Chapter 750: Qinghe Cave Dwelling, Mysterious Scroll (Seeking Monthly Votes)

The reason Bai Yunhua wanted to use the cave dwelling map in his hand to exchange for a favor from Song Qingming was to pave the way for his descendants.

Now seeing that his most beloved grandson, Bai Jingyun, had officially been accepted under Song Qingming's tutelage, Bai Yunhua felt completely at ease. Without further hesitation, he directly handed the map he had drawn to Song Qingming.

Seeing this, Song Qingming did not stand on ceremony with him. He took the map and opened it to take a look, after which a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"It is actually so close to Qinghe County. I have heard absolutely no news about this over the years; it is truly quite strange."

Seeing Song Qingming's confusion, Bai Yunhua hurriedly explained, "Senior, you may not know this, but the entrance to this place is very hidden. Ordinary cultivators, even if they arrive near the cave dwelling, find it very difficult to locate the entrance."

"If I hadn't had the guidance of the runes on the formation disk back then, I estimate it would have been very difficult for me to discover that cave dwelling. Once you arrive there, Senior, you will naturally understand."

Hearing this, Song Qingming was silent for a moment before nodding directly, "Very well. Since it is not far, you might as well accompany me on a trip today; it will save you the trouble later."

"Let Jingyun stay on the mountain for now. The cultivation technique he practices is just about the same as Yuanfang's; you can have Yuanfang provide him some guidance on his cultivation in the meantime."

"I am willing to follow your instructions, Senior."

Seeing that Song Qingming seemed to have suddenly taken an interest and wanted to go see that cave dwelling immediately, Bai Yunhua hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Now that he had given this secret to Song Qingming, the things inside the cave dwelling naturally had nothing to do with him. He had no objections to whenever Song Qingming wanted to go.

After agreeing with Bai Yunhua, Song Qingming went to the side to give a few instructions to Song Yuanfang, then took Bai Yunhua and left "Mount Funiu."

To the southeast of Qinghe County, there is a large river about thirty or forty zhang wide, named: Qinghe.

This river originates in "Mount Yunwu" several hundred miles away, flows from east to west across the entire Qinghe County, then enters Jiangling County in the west, and finally flows into "Taiyue Lake" in the southwest of the Wei Kingdom.

When "Qinghe County" was first established, it was named directly after this Qinghe River. All the cultivators in the entire "Qinghe County" were very familiar with this river, and of course, this included Song Qingming, who had grown up here since he was a child.

After taking Bai Yunhua away from "Mount Funiu," Song Qingming stepped onto his flying boat and traveled south. After crossing several hundred miles, they soon arrived above the Qinghe River.

Standing on the flying boat, Song Qingming picked up the map in his hand and took another look, and the speed of the flying boat beneath his feet slowly decreased.

After confirming his location, Song Qingming controlled the flying boat to fly slowly upstream along the Qinghe River. Before long, they arrived at a location situated between two high mountains.

Because the two mountains here were steep and the river channel was much narrower than in other places, the water flow was turbulent and rapid. Even standing a hundred zhang high in the air, Song Qingming could hear the sound of splashing water below.

After stopping the "Phantom Boat" in place, Song Qingming took another look at the map in his hand before turning to ask, "Fellow Daoist Bai, is this the place?"

"That is correct. The entrance to the cave dwelling is beneath a reef in the water below. Please follow me, Senior."

After Bai Yunhua replied, he jumped directly from the flying boat, then stepped onto his flying sword and flew toward the river surface, arriving above the water in the blink of an eye.

Bai Yunhua then cast a spell to channel his magic power, covering himself with a water-avoidance shield, and sank directly to the bottom of the river.

Because the current was rapid and washed away the soil on the mountain walls on both sides all year round, the river water in this section of the Qinghe was relatively turbid.

Song Qingming, who also used a water-avoidance spell, entered the water and found that the view was very blurry. It was not until he sank to the bottom of the river that he saw Bai Yunhua standing beside a reef in the distance.

After Song Qingming walked over to his side, Bai Yunhua moved a giant rock beneath the reef and pointed to a hole beneath the stone, saying, "Senior Song, the entrance is right here."

