Unyielding, Entering the Grotto-Heaven
Li Yunjing smiled, "Really not going to consider it? Cultivating the Dao isn't easy for you either. Are you really willing to die like this?"
Joining my Luozhen Sect isn't bad at all. My Luozhen Sect can help you activate your bloodlines, and even..."
"Alright, you don't need to say anymore." Alligator Dragon interrupted Li Yunjing directly.
"We will never yield!"
Seeing this, Li Yunjing could only sigh.
"Alas, what a pity."
He actually quite admired Demon Beast like the Alligator Dragon.
Unfortunately, these guys refused to yield even in the face of death.
That makes sense, though, since the water in the Azure Jiao Marsh has been dried up, which is equivalent to destroying the home of these Demon Beast.
Moreover, the fight between the Fire Dragon and the Alligator Dragon just now had a wide impact area.
Many Demon Beast must have died in this Azure Jiao Marsh.
These Demon Beast harbored deep hatred for Li Yunjing.
Expecting them to immediately abandon their hatred and submit to him is something even Li Yunjing would find difficult to do, if he put himself in their shoes.
Since these Demon Beast refused to submit, Li Yunjing decided not to bother arguing with them anymore.
Back on the Extreme Crossing Boat, Li Yunjing told everyone that they had failed.
However, it was a minor matter, and no one else paid much attention to it.
Li Yunjing did not order the immediate execution of these Demon Beast.
There is something more important to do right now; the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal has already released countless runes.
In an instant, a beam of light shot out from a massive island in the center of the Azure Jiao Marsh.
Li Yunjing nodded slightly and looked up in that direction.
On that island, there is an High Antiquity mountain gate embedded in the mountain wall.
The mountain gate is entirely white, and even after years of silence, it remains lustrous and warm, without a trace of decay.
The four High Antiquity seal characters "Grand Profound Grotto-Heaven" are carved above the lintel, with vigorous strokes and a Daoist charm that seems to have created the world.
On the two doorposts, the High Antiquity emblem of the Taixuan Sect was clearly engraved, and its pattern was exactly the same as the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal in Li Yunjing's hand.
Outside the mountain gate, an invisible barrier still firmly locks the entrance, making it impossible to enter without possessing the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal.
At this moment, the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal slowly floated towards the mountain gate.
Before long, the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal hung in front of the mountain gate and instantly burst out with a dazzling seven-colored halo.
Countless fine lines spread out from the talisman, as if they had come to life, and were embedded into the emblem and seal script of the mountain gate.
A distant humming sound came from within the Divine Seal, resonating with the entire Grotto-Heaven. In an instant, the earth veins for thousands of miles surged, and their surging power flowed continuously into the mountain gate along the veins.
The mountain gate, silent for so long, has finally stirred.
The four seal characters on the lintel lit up one by one, and golden Daoist energy flowed out. The originally Indestructible barrier slowly melted away like ice and snow meeting fire.
On the jade pillars on both sides of the mountain gate, countless High Antiquity runes lit up one by one, spreading out along the ground to form a huge array covering the entire Azure Jiao Marsh.
As the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal released more runes, the array plate operated at full power, and the two stone doors, each weighing tens of thousands of pounds, slowly opened inward with a deep rumble.
The moment the portal opened, a gentle yet powerful torrent of Spiritual Qi surged forth from within the Grotto-Heaven.
This Spiritual Qi is pure, peaceful, and so rich it's almost liquefied.
"The portal to the Grotto-Heaven has opened!" Upon seeing this, Li Yunjing's eyes flashed with a sharp light.
Just as he was about to lead everyone into the Grotto-Heaven, the crouching Alligator Dragon suddenly shouted incredulously:
"How do you possess the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal of the Grand Profound Grotto-Heaven Heaven!?"
Li Yunjing stopped and looked at the Alligator Dragon.
"Why can't we have it? What, do you know the origin of this Grand Profound Grotto-Heaven?"
The Alligator Dragon struggled to its feet, supporting itself on all fours.
"Of course I know. I am the guardian beast of Grand Profound Grotto-Heaven, and it is my duty to prevent anyone from entering Grand Profound Grotto-Heaven."
Li Yunjing stared at the Alligator Dragon from head to toe, never expecting that this Alligator Dragon was actually the guardian beast of this Grotto-Heaven.
