"About fifteen miles ahead, there seems to be a cave."
Xiao Bai stared into the distance within the forest, murmuring thoughtfully.
Ye Tian glanced at her in surprise and asked, "Xiao Bai, since when has your spiritual power been able to reach that far?"
Xiao Bai gave a bitter smile and looked at Ye Tian.
"It's not that my spiritual perception range has increased. It's just that the energy fluctuations over there… are too strange."
Ye Tian's expression grew serious.
If Xiao Bai could sense something from five li away, the power over there definitely wasn't ordinary.
"How about we head over first?" Xiao Bai tilted her head and suggested.
Ye Tian shook his head expressionlessly. "Let's not take any risks. First, send a signal to the Sea Witch and the others. We'll regroup before moving toward the energy source."
"Alright."
Xiao Bai glanced at Ye Tian in surprise and let out a light breath.
It seemed Ye Tian truly had no interest in divine positions.
Back on Sea God Island, he had already refused the Sea God's inheritance.
Now, faced with another potential divine opportunity, he showed not even a flicker of desire.
Xiao Bai couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
As a soul master, she had lived for over ten thousand years.
In that long stretch of time, she had witnessed too many ambitious soul masters fall short in their pursuit of the elusive divine positions.
Most of them didn't even manage to lay eyes on Sea God Island.
And yet Ye Tian, within just a single year, had encountered two divine opportunities.
This kind of luck… was truly something that only appeared once in ten thousand years.
After sighing at Ye Tian's fortune, Xiao Bai couldn't help but smile.
Fate truly was a tricky thing.
Those who desperately sought a divine position never found one.
Those who didn't even want it ended up encountering them one after another.
Gazing at Ye Tian's profile, Xiao Bai covered her mouth and laughed softly.
To be able to meet a prodigy like Ye Tian—wasn't that a form of luck for her, too?
This kind of luck was probably something no other soul beast had encountered in their entire lives.
"What are you laughing at?" Ye Tian turned his head, a look of confusion on his face.
"You really are fate's favorite child," Xiao Bai replied, still smiling.
Then—
She gently extended her spiritual power and located the Sea Witch to the east.
She sent the signal to regroup.
"Don't attribute all my efforts to talent. That would be a disservice to me," Ye Tian said with a small laugh.
"Pfft." Xiao Bai playfully stuck out her tongue but didn't argue.
The spiritual perception ranges of the titled Douluo present overlapped to a degree.
After Xiao Bai informed Zhou Long and the Sea Witch, located to the west and east respectively—
They, in turn, informed the others on both flanks: Ghost Douluo and Porcupinefish.
Soon after—
Sea Witch, Zhou Long, and the rest returned one after another.
"Young Master, is something urgent happening?" Zhou Long breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ye Tian safe and sound, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"Yes, what's going on?" The Sea Witch also looked puzzled as she stared at Ye Tian.
The group exchanged confused looks.
Ye Tian was just as surprised.
He scanned them all and asked, "None of you sensed the disturbance about fifteen miles ahead?"
Upon hearing this, the Sea Witch chuckled softly.
"Don't tell me you discovered it yourself?"
"Among all of us, my spiritual perception range is the widest."
"But even I can't reach as far as fifteen mile."
Ye Tian shrugged helplessly.
"Each person has their specialty. It wasn't me who discovered it—it was Xiao Bai."
Xiao Bai furrowed her brow. "Sister Sea Witch, you didn't sense anything?"
"Hmm?"
This drew the Sea Witch's attention. Could it be her perception had dulled?
Just then, Ghost Douluo returned from his search, walked over to the group, and shrugged. "I didn't sense anything at all."
"This is weird," Xiao Bai muttered, patting her forehead.
"If that power had just flickered briefly within my perception range, I could understand."
"But it's still there."
"I can clearly feel the energy ahead pulsating again and again."
"In that case, it seems necessary to check it out," Porcupinefish Douluo said thoughtfully.
Ye Tian agreed with Porcupinefish's suggestion:
"Xiao Bai's perception shouldn't be wrong."
"It's just fifteen miles—we'll go take a look."
"Brother, can I go too?"
At that moment—
Gu Yuena, with her silver hair flowing, came running up and immediately latched onto Ye Tian's leg like a pendant.
Dai Ya, who had been looking after Gu Yuena, walked over with a gentle smile.
"Nana just woke up after sleeping for three days and nights, and the first thing she did was gobble down all the rations we brought."
Gu Yuena's watery eyes looked full of grievance upon hearing that.
