Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 628: Falling into Danger

Li Nian’er gently caressed the little snake’s head, seemingly communicating with it, when suddenly her expression darkened.

"Little Green says there’s something under the water?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned and turned their gaze toward the pool.

The Heaven-Devouring Azure Python had already been subdued by Li Nian’er. Logically, the recent turmoil in and around the pool, along with the overflowing Demonic Qi, was most likely related to its hatching. But now, even though the Heaven-Devouring Azure Python had calmed down, the pool continued to bubble. Each bubble that reached the surface still released dense layers of Demonic Qi. In fact, after the Heaven-Devouring Azure Python was completely contracted, the disturbance beneath the pool became even more intense.

BOOM!

With a deafening bang, the pool suddenly exploded. A figure shot out from within and landed heavily on the ground. It was none other than Zhu Liang, who had just entered the water.

Zhu Liang was soaked through, wisps of Demonic Qi clinging to his body. Ye Qingchen hurried forward to help him up.

"Senior Brother, is there something down there? Why are you in such a sorry state?"

Upon closer inspection, they saw that Zhu Liang’s clothes were torn in several places. Traces of blood, saturated with Demonic Qi, seeped out from the rents. Not bothering to explain, Zhu Liang hastily took out an Elixir and stuffed it into his mouth.

He had just scanned the pool and was surprised to find that his Divine Sense couldn’t penetrate it. Driven by curiosity, he had dived in for a look and stumbled upon a barrier imprinted with the marks of the Demon Clan. Curiosity compelled him to touch it several more times, and he unexpectedly broke through. However, the residual Demonic Qi within washed over him, inflicting numerous cuts on his body. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t severe.

"Heh heh, it’s nothing. I just went for a look, just a little curious!" Zhu Liang chuckled foolishly, but instinctively patted a pouch at his waist, as if it held something precious.

Everyone present noticed his movement, and a trace of suspicion flashed in their eyes as they discreetly sized up the pouch.

This trip has been incredibly lucky! To think I’d find a little golden egg!

Emboldened by her young master’s presence, Xiao Xiao didn’t hesitate to point directly at the pouch on Zhu Liang’s waist and ask, "Senior Brother, is there some treasure in that pouch? Why are you guarding it so closely?"

Zhu Liang laughed sheepishly.

Having just acquired a little pet herself, Li Nian’er was in a fine mood and seized the opportunity to tease him. "That’s right, Senior Brother. Your pouch didn’t seem that full before. Did you find a treasure at the bottom of the pool?"

Upon hearing the word "treasure," Cheng Lu’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly leaned in. "Senior Brother, Senior Brother! We’re from the same sect! If you found a treasure, you have to let your junior brother have a look!"

Zhu Liang’s face turned red with strain. He had intended to keep the matter quiet, preferring not to cause a fuss. But his clever junior brothers and sisters were too perceptive. They noticed the slightest irregularity, making it impossible to keep any secrets.

Ye Qingchen stood aside and, for once, spoke up for his senior brother. His senior brother was already uneasy. He had likely wanted to avoid troubling his juniors, but now his actions made it look like he was hoarding something for himself.

"Perhaps Senior Brother just found something more suitable for himself..."

"Junior Brother, what nonsense are you saying? What’s Senior Brother’s is ours!" Cheng Lu’s eyes shone as he patted Ye Qingchen on the shoulder and eagerly approached Zhu Liang.

Zhu Liang knew it would be inappropriate to hide it any longer. He raised his hand, untied the pouch from his waist, and rummaged inside for a moment before finally pulling out a palm-sized golden egg.

The egg was golden all over. At first glance, one might mistake it for being made of pure gold. Upon closer inspection, however, one would find brown spots scattered across its smooth surface. The entire egg seemed to breathe, its shell expanding and contracting rhythmically. It was a fascinating sight.

"This... This couldn’t possibly be a legendary Metal Attribute member of the Demon Clan, could it?!" Cheng Lu exclaimed in shock, instantly taking a step back.

Although Li Nian’er was playfully twisting the small snake around her wrist, her eyes never left the Demon Egg in Zhu Liang’s hands. Metal Attribute members of the Demon Clan had always been extremely rare. Once an heir was born, they were considered a great treasure and guarded with the utmost care. An ordinary practitioner would never have the chance to encounter one. Her senior brother had entered the Devil’s Cave this time, and she’d initially thought he wouldn’t find a demon pet for himself. But, in a stroke of blind luck, he had actually found one here!

"I’ve heard that, normally, Metal Attribute members of the Demon Clan are nurtured by a Heavenly Demon or a higher-ranking member of the clan, and this Demon Egg is here..." Li Nian’er trailed off, her words left hanging.

The commotion they had made inside the Devil’s Cave couldn’t have gone unnoticed. Moreover, a very grave suspicion was forming in her mind. If it were confirmed, it would mean their group was likely to face an unexpected crisis!

"Are you suggesting that there must be a Heavenly Demon lurking nearby?" Cheng Lu had no qualms about voicing the thought on everyone’s mind.

As soon as he spoke, everyone present drew a sharp breath, the tension gripping them instantly. Right now, they were barely managing to hold their own within the Devil’s Cave. But if they inadvertently provoked a Heavenly Demon, they would be the ones to suffer in the end.

"There’s no time to lose; let’s get out of here quickly."

Zhu Liang also realized the gravity of the situation. At his command, everyone sprang into action and headed toward the outskirts of the Devil’s Cave. But just as they reached the stone entrance, ready to have Li Nian’er’s newly tamed snake open the gate, the little snake, as if sensing something, coiled frantically around Li Nian’er’s wrist. It wrapped itself up as tightly and neatly as a bracelet. The group, about to rush out, was taken aback by this scene.

Meanwhile, the pool that had been bubbling with Demonic Qi underwent a drastic change. As if pushed by something from below, the water surged several meters high in an instant. Water churned from the inside out, rising continuously until it soaked the ground. An unfamiliar aura surged up from the depths of the pool, instantly blanketing the area.

Ye Qingchen and his companions immediately went on high alert, gripping their Longswords, holding their breath, and staring intently at the dark water before them. The water of the pool was now completely obscured by the thick Demonic Qi. The Demon Egg, which Xiao Xiao was holding, seemed to sense something. It hurriedly burrowed into her sleeve, not daring to peek out.

"Who... dared touch my child?!"

The dense black mist instantly converged, forming a colossal shadow in the air. It opened its gaping maw, and a hoarse, ominous roar echoed between the stone walls. The powerful soundwave manifested as a violent gust of wind, blasting fiercely toward the group. The force of the wind was comparable to a full-power strike from an expert above the Ninth Level of the Martial Emperor Realm! With the force of flying sand and rolling stones, it seemed poised to tear them all to shreds in an instant.