Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Warm Cold Pill
The final dozen miles of the journey were exceptionally difficult. The group flew onward for the time it took an incense stick to burn, yet they still hadn’t spotted the cave.
At this moment, the dissatisfaction in their hearts vanished completely. Compared to the two Lower Grade Profound Stones, they hadn’t lost out—in fact, they had profited.
Over such a distance, even if they had used their most precious treasures, they couldn’t guarantee they would reach the cave safely. They would have had to pay some price, perhaps even with their lives.
After another quarter of an hour, a pitch-black cave suddenly appeared before them in the distant mountain forest.
Zhao Wei said quickly, "Brother Ye Xuan, that’s the cave. Let’s go in."
The cave’s entrance was extremely small, only wide enough for one or two people to pass through at once. Furthermore, the outside of the cave was covered by a large swath of vines, making it very well hidden.
If Zhao Wei hadn’t pointed it out, it would have been nearly impossible to spot under normal circumstances.
Ye Xuan nodded and led the group into the cave.
As soon as they entered the cave, everyone let out a sharp breath, expelling their earlier frustration.
Looking out from inside the cave, they saw the massive flock of Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds circle overhead for a full half-incense stick’s time before finally scattering.
The sky above cleared. The gloom dispersed, and sunlight shone down, brightening everything.
"We’re finally safe," Zhao Wei laughed.
"To think you had a treasure like that and didn’t take it out sooner," Fu Yuling said sourly, her tone full of dissatisfaction.
’If Ye Xuan had taken it out earlier, she wouldn’t have needlessly lost a Red Soul Bead.’
"It’s my property. Whether I’m willing to take it out or not is none of your business, is it?" Ye Xuan shot her a cold glance. ’This woman... she has no gratitude. Does she really think she’s so high and mighty?’
’He had seen it long ago. In Fu Yuling’s eyes, the only one in the group worthy of her attention was Zhao Wei. Perhaps she was still dreaming of becoming a princess consort.’
"Ye Xuan, thank you." In contrast, Duan Ren hesitated for a moment before walking up to Ye Xuan and speaking in a low voice.
’He knew very well that if it hadn’t been for Ye Xuan earlier, he would have been in the most danger. He might have already died under the wings of the Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds, which only deepened his gratitude.’
Ye Xuan gave Duan Ren a surprised look. ’Maybe this guy isn’t so useless after all.’ He nodded but didn’t say anything more.
Zhao Wei gave a bitter smile. "The last time I came here, I didn’t encounter any danger along the way. I never expected to run into a flock of Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds this time. Our luck is just too rotten. If it weren’t for Brother Ye Xuan, we all would have been in grave danger. If any of you had been harmed, my sin would have been great."
Zuo Liu spoke up, "Your Highness, you don’t need to blame yourself. No one can predict the movements of beast hordes. This isn’t your fault."
"I, on the other hand, think there was something rather strange about that beast flock," Ye Xuan said suddenly, frowning.
Fu Yuling’s eyebrow twitched. She said coldly, "What are you trying to say? Are you suggesting that His Highness the Eighth Prince lured the flock of Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds here? What nonsense."
’She found everything about Ye Xuan irritating.’
"I never said that," Ye Xuan looked at her and said indifferently. "Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds, while social creatures that move in large groups, usually operate in flocks of around a thousand. A tribal-scale swarm of over ten thousand like this is exceedingly rare."
"The arrival of that flock of Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds was indeed a bit strange," Qing Ling also suddenly commented.
"No one should have known about my trip, and this is a royal forbidden ground, so ordinary people can’t enter," Zhao Wei said, frowning, unable to make sense of it. "Forget it. Whatever the situation, everyone just be more careful from now on. It will only help us if everyone stays on high alert."
Originally, Zhao Wei hadn’t been overly concerned about enhancing his martial soul this time, but after the attack by the Spirit-Devouring Blade Birds, he began to take this trip much more seriously.
"By the way, Ye Xuan, the Beast-Driving Pills you used just now, do you have any more?" Zhao Wei suddenly asked. "If you do, sell me a few."
’He was extremely curious about the Beast-Driving Pills and their astonishing effects.’
"Of course I do. If Brother Zhao wants some, I’ll sell them to you for ten Lower Grade Profound Stones each."
"Ten Lower Grade Profound Stones? You might as well just rob someone," Fu Yuling sneered.
A typical Third Grade Pill on the market only cost twenty to thirty thousand Profound Coins, which converted to just two or three Profound Stones. Not to mention, the value of Profound Stones was far greater than that of Profound Coins.
’This Ye Xuan must be absolutely insane for money.’
Ye Xuan ignored Fu Yuling’s mockery and continued, "Brother Zhao, I’m also very interested in those Self-Destructive Flame Beads you had earlier. If you don’t want to use Profound Stones, three Self-Destructive Flame Beads can be exchanged for one of my Pills."
"Alright, then I’ll trade you for two Pills."
Zhao Wei used six Self-Destructive Flame Beads to trade for two of Ye Xuan’s Beast-Driving Pills.
"Ye Xuan, I’m also very interested in your Pills. I’ll trade for one too."
Qing Ling, who had been standing to the side, unexpectedly spoke up as well. She took out ten Lower Grade Profound Stones, exchanged them for a Pill, and began to examine it with great interest.
"Alright, everyone follow me."
After the trades were complete, the group followed Zhao Wei’s lead and walked deeper into the cave.
The cave was incredibly dark. The moment they stepped inside, it was as if they had walked into an endless blackness where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.