She pouted and looked up at Ye Tian. "I'm really hungry…"
Ye Tian picked her up.
He noticed she had gained a bit of weight again, and in just three days, her height had visibly increased by ten centimeters.
Especially her voice—she now sounded like an older little girl.
No longer babyish.
And yet, it had only been two months since she hatched from her egg.
Ye Tian couldn't help but sigh. The growth rate of the Dragon King truly couldn't be measured by human standards.
"If you're hungry, eat more."
Ye Tian lovingly ruffled Gu Yuena's hair.
Gu Yuena clearly enjoyed the pampering.
She snuggled her head into Ye Tian's chest.
"Brother, let me come too!"
"Of course, you're coming," Ye Tian nodded without hesitation.
He wouldn't leave Gu Yuena behind.
What if a soul beast appeared nearby?
Not that he was afraid of Gu Yuena getting eaten.
He was afraid she might tear the soul beast apart and awaken her violent side.
If that happened, the past two months of nurturing would've been in vain.
"You're the best, brother!"
Hearing Ye Tian agree, Gu Yuena was overjoyed.
She suddenly kissed Ye Tian on the cheek.
Ye Tian was stunned and pressed his forehead against hers. "Where did you learn that?"
"From Sister Xiao Bai," Gu Yuena answered brightly, pointing at Xiao Bai beside Ye Tian.
"Every night before bed, she tells me that if I like someone, I should give them a kiss."
"Hmm?" The Sea Witch blinked and looked at Xiao Bai. "You've been exposed~"
At this point, Xiao Bai covered her flushed face, too embarrassed to say a word.
Seeing this, Gu Yuena innocently asked:
"Huh? Sister Xiao Bai, why are you covering your face?"
"Is it not okay to kiss someone you like?"
"Mmm mmm mmm!" Xiao Bai's face turned even redder, and she ran off immediately.
This was complete and utter social death.
Ye Tian chuckled and patted Gu Yuena on the head.
"Sometimes what Sister Xiao Bai says… isn't necessarily right."
"No random kissing."
Xiao Bai was brave, teaching Gu Yuena how to kiss people!
Once Gu Yuena's memories awakened, she'd probably be fuming.
And when that day came, Xiao Bai was going to be in trouble.
To avoid a similar fate, Ye Tian made sure to distance himself from Gu Yuena.
Xiao Bai had it easier—at least she was a woman.
If he dared take advantage of Gu Yuena… the consequences would be ten times worse.
"But I want to!"
Seizing a moment of distraction, Gu Yuena sneakily kissed him again.
"Don't you like it, brother?"
"Uh… no, I don't," Ye Tian lied through his teeth.
Gu Yuena looked devastated, her big watery eyes on the verge of tearing up.
Seeing this, Ye Tian sighed softly.
He smiled and gently pinched her soft, flawless cheeks.
"If someone else kissed me, I wouldn't like it. But you're my little Nana!"
As soon as he said that—
Gu Yuena instantly beamed with joy, hugging Ye Tian tightly around the neck.
"I knew it! Brother loves me the most!"
"Alright, enough mushiness!"
The Sea Witch, imitating Xiao Bai's earlier gesture, covered her face and reminded them:
"We still have important matters to attend to."
"Not bad."
Ye Tian lightly nodded.
He strode forward, heading toward Xiao Bai.
...
Half an hour later.
Under Xiao Bai's guidance, the group arrived at the front of a mountain stream.
But they didn't proceed any further.
Because at the stream were thousands of infantry soldiers, all clad in the standard armor of the Star Luo Empire.
"Looks like we're a step too late," Ye Tian said, gazing at the patrolling soldiers not far away.
At this moment, Xiao Bai had already regained his usual calmness.
Pointing toward the mountain stream, he said, "I can clearly sense that beneath this stream lies a massive cavern."
"The power is emanating from inside the cavern."
"But to avoid alerting the enemy, I didn't dare probe further, so I don't know the exact situation down there."
Beside him,
Zhou Long quietly drew his Tungsten Sky Sword and asked Ye Tian, "Young master, should I go up and take care of these soldiers?"
"No need," Ye Tian raised his hand to stop him. "We still don't know what the Star Luo Empire is really planning this time."
"We can't act recklessly."
He glanced at the Sea Witch and pointed forward. "See that squad of patrolling soldiers up ahead?"
"Use your domain ability to lure them over."
"Lure? That sounds a bit inappropriate," the Sea Witch said with a hint of reproach.
"This is just the effect of my domain. There's nothing emotional about it."
