The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2312 - 2301: Trap

Ye Chenfeng composed himself, tamping down his emotions.

He trusted the instincts of Lao Bai and Lao Hei, so he refrained from immediately alerting Cao Yunwei and Cao Xiaodong to prevent unnecessary panic.

At this moment, their only option was to press onward, as exiting the Flame Demon Fish lair was impossible. Cheng Gaorong and Bao Xiangtian, waiting outside, would undoubtedly intercept them. Furthermore, Ye Chenfeng’s current condition left him outmatched against Cheng Gaorong and his cronies.

What perplexed Ye Chenfeng the most was the feigned slumber of the Flame Demon Fish.

Suddenly, a spark of realization ignited within Ye Chenfeng’s mind. He began to suspect a possibility: could this be a trap orchestrated by the Flame Demon Fish?

As this thought solidified, the voice of Lao Hei, Jiang Yuntian, resonated in his mind: "Kid, your suspicion is likely accurate. The cultivators of Floating Cloud City have been hunting Flame Demon Fish for a considerable time, and these creatures are not unintelligent. They are deliberately feigning sleep this time to ensnare the cultivators from Floating Cloud City."

"Previously, the Flame Demon Fish were the hunted; now, the cultivators of Floating Cloud City have become the quarry. It is natural for Flame Demon Fish to appear dormant, and the cultivators of Floating Cloud City, aware of this habit, were drawn here to investigate."

Lao Hei's deduction mirrored Ye Chenfeng's own thoughts. The apparent dormancy of every Flame Demon Fish in the vicinity was so perfect that Ye Chenfeng couldn't detect even a trace of their aura.

Retreat was not an option, as Cheng Gaorong and Bao Xiangtian blocked their exit. Their only course of action was to venture further into the lair, and Ye Chenfeng formulated a plan.

Ye Chenfeng subtly met the gazes of Cao Yunwei and Cao Xiaodong, signaling for the siblings to continue following him deeper into the cavern.

The siblings, convinced the Flame Demon Fish were truly asleep, felt a significant easing of their previous tension and apprehension.

The further they advanced into the Flame Demon Fish’s domain.

The more intricate the layout became, with numerous passages branching off in all directions.

Each path presented itself as a distinct corridor, and the large alcoves carved into the stone walls grew more numerous.

All the immense, unsettling Flame Demon Fish were nestled within these hollows.

Unaware that the Flame Demon Fish were merely putting on an act, Cao Yunwei and Cao Xiaodong showed no significant change in their demeanor.

However, Ye Chenfeng’s caution intensified with every step, mindful of the possibility that the Flame Demon Fish might cease their charade at any moment. He still couldn't access his Chaos Ring, only retrieve items from it.

Fortunately, the Flame Demon Fish persisted in their pretense, seemingly content to play the long game. To them, Ye Chenfeng and his companions appeared as insignificant gnats.

As Ye Chenfeng and his group navigated the labyrinthine depths of the Flame Demon Fish’s lair.

Meanwhile, outside.

Aboard the colossal Spirit Boat belonging to Floating Cloud City.

City Lord Cheng Gaorong sat with a composed air in his command chair, Bao Xiangtian standing attentively by his side.

A live projection of the Flame Demon Fish lair materialized in the air before them.

Bao Xiangtian had equipped Ye Chenfeng's group with crystalline devices embedded in their attire, capable of transmitting visual data.

Observing the displayed images, which confirmed the collective slumber of the Flame Demon Fish, Bao Xiangtian and his subordinates exhibited palpable excitement. Even the normally stoic Cheng Gaorong allowed a smile of satisfaction to grace his features.

Estimates suggested that this lair housed at least several thousand Flame Demon Fish.

With resources becoming scarce within the enigmatic dimension, nearly every part of a Flame Demon Fish held value for cultivators. Consuming their flesh, even in small amounts, could gradually bolster a cultivator's spiritual energy.

The prospect of capturing thousands of Flame Demon Fish and returning them would effectively address the urgent needs of Floating Cloud City.

However, Cheng Gaorong and his peers harbored no concerns about the potential depletion of the Flame Demon Fish population within this mysterious realm.

Bao Xiangtian inquired respectfully of Cheng Gaorong, "City Lord, shall we commence our entry now? The Flame Demon Fish appear to be entirely dormant."

"And what is the City Lord's disposition regarding the three individuals serving as bait?"

Cheng Gaorong, the ultimate authority, was someone Bao Xiangtian wouldn’t dare make a decision without consulting.

Cheng Gaorong gave a slight nod. "We shall proceed with our entry. Those three bait individuals are of no consequence to us; they possess no cultivation, so why concern ourselves with their fate? Leaving them to fend for themselves within the Flame Demon Fish’s lair would arguably be their most fortunate outcome."

Following his pronouncement.

Cheng Gaorong strode towards the cavern's entrance, followed closely by Bao Xiangtian and the other cultivators.

As Cheng Gaorong and his contingent prepared to breach the Flame Demon Fish’s lair.

Ye Chenfeng, Cao Yunwei, and Cao Xiaodong continued their deeper descent.

Suddenly, Ye Chenfeng had a recollection; aware that the Flame Demon Fish were merely feigning slumber, he recalled forgetting to remove the crystal from his chest garment, recognizing its significance. Swiftly, he detached the crystal and tossed it onto the ground, a move that Cao Yunwei and Cao Xiaodong promptly emulated.

After an extended period of trekking.

The substantial hollows adorning the surrounding stone walls began to diminish, and upon navigating a turn, two distinct passages presented themselves. One of these was a cul-de-sac, obstructed by a solid stone wall.

Neither of the stone walls flanking the passages harbored any significant cavities, indicating an absence of Flame Demon Fish in those directions.

Without hesitation, Ye Chenfeng proceeded directly into the dead-end passage, advancing to its furthest extent, which left Cao Yunwei and Cao Xiaodong in a state of bewilderment.

Ye Chenfeng lacked the temporal luxury for explanations; he was acutely aware that the moment Cheng Gaorong and his companions penetrated deeper into the lair, the Flame Demon Fish residing there would cease their pretense.

Ye Chenfeng instructed, "Do not inquire further; simply stand clear for the time being."

Though unable to physically enter the Chaos Ring, the ability to retrieve items from it remained intact. Ye Chenfeng produced Heavenly Grade Spirit Stones from within its confines.

He then employed the Heavenly Grade Spirit Stones to meticulously construct a formation upon the ground, a task executed with remarkable fluidity owing to his now mastery-level proficiency in formations.

As Ye Chenfeng diligently laid out the formation.

A resounding chorus of "rumble, rumble, rumble!" suddenly reverberated through the air.

Eerie, sharp cries ceaselessly echoed, ostensibly from the Flame Demon Fish, signaling their unequivocal abandonment of feigned dormancy.

...(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)