He thought it over and decided to find water first.
Water was the scarcest thing in the desert. Without it, he could not train there for long. Besides, he now had the White Bear's hide and those two eyeballs. If he encountered a powerful magical beast, he had some means of protecting himself.
Lin Taichu got his bearings. He had read in ancient records that there were several oases deep in the desert, each with water sources.
He remembered that one of those oases lay at the end of the fissure. If he followed the fissure, he should be able to find it.
He headed toward the fissure. It was still bottomless, and the wind inside still howled mournfully.
Lin Taichu walked along the edge of the fissure, glancing into it from time to time. It was pitch-black inside, and he could see nothing. After walking for around two hours, he suddenly heard the sound of flowing water ahead.
"Water!" Lin Taichu was delighted and quickened his pace.
After another half hour, the fissure ahead suddenly narrowed, and a patch of green appeared at its end.
Lin Taichu ran over and saw a small oasis at the end of the fissure. Several poplar trees grew there, and beneath them was a small pool. The sound of water came from the pool.
The pool was not large, only a few yards wide, but the water was crystal clear. He could see little fish swimming inside. Lin Taichu hurried over, knelt by the pool, and scooped up water with both hands to drink.
He filled his waterskin, washed his face, and felt much more refreshed. Sitting beneath a poplar tree, he took out some dry rations to eat and checked the wounds on his body.
The wounds had already begun to heal,