Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 176: This Cave Abode is Claimed

"Rest assured!"

The Xiaotian Dog tilted its neck back, pompously declaring, "This master is willing to guarantee with my canine honor that this time there’s absolutely no mistake!"

Believe you? I’d sooner believe in ghosts, Tian Peng rolled his eyes, clearly unconvinced.

Turning to the Black Bear Demon who had been following behind them, he said, "Xiong Daoren, scout ahead." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Sure thing, Peng!" The Black Bear Demon slapped his chest and strode forward confidently.

The Black Bear Demon had undergone a significant transformation. He now wore a yellow Taoist robe with the Bagua pattern and held a horsetail whisk, looking quite the part.

However, given the Black Bear Demon’s original form, the outfit did seem rather comical.

"Divine Skills, Mysterious Heavenly Formation Armor!" The Black Bear Demon shouted boastfully as he stamped his burly bear leg forcefully onto the ground.

The earth trembled three times all at once, and simultaneously an Array Plate phantasm emerged from under Xiong Daoren’s feet, spreading outward.

The phantasm was in the pattern of Qiankun Bagua, and as it appeared, it also spun continuously, exhibiting profound mystery.

In an instant, the phantasm had covered the entire mountain range.

"Qiankun Wuji, the path reveals itself!"

Xiong Daoren flung his horsetail whisk, his eyes tightly shut, as the Array Plate beneath his feet spun rapidly, as if searching for something. After several moments, its speed slowed, and finally, it stopped.

Xiong Daoren looked at the direction indicated by the Array Plate and said, "Divine Skills show that the nearest entrance is to the north."

"So, where are we?" Tian Peng asked.

"South."

Tian Peng, Xiaotian Dog: "..."

Grinding his teeth, Tian Peng had seen fools before, but never one this foolish; could it really be that every single direction he’d been led in had been wrong?

Tian Peng had a premonition that all the previous directions Xiaotian Dog had provided might have been the opposite, and he just hadn’t realized it.

At this thought, Tian Peng became so infuriated he could hardly contain himself. How much futile effort had he expended?

"Peng, let’s talk this over calmly," the Xiaotian Dog said with a sheepish smile, shrinking back.

"This master was simply giving the junior a chance to perform, wasn’t I? How could I not know the way? It was all a test for him!"

Although he was begging for mercy, Xiaotian Dog’s mouth couldn’t help but be smart.

"Let’s go!" Seeing the Xiaotian Dog’s shameless demeanor, Tian Peng eventually decided to lower his fists.

This creature never learned from its mistakes; it was completely useless.

At the moment, Tian Peng also felt a bit relieved that he had taken in the Black Bear Demon, Xiong Daoren. Xiong Daoren’s awakened Divine Skills were a perfect match for the task at hand.

From now on, Xiaotian Dog would determine the approximate location of the Magical Treasure, then Xiong Daoren would use his Divine Skills to investigate in detail, and he himself would take the treasure.

Perfect!

A man, a bear, and a dog arrived at what was referred to as the north side.

Upon seeing the Earth Realm, they were a bit taken aback. Looking at the cave abode before them, Xiong Daoren hesitated, "Mr. Roc, it seems that this is someone’s cave abode, isn’t it? And it’s been set up with a Formation too!"

Xiong Daoren, endowed with the Divine Skills and Mysterious Heavenly Formation Armor, could easily sense these presences.

Tian Peng did not speak, his gaze fixed on the words "Jade Column Cave" written at the sealed cave entrance, deep in thought.

This name seemed familiar, but he couldn’t remember where he had seen it.

Shaking his head, Tian Peng cleared his thoughts. Perhaps it was just an illusion.

Xiaotian Dog lifted his head, employing the Myriad Smell Divine Spirit.

Soon, he appeared rather dismissive.

"What’s there to fear? I just asked, and there’s nobody inside," said Xiaotian Dog, slightly excited.

A cave abode with an owner but no one inside? Didn’t that mean there was a treasure trove of goodies waiting for them?

The dog’s thoughts were positive, but so were those of the humans.

