Chapter 248: Opening the Cave-Heaven Blessed Land

"They're all trash!"

"Two reinforced battalions, over a thousand men, more than a dozen of the most advanced snow tanks, even equipped with heavy artillery, and you only came back with two people?!"

In the Southeast Command Headquarters of the Tsar, roars kept coming, along with the sound of things shattering and falling to the ground.

Listening to his subordinate's report, Lev Zhet flew into a rage, his whole body trembling.

So many people, even advanced weapons, just to explore a mountain, and the entire army was wiped out!

You know training these people, and these weapons cost a lot of money—this loss is catastrophic, the biggest in the past ten years!

When he first received the news, he even thought the message was wrong, but after hearing the two soldiers' report, Lev Zhet nearly fainted from shock.

A golden eagle that speaks human words, monkeys over twenty meters tall, talking monsters, and a massive beast tide—this is utter nonsense!

Such heavy losses, and you only brought back this news?!

Especially hearing that line: "My name is the Golden Eagle; those who chant my true name gain eternal life!"

What the hell is all this?!

"First, they silenced everyone I sent to explore, then they destroyed my two battalions' forces—this is sheer bullying!"

Lev Zhet didn't believe the two soldiers' words, thinking these were just the enemy's tactics, a smokescreen.

"What monsters? Just Xia's smoke bombs—damn it!"

Lev Zhet didn't care about his image, cursing loudly there, and no one dared to provoke him.

After half a day, a trusted aide cautiously spoke: "Commander, what should we do with these fallen soldiers?"

Lev Zhet's face darkened so much it seemed water could drip from it: "Seal the news, comfort the families, posthumously award military honors, and notify in batches—otherwise, over a thousand dying like this is no small matter."

After yelling for half a day, he gradually calmed down—after all, things had already come to this.

"What do you all think about this?"

"Based on the intelligence we've gathered, Xia is also in a state of news blockade; the outside world knows nothing about what happened on Changbai Mountain."

Lev Zhet's expression turned grim: "Any other news? What exactly is going on with these beast tides?"

"According to reliable informants, these beast tides came from Mount Hua, but seem related to the Longyuan Mountain Range, and recently, Xia has seen many strange domestic events, all seemingly tied to this Longyuan Mountain."

"We also found some materials confirming that Longyuan Mountain indeed has something—it's been listed as a forbidden zone by Xia, though the reason is unknown, and Xia has been closely monitoring Longyuan Mountain."

In fact, all information about Longyuan Mountain has been sealed and classified as top secret, but there's no impenetrable wall under heaven, and earlier, several incidents involving Longyuan Mountain caused a stir online.

If someone follows the clues, they can still glimpse something—let alone Lev Zhet, this old fox.

Looking at these materials and intelligence, Lev Zhet's expression gradually turned subtle.

"It seems this Longyuan Mountain Range is indeed extraordinary—why would Xia value it so much?"

All kinds of doubts surfaced in Lev Zhet's mind; he slightly narrowed his eyes, thinking deeply, and after an unknown time, he slowly spoke.

"Since all clues point to Longyuan Mountain, let's go explore it!"

"I want to see what they're really up to!"

Heaven and earth were snow-white, filled with killing intent, endless mountain peaks transformed into a silver dragon stretching ten thousand miles, charging straight into the vast expanse of heaven and earth.

Deep in the snow peaks, ten thousand zhang of golden light burst forth, vaguely audible was the sound of the Dao—profound and profound, wind and snow carrying ancient chanting voices drifting around.

The Great Sage Monkey King sat at the center, and nearby were many animals sitting cross-legged in meditation, occupying the snowy peaks everywhere.

If someone accidentally entered here, they would surely be frightened into numbness by so many wild beasts, for their numbers are truly overwhelming.

After an unknown time, the Monkey King slowly opened his eyes; golden light flashed and faded, and the animals' originally murky eyes gradually became clear.

Though they cannot be called fully enlightened, they have basically shaken off ignorance.

