After speaking, he intended to walk towards the cave to explore further,

but Gao Ming quickly stepped forward, blocking him with a troubled expression: "Steward Chen, it's not wise to linger here for long. The deeper we go, the heavier the Demonic Qi becomes. We Qi Cultivation Cultivators, if we stay too long, risk having our minds corroded by the Demonic Qi, which is extremely dangerous."

Chen Ye halted, his gaze sweeping across both sides of the cave, and indeed found a few scattered skeletons that had long merged with the earth.

His heart sank, and in an instant, he understood the previous dealings of the Jade Lizard Association.

Previously, Taoist Zhang had led him to East Valley to work as a Medicinal Farmer.

If he had been captured that day, he might already have become one of these skeletons!

Gao Ming noticed the change in Chen Ye's expression and felt uneasy, so he changed the subject:

"However, while the Demonic Qi deeper in is thick, the Spirit Plants are often of higher grade. Our association's six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng was found in the deepest part of this cave."

Chen Ye nodded, "The Jade Lizard Association truly has a knack for finding such... a precious spot."

"Haha…" Gao Ming laughed awkwardly.

Chen Ye gazed at the deep cave entrance ahead, and his desire to explore grew stronger.

He glanced at Qing Jun beside him; the little girl was still curious, showing no discomfort from the dense Demonic Qi around them.

However, upon seeing the skeletons, the little girl shivered all over and obediently slipped her small hand into her master's large hand:

"Master, don't be afraid! Qing Jun will protect Master!!"

Who is protecting whom…

Seeing Qing Jun almost glued to himself, Chen Ye thought to himself: Since Qing Jun is unaffected by the Demonic Qi, and I have the Evergreen Technique to protect myself, a short stay should be fine, but… Qing Jun seems quite scared?

With his mind made up, Chen Ye turned to Gao Ming, clasped his hands, and said: "Taoist Friend Gao, I wish to explore inside for a while to study the Demon Cultivator's methods of cultivating Spirit Plants. May I trouble you for this opportunity? I'll only bring my apprentice Qing Jun inside and have Qiuyun wait outside the cave. If there are any unusual movements, she can respond in time."

The little girl was taken aback, tears welling up as she looked at her master: "Master, let's go home! Master should listen to Qing Jun! This cave doesn't seem like a good place!"

The timid little dumpling, not daring to enter this dark, strange cave?

Chen Ye comfortingly patted the little girl's head and looked at Gao Ming.

Gao Ming showed some hesitation on his face, pondering for a moment.

In East Valley, the most precious six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng had long been taken by the association's leader.

As for other Spirit Plants, those worth even a few Spirit Stones had mostly been dealt with in the past months.

If Steward Chen wishes to go in, then let him.

"If Steward Chen wishes to explore further…"

Before Gao Ming finished his sentence, Li Qiuyun's face changed, and she hurriedly said:

"Uncle Chen, think twice! Qing Jun is still a child, easily polluted by Demonic Qi!"

Strangely, the little girl, who had been protesting by his side, became unwilling upon hearing Li Qiuyun's dissuasion.

"Qing Jun is not a child; Qing Jun wants to go in!"

Qing Jun puffed up her small chest and clung even tighter to her master's hand, her childish voice trembling.

Why though?

Sister Qiuyun, why is she so concerned about me! Does she think she's my mistress?

This thought, like a sparked ember, instantly overshadowed all her fears.

At this moment, the only clear thought left in the little girl's head was: She must not lose! She absolutely must not back down in front of this woman!

If she retreated, wouldn't she appear to be a coward?

Wouldn't that mean admitting Sister Qiuyun has more right to be by Master's side?

No way! Absolutely not!

Watching the little dumpling who, moments ago, was about to cry, suddenly turn "heroic," Chen Ye was momentarily baffled.

The heart of a young girl is indeed a mystery...

Chen Ye shook his head and then spoke to Li Qiuyun: "Qiuyun, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Don't you trust me? My obedient niece…"

"Chen… Chen Ye!!"

Hearing the term niece, Li Qiuyun felt both ashamed and angry, but knowing Chen Ye's mind was set, she had no choice but to turn her head and huff,

"Hmph! If anything happens, I won't go in to rescue you!"

...

Chen Ye held Qing Jun's soft little hand tightly, took a deep breath, and led her into the deep, dark cave.

The light from outside was swallowed instantly, but inside the cave, it wasn't completely dark.

Various strange-shaped Demonic Plants grew on the stone walls on both sides.

Some twisted like venomous snakes, emanating a ghostly purple phosphorescence; others resembled blooming blood-red lotuses with scarlet dots gleaming in their stamens.

These bizarre plants became the only light source within the cave, casting the shadows of the two into grotesque shapes on the uneven stone walls.

"Mas… Master…"

Qing Jun's little hand, which was being held, unconsciously tightened a bit.

The bravado she had outside the cave dissipated by seventy or eighty percent as they stepped into this eerie environment.

Her small body clung tightly to Chen Ye, her shiny big eyes warily scanning around, fearing that some big monster might suddenly leap out from a corner.

However…

The bone-deep, chilling Demonic Qi didn't discomfort her. Instead, it felt like cool silks, silently weaving into her limbs and bones.

The long-dormant Supreme Emotion Crossing Technique began operating quietly!

The cave's many branching paths, like a web, crisscrossed, each leading to unknown darkness.

Chen Ye intended to rely on his perception of Spiritual Qi to find a path where the Demonic Qi was relatively thin, but Qing Jun suddenly tugged at his clothes.

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