Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 53 Entering the Ancient Cave

After Zhang Xiaofan led the group to the location, Faxiang and the others went to wash up. Yan Hong, being a woman, was not in a convenient position and needed to stay away.

"Senior Sister Lu, why don't you accompany Senior Sister Yan? And while you're at it, keep watch for her. After all, this is the territory of the Demonic Sect, so it's best to be careful."

Zhang Xiaofan spoke softly to her, and Lu Xueqi nodded gently. After meeting Zhang Xiaofan's gaze, she immediately understood. Yan Hong also thanked her and walked away with Lu Xueqi.

Not long after the two left, Faxiang, Fashan, and Li Xun returned.

When Fa Xiang met Zhang Xiaofan, Zeng Shushu, and the other two sat together, Fa Shan sat down beside them, while Li Xun stood alone to the side.

"Brother Zhang, I thank you for what happened earlier."

After Faxiang sat down, he smiled and gave Zhang Xiaofan a Buddhist salute, speaking gently. Zhang Xiaofan waved his hand lightly and replied.

“We are all righteous people, and we have been ordered to come here to investigate. We should look after each other.”

"Junior Brother Zhang, now that we're all here, shouldn't we take action tomorrow?"

Qi Hao spoke up from the side. As soon as he said this, Zeng Shushu and Fashan turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan. Even Li Xun, who was standing to the side, turned his head slightly and listened carefully.

"Tomorrow won't work. With such a commotion tonight, the demonic sect will surely know. If someone from our righteous path comes, they will definitely be on high alert tomorrow to prevent us from launching a direct attack."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan remained calm, gently shook his head, and replied to Faxiang and the others.

"Moreover, you and your fellow disciples have just gone through a fierce battle tonight and need to rest and recuperate. Exorcising demons is not urgent; you should prioritize your own well-being."

"Hmph, being afraid of death is being afraid of death. If tomorrow during the day is not an option, then why not choose the night?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xun, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but sneer. When Zeng Shushu and the others saw the Dharma Image, Li Xun's arrogant expression became even more pronounced, and a smug look flashed in his eyes. He spoke again.

"Tonight, we can sneak into the Ten Thousand Bats Cave under cover of darkness and catch those demonic cultists off guard. We might be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

"Is that so? Then let me ask you, fellow cultivator from Burning Incense Valley, do you know where the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats is? What happened to that swarm of vampire bats? How many of them are demonic cult members? And where is their escape route?"

Zhang Xiaofan chuckled lightly, not arguing, but asking several questions in succession, which made Li Xun's expression change repeatedly. In the end, he could only snort coldly and stop talking.

After turning his gaze away from Li Xun, Zhang Xiaofan turned his head and saw that Faxiang and the others were all looking at him. Zeng Shushu even reached out and patted Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, put his arm around his shoulder, and asked with a smile.

"Xiao Fan, before we came, didn't you check so many files? Tell me, what should we do next? I'll do whatever you say."

"Indeed, Senior Brother Zhang is meticulous, calm and collected, and his Taoist skills are profound. With Senior Brother Zhang leading us, we won't be like headless flies, bumping around everywhere."

Upon hearing this, Fa Xiang also spoke up, and Fa Shan naturally nodded in agreement. Although Li Xun was dissatisfied, he had no way to refute it and could only remain silent.

Unbeknownst to many, with Faxiang's statement, the small group of disciples from the three major righteous sects seemed to be led by Zhang Xiaofan. "In that case, everyone should rest well tomorrow and adjust your condition. The day after tomorrow, we'll take advantage of the morning light to go up the mountain and explore the Ten Thousand Bats Cave!"

Zhang Xiaofan said in a deep voice, "As for the location of the Ten Thousand Bats Cave, I have already found it tonight through that group of vampire bats."

After resting for a day, the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Zhang Xiaofan and the other eight people arrived at Mount Kongsang.

Led by Zhang Xiaofan, the group carefully followed and soon arrived at the entrance of the Ten Thousand Bats Cave.

It was a huge cave halfway up the mountain, located in the shady part of the mountain, sloping slightly downwards. Only at the entrance was there a faint light, and further inside, in a little deeper places, it was pitch black.

Standing several feet away from the cave entrance, Zhang Xiaofan and the others could already feel gusts of cold wind blowing, like the wailing of ghosts, which made them feel terrified in the chilly morning.

"This is indeed a dangerous cave."

Fa Xiang couldn't help but sigh softly. The others nodded in agreement, their expressions becoming more serious. Yan Hong's eyes even flashed with fear, as if she were even more afraid.

Zhang Xiaofan took out a simple, ancient bronze mirror from his pocket, and after chanting a few incantations, the Six Harmonies Mirror emitted a faint light, transforming into a light shield about ten feet wide, enveloping everyone within it.

"Senior Sister Lu, you lead the way and watch your step. The vampire bats in this Ten Thousand Bat Cave have lived here for countless years, and the filth here is unfathomable."

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaofan mention the filthy creatures of bats, both Lu Xueqi and Yan Hong turned pale. Lu Xueqi even drew her Tianya sword, its faint blue light illuminating the path ahead.

“Brother Faxiang, Brother Fashan, I’ll leave the left wing to you two.”

Faxiang and Fashan nodded in response, their bodies radiating Buddhist light as they stood on the left. Without Zhang Xiaofan needing to speak, Yan Hong stood on the right, protecting him. Seeing this, Li Xun had no choice but to follow.

"Senior Brother Qi, the rear is in your hands now. Be careful of the demonic cultists' sneak attacks. Senior Brother Zeng, stay by my side and keep watch for Senior Brother Qi."

Following Zhang Xiaofan's order, the group of eight formed a battle formation and headed into the Ten Thousand Bats Cave.

As soon as they entered the cave, Lu Xueqi stopped in her tracks. Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, they saw Lu Xueqi suddenly fly into the air, hovering about a foot above the ground.

As she got closer, Yan Hong's face paled again. With the help of the Tianya Sword's light, she saw with her own eyes that the area in front of her was covered with a thick layer of bat droppings. If she had recklessly walked into it earlier, she didn't know how disgusting it would have been.

Thinking of this, Yan Hong couldn't help but turn her head to look at Zhang Xiaofan, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

Just then, Zhang Xiaofan noticed Yan Hong's gaze and turned to look at her. Yan Hong smiled lightly to express her gratitude, and then she too took to the air.

The group behind them, including Faxiang, naturally wouldn't step on the filth. They all took to the air and flew forward.

As the group ventured deeper into the cave, the rustling sound grew louder. With the help of the Six Harmonies Mirror and the light of the Heavenly Jade, Lu Xueqi looked up and saw countless vampire bats standing upside down above her, their dark red fangs and gaping mouths utterly terrifying.

(End of this chapter)