Chapter 19

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Chapter 19: The Cave

Letting out a deep breath, Yi Qianmo stepped into the valley.

His black sword was gripped tightly in his hand, his senses on high alert. The Green Back Bear lingered outside, effectively trapping him. If he couldn’t locate the magical herb to craft the pill, there were only two possible outcomes: he would either starve to death in this desolate valley or become the bear’s next meal.

His lips curved into a bitter smile. “My ancestor was a great emperor. If he knew I met my end like this, he would probably curse me from the heavens.”

Determined, Yi Qianmo reminded himself, “Since this place produces spiritual medicine, there must be spirit Qi here!”

The old herbalist, unaware of the spiritual essence of the herbs he picked, had only provided part of the puzzle. Yi Qianmo was certain there was more to this valley than met the eye.

The Valley’s Secrets

The valley had an unsettling aura. Cold and damp, it resembled the neck of a bottle, with sunlight barely illuminating its steep sides. Only the center teemed with lush vegetation, creating an unnatural contrast to the barren surroundings.

Stretching over a mile, the valley’s heart was lined with various medicinal herbs. However, many of them had been harvested recently, their roots barely beginning to regrow. Yi Qianmo scanned the area meticulously but found no other herbs with spiritual essence.

As he walked, a sense of unease crept over him.

“This doesn’t look natural,” he murmured. “It’s too symmetrical… more like a man-made herb field.”

The memory of his ancestor’s experiences stirred within him. Decades ago, his ancestor had trained in immortal sects where spiritual herb fields were cultivated for alchemy. The resemblance was uncanny. Yet, something felt off—this valley lacked the abundant spirit Qi such fields usually possessed.

By the time he reached the valley’s end, he had found no trace of spirit Qi or magical herbs. Frustration clawed at him.

“Could I have been wrong?”

Doubt weighed heavily on him. If he had miscalculated, not only would his grandfather remain beyond saving, but his own life would also be forfeit.

Discovery of the Formation

Refusing to give up, Yi Qianmo began scouring the valley with the precision of a farmer tilling his fields.

After an hour of fruitless searching, his eyes caught something peculiar—a faint pattern etched into the ground at the valley’s center.

“A formation!”

His heart raced. “So this valley isn’t natural after all. If there’s a formation, there must be more secrets hidden here.”

Driven by newfound hope, Yi Qianmo began examining the surrounding area. Sure enough, he unearthed several similar patterns, partially buried under layers of soil and vegetation. Using his black sword, he carefully uncovered them.

A realization dawned on him. “A Maze Formation…”

He let out a breath of relief. “If this were any other formation, I wouldn’t have the strength to break through it in my current state. But a Maze Formation…”

Maze Formations were designed to confuse intruders, posing no direct harm. However, the one before him was unusually sophisticated—it activated only when someone attempted to enter its protected space. This was no ordinary trap; it was an actively triggered formation, likely guarding something of great value.

Breaking the Maze

Drawing upon his ancestor’s memories, Yi Qianmo located the formation’s core and channeled the last remnants of his true energy. With a powerful strike, he activated the formation.

The valley vanished in an instant, replaced by a thick, disorienting fog. Visibility shrank to mere feet.

Yi Qianmo stood motionless, knowing that aimless wandering would leave him hopelessly lost. His ancestor’s teachings echoed in his mind.

“The patterns resemble stars. To escape, I must step with precision… the pivot is the sky, the rotation is the earth, the point is the people…”

Eyes closed, he visualized the celestial patterns as he began to move.

The first attempt failed. So did the second. But Yi Qianmo remained resolute, each attempt refining his understanding of the formation’s logic.

On his tenth try, the fog abruptly parted, revealing a hidden path. Yi Qianmo wasted no time and stepped forward.

Before him lay the entrance to a cave, its walls shimmering with a creamy white hue. As he approached, bronze lanterns lining the walls flickered to life, illuminating the way.

A Hidden Cave Dwelling

The cave’s interior was vast, its space divided into multiple chambers. Above the doorways, engraved plaques marked their purposes: Pill Room, Spirit Room, Scripture Chamber…

Dust was conspicuously absent. The cave appeared as though its owner had only just left.

Yi Qianmo’s pulse quickened as he entered the Pill Room. Inside, a roaring fire burned beneath a pill furnace. A batch of pills was in the midst of refinement.

The sight made his blood run cold. “This cave has an owner!”

He had assumed he’d stumbled upon the ruins of a long-deceased immortal. But the scene before him shattered that illusion. If the cave’s master returned to find him here, the consequences could be fatal.

Calming his nerves, Yi Qianmo cautiously approached the furnace. A faint, bitter aroma filled the air, and his eyes widened in recognition.

“Building Foundation Pill…”

The pill, used to advance from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, was rare and invaluable. However, it wasn’t yet complete—some crucial spiritual herb was missing.

The method of refinement, Yi Qianmo realized, belonged to the demonic path. A chill crept up his spine.

A Risky Decision

Despite the danger, Yi Qianmo’s gaze drifted to the shelves lining the room. They were stocked with Qi Nourishing Pills, an elixir capable of transforming a mortal into an innate martial artist.

Temptation warred with caution.

“If I take these, the owner will notice. But if I don’t…”

He hesitated before reasoning, “The owner is focused on breaking through to Foundation Establishment. They likely have little use for Qi Nourishing Pills now.”

Ten bottles of pills sat on the shelves. Initially, Yi Qianmo considered taking only one from each bottle, but a thought struck him.

“If I take just one, it’ll look like I fear the owner. But if I take everything, they might assume I’m someone powerful enough to do so without concern.”

Decision made, Yi Qianmo swept every last pill into his storage ring. “Fortune favors the bold,” he whispered, steeling himself for whatever consequences might follow.