SWNOVELXO Chapter 8: The Mysterious Cave
Riu Xian's heart pounded in his chest as he moved with haste through the dense forest. The war with the Bright Snow Sect was imminent, and the Cloudspring Sect's preparations were falling apart. He had no desire to be caught in the chaos of it all. With each passing moment, the sense of impending danger only grew stronger. "I need to get away from this cursed place," he thought, his mind racing as he sought a way out.
Suddenly, as if summoned by his desperation, a peculiar sight appeared before him. A cave materialized out of nowhere, the earth around it seeming to ripple and shift like water. A portal-like gate stood at the entrance, its surface glowing faintly with a faint aura.
"Is this a secret realm?" Riu Xian exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment. He had never seen anything like it before, not even in his previous life, where such realms were spoken of only in legends.
Lu Hao, who had been following Riu Xian, scoffed at his ignorance. His arrogant laugh filled the air. "You don't even know what a secret realm looks like?" he sneered. "Take a good look, you fool. This is no ordinary secret realm. This is an ancient cave abode, probably left behind by a high-level cultivator. The gate may look like a portal, but it's actually a restriction, and it seems the restriction has been lifted somehow."
Riu Xian's mind whirled. "An ancient cave abode? A place where a high-level cultivator might have lived? But what is this gate, and why now?" He took a step forward, his curiosity piqued.
One of Lu Hao's lackeys, a brutish cultivator with a dark expression, eyed the cave with greed in his eyes. "Should we explore it? There's no telling what treasures this place might hold. It could be our chance to find something that'll make us stronger."
The others, eager for any opportunity to gain power, nodded in agreement. Without a second thought, they pushed forward, stepping through the threshold of the cave.
Riu Xian hesitated for a moment, then followed. "This might be the chance I've been looking for," he thought, his instincts telling him that there was more to this place than met the eye. He couldn't pass up the possibility of uncovering something that could change his fate.
As soon as he crossed into the cave, the sight before him stunned him. The interior resembled a grand mansion, more like the abode of a wealthy business tycoon than a humble cultivator's retreat. The floors were made of gleaming jadestone, smooth and polished, reflecting the faint light that seeped from the entrance. Exquisite decorations adorned every surface, from intricately carved statues to tapestries depicting scenes of battles and triumphs. The air itself hummed with the remnants of spiritual energy, long dormant yet still potent.
Riu Xian's eyes widened as he saw shelves lined with all manner of weapons—some of high-grade material, others ordinary but well-crafted. There were also vials of pills that seemed to pulse with spiritual energy, their aura tantalizingly strong. His gaze darted from one corner to another, his senses on high alert. "What is this place? This cave—this must have belonged to someone above the Nascent Soul level. A mere foundation establishment cultivator wouldn't have this kind of wealth. Could it be a relic from a forgotten sect?"
But before he could contemplate further, one of Lu Hao's lackeys shouted with glee. "We've hit the jackpot! This place is a lifetime deal!" His voice echoed through the cave, and the others rushed to gather their share of the spoils.
Riu Xian remained still, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him. Something felt off. If this cave had been abandoned by a high-level cultivator, why were the treasures left out in the open? It didn't make sense. "A cultivator of this level wouldn't be so careless. These items should have been hidden away, protected by arrays or guardians. Why are they so easily accessible?"
Still, the allure of the treasures was undeniable, and Riu Xian found himself drawn deeper into the cave. As he wandered, his footsteps slowed when he noticed a room on the far side of the cave. The entrance to the room was unassuming, hidden behind a thick curtain of vines that seemed to have grown naturally over the years. Something about the room called to him, a sense of familiarity tugging at his soul.
Ignoring the others who were too busy stuffing their bags with weapons and pills, Riu Xian approached the room. Just as he reached the entrance, Lu Hao rushed forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He pushed past Riu Xian and entered the chamber first, a satisfied grin on his face.
At the center of the room was an altar, a pedestal that held a single, ancient scroll. Lu Hao's gaze was fixed on it as if it were the most precious thing in the world. He approached it eagerly, snatching it up from the pedestal with trembling hands.
With a triumphant laugh, Lu Hao held the scroll high above his head. "This is it! This is the key to my rise!" He turned to the others, his voice booming. "This technique—look at it! This is a high-grade Foundation Establishment technique, maybe even supreme-grade! With this, I'll be unstoppable! No one can stand in my way, not even the elders of my own sect!"
The lackeys surrounding him erupted into cheers, but Riu Xian remained silent. His mind raced as he observed the scene. "A technique? A supreme-grade one at that? Why is it just lying there? Could it be that the previous owner of this cave left it behind intentionally? Or is there something more to this?"
As Riu Xian stepped forward, his eyes flicked to the scroll. Despite the overwhelming presence of treasure around him, his attention was drawn to that single object. "Is this the reason the cave appeared?" he thought. "Is this technique the key to unlocking the true potential of this place? Or is there something else hidden here that we haven't discovered yet?"
But before he could investigate further, Lu Hao's voice cut through his thoughts. "This is it. With this technique, I'll be the greatest cultivator in this world! No one will dare to challenge me. And all of you will witness my rise to power!" His arrogance dripped from every word as he reveled in his discovery.
Riu Xian's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Perhaps Lu Hao is too quick to claim victory," he mused. "This cave holds more than meets the eye, and this technique might not be the only thing waiting to be discovered."
The others continued to bicker excitedly over the spoils, but Riu Xian's attention was no longer on them. The cave had revealed its secrets, but only to those who were willing to look beyond the surface.
He was determined to uncover the truth. Whatever the cave's true purpose was, whatever secrets it held—Riu Xian felt that this Foundation Establishment technique was meant for him, a strange, familiar feeling tugging at him whenever his eyes met the scroll. It was as if the technique resonated with something deep inside him. And perhaps, in the process, he would uncover his own path to power.