Chapter 84: The Cave's Opportunity!
"This is the place!"
With the help of his memories and the perception range of Jiang Yun's Spiritual Realm Soul, he easily pinpointed the location of the opportunity.
Gazing at the unassuming cliff before him, Jiang Yun's eyes pierced through layers of mist, seeing the cave below.
"Zi Yan, you take Xiao Yi Xian, and I'll take Qing Lin. Let's head down!" Jiang Yun said softly, turning to look at the three girls.
"En!" Zi Yan nodded gently.
Then, to Xiao Yi Xian's astonished gaze, a pair of brilliant wings appeared on both their backs.
"Dou... Dou Wang!"
Covering her small mouth, Xiao Yi Xian was speechless. They were roughly the same age, yet the other person was already a Dou Wang expert, renowned in the region.
She had initially thought Jiang Yun was just an ordinary Alchemist, or at worst, a talented Alchemist. She never expected him to also be a Dou Wang. The impact this brought was far greater than before.
In her understanding, she only knew that Alchemists were very noble, but she had no idea *how* noble. In comparison, the shock brought by strength was much greater.
Now, looking at Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes held a hint of restraint.
"Xiao Yi Xian Sister, Jiang Yun Brother and Zi Yan Sister are very nice people. Don't be too nervous! After a few more days, you'll get used to it."
Qing Lin noticed Xiao Yi Xian's apprehension, and pulling her hand, she gently comforted her.
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian forced a smile. The concept of hierarchy couldn't be changed in an instant. At least for now, her heart was filled with awe.
"Let's go!"
As Jiang Yun's words fell, Xiao Yi Xian hadn't fully recovered when Zi Yan came to her side, flapped her wings, and soared into the sky.
"Ah––"
In mid-air, the shock in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes lingered.
"Don't worry, I'm flying very steadily!" Zi Yan looked at the screaming Xiao Yi Xian and loudly comforted her with a smile.
Perhaps Zi Yan's words had an effect, or perhaps after a period of adaptation, Xiao Yi Xian gradually shed her nervousness and began to look around.
Soon, the four landed on a cliff.
As soon as the four landed, with a whooshing sound, a long, snake-like object, similar in color to the rock wall, darted out to bite.
"Careful." Seeing danger, Xiao Yi Xian instinctively cried out.
"Boom––"
Before her words even finished, Zi Yan unleashed a burst of Dou Qi, blasting it into a bloody pulp. The strong gust of wind also conveniently blew away the scattered rocks and strange trees covering the cave entrance.
The rock snake, with a body as hard as stone, difficult for ordinary swords to harm, died in Zi Yan's hands just like that.
"Uh––" Looking at the rock snake turned to pulp, Xiao Yi Xian was momentarily stunned. She then realized that these two were Dou Kings. How could this rock snake possibly pose a threat to them?
Thinking of this, her cheeks flushed slightly, feeling embarrassed by her own foolishness.
"Let's go!" Jiang Yun took in Xiao Yi Xian's reaction. He didn't say anything, but a smile flickered in his eyes.
In the utterly dark passage, Jiang Yun, leading the way, took out a moonstone from his storage ring to illuminate the cave.
The cave entrance wasn't wide, only allowing two or three people to pass. Xiao Ming and the others stood at the entrance, already quite crowded. Inside the cave was pitch black, yet a faint glow subtly emanated, giving it a mysterious, secluded feel.
Around the cave entrance, there were many carved marks, like those made by a knife. However, perhaps due to the passage of time, these carvings had become extremely blurry.
Walking through the quiet and dark cave, only the faint footsteps of the four echoed in the silent passage.
Finally, after about ten minutes, Jiang Yun, who was leading, stopped. The others looked up and saw a stone door blocking the way.
"No more path!"
Gazing at the stone door, Xiao Yi Xian observed it for a moment, then clapped her hands, seemingly feeling she had contributed, and excitedly said, "Beyond the stone door should be our destination."
"Looking at the yellow light on the stone door, this place has clearly been set with an earth-element mechanism. As long as one is careful, opening it shouldn't be difficult. I've read some books on mechanism techniques, so let me do it."
After speaking, seeing the gazes of the others, especially Qing Lin's adoring eyes, Xiao Yi Xian felt a sense of satisfaction and was about to step forward.
"Why bother with all that trouble!" Just then, Zi Yan stepped forward and said, walking up to the stone door and kicking it.
"Boom––" After a cracking sound, the stone door fell with a crash, raising a cloud of dust.
"Uh..." Xiao Yi Xian's footsteps halted, her expression peculiar. She still hadn't adjusted; this person was a Dou Wang! She shouldn't be looking at these two with her own mindset.
"Hehe, let's go!"
