Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 148 The Cruel Truth Behind the Cave Mystery

Zhang Peng and his group moved slowly through the cave, their subtle footsteps making everyone's hearts leap into their throats. Zhang Peng gripped the divine weapon tightly, his spiritual energy flowing around him as he warily watched what lay ahead.

As the footsteps drew closer, a figure gradually emerged from the darkness. Zhang Peng's heart suddenly raced, for he recognized her at a glance—it was Xia Lijuan, who had disappeared for so long. However, the Xia Lijuan before him felt like a stranger. Her eyes darted around, her face showed a hint of unnatural panic, and her clothes were slightly disheveled.

"Xia Lijuan, where have you been? Why haven't you shown up?" Zhang Peng's voice carried a hint of questioning, but also a hint of expectation, hoping that she could give a reasonable explanation.

Xia Lijuan's eyes darted around, unable to meet Zhang Peng's gaze. "I...I went to investigate clues about a mysterious organization and accidentally got trapped here." Her voice trembled slightly, her words revealing her guilt.

Li Ming snorted coldly, "Trapped? Then why didn't you contact us? It's been so long, we all thought something had happened to you!"

Lin Wan'er stepped forward, her eyes full of doubt, "Sister Xia, are you hiding something from us?"

Xia Lijuan's face grew even paler. She bit her lip, seemingly making a difficult decision. Just then, Zhang Peng suddenly noticed a blurry mark on Xia Lijuan's wrist, resembling a tattoo from some mysterious organization, only partially concealed.

"What's that on your wrist?" Zhang Peng suddenly grabbed Xia Lijuan's wrist and pulled her sleeve up, completely exposing the mark.

Xia Lijuan struggled in terror, "Let me go! This...this was just an accident."

Zhang Peng's eyes instantly turned cold. "An accident? Xia Lijuan, you'd better tell the truth, or else..." His tone was full of threat, but he had a bad feeling.

Xia Lijuan knew she could no longer hide the truth. She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry... I lied to you. I've actually been working for a mysterious organization. They threatened to kill me if I didn't obey their orders."

Everyone was stunned into silence upon hearing this. Zhang Peng's hand involuntarily loosened, as if he had been burned. He never imagined that his former comrade-in-arms was actually an enemy spy.

"You liar!" Li Ming angrily raised his sword. "We trusted you so much, and you betrayed us!"

Xia Lijuan cried as she said, "At first, I just wanted to use Zhang Peng to get information about the artifact from him. I was just a... despised prostitute, and I thought this was my chance to change my fate. But, as I spent time with you all, I gradually began to waver..."

Zhang Peng felt a mix of emotions. He looked at Xia Lijuan, feeling both anger and a pity. "So all those so-called clues were things you deliberately led us to? Including the trap at Sunset Peak this time?"

Xia Lijuan nodded silently, "This time they asked me to lure you to Sunset Peak in order to seize the divine artifact. However, when I saw you risking everything to protect the cultivation world, I regretted it... I didn't follow their plan completely, which is why I'm trapped here."

Liu Ruyan said coldly, "What's the use of saying all this now? Your betrayal has already caused harm."

Shen Yue shook her head as well, "What are we going to do with her? She betrayed us."

Zhang Peng fell into deep thought. He knew Xia Lijuan's crimes were unforgivable, but seeing her despairing appearance, he couldn't bear it. "Let's keep her with us for now, and let Elder Xuanfeng decide what to do when we return to Qingfeng Sect."

Just then, a violent tremor suddenly came from deep within the cave, and a powerful, evil force surged forth. Zhang Peng and the others immediately became alert and surrounded Xia Lijuan.

"It seems the mysterious organization hasn't left yet; they have a new plot." Zhang Peng gripped the artifact tightly, preparing to face the new challenge.

A group of men in black robes rushed out from the depths of the cave. The leader let out a sinister laugh, "Xia Lijuan, you really betrayed us after all. But it doesn't matter, none of you will leave here alive today!"

Zhang Peng took a deep breath, "You're not enough to take our lives!" He unleashed his full power, fusing the power of the four divine artifacts together, and the five-colored light instantly illuminated the entire cave.

Li Ming brandished his longsword and charged towards the man in black robes, his swordsmanship becoming even more ferocious with rage. Lin Wan'er, Su Yao, Liu Ruyan, and Shen Yue also unleashed their spells, engaging the man in black robes in a fierce battle.

Xia Lijuan stood aside, watching her former companions fight to protect her, her heart filled with guilt. She gritted her teeth, "I can't be a burden to you anymore." With that, disregarding her weak spiritual power, she joined the battle.

The battle intensified, with the number of black-robed figures increasing, and Zhang Peng and his companions gradually found themselves overwhelmed. But they did not retreat, their hearts filled with only one belief: to protect the cultivation world and expose the conspiracy of the mysterious organization.