"The basic lecture on the Dao has ended; the rest depends on their fortune."

The spirits of Changbai Mountain can be said to have undergone a complete transformation; the most excited is the Golden Eagle, which embraced the Monkey King in one sweep.

"You've really helped me a lot this time—you don't know, when I lectured them before, they were always snoring loudly."

The Monkey King teased: "Did you forget? When our master lectured before, you also dozed off accidentally—you're just like that, how can you lecture properly?"

The Golden Eagle looked embarrassed: "Really? I don't remember that."

The Monkey King laughed mockingly but didn't expose the Golden Eagle: "I've been here quite a while now—it's time to set out."

Hearing this, the Golden Eagle was stunned, tone seeming reluctant: "Leaving so soon?"

"What? Don't you want to go with me?"

The Golden Eagle couldn't help but roll its eyes, flapped its wings: "Go, go, go—who would miss this dead monkey?"

The Monkey King knew the Golden Eagle was just being stubborn; those sharp eagle eyes glanced aside, avoiding eye contact, lest it see his sadness.

Soon the Golden Eagle adjusted its mood: "Alright, let's stop the fuss—just a temporary parting, not a life-and-death separation; hurry up and depart."

The Monkey King's intended comforting words were swallowed back: "Fine, I was worrying for nothing; hope next time we meet, you, the Changbai Mountain Demon King, won't be a lonely soul."

The Golden Eagle glared: "Dead monkey mocking me again? You wait—next time we meet, my underlings will absolutely outnumber yours!"

The two Great Demons smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

As the Monkey King departed, he took along the unknown object he'd previously found, saying he'd bring it back for his master to study—after all, leaving it on Changbai Mountain served no purpose.

"Roar!"

Accompanied by a beast's roar, the Hua Mountain beast tide resumed movement, surging southeastward.

The Golden Eagle stood atop the highest snow peak, gazing at the black river flowing below, faintly seeing golden hair fluttering in the wind and snow.

"Safe travels!"

At that moment, the Monkey King amid the beast tide also seemed to sense something, turned back—golden light shone on the snow peak like a rising sun, radiating dazzling brilliance, faintly echoing the cry of an eagle piercing the nine heavens.

All beings of Changbai Mountain lay prostrate on the ground, like pilgrims worshipping, pupils filled with reverence and fear.

The eternal wind and snow in the mountains finally changed—from now on, it foretells the beginning of a new chapter.

The Xia authorities tried to suppress news of Changbai Mountain's anomalies, but outside still received much news; anomalies in the mountain range were already posted online by nearby residents when omens first appeared.

The sky was filled with strange lights; the unaware thought they'd reached the far north, seeing the aurora descend—gazing out, the snow mountain contours stretching a thousand miles blurred.

That scene was truly too shocking, to the point that it attracted the attention of many people.

Perfect Life: 【Can the officials come out and explain what this strange light actually is?】

I'm Old Wang from Next Door: 【Earlier, our local government even issued an emergency notice, saying there was something abnormal at Changbai Mountain, telling us to stay at home and not go out easily.】

Baidu Can't Find It: 【You guys don't know yet, do you? Now all flights to that area of Changbai Mountain have been suspended.】

Xiaowanzi's Innocence: 【Hearing you say that, I feel a creeping dread—could something major have happened at Changbai Mountain?】

What's It to You: 【This familiar operation—how does it feel like it's like what happened at Huashan? Huashan had purple mist, Changbai Mountain has strange light; I feel the two events are somehow mysteriously connected.】

I Am Long Aotian: 【Where are the officials? Don't play dead—come out and explain what's really going on in the Changbai Mountain range.】

Not a Nervous Wreck: 【I have a bold idea—could it be that the Bronze Gate is about to emerge? The ten-year agreement has arrived; may I ask, where is the little brother?】

Although many people discussed it, there was no incident like at Huashan, but soon someone discovered that after the beast tide went to Changbai Mountain, it vanished without a trace.

Due to the magnetic field disturbance at Changbai Mountain not yet fully recovered, most instruments are still unusable, including drones and other equipment.

