Black and red rocks covered the island. Hard and porous, they had low trees growing thickly between their cracks, lush and green. From time to time, a bird's call could be heard.
"Xizi, come out and see if there are any heavenly treasures here." Xu Qingtong communicated with Xizi through his mind, sending it an order.
Xizi emerged from the Seven-Star Bracelet and hopped onto the ground. Its two eyes swiveled as it looked around, then it raised its mandibles and began burrowing into the ground.
But despite all its efforts, Xizi only managed to dig a shallow pit and could not burrow underground.
"Master, the rocks here are too hard. With my current abilities, I can't burrow into the ground. Please punish me!" Xizi said dejectedly.
Xu Qingtong had not expected the ground here to be so hard that even Xizi could not burrow into it. He considered for a moment, then said, "Xizi, since you can't get underground, make a circuit of the island and see what you can find. Stay safe!"
Xizi answered, set its long, hairy legs in motion, and vanished in a flash.
Xu Qingtong took out a meditation cushion, found a clean spot, and sat cross-legged. Spreading his divine sense, he began examining the island.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xizi returned carrying two spirit herbs. "Master, this island isn't large, and there's nothing good here. I only found these two spirit herbs! But there is a karst cave on the island. I didn't go inside; I came back to tell you!"
Xu Qingtong had also discovered that karst cave. It was small but very deep, and a glance was enough to tell that it had not been excavated by human hands.
"Come on, take me there!" Xu