Chapter 742: Unlike Some People Who Only Brag

"He Dan Sheng, didn't you just say you'd handle it? Is this how you guarantee it?" Ying Tianya said with a dark expression.

Earlier, He Shuming had hiked up the price, and Ying Tianya had endured it just to get in.

But in the end, this guy had puffed out his chest with confidence, only to bring trouble upon himself. How could Ying Tianya be in a good mood?

He Shuming looked embarrassed but retorted stubbornly, "My method of breaking the formation was clearly correct, so why did this happen? Could it be that opening the door isn't about breaking the formation at all?"

Hearing this, Ying Tianya couldn't help but frown.

He knew He Shuming's abilities well; he shouldn't be speaking recklessly, especially since he had been injured himself just now.

Playing such tricks would do him no good.

Could it really be that this wasn't the way into the ancient cave dwelling?

"How about I give it a try?" Ye Yuan suddenly spoke up.

Ying Tianya was slightly surprised. "You? Master Ye also understands formations?"

Ye Yuan smiled. "I know a thing or two."

"Forget it. I had already cracked the formation just now; these stone pillars are just a decoy. Kid, don't make things worse. Do you want a repeat of what happened earlier?" He Shuming interjected.

He Shuming said this with his own agenda in mind.

On one hand, he truly believed he had broken the formation, but it hadn't yielded the desired result.

On the other hand, he was somewhat afraid of Ye Yuan, worried that he might actually succeed.

After the previous two incidents, He Shuming had become very wary of Ye Yuan. He always felt Ye Yuan was strangely unpredictable; who knew if he really understood formations?

Sure enough, He Shuming's words made Ying Tianya hesitate.

The arrows just now were formidable but still manageable. If something worse came, they might all perish here.

This ancient cave dwelling was clearly no benevolent place; otherwise, it wouldn't have so many traps before even entering.

Ye Yuan glanced at He Shuming indifferently and said, "Breaking the formation? You really have a big mouth! You made a mistake from the very first step, yet you think you've cracked it. To be so ignorant is quite an achievement!"

He Shuming's expression changed, but he insisted, "Hey, you say it's wrong just because you say so? Kid, don't pretend to know what you don't! This formation must be an ancient one. Even if you do understand formations, how could you see through its mysteries at a glance?"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "Is that so? The first stone pillar you pressed was a trap. It's not hard to distinguish; just look closely."

He Shuming's gaze turned back to the stone pillars.

After studying them for a moment, a look of sudden realization dawned on his face. But he quickly caught himself and concealed his expression.

It was too late, though. Ying Tianya, being who he was, had already noticed the change in He Shuming's face.

Ying Tianya snorted coldly, ignoring He Shuming, and cupped his hands to Ye Yuan. "Master Ye, please trouble yourself to break this formation."

Ye Yuan nodded slightly and leaped directly into the stone pillars.

Unlike He Shuming's hesitant steps, Ye Yuan was already familiar with the formation, so he moved without pause, pressing down each stone pillar in sequence.

Seeing Ye Yuan's actions, He Shuming's eyes narrowed, and he slapped his thigh. "Ah, why didn't I think of that? So that's how it is!"

As he spoke, He Shuming suddenly felt Ying Tianya's gaze and said sullenly, "This kid must have seen through the trick after watching me break the formation! City Lord, don't be fooled by him!"

"Heh, He Shuming, only today did I realize that the word 'shameless' was invented for you. When you pressed the first stone pillar, Ye Yuan said you were wrong. That means he had already cracked the formation. Yet you still try to take credit—truly the height of shamelessness!" Jun Tianyu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke with a laugh.

Just as He Shuming was about to retort, a creaking sound was heard as Ye Yuan pressed the last stone pillar.

"Rumble!"

The originally bare cliff face began to crack, forming the shape of a massive door!

And this door was slowly opening.

This formation was indeed the key to opening the ancient cave dwelling!

"Haha, Master Ye is truly remarkable! Unlike some people who only brag!"

Ying Tianya was also quite displeased with He Shuming, but he held back from turning hostile, as he might still need his help later.

Looking back now, He Shuming was clearly a half-baked expert who talked big but couldn't deliver, and even hiked up his price.

In contrast, Ye Yuan had already understood the formation of the stone pillars but never mentioned any reward.

The contrast between the two was stark.

He Shuming, having spent too long in the merchant guild, reeked of money and was utterly repulsive.

He Shuming's face darkened, and he remained silent, but his hatred for Ye Yuan deepened to the bone.

"If there's a chance inside this ancient cave dwelling, I must kill that kid!" He Shuming transmitted to his companion.

"Understood!" the Heaven Enlightenment realm expert replied.

"Since the entrance to the ancient cave dwelling is open, let's not delay and go in immediately!"

Ying Tianya, clearly anxious to rescue someone, was ready to enter at once.

"Wait!" Ye Yuan said in a low voice.

"Hmm? Master Ye, is something wrong?" Ying Tianya asked curiously.

"Someone is spying on us from the shadows!" Ye Yuan said.

Ying Tianya was startled and looked around. They had been here for a while, yet he hadn't noticed anyone spying!

"Haha, Ying Tianya, why didn't you say hello when you came to my territory? We're all old friends; you should let me play the host!"

As the voice sounded, a dozen figures leaped out, surrounding Ying Tianya and his group.

Seeing the newcomers, Ying Tianya's face darkened. "Pei Wenqiang, what do you mean by this?"

Pei Wenqiang looked at Ying Tianya with amusement and smiled. "Ying Tianya, shouldn't I be the one asking that? Coming to my territory with ill intentions—as the city lord of Qingwan City, shouldn't I investigate?"

Ying Tianya sneered. "Heh, investigate? You were lurking in the shadows, probably up to no good, right?"

Pei Wenqiang laughed heartily. "Haha... If not for you leading the way, I wouldn't have known there was a secret cave dwelling on my own turf! And you've even opened the door for me—much obliged!"

Pei Wenqiang suddenly looked at Ye Yuan and said, "A mere Spirit Travel realm kid, not only able to crack a formation that a seventh-rank formation master couldn't, but also able to detect us who took aura-concealing pills—quite impressive!"