Ning Zhanji pondered for a moment, dispatching two cultivators to investigate, while he led the main force to retreat a short distance.
Moments later, the two cultivators returned and reported, "It's the corpse of a demon ape!"
The tense atmosphere of the group relaxed slightly.
When the main group arrived at the demon ape's corpse, Ning Yong exclaimed in astonishment.
It was his first time seeing a fire fusion demon ape.
This demon beast was massive, standing around three meters tall, with a sturdy frame covered in thick, fiery red fur.
The fur was uniform in color, a vivid crimson like flames, strikingly beautiful.
The fire fusion demon ape's fangs protruded, its eyes wide open, dead but not at peace.
Its body was a peculiar fusion of flesh and lava.
Even in death, its internal structure could be seen through its wounds, resembling molten lava that still flowed slowly, emitting intense heat, though it was rapidly cooling.
Ning Zhanji frowned deeply.
This was an unexpected situation.
He would have preferred a living fire fusion demon ape.
Now, things were complicated.
"There was an intense battle here!"
"The fire fusion demon ape fought here but was ultimately defeated."
"What kind of existence could take down an adult fire fusion demon ape in single combat?"
"From the traces, it doesn’t seem to be any known type of demon beast."
Ning Zhanji knew he had to investigate thoroughly.
Allowing an unknown demon beast to roam unchecked could spell disaster for the Ning Clan’s main forces in future large-scale operations if they lacked adequate information.
This expedition into the caves was primarily for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
This was his duty.
With this in mind, Ning Zhanji stopped pondering and decisively abandoned the original route, following the trail.
"From the fierce battle between the mysterious demon beast and the adult demon ape, we can estimate its strength. With our current power, we should be able to handle it."
"Moreover, after such a fierce fight, its strength must have diminished. This is an excellent opportunity!"
Ning Zhanji’s eyes gleamed as he led the group in pursuit.
Along the way, they came across other slain demon beasts.
They found fire essence scattered on the ground where a fire snake had died, the corpse of a flame lizard, and stone fragments from a red rock demon.
The Ning Clan cultivators’ supplies grew as they continued the pursuit.
"Boss, what kind of creature is this, so powerful that it killed so many demon beasts?"
"Haha, we’re really cashing in this time. If more mysterious demon beasts like this show up, we’ll get rich without lifting a finger!"
Ning Zhanji frowned, calculating silently, "Leaving these corpses untouched and not clearing the battlefield clearly indicates it’s not a cultivator."
"However, the corpses haven’t been gnawed on, and resources like fire essence haven’t been consumed."
"This suggests that this mysterious demon beast isn’t native to the Demon Lava Cave or part of its food chain."
"Could it be some cultivator's spirit beast?"
"Whatever the case, I must uncover its true identity this time!"
Resolute, Ning Zhanji pursued the trail.
Eventually, they arrived at a dead end.
"No way forward?"
"That doesn’t seem right!"
"The trail clearly leads here..."
The Ning Clan cultivators felt perplexed.
Ning Zhanji scanned the surroundings, then muttered an incantation under his breath, performing a technique.
Finally, his gaze fixed on a section of wall.
"Fall back and form a formation."
"Break through this wall and see what’s behind it," Ning Zhanji ordered.
The Ning Clan cultivators formed three small formations, pulling Ning Zhuo and Ning Yong into the outermost formation, instructing them not to run around.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The formation activated, with the cultivators joining forces to pound the wall.
As the wall's surface shattered, the glow of an array was revealed.
It turned out a defensive array was hidden here!
The defensive array was simple and crude, and it didn’t hold for long before it was shattered.
The wall was penetrated, revealing another passage.
"Another passage hidden here?"
"Could it have been hidden intentionally?"
Ning Zhanji frowned deeply.
Reaching this point, his earlier suspicions wavered.
Clearly, only a cultivator could set up an array. Even if not human, it would have to be a demon beast with intelligence.
After a brief hesitation, Ning Zhanji decided to continue the chase.
The Ning Clan cultivators began exploring the mysterious passage.
Soon, they found more "demon beast traces" similar to those before.
"It might be a cultivator’s spirit pet with a high level of intelligence and permission to pass through the arrays."
"This passage shows signs of human intervention, likely developed even earlier than ours."
"In other words, our Ning Clan is actually the latecomer?"
"What’s that up ahead?"
"We’re nearing the end of the passage."
"Be cautious!"
Following the trail, the Ning Clan cultivators emerged from the passage into a spacious, flat underground plaza.
The underground plaza also had two formations set up, both simple and crude, like childish scribbles.
Ning Zhanji ordered his subordinates to search for clues, when suddenly, the howls of demon beasts filled the air.
Roars and snarls echoed, surrounding them from all directions.
Ning Zhanji was alarmed and immediately ordered a retreat.
However, scorching magma suddenly surged through the passage they’d come from, forcing them to fall back.
"Damn it!"
"It’s a trap!!"
"Who could set this up? Could it be one of the other two clans, or perhaps the City Lord's forces?"
Ning Zhanji was both shocked and enraged, directing his subordinates to form a formation while sending others to scout.
The news was grim.
The underground plaza resembled a transit station, connecting multiple passages. From these passages, a large number of demon beasts were pouring in.
The Ning Clan cultivators set up a defensive formation in one corner of the plaza and activated it with all their might.
Fortunately, they were well-prepared and had brought several array disks, enabling them to set up a defensive formation swiftly.
The defensive formation activated, forming an icy barrier that encircled half of the area, joining with the wall behind them to create a circular defense.
The first to attack was a horde of fire velvet mice. Compared to the outside world, these fire velvet mice were massive, some even half the height of a person!
The fire velvet mice charged madly, with many crashing into the icy wall and dying instantly.
Cracks appeared on the icy wall.
red rock demons floated in mid-air, flying over the wall to attack.
The Ning Clan cultivators, well-coordinated, had prepared in advance.
Numerous artifacts, mainly flying swords and needles, shot through the air to pierce the red rock demons, buying precious time.
The second defensive formation was completed, forming a half-spherical shield over the group.
Instantly, the chaotic sounds outside diminished.
"Keep setting up formations!" Ning Zhanji’s face was grim.
The Ning Clan cultivators had just completed the third large formation, creating a pillar of light that supported the ceiling of the underground space, when a vast aura surged forth.
The cultivators were struck with shock.
"A golden core aura… Could the one we’ve been pursuing be a golden core cultivator?"
"I recognize this aura. It’s the Ning Clan’s ancestor, Zheng Shuangjun!"
"Could it be that the Zheng Clan is targeting us?!"