However, Zou Qiang was no cool hand. He didn't get in forthwith on his arrival at the cave. Instead, he called Yan Hui's name at the entrance.
Right then, a sense of hazard disrupted Lin Xiao's composure, as he found that someone had been there since he left the cave.
Lin Xiao had long acquired a sharp power of observation through his one-year experience in the bush at the Mount Yunmeng. Any nuanced change wouldn't be left out by his acute detection. Compounded with his elaborate rearrangement of the layout, he could tell right away someone had been there， though the cave was still a couple of feet away.
However, he soon felt relieved, as human beings, sometimes, were easier to cope with than monsters or beasts. Even if it was Suomo disciples who were in there, Lin Xiao had means to break free from Zou Qiang's control before he turned up.
No voice came out after Zou Qiang called Yan Hui's name twice. That reinforced Lin Xiao's relief but escalated Zou Qiang's suspicion. He grabbed Lin Xiao's wrist (where a vital acupuncture point was) and shouted with rage, "Tell me where your partners are!"
Keeping on playing dumb, Lin Xiao asked, "Partners? What do you mean?"
Zou Qiang was about to react when Lin Xiao shouted at the cave, "Bro, I l already brought you the guy you wanted. Please say something even if you are busy with your martial cultivation!"
Hardly had Lin Xiao's voice faded away when a loud bang came off inside the cave, rendering both quavering forthwith.
Right then, Lin Xiao took a move. He made an incredible swerve and got out of Zou Qiang's control and pressed his index finger into Zou Qiang's temple. The whole movement was so smooth that one could hardly spot it if he blinked.
However, Lin Xiao's victory didn't last long. The moment his finger touched Zou Qiang's skin, a burst of rampant and venomous energy drilled into Lin Xiao's body. Once the energy came in, it did a formidable spiral and spread everywhere straight away.
"Haha, stupid lad. How does it feel? Quite painful, right?" Zou Qiang laughed, though he was rendered motionless.
Once the fiendish spiral force made its way into the warrior's body, it would destroy his strength instantaneously. Then the warrior would end up like a vulnerable sheep, destined to be killed effortlessly. What was worse, since they were still within the sphere of influence of the Suomo Sect, Zou Qiang believed there would be further reinforcements coming to his rescue — till then, Lin Xiao would only end up killed.
"You're damn audacious! You even dare to beard a lion in his den! I'll torture you to death!" Zou Qiang glared at Lin Xiao, terribly hideous.
Nevertheless, he shut up immediately and went pale on seeing three figures approaching them rapidly — they were by no means the Suomo disciples.
"Martial Brother!" Wu Gui's voice came out.
"Brother Lin!" Wang Manyun called as well.
While they were letting out cries, Zou Qiang was feeling increasingly scared.