Chapter 122: Entering the Cave Alone, the Darkness Unknown in the Eyes

Everything happened so suddenly and was resolved just as quickly, as if it had never existed. Unless some people deliberately thought about it, it would merely be a fleeting moment.

Liu Yi sat with the dark-skinned man, the cute little girl, and her sister. Hundreds of people from the fishing village sat on the beach, lighting huge bonfires. There was a small fire beside each group, as they needed to cook food by fire.

The scattered stars, the cool moon, and the gentle breeze, along with the ebbing and flowing tides, created a breathtaking seaside scene. Liu Yi watched these happy people, wondering how they would disappear when the Nine Nether Demon God awoke. Perhaps they wouldn’t even need to disappear…

Xiao Lan looked at Liu Yi with her big eyes and said, “Big brother, what are you thinking? Everyone is so happy, but you seem preoccupied.”

Liu Yi glanced at Xiao Lan, then at the dark-skinned man, and said, “Sir, I still don’t know your name.”

The dark-skinned man took a bite of the grilled fish and smiled. “I’ve lived in these seas since I was young. You can call me Hai Cha. This is my eldest daughter, Hai Lan Er, and my younger daughter, Hai Ling Er.”

Liu Yi looked at the two cute girls, nodded, and said, “My name is Liu Yi. I came from the continent across the sea. I’m here to find the mountain that spews fire.”

The dark-skinned man stopped smiling and said, “Benefactor, I advise you not to go. There are monsters guarding the entrance to that cave, and something invisible blocks it. You won’t be able to enter. Even if you did, there are even more terrifying things inside—the place is extremely dangerous. People in our village never even mention that mountain.”

Liu Yi nodded. “It might be terrifying, but I must go. I have no other choice.”

Hai Lan tilted her head and looked at Liu Yi. “Big brother, Dad is right. The monsters there are terrifying—millions of times worse than the Green Dragon. Please don’t go.”

Liu Yi patted Hai Lan’s head. “Big brother must go. Otherwise, something even more terrible will happen…”

Liu Yi continued, “Brother Hai, can you take me to that cave now? I don’t have much time left. I’m in a hurry. Just take me to the entrance of the cave.”

Hai Cha seemed to be thinking for a moment before nodding. “Okay, no problem. Besides, I promised you. If it’s really important and urgent, I won’t persuade you any further. Let’s set off now. Good luck to you.”

Liu Yi nodded, picked up the ‘Sorrowful Dream’ sword lying nearby, and stood up. “Brother Hai, let’s go now.”

Hai Cha left his two daughters on the beach. “Wait here for Dad. I’ll be back soon,” he said, then turned to Liu Yi. “Alright, let’s go.”

Hai Lan looked at Liu Yi with her innocent big eyes. “Big brother, be careful. Don’t let the monsters see you.”

Liu Yi nodded without saying anything, staying behind Hai Cha as they headed in another direction toward the village. The island wasn’t small; otherwise, Liu Yi wouldn’t have thought of it as a continent at first. After walking for about half an hour, Hai Cha and Liu Yi arrived behind a desolate hill.

Hai Cha whispered, “Once we cross this hill, we’ll see a cave ahead. That cave is the entrance to the volcano that spews fire. But there are two human-shaped monsters guarding the entrance—unknown what they are.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “Brother Hai, you go back first. I’ll return to find you soon.”

Hai Cha nodded and said, “Be extremely careful. If something goes wrong, make sure you escape.”

Liu Yi nodded again…

Hai Cha gave a few more instructions before reluctantly leaving.

Watching Hai Cha go, Liu Yi thought of Mount Changbai he had visited last time. He guessed the monsters in this volcano were probably ancient fire spirits or something similar—shouldn’t be too difficult. But… since July wasn’t here this time, without that magic thunder, he would have to rely on his sword if he encountered them. Still, it was best not to encounter them, as Liu Yi wasn’t sure he could kill a fire spirit.

After thinking this through, Liu Yi gradually climbed up the hill and headed in the direction Hai Cha had indicated. Sure enough, about thirty feet ahead was a cave, with two tall human figures guarding the entrance, each holding a large sword. Upon closer inspection, Liu Yi realized these two men weren’t monsters—they carried neither an aura of a demon nor a human. Instead, it seemed… there was a scent of withered wood.

Withered wood… an unpassable door? What if those two elements were connected? Or perhaps some advanced ancient formation?

Liu Yi didn’t overthink it and headed straight for the cave entrance. When he was about thirty feet away, the two men raised their swords and said, “This is a forbidden area. Outsiders are not allowed in. Please leave.”

From their tone, Liu Yi confirmed once again that they weren’t monsters but guardians emanating from some formation.

Liu Yi looked at the two men and said, “No, I must enter.” At that moment, he also noticed white light flowing from the cave entrance—obviously, it seemed sealed by something, looking quite strange.

Not wanting to engage with the two men, Liu Yi quickly activated the “Lanerfina Qing” meditation technique and simply used the “Sorrowful Four Styles”—“Moon-Shattering Sword Fall.” A purple light spun and shot toward the glowing cave entrance. As the purple light was emitted, Liu Yi used the “Swift” technique from “Hidden Spin Nine Shadows” to chase after it. With a “pop,” a crack appeared at the cave entrance. Before the two men could react, Liu Yi rushed in at a speed faster than the wind. It was too late for them to stop him, as the cave’s barrier had already closed.

As Liu Yi rushed in, the two burly men returned to their positions on either side, as if nothing had happened. Were they mannequins? Regardless of whether they were made of wood or iron, Liu Yi felt as though his entire body was in a sea of fire the moment he rushed in—his body was unbearably hot. The rocks on the cave walls had turned red from the heat, showing just how high the temperature was. Although there was only a door separating them, it felt like two different worlds.

Without time to think further, Liu Yi quickly activated the twelfth level of the “Lanerfina Qing” meditation technique, the “Reversing Heavens” stage, creating an oval-shaped protective aura around his body. The green light isolated him from the intense heat. In an instant, Liu Yi felt much more comfortable. Yet he was surprised—this temperature was several times higher than that in the magma cave he had entered last time. Could the monsters here be even more formidable than those in the magma cave?

Unconsciously, Liu Yi became more cautious as he slowly moved deeper into the cave. Since the surrounding rock walls were red and emitted red light, the cave didn’t seem completely dark to Liu Yi. However, he had no idea what lay ahead, nor whether the legendary “Heavenly Essence Stone” existed here…