After the beast tide went to Changbai Mountain, everyone lost track of them.

Could it be that the ultimate destination of the beast tide was Changbai Mountain?

Netizens are still quite sharp—namely, the officials don't want to inform, but actually netizens themselves can guess some clues.

"The beast tide from Huashan went to Changbai Mountain, and Huashan only appeared with purple mist, after which came a series of inexplicable changes; Changbai Mountain is surrounded by strange light—these two mountains absolutely have some connection!"

"Could it be that these animals long ago knew Changbai Mountain would have an anomalous outbreak?"

"Impossible—when these animals set out, Changbai Mountain was still utterly peaceful."

"Too absurd—from Huashan to Changbai Mountain, they even made a big detour in between."

"What exactly are these beast tides doing at Changbai Mountain, and what exactly happened inside the mountain range?"

Even if the authorities wanted to suppress the news, the fact that the beast tide went to Changbai Mountain again attracted a large wave of attention; fortunately, the matters concerning the battle against the Tsarist Empire have not been leaked.

Therefore, the soldiers who participated in that battle, including Tang Shifeng and others, all signed the highest confidentiality agreement, strictly forbidding the disclosure of any related information.

Many people have come to Changbai Mountain wanting to investigate, but unfortunately, the outskirts of Changbai Mountain have already been surrounded by border troops like an iron barrel, said to be due to recent instability at the border, and entry into the mountain is strictly forbidden—those who come can only return empty-handed.

This is just the official excuse; Tang Shifeng and Yang Jiaxiong and others know that there are demons in the mountain, and they are doing this only to protect humanity.

After all, that golden eagle has spoken before, not allowing anyone to offend its territory, and it has also instructed them not to come into conflict with the golden eagle.

After Kyoto realized it had underestimated the strength of the demon race, it began another round of prediction and assessment, hoping to be useful in subsequent discussions and meetings.

And the golden eagle had no intention of actively harming humans; in fact, it even helped them repel the Tsarist Empire's soldiers, so Daxia could not possibly cross the river and then demolish the bridge.

But matters concerning the demon race must be treated with greater caution.

……

Compared to the turmoil outside, Longyuan Mountain enjoys eternal spring, appearing exceptionally peaceful.

The mountain is silent, with even the sounds of insects and birds rarely heard; since Ye Qin last spoke of the extraterrestrial cultivation civilization, all animals have gone into secluded cultivation, and Ye Qin is naturally no exception.

Deep in the cave emits a lustrous green light; this was once the burial place of Longling, now it has become Ye Qin's place for closed-door cultivation, after all, he previously cultivated here.

Although the cave is dim, countless spiritual lights gather here like fireflies, resembling a magnificent galaxy, surrounding Ye Qin's person,

Green scales shimmer with mystical light, and his aura is constantly rising, an ineffable pressure centered on Ye Qin, continuously spreading outward.

Where there is pressure, there is motivation—this saying is indeed true.

Since returning from the cosmic journey, Ye Qin's state of mind has improved; he once thought that only he could enter cultivation in this world.

But he never imagined that while he is the only one on Earth, there are actually other cultivation civilizations beyond Earth, which has let Ye Qin see what is meant by "there are masters beyond masters, heavens beyond heavens"—to say he feels no loss would be false.

But Ye Qin quickly adjusted; having lived two lives—one as a human, one as a snake—he has long since let go.

Even if there are other cultivation civilizations, what then? Would he refrain from climbing just because the mountain is high? Previously he thought he stood at the peak looking down on all directions, yet he never stopped moving forward.

Now that he knows there are even higher mountains, he naturally dares to climb them; cultivation is thus—Dao and law are vast and endless, with no end, and his heart in seeking the Dao will likewise undergo no change.

After realizing this, Ye Qin instead became composed; previously he only worried that it's lonely at the top, but now with a new goal, he naturally will not give up.

Whether it was that little green snake from the beginning, or now he who has cultivated into a true dragon's body, that sincere heart has never changed!

