Zhao Xing unleashed the wind, accelerating the six straw figures as they charged into the depths of the cave. Meanwhile, a dozen other straw figures crouched according to the predetermined retreat route.
"Quick, quick, find it."
Zhao Xing's heart raced, his breath quickening. Even though he was merely controlling the straw figures, he felt a surge of excitement, as if he were about to uncover a rare treasure. However, reason still held sway: "Treasures can be alluring, but I must act quickly. The mountain cat is incredibly agile; I must find it within a quarter of an hour."
"In a quarter of an hour, we must retreat! No matter how many treasures, I won't linger!"
Zhao Xing repeatedly reminded himself of this rule. As the straw figures ventured deeper, he sensed that there was more than one treasure within the cave!
Upon delving further, the cave revealed four branching paths, each exuding a strong allure.
"Split up!"
Zhao Xing immediately commanded the straw figures to enter the four different paths. The visibility in the cave was dim, and the straw figures stumbled forward, but fortunately, after falling a few times, he ordered the straw figures to crawl on all fours, which actually increased their speed.
"Thud!"
Soon, a sensation from the first straw figure made Zhao Xing's heart race. At the end of one of the paths lay a complete skeleton, which was quite similar to the skeleton Zhao Xing had seen for the first time.
Between its ribs was wedged a fist-sized purple stone. The stone emitted electric light, and the two ribs holding it had already turned charred black.
"Swish~"
The straw figure rushed over to grab the purple stone, and smoke quickly began to rise from its hands. Fortunately, this was a Great Strength Vajra; if it had been a straw figure made from the green vine, it might not have been able to take it away.
"Return!" Zhao Xing immediately ordered the Great Strength Vajra.
Having traversed the previous route, the Great Strength Vajra returned smoothly. It exited the cave, where a second straw figure awaited.
The Swift Straw Figure grabbed the Great Strength Vajra, accelerating its speed. There was no time to check.
Because the second straw figure had made a discovery within the cave. At the end of its path, in a dry spherical cavern, sunlight illuminated a stone platform.
On it floated a thin piece of yellow paper.
The second straw figure immediately took the yellow paper.
"Return!"
Zhao Xing felt a surge of excitement.
Two items now!
Not long after the second straw figure returned, his Fortune erupted for the third time.
The other two paths had also made discoveries simultaneously!
In the third path, the straw figure found a spring, with vital Qi gushing forth, the entire spring enveloped in a celestial aura, extraordinarily remarkable.
Above it were four blue lotus flowers, one of which had already bloomed, while the other three were still in bud.
The straw figure reached out to pluck it, but soon its hand was covered in a layer of icy mist. Even though it was quick, when it finally pulled the lotus pod, its right hand had already frozen stiff, losing its ability to move, and could only hug it with its left hand.
In the fourth path, the straw figure surprisingly discovered a glowing cup nestled in a pile of furs!
"This cup?!"
Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat; it was one of the anomalies he had seen just before entering the mountain!
What a tremendous stroke of luck; all four paths had yielded treasures!
However, at this moment, Zhao Xing felt increasingly anxious.
The passive triggering of Fortune followed the pattern of declining after three occurrences.
It was still too early to celebrate; he might not be able to bring everything out!
"Hiss!"
At that moment, an angry roar echoed from a distance.
The mountain cat reappeared within a three-mile radius, detected by Zhao Xing.
"It’s back; I should run now."
Zhao Xing immediately slung the Wen Bamboo Box over his shoulder and jumped onto the back of the Swift Straw Figure.
"This mountain cat, to have entered the ranks while still a cub, must have been nurtured by the Spirit Mountain. Otherwise, a normal mountain cat bloodline wouldn't be this formidable."
Sensing the mountain cat's approach, Zhao Xing knew he might not be able to bring out the lotus seed and the golden cup.
The mountain cat was already close, while the straw figure holding the lotus seed and golden cup had just exited the cave.
"I must abandon one; otherwise, I’ll lose both. Which one does it value more?"
Zhao Xing activated the Clear Eye Technique to observe the mountain cat's trajectory. He discovered it was prioritizing the straw figure holding the golden cup.
"Run in the opposite direction with the golden cup!"
Zhao Xing decisively commanded, suppressing his reluctance with immense willpower.
The straw figure clutching the golden cup suddenly tossed it forward.
At the landing spot, another ambushing straw figure leaped up, caught it without hesitation, and immediately tossed it toward the third landing point.
Running, the mountain cat couldn’t catch up, but the Great Strength Vajra could throw it, which was much faster.
The golden cup reached the last straw figure, which was already three miles away from Zhao Xing, standing at the edge of a cliff.
"Throw!"
The straw figure hurled the golden cup forward.
But at that moment, the mountain cat let out a roar and completely vanished from sight.
In the next second, a large hole appeared in the Great Strength Vajra's body, as if pierced by a bolt of lightning.
The golden cup was still thrown out.
The mountain cat's furious roar followed as it leaped off the cliff, then clutched the golden cup, stepping on air for a moment before returning to the top of the cliff.
"You’re impressive; I’ll let it go."
Zhao Xing observed this scene and couldn’t help but give a thumbs up.
This was truly a masterful cat.
In the end, the three treasures belonged to him.
Zhao Xing smiled slightly and pointed to the sky.
Thick clouds rolled, and thunder roared in response.
Ice rain enveloped the cliff, and a chilling wind swept through.
Then, Zhao Xing retreated calmly.
Where is the safest place to ascend the mountain?
Of course, it was the Tian Tan Square at the peak of East Lake Mountain.
To evade the mountain cat's pursuit, the Swift Straw Figure raced with Zhao Xing to the mountaintop.
The Tian Tan Square was now in sight.
"Who goes there?"
"Eh, why are there so many straw figures coming up?"
"Huh? What’s going on? Why is my heart suddenly pounding?"
"Damn, it’s the Spirit Essence; those straw figures are hiding Spirit Essence!"
"Heavens, what a strong sensation; is it mid-grade or high-grade Spirit Essence?!"
Around the square, there were resting climbers, all of whom stood up, gazing in one direction.
As Zhao Xing rushed up the mountain, everyone sensed the presence of Spirit Essence on him.
Countless eyes, both overt and covert, fixated on him with ill intent.
A streak of light shot from a large tree outside the Tian Tan Square, heading straight for Zhao Xing.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Three arrows struck the body of the Great Strength Bamboo, the arrowheads penetrating three inches into its chest but failing to pierce through.
As the arrow attack concluded, a voice rang in his ear: "Friend, your Spirit Essence resonates with me; please, stay a moment!"
Zhao Xing involuntarily slowed his pace, but the next moment, he coldly snorted and broke free from the constraint.
"Little brother, quickly put down the Spirit Essence, or you will be plagued by calamity!"
A gentle voice approached from the front, and three Swift Straw Figures suddenly ignited in flames.
"Those who block me shall die!"
Zhao Xing roared angrily, a fierce wind suddenly swept up from the ground. Accompanied by this wind, his voice seemed to penetrate the soul, causing all onlookers to shiver involuntarily.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was affected, Zhao Xing was flung by the Great Strength Vajra, using the momentum to leap directly into the Tian Tan Square.
In the center of the square stood a sundial, its pointer precisely indicating the Dog Hour.
The sundial was inscribed with the words "Cease Hostilities," signifying that from this moment on, fighting was prohibited within the square.
"Ha~ the timing is just right." Zhao Xing let out a sigh of relief.
(End of Chapter)