Chapter 401: Night Exploration

Chapter 401: Night Reconnaissance

"Is it him?"

When Su Mo and Little Situ Taoist saw this person, they immediately recalled the one the Sick Scholar had mentioned before.

The man who walked on the sea, his feet treading on water that turned to ice, as if he were walking on flat ground.

He had passed by the Sick Scholar's ship, seeing the Sick Scholar suffering from the poison of the Poison Master.

And he had cured the poison.

Then he left, his whereabouts unknown.

But they never expected to encounter him here.

However, the Sick Scholar had said that this man was a lone wanderer.

Yet, what they saw before them was clearly a feint to draw them away.

Who had lured the guards out of the Sutra Cave just now?

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Little Situ Taoist heard Su Mo's voice:

"Hold your breath."

Little Situ Taoist nodded immediately, channeling his inner energy to suppress his breathing.

In the next moment, the two of them were already outside the Sutra Cave.

After entering the cave, he felt a chill again.

It was even more bone-chilling than when Su Mo first arrived in the morning.

Moving forward, he saw another disciple of Dragonwood Island behind a long table.

However, this person appeared lifeless, with no trace of vitality in his eyes.

There was a hint of crimson on both temples, and upon closer inspection, it revealed a tiny hole.

A trickle of moisture seeped from the hole, trickling down his cheek to the corner of his mouth.

With a quick glance, Su Mo roughly deduced the cause of death.

But he didn't pay much attention, continuing forward while carrying Little Situ Taoist.

Further ahead lay the caves where the scripture interpreters resided.

At each cave entrance, a disciple of Dragonwood Island stood guard.

Even though the outer guards had all gone to chase after the black-clad figure, these guards remained steadfast, unmoving.

Now, however, they were all dead.

Each one maintained their standing posture, emitting a subtle coldness.

From their appearance alone, one might not notice that they had lost their lives.

Only a closer examination would reveal that they had been killed instantly by some bizarre means.

Young Situ Taoist couldn't help but feel horrified at the sight.

Could someone wearing a jade mask really be this skilled?

Even the lowest-ranking servants on Dragonwood Island had cultivated inner strength and toughened their bodies.

Earlier, Xia Qiuliang—nicknamed "Little Divine Fist"—had sparred with a servant and almost got humiliated.

These Dragonwood Island disciples were probably even stronger than those servants.

Was this plain-robed man really a master from the Dragon King Hall?

Could he really have killed them all so quickly?

Of course, that wasn’t the truly terrifying part.

The truly terrifying part was how silently he’d killed them.

From the way these disciples were still standing, they hadn’t even noticed their comrades dying.

Su Mo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow:

"What brutal efficiency."

Meanwhile, the physicians in the cave kept working like machines, completely absorbed in decoding the scriptures.

They had no idea what was happening outside.

And the martial arts master wearing the jade mask had spared them.

After a moment’s thought, Su Mo—still carrying Young Situ—was about to move on when the sound of fighting suddenly grew louder, rushing toward them.

In seconds, the fight was right in front of them.

Without a second thought, Su Mo slipped into an exegete’s cave.

The exegete, oblivious to everything else, remained wholly absorbed in his scriptures, oblivious to Su Mo and Young Situ Taoist’s arrival.

The two observed from the side and saw the man in plain robes with the jade mask engaged in a fierce battle with a group of Dragonwood Island disciples, falling back.

No matter how hard he fought, the disciples pushed him back relentlessly.

Su Mo arched a brow at Young Situ.

She looked just as shocked.

This wasn’t right!

Given how easily he’d handled them before, these disciples shouldn’t be a problem.

Why was he losing now?

Was he poisoned?

But then Su Mo spotted something.

His movements clearly held back power.

He could've killed but restrained himself, could have unleashed ultimate techniques yet refrained.

Though his knowledge was limited, the wounds on the deceased Dragonwood Island disciples revealed one thing:

They undoubtedly mastered forming frost needles.

Using them to strike death points.

The first corpse behind the altar had been facing the cave entrance, yet both temples were simultaneously struck.

Showing his needle technique was extraordinary.

Yet now... he wasn't employing this technique.

Why play weak?

As Su Mo pondered, the fighting group had already moved farther away, soon exiting the cave.

After brief hesitation, he made his decision.

The robed man clearly had another game, but whatever his scheme, it didn't concern Su Mo one bit.

Tonight, he only intended to accompany Little Situ in scouting the Ghost Vine cavern.

If possible, preferably locating the Poison Lord too.

Dead or alive, he needed answers.

He darted forward like the wind.

A sudden gust swept through the cavern.

However, thanks to the robed man, the onward path grew dangerous.

Straggling Dragonwood Island disciples emerging from the Ghost Vine cave patrolled these tunnels.

Fortunately, Su Mo's unmatched qinggong made him and Little Situ undetectable even to wide-eyed observers.

In moments, they reached the Ghost Vine cavern entrance.

Here, bitter cold emanated.

He saw the cave's Ghost Vines, all encased in ice.

