Chapter 35: I'm Going to Devour You!

After a brief moment, the shrill cries echoed endlessly around their ears. With the beam from the Six Harmonies Mirror illuminating the darkness, the true form of the black cloud was finally revealed to all. Everywhere within six feet was swarmed by countless black bats, densely packed together. Each one was at least twice as large as any bat they had ever seen, their gaping maws stained crimson in the gloom, terrifying and grotesque.

Zhang Xiaofan and his companions felt their hair stand on end, a chill of fear washing over them. If they hadn’t used the Six Harmonies Mirror just now, they would likely have been torn to shreds by this vicious swarm. Their gazes toward Qian Mo were now tinged with deep meaning.

At this moment, the protective power of the Six Harmonies Mirror played its greatest role. All the bats were kept at bay outside the luminous shield, unable to penetrate it no matter how frantically they crashed against it. The barrier did not waver in the slightest.

It seems one should never underestimate the Ancient Bat Cavern. Less than a year has passed since I wiped it out, and yet it has fully recovered already?

What could be the reason? Is it me? Did my arrival disrupt the original order?

Most likely, this is the so-called butterfly effect.

Well, since I’ve been reborn, I’ll just destroy them all again.

These thoughts crossed Qian Mo’s mind as he looked at the mass of bats within the cave, his brow furrowed.

“Don’t leave the protection of the Six Harmonies Mirror—otherwise, you all know the consequences.” Qian Mo addressed the group.

“And what about you?” Lu Xueqi asked, voicing everyone’s concern.

“Me? Of course, I’m going to kill some bats!”

“I just happen to have a skill I haven’t tried before. Let’s use you filthy beasts for practice!”

As soon as he finished speaking, thin red threads began gathering in Qian Mo’s palm, coalescing into a gentle-looking flame. It seemed harmless at first glance, but any enemy who underestimated it would pay with their life. This was the Divine Flame, from the Divine Flame Incinerates Heaven attack.

“What a gentle fire… What can it do?” Zeng Shushu asked, puzzled. The others shared his confusion—wasn’t he from the Qingyun Sect? How could he wield fire?

“Divine Flame Incinerates Heaven!”

“Burn these filthy creatures for me!” Qian Mo shouted.

Instantly, the once soft flame in his hand swelled, engulfing his entire palm. The surrounding temperature shot up, and the walls glowed red-hot.

“So hot! What kind of fire is this? It was so gentle just now—why is it so terrifying now?” Zeng Shushu fanned himself frantically.

The cave, once silent, was now filled with chaos—the screeches of bats, some fleeing, others attacking as if confronting a mortal enemy.

“Burn!”

Qian Mo waved his hand again, and the Divine Flame swept through, incinerating the shrieking bats until not a speck of ash remained. The cave fell into an eerie, unnatural silence, as though nothing had ever happened.

“That’s terrifying!” the group exclaimed as they watched the bats vanish without a trace under Qian Mo’s flames.

This guy never fought seriously in the Seven Disciples Tournament—never drew his weapon or used any spells. A casual wave of his hand and the battle was over. If the tournament was anything to go by, everyone else was like a toy in his hands.

This man is too terrifying—he must not be provoked.

“Let’s move on,” Qian Mo said calmly.

The others followed, their footsteps echoing in the cave, mingling with the drip of water. The walls were covered in moss and weeds.

Before long, they reached a fork in the path, with no way forward save two directions.

“What now?” Zeng Shushu asked, glancing at Qian Mo.

“It seems we’ll have to split up,” Lin Jingyu, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

“How about this: I’ll go left with Lu Xueqi, and the three of you take the right. If you encounter danger, retreat at once—don’t hesitate. If we don’t come out after a long time, return to Qingyun Sect and wait for us,” Qian Mo instructed the group.

“All right,” they agreed in turn.

“Xiaofan, keep the Six Harmonies Mirror with you. If you’re in danger, use it.” Qian Mo handed the mirror to Zhang Xiaofan.

“But what about you two?” Zhang Xiaofan asked, worried.

“Haha, don’t you know me by now? I never do anything I’m uncertain of. With me, Lu Xueqi is in no danger. I have plenty of ways to keep us safe, so don’t worry,” Qian Mo reassured him with a pat on the shoulder.

“You’re right. Just be careful,” Xiaofan reminded him one last time.

“Of course! See you all soon.”

