Chapter 457

"The sturdy 'Shi Hui' tribe,"

Chen Mu's spiritual sense remained steady and respectful, gesturing toward himself and Tianxi Star Lord, "We are travelers seeking the footsteps of a lost companion. Our companion, a wise one who also values contracts and exploration, lost contact while investigating the region shrouded in swirling toxic mists."

"We believe he may be in distress and urgently needs aid."

After a brief pause to let the Shi Gui absorb the information, he continued, "We have heard that the 'Shi Hui' tribe is the wisest among those who understand the Thousand Caves Mountain and its surrounding lands. Does that dangerous region conceal hidden perils?"

"Recently, have there been other beings who show little respect for the laws of earth and stone, active in that area?"

Chen Mu did not directly mention the name "Beast God" or the detailed identity of Ju Sect Star, to avoid unnecessary suspicion or association.

He deliberately emphasized terms likely to resonate with the Shi Gui: "lost companion," "wise one," "contract," and directed the inquiry toward knowledge of the region and observations of "those who disrespect the laws."

The leading powerful Shi Gui, its stone eyes flickering faintly, seemed to be pondering.

It exchanged a brief series of guttural "gulps" with several other Shi Gui.

Moments later, the Shi Hui leader's spiritual sense returned, somewhat smoother than before—clearly, they were rapidly adapting to this mode of communication.

"The swirling toxic mist—that is the 'Rotting Breath Vortex.'"

The Shi Hui leader's thought carried clear revulsion and a trace of wariness, "That land has been corrupted since ancient times. The filth from Poisonous Dragon Pond, the yin-sha from beneath Thousand Caves Mountain, and foreign evil rituals have merged to form that thing."

"It behaves like a living thing, devouring life and twisting wills. If your companion stepped into it, he would be in grave danger."

It paused, as if recalling or organizing more specific information, "As for those 'disrespectful ones'... they have indeed been active recently."

"Like rotting maggots in a cave, numerous, digging, setting up, and performing noisy, foul rituals near the 'Rotting Breath Vortex.'"

"They command flesh, desecrate the dead, and stand utterly at odds with the stillness of rock and earth. Our 'Shi Hui' tribe finds them deeply repugnant."

As expected!

The Beast God's people are truly active there, and seem to be performing some ritual.

Chen Mu's heart tightened inwardly; he exchanged a thought with Tianxi Star Lord.

"Thank you for this information—it confirms our fears."

Chen Mu's spiritual sense carried gratitude as he advanced the Fuhai Qiu scale and the earth crystal in his hand, "These humble offerings represent our respect for the wisdom and strength of the 'Shi Hui' tribe, and our gratitude for your information."

"We have no intention of violating your territory; we only seek to learn more about the interior of the 'Rotting Breath Vortex' or the specific movements of these ritualists, so we may search for our companion more safely."

The Shi Hui leader's gaze settled on the dark-gold scale, lingering longer.

The ancient, solid, powerful aura within the Fuhai Qiu scale held a lethal allure for the Shi Gui.

It extended its massive stone hand and carefully accepted the scale and earth crystal.

The scale, in its grasp, seemed to shimmer faintly, resonating subtly with the energy of its own rocky body.

"Outsider, your gift carries weight."

The Shi Hui leader's thought carried a hint of satisfaction, even a trace of pleasure, "Your body, too, is like star-iron forged by earthfire—solid and pure. This earns you the right to further conversation with the 'Shi Hui' tribe."

It pressed the scale against the darkest region of its chest, as if sensing its rhythm, then carefully stored it away.

The earth crystal was casually distributed to several nearby Shi Gui, eliciting a low, contented rumbling.

"Regarding the interior of the 'Rotting Breath Vortex'..."

The Shi Hui leader spoke again, its thought far clearer, "That place is a forbidden zone. The toxic miasma is thick, corroding all that is not dark or decayed. There are also chaotic spatial rifts and slumbering ancient resentments."

"Without special protection or affinity for corrupting forces, entering it is impossible—your spiritual soul will be tainted."

"Those ritualists appear to possess some method of moving through or harnessing corruption."

"They gather in several ancient caverns near the vortex's edge—numerous in number, and several of their leaders radiate strong, chaotic energies, as if forcibly fusing the souls of multiple beasts."

The Shi Hui leader's thought carried disdain for the Beast God's methods and a barely perceptible solemnity, "They seem to be preparing a grand ritual, requiring vast quantities of Sacrifice and specific coordinates. Recently, they have captured many stray beasts and some outsiders like yourselves."

Captured outsiders!

Chen Mu and Tianxi Star Lord's hearts sank.

Ju Sect Star Lord was likely imprisoned because of this!

"Where are these captured outsiders held? What is their condition?" Chen Mu pressed.

"They are imprisoned deep within a large cavern they call 'Blood Fang Cave,' on the eastern side of the vortex. It was originally a mine, complex in structure, modified by them, filled with traps and guards."

The Shi Hui leader replied, "As for their condition, few who are sent in ever emerge. Even if they do, they are often no longer themselves."

Blood Fang Cave!

This is almost certainly where Ju Sect Star Lord is held!

"Shi Hui leader, if we wish to enter 'Blood Fang Cave' to search for any surviving companions, do you believe it possible? Or, given the 'Shi Hui' tribe's knowledge of this land, are there other, more concealed paths to approach—or avoid—the main guards of these ritualists?" Chen Mu asked the most critical question.

The Shi Hui leader fell silent for a moment, its stone eyes flickering uncertainly, as if weighing options.

Chen Mu's "gift" and his display of "solidity" had won them favor and preliminary trust, but direct confrontation with the Beast God and entry into such perilous terrain clearly required greater justification or exchange.

"Outsider, your request is dangerous."

The Shi Hui leader finally said, "The 'Shi Hui' tribe fears no battle, but we do not make futile sacrifices. These ritualists are numerous, their methods strange, and they dwell in corruption, which also restrains us. Direct conflict is unwise."

It shifted tone, adding, "Yet 'Blood Fang Cave' does not have only a front entrance. The ancient mine has many abandoned ventilation shafts and narrow exploration tunnels, some of which may even connect to other regions of Thousand Caves Mountain familiar to us."

"Those passages might bypass most guards, but they are even more perilous—prone to collapse, or leading to unknown dead ends or the lairs of slumbering ancient beings."

"We can share fragments of memory regarding those hidden passages—left by our ancestors during ancient explorations."

"But the exact routes and safety conditions must be judged and borne as risk by you alone."

The Shi Hui leader set his condition, "In exchange, the 'Shi Hui' tribe requires you to make one promise."

"Speak."

Chen Mu responded immediately.