In an instant, Ye Qin only felt enlightened, the blockage in his heart finally unblocked, his spiritual platform clear and pure, as if the voice of the Great Dao were whispering incessantly by his ear.

Invisible air currents spread, the entire cave became radiant with brilliant light, those spiritual lights continuously spreading, even the outside of the cave was shrouded in a layer of faint, barely visible pure radiance.

The entire Longyuan Mountain became extraordinarily magnificent, like a dreamlike scene, as if the bright moon of the ninth heaven had fallen down; touching these spiritual lights, the green plants suddenly grew much taller, their forms doubled in size, and the spiritual energy in the air became even denser.

At this moment, all the animals in cultivation seemed to sense something, they all opened their eyes and looked toward where Ye Qin was.

"Such a powerful aura, Master—have you broken through again?"

"As expected of Master—after only a short time in seclusion, you've broken through again."

"We also need to work hard—we can't let Master lose face."

"When will I be able to break through as easily as Master, like drinking water?"

All the demons came to the cave to welcome Ye Qin out of seclusion, but due to the immense pressure, they dared not approach, their beast eyes nervously fixed on the cave mouth.

Strangely, Ye Qin's figure has not appeared yet; according to past habit, Ye Qin would gather all the demons each time he broke through, sharing his insights so they could also gain understanding and experience.

"Master has clearly broken through—why hasn't he come out? Could there be some sudden situation?"

"It's a bit strange—clearly it wasn't like this before."

The demons poked their heads out, discussing in confusion, only seeing the thick spiritual power surge like a mighty wave, occasionally emanating from the cave mouth.

Inside the cave, Ye Qin floated with his body suspended, mid-air; with this breakthrough, he could feel himself connected to this world, a most mysterious response.

Although Longyuan Mountain is spiritually blessed, and with spiritual energy and formations aiding cultivation, for Ye Qin this is still not enough.

The establishment of the signal tower is like a sword hanging over one's head, always posing a danger of falling; not to mention whether Earth will be relocated later, once the signal tower is successfully built, it will emit radiation toward Earth and also cause great harm.

By then, mountains and rivers will all be affected; even Longyuan Mountain may not escape disaster, so he must prepare in advance.

"If we could open up something like a secret realm or a small world, then even if Earth undergoes great changes later, demons and part of humanity would at least have a way out."

"Even if we can later resist Earth's demolition, but if we open up a secret realm small world, it would also count as a backup plan."

"This small world could be developed as the earthly immortal realm from mythology, cultivating forces for cultivation……"

Once this thought arose, it lingered in Ye Qin's mind, impossible to dispel.

Now his cultivation level and realm are profound, having already reached the middle to late stage of Nascent Soul; opening a secret realm, though somewhat difficult, is not impossible to attempt.

The Heavenly Dao of Earth is incomplete, unable to fully govern heaven and earth; though this is a flaw, it is also an opportunity, precisely why Ye Qin found a chance to strike.

"Cave Heaven" means there are caves in the mountains that connect to heaven, penetrating all mountains; "Blessed Land" means a land of blessing, i. e., residing here allows one to receive blessings and transcend the world, becoming an earth immortal.

Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands are part of the Daoist immortal realms, mostly taking famous mountains as the main scenery, or also including rivers and lakes; it is believed that immortals govern here, and this is where all immortals dwell.

The concept of "Cave Heaven and Blessed Land" roughly formed before the Eastern Jin Dynasty; the《Dao Ji Jing》and《Zhen Gao》edited by the Shangqing Sect immortals both mention the "Ten Great Cave Heavens" and "Thirty-six Cave Heavens in the Earth," showing its long history.

Ye Qin intends to rely on these descriptions from the ancients to open a true Cave Heaven and Blessed Land, with the entrance located in this mountain cave.

This place shares an unbreakable bond with Ye Qin; it was here that he first encountered the remains of Longling, thus embarking on the path of cultivation.

Let everything return to the origin.