“Let’s go, Xueqi,” Qian Mo said, turning to take her hand.

Lu Xueqi didn’t resist, letting him hold her hand. After all, she thought, sooner or later this rogue would have his way with her. The thought brought a faint blush to her cheeks.

Why am I thinking about this now? How annoying—this scoundrel gets away with everything, acting so different inside and out.

She shook off her thoughts, following Qian Mo deeper into the cave.

I wonder if the other areas have recovered as well… Never mind, I’ll deal with it when the time comes. If they’ve returned, I’ll just destroy them again, Qian Mo mused.

They soon arrived at the next area, which was empty save for rocks—nothing else.

“What’s wrong? Is something different?” Lu Xueqi asked when she saw Qian Mo lost in thought.

“It’s nothing. Come on, Xueqi, let me take you somewhere,” Qian Mo quickly replied, snapping out of his reverie.

He led her deeper, flying toward the underground reaches of the Ancient Bat Cavern. The strange bubble-like environment he had encountered with Bi Yao before was gone; now, only stone and darkness remained. Their journey was smooth, and they soon reached the Merciless Sea. There was nothing but water, and they crossed it in a single leap, heading straight for their next destination: the Blood-Dripping Cave.

What they saw was a collapsed valley. “So it wasn’t the butterfly effect after all. The bat valley I entered before must have been another entrance. That’s a relief,” Qian Mo thought as he surveyed the area.

“Is this really the Ancient Bat Cavern? Why does it feel like there’s nothing here at all? And where are we now?” Lu Xueqi asked, perplexed.

“Xueqi, up ahead lies the most powerful sect of the Demonic Cult a century ago, the Blood-Dripping Cave and its Blood Refining Hall—the very seat of Elder Blackheart’s sect,” Qian Mo said softly.

“What? This ruined valley is the Blood-Dripping Cave?” Lu Xueqi exclaimed in shock.

“Xueqi, you’re my woman; there are some things you should know. There’s no danger here now. A year ago, when I came out to train, I destroyed everything here. I took what I needed from the Blood-Dripping Cave up ahead,” Qian Mo explained, looking at her stunned expression.

“A year ago? Weren’t you only at the fifth level of Jade Purity then? Elder Blackheart was a peak Upper Purity cultivator—even if he was dead, he must have left some means behind. What exactly did you take?” she pressed, her curiosity about him only deepening.

“To be honest, my cultivation has reached a level no one has surpassed for many years—not even Qingyun’s Dao Xuan. I’m at the peak of the Eighth Level of the Supreme Purity Realm,” Qian Mo revealed, releasing his aura in front of her.

“Elder Blackheart? Peak Upper Purity? In my eyes, he was nothing more than an ant. I could have annihilated him with a snap of my fingers,” Qian Mo said with utter disdain.

“As for what I took from the Blood-Dripping Cave—it was the Heavenly Book!”

“Supreme Purity Eighth Level? An ant? Annihilated with a single gesture? The Heavenly Book!” Lu Xueqi stared at the young man before her, stunned by his words.

This man is mine—and he’s so powerful? At such a young age, he’s already reached such heights!

“Do you see now? The man standing before you is a Supreme Purity cultivator—and he’s your man. Aren’t you happy?” Qian Mo gently pulled her into his arms.

“Yes,” she replied, blushing furiously. The young man holding her and whispering so tenderly was not only her lover but also a Supreme Purity master. She could only murmur her answer, her voice small.

“Xueqi, here—let me give you something as a token of my affection,” Qian Mo said, producing an identical object to the one he had given Bi Yao from his system—the Joyous Bell. With the system in hand, no treasure was out of reach.

“This…what is it?” Lu Xueqi asked, gazing at the bell.

“This is the Joyous Bell, a gift for you. Do you like it?” Qian Mo asked.

“I…I like it,” she replied shyly.

“Xueqi, you’re so beautiful! Once we get out of here, I’m definitely going to make you mine. I can’t hold back anymore,” Qian Mo whispered mischievously into her ear.

“You…you lecher!” Lu Xueqi bit her pink lips, her face already red growing even hotter at his words.

(End of this chapter)

Ah, finally finished. Writing this chapter was exhausting. I’m really not good with romance, so I just breezed through that part. The next chapter—well, you all know what’s coming! Qian Mo, that shameless rascal—don’t say you know him. Tsk, tsk!