Chapter 74: Hidden Area Discovered!

Chapter 74: Hidden Area Discovered!

Under Assam's lead, Cao Xing arrived at a two-meter-wide path next to Mount Tro.

This path was built right against the edge of Mount Tro, with a bottomless abyss beside it; one careless step would lead to a fall.

A system prompt appeared.

[Discovered Mount Tro Trade Route]

(This is a path carved out by Troglodytes in exchange for offerings from a group of merchants. When passing through, one must offer meat, or else face attacks from the Troglodytes.)

Cao Xing was amused. "Demanding meat just to pass through? These Troglodytes are basically bandits!"

However, because this was the only passage, those merchant chambers had no choice but to cross Mount Tro through here, and they had to abide by the rules.

Nive and the others had also likely come through here before.

Just then, Sarah suddenly appeared and reported, "Lord, I found traces of a campsite in a nearby forest."

Hearing this, Cao Xing's spirits lifted. "Lead us there."

He was just worrying about not finding any clues!

Sarah nodded.

Then, everyone followed Sarah into a forest, where there was an extinguished campfire and some destroyed tents.

The messy footprints nearby and several collapsed birch trees indicated that a battle had once taken place here.

Seeing this, Cao Xing ordered, "Search carefully and see if you can find any clues about Nive's sister."

Everyone began their search.

However, because of last night's heavy snow, many tracks had been covered.

They could only barely piece together the situation at the time based on the footprints on the ground.

A moment later, Andrew made a discovery.

He said in a calm tone, "Lord, there is a set of footprints here that seems to lead deep into the forest."

"However, there are too many footprints and they're too messy. I'm not sure if they belong to Nive's sister."

Hearing this, Cao Xing nodded. "It's fine. Let's follow these footprints and search first."

Andrew said no more, turning around to lead the way.

The group continued deeper.

However, these messy footprints seemed to stretch quite far.

Until they crossed the forest and arrived at a wide area.

This place seemed to be a cliff. Before they could walk far, a sheer drop blocked everyone's path.

"Stop!" Cao Xing made a hand gesture.

The cliff was bottomless and shrouded in mist, making it impossible to know what lay below.

The surrounding area was covered in footprints.

It was clear that Hilton and his group had also searched along these footprints and likely stopped here as well.

Assam said, "Lord, with a cliff this deep, unless they are a Tier 4 Expert-level powerhouse, no one could survive falling down."

Cao Xing nodded.

All the signs in front of them suggested that Nive's sister, Juliette, had likely fallen off the cliff and died here.

Hilton and the others thought so too, which was why they gave up the search.

However, Nive had told Cao Xing that she could sense her sister was still alive.

Cao Xing didn't know if the little girl was telling the truth, but as a member of the Tree Spirit Race, she might have some special sensory ability.

Thus, Cao Xing ordered:

"Keep searching nearby. Don't miss a single corner."

Hearing this, everyone began searching again.

Although none of them held much hope for this search.

The area near the cliff was completely bare, with nowhere to hide. If anyone were here, they would be spotted at a glance.

They quickly searched the surrounding area of several hundred meters, and everyone shook their heads in disappointment.

"Lord, I found nothing."

"Same here."

Assam and Sarah reported one after another.

Cao Xing sighed in disappointment.

Because this meant he couldn't find Juliette, and the quest would end in failure.

Beside him, Liu Muxue also looked worried.

Just then, the newly recruited archer, Renice, noticed something unusual.

"I feel a faint fluctuation of magic power nearby."

Cao Xing asked in confusion, "Magic power fluctuation?"

Renice didn't answer but directly activated her [Eye of the Hunt] skill.

At this moment, her pupils suddenly shifted colors, looking like a pair of true eagle eyes.

Her sharp gaze swept over every inch of the surroundings, finally stopping on a patch of grass.

Renice said directly, "There's something wrong with that patch of grass."

Cao Xing was taken aback. Following her gaze, he found it was just an ordinary heap of weeds.

"Uh, what's wrong with it?"

Renice replied, "It's a trap—a hunting trap set by Troglodytes. Wild animals are attracted by the scent on it and get caught."

Cao Xing's spirits lifted upon hearing this.

Wow, she actually found that. This new member really has some skills.

