Chapter 135

"Agreed!"

"Support!"

Pang Yunrui, Chen Mu, and Shen Ge each spoke one sentence.

Their words were light, yet their expressions were utterly solemn.

The cave they had discovered was of immense consequence.

Underground cavern!

Demon nest!

Insect lair!

Since ancient times, such massive caves birthing strange beasts and insect beasts have had multiple names.

Though the entrance before Chen Mu and the others appeared ordinary, the interior space was vast, its depth unknown.

No one knew how many strange beasts or insect beasts lurked inside the cave.

Once such a cavern is discovered, it is almost always sealed off.

Their sizes vary: micro, small, medium, large, and colossal.

Colossal caverns do not exist on land—at least none in the Great Zhou Realm's nineteen provinces.

But within the Great Zhou Realm, there are more than a dozen large caverns.

Each is guarded by a major power that has held the line for over a thousand years.

Five of them are even sealed by the five major military legions of the Great Zhou Army.

At this moment.

The cavern before Chen Mu and the others had formed only recently and was barely classified as micro-sized.

This was a stroke of luck amid misfortune.

Otherwise, not only the small town beyond the mountains, but the entire Ming'an Prefecture would have suffered.

This matter concerned a cavern.

Chen Mu and the others quickly left the mountains, rushed to Ming'an Fucheng, entered the prefectural government office, and reported the situation.

The Ming'an Prefectural government office was shaken!

The Prefect himself led a team and hurried toward the small town.

Chen Mu and the others did not accompany him.

Just give the location; enter the mountains and follow the trail of the strange scorpion beast.

The flesh of that scorpion beast was poisonous—they did not touch it.

The next morning, Chen Mu, Shen Ge, and Pang Yunrui arrived at their destination, dusty and weary—

Lu County, under Jing'an Prefecture.

Though Lu County was not as prosperous as the prefectural city, it was quite bustling, for its many mountains often carried legends of ancient ruins, drawing numerous martial artists seeking fortune.

The three went straight to the county's finest "Yue Lai Inn." As soon as they stepped into the main hall, a loud, enthusiastic voice rang out, "Brother Pang! Hahaha, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting!"

A tall man in fitted attire, his face weathered by wind and sun, stepped forward with a hearty laugh.

The man was around thirty, his eyes sharp and bright, his temples prominently swollen, a long spear wrapped in cloth resting beside him—though its blade was hidden, it radiated a steady, formidable aura.

"Brother Qin!"

Pang Yunrui was overjoyed, stepping forward to clap the man's shoulder firmly, then turning to introduce them: "Chen Brother, Shen Brother, this is my friend I mentioned in my letters—the one who discovered the ancient ruin's lead—Qin Liangjing, Brother Qin!"

"Brother Qin, these are the two I wrote about: Chen Mu from Tai'an Prefecture, Brother Chen, and Shen Ge from the Yaoyue Sect, Brother Shen."

"Pleased to meet you, Brother Shen, Brother Chen!"

Qin Liangjing's gaze swept over Chen Mu and Shen Ge, a flash of keen interest in his eyes—especially when he saw Shen Ge, whose aura was extraordinary and subtly oppressive—and his smile grew more sincere as he bowed, "I've long heard of your names! Young talents on the Dragon's Nest List—today I see you, and your reputations are well-deserved! Especially you, Brother Chen—ranking 107th on the list at your age is truly remarkable. I deeply admire you."

Shen Ge smiled in return, "Brother Qin flatters us. But you, Brother Qin, were once a prominent figure on the list yourself—your Soul-Chasing Spear left a lasting impression."

He had clearly heard of Qin Liangjing's reputation.

The Dragon's Nest List records martial artists under thirty, whether Innate or Post-Heaven.

Qin Liangjing aged out of the list.

Chen Mu, listening to their exchange, understood at once and bowed as well: "Pleased to meet you, Brother Qin. Shen Brother is right—I barely scraped onto the list, and I'm second-to-last. I hardly qualify as remarkable."

"Hahaha~"

Qin Liangjing laughed heartily, no pretense: "A true hero doesn't dwell on past glory. Once past the age limit, one must make way for the young. Brothers, you've traveled far—rooms are already reserved. Let's settle in first, then head across to the tavern—I'll treat you to a feast!"

"We've got to drink ten cups!" Pang Yunrui chimed in.

"Isn't it usually two or three cups in such cases?" Chen Mu chuckled.

"That's for normal situations," Shen Ge smiled. "Brother Pang is greedy for food and drink—two or three cups won't be enough."

"Hahaha~"

The four laughed together.

The atmosphere was warm; Qin Liangjing led the way, ready to take them upstairs to store their luggage.

"Wait!"

At that moment, a young voice, tinged with arrogance and irritation, suddenly spoke from the side: "Rank 107 on the Dragon's Nest List? You're Chen Mu?"

All turned to look. In a corner tea nook, a youth in silk finery, youthful-faced yet brimming with haughtiness, stood holding a sword, scrutinizing Chen Mu with a critical, resentful gaze.

He was about eighteen, his cultivation already at Third Stage Innate—remarkable talent indeed.

Pang Yunrui frowned, "Who are you?"

The boy tilted his chin slightly, "Little Master doesn't change his name or alter his identity—I'm Tang Yiming! Number 108 on the Potential Dragon List!"

When he stated his rank, he deliberately intensified his tone, his gaze challenging as it locked onto Chen Mu.

Everyone instantly understood: he resented being ranked below Chen Mu.

Chen Mu had no desire for trouble and replied coolly, "So you're Brother Tang. A pleasure."

He turned to leave.

"Stop!"

Tang Yiming refused to let it go, stepping forward to block Chen Mu's path and speaking rapidly, "Chen Mu, I heard you've got some skill, squeezing ahead of Little Master. I won't accept it! Lucky we met—come on, let's spar. Let me see how much water's in your 107th place!"

A challenge?

Chen Mu frowned slightly and politely declined, "The Potential Dragon List rankings are determined by the Heavenly Mechanism Sect—not something I can control. Let's skip the sparring."

"What? Afraid?"

Tang Yiming sneered, dismissive, "You don't even have the guts to fight? How dare you rank above Little Master? I bet your position was cheated!"

These words were already extremely rude.

Pang Yunrui, though smiling warmly and good-natured, was still a Potential Dragon prodigy—unshakably loyal to his own and his friends, but far less courteous to outsiders. He snapped, "Watch your tongue! Do you dare question Brother Chen's strength? Get out of the way!"

Shen Ge also spoke coldly, "Tang Yiming, this isn't Haozhou, and it's not your home. When traveling, it's wise to show restraint."

Qin Liangjing also showed displeasure, "Young man, forcing others to duel isn't the way of a gentleman."

But Tang Yiming, raised in indulgence, paid no heed to advice—he felt everyone was favoring Chen Mu, his anger flaring as he glared fiercely at Chen Mu and goaded, "Chen Mu! Will you only hide behind others? If you're a man, draw your sword!"

"If you defeat me, Tang Yiming will bow in full submission! If you dare not, admit before everyone that you're inferior to me! From now on, whenever you see Little Master, turn around and leave at least ten zhang away! I'll do the same if I lose!"