The moment the illusion array was broken, that obscure and corrupting aura that had lingered in their hearts, like morning mist dispersed by sunlight, suddenly grew thin, almost imperceptible. The cave tunnel returned to its original chill and silence, with only the slightly hurried breathing of the group and the dripping of water echoing within.
Having experienced the peril that had struck directly at their hearts moments ago, none of the four dared to be the slightest bit careless. Mu Qingfeng held the glowstone, its light more condensed than before, carefully illuminating every inch of the rock walls and ground ahead. Liu Yun and Shi Jian stood guard on the left and right, vigilantly watching the sides. Xiao Qi followed closely behind, frying pan gripped tightly, his mind still maintaining a subtle connection with the jade pendant at his chest, in case of unexpected danger.
After rounding the node of the broken illusion array, the passage widened. Advancing about a dozen zhang, the space ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a naturally formed stone chamber roughly three zhang square.
The stone chamber was not large, its four walls rough and covered with the marks of time and slippery moss. A few natural fissures in the ceiling allowed several weak beams of daylight to filter down, barely dispelling some of the darkness, letting the glowstone's light illuminate the entire space more effectively. Compared to the winding, gloomy tunnel, this stone chamber gave a strangely "clean" feeling; the previously obscure aura had almost completely vanished here.
The interior of the stone chamber was empty, devoid of any decoration or furniture. Only in the very center stood a natural stone platform about half a person's height. The platform's surface was relatively smooth and polished, completely free of dust, forming a stark contrast with the moss-covered rock walls around.
And the moment they entered the stone chamber, everyone's gaze was involuntarily and firmly drawn to the object atop the stone platform.
It was a jade slip about three cun long and two fingers wide. The jade was ancient and unadorned, exhibiting a warm and restrained pale yellow hue, with no elaborate patterns on its surface—only the subtle staining and patina left by time. It lay quietly at the center of the stone platform, emanating that faint yet pure spiritual energy fluctuation they had sensed outside the cave. This fluctuation was gentle and distant, entirely different from the obscure eeriness of the earlier illusion array, as if it were a sleeping wise man awaiting the awakening by a destined individual.
"That's it…" Liu Yun whispered, a flash of eagerness in her eyes. Something guarded by such a formidable illusion array could not be ordinary.
Shi Jian also widened his eyes, his breathing growing heavier.
Mu Qingfeng did not approach immediately. Instead, he once again carefully scanned the entire stone chamber, including the platform and the jade slip, with his spiritual sense, confirming there were no traces of any array or trap before he slowly spoke: "It seems this jade slip is what the master of this place left behind."
His gaze swept over the group, finally settling on Xiao Qi, carrying a hint of inquiry: "Xiao Qi, you contributed the most in breaking the array just now. According to our agreement, you should be the first to touch this jade slip. If there's no danger, we'll study it together. How about that?"
This was the eldest senior brother fulfilling the earlier agreement that "anything obtained inside the cave must be discussed and distributed jointly," while also being a recognition of merit and a test. The first to touch an unknown object often bore the risk.
Hearing this, Xiao Qi felt a stir in his heart. He looked at the ancient jade slip, then at the trusting and encouraging eyes of his senior brother and sisters, and did not decline. He knew this was the team's acknowledgment of him.
"Yes, eldest senior brother," he responded, took a deep breath, and stepped toward the stone platform.
His footsteps landed on the dry ground of the stone chamber, producing faint sounds. As he drew closer, he could more clearly feel the gentle spiritual energy fluctuation emanating from the jade slip; the jade pendant worn at his chest remained warm, giving no warning.
He stood before the stone platform, reached out his hand, and his fingertips slowly approached the pale yellow jade slip.
The instant his fingertips were about to touch the jade slip, a sudden change occurred!
The jade slip seemed to have been infused with life, its surface suddenly glowing with a soft yet unmistakable white halo! A stream of information, like a bursting flood, rushed into Xiao Qi's mind through his fingertips before he could react!
"Hum—"
Xiao Qi felt a roar in his head, countless unfamiliar characters, diagrams, and an indescribable sense of comprehension flashing through like a revolving lantern! The information was vast and chaotic, striking him until his vision darkened; he staggered, nearly collapsing.
"Xiao Qi!" Liu Yun exclaimed, about to step forward.
"Don't move!" Mu Qingfeng immediately stopped her, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Qi and the glowing jade slip, "It's an inheritance jade slip! It's actively recognizing its master and transmitting information! Don't disturb him!"
Hearing this, everyone held their breath, watching Xiao Qi nervously.
Xiao Qi, enduring the turmoil in his mind, tightly guarded his consciousness, striving to receive and comprehend the information flooding in. He realized this information wasn't chaotic; its core seemed to revolve around a concept called "purification," as well as the application of a certain basic method related to it…
No one knew how long it lasted—perhaps just an instant, perhaps a long quarter of an hour. The light on the jade slip's surface gradually dimmed, eventually returning to its ancient, unadorned appearance. And that massive stream of information finally stopped pouring in.
Xiao Qi staggered a step, supported by Shi Jian behind him. His face pale, forehead covered in cold sweat, yet his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
"Xiao Qi, how are you? What did you get?" Liu Yun asked eagerly.
Xiao Qi gasped a few times, straightened the still somewhat chaotic information in his mind, raised his head, looked at everyone, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness and incredulity:
"What's recorded in this jade slip is… a technique called 'Basic Purification Technique'… an incomplete auxiliary cultivation method."