Seeing this scene, Jiang Yun chuckled lightly, then lifted his foot and walked into the stone chamber revealed after the stone door fell.
The stone chamber looked somewhat simple and spacious. Moonstones for illumination were embedded in the walls. In the center of the chamber, there was a seat.
On the seat, a skeleton sat upright, its sunken skull fallen to its pale thigh bone. This appearance, in the quiet atmosphere, looked quite eerie.
In front of the seat, a rather wide and long bluestone platform was set up. On the bluestone platform, three locked stone boxes were neatly arranged.
Jiang Yun ignored the gold coins scattered all over the floor and walked directly to the skeleton. He raised his hand and took out a yellowed piece of parchment, which had some seemingly irregular patterns on it, and a blurred, lotus-like object in the corner of the parchment.
It was a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map. Jiang Yun had already collected three pieces, and only the one from the Central Plains was missing.
"Xiaoyun, you seem to have two copies of this thing!" Zi Yan said with some surprise, looking at the fragment map.
Withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Yun didn't hide anything. "This is a map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. With this one, I've gathered three-quarters of it. I just don't know when I'll be able to collect the last piece!"
"Xiaoyun, don't worry, I'll help you!" Zi Yan wrinkled her nose and patted her chest, assuring him.
Looking at Zi Yan, Jiang Yun chuckled. After putting away the fragment map, Jiang Yun took out a key again and opened the three boxes one by one.
At this point, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian had already stored everything around them into their storage rings. Xiao Yi Xian looked at the scroll in Jiang Yun's hand and said softly.
"This should be the inheritance of the tomb's owner, right!"
"Unfortunately, it's not!"
Meeting Xiao Yi Xian's gaze, Jiang Yun gently shook his head, holding the three scrolls with Dou Qi, and said softly.
"Profound-tier high-grade flying Dou Technique: Eagle Wings, Profound-tier high-grade Dou Technique: Roaring Lion's Roar, and a Seven-Colored Poison Scripture!"
"What is a flying Dou Technique?" After hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian's expression subtly shifted, and she finally asked nonchalantly.
"A flying Dou Technique, as the name suggests, is a Dou Technique that allows one to fly in the sky."
"Then it must be very precious!"
"Do you want it?" Jiang Yun asked with a smile, holding the scroll and looking at Xiao Yi Xian.
"Ah––" Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian was slightly stunned, somewhat disbelieving. Then she shook her head, "Give it to Qing Lin!"
"She doesn't need it!" Jiang Yun shook his head at her reaction and explained.
"Qing Lin, you're also a Dou Wang!!!" After hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Yi Xian was first stunned, then stared at Qing Lin with wide eyes, saying, "At this age, a Seven-star Dou Zhe is also quite abnormal!"
"Hoo––" After hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she wasn't a Dou Wang. Then she immediately reacted, looking at Qing Lin in surprise. At this age, a Seven-star Dou Zhe was also quite abnormal!
"But Qing Lin has a sixth-tier magical beast as a pet!" Zi Yan, seeing this, rolled her big eyes and smiled slyly, slowly 'reminding' her kindly.
"Sixth, sixth-tier!!!" Sure enough, Xiao Yi Xian immediately froze, staring at Qing Lin in disbelief.
Qing Lin smiled shyly, tugging at Jiang Yun's sleeve, and softly said, "It's all thanks to Jiang Yun Brother!"
"Qing Lin has a special physique that allows her to control snake-type magical beasts and absorb their power to quickly advance her cultivation." Jiang Yun understated the terror of the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupil.
"They're all abnormal," Xiao Yi Xian looked at Qing Lin enviously. This was simply a talent everyone dreamed of, a real-life version of leveling up while lying down.
At this moment, the way she looked at Qing Lin had changed. She had initially thought she was just an ordinary, delicate younger sister, but she turned out to be a hidden BOSS.
Indeed, those who could associate with geniuses were no ordinary people!
What about her, then?
Why would Jiang Yun seek out her, this 'ordinary' girl?
At this moment, a big question appeared in Xiao Yi Xian's mind.
"This scroll of Violet Cloud Wings is for you. Whether you want to cultivate it is up to you. If you do, let me know. The remnant soul of a Black Flame Violet Cloud Eagle is sealed within it. With your strength, without me watching over you, I'm afraid you'll be driven mad by it!"
"And this, take it too!"
While in a daze, she reflexively took the two scrolls Jiang Yun handed her. The colorful, ancient scroll among them caught her attention.
Seven-Colored Poison Scripture!
Looking at the name of the third scroll, Xiao Yi Xian was first slightly stunned, then her pretty face lit up with joy as she began to read it. Clearly, compared to Dou techniques, Xiao Yi Xian was more interested in medicine and poison.
