Chapter 1005: Chapter 526: Conspiracy in the Dark (Part 2) "Brother Sheng, don’t worry, when it comes to life-threatening matters, we won’t be careless." After hearing their assurance, Gu Sheng nodded and led everyone further up. Close to nightfall, Gu Sheng checked the road ahead and suddenly stopped. "We’re not moving tonight; we’ll rest here." "Brother Sheng, it’s not dark yet. Are we resting too early?" "It’s not early. There are a lot of loose stones above. If there are other teams, moving forward could be deadly. It’s safer here." Understanding his meaning, everyone immediately retreated. After stepping back a few steps, Shi Lou noticed something was off behind them. Turning around and pushing, he discovered it was a cave. "Brother Sheng, there’s a cave here!" Upon hearing this, Er Gou nervously grabbed him. "Don’t poke your head inside recklessly. What if there are beasts inside?" "Are you foolish or am I foolish? Can’t I sense the aura? If it’s a beast’s cave, I would know as soon as I probe." With that, Shi Lou released a faint divine power, cautiously probing inside. Later, he sighed deeply in relief. "It’s fine; there aren’t any beasts inside. But for some reason, the aura inside is strange. Brother Sheng, why don’t you try?" Raising an eyebrow, Gu Sheng strode over. Already deciding to rest here, they had plenty of time to explore. After experiencing the incident with the clam, Gu Sheng was curious about every place here. After releasing a faint divine power, Gu Sheng pushed the divine power gradually inside. Nobody knew how far his power reached, but they saw his expression suddenly became rigid. Seeing his expression change, everyone grew tense, but Gu Sheng was still releasing divine power, so they dared not interrupt, only watching him eagerly. After a while, Gu Sheng recovered his divine power and exhaled a breath of stale air. Shi Lou eagerly asked, "Brother Sheng, did you sense the strange aura inside?" "I felt it." "Really? Can you tell what it is?" "It seems to be Purple Spiritual Grass." Upon hearing this, Shi Lou’s eyes almost popped out. "Brother Sheng, you’re saying there’s Purple Spiritual Grass in this cave? The kind that cures all diseases and preserves youth?" "Purple Spiritual Grass doesn’t cure all diseases; it only protects your meridians at any time. But the preservation of youth is true." "Protecting meridians at any time, isn’t that life-saving medicine? It’s rumored to be miraculous, but I’ve never seen it. Brother Sheng, can we go in and take a look?" "Alright, let’s go in and see. If it’s really Purple Spiritual Grass, this trip won’t be in vain." Everyone thought the same, instantly getting excited. It’s said that the effects of Purple Spiritual Grass are more than ten times stronger than Fire Red Flower. They’ve personally experienced the effects of Fire Red Flower and were already amazed. If they could obtain Purple Spiritual Grass, it’d be perfect! With that thought, everyone couldn’t wait to crawl inside. "Brother Sheng, are we really staying here for the night, not moving on?" "Yes, it’s not early. It’s not safe above. If stones fall, some might get crushed." "Alright, with the whole night, I feel much more at ease." They strode inside, the cave pitch black. Gu Sheng took out a Luminous Pearl to light the way, and everyone proceeded forward through the cave. After walking for an indeterminate distance, Gu Sheng suddenly heard a hissing sound. Seeing Er Gou still heading in, he blocked the light from the Luminous Pearl and whispered, "Er Gou, come to the back. I’ll lead the way." Er Gou didn’t know what was happening but knew Gu Sheng wouldn’t say this for no reason, so he quickly gave up his spot, hurrying to the back. Gu Sheng led at the front, his pace noticeably slower than before. After rounding a bend, he suddenly raised his hand to stop everyone behind him. Shi Lou peered past his arm but saw nothing, puzzled. "Brother Sheng, there’s nothing ahead. Did you sense something?" "There’s a python ahead, at the lowest point of the right wall, black, tightly pressed against it." At Gu Sheng’s words, Shi Lou felt his scalp tingle, his hair standing on end. He looked again and finally noticed something unusual. "Brother Sheng, I see it. What should we do? Continue?" "Underneath the python are all Purple Spiritual Grass." Gu Sheng didn’t say directly whether to continue but informed everyone about the Purple Spiritual Grass under the python. Upon hearing this, they glanced at each other, and finally Huang Shan spoke up, "Brother Sheng, since there’s Purple Spiritual Grass, we should go for it." "What does everyone else think?" "Brother Sheng, we think the same as Huang Shan!" "Alright, let’s go for it." Having decided, Gu Sheng directly took out the Fire Spirit Dagger, inching towards the black python. The black python seemed to sense human presence, moving slowly, raising its head, its eyes gleaming like Luminous Pearls. Gu Sheng paused his steps, raising his hand to stop those behind him. "Don’t act impulsively. Wait for me here." Hearing this, Shi Lou grabbed him. "Brother Sheng, this python seems powerful. I’m afraid you can’t handle it alone. Let’s go together." "No, this space is already narrow. If we fight, it’ll be easy to hurt each other. I’ll face it, you watch for an opportunity." With that, Gu Sheng pushed his hand away and continued alone. As he continued advancing, the python started flicking its tongue. Knowing its slight spiritual intuition, Gu Sheng moved the Fire Spirit Dagger to his back. "We mean no harm, only coming for the Purple Spiritual Grass. If you allow the Purple Spiritual Grass, I promise not to harm you." Upon Gu Sheng finishing, the python showed no intention of withdrawing but kept staring at him, though Gu Sheng felt its hostility lessened. Swallowing hard, Gu Sheng thought for a moment and took out the Luminous Pearl. This place was dark, and the python’s eyes were overly bright, causing his eyes pain. Without some light, he might go blind before making a move. As Gu Sheng gradually adapted to the light, he unexpectedly found the python staring intently at the Luminous Pearl in his hand. Though finding nothing special in the Luminous Pearl, seeing the python’s gaze, Gu Sheng offered it forward. "Do you... like the Luminous Pearl?" The python looked at him, instantly dissipating its hostility. Sensing this, Gu Sheng felt very pleased. "If you like it, I can trade the Luminous Pearl for the Purple Spiritual Grass." However, the python seemed dissatisfied, its huge body contracting, covering all the Purple Spiritual Grass beneath. Gu Sheng felt a headache, continuing his persuasion. No matter how much he said, the python remained unresponsive. Though it often looked at the Luminous Pearl, its enthusiasm wasn’t the same. Gu Sheng spoke until his mouth went dry, utterly unable to find more reasons, helplessly taking out another Luminous Pearl from the storage ring. The moment two Luminous Pearls appeared, the python jumped up, its eyes radiating light equal to the Luminous Pearls. Seeing this, Gu Sheng cautiously retreated a bit. "If I give you both Luminous Pearls, would you give me the Purple Spiritual Grass?" Though unable to speak, the python understood Gu Sheng, moving its massive body, actually revealing the Purple Spiritual Grass! Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up but didn’t dare move forward, confirming, "Are you sure you want to trade with me?" The python moved aside, its intention clear. Gu Sheng gritted his teeth, in a gesture of sincerity, first throwing the two Luminous Pearls over.