The Alligator Dragon looked up at the sky and continued, "Since you possess the Grotto-Heaven Divine Seal, it means you are a successor of the Taixuan Sect."
As the guardian beast of the Taixuan Sect, I must submit to you!
The Alligator Dragon's attitude underwent a complete 180-degree change at this moment.
Just moments ago he was determined to die rather than submit, but now he has taken the initiative to speak, thinking of surrendering to Li Yunjing.
Li Yunjing looked at the Alligator Dragon, but at this moment he lost interest.
Entering the Grotto-Heaven is more important right now.
We'll talk about this later.
After saying that, Li Yunjing led the others toward the Grotto-Heaven.
Before long, the group arrived at the entrance to the Grotto-Heaven.
Fang Hexuan carefully, then said, "My Divine Sense cannot penetrate into the Grotto-Heaven, so I don't know what's inside. Everyone, please be careful."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Li Yunjing took the lead and stepped into the Grotto-Heaven entrance.
The moment you step through the portal, the surrounding scenery changes abruptly.
The first thing that catches the eye is a clear, pristine sky.
The Grotto-Heaven is a small world of its own. Above the sky, there are High Antiquity formations simulating the sun, moon, and stars. Soft sunlight fills the entire Grotto-Heaven, warm but not harsh, and its clear radiance shines everywhere.
Beneath your feet are smooth, long white jade steps, flanked by continuous green mountains, and a rushing, Spirit Vein river meanders out from the depths of the mountains.
The river water was crystal clear, and the riverbed was covered with shimmering white spiritual jade. Every drop of the river water was a spiritual liquid that had been refined to the extreme. As it rushed, the Spiritual Qi swirled into mist, condensing into a thin layer of spiritual frost on the riverbank.
On both sides of the long steps stand two rows of stone tablets displaying Cultivation Method.
Each stone tablet is several meters tall, and its surface is engraved with the inherited Cultivation Method of the High Antiquity branch of the Taixuan Sect, from Foundation Establishment to Spirit Transformation, all of which are complete.
Even after all these years, the Daoist charm on the stele has not faded. As soon as one's gaze sweeps over it, countless True Intention Cultivation Method of cultivation techniques flood into one's sea of consciousness. Li Yunjing's mind is immediately shaken. He stops and stares at it, even his breathing becomes soft.
The others also entered the Grotto-Heaven at this time.
Like Li Yunjing, they were also shocked by the scene before them.
"Such abundant Spiritual Qi! No wonder it's Grotto-Heaven; it's truly extraordinary!"
"I even feel that this Grotto-Heaven is no weaker than the Mysterious Female Dao Realm. Is that just an illusion?"
"A tremendous fortuitous opportunity! This is our tremendous fortuitous opportunity!"
"..."
The group descended the long white jade steps, and ahead lay a vast, seemingly endless medicinal garden.
The herb garden was protected by High Antiquity Spirit Gathering Formation, and has remained undamaged for a long time.
The garden is filled with rare and precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures that have long since disappeared from the five continents: the Nine-Leaf Soul-Returning Grass stretches out its glossy leaves, and the dewdrops hanging from the tips of the leaves fall to the ground, creating a faint halo.
The Purple-Veined Dragon Blood Ginseng took root in the spiritual soil, its tendrils spreading several feet, emanating a rich aura of Blood Qi; there were also patches of Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon Lotus, Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit, and Mystic Ice Jade Marrow Flowers...
Each plant is thousands or even nearly ten thousand years old, full of vitality, showing no signs of withering.
At the edge of the herb garden are neatly divided Spirit Field, where High Antiquity grains are planted. The ears of grain are full and Golden Light, and even without anyone tending to them, they flourish and wither year after year under the nourishment of the Spirit Gathering Formation, in an endless cycle.
Beyond the herb garden lies a cluster of cave abode and associated palaces.
Hundreds of cave abode were built against the mountain, each with its own Spirit Gathering Formation, quiet room, and secret cultivation chamber. The residences for Golden Core disciples to Spirit Transformation were clearly divided and well-preserved.
On either side of the cave abode complex are the Pill Hall, the Weapon Hall, and the Scripture Repository...
The palace doors were tightly closed, yet one could still feel the lingering warmth of the sealed alchemical fire and the flowing rhythm of the artifacts within. The restrictions on the Scripture Pavilion remained intact, protecting the High Antiquity scriptures within, undamaged for millennia.