Chapter 286: Luohua Cave and Zen (I)

After the arrow wound on Xiao Yan's body was cleaned, he just bandaged it lightly and continued on his way.

Although the Nine Nether Mysterious Heavenly Divine Art is a first-rate evil art, according to the surrendered minister, this art also has significant flaws. For example, when a man practices it, his own yang energy will gradually be consumed, until finally all his yang energy is gone, he will be attacked back by this evil art. Specific manifestations may include loss of control of internal force, reversal of luck, invasion of evil spirits into the body, and other states where one's martial arts skills are wasted.

But Xiao Yan has been practicing this technique for more than a year. With the help of the restraint and balance of the Three-Part Return to Origin Qi, the two complement each other. Not only did he not suffer any backlash, but he also made progress.

Now Xiao Yan has mastered the Nine Nether Mysterious Heaven. Although every time he tries to practice this technique, he will continuously consume his own blood and essence, but the so-called refining of essence into qi, the evil spirit generated by the evil technique will also feed back to himself, making the body's blood and essence more abundant and vigorous. During the period of self-operation, it will automatically repair the wounds.

As long as you can truly make use of this evil skill, the saying "the more you fight, the stronger you become" is no longer just talk. This is also the reason why your fighting spirit becomes stronger after practicing this skill.

However, Xiao Yan's consumption in this battle was not small. The original Sanfen Guiyuan Qi could continuously replenish his internal strength, and its effect was enough to be regarded as a big river, which was inexhaustible.

However, as Xiao Yan became more and more proficient in the Nine Nether Mysterious Heaven Divine Art, the fusion of the Yin and Yang in his body became more and more natural. The power of each attack was enormous, and the consumption it brought was also astonishing. Especially in such dangerous situations, the Nine Nether Mysterious Heaven Divine Art almost automatically burned the essence and blood to replenish the internal strength. After a battle, the loss of energy and blood has become the norm.

At this time, the internal energy replenished by the Three-Point Return to Origin Qi can be regarded as just a small stream. Although it will not be cut off, it cannot withstand the huge consumption at one time.

Therefore, Xiao Yan felt quite hungry at this time, and his qi and blood were severely depleted.

Especially after Kuigeng, a skilled crossbowman among the Tiankui, shot him with two specific arrows, Xiao Yan's luck was blocked. He was left with a hidden disease that would take time to repair. At least 40% of his normal strength was lost, and it would take at least ten days or half a month for him to recover.

There was no way. When being surrounded by Tian Kui, Xiao Yan had a greater advantage fighting alone. Leaving Ji Ruxue and the others behind would only be a burden. Although they could indeed help him to diffuse some of the damage, they certainly could not advance and retreat as calmly as Xiao Yan could when fighting alone. Moreover, the other side still had five old subordinates. These five people had no other abilities, so it was not difficult for them to hold Hou Qing back.

Fortunately, during the time that Xiao Yan delayed, the five old subordinates did not pose any threat to Ji Ruxue and the other two. They only captured a lone You Chuan and fought with him for a while. The other party's intention of sending out the old subordinates was probably to divide the battlefield so that the Ten Heavenly Stems of Tiankui could concentrate on fighting Xiao Yan.

So after Xiao Yan caught up with the few people, they were not far from the legendary Luohua Cave. There were also villages and settlements gradually appearing on the road. The group replenished their food in a small village before continuing on their journey.

This time, Chi Meng finally saw what a real glutton was, and realized what it meant to be poor in literature but rich in martial arts.

Xiao Yan alone ate almost as much as ten people, slightly more than Chi Meng. This made Ji Ruxue wonder if Xiao Yan, who usually had a good appetite but only ate normally, had never been full...

However, after this meal, even though the prices in southern Xinjiang were very low, all the copper coins Xiao Yan brought with him were used up. This thing was really inconvenient to carry. Even if Ji Ruxue specially prepared a bag to hold the money, she couldn't carry too much.

Silver was not a circulated currency at that time and most merchants did not accept it. Even in the south of Xinjiang, the only currency in the Central Plains was the "Kaiyuan Tong Bao" minted in the early days of the Tang Dynasty. This version was well-made, uniform in size, and had sufficient copper. It was a fine piece of currency among the several types of coins minted in the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, even in southern Xinjiang, people believed that the "Kaiyuan Tong Bao" could ward off evil spirits and make money.

Apart from this, either the local currency in southern Xinjiang or physical transactions, such as silk fabrics, etc., are used. Not only is it difficult to convert silver into purchasing power, it may also be rejected, which is far less influential than copper coins and gold.

At this time, Chi Meng reached into his small purse and was able to afford one or two meals, but he could no longer eat and drink as much as he wanted.

As for You Chuan, he fled all the way from Nanping Kingdom, and any copper coins he had in his pocket were mostly robbed, so how could he have more?

