The students of Beifeng Academy fled the valley, and the Corpsefire Vulture did not pursue them; it was more interested in the corpses on the ground.

Furthermore, its strength was not considerable; if it dared to land, any student could easily kill it. So after scaring off the humans, it landed to enjoy the delicious carrion, without pursuing the fleeing humans.

Whoosh~ A fist-sized rock flew towards the Corpsefire Vulture that was feasting.

With its agility greatly reduced on the ground, the Corpsefire Vulture was hit directly by the rock, shattering its body, leaving a ground covered with dilapidated feathers.

[Killed a Corpsefire Vulture, gained 945 experience points]

"So weak?" Lu Yu looked at the Corpsefire Vulture he had killed with a single rock, somewhat surprised. This was another bridge-burning incident after the Lava Turtle, but the previous victim was critically injured yet alive, while this victim was directly KO'd.

"Master, have you avenged my classmates?" Yu Xiaoman asked urgently as she saw Lu Yu return.

"I have avenged them. That bald bird died miserably."

"Thank you, Master!" Yu Xiaoman sincerely thanked him. She saw the bald bird destroying her classmate's corpse and sought Lu Yu's help to kill the Corpsefire Vulture.

Originally, Lu Yu planned to kill the Corpsefire Vulture anyway; after all, it was free experience delivered right to him. He agreed to Yu Xiaoman's request and was surprised by how weak the vulture was as he didn't even get to use his combo moves.

Lu Yu and Yu Xiaoman followed the escaping students of Beifeng Academy. Seeing the dispirited team ahead, Yu Xiaoman asked curiously, "Master, why don't we just join them directly? Isn't the person you're looking for in the team?"

"No. I'm not a student of Beifeng Academy and cannot participate in their battles. Joining them might influence them negatively; it's better to protect (eliminate) from the shadows, so it doesn't affect them completing their trial." Lu Yu replied earnestly.

Yu Xiaoman listened and nodded seriously, admiring the master's thoughtful consideration.

As expected of the master, he considers far more issues than I do.

"This failure to vanquish the Black Bear Spirit was my mistake, leading to significant losses for everyone. But don't worry, we now head to the inner area of Kugu Ridge to find my big brother; with his help, achieving good results in the trial will be easy."

Yang Xiu took responsibility for the failure in this mission, easing the resentment of others while suggesting a solution to rally everyone once more.

"Rest assured! There's no problem with this trial!" Yang Xiu assured confidently, involuntarily recalling the slap from the Black Bear Spirit, shivering and trembling with lingering fear.

That slap was quite something... Yang Xiu will probably never forget it for life.

Hearing Yang Xiu's confident words and seeing his excited, trembling body, everyone believed that they would achieve good results in this trial.

"Senior Brother Yang Zhi ranked second in the last trial; with his help, we'll definitely excel this time!"

"I heard the first-place holder from the last trial isn't participating this time, so it seems Senior Brother Yang Zhi will secure the first place."

"Senior Brother Yang Zhi has reached the peak of the sixth stage of Qi Cultivation, about to break through to the seventh stage. He's very powerful, and with his help, we are sure to do well."

...

With each statement, the group swept away the shadow of their failed attempt at subduing the Black Bear Spirit and being chased by the Corpsefire Vulture, leaving behind the gloom and uplifted their spirits.

Before reaching the cave leading into the inner area of Kugu Ridge, after resting, they gathered confidence and stepped into the Skeleton Cave, the only passage to the inner Kugu Ridge.

The Skeleton Cave is an underground labyrinth dug by numerous monsters living underground. Its complex terrain makes even the residents frequently move because they can't find their way home.

Yang Xiu and his group did not intend to go deep into the Skeleton Cave; they only needed to pass through a short section of it, which generally wouldn't encounter very strong monsters.

The truly powerful monsters are either deep within the Skeleton Cave or in the inner Kugu Ridge.

For those at the lower stages of Qi Cultivation, it's only slightly dangerous, but not beyond managing.

Lu Yu and Yu Xiaoman arrived at the entrance of the Skeleton Cave. Staring into the deep, dark entrance, Yu Xiaoman hesitated to enter.

It was frightful here; the entrance was piled with white bones, both human and beast.

Inside the cave would surely be dark, filled with many monsters. Yu Xiaoman was a bit afraid of the dark and of monsters, reluctant to enter.

"Afraid of the dark?" Lu Yu glanced at Yu Xiaoman, nonchalantly saying, "No worries, just a minor issue."

He bought a first-grade Spiritual Treasure from the mall - the Night Talisman, which allows its wearer to see in the darkness.

The Night Talisman is considered a particularly insignificant Spiritual Treasure because advanced Martial Cultivators naturally acquire night vision as they become stronger, making it unnecessary. Those who might need it can't afford a Night Talisman costing thousands of gold.

No one would buy a Spiritual Treasure they would soon discard, after all, money doesn't grow on trees.

Lu Yu gave the Black Night Talisman to Yu Xiaoman, explained its function, and bought her a defensive type Spiritual Treasure that could withstand three attacks from a Qi Cultivation stage five Martial Cultivator, fully arming her before Yu Xiaoman agreed to enter the Skeleton Cave.

Ling Yuyan frowned as she watched Lu Yu give so many good things to her disciple, feeling he had some ulterior motives. Of course, her implication was directed towards Yang Xiu and others, not Yu Xiaoman.

