Temporary Respite in the Cave, Undercurrents Surge (Part 1)

Inside the wind-sheltered cave, the light was dim.

Several crude torches, lit with animal oil, were stuck in the rock crevices. The flickering flames illuminated the cave walls, casting dancing, shifting shadows. The air was filled with a faint scent of blood, herbs, and the charred aroma of roasted meat.

After a night of fleeing and fighting, the surviving guards of the Su Family finally had a moment to catch their breath. Most of them sat leaning against the cold stone walls. Some were carefully tending to their gruesome wounds, wrapping them with strips of cloth. Others were seizing the opportunity to close their eyes and regulate their breathing, attempting to recover their depleted true qi and stamina. Two guards took turns watching the cave entrance, vigilantly observing the movements outside, their weapons held tightly, not daring to slacken their guard.

The cave was very quiet, with only the occasional suppressed groan of pain, the sound of tearing cloth, and the mournful whistling of the wind from outside.

Su Lie wrapped a piece of roasted, golden-brown leg meat from an unknown beast in clean leaves. He then took a waterskin and carefully walked to the carriage.

"Miss, please have something to eat," he said softly, lifting the curtain.

Su Ling'er leaned against the cushions, her complexion a little better than when they first entered the cave, at least showing a hint of color. She took the roasted meat and waterskin but didn't immediately eat. She just said in a low voice, "Uncle Su, you should rest too. You're injured as well."

Su Lie glanced at the hastily bandaged wound on his arm and grinned, revealing a simple yet tired expression. "I'm fine, it's just a superficial wound. It's you, Miss, who needs to take care of yourself. The senior said you need to recuperate properly."

Mentioning "senior," Su Ling'er's gaze subconsciously drifted to the figure sitting cross-legged by the cave entrance.

Lin Chen remained in the same posture, his back to everyone in the cave, facing the entrance. He was like an unchanging ancient rock, his aura contained to the extreme. If not for seeing him with his own eyes, one would hardly sense his presence. Yet, the intangible aura of deterrence he exuded, which made people dare not approach, truly enveloped the entire cave.

Was he cultivating? Or standing guard?

Su Ling'er silently withdrew her gaze and took a small bite of the roasted meat. The meat was a bit rough and had a faint gamey smell, but for her, who was starving, it was a rare delicacy. The warm food settled in her stomach, dispelling some of the lingering chill in her body and making her feel much more comfortable.

Seeing his young lady begin to eat, Su Lie felt a little more at ease. He hesitated for a moment, then took another piece of roasted meat and a waterskin and walked towards Lin Chen.

He walked slowly and lightly, afraid of disturbing this senior.

"Sen... Senior..." Su Lie stopped about five steps away from Lin Chen and bowed respectfully. "You... you've also been busy all night. Please have something to eat and drink?"

Lin Chen didn't turn his head or open his eyes, merely let out a soft "Mm" from his nose.

Su Lie stood awkwardly, unsure whether to advance or retreat. This senior's temperament was truly too cold and unfathomable.

Just as he was about to retreat silently, Lin Chen's voice suddenly sounded, calm and even: "Regarding the area marked 'Dense Wind Blades' on the map, what are the specific circumstances?"

Su Lie was stunned, then overjoyed! The senior had taken the initiative to ask! This meant he was genuinely interested in Luofeng Gorge!

He quickly took two steps forward, gently placed the roasted meat and waterskin beside Lin Chen, and then lowered his voice, explaining in detail: "Replying to the senior, that area is located in the middle section of the gorge, where the terrain is particularly narrow, like a wind tunnel. It's usually fine, but every hour or two, a strange, extremely sharp wind blows without any warning! That wind... it's not like ordinary mountain winds. When it blows, it kicks up broken stones and gravel from the ground at extreme speeds and with immense power, like countless tiny blades cutting! A mid-stage Body Tempering Realm martial artist, without sufficient protection, would likely be instantly cut to shreds if they tried to force their way through, or even..."

He paused, a look of lingering fear on his face. "They might even be dismembered! In the past, some merchant caravans tried to take a shortcut through there, and they were wiped out completely, a horrific sight. So, when the map was drawn later, they specifically marked that area with a skull symbol, strictly prohibiting anyone from approaching."

Lin Chen listened quietly, without interrupting.

Seeing that Lin Chen seemed to be listening attentively, Su Lie's courage grew a bit, and he continued: "Besides the wind blade zone, the area marked 'Monster Lair' on the map mainly refers to the stone forest on the west side. That place is filled with strange rocks and is the territory of the 'Rock-Splitting Lizards.' Individually, their strength isn't too great, roughly equivalent to a fifth or sixth level Body Tempering Realm cultivator. However, they have tough hides, immense strength, and tend to live in groups. The most troublesome thing is that they can spit a corrosive acidic venom that is extremely potent; ordinary weapons and armor can't withstand it."

"As for 'Bewitching Slope'..." Su Lie's face showed a hint of confusion. "That place is even more bizarre. It's said that a colorless and odorless peculiar mist permeates the slopes there. Once inhaled, people lose their senses, hallucinate, and keep circling on the slope until they collapse from exhaustion. We don't know the exact principle behind it, only that it's extremely dangerous and must not be stepped upon."

He finished explaining the situation of the main dangerous areas on the map in one go, hoping it would be helpful to the senior.

Lin Chen remained silent, as if digesting the information.

After a while, he spoke again, his voice still calm: "Near Yin Wind Ravine, besides that strange wind that erodes the soul, are there any other water sources or specific monsters that appear?"

Su Lie didn't expect Lin Chen to directly ask about "Yin Wind Ravine," and his heart trembled slightly. That was one of the most dangerous places in the depths of the gorge!

He carefully recalled the scattered records about Yin Wind Ravine in his family and the reports from the scouting parties, and cautiously replied, "Replying to the senior, Yin Wind Ravine... it's said that the bottom of the ravine is always in darkness and the cold is bone-chilling. Water sources... there are no clear records indicating any safe water sources nearby. As for monsters, rumors say that within or near the ravine, there might be... there might be second-tier monsters like 'Soul Devouring Spiders' or 'Yin Wind Wolves.' But these are just rumors, after all, very few people have ventured deep there and returned alive."

Second-tier monsters? That's equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Realm expert.

Lin Chen understood. It seemed that place was indeed not something he could easily venture into at his current level. However, the "Soul Devouring Spider" and "Yin Wind Wolf" had piqued his interest. If he could hunt these monsters that leaned towards cold or soul attacks, and refine their Demonic Cores or spirits with the Myriad Dao Furnace, it might allow him to gain special enhancements in certain aspects.

"I understand," Lin Chen said indifferently, and then fell silent again.