So for the next few dozen miles, Boss Hou Qing took out his best gold nugget to support the four people, and they explored mountains and rivers along the way, asked the local villagers in southern Xinjiang about the rumors about Luohua Cave, and explored other southern Xinjiang sites left in Li Chunfeng's book. After walking for a day and a night, they finally walked into a maple forest.

------

The entire forest seemed to be on fire, stretching outward for several miles.

Walking among them, the light scent of tea and wood fragrance permeates your nose, the rustling sound of leaves brings out the tranquility of the forest, and all you can see is the fiery red color.

"The flowers that fell into the water are gone, their beauty is bound in the clouds, thousands of black and white powders embrace the moon alone, and the empty door walks backwards through the twelve palaces..."

Chi Meng had memorized this hexagram by heart. He looked around at the forest of red maple leaves and said in amazement, "How can we tell that someone fell into the water? Could it be that the old immortal is also lying?"

It's no wonder she was discouraged. After all, the scenery was beautiful, but one could tell at a glance that it had nothing to do with the legendary Twelve Caves. Just think about it, how could a notorious place like the Twelve Caves have such a fiery maple forest at the door?

If that were true, there would be no one who couldn't find the Twelve Caves.

Hou Qing patted the bone flute, touched his chin, and thought to himself: "Hmm...it turns out that the general direction I chose was not wrong. Luohua Cave...Huanggu, is there any connection between them in divination?"

Chi Meng looked at his cheap disciple who had already immersed himself in divination and couldn't help but hold his forehead with his hand.

If this silly disciple hadn't spent a lot of money on the road and fed several people well, she would really like to rub his head to see what he was thinking about.

Are you kidding me? Is this the time to think about divination? You have a stupid mind, what can you come up with? ?

Xiao Yan already knew the outcome, so he was not in a hurry. He just led the four people deeper into the maple forest.

The forest is very quiet. When a breeze blows by, it brings about a continuous rustling sound, which makes people feel particularly peaceful. If there is no other purpose and just want to practice here, it is obviously a good location.

Fortunately, Chi Meng was not disappointed. As he went deeper, birch trees suddenly grew among the maple forest. The path gradually widened and banners began to appear on both sides. On the blood-red banners, there were obviously man-made iron horn-shaped decorations.

And with the appearance of the flags, this abruptly appearing avenue soon came to an end.

What comes into view is a magnificent jade-framed cave gate, which is connected to the mountain wall. Both sides are surrounded by dense forests of birch and maple trees, but the cave gate still looks very spectacular.

Two huge ivory tusks leaned on either side of the cave entrance, and inside, bone reliefs sat on a stone platform. Two tall stone pillars, topped by ox-horn curved arches, hung with plain white ribbons.

Everything is very different from the Luohua Cave I imagined.

Just looking at this cave entrance, its specifications, its shape, and its overwhelming luxury, how can it be secluded from the world that so many people just think it is the legendary Luohua Cave?
But when I think about it, I feel relieved.

It is said that the existence of Luohua Cave is a place where some Luohua Cave girls live in seclusion from the mortal world, silently waiting for the gods they believe in to marry them.

Since it is the residence of the gods for marriage, it is not difficult to have such specifications...

Xiao Yan walked forward slowly with his hands behind his back, looking around quietly.

Even here, it is still quiet, with rustling leaves in the forest, as if it is out of this world.

Ji Ruxue followed him with the Tang sword in her arms, and whispered, "I feel something is wrong here. You are still injured, so don't act rashly. If anything happens, don't do it alone..."

Xiao Yan smiled, stroked his belt, and looked back.

He came here on his own initiative, but the Ten Thousand Poison Cave had been chasing them, stopping and starting along the way. The pursuers might have caught up with them, perhaps wanting to know what Li Chunfeng left in the book, or perhaps wanting to drive them into the Twelve Caves as soon as possible. In short, the game is not over, and the danger will not be eliminated.

They are still thieves, and the Wan Du Cave is still the officer who catches thieves.

The hearts of the people in Raojiang are still guided by the Ten Thousand Poison Cave. In southern Xinjiang, they have seen wanted warrants for several people many times. It seems unnecessary, but it is constantly compressing their living space until they enter the Twelve Caves.

It seems that entering the Twelve Caves is Xiao Yan's only way out, and the outcome of the game can also be revealed in the Twelve Caves.

Xiao Yan quietly tapped the jade buckle on his belt, thinking.

Chi Meng had already made a trumpet shape with his hands in front of his mouth and shouted: "Is there anyone..."

It seemed that the call had an effect, as light footsteps were heard from inside the cave entrance.

After a moment, a row of fiery figures came out from the cave entrance.

First there was a tall woman with a black gauze and silver crown on her head, delicate makeup and a cold face.

The row of women behind him were also very tall, but they all wore red veils, revealing only their eyes.