Still, the description of Renice's [Eye of the Hunt] mentioned it could see through illusions, so it made sense.

"Renice, you have eyes that rival the gods. Well done."

Cao Xing praised her casually.

Renice shook her head, her high ponytail swaying gently.

"You overpraise me, Lord."

Her expression was calm, but the corner of her mouth curved up slightly.

Just then, a system prompt appeared.

[Your territory member: Renice Hawkeye, was moved by your words. Her loyalty has increased. Current loyalty: 76]

Cao Xing was stunned. It was just a casual compliment, and he hadn't expected it to actually increase her affection.

Although it didn't increase by much—only 2 points—it was still good.

Cao Xing thought happily, 'Sure enough, women love to hear compliments. It seems I should praise my subordinates more when I get the chance.'

For Cao Xing, it was just a matter of lip service anyway.

"Assemble! Follow me."

Cao Xing immediately led his people toward that patch of grass.

Upon getting closer, a system prompt appeared before him.

[Troglodyte Hunting Trap]

[Armor: 10]

[Durability: 300]

[Effect: Lures nearby wandering monsters, causing them to fall into the Troglodytes' cave.]

…

Seeing the effect, Cao Xing instantly grew excited.

There seemed to be a Troglodyte cave down there!

And this meant Nive's sister had very likely fallen down from here too.

Beside him, Liu Muxue also got excited.

"Sarah, dismantle this trap."

Sarah immediately set to work.

Swish! Swish, swish!

In no time, she dismantled the [Hunting Trap] with a few swift moves.

[Dismantled Troglodyte Hunting Trap. Gained 20 EXP.]

After the trap was dismantled, Cao Xing saw a dark, deep cave entrance appear below.

He threw a stone down, and a sound quickly echoed back.

This indicated that the cave below wasn't deep, about three to four meters.

However, the diameter of this entrance was very small, only allowing one adult to pass through at a time.

In other words, the sturdy Andrew, the mammoth Dabai, and the several robots all had to stay outside.

Cao Xing pondered for a moment.

Fortunately, Sarah, his strongest fighter, could go down with him.

Thus, Cao Xing directly ordered, "Assam, Sarah, Renice, follow me down."

"The rest of you, stay up here!"

Assam flipped and jumped down from the Frost Wolf's back.

"As you command, respected Lord."

Leading the way, he jumped straight into the cave.

Sarah was the second to go down, followed by Renice.

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue jumped down last.

One was now Level 6 and the other Level 7, with their attributes significantly increased.

This height was not a problem for them at all.

Thud.

After landing steadily, the two found themselves in a dim environment.

[You have discovered a hidden area: Troglodyte Cliff Cave.]

Seeing the system prompt, Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

"Oh, this is actually a hidden area."

Based on Cao Xing's previous experience…

A hidden area meant there might be some special items inside.

These special items usually had unexpected effects.

Joy also appeared on Liu Muxue's face. "Great, Ah Xing! Little Nive's sister is very likely in here too."

Cao Xing nodded.

The environment inside the Troglodyte cave was extremely dark, and ape-like shrieks echoed from within.

"Oooh! Oooh, oooh~"

"Woo~"

Without wasting any time, Cao Xing had his recruited units quickly clear the way ahead.

Following the passage, they advanced nearly seven to eight hundred meters.

This showed just how deep this cave actually was.

Fortunately, however, there were no forks in this passage.

Moreover, they didn't encounter any Troglodytes.

Cao Xing wondered, "Strange, where did these Troglodytes go?"

Just then, Cao Xing suddenly noticed a small wooden door on the wall next to him.

The wooden door was unlocked and could be easily pushed open.

*Creak!*

As the wooden door opened, a system prompt appeared.

[Discovered Troglodyte Bedroom.]

"Holy crap, did we end up in a Troglodyte's bedroom?"

Cao Xing went inside and rummaged around, finding some materials in a corner of the cave and putting them all away.

[Obtained Dry Rations *5]

[Obtained Viscous Liquid *3]

[Obtained Wool Scraps *7]

[Obtained Troglodyte Totem *1]

Cao Xing nodded. "Although they're just junk, the Viscous Liquid is quite decent and can be sold for a good price."

In addition, there was a wooden totem carved with a beast skull.

