Zhang Ergou thought for a moment and stopped dwelling on it.
If not now, then when?
The four exchanged glances, seeing a flicker of eagerness in each other's eyes. Clearly, defeating the Saintess of the Liuhai Sect would be a significant boost to their confidence.
...
With a plan in motion, Zhang Ergou and the others retraced their steps, stealthily approaching the cave.
Ling Feng'er, who was frantically tending to the sect disciples, was completely unaware. The culprits they had been tracking had not only not left but had returned.
Seeing that the medicinal pills could not solve the problem, Ling Feng'er quickly dragged the unconscious disciples to the cave entrance for ventilation. Indeed, their complexions improved slightly.
"I don't need to know who you are. If I catch you, I'll make you suffer the same fate."
Looking at the neatly lined-up dozen or so Liuhai Sect disciples before her, Ling Feng'er realized she was the only one who had fortunately avoided the poison gas. Although she uttered fierce words, Ling Feng'er felt a hint of fear towards the opponent's methods. What kind of meticulous planning it took to not trigger the cave's formation when she first entered, but to wait until all the Liuhai Sect disciples were inside before activating it.
Suddenly, Ling Feng'er's eyes widened.
"Could it be that those people were watching us nearby the entire time?"
"Haha, a Saintess is indeed a Saintess. You've guessed it already." Su Dan Novel Network.
A voice suddenly came from deep within the cave.
"Who? Who's playing tricks? Come out at once!"
Ling Feng'er immediately drew the silk ribbon from her person, her gaze fixed on the depths of the cave.
Their guess was indeed correct: there was a passage deep within the cave leading to the outside.
"Saintess, please do not panic. We have some matters to discuss with you."
Zhang Ergou's voice became sharp, and he had already altered his appearance. Although Lin Yichen, Wang Teng, and Li Yao could not change their appearances, each wore a mask.
As four figures emerged from the cave, Ling Feng'er's brow furrowed tightly. If the Liuhai Sect disciples hadn't been unconscious before, even with four more people, they would have been confident in capturing these intruders. But now, the situation had completely reversed. Not only were more than a dozen Liuhai Sect disciples lying unconscious on the ground, but when she had tried to channel spiritual energy to her companions, she had expended a significant amount of her own. Facing four Golden Core cultivators now, Ling Feng'er felt immense pressure. With her eyesight, she could immediately discern the cultivation levels of the people before her.
"If you don't even dare to show your true faces, what makes you think we can discuss matters?" Ling Feng'er sneered. Despite her worry, she showed no sign of fear on her face.
Seeing Ling Feng'er's composure, Zhang Ergou and the others would have almost believed she had some hidden helpers, were it not for the unconscious Liuhai Sect disciples lying behind her. However, Zhang Ergou, having understood Ling Feng'er's predicament, smiled slightly.
"Haha, Saintess, you are indeed a Saintess. I admire your courage." Zhang Ergou said, cupping his fists.
"Gentlemen, you're not here to chat about family matters, are you? Nor are you here to flatter me." Ling Feng'er gazed coldly at Zhang Ergou and the others. "Speak, what is your true intention?"
"Haha, Saintess, I fear you've misunderstood something." Zhang Ergou sneered. "It should be I who asks what your intentions are. Why have you gathered so many people?" As he spoke, Zhang Ergou's sharp gaze fixed directly on Ling Feng'er.
Lin Yichen, Wang Teng, and Li Yao also looked at Ling Feng'er with cold smiles. They wanted to hear what explanation the Saintess of Liuhai Sect would offer.
"Esteemed Daoist, I believe you have mistaken us." Facing the four's stares, Ling Feng'er remained unfazed and spoke calmly. "We are all disciples of the Liuhai Sect. This secret realm is fraught with danger, so it's natural for us to gather together to ensure everyone's safety. Is this also not allowed? I've never heard of such a rule. Isn't your question rather overbearing?" Ling Feng'er looked directly at Zhang Ergou, her beautiful eyes coldly fixed on him. It was clear that since the four had appeared, Zhang Ergou had been the one speaking, making him the apparent leader of the group.
"Indeed, a Saintess is a Saintess. Not only do you cultivate remarkable skills," Zhang Ergou circled Ling Feng'er, "but your tongue is also as sharp as your cultivation. So, you're saying we're in the wrong?" Ling Feng'er found Zhang Ergou's provocative gaze extremely irritating. However, being at a disadvantage, she could only endure it. "If that's how you see it, then I have nothing more to say." Ling Feng'er then turned her attention away from Zhang Ergou and the others.
"Very well. In that case, should you not compensate us for disrupting our resting cave?" Suddenly, Zhang Ergou changed the subject, catching even Lin Yichen and the others off guard. Wang Teng even let out a snicker, then desperately tried to suppress it when he realized his mistake. However, his trembling shoulders betrayed his struggle to hold back laughter. Ling Feng'er, upon hearing this, looked at Zhang Ergou with utter bewilderment. How could anyone in this world be so shamelessly brazen? She saw her dozen or so junior brothers and sisters lying on the ground, all unconscious, yet this thick-skinned fellow was demanding compensation. And on what grounds? That the cave was their resting place. It was utterly absurd! Ling Feng'er was speechless, staring at Zhang Ergou, unable to utter a single word.
"Saintess, don't think you can avoid compensation just by staying silent." Zhang Ergou said with feigned seriousness. "This cave, we spent a great deal of effort to carve out, using it as a place to hide from demonic beasts and rest temporarily." Zhang Ergou then pointed to several places on the stone walls where chunks had been blown off. "However, your group's sudden intrusion not only destroyed the formation we painstakingly set up, but also ruined the place we rely on for rest. Tell me, how should this debt be settled?" Wang Teng felt he was about to burst. Zhang Ergou was stretching the truth too much! Who would believe this cave was painstakingly carved out by them? Lin Yichen and Li Yao were not faring much better. They also hadn't expected Zhang Ergou to resolve the situation in such a manner. Ling Feng'er, meanwhile, stared at Zhang Ergou with an expression of sheer disbelief. If she weren't alone, she would have slapped him long ago.
"Daoist, then tell me, how do you propose we compensate you?"
"We're not asking for much. The formation cost us several hundred thousand spirit stones, and the spiritual energy consumed while carving out this cave, converted into spirit stones. Just give us one million low-grade spirit stones. If you don't have spirit stones, items of equivalent value are also acceptable; we're not picky."