"It's people from the Liuhai Sect."
Liu Yue's eyes showed apprehension.
"People from the Liuhai Sect?" Zhang Ergou looked closely and indeed saw people fighting demon beasts in front, wearing the robes of the Liuhai Sect.
However, Zhang Ergou didn't have good impressions of people from the Liuhai Sect.
During the sect competition back then, he was directly apprehended as a spy.
He almost didn't make it out.
Since they met today, he might as well collect some interest.
Thinking this, a sinister smile flickered across Zhang Ergou's lips.
Liu Yaxuan happened to see his expression.
Could this fair-skinned big brother be a villain?
For no reason, Liu Yaxuan shivered.
Ever since Zhang Ergou joined their team, one strange thing after another had been happening.
She had just seen Zhang Ergou's sinister smile.
Liu Yaxuan couldn't help but think the worst.
"Brother Ergou, should we take a detour?"
Clearly, Liu Yue did not want to provoke the people from the Liuhai Sect.
The Liuhai Sect was one of the top sects in this area, ranking high even on the Yinzhou Continent.
Regardless of the status of these people wearing Liuhai Sect robes within the sect,
they were still not beings they could afford to offend.
"Detour? Why a detour?" Zhang Ergou was somewhat surprised.
"There are people from the Liuhai Sect ahead. If we disturb their fight with the demon beasts, they will vent their anger on us."
This had happened more than once or twice.
Therefore, the demon-slaying squads near Lin Hua Town would always detour when they encountered people from the Liuhai Sect.
No one wanted to bring trouble upon themselves.
"The Liuhai Sect acts so domineeringly." Zhang Ergou, who was already at odds with the Liuhai Sect, heard about their overbearing ways.
How could he not be angry?
"Brother Ergou, although your cultivation is unfathomable, even the best fighter cannot overcome many opponents. The Liuhai Sect is a major sect, so it's best not to provoke them."
Zhang Ergou pondered for a moment and understood Liu Yue's thoughts.
He wasn't actually considering Zhang Ergou's well-being.
Instead, he was considering the entire Chihuo Demon Slaying Squad.
Zhang Ergou had profound cultivation and wouldn't be staying here for long.
However, the other members of the Chihuo Demon Slaying Squad had to make a living here, and they would inevitably encounter people from the Liuhai Sect from time to time.
What would happen to them after Zhang Ergou left?
With this in mind, Zhang Ergou understood why Liu Yue had repeatedly stopped him from provoking the Liuhai Sect.
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll listen to Brother Liu."
Liu Yue was overjoyed. Seeing that Zhang Ergou had accepted his suggestion, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He was afraid Zhang Ergou would not heed his advice.
The few of them lowered their voices as much as possible and returned along the original path.
They did not attract the attention of either of the two parties engaged in fierce combat ahead.
...
After traveling peacefully for a few days, the road ahead was calm, and no other incidents occurred.
The group was nearing their destination.
"Brother Ergou, our destination is not far ahead."
"Blood bats are fond of darkness, and their habitat is a cave. We'll reach it in another day's walk."
"We'll rest here tonight to gather our strength for the battle tomorrow."
Liu Yue pointed to a rather large hill ahead and explained to the group.
The others naturally had no objections to Liu Yue's suggestion.
It mainly depended on Zhang Ergou's opinion.
"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Liu."
He was out for experience this time and had no urgent matters to attend to. A day or two wouldn't make a difference.
Cultivation was not just about improving one's strength, but more importantly, about tempering the mind and spirit.
The experiences of the past few days had made Zhang Ergou understand the hardships of life for ordinary cultivators.
This was also why few ordinary cultivators could become powerful beings.
Besides lacking sufficient cultivation resources,
they had to expend a great deal of energy just to survive, leaving little time for focused cultivation.
Disciples from major sects and noble families, however, did not have such troubles.
In just a few days, Zhang Ergou's state of mind had undergone some changes.
...
The night passed without incident. The next morning, they set off towards the mountain Liu Yue had mentioned.
They arrived in half a day.
Liu Yue led Zhang Ergou and the others further on.
After a stretch of rugged mountain path, a cave entrance that wasn't very large appeared before them.
"That blood bat lives here. It's usually active at night and rests in the cave during the day."
"Presumably, it's resting time now, so we can take it by surprise."
Liu Yue explained in a low voice about the blood bat's habits.
"If it wakes up, it will be difficult to deal with."
Zhang Ergou nodded. Liu Yue's experience in the wilderness was undoubtedly rich.
This minimized the risks for the team.
"However, isn't this cave a bit too small? If so many of us go in, we might not have room to maneuver?"
Zhang Ergou pointed at the low cave entrance.
"Brother Ergou, you might not know this, but the blood bat is extremely cunning."
"The small cave entrance you see is deliberately made by the blood bat."
"It's to prevent human cultivators or other demon beasts from ambushing it. In reality, the interior of this cave is quite spacious."
As Zhang Ergou followed Liu Yue into the blood bat's cave,
he discovered that it was indeed as Liu Yue had said. The interior of the cave was more than ten zhang wide.
It was also bottomless, clearly a misjudgment on his part.
After everyone else entered, they held their breath and quietly moved towards the depths of the cave.
The spacious cave was somewhat damp and filled with an unpleasant smell of blood.
...
"Brother Ergou, it's just ahead, look."
Following the direction Liu Yue pointed, a black shadow, about two to three zhang in size, hung from the cave ceiling.
"Is this the blood bat?"
The colossal creature before them had clearly made a certain impact on Zhang Ergou.
"Before it wakes up, let's strike quickly."
Liu Yue knew time was of the essence and they couldn't afford to delay. If the blood bat woke up, it would be difficult to deal with.
However, just as he finished speaking, an unexpected change occurred.
The blood bat's wings flapped.
"Screech~~"
A piercing shriek rang out, and the giant, previously motionless figure swooped down at extreme speed.
"Not good, this beast is awake! Everyone, hide quickly!"
Liu Yue was greatly alarmed and quickly called out for everyone to dodge. He himself swiftly cast a spell, attempting to block the blood bat's attack.
"Brother Liu, leave it to me."
Facing the swooping blood bat, Zhang Ergou remained completely unfazed.
He charged towards the direction the blood bat was attacking, his spear in hand, its black iron surface shimmering with a faint glow.
"Screech~~"
The blood bat shrieked again, and a foul, bloody odor washed over them.
As the blood bat was about to reach them, Zhang Ergou dodged and met it head-on, thrusting his spear forward.
*Pfft!*
Bright red blood splattered.