### **Chapter 95: The Hunt**
Without delay, Si Tu Hong, having previously entered the caves to deliver food and hunt Ghost-Eye Spiders, was more familiar with the environment and took the lead.
The cave passage was relatively spacious, wide enough for three people to walk abreast and about three meters high.
"Junior Brother, watch the webs underfoot and the blind spots overhead. The clumped webs don't matter much; focus on any taut strands. Disturbing them will definitely alert the spiders."
"The blind spots overhead are their favorite hiding places. Keep the Light Pearl close to the ceiling. I'll take the front; you cover the rear."
He gave instructions as they advanced.
After advancing about a hundred meters and turning a corner, the light from behind completely disappeared, and the surroundings fell into silence.
Si Tu Hong formed a hand seal and retrieved a shield-like magical instrument from his storage pouch. It rotated around him, emitting a faint spiritual light.
Seeing this, Wang Yu did the same. He rummaged through his storage pouch with his spiritual sense for a while before finding some leftover spoils.
Black Scale Shield and Golden Blade Whip, both top-grade magical instruments.
Noticing them, Si Tu Hong smiled, "Junior Brother, your assets are quite impressive. When I was your age, I couldn't even afford a mid-grade instrument."
"That's because you hadn't found the right path yet."
Wang Yu's response darkened Si Tu Hong's expression slightly.
He had been selected by the Peach Blossom Ghost Mother five years after joining the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect, when he was only at the third layer of Qi Refining.
He opened his mouth to retort but suddenly changed his expression.
"They're here!"
Wang Yu sharply looked into the depths of the darkness. Crescent moon marks began to appear in his eyes. While he could see in the dark, his vision range was much shorter than in well-lit conditions.
A rustling sound reached his ears, faintly mixed with sharp chirps. An unfamiliar, savage aura flooded his senses, yet his spiritual sense struggled to detect it clearly.
"Something's wrong, it's invisible!!"
Si Tu Hong shouted suddenly as cold, black mist billowed from his body, and a ghost spirit shot out from within him.
Understanding the situation, Wang Yu brought his right index and middle fingers together, tucking the other three fingers close to his palm.
He took a light breath and held the hand seal before his mouth.
"Flame Exhalation Technique!"
This was his first time using this technique in actual combat. But in this enclosed space, its power reached its peak.
Pale white flames, tinged with faint, shimmering blue outer edges, flowed from his lips, starting thin and growing thicker. Spiritual power coursed through his meridians, gathering in his throat.
Further catalyzed by the hand seal,
The surge of flame, characterized by its cold nature, gushed forth, completely filling the passage ahead.
A large spider, half a person's height, was revealed within the flames, emitting sharp, chirping cries, its furry long legs thrashing uncontrollably.
In just three breaths, it became a charred, blackened mass smelling of burnt protein.
Si Tu Hong sucked in a cold breath.
The exhaled air formed a thick white plume, a result of the significant temperature drop. Such was the nature of the Frigid Flame—it felt cold to the senses but was actually intensely hot.
Its properties were peculiar and quite rare.
"Junior Brother Wang... that flame is quite extraordinary."
Wang Yu glanced at him, not intending to hide it. He had long wanted to legitimize his alchemy skills; telling Si Tu Hong first wasn't a bad idea.
"The Frost Python Alchemy Technique from the Scripture Depository mentions it. It's a pill flame used for alchemy, but it works decently for combat too."
"Pill flame?" Si Tu Hong was surprised, then quickly asked, "Junior Brother Wang, you know alchemy? What's your proficiency?"
"Passable. First-grade, top-tier."
Si Tu Hong: "..."
He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
Right, remembering they were still in the Ghost-Eye Cave, he had no time for further small talk. Once Wang Yu retracted the Frigid Flame, Si Tu Hong hurried forward to inspect the corpse.
Soon, his expression turned serious.
"A mid first-grade Ghost-Eye Spider, which is why you killed it so easily. But something's off about it."
"How so?"
"Invisibility." Si Tu Hong paused. "To my knowledge, only the Spider Queens and a few elite Ghost-Eye Spiders possess the ability to turn invisible."
"But this thing wasn't just invisible; it could also obscure spiritual sense perception. I could only see a blurry shadow. If it weren't for its low intelligence making noise as it approached, perhaps..."
Wang Yu frowned.
"Haven't you encountered this before?"
"No."
Wang Yu's left eyelid twitched. He felt a bit helpless. It seemed he always ran into unexpected situations, as if he had a talent for attracting trouble.
"Have you been in Cave No. 5 before?"
"No."
"What about other fellow disciples who entered before?"
"I haven't heard any intel about this."
"Then they probably didn't come out."
Wang Yu shrugged. After Si Tu Hong pried out the three mature Ghost Eyes and stored the corpse in his storage pouch, Wang Yu said,
"Regardless, we must complete the mission. Let's just be more vigilant."
"Alright."
They had just entered the cave; retreating made no sense. Plus, both were confident in their abilities, so they decided to press on.
"Junior Brother Wang, step back a few paces. Let me show you what I can do today."
Wang Yu was happy to conserve some spiritual power.
"Please—"
Si Tu Hong let out a light shout and retrieved a black banner as tall as a person from his storage pouch. The banner featured a malevolent ghost pattern—it was the famous Five Yin Peak magical instrument, the [Hundred Ghosts Banner]!
Infusing it with spiritual power, he shook it a few times.
Dozens of ghostly skulls, wreathed in black smoke, flew out—at least forty, most emitting early Qi Refining auras, with five at the mid Qi Refining stage.
Sweeping the black banner forward, a horde of Yin soul skulls surged forth, an intimidating sight.
Si Tu Hong wiped the fine sweat from his brow and explained,
"These are high-quality Yin souls I captured at the 「Ghost Altar Burial Mounds」 for nearly two thousand contribution points. Nurtured by the sect, their foundations are solid, with the potential to reach late Qi Refining."
"Especially the five leaders. Paired with the Five Yin Peak's 〈Five Greater Malign Ghosts Method〉, they have a chance to advance to Foundation Establishment in the future. It's just that raising them costs a fortune."
The [Ghost Altar Burial Mounds] was one of the sect's foundational assets, a special facility specifically for spending contribution points, similar to the significance of the [Nourishing Corpse Grounds] for the Corpse Peak.
One had to understand that wild Yin souls and malignant ghosts generally had poor potential, only fit for consumption. Only those born in special spiritual lands had nurturing value, much like humans having spiritual roots.
Yin souls and malignant ghosts also had an aptitude similar to "spiritual roots," but theirs could be enhanced through后天 cultivation. Raising so many at once explained why he found the cost high.
The sect's resources were of good quality and high potential.
Correspondingly, the prices weren't something the average person could afford. Coupled with the need to nurture a Natal Ghost Spirit, the poverty of Five Yin Peak disciples was well-known.
Although the other party had generously shared so much, and Wang Yu offered verbal praise, he remained highly vigilant. He had a feeling Si Tu Hong was acting.
Of course, this didn't necessarily mean malicious intent; perhaps it was just habitual reserve? Wang Yu never shied away from assuming the worst about others, but he also possessed sufficient patience and tolerance.
This side of him was only shown to those who didn't pose a threat.
"Let's go."
**(End of Chapter)**