The instant they passed through the spatial vortex, the suffocating sensation of space tearing at them vanished abruptly. Li Wuyang and Huaihuai crashed heavily onto the hard ground, rolling into a tangled heap.
Little Fire, Yingying, and Treasure-Seeking Mouse Jinbao were flung out as well, landing nearby.
Li Wuyang lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. Every bone in his body felt as if it had fallen apart, and not a drop of true qi remained within him. He did not even have the strength to move a finger. Huaihuai was also collapsed on the ground, its tongue hanging out. Little Fire was covered in wounds as it lay there panting. Only Yingying and Treasure-Seeking Mouse Jinbao were in slightly better condition, though they were still badly shaken.
He struggled to raise his head and survey his surroundings.
This seemed to be... a cave? An enormous, exceptionally empty cave. The ceiling was high overhead, with faint light filtering down and illuminating part of the space. The cave walls were smooth, as though they had been carefully polished, and they were carved with indistinct murals that carried an ancient Dao aura.
The air was fresh, and the spiritual energy was abundant, even richer and purer than at the foot of Buzhou Mountain! Moreover, the aura here felt incredibly ancient, tranquil, and peaceful, completely unlike the chaotic danger of the primordial wilderness outside.
Most importantly, the terrifying aura that had been pursuing him had been completely cut off! The people outside the spatial turbulence seemed unable to enter this place, or perhaps they simply could not find it.
"We're safe... for now..." Li Wuyang let out a long breath, and the relief of surviving the tribulation flooded his heart.
He struggled into a sitting position and first checked his companions' injuries. He fed healing pills to Little Fire and himself, then gave spiritual fruits to Huaihuai, Treasure-Seeking Mouse Jinbao, and Yingying.
Only after resting for quite a while did he recover some strength and begin carefully exploring this mysterious cave.
The cave was enormous, stretching beyond sight. He headed toward the light.
The deeper he went, the more astonished he became. The cave was not empty. From time to time, he saw stone tables, stone stools, even dried-up spiritual spring pools and traces of withered herb gardens. It was as if someone had once lived here.
The murals on the cave walls also gradually became clearer, depicting grand scenes of World Creation, the movement of stars, and the birth and destruction of all things. Their style was ancient and unadorned, their artistic conception profound. Staring at them for too long actually gave one the feeling of comprehending the Dao.
"What exactly is this place?" Li Wuyang was filled with curiosity. Could this be the cave abode of some ancient great cultivator?
After walking for about the time it took to burn an incense stick, the space ahead suddenly opened up into a huge circular cavern hall. At the center of the hall was a crystal-clear pool, its water radiating dense spiritual energy and vitality. In the middle of the pool grew a three-tiered Green Lotus, yet it emitted a hazy, chaotic glow, its Dao aura naturally formed!
"This... could this be..." Li Wuyang's eyes widened as he recalled a certain legend.
Beside the Green Lotus, on the edge of the pool, sat a... meditation cushion.
It looked utterly ordinary, woven from some unknown wild grass.
Yet Li Wuyang's gaze was drawn to a jade slip resting atop the meditation cushion.
The jade slip was ancient and unadorned, yet it seemed to be the core of the entire cave abode. All the Dao aura faintly regarded it as supreme.
Li Wuyang's heartbeat quickened. He carefully walked over, afraid of disturbing the tranquility of this place.
When he reached the poolside, he first respectfully bowed to the Green Lotus, because his instincts told him this thing was not to be provoked. Only then did he reach out and pick up the jade slip.
The jade slip felt warm and smooth in his hand.
He took a deep breath and immersed his divine sense within it.
Boom!
A massive amount of information poured into his mind!
The first few ancient Dao characters rang out in the depths of his soul like a great bell:
Huang Ting Jing!
(End of Chapter 21)
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