Chapter 292

Chapter 292: The Past of Thousand Layer Cave (Part Two)

Five names, each was resounding and universally renowned. Even the children on Spirit Weapon Star who had just learned to speak must have heard of them!

Though these five names differed slightly from what Lou Yun had anticipated, they were still within his expectations. And if not for hearing this tale from Wen Zhi Lao Ren today, no one would believe that these five had willingly set aside their pride thirty years ago, cooperated fully, sealed Gui You Quan into Thousand Layer Cave, accomplishing a monumental deed for Spirit Weapon Star!

Among these five, apart from Drunken Madman who had vanished long ago, the other four had achieved success and reached the pinnacle. Some had become grandmasters of revered sects, while others ruled over domains. In terms of personal strength, they undoubtedly ranked among Spirit Weapon Star’s top ten supreme experts!

Among these Five Great Masters, Lou Yun had so far only met one: Second brother Beichen Ming. The other four he knew only by reputation, never having seen them in person.

Even so, simply imagining these five join forces in an epic battle against Gui You Quan was enough to conjure a magnificent scene. At this moment, Lou Yun truly envied Wen Zhi Lao Ren for having witnessed it firsthand.

After a moment of yearning, Lou Yun quickly snapped back to reality. He had urgent business to attend to, so he immediately pressed again: "Senior Wen, where exactly is this Thousand Layer Cave?"

Wen Zhi Lao Ren eyed Lou Yun. "You know Gui You Quan is sealed there, yet you still want to go?"

"Of course! My second brother went there, and his life hangs in the balance now. Even if I can’t bring him back safely, I must at least know what befell him!"

"Good!" Wen Zhi Lao Ren gave Lou Yun another thumbs-up. "Lad, you’ve got guts. Though I don’t know why you formed brotherhood with Beichen Ming, seeing your fierce loyalty to your sworn brother, I think I understand it a little!"

"I’ll tell you where Thousand Layer Cave lies." Wen Zhi Lao Ren pointed southeast. "From here, head southeast about five thousand kilometers. You’ll see a winding mountain range called Fei Xia Mountain. Once you reach Fei Xia Mountain, look down from a height. The peak of the shortest mountain there is the location of Thousand Layer Cave."

Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s directions were incredibly detailed. Lou Yun nodded. "Senior Wen, my deepest gratitude. I must take my leave now! If fate allows, I shall repay this kindness someday."

"Kindness? You rescued Xiao Tian, and I’ve told you where Thousand Layer Cave lies. We’re square. Still, I’ll describe the cave’s interior for your sake—just in case."

"Yes!" Lou Yun too was intensely curious about Thousand Layer Cave. How had Wen Zhi Lao Ren managed to enter and escape this supposedly ‘Cave of No Return’?

"That cave is bizarre in several ways. First, an irregular suction force emanates from within—strong at times, weak at others—seemingly patternless. At its strongest, it pulls from about ten meters away; at its weakest, from just over a meter. Without cultivation or insufficient strength, resistance is impossible. Victims are inevitably sucked into the cave."

"Second, though the cave mouth appears level, the ground inside feels false once entered, unable to bear any weight. Even a mouse’s step can fracture the surface instantly, plunging you into a vast, vertical abyss."

"After your fall, the ground seals shut again. Most people, having fallen into this deep pit, will look up to find not a trace of crack or opening above. It’s as if they plunged straight through the earth into the cave. Panic ensues, and many instinctively search horizontally for escape."

"Yet at that moment, eight diverging paths appear before you. Back when I explored, I chose two. Reaching the end of each, I found eight more splitting paths. Fearing to proceed, I retreated. Yet I suspect whichever path you pick, it ends with yet more junctions. Adding to that, the caverns themselves shift constantly. Finding your way back becomes impossible!"

