69: Ancient caves deep in the canyon

The rock crevice was narrow and winding, extending downward as if leading to the earth's core.

The surrounding air grew increasingly damp and cold.

The howling of the raging Black Storm was muffled and distant, isolated by the rock walls, replaced by a heart-pounding silence where only Xiao Yan's own footsteps and breathing echoed in the confined space.

He dared not be careless in the slightest.

His Soul Power extended forward like a tentacle, wary of potential traps or lurking Demonic Beasts.

At the same time, he clearly felt the strange energy fluctuation growing stronger, its source seemingly located at the end of this crevice.

After walking for about half an hour, a faint light and the sound of flowing water vaguely reached him from ahead.

Xiao Yan's spirits lifted, and he quickened his pace.

Passing through the last narrow section of the passage, the view suddenly opened up!

This was a massive underground cavern.

Countless stalactites, emitting a soft white glow, hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space.

In the center of the cavern was a slowly flowing underground dark river.

The river water was clear but emitted a faint chill.

And on the opposite bank of the dark river, stood an ancient and dilapidated small palace, built entirely of some kind of azure jade!

The palace gate was tightly shut, carved with profound runes.

The strong energy fluctuation was emanating precisely from inside this palace!

"This is... an ancient Immortal Cave?!" Xiao Yan was deeply shaken.

Judging by the style of the palace and the ancient aura it exuded, it was definitely not a modern construction.

To be able to establish such an Immortal Cave deep within the Black Storm Canyon, its owner must have been an extraordinary powerhouse during his lifetime!

"Be careful.

Such ancient Immortal Caves are often equipped with powerful Restrictions," Yao Lao reminded him, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness and curiosity.

Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dark river.

The water looked calm, but he could feel the bone-chilling cold and hidden energy fluctuations contained within—it was definitely not a safe place.

He tried throwing a stone; the moment it touched the water's surface, it was instantly frozen in a layer of solid ice and sank to the river bottom.

"What terrifying cold!" Xiao Yan clicked his tongue.

This dark river served as a natural barrier.

He carefully observed the palace on the opposite bank and noticed that something seemed to be scattered on the jade plaza in front of the palace gate.

Focusing his gaze, he saw several skeletons that had been weathered for an unknown number of years!

Judging by the skeletons' positions, they seemed to have been trying to rush toward the palace gate just before they died.

"It seems that people discovered this place before us, but none managed to successfully enter."

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.

This further emphasized the danger and preciousness of the Immortal Cave.

He walked along the riverbank, searching for a way to cross.

Finally, in one corner of the cavern, he found a dilapidated stone bridge.

Most of the bridge had collapsed, leaving only a few isolated stone pillars standing in the river, spaced far apart.

"I can only cross here."

Xiao Yan estimated the distance and position between the pillars and took a deep breath.

He had to land precisely on every single pillar and resist the residual Restrictions that might be on the pillars, as well as the terrifying cold emanating from the river!

He adjusted his state, gathering Dou Qi beneath his feet, aimed for the first pillar, and leaped up!

"Swoosh!"

He landed steadily on the stone pillar.

The pillar was bone-chillingly cold and its surface was slick.

A hidden force of vibration transmitted through it, attempting to knock him into the river.

Xiao Yan circulated his Dou Qi, firmly stabilizing his body.

He dared not linger.

His gaze locked onto the second, more distant pillar, and he leaped again!

Just like that, he leaped perilously between the isolated stone pillars like a nimble ape.

Every landing had to be perfectly precise, and each time he had to resist the pervasive cold and the strange power of the pillars themselves.

Several times, the pillar beneath his feet suddenly cracked, nearly causing him to fall into the dark river that could instantly freeze a Dou Spirit!

The short distance of a hundred meters felt like crossing a chasm between life and death.

When he finally stepped onto the jade plaza on the opposite bank without mishap, his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

He looked back at the deathly still dark river and the broken stone bridge, his heart filled with lingering fear.

There was no time to rest.

His gaze immediately turned to the azure jade palace, which was now close at hand.

The gate was tightly shut, and the runes on it shimmered faintly.

He tried to push it, but the gate did not budge.

"Forcibly breaking the door might trigger even stronger Restriction counterattacks," Yao Lao said.

"Look around for mechanisms, or... try communicating using your Soul Power."

Xiao Yan followed his advice, cautiously probing the gate with his Soul Power.

When his Soul Power touched the profound runes, an anomaly occurred!

The runes on the gate suddenly burst into dazzling azure light!

A massive stream of information, mixed with fragmented images, forcibly surged into Xiao Yan's mind!

It was an endless sea of azure flames...

A blurry figure floated and struggled within the sea of fire, eventually merging with the flames...

Innumerable insights and Cultivation methods concerning fire control, pill refinement, and even an exotic flame called the Azure Nether Profound Flame, surged in like a tide...

"This is... a Legacy?!" Xiao Yan's heart pounded violently!

The owner of this Immortal Cave was actually an ancient Alchemist who controlled an exotic flame?!

What he left behind was his lifelong pill refinement experience and the Legacy of the exotic flame!

This Opportunity was too immense!

However, just at the crucial moment when he was fully absorbing this massive Legacy information—

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Several sharp sounds of air being torn came from behind him, accompanied by a cold, sinister laugh:

"Brat! We really must thank you for leading the way!

Who knew this wretched place hid such a Treasure Trove!

Now, hand over the Legacy you obtained, and then... you can die!"

Xiao Yan abruptly turned his head, only to see five Blood Sect powerhouses led by Fan Lao, who had somehow crossed the dark river and appeared on the plaza!

They looked slightly disheveled, clearly having expended considerable effort to cross the river, but at this moment, everyone's eyes were greedily and cruelly fixed on Xiao Yan, as well as the azure-shimmering palace gate that was transmitting the Legacy!

They actually followed him!

And they seized the perfect moment when he was receiving the Legacy and unable to use his Divided Soul!

Fan Lao, a One-star Dou Spirit!

The four people behind him were all high-level Great Dou Masters!

Despair!

Xiao Yan's heart instantly sank to the bottom.

The Legacy was at a critical juncture and could not be interrupted, or all his previous efforts would be wasted, and he might even suffer a backlash!

Yet, strong enemies were already surrounding him!

What should he do?!