Chapter 265: Changyao Baoguang Grotto-Heaven

A fragment of a Grotto-Heaven—this is a first-rate treasure.

Speaking conservatively, it is at least comparable to Master Chongguang's 【Dongyang Blessed Land】, containing the Heavenly Gang and Earth Sha qi refined by its former master during his lifetime, making its value incalculable.

Speaking optimistically, it could be the Yuan Ci Divine Mountain.

It might even constitute an opportunity to seek the Golden Core!

Therefore, Lu Yang absolutely did not believe that a family like the Li clan could obtain a fragment of a Grotto-Heaven; even if they truly had, how could they have concealed it for so long?

"That fragment of the Grotto-Heaven lies beneath the seabed of Gantang Path."

True Person Xiaohai explained, "This place was not originally a harbor; it was established only after our Li clan ancestors discovered that fragment of the Grotto-Heaven."

"The purpose was to conceal the extraordinary phenomena of that Grotto-Heaven fragment. However, the reason this succeeded was actually because the spiritual objects within the fragment itself concealed their brilliance, severing all heavenly machinations and karmic ties, making it impossible for anyone to deduce its location, which allowed our family to occupy it. Our family's 【Kaijiang Ship】 was obtained from within it."

"If Master desires it, this subordinate can lead you there."

"There is no need whatsoever."

Lu Yang decisively shook his head; out of caution, he did not even ask for the specific location of the Grotto-Heaven fragment. He did not want to know, nor did he dare to know.

'I had better not get involved in this karma.'

Lu Yang made an immediate decision, directly ordering True Person Xiaohai to retrieve a large batch of precious Geng Metal spiritual objects from the family treasury, along with a magic treasure of middle-grade quality.

With these Geng Metal spiritual objects, there would be enough to complete the final thirty percent of nourishment for his Immortal Spirit body at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

As for the 【Kaijiang Ship】, he did not dare to accept it.

Who knew what massive pitfalls might exist in a magic treasure emerging from that Grotto-Heaven fragment? His current life was far too precious to be lost to such an unexpected event.

'The fact that I haven't been reduced to powder yet indicates that no True Person has noticed me for the time being.'

Lu Yang was trembling with fear; in his eyes, this entire Gantang Path had seemingly become a den of dragons and tigers, and he feared that a True Person might leap out from within it at any second.

Thinking of this, he immediately waved his sleeve, sweeping up the ancestor of the Yun family and all the treasures before vanishing from the spot.

Time to slip away!

'Although there is currently no concrete evidence, and there might truly be an opportunity, but... why should I take the risk? It is better to believe it exists than to assume it does not!'

Not only that, Lu Yang did not even dare to let his clone return to meet his Immortal Spirit body; instead, he chose a location to bury the items, directly destroyed the clone on the spot, returned his consciousness to his main body, and immediately activated the 【Dongming】 divine ability, only feeling reassured after confirming he could still think clearly.

'Now, even a True Person should be unable to find me.'

With 【Li Jie Bo】 in place, Lu Yang of this lifetime was extremely concealed; unless he wandered directly under a True Person's nose, it was impossible for him to be discovered.

Thinking of this, he finally felt safe enough to activate 【String Puppet】.

This golden talent had another layer of wonderful utility.

As the puppeteer, Lu Yang could at any time use this talent to remotely observe every 【Puppet】 he controlled, borrowing their perspective.

Soon, the scenery of Gantang Path reflected in Lu Yang's eyes.

After he departed, True Person Xiaohai and the members of the Li clan first displayed a look of confusion, before their eyes gradually cleared.

"What just happened? I can't quite remember."

True Person Xiaohai pondered for a moment, feeling that something seemed amiss, but he quickly cast his slight doubts aside and turned his gaze toward the family head, Li Qingyun.

"No time to lose; hurry and prepare, we are going to explore 【that place】!"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyun was stunned; his instinctive reaction was to wonder if they were being too hasty, but upon second thought, being a bit rushed for the sake of the family was quite normal.

"Understood! I will go prepare immediately."