Seeing the two enter the Skeleton Cave, Ling Yuyan entered with concern, knowing it was not a safe place; in some ways, it was even more dangerous than the inner area of Kugu Ridge, with many parts unexplored by even Beifeng Academy.

Watching the equipment on Yu Xiaoman, Lu Yu considered whether he should equip himself similarly since Spiritual Treasures, unlike Spiritual Weapons, do not require the user to have a certain level of strength to unleash their power. Most Spiritual Treasures are trigger-activated passive items.

Even active Spiritual Treasures only require a small amount of Spiritual Qi to activate. Take the Itchy Fan for example—without a Spirit Stone installed, it only required Lu Yu to use a tiny amount of Spiritual Qi to trigger, yet its power could render a Qi Cultivation stage Martial Cultivator combat ineffective.

Of course, Lu Yu also knew that some powerful Spiritual Treasures consumed a lot of Spiritual Qi, but there were also those like the Thunderous Explosion, powerful yet without Qi consumption.

Spiritual Treasures are much more complex than Spiritual Weapons and armor, and Lu Yu planned to meticulously study them after returning to Beifeng City, aiming to equip himself with a set of advanced equipment.

When Ling Yuyan entered the Skeleton Cave, Lu Yu sensed someone behind him, but the feeling vanished instantly. He guessed it might be the Beifeng Academy mentors secretly protecting the students' safety.

Realizing mentors were secretly protecting the students, Lu Yu dared not directly attack Yang Xiu.

Following Yang Xiu and the others towards the inner area, Lu Yu couldn't find an opportunity to act. As for luring monsters to attack everyone, there was no need for Lu Yu to make a move, as they were constantly besieged by monsters along the way.

Yang Xiu and others drew the monsters' attention from the front, making it very easy for Lu Yu, who followed behind without any monsters bothering him.

Upon entering the Skeleton Cave, Lu Yu emitted the Tiger's Might, intimidating the weaker monsters to avoid being disturbed by them and exposing his presence to Yang Xiu ahead.

Seeing the light at the distant exit, Lu Yu found no opportunity to act and lamented, "It would be great if the cave collapsed."

"Why?" Yu Xiaoman asked curiously. With the Black Night Talisman, she could see her surroundings clearly but didn't understand why Lu Yu said that suddenly.

"Think about it, with so many monsters inside, what if they run out? Wouldn't the villagers around Kugu Ridge all die at their hands? So, it's better if it collapses," Lu Yu said offhandedly, without any special meaning.

Yu Xiaoman pondered, nodded seriously, and agreed with his view.

"Hmm, thinking about it, it's better if the cave collapses!"

No sooner had the words left their mouths than the entire cave began shaking violently. Lu Yu grabbed Yu Xiaoman with one hand and a nearby rock with the other to stabilize himself as falling rubble covered the light of the exit in front, and the ground beneath him cracked and broke. The two fell into the Skeleton Cave.

A massive black centipede scrambled around, creating paths within the Skeleton Cave, attempting to find its way home, inadvertently digging through several supporting pillars, leading to the cave's collapse and sealing the entrances and exits of the Skeleton Cave.

Upon hearing Lu Yu's words, Ling Yuyan immediately perceived danger; regardless of whether he was intentional or not, saying such things was very risky, especially to Yu Xiaoman.

Just as she could no longer restrain herself and tried to kick Lu Yu away, the whole cave shook and collapsed, losing sight of Lu Yu and Yu Xiaoman. She herself was swallowed by the falling debris and earth, taken to an unknown place.

The power of the mountain collapse was such that even a powerhouse at the Qi Sea stage could only avoid its sharpness. Ling Yuyan disappeared along with the collapsing cave.

Holding Yu Xiaoman, Lu Yu activated his Spirit Guard Armor with all his strength to block the falling debris above. He hadn't expected that his casual remark would actually trigger the collapse of the Skeleton Cave.

Had he known this would happen, he would never have said such words, for being buried underground filled with monsters was a situation where Lu Yu wasn't confident he could escape. But it was already too late for regrets.

Yu Xiaoman's luck power caused the Skeleton Cave to collapse, and its backlash was entirely borne by Lu Yu, regardless of whether he spoke intentionally or otherwise.

While holding onto Yu Xiaoman, Lu Yu continued to fall. When positioned above, he was hit by falling stones; when turned over, he was pierced by protruding rock spikes inside the cave... All the damage fell on Lu Yu; Yu Xiaoman remained unharmed.

Bang~

Finally, they stopped falling, and Lu Yu lay on the ground, releasing his grip weakly.

Even with Spirit Guard Armor, he almost perished in the cave-in; his armor had lost its spiritual light and was completely damaged.

Pushing away Yu Xiaoman, who lay on him, Lu Yu struggled to sit up, observing the surroundings and checking his injuries. Seeing that his arms and legs weren't broken, Lu Yu sighed in relief.

Now, he was dead set on never speaking carelessly in front of Yu Xiaoman again.

His Spiritual Qi was depleted, his internal organs bruised, multiple abrasions covered his body, his Spirit Guard Armor shattered, and his head felt dizzy from too many knocks... Overall, the situation was not dire yet, not at a dead-end.

"Hmm~ Was there an earthquake?" Yu Xiaoman shook her head, dizzy from the fall, and asked groggily.

Glancing at the unscathed Yu Xiaoman and comparing it to his own injuries, Lu Yu instantly felt like he was shouldering all the suffering alone.

Yu Xiaoman was like the cat riding on his back...

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