The Secret Cave Sages valued wealth above their very lives. Treasures, in particular, held an immense allure for them.
One need only look at the bizarre and rare artifacts they carried to understand just how many ruins they had explored, how many hidden grounds they had delved into, and how many treasures they had seized over the years.
It was no exaggeration to say that they had roamed freely through ruins and secret sites across the land.
And in truth, as they traversed those ruins, they inevitably encountered plenty of opponents — yet very few had ever managed to get the better of them.
But there had once been one extraordinarily formidable adversary: the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable.
The Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable could be called a true master.
His prowess extended beyond his cultivation and his mastery of barrier arts.
He possessed extensive experience in exploring ruins and utilizing supreme treasures.
In short, the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable was a grave-robbing expert — one who surpassed even the Secret Cave Sages in that regard.
Within a short span of time, he could locate a ruin's main formation eye and seize control of its power.
Wherever the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable appeared, others essentially stood no chance.
Even the Secret Cave Sages had no hope of victory against him.
Back in the day, the Secret Cave Sages had suffered a crushing defeat at his hands — an utterly humiliating one.
That was precisely why, upon seeing the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable once more, they were gripped by such terror.
The memory of that past disaster remained vivid in their minds, leaving behind a profound shadow.
"Big Brother, I can't believe the Heavenly Gates Sect actually invited the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable."
"What are we going to do?" the Secret Cave Sages' eleventh brother asked.
"There's no need to panic. The last time we lost to him, I was still only a Bug-Vein-level Sacred Robe. Things are different now. Our brothers have all advanced in the art of Spirit Realm Power. Moreover, we have the advantage — we've earned the recognition of the Demon-Slaying Emperor and mastered the power of the great formation here."
"His coming here today is the perfect opportunity for us to settle the score," the leader of the Secret Cave Sages declared.
"That's right! We are the ones who received the Demon-Slaying Emperor's recognition. We possess the power to command the formation here."
"Haha, the heavens truly smile upon us! The Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable coming here at a time like this — it's practically a gift from the gods for us to exact our revenge."
Upon hearing their leader's words, the other members of the Secret Cave Sages suddenly came to their senses.
Fear gave way to eager anticipation for the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable's arrival. One by one, they grew excited.
"The Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable is here as an honored guest of our Heavenly Gates Sect. His presence here is merely incidental — he will not be taking any action."
"Cracking open this Demon-Slaying Emperor's tomb will still require the efforts of the two masters," Tuoba Cheng'an said.
"I've long heard of the Blood Fog Heavenly Venerable's great name. It's a rare opportunity to meet today, yet I won't be able to see his true face?" Master Ouyang said, a trace of regret in his voice.
"Hmph."
Master Huang, on the other hand, gave a light snort — one laced with an underlying meaning.
After that snort, he seemed about to say something more but ultimately held his tongue.
"Never mind. We've been paid, so we deliver results. The rest, I won't fuss over."
"Brother Ouyang, let's begin." Master Huang held the compass in his hand and turned toward Master Ouyang.
Master Ouyang nodded in return.
The two of them immediately set to work, using the compass to search for flaws in the barrier.
Before long, they found the weak point and employed a barrier formation technique to break through.
A barrier entrance materialized before everyone's eyes.
"It's done! Grand Elder, we've finally succeeded!"
Watching the barrier gate stand there before them, the elders of the Heavenly Gates Sect were ecstatic.
After all, over so many years, they had attempted countless times to crack open this Demon-Slaying Emperor's tomb — and every single attempt had ended in failure.
Now that the tomb had truly been breached, their excitement was boundless.
At that moment, every member of the Heavenly Gates Sect was practically itching to go. The moment Tuoba Cheng'an gave the word, they would charge straight inside.
They were all desperate to see what kind of supreme treasures lay hidden within this mysterious Demon-Slaying Emperor's tomb.
"The compass needle is still unsteady. I cannot confirm whether it is safe."
"I recommend testing it first."
As Master Huang spoke, he opened his palm, and a full one hundred paper talismans appeared in his hand.
"Attach these talismans to your Dantian. Enter with them, and whether you live or die, I will sense it."
Master Huang handed the talismans to Tuoba Cheng'an.
At the sight of this, the members of the Heavenly Gates Sect — who moments ago had been brimming with excitement and eager to rush in — froze in their tracks.