Chapter Thirty-Seven: Setting Up Camp

Xuan Tiangang’s face was dark as he reminded them, “There’s something you must keep in mind! Only when the Heart Lotus is fully mature can we enter. Otherwise, we’ll disturb its maturation. Let’s go—find a place to set up camp!” With these words, Xuan Tiangang turned and walked toward the group.

Watching his retreating figure, Tang Ze let out a faint snort. “Let’s go too. We’ll find a spot to rest for now.” The group stopped on a hillside opposite the Den of Ten Thousand Demons. Xing Kai waved his hand to the others. “We’ll set up camp here. When the Heart Lotus matures, we’ll be able to enter at the first possible moment.”

Tang Ze hurried to the tent where Yao Ye was resting. Looking at the boy, still lost in a deep sleep, he asked Liu Xin, “How is Yao Ye?”

Liu Xin glanced up at Tang Ze. “I’m not sure. The energy inside him has stabilized, but for some reason, he hasn’t woken up yet.”

Seeing Liu Xin’s pale face, Tang Ze couldn’t help but urge her, “Don’t worry too much, Liu Xin. Yao Ye will be fine. You need to take care of yourself. Look at you—your face is so pale! If you collapse before he wakes up, what good will that do?”

Liu Xin smiled softly. “I’m all right, Vice Dean. Go and see to your other duties. Yao Ye’s out of immediate danger now. Let him rest a while longer.”

“Good. Keep a close eye on that rascal! I have to admit, I’m rather fond of his temper.” Gazing at the sleeping Yao Ye, Tang Ze couldn’t help but laugh. He left the tent and, seeing Xiaoxiao standing outside, came to a stop.

“Xiaoxiao, when Peng Lei and the others return, send them to see me.”

“All right, Grandpa Tang. Go ahead, I’ll check in on Yao Ye.” With that, Xiaoxiao slipped into the tent.

Inside, Yao Ye’s mind was anything but calm. “Elder Ding, what’s happening? The energy from my demon core’s star keeps leaking out, as if there’s a funnel. No matter how I try to gather spiritual energy, I can’t store it in the core!”

The demon core was Yao Ye’s foundation. Now that something was wrong with it, he began to panic. Elder Ding, faced with Yao Ye’s question, was equally baffled. “I don’t know what’s going on with you either. This shouldn’t be possible. If you can’t stop the energy from leaking, you’ll be crippled. What’s strange is that the energy keeps condensing within the range of your demon core.”

Yao Ye gritted his teeth. “Fine! I want to see just how much energy it can gather.” He desperately absorbed the spiritual energy of the world outside.

“Little Brother, how are you feeling?” In the distance, a shout rang out. Xiaoxiao hurried outside.

“Zhao Mu, why are you shouting? Don’t you know Little Brother is in a coma?”

Peng Lei stepped forward and asked, “Is Yao Ye all right? Was he badly hurt?”

Xiaoxiao brushed back her hair. “The energy inside him is stable. He didn’t suffer any internal injuries, but I’m curious why he still hasn’t woken up. By the way, Senior Brother, Grandpa Tang asked you to see him when you got back.”

“Alright, Xiaoxiao, we’ll go now and come back later. Please take care of Yao Ye for us.”

Xiaoxiao waved her hand. “Go on, go on! Liu Xin and I will manage things here.”

The two made their way to Tang Ze’s tent. As they arrived, Tang Ze called out, “Come in. I’ve been waiting for you two.” Peng Lei and Zhao Mu entered and saw Hong Tao and Ling Yun already there. They hurried forward and saluted.

Tang Ze waved a hand and asked, “Are the civilians safe?”

Peng Lei stepped forward and bowed. “Zhao Mu and I escorted them to the town and gathered some funds for them. They should be all right now.”

“Good. Ling Yun, tell me what happened. I told you to protect them from the shadows—how did they end up in danger?”

Ling Yun rushed to explain. “Dean, I discovered someone secretly watching Peng Lei and the others. Their strength was on par with mine. I went to investigate and was discovered. We fought, and I was tied up, unable to break free. It seemed his only goal was to keep me occupied. I don’t know which faction he was from among our people.”

Tang Ze frowned. “Enough. Be extra careful from now on—keep Peng Lei and the others safe. And Ling Yun, this time your priority is to guard Yao Ye from the shadows. Don’t let any harm come to him. No matter who it is, you stay by the tent and don’t leave, understood?”

“Yes, Vice Dean, I understand.” Ling Yun accepted the order and headed toward Yao Ye’s tent.

“All right, it’s been a long day. Everyone, get some rest. I’ll take the night watch tonight.”

Peng Lei opened his mouth to protest, but Tang Ze cut him off. “No arguments! I’ll stand watch. That’s final. Dismissed!”