C17 Demonic Cire

The trio approached the end of the passageway almost simultaneously. With their final step out of the tunnel, the path behind them plunged into a deep chasm, disappearing completely.

Tension filled the air as each of them remained wary, none willing to make the first move. Ahead lay another uncertain area, and any misstep could lead to an instant demise at the hands of the others. No one was eager to risk their life as a decoy.

Despite breezing through the first two challenges, Qin Biao was well aware that his success was a fluke. Both the Purple Rat and Tiger Man recognized that Qin Biao posed no real threat and paid him little attention, focusing instead on each other.

Qin Biao felt the most uneasy. His recent battle with the Great Azure Ox suggested that his advantage had worn off. Now, in the presence of two formidable opponents and without his edge, his fate seemed sealed.

The atmosphere grew heavy as they each contemplated their next move. Suddenly, Tiger Man lunged at Qin Biao with ferocious speed. Caught off guard, Qin Biao attempted to dodge, but Tiger Man's swift attack felt like the sky was crashing down—inescapable.

Without putting up a fight, Qin Biao was firmly in Tiger Man's grasp. Tiger Man flipped over and stood upright, pawing at Qin Biao's body, scrutinizing him. The Purple Rat watched from the sidelines without intervening, seemingly waiting for something to unfold.

"Little... Squirrel... Go... check out the front... or I'll kill you... Understand?" Tiger Man's speech was halting, his Shape Transforming incomplete. Qin Biao struggled to decipher his words.

A soldier may be killed but not insulted. Being sent to scout ahead was tantamount to a death sentence, and Qin Biao was not about to accept that fate. He thrashed wildly against Tiger Man's grip, desperate to break free, but Tiger Man's strength was unyielding, holding Qin Biao captive without relent.

"Hehe... No... Even if you don't agree, it's no use... I... I think you... might... have... some kind of connection with this cave..." Tiger Man said with an awkward chuckle, effortlessly hoisting Qin Biao over his head before suddenly flexing his muscular arm.

Qin Biao thrashed wildly in Tiger Man's grip, employing teeth, claws, and tail in a frenzied attempt to escape. But the Shape Transforming Tiger Man's hide was too tough, rendering Qin Biao's attacks utterly ineffective. With a forceful swing of his arm, Tiger Man hurled Qin Biao towards the cave!

Qin Biao had no idea how long she had been soaring through the darkness, only aware of the chilling cold that surrounded her, reminiscent of an air conditioner's draft. Eventually, she crashed to the ground with a pained cry.

At the tunnel's entrance, Tiger Man and Purple Rat watched intently in Qin Biao's direction, as if anxious not to miss a single detail. Once Qin Biao was free, her first instinct was to flee. Barely steadying her quivering legs, she witnessed golden flames igniting along the walls, echoing her initial dash into the cave.

Despite her panic, Qin Biao was determined not to return to Tiger Man. She turned to flee into the opposite darkness, but after just a couple of steps, she was thwarted by an invisible barrier.

Realizing this route was blocked, Qin Biao desperately searched for another way out. The area was like a labyrinthine box, with countless paths leading to it, and the only exit seemed to be the tunnel she had come through. But it was clear that Tiger Man and Purple Rat wouldn't allow it.

With no other choice, Qin Biao steeled herself and peered into the depths of the cave. The flames around her flickered, but ahead lay impenetrable darkness. Gritting her teeth, she bowed her head and charged into the unknown.

As Qin Biao advanced, the golden flames sparked to life one by one along the walls, as if electrified by her presence, lighting her way. Behind her, Tiger Man and Purple Rat watched with fervent anticipation, eager to follow but cautious to ensure their own safety first.

Qin Biao had no idea how long he had been running until he abruptly stopped, realizing his head had collided with a solid object. Looking up, he saw a stone pillar identical to the one at the entrance of the Demon Cave. Atop the pillar was an altar-like platform, upon which sat a green orb radiating a soft glow.

A wave of unparalleled joy washed over Qin Biao. He remembered this object from the foundational knowledge Siyu had shared with him. If he wasn't mistaken, this was a Demonic Cire, the most prized possession within the Demon Cave.

The Demonic Cire was the culmination of a Demon Clan member's life's work. Without a dantian to store their Demonic Qi, they relied on the Demonic Cire instead. The Demon Mansion served as a sanctuary for the Demon Clan's secluded cultivation.

The journey of cultivation was incredibly long and fraught with peril. Over the centuries, few had reached the end of this path, especially among the Demon Clan. Despite their extended lifespans, all Demons eventually faced death. When their end drew near, the mightiest among them would enter a deep seclusion. If they advanced further in their cultivation during this time, their lifespan could multiply. Failure, however, meant dying within the Closed Training Land.

For a considerable time after a great demon's death, their cave remained inaccessible, protected by powerful seals to ward off disturbances during seclusion. Little Demons like Qin Biao had no choice but to wait until these seals weakened before they could venture inside in search of the great demon's hidden treasures.

These caves were typically vast troves of riches, with the Demonic Cire being the ultimate prize. Such finds were exceedingly rare, as the cire would usually dissipate with the demon's death. Only occasionally would one be intentionally left behind to guide the next generation, making the discovery of a Demonic Cire rarer than winning the lottery.

With these thoughts, Qin Biao glanced back to see Tiger Man and Purple Rat standing six to seven hundred meters away, their faces alight with fervor, saliva nearly dripping from their mouths. Though they couldn't harness all the Demonic Power, the potential benefits were beyond imagination.

Tiger Man and Purple Rat both dashed toward Qin Biao simultaneously, but by then, Qin Biao had already begun scaling the stone pillar, eager to reach the Demonic Cire!

Their urgency spiked, with Tiger Man becoming so infuriated he nearly coughed up blood. If Qin Biao were to seize the Demonic Cire, it would be as though he had handed it over on a silver platter, a scenario Tiger Man found utterly unacceptable!