Chapter 148 - 21: Turtle Cave?

Li Shifan shook his head. "The Yin Yang Rejuvenation Crystal is far too precious," he said. "I saw a few cave entrances back then and decided to just grab it and get out."

Zhang Deming said, "Then why don’t we clear it together and go take a look?

This place looks like it was naturally formed, with no signs of artificial construction, but everything is too orderly. It feels like it was constructed by a Technique.

Who knows, there might be some kind of fortuitous encounter."

Li Shifan said, "Let’s clear the exit first. We have to figure out the extent of this collapse. If the whole cavern comes down... considering how deep we are... we’d be lucky to dig our way out before we run out of this Qiu Ape Flesh."

Zhang Deming nodded. "Yes, we need to secure an exit first. We’re on the same page."

Seeing this, Li Shifan said, "Then let’s get to it. It’s a good thing you know some Water Element Series Techniques, Senior Brother Zhang.

Otherwise, if we couldn’t get out anytime soon, we’d be in real trouble."

Zhang Deming smiled, glanced at the other man’s sword, and said, "So you see, specializing to an extreme isn’t always a good thing."

Li Shifan just smiled, not refuting the point.

He gripped his sword, and Spiritual Light surged. Since the collapse consisted of ordinary rock, he rapidly sliced it apart.

Zhang Deming’s hands flashed. He activated his Growth Technique, and countless vines, like mechanical arms, began to move the stones.

Zhang Deming even had a number of vines weave themselves into the shape of a large scoop. After hardening them, they transformed into something resembling the bucket of an excavator.

While Li Shifan cut through the rock at the front, Zhang Deming swiftly cleared the debris from behind.

With both of them channeling their Spiritual Power, they excavated at a remarkable speed.

Around midnight, Zhang Deming stopped. "Let’s rest for now," he said. "We’ll continue tomorrow. We’re both probably exhausted."

Li Shifan, who had been tirelessly clearing the path ahead with his sword, paused for a moment and nodded. "Alright."

The two returned to the main cavern. Zhang Deming used the Little Cloud Rain Skill to summon enough water for them to wash up a little.

Then they prepared some of the Qiu Ape Flesh. Zhang Deming was a man who appreciated the finer things in life.

He had brought plenty of seasonings. A moment later, they were eating the roasted meat along with their dry rations.

To be honest, even roasted and heavily seasoned, it wasn’t very good. The meat was too tough and overly chewy.

"Have you submitted your application for the Inner Sect?" Zhang Deming asked, trying to make conversation as they ate.

Li Shifan paused, then replied, dodging the question, "Just a few days ago when we met at the market stalls, you were still an Intermediate Apprentice, Senior Brother Zhang!"

Zhang Deming chuckled. "And didn’t you look like you’d just had a breakthrough yourself? You were even injured after dealing with a Mid-Level Demon Beast."

Li Shifan nodded, not arguing the point. He threw the question right back. "So, Senior Brother Zhang, have you submitted your application for the Inner Sect review?"

Zhang Deming shook his head. "It’s different for me. You cultivate the Sword Dao and your Swordsmanship is outstanding."

Li Shifan said pointedly, "Your Spirit Root isn’t over thirty either, is it, Senior Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Deming paused. "That’s right. If not for that, how could my cultivation be so arduous?"

Li Shifan continued in the same meaningful tone, "Yes, so very arduous! No progress for over ten years, and now you’ve suddenly reached the late stage in a matter of months. Regardless of what kind of opportunity you had, who knows what you’ll have to go through during the Inner Sect review?"

Zhang Deming looked at Li Shifan. It seemed they were both on the same wavelength. ’In other words, his cultivation didn’t just improve because of some fortuitous encounter; he has a secret, too?’

’Well, does my old ancestor count as a secret?’

’But that has nothing to do with me. Who doesn’t have a few secrets?’

’Our relationship now could at least be considered a friendship. Am I really going to kill him and steal his treasures just based on a potential guess?’

’That’s not how I, Zhang Deming, do things!’

"So what are your plans?" Zhang Deming asked.

Li Shifan shook his head. "I don’t know. Gather resources first, I guess. When the time comes, if there’s really no other choice, I’ll just suppress my cultivation for a few years.

Then I’ll apply for the promotion later. Besides, without a Spirit Vein Cave Mansion, who would dare to attempt a breakthrough?"

Zhang Deming’s eyebrow twitched. "So you came this deep to prepare resources for your breakthrough?"

Li Shifan nodded. "Even though I estimate it’ll still be two or three years, I don’t have a single Contribution point.

If I don’t start preparing early and wait until the last minute, I’ll just end up wasting a lot of time."

Hearing this, Zhang Deming said, "What are you looking for? Maybe we’re heading in the same direction."

Li Shifan glanced at Zhang Deming and said, "Sword Grass!"

Zhang Deming’s expression froze. "A top-tier main material for the Sword Dao... You’re certainly ambitious!"

Li Shifan smiled and took out a similar glowing crystal. "With this, it’s doable. I’ve checked the Outer Sect records. The Sect has two in stock.

Materials of the same tier can be traded."

"You’re really lucky then," Zhang Deming said.

"What about you, Senior Brother Zhang?" Li Shifan asked.

Zhang Deming gave a wry smile. "Innate Fetal Stone."

Hearing this, Li Shifan said, astonished, "That’s a main material for the Summoning Class, isn’t it? You’re going the Summoning route, Senior Brother Zhang? Not Plant System Techniques?"

’Ha, am I really that good with these vines?’

"What’s wrong with that? Can’t I?" Zhang Deming retorted.

Li Shifan shook his head, a strange expression on his face. "No, it’s not that. It’s just that your skill with Plant System Techniques is so masterful... it’s quite memorable, so this is a bit of a surprise."

’Is he making fun of me?’

Zhang Deming looked at Li Shifan’s earnest expression. With a poker face like that, he couldn’t tell if the guy was being sarcastic or not.

"Senior Brother Zhang, how about we team up? I’ve already secured my core material; all I’m lacking now are Contribution points."

Li Shifan felt a little awkward under Zhang Deming’s stare and proactively changed the subject.

Zhang Deming nodded. "Sounds good!"