Chapter Forty-Nine: The Vast Cavern

Surrounded! Su Ye’s heart sank as he gazed at the multitude of water apes closing in. Moments ago, a single creature’s charge had injured Mu Xia. If an entire swarm rushed them, what would become of them?

A hard fight was impossible now. They had to retreat, watching over each other, and the withdrawal could not be chaotic—it demanded flawless cooperation from everyone.

When Su Ye turned to his companions, his brows furrowed further. Cold sweat dripped down their faces; their bodies trembled. It was clear that a calm, orderly retreat was beyond hope.

“Stay calm—they’re nothing but beasts. You’re all renowned as geniuses at school. This little scene is nothing you can’t handle!” Su Ye’s voice was low and steady, rallying their spirits.

Mu Xia and the other two steadied themselves somewhat, remembering their cultivation and that they shouldn’t be so fearful—not in such a crucial battle.

But Li Haoxuan, shaking, cursed, “It’s all your fault, Su Ye! If you hadn’t led us this way, we wouldn’t have run into these damn beasts! Your bad luck dragged us down. If we’d followed Zhou Yuyang, we’d be at our destination by now, raking in rewards!”

Su Ye seized his collar, voice sharp as a blade. “Shut your mouth, or I’ll kill you before the beasts do!”

Li Haoxuan paled instantly, recalling that Su Ye had once defeated Yu Zhisha.

Mu Xia spoke quietly but firmly, “Enough! No infighting now—Li Haoxuan, what use is blaming anyone? If you didn’t want to come, you should’ve stayed behind.”

Even the two usually silent companions chimed in, “Exactly. Since we’re here, stop complaining. At this rate, we’ll all die.”

Seeing no one on his side, Li Haoxuan could only mumble reluctantly, “Sorry, I—I…”

Su Ye released him with a cold snort.

But as soon as he let go, the water apes seized their chance. One creature uttered a strange cry, and suddenly all the surrounding apes bared their jagged, fishbone-like teeth.

A chorus of harsh, wailing sounds echoed as countless water apes surged forward.

“Don’t split up—!”

Su Ye shouted, leaping into the air as the power of his thunder veins surged within him. Lightning crackled around him, sparking wildly.

Bang!

Su Ye kicked the foremost water ape, sending it flying into the forest like a football.

Mu Xia, Li Haoxuan, and the others were already locked in combat with the creatures. The water apes were grotesque and vicious, but not faster than these talented youths. Tension ran high, but there were no fatal mishaps.

Yet their luck was short-lived. After only a dozen apes had been dispatched, another strange call rang out. From the trees above, a dense mass of water apes dropped like dumplings.

A scream pierced the air—someone was injured.

Su Ye's gaze swept across the scene and instantly spotted a peculiar water ape perched on a branch. Its fur was unusually long, and its eyes, eerily human-like, were a solid gray.

Both waves of attacks had been signaled by its cries.

“Hold your ground!” Su Ye roared once more, launching himself ten meters forward and then leaping onto the branch.

Li Haoxuan shrieked in panic, “Damn it, Su Ye’s running! He’s abandoned us!”

In the chaos, Mu Xia looked back and saw no trace of Su Ye. Her body was slashed and battered by attacks; already exhausted, despair flooded her heart.

She hadn’t wanted to join Su Ye’s team initially, but at Jiang Liuying’s urging, she had. After getting to know Su Ye, she realized he wasn’t as the rumors claimed. In fact, in many ways, he surpassed the geniuses she’d met—there was even a hint of mystery about him.

Mu Xia believed Su Ye was someone she could trust.

But now, in this moment of life and death, he had abandoned them.

“Roar—damned beasts, get out of my way!!”

Suddenly, a thunderous roar descended from above. Su Ye, radiating light, plummeted, clutching the special water ape tightly.

The earth shook under the impact, cracks spidering outwards as a fierce gale swept through the area.

Boom—

For a moment, the wild battle fell silent.

Mu Xia and the others seized the chance to catch their breath. She called out, delighted, “Su Ye—I knew you wouldn’t leave us!”

Su Ye didn’t reply. He gripped the water ape by the throat, poised to snap its neck. Ignoring whether the creatures could understand him, he shouted,

“Stay back! Get away—get away!”

Sure enough, though their eyes were small, the water apes recoiled in fear, backing away.

But they didn’t leave completely, hovering about seven or eight meters away, their wailing cries continuing.

“Let’s go—”

Su Ye held the special water ape at the rear, threatening it whenever the others tried to approach. Gradually, they made their way a long distance.

“Run, now!”

Su Ye hurled the special water ape far away. Without waiting for instruction, everyone bolted at full speed, leaving nothing in reserve.

The cries faded behind them.

Finally, they reached a crossroads and collapsed, breathless, unwilling to move further.

“Are they still following us?”

“No, we shook them. Damn, were we really chased by apes?” As they spoke, laughter bubbled up—relief after surviving disaster.

Su Ye smiled, then took out gauze to bind his wounds.

Mu Xia tossed him a roll. “Use mine—it’s waterproof, soaked in medicine, won’t leave scars!”

“Thanks,” Su Ye accepted without hesitation.

Li Haoxuan, watching, felt a sting of discomfort but said nothing.

They resumed their journey, this time without incident.

By three in the afternoon, they noticed the path sloping downward. Their faces lit up—they remembered the cave they sought was at the island’s center, shaped like a funnel. That meant they were almost there.

“Hurry—we’re nearly there!”

Soon they emerged from the dense forest. The view ahead was clear—a sudden, hopeful opening. In the distance, a massive cave appeared.

But the cave resembled a volcano’s mouth, sinking deep into the ground.

“Do we have to jump down?” The group peered ahead, unsure, speculating various possibilities.

Su Ye said, “Don’t rush. It’s still twenty minutes to the cave entrance. I see fresh water nearby—let’s clean our wounds before we go.”

“Good idea!” Mu Xia had wanted to wash her face for ages; earlier, they’d crawled through poison gas, leaving them filthy.

Li Haoxuan was even worse—his wounds from the gas still itched.

Not far away, they found a stream. Li Haoxuan pulled a black device from his pack, dipped it in the water, pressed a few buttons, then checked the numbers and grinned, “All clear—no toxins. Drink up!”

Everyone eagerly washed their hands and faces.

Li Haoxuan cleared his throat, “When you’re at sea, not all water is safe. Drink seawater and you’ll die of thirst. Lucky I brought high-tech!”

Su Ye ignored him, washed his face, wiped the mud off his clothes, and when everyone was ready, led the group toward the cave entrance.

Li Haoxuan rushed ahead, acting as if he were the leader.

As they drew closer, their expressions changed.

“Down there—what are those things?”