Xu Qing nodded.
The old man cast a meaningful glance at Xu Qing before turning and disappearing from the cave.
Xu Qing calmly checked his surroundings and confirmed that there was nothing wrong here. He could also tell that those statues were very ancient. There were no human statues but figures entwined with dragons and serpents, exuding an aura of martial prowess.
Although they were all partially damaged, when looked at as a whole, it seemed that these statues were worshiping. And this place, with its inherent chilliness, resembled more of a tomb.
"Was this place originally a tomb?"
Xu Qing fell into deep thought and found a statue. When he sat down cross-legged, Ling'er crawled out of his collar and also looked around before speaking quietly.
"Brother Xu Qing, this place seems to be related to our Ancient Spirit Race."
Xu Qing's heart stirred as he looked at Ling'er.
Ling'er carefully checked her surroundings and whispered.
"Brother Xu Qing, those statues are indeed the statues of the Ancient Spirit Race. In our race, as children, we're snakes, and as adults, we take on human forms. If the bloodline is strong, after breaking through the restraints of cultivation, a celestial dragon will be born alongside us. From then on, the dragon and snake protect us, making us invulnerable to all methods."
"Judging from the specifications here, it's the tomb of a sage of our race."
"Generally speaking, the tombs of my race contain many levels. Brother Xu Qing, there should be an even larger tomb below. This is only the first level."
"I can sense that the restrictions on the tomb are still in place. I should be able to open the entrance to the next level," Ling'er said happily, feeling like she could finally help Brother Xu Qing.
When Xu Qing heard this, he took a closer look at his surroundings. After that, he patted Ling'er's head and spoke softly.
"There's no need to open it. Since the current master doesn't want us to disturb him, we'll wait here for the heavenly fire to end and leave."
Xu Qing was a person who knew his limits. Since the two sides were trading, unless it was absolutely necessary, he was willing to abide by the rules of the transaction.
Ling'er fell into deep thought. She felt that Brother Xu Qing's actions were different from her father's. Hence, she remembered this matter and prepared to learn.
Time flowed by and half a month passed.
The heavenly fire in the outside world became even more terrifying, burning everything. Nothing existed and all living beings lived in fear.
From afar, the scene looked like the wrath of a god.
The rumbling sound even surpassed lightning. The entire Heavenly Fire Sea had sunk greatly and most of the magma inside was absorbed into the sky. As for the severed hands, they had already left.
In the mineshaft, in the Ancient Spirit Race's tomb, Xu Qing kept his promise and didn't take half a step out of the cave. He had been cultivating the entire time and Duanmu Zang didn't appear again. Everything was fine.
Ling'er was also very obedient and didn't probe further. She was satisfied as long as she was by Brother Xu Qing's side.
However, occasionally, she would feel that she was a little useless.
'I have to quickly digest the power of the ancient spirit royal family's luck in my body and speed up the advancement of my bloodline,' Ling'er thought to herself and began to do just that.
On the seventeenth day, Xu Qing's cultivation was interrupted by a visitor.
As the light of an array formation shone on the ground of the cave, a cautious figure quickly walked out.
It wasn't Duanmu Zang but a human youth in green clothes.
Xu Qing opened his eyes and recognized that this person was the person who had fainted half a month ago. The other party was still in a weak state but he was no longer in danger.
Clearly, the armor was very effective and Duanmu Zang definitely put in efforts to save this person.
However, the fire toxins within his body were difficult to dispel, and several areas had been scorched and withered, blood-red and unable to regenerate, giving him a somewhat grim appearance.
When Xu Qing looked over, the human youth's face was filled with trepidation. He quickly took a few steps and knelt down in front of Xu Qing.
"Junior Shi Pangui thanks Senior for saving my life!"
Xu Qing sized up this human youth a few times. The other party's name was a little strange but he didn't ask further and calmly spoke.
"It's nothing. Even if I didn't make a move, Senior Duanmu would have saved you."
The human youth was still kowtowing. After kowtowing three times to Xu Qing, he stood up and looked at Xu Qing as he nervously spoke.
"No matter what, it was Senior who saved me. This junior will remember this kindness."
As he spoke, he took out a food box and placed it to the side.
"Junior knows that Senior's cultivation is profound and I don't have anything valuable. These are some homemade snacks made by my wife. Thank you, senior!"
After the human youth finished speaking, he stood up and bowed to Xu Qing again. He then respectfully retreated and returned to the array formation, disappearing.
Xu Qing looked at the food box, which contained some well-cooked pastries emitting a delightful aroma. They looked exquisite and were clearly prepared with great care.
With Xu Qing's expertise in poisons, he could tell with just a sniff whether something was toxic. Sensing no danger, he picked up a pastry and noticed Ling'er was salivating. So, he took a bite and, after confirming its safety, handed a piece to Ling'er.
Ling'er ate it in one bite and her eyes narrowed.
"Gurgle gurgle."
Clearly, the taste wasn't bad, so Ling'er couldn't help but let out the voice she had when she was still a snake.
Seeing that Ling'er liked it, Xu Qing smiled and gave it all to her.
He then closed his eyes and continued to cultivate.
Time passed day by day. In the following days, Shi Pangui came many times. Every time, he would bring food with him respectfully.
There were a few times when he wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he couldn't hold it in and his eyes revealed desire as he asked Xu Qing about the human race in the foreign region.
"Senior, I heard from the old king that you're from another region? Outside… what are we humans like?"
Shi Pangui's expression was filled with nervousness and intense anticipation.
