Su Yan went straight into Cloud Ridge Mountain the next morning. First-Order elixirs were mostly medicinal compounds. While some required a furnace, they didn't necessitate the large setup Xu Zhongdao used for Second-Order pills. Logically, he could refine them at home.
However, Su Yan was cautious. He didn't want to be disturbed, nor did he want anyone to notice anything amiss. He wanted to keep his alchemy secret, regardless of the medicinal aromas or the protection of his Contracted Bugs. Having martial arts talent made him a potential genius from a poor family. Adding beast mastery and alchemy would make him a monster. He risked being targeted by those seeking his "inheritance."
Therefore, Su Yan decided to refine his elixirs in the forest. He needed a secluded spot to prepare everything, establishing it as his second small base. He had already decided on the cave where he fought the wolves. It was covered by vines and hidden in the ravine, making it perfectly concealed.
He quickly entered the forest, and using the Ape Leap Step, he soon crossed several peaks and reached the Inner Mountain. Following his memory, Su Yan found the path to the ravine. The mountains were lush, and the Inner Mountain's spiritual energy was denser than the Outer Mountain's. Despite only a half-month passing, the area had changed significantly. Trees were tall, vines crisscrossed, and the original path was covered.
Su Yan reached the ravine with the Dark Water Centipede leading the way.
"Something's wrong." Just as he approached the site, Su Yan's expression changed. 'Someone has been here.'
Though the vines had grown, they would never completely cover the cave entrance like this. Not only was the entrance sealed, but the surrounding bushes and weeds were also deliberately concealed, entirely different from how he had left it.
Hiss, hiss, hiss!
The Dark Water Centipede immediately let out a soft noise, sensing a foreign scent. Su Yan stopped, concealed his body, and hid behind a tree trunk.
'This is the Inner Mountain region. Even if ordinary mountain-men came here, they wouldn't venture this far. Moreover, there's nothing here to hide, so why is the entrance so carefully obscured? Unless...' Su Yan's expression grew serious. The only reason for such concealment would be to hide or store something.
'Pang Tianfeng?!' He was startled. Wasn't Pang Tianfeng chased towards the Small Mountain Association's herb fields? That area was in the east, and this was in the west—dozens of li apart, across numerous peaks. How could he be here?
'Investigate first.' Su Yan's eyes flickered. The occupant could be Pang Tianfeng or one of the many Jianghu men searching the mountains. Whoever it was, they were definitely hiding something. Su Yan considered himself fearless. Since he had stumbled upon this, he had to figure it out.
He deepened his concealment, covering himself with loose weeds until he was nearly invisible. He then commanded the Dark Water Centipede to crawl stealthily through the vines toward the cave entrance. The mountains were full of insects and beasts. Although the centipede was large, it was still just an exotic bug. Its quiet approach might not alarm anyone inside.
Su Yan held his breath; his eyes fixed on the entrance. The cave wasn't deep enough to hide a person completely, so sending the centipede in would reveal its secrets.
The Dark Water Centipede entered the cave, and a sudden hissing sound came from within. A pair of cold, glowing eyes lit up in the darkness, and a dark shadow lunged straight at the centipede. The Dark Water Centipede quickly dodged but was knocked backward.
Su Yan's face changed slightly. He watched the vines at the entrance shake as a large snake with emerald patterns and red eyes shot out, its scarlet tongue flicking, eyes fixed on the Dark Water Centipede.
He was astonished: Not a person? A Desolate Beast?!
'No, it's a Desolate Beast left here by someone.' A Desolate Beast wouldn't camouflage itself like this. How could a snake move vines and brush to conceal an entrance? He instantly realized the opportunity. With only a Desolate Beast inside, it was a golden chance.
The Emerald-Patterned Viper immediately lunged at the Dark Water Centipede. It was three or four meters long, as thick as a man's arm, and its skin was like iron, suggesting First-Order Mid-Stage strength—easily a match for a Tendon-Bone expert.
The viper was incredibly fast, aiming for the centipede's head. The Dark Water Centipede, now in its Mature Stage, was also powerful. It tilted its head, dodged, and used its agility to close the distance. Its mouthparts, sharp as knives, bit down on the viper, instantly creating a gash. Even the viper's tough skin couldn't fully defend against the centipede's attack.
The viper thrashed, sweeping the centipede away. Its hooked fangs latched on, penetrating the Dark Water Centipede's hard carapace. The centipede cried out in pain. The viper tightened its grip, and the two wrestled, scales flying and legs breaking.
Su Yan's heart tightened. The Dark Water Centipede, though in its Mature Stage, was slightly weaker and smaller than the viper and was being suppressed. If the viper's venom took effect, the centipede would be severely injured.
He immediately commanded the Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug to charge out of the brush and lunge directly at the viper. The scorpion's sharp tail hook stabbed the viper's head, almost piercing its skull. A massive amount of scorching poison was injected. The viper instantly writhed in agony. While a single poison might be resisted by a poisonous creature, the combined venom of the Dark Water Centipede and the Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug caused a severe reaction, significantly weakening its ability to constrict.
The Dark Water Centipede broke free, ignored its injuries, and bit down on the viper's vulnerable throat. The Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug continued its assault, relentlessly tearing at the viper's head. Under the pincer attack, they finally managed to kill it.
Both the Dark Water Centipede and the Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug were heavily wounded, their carapaces cracked and legs broken. Even with the aid of the Bug Realm, they would need several days to recover.
Though pained by their injuries, Su Yan didn't rush to move. He sent the two Contracted Bugs back into the cave. There were no further sounds; no one was hiding inside.
Su Yan quickly descended the slope. He first checked the Emerald-Patterned Viper. Its massive body lay flat, bleeding profusely, its flesh completely ruined.
"A First-Order Mid-Stage Desolate Beast—if the Bronze Fox Ape had encountered it, it would have been poisoned to death." Su Yan was astonished. The probability of such a beast being naturally present in this cave was too low. The cave was only a wolf den days ago.
He collected the viper's body, then entered the cave, lighting his torch. The firelight illuminated the entire cavern.
"This... are these the stolen herbs?" Su Yan was shocked. Piles of wooden boxes and bundles lay stacked inside. The corners of some packages revealed the familiar sight of medicinal herbs. This scene immediately suggested the robbery he had heard about.