Tian Peng turned his head to Black Bear Demon and said, "Daoren, you mentioned there is a formation, so what are the chances you can break it?"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Daoren furrowed his brows, felt the formation again, and said, "I’m completely confident, but this formation seems rather complex, and I’ll need quite some time."

This formation is not very lethal, mainly defensive, and it’s very hard to break through by force, but the difficulty decreases slightly if the objective is to break the formation.

However, the formation is quite advanced, and it’s estimated that the one who laid it out is far more powerful than myself.

To break the formation without triggering any prohibitions is also a significant challenge for him.

"Then let’s do it!" Tian Peng declared with finality.

If we don’t act with complete confidence, then what’s the point? What use are our magical treasures? Might as well go home, wash up, and sleep!

Xiong Daoren nodded vigorously, admiration in his eyes. When could he ever possess the same courage as Peng?

After a sigh, Black Bear Demon added, "Peng, if I accidentally touch the prohibitions while breaking the formation, run immediately."

The face of Black Bear Demon became serious: "The person who arranged this formation, their cultivation is far superior to mine."

At these words, Tian Peng and Xiaotian Dog were both startled.

The cultivation level of Xiong Daoren is that of a Taiyi Golden Immortal!

Far surpassing him, that would at least be a Daluo Golden Immortal.

For a while, both Tian Peng and Xiaotian Dog began to regret their decision, realizing that if things went south, it wouldn’t just be a minor misfortune.

Yet, seeing Xiong Daoren, who had calmed his mind and spirit and started the process of breaking the formation, the man and the dog had no other choice but to accept the situation as it was.

"Xiaotian, use your Divine Skills to the fullest and alert us immediately if you sense any kind of movement," Tian Peng said thoughtfully.

The range of Xiaotian Dog’s Divine Skills is broad, allowing for timely detection which could be crucial for their escape.

Hearing this, Xiaotian Dog squinted his eyes, somewhat disgruntled: "Xiong Daoren is breaking the formation, and I’m on lookout, so what exactly are you doing?"

"Me?" Tian Peng pointed to himself, very naturally saying, "I’m resting."

"What the heck! That’s not fair! Then this big guy quits too!" Xiaotian Dog pushed with his hind legs, standing upright on two feet with his front paws crossed over his chest, resembling a human folding their arms.

Full of dissatisfaction and protest.

"Then later, if there is any danger inside the cave, you go ahead," Tian Peng remarked casually.

Xiaotian Dog’s canine face showed a human-like awkwardness: "Then this big guy will still reluctantly help you keep watch!"

To stand at the front and take damage? Don’t make him laugh, his body was too precious for that.

If he got knocked around and tarnished his heroic image in the eyes of the female dogs, not to mention if it delayed his meal at Chaos Residence, that would indeed be a loss far outweighing any gain.

Tian Peng was known for his thick skin and flesh, not something an average person could compare to.

On the other hand, Xiong Daoren concentrated fully, his bear face serious as he sat cross-legged, the shadow of the Array Plate rising above his head.

Xiong Daoren was at the very center of it, representing both position and fortune.

One by one, the prohibitions were silently unlocked by Xiong Daoren, sweat beads rolling down his glossy fur.

Time passed, and as another prohibition was lifted, a light appeared before Xiong Daoren’s eyes, success at last!

Wiping his forehead, Xiong Daoren took a long breath, relieved that it was finally over.

If there had been more prohibitions, he might indeed have made a mistake.

With a smile that spoke of a burden lifted, he announced, "Peng, we can go in now!"

Tian Peng was delighted, nodding his head: "You’ve worked hard. Once we get the treasures, you’ll definitely get your share."

Xiong Daoren repeatedly shook his head, saying excitedly, "Being able to help you, Peng, is my greatest honor!"

More than the treasures, Xiong Daoren preferred the praise from his role model.

With a stern look, Tian Peng said, "You’re making me out to be someone I’m not?"

While everyone would of course want more treasures, Tian Peng wasn’t without integrity. Daoren was not only obedient but also hardworking.

His magical abilities were extremely important, too; such a follower had to be cultivated with care!

Xiong Daoren was about to decline, but Tian Peng promptly interrupted him.