Flash-frozen, completely rigid.

Right at the cave mouth, a palm strike had shattered a large swath of Ghost Vines.

Leaving a man-sized opening.

Several Dragonwood Island disciples stood there, tapping the ice with their daggers' pommels.

Trying to free the Ghost Vines.

Witnessing this, Su Mo grasped the situation. He blurred into motion as a wind whipped between the disciples.

The disciples looked around in confusion, frantically searching for the breeze's source.

How could there suddenly be a sudden gust of wind?

Yet after looking around for a while, they found nothing. The Ghost Vines were frozen solid, unable to move, and thus powerless to act.

The disciples stood frozen for a moment before one of them spoke in a low voice:

"Could it be a martial arts master passing by with peerless lightfoot technique?"

"That can't be possible, right?"

Another immediately shook his head: "How incredibly fast would someone need to be to only feel the wind but not see the person?"

"Enough of this nonsense."

Another Dragonwood Island disciple spoke up:

"Hurry and clear away this ice. The person who came earlier had extraordinary martial arts skills.

"This extreme cold inner force seems like the Arcane Ice Seven Ultimates mentioned by those outsiders from the Dragon King Hall.

"With such masters arriving on the island, our Dragonwood Island is indeed facing turbulent times.

"Fortunately, Ghost Vines are only vulnerable to blades, not cold.

"Though they can be frozen temporarily, their core remains intact.

"As for masters of peerless lightness...

"Even if there were any, once they enter this cave, they'd be lost in the 'Maze.'

"When that happens, we just need to go and capture them."

"Well reasoned."

"Let's work quickly. The Abomination must be hungry by now."

……

……

Setting aside the Dragonwood Island disciples' discussions.

Su Mo, with Little Situ in tow, leaped past the cave entrance onto a winding descending path.

Not far ahead lay a straight passage.

The two ventured inside, and after about fifteen minutes, Su Mo suddenly halted.

Surveying the surroundings, his expression grew strange:

"Something's not right here."

"What?"

Little Situ blinked, scanning the cave.

The interior had been man-made.

The floor and walls were paved with blue-gray stone tiles, and spaced at regular intervals, lamps on either side lit the way.

However, Young Situ initially cared about it but later could no longer focus.

Previously, with constant disturbances from figures in white and black robes, she hadn't noticed.

Now, within this corridor, it was quiet and peaceful, with only Su Mo’s gentle breathing. She was riding on his back, his hands holding her thighs…

His hands felt hot—her thin stockings offered little protection.

By the time she realized this, Young Situ’s face had flushed all the way to her ears.

Every passing moment was embarrassing.

Unable to control herself, she buried her head against Su Mo’s back like an ostrich hiding, too shy to face anyone.

Hearing Su Mo’s words now, she finally snapped out of it. After a brief pause, she nodded:

“Indeed, Senior Su, your qinggong is unrivaled, unmatched in speed throughout today’s martial world.

“Yet after nearly an incense stick’s worth of travel, the surroundings remain unchanged.

“This cave must be concealing something.”

“This place reminds me of somewhere…”

Su Mo nodded thoughtfully.

“What kind of place?”

Young Situ asked.

“The Prison of No Return.”

Su Mo replied with a smile:

“West of the Southwest lies Wusheng Hall.

“Beneath Wusheng Hall was built the Prison of No Return.

“Inside the Prison of No Return, circular corridors were specially constructed. Without understanding their design, one would become trapped in an endless loop with no escape.

“That’s why it’s called ‘Endless.’

“Here, after walking for several minutes, there has been no change in scenery—it reminds me of the layout of the Prison of No Return.”

“Such a thing exists?”

Young Situ was amazed:

“What brilliant craftsmanship!

“Then—is this another Prison of No Return?”

Su Mo, however, shook his head:

“No… this place is even more peculiar.”

As he spoke, he approached a wall and suddenly lashed out with a kick.

Unlike what Young Situ had expected, the wall did not collapse.

The wall abruptly started spinning in an endless cycle.

"Just as I thought—I wasn’t wrong," Su Mo said. "The Endless Dungeon is one massive structure, but this passage is full of openings on every side."

"Should we head inside?" Little Situ asked.

But Su Mo hesitated slightly:

"This place is unclear. The traps hide yet another layer of traps, all linked together like a giant maze.

"Without understanding the overall layout, one could easily become trapped, unable to escape.

"I’d rather not force our way through."

This trip underground had two goals: first, to investigate the whereabouts of the Poison Lord, but more importantly, to find out exactly what the Dragonwood Island disciples referred to as 'that thing.'

It’s gotta be crucial.

Until we find or grab it, we shouldn’t tip anyone off.

Thus, forcing our way in would just cause more trouble.

Hearing this, Little Situ frowned.

She was just about to say they should back off and plan later—

But before she could speak, she saw Su Mo slap his forehead:

"Wait, I almost forgot—"

"Huh?" Little Situ blinked.

Then Su Mo pulled a bottle from his robe.

She recognized it—the same bottle she’d handed him before, containing the Thousandmile Silkworm.

