Ao Minxing frowned slightly, his voice clipped. "Brother Ma, what is the meaning of this?"

Ma Yu snorted coldly. "Brother Ao, the rest of us were fine over there, causing no trouble for you. Why the use of poison mist?"

Ao Minxing froze for a moment, then turned to look at the stone wall. He instantly grasped the reason: the very spot where he had struck the wall to blast the poison mist out was exactly the passage Ma Yu and the others were using.

In these bizarre tunnels, which were a dense web like a spider's, it was common for two groups to pass close by without noticing the other. However, given their martial cultivation, moving through this perilous place required utmost caution and vigilance.

With the solid stone wall separating them, neither side had detected the other's presence.

Ao Minxing let out a wry laugh. "The three of you have misunderstood."

A cold glint flashed in Yuan Juan's eyes. "Ao Minxing, others might fear your Divine Artifact, the Five Elements Ring, but the three of us combined are not afraid."

He Yi Ming’s heart stirred. So, Ao Minxing possessed a Five Elements Ring, undoubtedly a supreme-grade weapon that had reached the level of a Divine Artifact. Likewise, although Yuan Juan vocally claimed not to fear it, she must have been profoundly apprehensive, otherwise, she wouldn't have immediately declared 'the three of us combined'; the other person and beast tacitly agreed.

Ao Minxing rolled his eyes. "I had no intention of offending you. That was purely an accident. Believe it if you wish, and if not, I can do nothing about it."

The faces of Ma Yu and the other two grew stern, and the atmosphere in the cavern instantly tightened.

He Yi Ming and his companion inwardly groaned. If they had chosen to fight here, their presence would have been 100% exposed. Though they held no ill intent, being discovered in this situation was undeniably awkward.

Ao Borui’s voice suddenly broke the tension. "Ancestor, who are these three seniors...?"

His voice shattered the impasse. Not only did Ao Minxing’s expression soften, but Ma Yu and his two companions also relaxed slightly.

In truth, none of them wished to start a conflict over a minor matter; the verbal deadlock had simply trapped them. Ao Borui’s interruption provided immediate relief to everyone present, both those concealed and those in plain sight.

"Borui, these three are esteemed seniors from my own era," Ao Minxing announced after introducing them one by one. "This is my junior, Ao Borui, the current Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect. His cultivation has not yet ascended to the Divine Path." He paused, explaining, "You probably don't know this, but our seal has been broken, and several peak Human Dao experts have entered. Alas, the changes outside are immense; you would never guess."

Ma Yu echoed the sentiment with a long sigh. Who among them could feel the external changes more deeply than he?

In five thousand years, the former second-greatest sect in the world had vanished, a devastating blow to him.

Ao Minxing, possessing keen insight, paused in surprise. "You know of the changes outside as well?"

Yuan Juan nodded slightly. "We encountered a newly ascended Divine Path expert who told us everything about the changes." She glanced at the silent Ma Yu and sighed softly. "The Linglang Gate disappeared during these five thousand years, so Brother Ao, please forgive Ma Yu's poor mood."

Ao Minxing waved a hand dismissively. "Sister-in-law, you are too polite."

Ma Yu, a figure of epic stature, quickly composed himself. His gaze shifted. "Brother Ao, encountering a mutated monster is indeed bad luck. However, only your Five Elements Divine Power can easily dispatch such creatures."

Ao Minxing offered a wry smile. "Brother Ma, I only arrived recently. Before I got here, that monster had already been dealt with."

Ma Yu and the others paused briefly. He nodded slowly, his eyes darting around, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Can you discern who killed this mutated monster?"

Only a handful of people could have entered this place. After centuries together, they knew each other intimately. Each master employed unique martial skills, leaving distinct signatures when fighting high-level monsters. Yet, this time, everyone was clearly disappointed, as they could not discern the killer's identity.

"When I first arrived, this area was still shrouded in a green mist. After I blew the poison away, this was the scene before me," Ao Minxing explained slowly.

Yuan Juan gave a small, disbelieving sound. "If it was like this from the start, then how did the mutated monster die?"

Ao Minxing shook his head with a bitter smile. "I hardly believe it myself, but judging by the corpse, it seems someone entered the poison mist and forcibly tore the monster in half."

"Impossible," Yuan Juan stated without hesitation. "Although we won't be poisoned to death, no one would choose such a path."

Indeed, the closer one got to the monster, the heavier the toxic gas assault, a risk even these top-tier experts would avoid.

The massive White Tiger sniffed the air a few times, seemingly trying to detect something.

A hint of joy crossed the faces of Yuan Juan and the others. The White Tiger, after all, was a Divine Beast; perhaps it could discern something from the scent.

However, moments later, the White Tiger let out a huge sneeze. "Ao Minxing, you blew the poison mist away. This place is saturated with toxic fumes; I can't distinguish anything."