"When I first found this place, most of the entrance was covered by sand and stones. If I hadn't been somewhat sensitive to formation restrictions and noticed that something was wrong below, I probably would have found it very difficult to discover this place."

Seeing the pitch-black hole in front that could only accommodate one person, Song Qingming couldn't help but nod with a smile, "There is no spiritual energy leaking out here; it is indeed hidden enough. If you hadn't led the way, I probably wouldn't have seen any clues even if I had passed by here."

Just as Bai Yunhua had said before, there were few people in the vicinity, and with the entrance to the cave dwelling located in several zhang of turbid river water, it was indeed very hidden.

Even a Jin Dan cultivator with powerful spiritual sense like Song Qingming passing by this place would not have noticed that there was an ancient cultivator cave dwelling opportunity hidden below, let alone the ordinary cultivators and mortals in the vicinity.

With the cave dwelling hidden in such a concealed place, it was no wonder that no one had discovered it in the thousand-plus years since "Qinghe County" was founded.

However, after all the years that had passed, even the most hidden places would eventually be found by someone. Even this cave dwelling hidden in the water had been visited by others before Bai Yunhua entered.

Following behind Bai Yunhua into the black cave below, after exploring forward for about ten zhang, a suction force suddenly came from ahead, causing the two of them to fall rapidly.

Seeing this sudden anomaly, Song Qingming instinctively wanted to cast a spell to resist, but heard the sound of Bai Yunhua stopping him.

"Senior, do not be nervous. This is just a water-separation restriction at the entrance of the cave dwelling. Following the water flow downward, we will soon enter the cave dwelling."

Hearing Bai Yunhua's reminder, Song Qingming lowered the hands he was using to cast spells and followed the water flow downward. Before long, the two of them passed through a thin membrane and entered a very archaic main hall.

This main hall was located more than ten zhang deep at the bottom of the river, with restrictions above isolating the water flow, so the main hall had not been eroded by the flowing water and instead appeared very dry.

Song Qingming, who had just entered the main hall, hurriedly stood up and scanned the surroundings, discovering that apart from some useless stones, the place was empty everywhere, and he couldn't even feel a trace of spiritual energy.

Seeing that there was nothing unusual around, Song Qingming cast a spell to release a night-luminescent pearl to illuminate the surroundings before asking Bai Yunhua, who was to the side, "Is this place the cave dwelling?"

"That is correct, this is the place. However, there are many powerful restrictions inside, so Senior Song, please be a little careful. When I first came here, I didn't understand the situation and nearly died inside one of the restrictions."

"Hmm! Restrictions set up by such ancient cultivators cannot be underestimated; one must naturally be careful. Fellow Daoist Bai, you should lead the way. Just take me directly to the place you mentioned to have a look; we shouldn't go to other places for now."

Bai Yunhua nodded slightly, then cast a spell to release a defensive magic tool to protect himself, carefully leading Song Qingming as they walked slowly toward the depths of the main hall.

Seeing such a cautious appearance, Song Qingming couldn't help but focus his attention and released his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," in advance.

This main hall looked empty and seemed to have nothing, but the space inside was indeed very large. Song Qingming followed Bai Yunhua forward for several hundred zhang before arriving beneath a high platform at the end.

After arriving here, Bai Yunhua stopped his steps and pointed to the wall behind the high platform, "Senior, there are several passages hidden behind this. One of them is where I found those magic treasure fragments, and it is also where that restriction is located."

"However, there is a very powerful restriction on this high platform, and it is difficult for cultivators like us to pass directly. Please wait a moment, Senior."

After speaking, Bai Yunhua tapped the storage bag at his waist, took out a second-tier formation disk, then cast a spell to release five or six formation flags, setting up a second-tier formation, and summoned five or six golden-armored tigers formed from spiritual techniques.

The golden-armored tigers Bai Yunhua summoned using the formation, although entirely gathered from intangible spiritual energy, were not inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators when used for combat.

After summoning these tigers, Bai Yunhua cast a spell to release several sealing talismans and stuck them on their bodies, then commanded one of the golden-armored tigers to leap directly onto the high platform.