Later, when the demon race is born and the ancients descend, having transformed famous mountains and rivers across the land into cultivation immortal mountains, the Cave Heaven and Blessed Land of Longyuan Mountain can then connect with all famous mountains and rivers, enabling mutual exchange.

That is to say, all famous mountains will become entrances to enter the Cave Heaven and Blessed Land.

"Open!"

Ye Qin's eyes blazed like torches, the scales on his body shimmering brightly; the originally tranquil spiritual light in the cave suddenly surged violently, like a pot of boiling water constantly bubbling,

Ye Qin gathered these spiritual lights together; though the light appeared gentle, it now suddenly became sharp, continually expanding this space.

He resembled a king opening new territories; these spiritual lights were like his invincible sword in hand, and finally, within this space, he severed a small fragment of nothingness.

Ye Qin carefully used his mental power to continuously wrap and consolidate; the newly born independent space is always extremely fragile, requiring mental power and spiritual power to fill every part.

One must be meticulous and careful, with no omissions; otherwise, it is easy to cause spatial instability, being swept into the turbulence.

Opening a space sounds simple when spoken of, but actual operation is extremely difficult; it is not like a storage space, which holds only inanimate objects.

What Ye Qin aims to do is capable of accommodating demon race cultivation, equivalent to a small world's existence, requiring far greater mental effort.

Even if his divine sense is like the sea, it is now being consumed very rapidly.

Time flows bit by bit, and Ye Qin also becomes increasingly adept; after a long period of gestation, he exhales the clear and turbid qi, these two masses of gas saturated with the purest spiritual energy from within his body, simultaneously mixed with the qi of heaven and earth.

This qi is like the Taiji Yin and Yang, resembling black and white fish slowly intertwining, filling into the opened secret realm; the clear qi becomes the heaven within the secret realm, the turbid qi becomes the earth within the secret realm.

Since both the clear and turbid qi contain extremely rich and abundant spiritual energy, even including Ye Qin's primordial power, the spiritual energy within is also very sufficient.

The《Tiandi Gongfu Tu Xu》states: "The Dao originates from non-being; from haze and obscurity, things arise; the primordial qi begins to move, riding the flow of transformation and differentiating forms. The refined symbols manifest mysteriously, arranging palaces and towers in the clear radiance; the obscure essence subtly condenses, opening caverns in famous mountains."

According to Daoist views, heaven, earth, water, and even humans are all differentiated by one qi; immortal realms are also "formed by condensed qi," they mutually感应, forming a three-dimensional network of intersecting vertical and horizontal connections; but due to the difference in pure and turbid qi, there is a distinction between upper and lower.

Ye Qin surveyed the secret realm he had opened; due to his limited ability, this secret realm is not large, only about several dozen square meters in size, lacking any divine marvels, and can even be said to be crude.

After all, opening a small world is not so easy.

However, the small world has its own evolutionary laws; currently it is merely an embryonic form, appearing simple, but as long as spiritual energy remains sufficient in the future, Ye Qin can continue to expand it, equivalent to a growable world with immense potential.

All beginnings are difficult; if later one wishes to expand the area, it is not actually difficult, merely a matter of time.

The《Dongtian Fudi Ji Xu》also says: "When heaven and earth were opened, the clear and turbid qi first divided, merging into rivers and condensing into mountains and peaks, or above aligning with celestial constellations, or below hiding in cave heavens. All are overseen by the supreme true sovereign of the sages, thus there are spirit palaces and secret treasuries, jade halls and golden terraces. Or formed by condensed qi, shaping clouds and constructing illusions; or jade pools and green marshes, poured into the four corners; or pearl trees and jade forests."

With such a Cave Heaven and Blessed Land existing, even if heaven and earth undergo great changes later, this secret realm, being a self-contained world, will not be affected in any way.

It is equivalent to Ye Qin's trump card, and also the greatest retreat left for the demon race and part of humanity.

Even, it will become the future popularization of cultivation on Earth, with all beings coming to cultivate the Dao, the "Earth Immortal Realm"! (End of Chapter)