The woman struggled in the midst of the snake horde, raising her long neck, and gazed at Jing Jian with a grievance-filled look, as if staring at a scoundrel who was running away after having his way.
She let out a wail of despair and chased after him furiously, crushing many small snakes under her elongated body.
"Run faster!"
Jing Jian was on edge, not daring to look back.
Lu Fei continuously threw powder behind them, to obstruct the pursuing snake horde.
Finally.
At the end, a pitch-black cave entrance appeared clearly.
"We've arrived!"
Everyone was delighted.
Their originally weary legs somehow found renewed strength, and they ran over in one go.
As soon as they reached the cave entrance, the hissing sound of the snake horde behind them stopped.
Jing Jian only dared to look back now.
He saw that the snake horde and the long-necked woman had both halted, about four or five meters away. The woman's resentful eyes were fixed on him, and he quickly averted his gaze.
"Hurry up and get in."
Lu Fei turned on the flashlight and shone it into the cave. Seeing no danger, he signaled to the others and led the way inside.
The remaining three hurried to catch up.
Above the cave entrance, a row of stalactites hung down like sharp teeth.
Their figures were swallowed by the pitch-black cave entrance.
The swarm of snakes outside quickly dispersed, and after circling the cave entrance a few times, the long-necked woman turned and began to climb up above the cave entrance.
Drip.
Drip.
Water droplets fell from the stalactites.
The cave was dark and damp.
As the flashlight swept across, strangely shaped rocks in the dimness outlined eerie lines.
However, it was relatively safe inside the cave.
"After many twists and turns, we finally arrived at the Dragon's Den."
He Yunsong surveyed his surroundings. His body was exhausted, but he felt very excited.
"Everyone, you've worked hard!"
The bodyguard, Wu Tie, smiled, sat down, pulled up his pants, and rubbed his injured leg.
Jing Jian slumped dejectedly on a rock, his expression heavy: "It's over! I'm not clean anymore... I never thought that after maintaining my purity and integrity all my life, I would be molested by a snake..."
"Look on the bright side, it always has to happen for the first time," Lu Fei patted him on the shoulder, trying to comfort him kindly.
"Why do I feel like you are gloating?" Jing Jian looked up.
"How could that be? When you were in danger, wasn't I the first one to rush to your rescue?"
Lu Fei had a serious face.
Jing Jian looked at him, unable to find any flaw, then lowered his head again, sighing heavily.
"Lu Xiaoyou, we have already arrived at the Dragon Falling Cave. Do we still need to stop and wait until dawn as Guide Qin said?" He Yunsong asked.
Lu Fei thought for a moment: "The villagers and Uncle Qin have repeatedly mentioned that the Dragon God does not like to be disturbed at night. I think it's better to be cautious and move after daybreak. Now, let's find a suitable place to rest."
"That makes sense." He Yunsong nodded, but then became worried again, "I wonder if there really is any elderberry here. It would be such a waste of effort if we end up with nothing after all this..."
"Old He, since we are here, we should just accept it. Whether it's there or not, we will know tomorrow. Worrying now will only add to our troubles," Lu Fei consoled.
"Lu Xiaoyou, you are young, but you see things clearly," He Yunsong smiled.
Holding the flashlight.
Everyone walked carefully in the slippery cave, moving quietly to avoid making any loud noises.
The cave was full of puddles, so they needed to find a relatively dry spot to spend the night.
Jing Jian silently followed at the back of the group, thinking about the beautiful snake which made him uncomfortable.
Perhaps it was just psychological, but he felt as if something was staring at him from behind, and he couldn't help but look back.
A shadow seemed to flash in the direction of the cave entrance.
"Who's there?"
His heart tightened, and he picked up the flashlight, shining it towards the cave entrance.
"What is it?" Lu Fei turned around.
"I thought I saw someone." Jing Jian stared at the cave entrance, speaking softly.
"Someone?" Lu Fei was startled.
This Luo Long Ridge is full of malevolent spirits. Apart from them, who else could have come in?
"Maybe it's not a person, but that beautiful snake," Jing Jian said with concern.
"Don't worry too much. The malevolent spirits wouldn't dare to approach the Luo Long Cave. I'll go check it out."
Lu Fei wasn't at ease, so he asked Jing Jian to stay and guard He Yunsong and Wu Tie, while he took out his ghost-whipping whip and walked toward the cave entrance.
Tick tock, tick tock.
Water droplets slid down, and the various strange rocks in the cave rose and fell unevenly.
Lu Fei circled around; although he found nothing, he felt a bit odd.
Old Man Qin only said that the evil spirits outside dared not approach the Drogon Cave, but he didn't say there was nothing strange inside the cave.
"Whether I saw something or not, it's always better to be cautious."
"Alright!"
Jing Jian was deeply worried.
"I think the area ahead looks relatively clean; we can rest there."
Lu Fei placed the flashlight at a high spot for illumination and took out food and water to satisfy everyone's hunger.
"Tonight, Jing Jian and I will take turns keeping watch. Brother Wu is injured and should get some good rest."
"Thanks." Wu Tie gratefully nodded to Lu Fei, wrapped his coat tightly, and leaned against a rock to close his eyes.
"You've all worked hard." He Yunsong knew this was not the time for formalities. He was the weakest physically among them, and if he didn't rest well, he would only become a burden. So, he also closed his eyes to sleep.
The cave was silent.
Only the sound of dripping water could be heard.
Jing Jian tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. He felt as if someone's gaze was watching him, and he couldn't help but look around.
His gaze accidentally swept across the top of the cave, and his body jolted as if struck by lightning.
"What is that?"
Above them, a deathly gray face gradually emerged from the darkness.
Grievous pupils stared intently at Jing Jian.
Beauty Snake!
She actually chased after us!
"Lu Fei!" Jing Jian shouted, rousing everyone.
"You really are a persistent ghost!" Lu Fei threw a handful of medicinal powder at the face, shielding He Yunsong behind him.
The beautiful snake hung from above the cave, twisting its body with a fierce expression.
"I'll fight you to the death!" Jing Jian, filled with anger, leaped up and thrust the Seven Star magical sword towards the beautiful snake.
The beautiful snake twisted to evade, its eyes full of resentment and hatred.
Jing Jian landed back on the ground.
Crack!
The stone beneath his feet had been cracked by the impact.
Immediately after, the ground crumbled with a rumble, and the four of them fell uncontrollably into the darkness below.
Whoosh――
The sound of the wind whistled in his ears.
Lu Fei didn't have time to react as he felt himself crash heavily into the water, the cold current enveloping him entirely.
After a moment of dizziness, he surfaced, coughing violently.
"Jing Jian..."
He nervously looked around and found that everyone was in the water, all still alive, which instantly relieved him.
"The karst cave is always damp, and some areas have loose soil that can't withstand a step. Fortunately, there's water down here; otherwise...This water is too cold, let's get to shore first."
He swam over to Jing Jian, but saw him floating in the water, staring blankly in one direction.
"What's wrong?"
Lu Fei felt uneasy and turned to look.
In the depths of the pool, a massive black shadow lay coiled.
Compared to it, the four people seemed as insignificant as ants.
The long black shadow raised its head, on top of which a pair of dragon horns were visible.
"A dragon?!"
Was it really a dragon? There was actually a dragon in the cave?
The four of them found it hard to believe, standing frozen in place, unable to move under the overwhelming and powerful aura.
Lu Fei felt heavy-hearted, unsure whether to cry or laugh.
Good news.
They had fallen directly into the location of the real dragon.
Bad news.
They might have disturbed the Dragon God's rest.