[Troglodyte Totem: Accessory]

[Item Attributes: Increases Strength by 2 when equipped.]

(This totem is engraved with the mark of the Mountain God, granting a weak Mountain God's Blessing.)

"An extra 2 points of Strength is not bad."

Cao Xing already had an accessory on him—the Kalot Family Crest.

And Survivors could equip up to 4 accessories at the same time.

Cao Xing equipped it right away.

Then, Cao Xing walked out of the [Troglodyte Bedroom] and continued deeper into the passage.

There seemed to be many small wooden doors here, all bedrooms where those Troglodytes slept. There should be more loot to find.

But right now, Cao Xing had to hurry and find Juliette. He couldn't afford to delay too long here.

So, he could only suppress his urge to loot and keep moving forward into the cave.

After advancing another two to three hundred meters.

Cao Xing could faintly see…

In the passage ahead, three hunched, tall, and thin creatures with very long arms appeared.

They were covered in gray fur and looked like a mutant species of gorilla.

[Troglodyte Warrior Lv13]

[Race: Troglodyte]

[HP: 2140/2140]

[Attack: 243~257]

[Skills: Great Strength (Increases Strength by 20%)

Rubble Toss (Throws rubble, dealing 60% of Attack damage to enemies)]

[Talent: None]

…

These three Troglodyte Warriors also noticed Cao Xing and his group.

They immediately opened their mouths wide.

"Oooh! Oooh, oooh!"

"It's humans! We can't let them disturb the Mountain God's sacrifice. Capture them!"

The Troglodytes immediately raised their weapons and came hopping toward them.

Seeing this, the corner of Cao Xing's mouth twitched.

These Troglodytes couldn't run normally and could only rely on jumping to move forward. This mode of movement was truly bizarre.

Cao Xing ordered, "End this quickly."

In the next instant, Sarah, Renice, and Assam all launched their attacks.

Renice stood perfectly straight like a sturdy pine tree, making her already substantial bust appear even more rounded and full.

She pulled her bowstring completely back and released the arrow.

*Whoosh!*

The sound of tearing air rang out as an arrow shot out instantly.

It directly hit the chest of a hopping Troglodyte.

*Pfft!*

[-574!]

This shot triggered a weak point strike.

"Awooo!"

The Troglodyte let out a miserable shriek.

And just then…

A Shadow Blade was thrust out silently.

*Swish! Swish!*

Sarah directly activated her continuous slash mode.

[-874]

[-853]

Two terrifying damage numbers floated up.

This Troglodyte Warrior's HP immediately dropped to zero, and it collapsed.

[Your territory member: Sarah Blade Dance killed Troglodyte Lv13. Gained 140 EXP.]

[Combatants gained 70 EXP.]

Seeing their companion's death, alarm flashed in the eyes of the other two Troglodytes.

"Panama is dead! Avenge him!"

But before they could charge over, Assam proactively rushed forward.

His Frost Wolf Swordplay continuously danced with cold light.

He single-handedly held off the two Troglodytes.

The Troglodytes brandished their spears, thrusting them fiercely at Assam.

*Clang! Clang!*

[-46]

[-44]

After two crisp clangs…

Two negligible damage numbers appeared above Assam's head.

Just then, a burst of cold air suddenly erupted from Assam.

*Whoosh!*

A damage number of [-7] appeared above the heads of the two Troglodytes.

However, the damage wasn't the main point. The crucial part was that the Troglodytes were now covered in a layer of frost, significantly reducing their mobility and making it much easier for Assam to deal with them.

This was the effect of [Frost Magic Shield], which was incredibly powerful.

Renice kept drawing her bowstring from the rear, dealing impressive amounts of damage.

From the shadows, Sarah brandished her terrifyingly lethal Shadow Blade.

In less than ten seconds…

The remaining two Troglodytes were swiftly and cleanly slain by them.

With the support of numerous buffs, they all possessed the combat power to fight Boss-level creatures of the same level.

Therefore, this kind of battle posed absolutely no pressure for them.

"Well done. You are all the finest warriors!"

Cao Xing praised them casually.

Looking at the corpses of the three Troglodytes on the ground, next up was harvesting the loot.

A hint of anticipation showed in his eyes…

…

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