Just as the tiger landed, the four stone platforms located around the high platform suddenly flashed with a cyan spiritual light. These spiritual lights then flew into the high sky, gathered into a cluster, and transformed into an iron-armored giant holding a giant sword.

After this giant appeared, the aura on its body was no less than that of a Jin Dan cultivator. It saw it raise the giant sword in its hand high and slashed it rapidly toward the golden-armored tiger not far away.

Although there was still a distance of more than ten zhang between the two, this spiritual light giant actually released over a hundred sword lights in one strike, like a sword rain, shooting the golden-armored tiger in front of it into a sieve, and it soon transformed into spiritual light and disappeared from the spot.

Just as the spiritual light giant was attacking the golden-armored tiger on the platform, Bai Yunhua below also seized the opportunity, commanding the remaining golden-armored tigers to pounce directly onto the stone platforms above the high platform that were releasing the spiritual light.

The spiritual light giant here had just solved the golden-armored tiger in front of it, and the high platform providing it with spiritual power was now being firmly bitten by the remaining tigers.

Under Bai Yunhua's control, the sealing talismans on these golden-armored tigers soon fell onto the stone platforms. Before long, the aura on the spiritual light giant became somewhat dim.

Although the spiritual light giant subsequently noticed their move and arrived in time to kill several tigers.

But Bai Yunhua had already successfully integrated the prepared sealing talismans into the stone platforms, borrowing the spiritual energy on the golden-armored tigers. Not long after, the spiritual talismans successfully sealed the spiritual energy supply source of the spiritual light giant.

Song Qingming had often used this method of Bai Yunhua's to seal restrictions to break formations. Seeing the other party achieve the goal as smoothly as flowing water, a hint of appreciation flashed in Song Qingming's eyes.

It had to be said that Bai Yunhua's talent in formation was indeed very outstanding. If given the chance to successfully form a Core, this person would inevitably advance to a third-tier formation master sooner or later, just like Song Qingming.

"The spiritual source of this restriction has been sealed by me. Just wait for a period of time, and the spiritual energy in this guy's body will naturally dissipate when it becomes difficult to maintain."

Hearing Bai Yunhua's explanation, Song Qingming, standing to the side, looked at the spiritual light giant not far away and shook his head calmly. "That is not so much trouble! Fellow Daoist Bai, stand further away; leave this fellow to me."

After Song Qingming spoke, he waved his hand, and the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" surrounding him split into five, flying directly toward the location of the spiritual light giant from five different directions.

Seeing that someone had invaded the high platform again, the spiritual light giant immediately sensed it and waved the giant sword in its hand, transforming it into a sword rain and shooting it toward Song Qingming, who was following closely behind.

However, Song Qingming did not pay much attention to this powerful strike from the spiritual light giant. He directly summoned the "Mysterious Light Armor" within his body to cover himself, easily blocking the sword rain.

Just as the spiritual light giant wanted to launch another attack, a bronze mirror suddenly appeared in front, blocking its path.

Immediately afterward, the other four bronze mirrors of the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" also appeared around it, firmly trapping it in the middle. Then, several five-colored spiritual lights shot out from the bronze mirrors, directly binding the spiritual light giant in a light shield, making it difficult for it to move.

Through the brief exchange between Bai Yunhua and the spiritual light giant just now, Song Qingming had already seen through the other party's reality, knowing that its strength was only at the fourth layer of Jin Dan.

After its spiritual source was sealed by Bai Yunhua, the spiritual light giant's strength dropped by a large margin, and it no longer posed any threat to Song Qingming.

Precisely because of this, Song Qingming chose to take action directly, not wanting to waste too much time here.

Seeing Song Qingming take action directly against the spiritual light giant, Bai Yunhua to the side wanted to open his mouth to advise him.

But before he could speak, he discovered that after only a moment of exchange, the spiritual light giant on the high platform had already been firmly suppressed by Song Qingming's natal magic treasure.

Seeing that this spiritual light giant seemed to be no match for Song Qingming at all, Bai Yunhua hurriedly closed his mouth, pressing the words that had reached his lips back down, and a look of relief appeared on his face.