Moreover, the temperature inside the cave was extremely low, at least twenty or thirty degrees colder than outside.
For a moment, everyone felt an uncontrollable shiver run through them.
But what shocked Ye Xuan the most was that inside this cave, both his Profound Sense and Soul Sense were suppressed. His Profound Sense was suppressed by more than half, and his Soul Sense was reduced to only half its normal strength.
’This cave is rather unusual. There are many substances in this world that can suppress Profound Sense, but things that can suppress Soul Sense are extremely rare. It seems the formation of this cave is quite mysterious; it’s definitely no ordinary cave.’
A flicker of interest sparked in Ye Xuan’s heart.
’As they say, extraordinary places hide extraordinary treasures. The formation of this cave was definitely not a simple matter.’
Zhao Wei, having been here before, was already prepared. A thumb-sized Luminous Bead suddenly appeared in his hand, and its soft glow immediately spread out, illuminating the cave.
Inside the cave, jagged, bizarre rock formations gave it a menacing and terrifying appearance.
"Everyone, come here. I have a few Second Grade Flame Sun Pills. One for each of you. They should help alleviate the severe cold."
Zhao Wei took out five Pills and flicked one into each person’s hand for them to consume.
Sure enough, a warm current spread through their bodies, and the surrounding cold air seemed to lessen in an instant. However, a faint trace of chill still seeped in through their pores.
Clearly, this Second Grade Pill was not enough to completely ward off the cave’s severe cold.
Ye Xuan suddenly smiled. "Brother Zhao, the effects of your Pills seem rather average. Everyone, I have some Third Grade Warm Cold Pills here that can guarantee you won’t be affected by even a trace of the cold. Selling for five Lower Grade Profound Stones each. It’s a fair price, no cheating young or old. Anyone who needs one can come to me."
Ye Xuan took out a jade bottle, a smile playing on his lips.
"You money-grubbing pauper," Fu Yuling said coldly.
Ye Xuan’s actions left Zhao Wei not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ’Just how desperate for Profound Stones is this guy, to be selling Pills even here?’
"Brother Ye Xuan, if you’re short on Profound Stones, just say the word. I still have some on me," Zhao Wei said with a smile.
As a Prince, his resources absolutely surpassed those of any other genius in the kingdom.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Brother Zhao, but I, Ye Xuan, have a principle: I never take advantage of others. I earn money through my own labor. I believe everyone will be coming to buy my Pills soon enough."
"Like hell anyone’s buying your Pills," Fu Yuling sneered, inwardly scornful.
Qing Ling and Zuo Liu were also rather speechless at Ye Xuan’s actions. Each had their own thoughts, but not a single one of them took out Profound Stones to make a purchase.
Ye Xuan didn’t mind and continued forward with the group.
Inside the cave, Zhao Wei walked at the very front, naturally followed by Fu Yuling. Then came Qing Ling, Ye Xuan, Duan Ren, and Zuo Liu.
The two strongest members were positioned at the front and back to watch over the group.
The cave was dark and chillingly cold. It sloped downward, and the deeper they went, the more they felt the ground descending.
After walking for nearly an hour, the group felt the chill on their bodies grow heavier. The effects of the Flame Sun Pill seemed to be continuously fading, and they felt as if their blood was about to freeze solid.
Even the Profound Qi within their bodies was constantly draining away under the corrosion of the cold air.
"What’s going on? It seems much colder in here than last time," Zhao Wei frowned.
"I have a few more Flame Sun Pills here. Everyone, take one."
Zhao Wei took out several more Flame Sun Pills.
However, when they consumed the Pills this time, they felt barely any warmth. It was clear the effects of the Flame Sun Pill were completely unable to resist the intense cold in this place.
After walking for a few more moments, Duan Ren was the first to finally break.
His teeth were already chattering from the cold.
"Ye Xuan, I’ll buy one of your Warm Cold Pills."
Taking out five Lower Grade Profound Stones, Duan Ren exchanged them for a Warm Cold Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.
The moment the Warm Cold Pill entered his stomach, Duan Ren immediately felt as if a ball of fire was burning inside him. A wave of warmth rapidly spread from his core through his organs and out to his limbs.
Even his very skin began to radiate a gentle warmth.
The blood and Profound Qi inside him, which had been on the verge of freezing, began to flow freely again, no longer affected by even a trace of the cave’s chill.
"Duan Ren, how is it?" Zhao Wei asked.
"Your Highness, this Pill... it’s just too miraculous," Duan Ren said, his face a mask of disbelief.
"I’ll have one too."
"Give me one."
Qing Ling and Zuo Liu glanced at each other, then both bought a Pill and swallowed it. The expressions that followed on their faces were just as amazed as Duan Ren’s had been.
The Warm Cold Pills that Ye Xuan had produced were far more powerful than Zhao Wei’s Flame Sun Pills.
Finally, Fu Yuling couldn’t stand it anymore either. Gritting her teeth, her face flushed with shame, she said, "Give me one, too."
’The cold was simply becoming unbearable for her.’
’If this continued, she’d have to use all her Profound Qi just to resist the cold. If they encountered danger, how would she be able to fight?’
"Sorry, the price has gone up. It’s ten Lower Grade Profound Stones per Pill now."
"You..."
A smile touched the corners of Ye Xuan’s mouth. "Take it or leave it."
"I’ll take it."
Fu Yuling glared at him, gritted her teeth, and bought a Warm Cold Pill.
