403: Chapter 403 Turning His Hunter into Prey

"Junior Brother Ye, are we really going to the Flame Cave? That fellow Nangong Zhaotian must have laid a dragnet waiting for us," Pei Tieshan couldn't help but ask again.

Although he was bellicose, he also knew they were outnumbered; the enemy was waiting at their leisure, and charging in blindly was definitely not the best strategy.

Dongfang Xinghe also looked worried, even though he believed in Ye Tian's strength.

But based on the confessions of those people earlier, there was at least one Guest Elder at the Fourth Stage Peak of the Sea Transformation Realm by Nangong Zhaotian's side, as well as several Sea Transformation Third Stage Cultivators.

Moreover, they were familiar with the terrain of the Flame Cave and would surely have made preparations.

After all, there were only four of them; going there rashly, they might very well...

Ye Tian stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his three companions.

Dongfang Xinghe was steady and thorough in his thinking. Pei Tieshan was brave but not reckless. Shui Qingdie was soft on the outside but firm on the inside, with a meticulous mind.

Ye Tian understood that their current concerns were born of caution and their assessment of the situation.

He didn't answer immediately but took out the crude map obtained from Chen Laoda from his robe, spreading it out on a rock.

The map was roughly drawn, only marking the general positions and names of several key areas, including the general direction of the "Flame Cave" and the "Five Elements Unification Hall."

"Senior Brother Dongfang, Senior Brother Pei, Senior Sister Shui, look." Ye Tian pointed at the map.

"We are currently at the edge of the Corridor. According to the Talisman Seal's resonance and the map, the Flame Cave is indeed one of the necessary paths to the Five Elements Unification Hall, but it's not the only way through."

His finger traced a winding line on the map: "If we take a detour and go through 'Miluo Marsh' or 'Mayang Canyon,' we can also reach the vicinity of the Five Elements Unification Hall."

"However, these two paths have harsh environments, are fraught with peril, and the distance is longer, taking more time and involving more variables."

Shui Qingdie's beautiful eyes focused on the map as she spoke softly, "Nangong Zhaotian expects us to head to the Five Elements Unification Hall as quickly as possible once we've gathered the Tokens, and the Flame Cave is recognized as the safe and fast path."

"By setting an ambush there, he's banking on our desire for stability."

Ye Tian gave Shui Qingdie an appreciative look and nodded, "Senior Sister Shui is right. This is an open scheme; he's betting that in our haste to reach the Five Elements Unification Hall, we'll have no choice but to take the Flame Cave."

"But if we really follow his lead and charge straight in, we'll fall right into his trap, letting him play the oriole behind us, having our Tokens snatched, or even facing mortal danger."

Pei Tieshan scratched his head, "Then should we take a detour? Even if it's a bit further, it's safe! Once we reach the Five Elements Unification Hall, we'll get the Opportunity first, and then it won't be too late to settle scores with that guy named Nangong!"

Dongfang Xinghe pondered, "Taking a detour is certainly safe. But in doing so, we'll lose the initiative."

"If Nangong Zhaotian finds nothing at the Flame Cave, he'll surely guess we took a detour."

"Given his character and the power of the Nangong Family, he might be able to find our tracks. If he intercepts us halfway at Miluo Marsh or Mayang Canyon, we'll be just as passive."

"And taking a detour takes time; there are too many variables along the way, and we might not reach the Five Elements Unification Hall smoothly."

"Correct," Ye Tian took over. "Avoiding the fight will not only lose us the initiative but might also land us in an even more passive chase."

"Nangong Zhaotian is someone who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance and won't stop until his goal is met."

"Since this assassination attempt failed, he definitely won't let it go. Instead of being watched from the shadows like a venomous snake, why don't we..."

"Why don't we take the initiative and beat him at his own game?" Shui Qingdie's eyes lit up, seemingly understanding Ye Tian's idea.

The corners of Ye Tian's mouth curled slightly as his finger pressed firmly on the words "Flame Cave." "Isn't he setting a dragnet in the Flame Cave waiting for us? Then we'll go."

"However, we're not going to walk into his dragnet, but rather... to tear his net apart! To turn his hunter into prey!"

Dongfang Xinghe and Pei Tieshan's spirits rose. Pei Tieshan rubbed his hands excitedly, "Junior Brother Ye, tell us what to do! We'll all listen to you!"

Ye Tian didn't state his plan immediately but looked at Shui Qingdie and asked gently, "Senior Sister Shui, how is your recovery?"

Shui Qingdie felt a warmth in her heart, knowing Ye Tian was worried that her unhealed injuries would affect the subsequent actions.

She nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Junior Brother Ye. My injuries are no longer a major issue and won't affect my ability to act."

Ye Tian nodded, then revealed his plan: "Nangong Zhaotian is waiting for us at the Flame Cave; he will surely station his primary forces on the mandatory path to the Five Elements Unification Hall."

"But we won't play by the rules."

Ye Tian drew a circle around the outer area of the Flame Cave on the map. "We won't enter the core of the Flame Cave directly but will circle around the flank and sneak into the periphery."

