"Stay close to me or it will be hard for me to protect you in case any accident occurs." Deep inside the cave, Tian Lei whispered to Zhu Furong. They are working in a group of four people, Xidi Junjie, Lin Kai, Tian Lei and Zhu Furong. Chu Dongmei has separated from Tian Lei after entering the cave. She went to explore on her own.

Zhu Furong nodded while sticking close to the cave walls.

"Tch!" Tian Lei clicked her tongue, puckering her brows. She pulled Zhu Furong next to her. "Are you even listening to me?" "I said stay close to me. Why are you sticking close to the walls? What if you trigger some sort of trap? Idiot." "If you weren't Tian Su's friend, I would have kicked your butt." Tian Lei whispered while gnashing her teeth.

"S-S-Sorry Senior Sister. My mistake." Zhu Furong apologized meekly.

"Well I wanted to look at it for a bit longer, but I have gotten the general idea of what this place is. Just a few more points to take note of before I can be one hundred percent sure." Zhu Xingzuo spoke.

"What did you find?" Zhu Furong asked curiously.

"Humph! I am not telling you before I am hundred percent sure. You never let go of any chances to make fun of me." Zhu Xingzuo complained.

Zhu Furong slightly blushed, feeling embarrassed.

"You are my little brother. Who will I bully if not you?" Zhu Furong spoke shamelessly.

"Bully your dad you bastard. I never asked to be your little brother, you forced me." "I work my ass off to help you all the time and what I receive in return is not your gratitude but mocking and taunting. Where is the justice in this? Ptui!" Zhu Xingzuo spat with disdain.

"Er..." Zhu Furong is lost for words.

...

After entering the cave, the group has walked quite a long distance, the path till now has been kind of zig-zag without any sharp turns. The shape of the tunnel is circular with some sort of runes written all over the walls. The printed runes are quite hard to see on the stone walls. Also the runes are not continuous, there are some places where it seems the runes have been erased.

The Sunlight Sect Elders who have come here before to explore the ruins have left some Light Orbs here and there on the floor for the disciples to get a clear vision inside the dark cave. These Light Orbs are created by the Array and Artifacts Pavilion which last for a month. These Light Orbs also mark the explored areas in a way.

"The Elders said the runes written on the walls are quite ancient and there are no records of it. Even the Elders don't know what these runes say." "I even heard that the Sect Master himself participated in deciphering the runes but failed." "How mysterious." "I am sure that these are some sort of ancient Cultivation techniques." Lin Kai spoke while touching the walls with glittering eyes.

"Humph!... Even the Sect Master failed to decipher these runes and you think you can do it? Stop wasting time and get going." Xidi Junjie kicked Lin Kai's butt for him to lead the way.

Lin Kai grumbled while rubbing his butt leading the way.

After walking for a short period of time the group of four reached an intersection. The path divides in 3 ways like a broad cave and long tunnel.

Xidi Junjie took out a paper. "The left path leads to a dead end." "The right path leads to a deep pit where the Elders found a grade two Earth Flame." "The place has been already searched carefully so I don't think there's anything left for us. Let's move forward down the middle path." Xidi Junjie concluded and the four people moved forward.

Suddenly hearing about the Earth Flame, raised Zhu Furong's expectations quite high. He started to look forward to the exploration now.

The tunnel became wider after the intersection and there are still slightly visible runes on the walls.

Walking further, the group discovered some cave rooms. Some small to only fit one person, some big enough to fit 10 people. But they didn't find anything valuable.

Soon the group reached another intersection. The path again splits to three.

"From here on there are a few more intersections similar to these." "We should split up to make the exploration more efficient." Xidi Junjie suggested.

Lin Kai nodded.

"Understood." Tian Lei agreed.

No one asked Zhu Furong for his opinion and Zhu Furong didn't mind.

"Ok, then I will go this way." Xidi Junjie pointed to the right path. "You guys can decide which way you will go." "But I warn you, don't follow me. I don't want to share my credits." Xidi Junjie spoke with a serious look.

"Ok, then I will take the left path." Lin Kai instantly replied.

