot such a hidden Stone Demon at a glance.”

“It seems your abilities are quite special, not limited to mere illusions.”

Long Lingyu smiled calmly at his words, offering no further explanation.

With Long Lingyu present, they were unlikely to encounter any Stone Demons, allowing them to swiftly reach the treasure spot.

The yellow and red markers on the treasure map now overlapped, forming a golden speck.

This indicated that the treasure was precisely within their current area.

However, the sight before them rendered their expressions utterly silent.

They stood before the entrance of a vast cave, its depths dark and cavernous.

Clearly, this was no treasure trove, but a trap.

A powerful aura emanated from within the cave, a force seemingly capable of crushing them instantly.

As cultivators, they were not ordinary individuals; they could naturally discern the terrifying aura of a monster.

“No way.”

“This power fluctuation suggests at least a late Foundation Establishment realm, doesn’t it?”

“Zhang Zhi, your crow’s mouth!”

“The treasure map really does lead to the Stone Demon King’s lair!” Xia Mi grumbled.

Within the Stone Demon Forest, only the Stone Demon King could emit such a powerful energy fluctuation.

Zhang Zhi felt a blush of embarrassment.

She had merely spoken thoughtlessly, never imagining her words would become reality.

This meant that to obtain the treasure, they would have to enter the Stone Demon King’s lair and search for it right under its nose.

If they startled the Stone Demon King, they would surely perish.

“Alright, since we’re already here, we have no choice but to go in.”

“Long Lingyu, didn’t you say your melody could put Stone Demons into a deep slumber?”

“We’re counting on you.”

Bai Lan addressed Long Lingyu.

Long Lingyu nodded, then produced a flute and began to play.

The melody, initially light and ethereal, caused even Bai Lan and the others to feel their tense nerves gradually relax, a sense of drowsiness washing over them.

It was a pure lullaby, with a truly unique tune.

The piece lasted for about four minutes.

After finishing, Long Lingyu spoke to Bai Lan and the others.

“It’s done.”

“As long as we don’t make too much noise, the Stone Demon King shouldn’t awaken.”

At that moment, Kong Xiu and the others found their eyelids heavy, barely managing to stay awake.

Long Lingyu’s melody had indeed made them all feel incredibly sleepy.

As for Bai Lan, she remained completely unaffected, having covered her ears to avoid hearing the music.

“Eh?”

“It’s done?”

“Brother Long, your music is truly divine sleep-inducing sound.”

“I’m already drowsy.”

“Are you sure the Stone Demon King has been hypnotized?”

Kong Xiu rubbed his eyes after speaking, then looked at Long Lingyu.

Long Lingyu, slightly weary, confirmed once more.

Long Lingyu briefly glanced at the cave entrance, nodding again.

Receiving Long Lingyu’s confirmation, they cautiously entered the dimly lit cave.

Scattered beams of light pierced through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating only small patches.

“Where is the Stone Demon King?”

“I don’t see it anywhere,” Xia Mi peered around.

Long Lingyu immediately hushed her with a gesture, then pointed straight ahead.

He was indicating that the Stone Demon King was right before them.

Indeed, under the illumination of a single light beam, they saw a stone the size of a small mountain lying before them in the dim space.

If it stood up, it would be fifty or sixty meters tall.

The power fluctuations they had sensed earlier had emanated from this very entity.

Thus, there was no doubt that this colossal rock was the Stone Demon King, merely in a deep slumber.

Having located the Stone Demon King, they began to search for the treasure.

It was confirmed to be within this cave, but its exact location remained unknown.

The cave was vast, so they split into two groups, searching from three different directions.

What they failed to notice, however, was that shortly after their entry, another group of people stealthily infiltrated the cave.

Many rare gems, all excellent refining materials, were scattered throughout the cave.

Bai Lan collected nearly all she saw, and Long Lingyu did the same.

Kong Xiu and the others, however, seemed to have little interest in such items.

After searching every conceivable corner of the cave, they found nothing.

“There’s nothing here, Miss Bai.”

“Are you sure the treasure is here?” Kong Xiu asked, puzzled.

Bai Lan nodded, then turned her gaze towards the Stone Demon King.

A single look at Bai Lan’s eyes was enough for the others to understand her meaning.

“No way!”

“You’re saying the treasure is on the Stone Demon King itself, or perhaps with its queen?” Ye Chong gasped in shock.

Bai Lan simply replied, then began her search.

Soon after, she discovered a gaping hole on the Stone Demon King’s body, a rather peculiar sight.

“The treasure should be inside that hole on the Stone Demon King’s body,” Bai Lan stated, pointing at the colossal creature.

At these words, everyone except Long Lingyu was dumbfounded.

This implied they would have to enter the Stone Demon King’s body to retrieve the treasure.

Wasn’t that like a lamb walking into a tiger’s mouth, offering themselves up?

That place might very well be the Stone Demon King’s maw.

“What should we do?” Kong Xiu and the others were at a loss.

If they were to enter the Stone Demon King’s body, it would surely awaken, leading to immense trouble.

And who would even go?

Everyone hesitated, but Bai Lan quickly broke the silence.

“I’ll go,” Bai Lan declared directly.

“But let’s be clear: if I obtain the treasure, I’ll take seventy percent of its contents.”

Kong Xiu and the others exchanged glances, then paused.

They had no objection to this.

It was Bai Lan’s treasure map to begin with, and they hadn’t really helped much so far.

Even without them, Bai Lan and Long Lingyu alone seemed capable of reaching this point.

“No problem.”

“Please be careful, Miss Bai.” The others exchanged glances and agreed to Bai Lan’s terms.

Bai Lan began to move forward.

“Miss Bai, be careful.”

“It seems two other individuals are hidden within this cave,” Long Lingyu’s voice rang out just as Bai Lan was about to enter the Stone Demon King’s body.

Bai Lan froze, then scanned the dark corners around them.

There was no need to wonder; it had to be the Soul Clan siblings.