"What did you say?"
Rong Guang was so shocked his jaw almost dropped to the floor.
The news delivered by the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python struck Rong Guang’s mind like a thunderclap.
The Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python had no idea how explosive its words were.
It continued gleefully, "Master, this setup here is called the Nine Deaths, One Life Consecutive Maze. It's divided into nine stages, with each stage featuring nine intersections, signifying choices between life and death."
"If you choose correctly, you pass unimpeded. If you choose incorrectly, it's nine deaths, one life. Moreover, in each stage’s nine paths, only one leads to life, while the other eight are guarded by powerful demonic beasts."
"And these guardian demonic beasts were all tricked here by the Ancient Blood Demon through various schemes. However, their combat prowess can each rival your human Divine King realm experts."
Rong Guang grew increasingly shocked as he listened. He recounted every word the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python told him to Xuanyuan Xun, word for word.
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Xun's brows knitted into the character "川" (chuan).
If this place was truly as dangerous as the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python described, he wondered how Miss Zi and Boss Shen were faring. Would they encounter insurmountable dangers?
Thinking of the Earth Demonic Ape he had encountered, which had almost put him to sleep and cost him his life, Xuanyuan Xun’s heart tightened.
But then, he considered that Zi Lingling, despite being at the peak of the Great God realm, was not significantly weaker than himself and the others. His heart, which had been suspended, eased a little.
Recalling Zi Lingling's endless tricks and Shen Liuxing, a Divine King realm expert, by her side, Xuanyuan Xun’s heart completely settled.
He chuckled helplessly and murmured, "I'm actually worried about that monstrous prodigy. What a needless concern."
Rong Guang was utterly confused by Xuanyuan Xun's cryptic remark.
He quickly asked, "Who? Who are you worried about? The Guild Leader?"
Xuanyuan Xun offered a bitter smile and said, "I wish I could worry about her, but after careful consideration, I believe it's more practical to worry about ourselves!"
This made Rong Guang even more bewildered. He stammered, "What do you mean?"
Xuanyuan Xun shook his head. "When has Miss Zi ever suffered a loss? The Ancient Blood Demon was so powerful, yet she dealt with it single-handedly. Do you think the demonic beasts in these tunnels are more formidable than the Ancient Blood Demon?"
Rong Guang shook his head and stated confidently, "No!"
Xuanyuan Xun chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Exactly! So, let's worry about ourselves!"
"According to the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python, each of these tunnels houses a demonic beast comparable to a Divine King. Only the correct path offers safe passage."
"Therefore, our most important task right now is to find that safe path. If I'm not mistaken, Miss Zi must have passed through that safe path!"
Rong Guang raised an eyebrow. "Then how do we find that safe path?"
Xuanyuan Xun pondered for a moment. "I suggest you ask the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python first. See if it knows."
"Alright!"
Rong Guang agreed and began communicating with the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python again.
"Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python, do you know which path is the safe one?"
"Master, I'm not entirely sure. When we were tricked into guarding the tunnels, we were placed under a restriction, prohibiting us from entering other tunnels."
"This..."
Rong Guang looked troubled as he relayed the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python's words to Xuanyuan Xun.
Xuanyuan Xun deliberated. "Now, we have two methods."
"The first method is for each of us to try one tunnel. If we discover a demonic beast, we immediately retreat."
"However, this would be time-consuming. None of us knows where the demonic beasts are located within the tunnels, and if we encounter highly stealthy ones, someone might get injured."
Rong Guang asked, "What's the second method?"
Xuanyuan Xun replied, "The second method is for you to bring the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python and test the entrance of each tunnel."
"That probably won't work! Didn't the Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python say that they, as demonic beasts, cannot enter other tunnels?" Rong Guang countered.
Xuanyuan Xun shook his head with a smile. "You're mistaken!"
"I'm mistaken? Where am I mistaken?" Rong Guang was confused again.
Xuanyuan Xun smiled meaningfully. "The Nine-Poison Yin Phosphorus Python before might truly have been unable to enter other tunnels, but the current one should no longer be bound by the tunnel restriction!"
"No longer bound by the tunnel restriction?"
Rong Guang was momentarily astonished, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "You mean, because it has become my contracted beast, it's no longer restricted?"
Xuanyuan Xun nodded appreciatively. "Among demonic beasts, there's a special sense. The more powerful a demonic beast, the stronger its territorial instinct."
"Furthermore, their task is to guard the tunnels. Therefore, if a fellow beast enters their territory, they can sense it, and even more so, issue a warning of expulsion!"
Xuanyuan Xun's explanation brought a sense of sudden enlightenment to Rong Guang.
He praised, "Ninth Prince, you truly live up to your title. Your perspective on matters is so insightful. I am truly ashamed of my own lack of understanding!"
Xuanyuan Xun waved his hand and smiled. "Brother Rong, you flatter me! You were merely in the midst of it, like a spectator lost in the game. I, on the other hand, am an observer, and thus, a bit clearer."
Speaking well is also an art. Those who can speak well make others feel comfortable at all times.
Hearing Xuanyuan Xun's words, Rong Guang felt incredibly pleased.
He said a little sheepishly, "Ninth Prince, shall we go and try now?"
"No rush!"
Xuanyuan Xun quickly stopped him. "We shouldn't rush. Let's wait for Brother Shangguan to come out."
At this moment, Rong Guang's admiration for Xuanyuan Xun was like a surging river, endless.
Therefore, he accepted all of Xuanyuan Xun's suggestions.
So, Xuanyuan Xun's proposal to wait for Shangguan Yulin did not meet with his opposition.
"Then let's wait for Brother Shangguan! I wonder how he's doing now? Is he in danger?"
Xuanyuan Xun smiled profoundly. "Don't underestimate Brother Shangguan. The power of his Vermilion Bird Feather Fan is not something ordinary demonic beasts can withstand!"
"This..." Rong Guang remained somewhat concerned.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Xun quickly explained, "The Vermilion Bird Flame within Brother Shangguan's Vermilion Bird Feather Fan is the innate divine flame of the Fire God Vermilion Bird. And the Fire God Vermilion Bird has absolute bloodline suppression over all beast races. This bloodline suppression is akin to the absolute suppression that divine dragons and phoenixes possess."
Rong Guang exclaimed in surprise, "I never imagined that young man, who seems so thoughtless, possesses such a formidable backing!"