This only left the middle path, which leads deeper into the cave. The group split up, leaving Tian Lei and Zhu Furong behind.

"Let's go." Tina Lei gestured to Zhu Furong to follow and the two walked the middle path carefully.

The duo reached another intersection which split into two paths. Both went the right path together to explore.

The cave this time becomes narrower as you go deeper and it also seems to curve downwards in somewhat of a circular manner.

The duo didn't find much except a few low grade Spirit Crystals.

They walked back and moved to the next intersection through the middle path. This time the walls near the path's entrance have some sort of marks left by the sword.

"Guess, Xidi Junjie and Lin Kai have already taken the left and right paths here." "We should move ahead to the next intersection." Tian Lei didn't waste any time and walked forward the middle path.

After exploring the cave tunnel, going through four more intersections, Tian Lei and Zhu Furong didn't find anything special. Though they found few unexplored or hidden rooms with some herbs which grow in the dark, they are all grade one herbs which can be used for rank one pills.

Xidi Junjie and Lin Kai also found some unexplored places but they too didn't find anything valuable.

The exploration continued with more people reaching deep inside the cave.

Even the least valuable treasures can sometimes spark conflicts, it's inevitable. There were a few skirmishes going here and there.

The ruin is quite large in size. It's like a huge labyrinth. Exploring half of it took half of the day. It's already dark outside. It's quite late in the night.

After having a conflict with Xidi Junjie and Lin Kai over an unexpected discovery of high grade Spirit Crystals, Tian Lei and Zhu Furong chose a side tunnel to take some rest while eating their rations.

Surprisingly, Chu Dongmei joined Tian Lei out of nowhere. Before Zhu Furong could notice her, she was already enjoying her meal sitting alongside Tian Lei.

Tap! Tap! Tap!...

With the sound of footsteps, Xidi Junjie and Lin Kai appeared.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Ah, for Sister Chu to be here of all places. And I was wondering where you went." "How is it Sister Chu? Did you find any treasures?" Xidi Junjie asked with a smile.

Chu Dongmei didn't answer but Tian Lei spoke with her eyes half closed. "What are you doing here? Didn't you see my mark at the entrance of the path? Shamelessly walking here to disturb our rest."

Xidi Junjie didn't flinch. "I saw the mark that's why I walked inside. Aren't we on the same team? What's wrong with me joining my team?" Xidi Junjie retorted.

"Team?" Tian Lei raised one eyebrow. "Where was this word 'team' when Junior Brother Zuo found that hidden room with high grade Spirit Crystals?" "You shamelessly pocketed all of it saying you are the group leader and now you are here to show off?" Tian Lei gritted her teeth.

"I didn't say anything wrong, did I? It's true that I am appointed as the leader for this whole expedition. And I am also a leader of our sub group team. And it's not like I am going to keep all those Spirit Crystals to myself. In the end, it will be all going to the sect." Xidi Junjie spoke without hesitation.

"And you will get aaaaall the credits for it~. What about Junior Brother Zuo? What will he get?" Tian Lei asked sarcastically. "And who knows if you won't be keeping some for yourself. There were about 96 pieces of high grade Spirit Crystals. Even if you hid 10 of them no one is going to find out. Humph!" Tian Lei rebuked.

Xidi Junjie shrugged his shoulders. "It cannot be helped. I am just performing my duty." "Also, I gave Zuo Rong 5 high grade Spirit Crystals. Those are worth enough credits. For someone like him, it will take more than a year to spend all those credits." Xidi Junjie smiled wickedly at Zhu Furong sitting at the side chewing dried jerky. Lin Kai, standing beside Xidi Junjie showed greed in his eyes looking at Zhu Furong, though he hid it quite well from the eyes of others.

"How many disciples in our sect have ever even seen a high grade Spirit Crystal? I don't think there are more than 50 people. It is quite lucky for Zuo Rong to find the Spirit Crystals but handing those over to Young Master Xidi is the right thing to do. Keeping it all for himself with that puny Cultivation of his will only bring disaster for himself." Lin Kai spoke in a wise tone.

