Ten days passed in a flash.
On this day, on a dark volcano, two young men in their early twenties and a younger girl suddenly ascended the mountain.
The young girl, Li Yitong, scanned her surroundings and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Zuo, are there really treasures hidden within this volcano? I've never heard my father mention it."
The young man addressed as Senior Brother Zuo nodded with a determined expression. "I only saw it in an ancient book from the library a while ago!"
"The place where the treasures are hidden is halfway up the mountain!"
"According to the ancient book, there are many good things inside. If we can obtain them, it won't take long for us to surpass Senior Brother Wu Hong and the others!"
Hearing that they could surpass Wu Hong and other talented disciples of the Mu Nan Sect, Li Yitong and another young man named Huaishan's faces were filled with excitement and anticipation.
Reaching the edge of the volcano's crater, Senior Brother Zuo led the way, guiding the two down the cliff with difficulty.
Soon, the three reached a stone platform extending from halfway up the mountain.
The scorching heat roasted them, turning their faces red.
"Ah..."
Just as they were about to proceed further, Li Yitong suddenly exclaimed, "Senior Brothers, quickly look, there's a statue over there!"
At the spot indicated by the girl's delicate finger, a stone statue covered in dust sat in a meditative posture.
Upon seeing the statue, Senior Brother Zuo frowned, as he recalled that it didn't seem to be there the last time he visited.
However, after a moment's thought, he figured it was perhaps because he hadn't paid attention last time. He dismissed it and, feigning composure, said, "I told you there were treasures here! The entrance to the treasure vault is not far from that statue!"
The other two nodded in unison, completely convinced by Senior Brother Zuo's words.
After a brief rest, the three continued along the cliff, moving closer to the statue.
The statue, naturally, was Chu Fan, who was absorbing the power of the earth fire here.
His prolonged stillness had caused dust to accumulate on him, making him resemble a stone statue at first glance.
Chu Fan, motionless, also sensed the presence of the three.
He hadn't moved because he heard the word "treasure" and was curious to see if there was indeed anything valuable hidden in this place.
Before long, the three arrived at the stone platform, about ten feet away from Chu Fan.
Senior Brother Zuo stepped forward and fumbled around the rock wall. A rumble echoed from within the wall, and a gap appeared.
"Wow, there really are treasures!"
"Senior Brother Zuo, you're amazing!"
Li Yitong cried out joyfully. Senior Brother Zuo, with a smug and proud expression, had a glint of slyness in his eyes.
"Let's go quickly, it's too hot here. It will be better inside!"
The three entered the gap one after another. The "stone statue" Chu Fan also opened his eyes.
After waiting for a moment, he stood up, leaped, and followed them into the gap.
Inside the mountain, there was a passage that had been artificially dug, leading deep underground. This filled Chu Fan with anticipation.
Deep underground.
Seeing that they had reached a dead end with stone walls all around, Li Yitong asked, "Senior Brother Zuo, where is the entrance to the treasure?"
Senior Brother Zuo, following at the rear, curled his lips into a different kind of smile.
Huaishan happened to catch a glimpse of this smile, and his brows furrowed. A bad feeling welled up in his heart.
After a moment of thought, he immediately pulled Li Yitong back.
"Yitong, there are no treasures here!"
No treasures?
Li Yitong was filled with confusion, not yet realizing the seriousness of the situation. She said, "How can there be no treasures?"
"Senior Brother Zuo said there are treasures inside. Isn't that right, Senior Brother Zuo!"
Senior Brother Zuo let out a cold snort and looked at Huaishan slowly, saying, "Huaishan, your reaction is not weak!"
Huaishan's face turned grim.
Li Yitong also realized that Senior Brother Zuo had lured them there with ill intentions. Her pretty face filled with tension as she asked, "Senior Brother Zuo, what are you going to do?"
Zuo Wenshan spread his hands and chuckled, "Yitong, what do you think I can do in a place like this?"
Huaishan, whose expression had been grim since sensing something was wrong, suddenly spoke, "Senior Brother Zuo, are you planning a rebellion?"
Zuo Wenshan raised his brows slightly and replied, "Huaishan, the elders always said you were very smart, and it seems they were right. You can guess this!"
"The Mu Nan Sect should have changed its name long ago!"
Hearing this, anyone not foolish could understand what was happening.
Li Yitong's face was filled with disbelief, and her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Senior Brother Zuo, how could you do this?"
"Hasn't the Mu Nan Sect treated your family well?"
"Hmph!"
"Don't give me any of that useless talk!"
Zuo Wenshan, his face filled with anger, berated, "A hundred years ago, the position of Sect Master should have belonged to my family. If it weren't for my grand-teacher's favoritism, would your father have become Sect Master?"
Seeing that Li Yitong was about to speak again, Huaishan squeezed her arm and said, "Junior Sister, stop talking, it's useless!"
"Some things cannot be changed with just a few words from us!"
"Junior Sister, the Grand Elder has likely already made his move. I will hold him off, and you quickly go inform my grandfather!"
Li Yitong, realizing the gravity of the situation, nodded. Her gaze flickered as she began to search for an opening to escape.
"Zuo Wenshan, those who do too much evil will bring about their own destruction!"
Huaishan suddenly grunted and then lunged at Zuo Wenshan.
The two immediately engaged in a fierce struggle.
"Yitong!"
Huaishan yelled, and Li Yitong, alerted, didn't hesitate. She immediately rushed towards the exit.
"Hmph!"
"Trying to run? Is it that easy?"
Zuo Wenshan's attack suddenly became fierce. With one punch, he sent Huaishan flying backward, then flickered his body and blocked the exit.
Seeing that she was only a second too late, Li Yitong was filled with regret. She had no choice but to retreat to Huaishan's side, supporting the pale and bleeding Huaishan from the ground.
"Huaishan, Yitong, you should stop struggling fruitlessly!"
"Be good hostages!"
"When my grandfather succeeds, out of consideration for our past relationship, he might spare your lives!"
"Zuo Wenshan, you wish!"
Huaishan glared, his tone firm, "Even if I die, I will not let you use me to threaten my grandfather!"
Li Yitong also said with a determined expression, "Me neither!"
One was the daughter of the Sect Master, the most cherished little princess of the Mu Nan Sect.
The other was the grandson of the Second Elder, with considerable talent, poised to become the next Wu Hong of the Mu Nan Sect.
The Grand Elder intended to seize power and become the Sect Master of the Mu Nan Sect. This led his grandson, Zuo Wenshan, to lure them here with the promise of treasure, intending to capture them and use them to threaten the Sect Master Li Kuangshan and the Second Elder Huai Jing.
"Don't worry, you won't die!"
"Haven't you already felt that your bodies are gradually becoming uncontrollable?"
As soon as he said this, Huaishan and Li Yitong carefully sensed and realized that they had been poisoned without them knowing.
As the poison took effect, both felt their limbs grow weak, and their consciousness began to blur.
Zuo Wenshan stood like a king, waiting quietly.
*Pat…*
*Pat…*
In just over ten breaths, Huaishan and Li Yitong collapsed onto the ground, losing consciousness.
"Trying to compete with me!"
"You're still too young!"
Zuo Wenshan walked over to the two and took out silver needles, preparing to completely seal their strength.
*Thud…*
"Who?"
Just as he was about to make his move, Zuo Wenshan immediately straightened up and looked vigilantly towards the exit.
Chu Fan walked slowly, step by step.
Zuo Wenshan was stunned.
What a ghost, is the statue alive?