The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

Zhao Xing activated the wind, accelerating the six straw puppets as they rushed into the mountain cave.

At the same time, more than a dozen other straw puppets were crouched according to the pre-set retreat route.

"Faster, find it quickly."

Zhao Xing's heartbeat quickened, and his breathing grew rapid.

Even though he was merely controlling the straw puppets, he felt a surge of excitement, as if he was on the verge of finding a rare treasure.

Yet reason still held sway: "Treasures are enchanting, but I must act quickly. The mountain cat is highly agile. I must find it within fifteen minutes."

"Within fifteen minutes, retreat is mandatory! No matter how many treasures there are, do not linger!"

Zhao Xing repeatedly reminded himself of this rule.

As the straw puppets delved deeper, he sensed that there was more than one treasure in the cave!

Upon going further in, the cave branched into four paths, each with a strong allure.

"Split up!"

Zhao Xing immediately directed the straw puppets to enter the four different paths.

The cave was dimly lit, and the straw puppets stumbled forward, but Zhao Xing instructed them to crawl on their hands and knees, which increased their speed.

"Thud!"

Soon, the sensation from the first straw puppet caused Zhao Xing's heartbeat to race.

At the end of one path, there was a complete skeleton, almost identical to the one Zhao Xing had seen before.

Between its ribs was a fist-sized purple stone.

The stone emitted electric sparks, and the ribs holding it were charred black.

"Swipe~"

The straw puppet went to grab the purple stone, and smoke soon began to rise from its hands.

Fortunately, this was a mighty vajra straw puppet; if it had been made from green vines, it might not have been able to retrieve it.

"Return!" Zhao Xing ordered the mighty vajra straw puppet immediately.

The puppet returned smoothly along the path it had taken.

It emerged from the cave entrance, where a second straw puppet was waiting.

The swift straw puppet grabbed the mighty vajra straw puppet and accelerated it.

There was no time to check.

The second straw puppet had made a discovery.

At the end of its path, in a dry, spherical cave, there was a stone platform illuminated by daylight.

On it floated a thin yellow paper.

The second straw puppet quickly retrieved the yellow paper.

"Return!"

Zhao Xing felt a surge of excitement.

That was the second item!

Not long after the second straw puppet returned, Zhao Xing's fortune flared up for the third time.

The other two paths also yielded discoveries!

In the third path, the straw puppet found a spring with pulsating vital energy. The entire spring was surrounded by仙气 (immortal aura), which was quite extraordinary.

There were four blue lotus flowers on it, one fully bloomed, while the other three were still in bud.

The straw puppet reached out to pluck it, but its hands were soon covered with a layer of ice mist. Even though the speed was sufficient, by the time it pulled off the lotus pod, the right hand had been frozen stiff and lost mobility, so it could only hold it in the left hand.

In the fourth path, the straw puppet discovered a shimmering, glowing cup in a den piled with furs!

"This cup?!"

Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat, recognizing it as one of the rare phenomena he had seen before entering the mountains!

It was an incredible stroke of luck; all four paths had yielded treasures!

However, Zhao Xing became increasingly anxious.

Fortune tends to follow a pattern of three positive triggers before declining.

It was still too early to celebrate; he might not be able to bring everything out!

"Hiss!"

At this moment, a furious roar echoed from a distance.

The mountain cat had reappeared within a three-mile radius and was detected by Zhao Xing.

"It's coming back. I should leave too."

Zhao Xing immediately strapped the Wen Bamboo Box to his back and jumped onto the swift straw puppet's back.

"This mountain cat, even as a cub, is already at a high grade. It seems to have been nurtured by the spiritual mountain. Otherwise, a normal mountain cat bloodline wouldn't be so formidable."

Sensing the approaching mountain cat, Zhao Xing knew he might not be able to bring out the lotus and the golden cup.

The mountain cat was nearing return, but the straw puppets carrying the lotus and the cup had just exited the cave.

"I must abandon one of them; otherwise, I won't be able to get either. Which one will it prioritize?"

Zhao Xing activated the Night Vision technique to observe the mountain cat's path.

He discovered that it was heading towards the straw puppet with the golden cup.

"Run in the opposite direction with the golden cup!"

Zhao Xing decisively ordered, using immense willpower to suppress his reluctance.

The straw puppet holding the golden cup hurled it forward.

At the landing spot of the cup, another ambushing straw puppet jumped up, caught it, and immediately threw it to the third spot without hesitation.

Running, the mountain cat couldn't keep up, but the mighty vajra straw puppet's throws made it much faster.

The mountain cat struggled to catch up.

The golden cup reached the final straw puppet, which was now three miles away from Zhao Xing, and the final straw puppet stood before a cliff.

"Throw it!"

The straw puppet hurled the golden cup forward.

At this moment, the mountain cat roared and disappeared from view.

The next second, the mighty vajra straw puppet's body was pierced by a large hole, as if struck by lightning.

The golden cup was still thrown.

The mountain cat roared in fury, leaping off the cliff, catching the golden cup, stepping on air briefly, and then returning to the top of the cliff.

"You're impressive. I'm done with it."

Zhao Xing observed this scene and couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

It turned out to be a martial arts cat.

In the end, it used a body technique!

"But these three treasures belong to me."

Zhao Xing smiled slightly and pointed to the sky.

Dense clouds churned, and thunder roared.

Ice rain enveloped the cliff, and a cold wind blew.

Zhao Xing then withdrew calmly.

Where is the safest place to climb the mountain?

Of course, it's the Tian Tan Plaza at the peak of East Lake Mountain.

To avoid the mountain cat's pursuit.

The swift straw puppet raced with Zhao Xing to the summit.

The Tian Tan Plaza was now in sight.

"Who's there?"

"Eh, why are there so many straw puppets coming up?"

"Hm? What's going on? Why is my heart suddenly pounding?"

"Damn, it's the spiritual essence! Those straw puppets are hiding the spiritual essence!"

"Heavens, what a strong response. Is it mid-grade or high-grade spiritual essence?!"

Climbers around the plaza, who had been resting, all stood up, gazing in one direction.

When Zhao Xing reached the summit, everyone sensed the presence of the spiritual essence he carried.

Countless scrutinizing eyes turned toward him with ill intentions.

A streak of light shot from a large tree outside the Tian Tan Plaza, heading straight for Zhao Xing.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

Three arrows shot into the golden bamboo body, piercing three inches into the chest but not penetrating.

As the arrow attack ended.

A voice sounded in Zhao Xing's ear: "Friend, the spiritual essence you carry is destined for us. Please stay!"

Zhao Xing instinctively slowed his pace, but the next moment, he coldly snorted and broke free.

"Little brother, quickly put down the spiritual essence, or you'll be cursed by karma!"

A gentle voice came from the front, and the three swift straw puppets immediately burst into flames.

"Those who block me will die!"

Zhao Xing roared, and a fierce cold wind suddenly swept from the ground, accompanied by the sound that seemed to penetrate the soul, making all observers shiver.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Zhao Xing was flung by the mighty vajra straw puppet, leaping directly into the Tian Tan Plaza.

In the center of the plaza was a sundial, its hand pointing precisely to the Hour of the Dog.

The dial was engraved with the words "Cease Hostilities," indicating that combat was prohibited within the plaza from this moment on.

"Whew~ The timing was perfect." Zhao Xing sighed in relief.