"My escape was only possible because I could fly via magical weapons. I soared towards the cave’s roof and somehow triggered a mechanism. The ground cracked open again, and I sped out. Luckily, the suction was weak then. I strained all my might to break free and fled. Later, local mountain folk told me they knew of the cracking ground, but they warned the terrain itself moves! My luck was immense—during my fall, the ground didn’t shift. Otherwise, I might still be trapped in Thousand Layer Cave."

As Wen Zhi Lao Ren spoke, Lou Yun formed a mental map of Thousand Layer Cave while inwardly marveling. This cave was truly a colossal labyrinth. Without a way to backtrack, navigating its countless branches and finding an exit seemed near impossible!

Yet, since Beichen Ming had ventured there again, something must have happened. Likely Gui You Quan, after over thirty years, had at last found a way out!

Lou Yun’s thoughts aligned with Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s: "Lad, though entering Thousand Layer Cave usually means no return, nothing in this world is absolute. Besides, Gui You Quan’s might as the Scourge of an era is otherworldly. Thirty years might’ve been enough for him to find an exit. Or perhaps he was near breaking free, and one of the Five Great Masters sensed it. Else, why would Beichen Ming idly wander to Thousand Layer Cave? Tread carefully. I’ve told you everything I know. Returning safely depends on your own fortune."

Lou Yun smiled faintly. "Life and death are fated. If my end awaits, escape is futile. Farewell, Senior Wen."

He then glanced at Duan Wentian, adding pointedly, "Duan Wentian, should I survive, I shall keep my promise and send you home. Should I perish, you must return yourself when older. Regardless, heed my words!"

Duan Wentian nodded earnestly, gesturing while making "ah, ah" sounds. Wen Zhi Lao Ren interpreted kindly, "He says: You may rest assured. He’ll be good. And… he believes you won’t die."

"I hope so," Lou Yun chuckled. "Too much time wasted. I truly must leave now, Senior Wen!"

With that, he mounted Dream Emperor Sword. Man and sword merged into a silver streak, vanishing southeast into the distant sky.

Watching Lou Yun fade from view, Wen Zhi Lao Ren mused, "Should that lad return from Thousand Layer Cave unscathed, his future will be boundless. He may even become Spirit Weapon Star’s leading champion. Xiao Tian, make him your aspiration. Cultivate diligently."

Duan Wentian stared skyward. As he heard Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s words, a faint, sinister smirk flickered across his face, and a trace of hatred flashed in his eyes…

Following Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s route, Lou Yun flew for five hours till an undulating mountain range appeared ahead—Fei Xia Mountain.

Fei Xia Mountain sprawled with dozens of towering peaks. Surveying from above, one notably short mountain stood out. Adjusting course, Lou Yun aimed for its summit.

Throughout the flight, Lou Yun extended his spirit sense. Yet he detected no significant energy fluctuations near the cave, nor anywhere across Fei Xia Mountain. Many minor ripples were present—likely from demon beasts or magical weapons masters training within.

Moments later, Lou Yun alighted on the flat, scrub-covered peak. About twenty meters away, in a cliff face, lay a small, unremarkable mouth—Thousand Layer Cave’s entrance. Had he not known, he might’ve overlooked it.

Despite finding his destination, Lou Yun didn’t hurry over. He stood still, surveying the surroundings closely.

This low mountain had a gently sloped top thick with weeds and scattered stones. Yet within ten meters of the cave, the ground lay bare—no rocks, no grass.

The reason was clear: the cave’s suction force. Wen Zhi Lao Ren had said those lacking cultivation couldn’t resist it, much less inanimate stones and plants.

But signs of struggle—was that what Lou Yun sought? Did Second brother and others clash with Gui You Quan? He scanned the summit once more.

No trace of battle lingered there.

That calmed Lou Yun’s heart. No conflict meant Gui You Quan likely hadn’t escaped—a thirty-year imprisonment? The moment he broke free, revenge would have erupted instantly.

Yet signs of recent visitors were absent too. Three months had passed. If anyone came, three months of wild growth erased all traces.

Thus, the summit yielded no clue to Beichen Ming’s fate.

Then Lou Yun stepped forward towards the cave mouth.