Chapter 113: DEMONIC LIZARD(1)

Meng Jiali’s words left the group silent for a moment as everyone looked at the slaughtered horses scattered around the exit.

One of the male disciples moved toward the female disciples who were still standing nearby, helping them gather themselves before returning to the others. Jiali remained focused on the blood and the damaged ground, her expression becoming more serious as she considered what had happened.

"This may have been something the sect deliberately kept from us," Meng Jiali said after examining the area again. "If the sect knew there were other groups interested in the treasure, they may not have wanted to give us unnecessary information before we left. Regardless of the reason, we need to be careful from this point onward. If someone else has already reached this area, then we cannot assume the path to the lizard demon’s cave will be peaceful."

Li Hanye looked toward the route ahead before considering the distance they still needed to cover. "Without the horses, it will take us considerably longer to reach the colder regions. We were supposed to ride for a day or two before reaching the area where the temperature becomes too low for ordinary travel, and from there we would continue on foot. Since that route has been cut off, we have no choice but to walk the entire distance."

Cui Ahjun folded his arms and glanced toward Li Yan. "Then we should use our cultivation to increase our speed. Everyone here is either an inner or core disciple, so there is no reason for us to move like ordinary travelers. The only question is whether Junior Brother Li can keep up. If we have to slow down for an outer disciple, we will waste even more time."

Li Yan did not respond immediately. He had no intention of explaining how much his lightness technique had improved during the ninety days he had spent inside the mythical space, and there was even less reason to defend himself against someone who had already decided he was a burden.

Li Hanye, however, gave Cui Ahjun a calm look. "If my brother slows us down, then I will slow down with him. You can all continue ahead if you are worried about losing time. We will catch up when we can."

No one moved after hearing that. Whatever their opinion of Li Yan might have been, none of them were foolish enough to leave Li Hanye behind. He was the strongest cultivator among them, and abandoning him simply because they wanted to reach the mountain sooner would make no sense. Cui Ahjun’s expression tightened, but he did not continue arguing, and the others prepared themselves to travel on foot.

The group began moving with their cultivation supporting their steps. Their speed increased considerably, and the distance that would have taken an ordinary traveler several days gradually disappeared behind them. Li Yan kept pace without difficulty, his movements light enough that he did not need to force himself to remain with the group. During the three months inside the mythical space, he had spent a great deal of time improving his lightness techniques, and the training had pushed his speed far beyond what the others expected from an outer disciple.

Cui Ahjun occasionally glanced back at him, clearly expecting to see Li Yan falling behind, but each time he looked, Li Yan remained among the group without showing signs of exhaustion. The others noticed the same thing, and the expressions they exchanged made it obvious that his ability had surprised them. None of them had expected an outer disciple who had only recently entered the sect to maintain the same pace as inner disciples who had cultivated for much longer.

It took roughly a day of travel for them to reach the mountain regions of Kunlong. By then, the surrounding environment had begun to change, and the temperature had dropped enough for the group to decide that continuing without rest would be inefficient. They found a suitable place to stop for the night, and the disciples settled down to recover their spiritual energy before continuing toward the colder mountains the next morning.

Li Yan was more concerned about food and water than anything else. He had spent months inside the mythical space without eating or drinking, relying entirely on cultivation to sustain himself, and although he had been too focused on training to complain about it, his hunger had become severe now that he was back outside. His throat felt dry, and the thought of a proper meal had occupied his mind for much of the journey.

He found a quieter corner where he could sit and prepare to sleep, but before he could settle down, Li Hanye approached with a water container and some food. He handed them over without making a fuss, then sat nearby as Li Yan immediately began drinking.

"Are you hungry?" Li Hanye asked. "I prepared some food just in case. I do not need it myself, but your cultivation is still low compared with ours, so I thought you might still need to eat and drink."

Li Yan did not bother pretending otherwise. He accepted the food and began eating, and the relief on his face made it obvious how hungry he had been. Li Hanye stayed beside him without disturbing his meal, watching quietly as his younger brother ate.

Li Wei noticed them from a distance and hesitated before walking over. He clearly did not want to remain separated from Li Hanye, especially when his older brother was spending time with Li Yan, so he eventually forced himself into the space beside them.

The three of them were left sitting together, with Li Yan continuing to eat while Li Hanye remained beside him as Li Wei struggled with the awkward silence.

After a while, Li Wei finally spoke. "The people who slaughtered the horses may be from one of the sects in Kunlong. If they received information that another group was heading toward the lizard demon’s cave, killing the horses would have been an easy way to delay us. They could reach the cave first while forcing us to travel on foot."

Li Hanye considered the suggestion before nodding. "That is possible. In fact, it makes the most sense. If they received information about our arrival before we reached the area, sabotaging our transportation would give them more time to reach the cave. The way they killed the horses was excessive, but it would certainly accomplish their purpose."