Soon, the entire Li clan sprang into action; throughout the process, there was no communication whatsoever, as everyone exerted their strength toward a single goal, their hearts filled solely with the desire to explore that Grotto-Heaven fragment.

Seeing this, Lu Yang immediately smiled with satisfaction.

'Although my main body lacks the courage to explore that Grotto-Heaven fragment, I certainly have the courage to let cannon fodder explore it—and that courage is immense!'

Under Lu Yang's influence, the entire Li clan worked with great enthusiasm; before long, they had prepared sufficient arrays, talismans, and magic treasures, and finally, led by True Person Xiaohai, arrived at a quiet chamber within the Li clan grounds, which connected to the very bottom of the Gantang Path waters, yet all that met the eye was emptiness.

'Where is the Grotto-Heaven fragment?'

A question arose in Lu Yang's mind; with a mere thought, Li Qingyun, who had not spoken a word before, suddenly felt a surge of emotion and sighed deeply, "Truly the methods of a True Person."

"This Grotto-Heaven fragment does not reveal its divine wonders usually."

"Only at noon, when the heavenly light penetrates the waters, will it refract the image of the Grotto-Heaven fragment underwater, and only then can one enter."

Upon hearing this, True Person Xiaohai also nodded: "Indeed mysterious and strange."

Both maintained their composure, neither finding anything unusual about this sudden explanation.

Soon, noon arrived.

Heavenly light entered the water, indeed reflecting a form at the bottom: vast stretches of broken walls and shattered buildings, with jade towers and palaces collapsed, presenting a scene of utter desolation.

Seeing this, True Person Xiaohai's expression brightened slightly; he immediately took out the 【Zhaoyuan Bell】 and shook it. A melodious bell sound rippled through the water, and the ancient tune caused the phantom-like Grotto-Heaven fragment to become increasingly solid, gradually manifesting its true form until an entrance appeared clearly before their eyes.

"... et's go!"

In the past, True Person Xiaohai would have hesitated for a moment, after all, the Li clan had only him as a Foundation Establishment True Person, and without complete certainty, he could not take risks.

However, now he was extremely decisive.

The next second, he transformed into fleeing light and flew into the Grotto-Heaven fragment before him, immediately feeling as though the heavens were spinning and the earth turning, before crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Pah!"

True Person Xiaohai immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, yet paid no attention to his injuries whatsoever; driven by greed, his first action was to examine the surrounding environment.

The interior of this Grotto-Heaven fragment was extremely unique; apart from broken walls and shattered buildings, all that could be seen was a raging sea of fire that burned fiercely and never extinguished year-round. Rolling flames wound and coiled within the Grotto-Heaven like a giant serpent, and atop the serpent's head stood a palace largely shattered.

The scenery within a Grotto-Heaven often reveals the Dao path of its former master.

Borrowing True Person Xiaohai's perspective, Lu Yang silently observed this towering fire serpent within the Grotto-Heaven fragment and quickly deduced its origins.

'Could it be 【Si Fire】?'

Lu Yang frowned tightly; 【Si Fire】 occupies an Earth Sha position, is a yin-type fire, and contains the image of a serpent within, thus also implying the concept of yang qi spreading fully and rising again.

Regarding the innate divine ability refined using this combination of Heavenly Gang and Earth Sha, Lu Yang had only ever seen one.

In his previous life, Master Chongguang used this to refine his final innate divine ability, named 【Gangyan Furnace】, thereby corresponding to the fruit position 【Fu Deng Huo】!

'Could it be that...'

A sudden guess arose in Lu Yang's mind, and as True Person Xiaohai's gaze fell upon a corner of the Grotto-Heaven fragment, this guess was confirmed.

Amidst the broken walls and shattered buildings, within the ruined palace standing atop the head of that towering fire serpent, amidst swirling flames, half of a plaque was faintly visible.

The other half lay inside the palace.

When the two halves combined, a name immediately leaped forth:

【Changyao Baoguang Grotto-Heaven】

(End of Chapter)