"Tell me... what if the Poison Lord was stashed near 'that thing,' which is why the Thousandmile Silkworm couldn't detect him?"

Su Mo suddenly posed a question.

Little Situ shook her head—how would she know?

Su Mo continued, "Or maybe the Ghost Vine messed with their senses?"

"Ah?"

Little Situ couldn't help but say, "But... the Ghost Vine’s all gone now."

"Actually... there is."

Like a magician, Su Mo flicked a piece of Ghost Vine from his sleeve.

"...Where’d you get that?"

"I snatched it in passing near the cave mouth."

Su Mo smiled: "This clearly holds deeper secrets. I meant to collect a sample for you to study later. But now I realize, ever since obtaining this Ghost Vine, the Thousandmile Silkworm suddenly went completely dormant."

As he spoke, he suddenly circulated his pure yang energy.

The piece of Ghost Vine instantly burst into fierce flames.

Within moments, it had turned to ashes.

After brushing off the ashes, both of them simultaneously looked down at the Thousandmile Silkworm at the bottom of the bottle.

The silkworm had suddenly begun moving.

And it wasn't circling—it was deliberately and steadily heading in one direction.

Little Situ Taoist instinctively turned to look at Su Mo.

Su Mo grinned: "Let's go!"

Although following the silkworm's guidance still didn't clarify the tunnel's layout, Su Mo's perfect recall allowed him to commit the route to memory.

Back in Profound Theory Valley, Su Mo had already proven himself capable of memorizing extremely complex maze routes. Now, as long as they could locate the Poison Lord by following the silkworm, he could retrace their steps.

As they pushed forward, they found the tunnels becoming increasingly complex.

At first, there were no traps, but soon mechanisms began appearing everywhere—flying daggers, hidden arrows, and poisonous gas traps.

Yet none of these could hinder Su Mo and Little Situ Taoist.

No trap could ensnare Su Mo, and no poison could reach them before Little Situ Taoist countered it.

However, as they progressed, both noticed the temperature dropping.

This naturally led to speculation.

The plain-clad figure was suspected to be a martial arts master from the Dragon King Hall, and the Arcane Ice Seven Ultimates of the Dragon King Hall was a frigid energy technique.

The deeper they went, the more frigid it became.

A bone-chilling cold settled in, riming the tunnel walls.

Clearly, some source of intense cold was hidden here.

Could this thing also be connected to the Dragon King Hall?

Amidst these racing thoughts, Su Mo pushed open another stone door, and suddenly, the space before them expanded.

No longer a constructed tunnel, but a vast underground cavern.

Inside, jagged rocks stood scattered like constellations.

Little Situ Taoist suddenly caught a scent:

"This smell..."

Su Mo felt a stir in his heart:

"Is it the residual traces from where Lang Xingkong disappeared?"

"Exactly."

Little Situ nodded and was about to speak when Su Mo suddenly motioned for her to hush.

The two ducked behind a rock.

Soon, faint footsteps echoed, followed by an eerie glow.

The light was far from bright.

The feeble light clawed weakly at the darkness, casting shadows writhing like a nest of demons, uncannily surreal.

Footsteps echoed with the light, belonging to two individuals.

Peering from cover, Su Mo and Little Situ could clearly see the Lanternbearing Elder led the way.

A square cloth hung from his hat, obscured half his face.

The other half, illuminated by the lantern's glow, twisted into a nightmare mask.

Trailing behind him was someone they recognized—a ragged old man.

But now, he had lost his former cocky swagger, and the seemingly endless chicken leg was nowhere to be seen.

He followed the Lanternbearing Elder step by step, like a hollow-eyed puppet.

The two advanced in soundless advance, while Su Mo and Little Situ stalked their footsteps.

The Lanternbearing Elder evidently knew the paths well.

Amidst the chaotic rocks in the darkness, there seemed to be a hidden logic to his route. After a series of twists and turns, he soon led his group out of the rocky maze.

Further ahead, a whispering stream could be heard.

The tang of salt air.

Following the stream, they soon spotted a dull glow pulsed in the distance.

Two Longmu Island disciples appeared to have been waiting for some time.

When they arrived, the disciples bowed and spoke:

"Lantern Elder."

Without a word, the Lanternbearing Elder casually waved his hand:

"Is everything prepared?"

"All is ready."

"Go in."

He took the lead and walked forward, with two Longmu Island disciples flanking him.

Once they entered the cave, Su Mo and Little Situ Taoist boldly walked in after them.

The cave opened up into a space much larger than they'd imagined.

As soon as they stepped inside, muffled moans of pain could be heard.

Moving further in, they saw a stone platform.

Lying on the platform was a man.

His face was resolute, and despite his pallor, his eyes were piercing like hidden blades.

He was missing his right hand entirely.

Beside the stone platform stood several iron cages, each holding captured martial artists from the Jianghu.

Some had already perished; others clung to life.

They might have ignored the others, but Su Mo and Little Situ Taoist immediately recognized Duan Renjie.