Ao Minxing’s old face flushed slightly. He hadn't considered this earlier as the White Tiger hadn't been present, but now regret was useless.

He Yi Ming and his companion secretly rejoiced, finding considerable satisfaction in Ao Minxing's earlier transgression. Had it not been for that action, the White Tiger might have located even their position.

"Whoever did the deed, the more of these things die, the better," Ma Yu said, withdrawing his gaze. He hesitated. "Sect Master Ao, is the Linglang lineage truly extinct now?"

Though he knew He Yi Ming wouldn't deceive him without reason, seeing a second outsider prompted him to ask again.

Ao Borui's expression grew heavy. "Senior, the Linglang lineage has indeed withdrawn from the Jianghu."

His reply was tactful, but the meaning was starkly clear.

Ma Yu shook his head, completely losing hope. Yuan Juan reached out and clasped her husband's hand. Ma Yu managed a weak smile, a hint of unshed tears shimmering in his eyes.

Below the Divine Path, all were but ants. Yet, these beings who reached the Divine Path maintained profound attachments to their sects, attachments they found difficult to completely sever even at their current heights.

Yuan Juan suddenly spoke up. "Sect Master Ao, has the Divine Artifact of my Glazed Island lineage, the Nine Dragon Furnace, surfaced yet?"

He Yi Ming's heart clenched. He sighed inwardly, knowing misfortune was imminent.

Ao Borui hesitated. "Senior Yuan, this junior heard that the Nine Dragon Furnace has fallen into someone's hands, and it appeared in public once several years ago."

Yuan Juan’s eyes instantly lit up. Her inquiry had been casual, yet she never expected to glean real information.

"You know the Nine Dragon Furnace?" The huge White Tiger chuckled. "Little fellow, that item has been missing for two thousand... oh, seven thousand years now. You haven't mistaken a replica for the real Nine Dragon Furnace, have you?"

Ao Borui spoke with gravitas. "Senior, although this junior did not witness it firsthand, I believe this item is absolutely the supreme artifact of the Fire element, the Nine Dragon Furnace."

Yuan Juan inquired sternly. "Are you truly certain?"

Ao Borui’s expression dimmed slightly. "That person used this Divine Artifact to fight the Great Tree Master in our Five Elements Sect's Divine Tree Valley. Though it ended in a draw, it caused significant damage to the Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land." He paused. "An artifact capable of suppressing even the Great Tree Master—there is nothing else like it except the Fire element's Nine Dragon Furnace."

Ao Minxing’s face changed drastically. "Borui, someone used the Nine Dragon Furnace in the Divine Tree Valley? Why didn't you mention this before?"

Ao Borui offered a pained smile. "Old Ancestor, your disciple was too ashamed to speak of it."

Ao Minxing’s face shifted between shadow and light, killing intent flashing in his eyes. A fierce aura permeated the entire cavern. After a long silence, the killing intent slowly receded and finally dissipated. However, everyone knew the old man had not abandoned his murderous thoughts; he had merely buried them deep.

Yuan Juan waited until the oppressive aura was entirely gone before asking calmly. "Sect Master Ao, who is that person?"

Ao Borui hesitated for a long moment. "Senior Yuan, this junior believes this name should not be spoken by my lips."

"Hmph, chasing empty fame," Yuan Juan said coldly. "If I am not mistaken, all of you who entered this place already know about this matter."

Ao Borui nodded with a wry expression.

"Very well. Since you refuse to speak, I shall ask someone else," Yuan Juan said lightly. She patted the White Tiger’s large head. "Brother Tiger, help me find that He Yi Ming."

The White Tiger nodded. "Finding someone is simple. Do you want to go now?"

A sharp glint flashed in Yuan Juan’s eyes. "The Nine Dragon Furnace has been missing for over two thousand years. I must retrieve this artifact for my sect."

The White Tiger sighed heavily. "Sister, now that we are all trapped here, do we still have a chance to leave?"

Yuan Juan fell silent, a deep wave of disappointment crossing her eyes.

Ma Yu’s gaze turned thoughtful. "Madam, since this person possesses the Nine Dragon Furnace, he cannot be some nobody. He should qualify to be here as well." He said gravely, "Sect Master Ao, I do not need that person's name, I only wish to ask: did that person, like you, enter..."

His voice abruptly cut off. All eyes fixed on Ao Borui’s face. They instantly understood why Ma Yu had stopped mid-sentence.

Because at that moment, the expression on Ao Borui’s face was utterly bizarre—a look that defied description.

Ao Minxing frowned slightly, concerned. "Borui, what's wrong?"

Ao Borui’s face held an expression that was neither smiling nor crying. "Seniors, who was the person you encountered just now...?"

Ps: Four chapters today, five tomorrow. It’s been several days since I asked for votes. I wonder if there are any left? Please give me a few for comfort, sigh...