"Yes, that was my mistake," Ye Tian chuckled and nodded, openly admitting it.
Enchanting ordinary soldiers for a short time was a piece of cake for the Sea Witch.
They barely saw her make a move.
The patrolling Star Luo soldiers immediately lost the light in their eyes.
Like puppets, they walked stiffly in Ye Tian's direction.
As soon as they arrived, their legs gave out and they collapsed to the ground.
Ye Tian squatted down and began removing the armor from the soldiers.
"Everyone put these on. We're infiltrating."
"Alright." The Sea Witch and the others all nodded.
The armor was heavy and thick. After putting them on, even the girls didn't stand out in any noticeable way.
The only trouble was with Gu Yuena.
The little one was just too short—not suitable for infiltration at all.
"What about me?" Gu Yue Na blinked her large eyes and asked.
"Come into my arms," said the slim Xiao Bai.
"We'll wear one set of armor together. It'll just look like we're a little chubby—should be fine."
"Okay." Gu Yuena did as she was told.
Soon, everyone was fully disguised.
Ye Tian led the group, picked up a weapon, and started patrolling in a very convincing manner.
Being Titled Douluo-level powerhouses, the group behind him was exceptionally composed.
No one looked nervous.
That saved them a lot of potential trouble.
As a result, Ye Tian easily passed the first checkpoint.
They reached beneath the mountain stream.
There were clearly even more soldiers stationed here.
The Sea Witch, whose spiritual energy was constantly scanning the surroundings, whispered telepathically, "To go any farther, we'll need the password."
"Their current passphrase is 'Cinnabar Bird' and 'Vermilion Sparrow.'"
"Got it," Ye Tian nodded.
He calmly moved forward.
As expected, a few steps later, he was stopped by a blue-armored officer.
"Stop! Cinnabar Bird!"
"Vermilion Sparrow," Ye Tian clearly replied.
Upon hearing the correct password, the officer immediately let them through.
Ye Tian successfully proceeded onward.
As he moved forward, he also noticed—
There were constantly pairs of soldiers going in and out.
There must've been nearly a thousand of them.
All the soldiers going in were unarmed.
But those coming out were covered in dust, looking exhausted and listless.
"Looks like there's a big secret down there," Ye Tian's eyes flickered.
The fact that this place could accommodate thousands of soldiers meant the underground cavern was huge.
Judging by the returning soldiers' appearances, it seemed something was being mined.
But Ye Tian suspected this wasn't ordinary mining.
If it were just basic minerals, they could've used common laborers.
There'd be no need to send in elite troops.
With these thoughts in mind, Ye Tian finally stepped into the cavern.
He followed a squad of soldiers ahead, deposited his weapon at the cavern entrance,
Then accepted a hammer distributed by the quartermaster and continued walking deeper inside.
At the same time, Ye Tian overheard some soldiers chatting ahead.
"Damn it, I passed so many tests just to become part of the Imperial Guard..."
"Who would've thought, my first task would be mining rocks!"
A young officer complained bitterly.
Another officer beside him gave a bitter smile and said:
"Bro, be grateful."
"My uncle is the clan leader of the Netherworld Spirit Cat clan. Even with connections like that, I'm still here swinging a pickaxe."
A scruffy-bearded youth added jokingly.
"Hearing you say that, I suddenly feel a lot better!"
"Guess your connections aren't worth much after all," the first officer laughed.
"You little brat—just wait till we get out. I'll beat the crap outta you," the bearded youth replied with a playful curse.
Hearing their conversation, Ye Tian was deep in thought.
It seemed there really was a major secret here.
He hadn't expected that even the miners were the elite Imperial Guards of the Star Luo Empire.
If not for obtaining the map, Ye Tian would've had no idea what the Star Luo Empire was secretly up to.
However, right after that, Ye Tian became confused.
Wasn't this place supposed to be where a Divine Inheritance was located?
Why had it turned into a mine?
He walked over to Xiao Bai and asked, "Xiao Bai, can you still feel that power?"
Xiao Bai nodded with certainty. "I'm sure—it's still here. And there's an additional force now—pure, extreme ice energy."
"I sensed the ice energy too," the Sea Witch whispered. "But... that other force—I still haven't sensed anything."
A trace of doubt appeared on her face.
Her strength was far greater than Xiao Bai's.
Logically speaking, anything Xiao Bai could sense, she should be able to sense too.
Yet now, even after almost reaching the source, she still hadn't detected it.
It was truly baffling.
(End of chapter)