What is particularly surprising is that, with more than a dozen women walking out, their footsteps are still barely audible, and their postures are graceful and elegant, as if they have all received specific etiquette training, which is very pleasing to the eye.

Chi Meng and Ji Ruxue almost simultaneously pulled Xiao Yan, who was walking in front, back.

Wow, I knew there was a girl in Luohua Cave, but I didn’t know she was so pretty!

What if everyone was born this beautiful? ?
This is not Luohua Cave, this is the Kingdom of Women, a holy place for men!
The two girls, one big and one small, shared the same hatred and protected the injured Xiao Yan behind them. Chi Meng coughed and stepped forward to explain in a serious manner: "Hello, sisters. We passed by here because..."

Unexpectedly, the tall woman in the Luohua Cave had already spoken. Her voice was clear, cold but charming, and extremely pleasant to the ear.

"Ah Lang, A Ya, you have come from afar, it is not easy. I am Qian Wu, representing Luohua Cave, welcome everyone..."

Just this one sound made the two girls immediately alert.

Especially after seeing Xiao Yan's warm smile, he felt like he was facing a formidable enemy.

------

"I understand what you mean."

In Luohua Cave, Qianwu led everyone through the bamboo building path and said, "I do know where Huagu is, but I am not sure whether Huagu is Twelve Caves. But since this Alang has searched for Twelve Caves and knows about the existence of Huagu, why hasn't Qianwu seen you before?"

The latter question was directed to Hou Qing.

According to Hou Qing's own account, he traveled to Raojiang in search of the Twelve Caves. One clue was that he might be able to find the Twelve Caves through a valley called Huagu.

But Luohua Cave blocks the only way to Huagu. From Qianwu's perspective, if Hou Qing knew Huagu, he should have been to Luohua Cave.

Hou Qing was watching the sound of the spring flowing down the river with the waterwheel. Hearing this, he said without even looking up, "I have never been to Luohua Cave, so the cave master has naturally never seen me."

"Oh?" Qian Wu stopped curiously and turned back to ask, "Does Alang think that Huagu is not the place leading to the Twelve Caves?"

"..."

Hou Qing raised his head, tapped the bone flute, thought for a moment, and then told the truth: "I knew that the Fallen Flower Cave blocked the Painting Valley, so I didn't come to look for it again, and went to explore somewhere else."

Qian Wu frowned upon hearing this and wanted to ask again, but Hou Qing said directly: "There are too many women in your Luohua Cave. It's very troublesome to deal with them, so I will go somewhere else."

Qian Wu said nothing. She obviously saw that Hou Qing didn't want to talk to her any more. She also knew that she seemed to have asked too many questions, so she smiled slightly and raised her hand to stop the whispering girls from Luohua Cave on both sides. She said embarrassedly, "Qian Wu is rude. Let me put it this way. You have come from afar and may be tired. Luohua Cave always has hot spring baths to relieve fatigue. You can rest here. If there are enemies behind you, Luohua Cave will drive them out for you..."

"Sister Qianwu, we still have to look for the Twelve Caves. You can just tell us where Huagu is. There's no need for us to rest." Chi Meng said immediately.

Qian Wu smiled slightly and looked at Xiao Yan: "I see that this Alang is seriously injured. If you don't rest, he must also need to rest. Huagu is right there, you can go there anytime. If you leave now, won't my Luohua Cave lose its hospitality?"

Chi Meng had nothing to say. He grabbed Ji Ruxue's sleeve and felt annoyed with himself.

Ji Ruxue frowned and looked at Xiao Yan.

Although Qian Wu had a cold temperament, she had a faint smile on her face. At this moment, she was looking at Xiao Yan. Her beautiful eyes seemed to be able to speak, and she was just smiling with her eyes curved.

There is really no hostility at all.

Xiao Yan couldn't help laughing and said, "As the saying goes, guests should follow the host's wishes. Since the Lord of Qianwu Cave has invited us, we can't refuse. But I see that your place is full of women, and it seems a bit inconvenient for the three men like us..."

Qian Wu nodded and smiled, "Ah Lang is a polite person. Although all the people in Luohua Cave are women, there is a place for men to rest in the nearby cave. If you don't mind, the three Ah Langs can go there to take a bath and rest for a while."

"Alright."

Xiao Yan smiled, and only gave Ji Ruxue and Chi Meng a few instructions, then took Hou Qing and You Chuan with him and went somewhere else with a few other women.

"Little Pot..." Chi Meng was a little sad. In terms of beauty, she really couldn't compare to the people here.

Ji Ruxue had a calm expression, holding the knife, and said nothing.

Qian Wu then ordered someone to take the two girls to a resting place, and then turned to look in the direction where Xiao Yan and the other two left.

She thought for a moment, then shook her head and gave instructions to the person next to her in a low voice.

"Kill them all."

(End of this chapter)