"Shameless. If it's for his protection, why don't you let me keep those for him?" Tian Lei instantly cursed.

Xidi Junjie ignored Tian Lei and patted Lin Kai's shoulder. "Lin Kai is speaking the truth. If someone like Zuo Rong is found to be holding so many Spirit Crystals, it will definitely arouse the greed of other disciples. It will be tough to say if Zuo Rong can even leave these ruins unscathed." "You can say, I am doing Zuo Rong a favor. Saving him from unwanted troubles." Xidi Junjie showed a concerned look at the same time he hinted at his ulterior motives.

"Fucking hypocrite." Tian Lei spat with disgust.

Xidi Junjie frowned. "Hey, show some respect, will you? Even though I am a disciple of the Sunlight Sect it doesn't change the fact that I am also a prince of a Kingdom. My status is enough to make commoners like you prostrate before me." "Also, why are you flaming up when the main person involved is quietly sitting over there?" "Are you his mother?" Xidi Junjie pointed at Zhu Furong. "I am benevolent enough to overlook your impudent behavior but you shouldn't cross the line." Xidi Junjie warned.

"Are you really talking about that?" Tian Lei looked surprised. "Hehehe… You may be a prince in your kingdom. But here in the Sunlight Sect you are just another disciple. Even if I slap you on the face, it won't be lese-majesty. There won't be any Royal Guards to guard your ass here." "If you don't believe me, you can give it a try." Tian Lei taunted while rubbing her palms, threatening.

"Also, Zuo Rong is my junior disciple, as his senior it is my duty to look for any injustice he faces." Tian Lei squinted at Xidi Junjie. "Didn't your Master teach you that a Sect is like a family and we should look after each other? Especially when we are outside the sect?" "Oh wait!" She acted like she came to a realization. "Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" She clicked her tongue, slowly shaking her head. She looked into Xidi Junjie's eyes. "Your Master is quite unfortunate to have a moron for a disciple. To think his teachings enters your one ear and goes out from the other... Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Sigh!..." Tian Lei showed a concerned look.

"You..." Xidi Junjie pointed his finger at Tian Lei, shaking with rage. He took several deep breaths to calm himself down. "Huh! It would be bringing disgrace upon myself to drop to your level. Peasants will always be peasants, fighting with their vulgar mouths." Xidi Junjie bobbed his hand in contempt.

"Narcissists will also always be narcissists no matter what." "Always keeping their nose in the air." "Watch out for the wind that may fill your nostrils and blow you away. Humph!" Tian Lei mocked.

Xidi Junjie didn't answer and just turned his head to the side with a humph. Ignoring Tian Lei's taunting.

Tian Lei didn't let him go. Still itching for a fight.

"Why are you still standing here? Don't tell me you want to steal our food too." "Is there also a rule where we have to hand over our rations to the expedition leader because he can't even afford his own food?" Tian Lei asked, blinking her eyes innocently.

Xidi Junjie almost spat blood after hearing this.

He glared at Tian Lei before stomping his feet, then left. Lin Kai followed behind him.

"A skunk of a man. Even if you kick him out, the air in the room has already been filled with unpleasant smell. Ruined the whole taste of my food." Xidi Junjie clearly heard Tian Lei mocking him from behind. Making him even more furious.

"This bitch! Watch what I do to you one of these coming days." Xidi Junjie gritted his teeth with rage.

Chu Dongmei couldn't help but shake her head. 'It's always like this whenever these two meet each other. They will always look for a chance to get on each other's throat.'

She took a glimpse at Zhu Furong who was just silently enjoying his food. 'This man too is a specimen of his own. Someone insulted him and he didn't even bother to fight back. Making a woman fight for him. Men like him with no backbone can't go much further in Cultivation.' She sighed. 'I don't know what Master saw in him to even spend her personal savings to buy him those expensive materials. Does he even know how to use them? Such a waste.' Chu Dongmei again shook her head with disappointed thoughts.

On the other side Tian Lei was still cursing Xidi Junjie.

