As they delved deeper, Fire Rock Beasts appeared more and more frequently. At first, the beasts appeared one by one, but now they came in groups of three or four. At this point, Ye Qingchen could no longer just stand by and would join the others in the fight.
Whether intentionally or not, the other three would always leave one Fire Rock Beast for Ye Qingchen to face alone. Initially, after finishing his own fight, Zhao Jiehui would still help Ye Qingchen. But as more Fire Rock Beasts appeared, Zhao Jiehui had to face two or three at once and naturally couldnât look after Ye Qingchen anymore.
As for Zou Meiâs trio, even if the three of them were fighting just two Fire Rock Beasts, they would never help Ye Qingchen.
Ye Qingchen didnât mind this. He was only facing a single Fire Rock Beast, and although it was extremely fast, he had the boost from his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. Paired with the Mystifying Steps movement technique, the Fire Rock Beastâs speed advantage was completely nullified.
After half a day, the five of them had lost count of how many Fire Rock Beasts they had slain. They had also obtained more than twenty fire essences, an amount that could be exchanged for a considerable sum of sect points at the Sect Main Hall.
"Senior Brother Zhao, if we venture further, Iâm afraid weâll encounter even more Fire Rock Beasts. Weâve already had a decent harvest. What do you think about heading back?" Zhou Quan finally asked Zhao Jiehui, prodded by Zou Meiâs constant urging.
In fact, it wasnât just Zou Mei; Zhou Quan and Wang Tao had also been wanting to retreat for some time. The Fire Rock Beasts now appeared in groups of eight or nine. If it werenât for Zhao Jiehui, a fifth-level martial master, taking on multiple beasts at once, the group would have been overwhelmed long ago. Zou Meiâs trio already found it challenging to face a single Fire Rock Beast each, so they feared for their lives at the thought of going any deeper.
Hearing Zhou Quanâs words, Zhao Jiehui couldnât help but frown. Seeing that Wang Tao and Zou Mei wore the same expression, Zhao Jiehui realized they had probably already discussed this in private.
Zhao Jiehui then turned to look at Ye Qingchen, who was also frowning back at him. Their eyes met, and they instantly understood each otherâs intentions.
"Weâve worked hard to get this far," Zhao Jiehui said to Zhou Quan. "Itâs the perfect opportunity to hunt Fire Rock Beasts. Wouldnât it be a shame to retreat now?"
Hearing Zhao Jiehuiâs words, Zhou Quan didnât know how to rebut and just stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
What a useless oaf,
Zou Mei inwardly cursed. She then said to Zhao Jiehui, "Senior Brother Zhao, weâre already facing nine Fire Rock Beasts at a time. If we go any deeper, their numbers will probably increase. We want to retreat because weâre afraid of someone getting killed."
Zhao Jiehui gave a somewhat disdainful smile. "Junior Brothers, Junior Sister, you are all fourth-level martial masters, after all. Junior Brother Ye is only at the second level, and even he hasnât flinched. How is it that you three are the first to lose your nerve?"
Faced with Zhao Jiehuiâs taunt, the trioâs faces burned with embarrassment. However, they didnât dare show any disrespect toward him, so they could only redirect their anger toward Ye Qingchen.
"Kid, donât think youâre in some paradise just because Senior Brother Zhao is protecting you!" Wang Tao was the first to lose his patience, pointing a finger at Ye Qingchen as he shouted. "If we really keep going, you wonât even know what hit you when you die!"
Ye Qingchen was rendered speechless.
These people really do bully the weak and fear the strong. Zhao Jiehui was the one who insulted them, yet theyâre taking it out on me. But if they think Iâm an easy target, theyâve picked the wrong person!
Ye Qingchen naturally had no intention of retreating now. His goal was the Fen Tian Earth Fire. Although he was already deep within the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, he was still a long way from its location. If he turned back now, all his previous efforts would be for naught.
Seeing Ye Qingchenâs silence, Wang Tao assumed he was feeling guilty and turned to Zhao Jiehui. "Senior Brother Zhao, actually, the three of us are fine. Weâre just worried that if we go deeper, Junior Brother Yeâs life might be in danger given his strength."
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Wang, but I believe I can protect myself. I suggest to Senior Brother Zhao that we press our advantage and continue forward." Hearing Wang Tao use him as an excuse to persuade Zhao Jiehui, Ye Qingchen didnât hold back and directly stated his position.
Ye Qingchenâs words made Wang Taoâs expression turn ugly. Just as he was about to berate Ye Qingchen, Zhao Jiehui stopped him. "Thatâs enough. If you want to leave the team, then according to our initial agreement, your share of the loot is halved. I wonât force you. Those who wish to continue with me, we leave now. Those who donât, weâll divide the spoils and part ways here."
Zhao Jiehui knew their type; they were all greedy. With Ye Qingchenâs contribution, their haul had been substantial, and he knew they would never willingly leave and forfeit half their share.
Sure enough, after Zhao Jiehui spoke, the expressions on the trio turned foul. Before entering the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, they had indeed agreed that anyone who voluntarily left the team would have their share halved.
In fact, Zou Mei had been the one to propose the rule, and Wang Tao and Zhou Quan were the first to agree. At the time, they had assumed that someone with Ye Qingchenâs meager strength wouldnât last long and would be the first to quit. That way, they could openly dock his share, leaving him bitter but unable to complain.
They never imagined that the very rule they created to trap Ye Qingchen would now become a cage for themselves. They had truly lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet!
Just as Zhao Jiehui predicted, the three were unwilling to give up half their share. After he finished speaking, Zou Mei was the first to declare her position, "Since Senior Brother Zhao wishes to continue exploring the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, then we will naturally risk our lives to accompany you."
Once Zou Mei spoke, Zhou Quan and Wang Tao hurriedly echoed their agreement.
Zhao Jiehui just smiled and shook his head without saying more. He started moving deeper, and Ye Qingchen followed right behind him.
The trio exchanged glances and reluctantly followed, but they deliberately kept some distance from Zhao Jiehui and Ye Qingchen. That way, if real danger appeared, the two of them would bear the brunt of it, while the three of them could escape at the first sign of trouble.
Another hour passed. After hunting two more groups of Fire Rock Beasts, the five were preparing to continue when the passage began to shake violently. Large chunks of rock fell from the sides, and deep within the tunnel, more than a dozen fiery red eyes began to glow.
"Look out! The passage is collapsing! Run!"
"Danger! Retreat!"
Zou Meiâs trio didnât hesitate for a second, turning and sprinting back the way they came!
Ye Qingchen was about to flee as well, but in the next moment, his brow furrowed. He realized that a dozen or so Fire Rock Beasts were rapidly converging on him and Zhao Jiehui, cutting off their escape route.