"According to the map and Chen Laoda's confession, the Flame Cave isn't a single cavern but an area composed of magma caves and underground fire veins of various sizes."

"The terrain there is rugged, the environment is scorching hot, and many fire-attribute Yao Beasts are entrenched there."

"Nangong Zhaotian has limited manpower and cannot control every corner; there must be loopholes in his arrangement, especially in his rear and flanks, which he considers safe."

Dongfang Xinghe was thoughtful: "Junior Brother Ye, you mean we sneak into the periphery of the Flame Cave, figure out their layout and personnel distribution, and then..."

"And then, wait for an Opportunity." A cold light flashed in Ye Tian's eyes. "If their defense is tight and there's no opening, we'll quietly bypass them and head straight for the Five Elements Unification Hall, leaving him waiting for nothing."

"If there's an Opportunity..."

His voice turned cold, "Then we'll first clip his wings and break his claws! Finally, we'll deal with Nangong Zhaotian himself! Doesn't he like setting ambushes? This time, let him taste what it's like to be ambushed!"

"Brilliant!" Pei Tieshan slapped his thigh, his eyes shining. "We're in the dark, they're in the light! Taking potshots and striking from behind—I love it!"

Dongfang Xinghe also clapped and laughed, "This plan is excellent! Turning the passive into the active, turning the tables! However, we must act carefully and not alert the enemy."

"The Flame Cave has a special environment with dense Fire Spiritual Qi, which will somewhat suppress those of us who Cultivate Water, Wood, and Earth techniques. It should have the least impact on your Chaos True Essence, Junior Brother Ye."

"Furthermore, the Nangong Family Cultivates fire-attribute techniques, so they'll be like fish in water in the Flame Cave. This shift in power must not be overlooked."

"Senior Brother Dongfang is right to consider that," Ye Tian said. "Therefore, our primary goal for this operation is reconnaissance, and only then is it to eliminate the enemy."

"We absolutely will not strike without full certainty. Once we do, it must be with the force of a thunderbolt—quick and decisive, leaving no loose ends."

"After succeeding, we'll flee immediately and not stay in the same place. The four of us must maintain contact at all times, using my spiritual sense as a guide; we cannot split up."

"Good!" the three of them responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Having been ambushed constantly, everyone had long been suppressed with anger!

"Additionally," Ye Tian took out several bottles of "Scarlet Refined Poison" searched from the red-robed old man, as well as some other miscellaneous Medicinal Pills and Talismans, "these things might come in handy."

"Scarlet Refined Poison kills instantly upon contact with blood and corrodes True Essence; it's incredibly vicious, but perfect for using against enemies."

"These Stealth Talismans and Divine Speed Talismans, though not of high grade, might be useful at a critical moment. Let's divide them up for a rainy day."

Watching Ye Tian calmly distribute the spoils and plan the counterattack, the strange sentiment in Shui Qingdie's heart fluttered even more.

He was not only powerful, but also possessed extraordinary intelligence, was decisive in killing yet steady, and showed meticulous care for his companions.

Such a man... She didn't dare think further, feeling her cheeks burning slightly. She quickly lowered her head, took the few Talismans Ye Tian handed her, and softly thanked him.

With the plan decided, the four of them didn't delay any longer.

Ye Tian committed the map to memory and then crushed it with True Essence.

They adjusted their direction, no longer moving in a straight line toward the Talisman Seal's resonance, but veering slightly toward a secluded path marked on the map leading to the periphery of the Flame Cave.

This path was hidden within a stone forest and would be extremely difficult to find without the map's guidance.

Along the way, it was indeed sparsely populated, with only some low-level fire-type Vicious Beasts appearing, which they easily dealt with.

The closer they got to the Flame Cave area, the higher the temperature in the air became.

The surrounding rock walls gradually changed from grayish-white to deep orange, and in some places, the faint crimson glow of underground magma could be seen through the cracks.

Among the Five Elements' Spiritual Qi, the fire-attribute Spiritual Qi became exceptionally active, while the other attributes became relatively thin.

Shui Qingdie, who cultivated a water-attribute technique, was the most uncomfortable in this environment. Beads of sweat formed on her fair forehead, and her breathing became slightly hurried.

But she didn't say a word, silently circulating her Cultivation Technique to resist.

Dongfang Xinghe and Pei Tieshan weren't having it easy either; one specialized in the wood attribute and the other in the earth attribute, and both were suppressed to varying degrees here.

Only Ye Tian, possessing Chaos True Essence which encompasses all things, did not feel uncomfortable in the dense Fire Spiritual Qi. Instead, he slowly absorbed it to replenish his consumption.

He deliberately slowed his pace to allow the three of them to keep up.

"Senior Sister Shui, can you still hold on?" Ye Tian asked via sound transmission, his tone filled with concern.

"It's fine, just a bit stifling. I'll be okay after some meditation." Shui Qingdie shook her head gently and took an Ice Heart Pill. She felt much better, and her gaze toward Ye Tian became even softer.

He was always so attentive.