"Such a self-centered narcissistic man. Asking for respect when he himself doesn't show any respect to others." "Me aside, he doesn't even call you a 'Senior' when he is a direct disciple and you are a core disciple of the sect." Tian Lei complained to Chu Dongmei while gobbling an apple.

"You are also not an innocent woman." Chu Dongmei tapped Tian Lei's nose. "You know what kind of a person Xidi Junjie is, still you always try to pick a fight with him."

"I can't help it. He rubs me the wrong way. Also..." Tian Lei looked at Chu Dongmei with eyes full of concern.

Chu Dongmei smiled gently. She took out her handkerchief and cleaned Tian Lei's mouth. "You worry unnecessarily." "There are no such problems anymore. Do you think my Master will agree to such a marriage? She would kill anyone who tries to lay their hands on her dear disciple." Chu Dongmei spoke while caressing Tian Lei's head.

"But last time, didn't Xidi Junjie force your parents to hold an engagement ceremony? Things got quite heated back then." Tian Lei couldn't help but worry for her sister disciple.

Chu Dongmei sighed. "He just took advantage of my father being a servant of the government of the Xidi Kingdom." She smiled gently. "But don't worry. Master personally paid the King a visit and warned him to stay away from her disciple." "If I remember correctly she also massacred a few officials on the spot. You should have seen the King's face." Chu Dongmei giggled silently.

"Woah... I didn't hear this part before, why didn't you tell me? If I knew, I wouldn't have to hold my fists whenever I see Xidi Junjie's face. I always hold back thinking he may do something to you or your parents." Tian Lei made a cute fist, air boxing.

"Ehem!... Senior Sister's I am done with my meal." "Since you two are busy, I will go ahead myself to explore the ruins." Zhu Furong cupped his hands and bowed before leaving with hurried steps. Leaving the girls with a red face.

"Sheesh… I forgot he was still here." Tian Lei stuck her tongue out and winked one eye.

Chu Dongmei also couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "He should have left much earlier if he wants to act considerate, humph!" Chu Dongmei doesn't seem to have a good impression of Zhu Furong.

Zhu Furong too himself was feeling awkward after hearing the 'girls talk'. 'You girls should check your surroundings before talking about such sensitive topics.' Zhu Furong complained in his mind. He rushed out of the tunnel and walked the middle path going further deep.

"This man doesn't have any backbone. Hope he doesn't fall victim to someone in these ruins." Chu Dongmei muttered while watching Zhu Furong leave.

"You don't have to worry about that. There's no way my cousin's best friend is a wimp." Tian Lei spoke with a loaf of bread in her mouth.

She drank some milk and wiped her mouth. "Didn't you see, he didn't even frown while hearing those insults. There is no way a normal person wouldn't react when someone speaks about them."

Hearing this, Chu Dongmei couldn't help but contemplate. She couldn't come to any conclusions for now.

"You really like your cousin very much." Chu Dongmei pressed Tian Lei's forehead with a finger.

Tian Lei instantly blushed. "It's not like that. We have been close since our childhood. We used to always play together." She spoke in a soft voice then instantly started biting an apple to hide her embarrassment.

"You eat quite a lot as always. Watch out else you will get fat in no time." Chu Dongmei pulled Tian Lei's cheek. "Here, this is a spirit fruit I got from Master a few days ago. You can have this. It will be quite beneficial for your Cultivation." Chu Dongmei took out an orange coloured peach sized fruit and put it on Tian Lei's hand.

"Ah, Sister, no way. This is too much. I know how expensive these spirit fruits are and how hard they are to find. You should keep it for yourself. I can't take it." Tian Lei instantly pushed back the fruit to Chu Dongmei, flustered.

Chu Dongmei glared at Tian Lei angrily. "Either you take it or I will throw it away. Anyway I have enough fruits stored for myself. Take it."

Tian Lei couldn't say no to Chu Dongmei's persistence. "Since you have some saved for yourself. I will take this." She spoke meekly while accepting the fruit.

Spirit Fruits, unlike Spiritual Beasts, are indeed quite rare in lower realms. They have purer Spiritual Qi compared to Spiritual Beast's meat and core. Though less in amount.