She quickly flipped through it, and when she reached the last page, Xiao Yi Xian's hand trembled slightly, and her body shook.
"You saw it!" At this moment, Jiang Yun, who had been looking around, turned his head and, seeing her state, asked softly.
"You, you know?" Suddenly, Xiao Yi Xian covered the scroll with both hands, looking at Jiang Yun with fearful eyes.
This posture left Zi Yan and Qing Lin beside her completely bewildered!
"Xiao Yi Xian Sister, what's wrong?" Qing Lin worriedly supported the trembling Xiao Yi Xian, asking in a whisper.
However, Qing Lin's good intention startled Xiao Yi Xian slightly. She quickly pulled away from her hand, and at the same time, she said tremblingly, "Qing Lin, don't touch me!"
"???" Qing Lin looked at Xiao Yi Xian in confusion. She didn't know why Xiao Yi Xian, who had been fine just a moment ago, had become like this. She could only turn to the 'omnipotent' Jiang Yun for help.
"Xiao Yi Xian possesses the Woeful Poison Body. This is a physique comparable to the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupil, and likewise, it is fraught with misfortune." As Jiang Yun explained, Zi Yan and Qing Lin's gazes towards Xiao Yi Xian immediately filled with sympathy and empathy.
Xiao Yi Xian's dream was to become an Alchemist, but her Dou Qi attribute was incompatible. She could only settle for becoming a physician who saved lives. But now, reality told her that her greatest talent lay in being a poison master, a profession scorned by all.
This dealt her a severe blow!
"Then how did you figure it out, Xiaoyun?" Suddenly, Zi Yan seemed to spot a blind spot and looked at Jiang Yun with some curiosity.
Zi Yan's words immediately drew the attention of Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. Xiao Yi Xian seemed to have thought of something; her face was now a bit flushed. She had seen the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture's description of the Woeful Poison Body, so she naturally knew how to distinguish an unawakened Woeful Poison Body.
Every Woeful Poison Body has a seven-colored line on their lower abdomen. Now she also knew Jiang Yun's power. With his strength, could he really see through clothes to the inside?
Jiang Yun's gaze paused slightly, and he said with a normal expression, "Everyone's attribute is related to their innate soul power. My soul power is strong, so I can distinguish everyone's attribute. Coupled with some other characteristics, a little deduction is all it takes to know!"
Jiang Yun's words effectively put the matter to rest, but Xiao Yi Xian was still a bit suspicious, though she was too embarrassed to voice it.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi Xian thought of something, and a glimmer appeared in her eyes as she asked, "Does that mean as long as I don't consume poison, this Woeful Poison Body won't activate?"
"Theoretically, yes. However, all medicine is three parts poison. You've been exposed to medicinal herbs for so many years, and enough toxins have already accumulated in your body. Now, it's probably just missing a trigger!"
As Jiang Yun spoke, the glimmer of hope in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes dimmed again. Thinking of the tragic incidents caused by the outbreak of Woeful Poison Body recorded in the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, Xiao Yi Xian gave a bitter smile.
"So, are you going to kill me? To prevent me from harming the world in the future."
"Bang––"
"Ow––" With a yelp, Xiao Yi Xian covered her forehead, which was already red and swollen, glaring fiercely at the culprit.
After flicking the forehead of this overly imaginative girl, Jiang Yun said exasperatedly, "If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"
Xiao Yi Xian immediately blushed deeply and said somewhat nervously, "But, my body..."
"Although the Woeful Poison Body is terrifying, it's not uncontrollable. I told you I want you as my medicine apprentice. If I can't even solve this, I wouldn't seek trouble for myself!"
Jiang Yun withdrew his finger. The smooth touch; the flick on her forehead felt excellent. Looking at Xiao Yi Xian, who was fuming like a hamster, Jiang Yun said softly.
"Really?" Hearing that Jiang Yun had a way to solve her problem, Xiao Yi Xian's face immediately lit up with joy, and she looked at Jiang Yun excitedly.
"Xiao Yi Xian Sister, since Jiang Yun Brother has a way, then he definitely does. You can rest assured!" Before Jiang Yun could answer, Qing Lin, with a confident expression, pulled Xiao Yi Xian's arm and said with a giggle.
After hesitating for a while and finding nothing unusual, Xiao Yi Xian still didn't resist. Looking at the soft and adorable Qing Lin, Xiao Yi Xian's mood immediately improved significantly, and she smiled as if a great burden had been lifted.
"Now it's time to explore the mysteries here!"
Looking at this scene, Jiang Yun smiled gently. He then put away his smile, looked at a certain spot in the secret chamber, and said with an unreadable expression.