After trapping the spiritual light giant and seeing that the other party had no power to fight back, Song Qingming directly increased the magic power injected into the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," easily defeating it before long, and it transformed back into spiritual light and dissipated in mid-air.

Seeing Song Qingming solve the spiritual light giant, Bai Yunhua hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in flattery, "I did not know you had such divine power, Senior. This junior's display just now was truly superfluous. I hope you will not laugh at this junior."

Hearing this, Song Qingming waved his hand gently, "If you hadn't sealed the spiritual source of the restriction just now, it would not have been so easy for me to kill it directly. Fellow Daoist Bai, do not think too much about it."

"However, this restriction is indeed very powerful. It is rare for it to have such power after so many years and having been broken many times."

"I do not know what cultivation and supernatural powers the ancient cultivator who built this cave dwelling had to be able to set up such powerful restrictions. It truly surprised me somewhat."

"Senior is correct. When this junior first came in, it was precisely because of this point that I always felt this cave dwelling was somewhat extraordinary."

"It is just a pity that this junior's luck was somewhat poor. Over these years, I have explored inside many times, but apart from encountering these powerful restrictions, I have not been able to find any opportunities." After Bai Yunhua finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh at the corner of his mouth.

"Personal opportunity is destined by heaven and is not something we cultivators can force. This place is so dangerous, and for you, Fellow Daoist Bai, to have entered many times and still be safe and sound, it can be considered that the Heavenly Dao has provided some care."

Hearing Song Qingming's words of comfort, Bai Yunhua smiled and nodded, "Senior's words are indeed correct. Although I have been mediocre all my life and have not achieved any great accomplishments."

"However, compared to other fellow cultivators who fell early, it is indeed not easy for me to have experienced many dangers and lived safely until now."

After Bai Yunhua recovered his emotions, he led Song Qingming to the wall behind the high platform.

On this wall was painted a very exquisite landscape mural, and there were many ancient runes marked on the painting, which was clearly not the handiwork of modern cultivators.

I do not know what materials the painter used back then, but after such a long time, it was still brilliant and colorful, with no signs of fading at all.

"Senior Song, many of the runes on this wall hide passages, but there are no spiritual objects inside, and basically, they have already been visited by others."

"After entering here back then, this junior was unwilling to give up and almost searched all the passages above, but ended up with nothing. So I started to put my mind to these runes."

"Unexpectedly, after many years of research, I actually found a relatively special passage. The restriction inside is still intact and seems not to have been destroyed by anyone."

"It is just a pity that the restriction is very powerful. Over these years, this junior has exhausted all my efforts but still cannot enter. I do not know if I will have a chance to see the things inside in this life."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Bai. If we can enter smoothly later and there are truly good things inside, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. After all, without you, I would not have had the chance to find this place."

"Hehe! Having known you for so many years, Senior Song, it is precisely because I know you are a kind person that I dared to entrust my family to you and tell you this secret from the bottom of my heart."

"This junior is already a person nearing the end of my life. Even if I obtain more spiritual objects or magic treasures, it will not change anything for me."

"Senior, please rest assured. Since this cave dwelling has been gifted to you, I will absolutely not covet anything inside. I merely want to take a look to make up for the regret in my heart."

Hearing Song Qingming promise that he could share some spiritual objects with him after entering, Bai Yunhua shook his head repeatedly, directly refusing the other party's kindness, and then began to cast spells to search for the runes on the wall.

Seeing this, Song Qingming did not continue to say anything more, watching the other party search earnestly for the special passage he mentioned with a calm expression.

Many of the ancient runes on this painting were the same as those Song Qingming had seen before. Bai Yunhua had studied them for many years and was already very familiar with them. It did not take much time for him to accurately find the one he wanted to open.

As Bai Yunhua injected his magic power into the runes, the entire mural on the wall soon followed and lit up with a dazzling spiritual light.

The scroll on the wall, under the illumination of the spiritual light, also began to change constantly, from high mountains and flowing water to rivers, lakes, and seas, and then transformed into a heavenly palace fairyland in the clouds. Various exquisite pictures flashed before the eyes of the two.

Song Qingming, who was seeing such a scene for the first time, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise, and in his heart, he secretly admired the person who could set up such exquisite restrictions.

"Senior Song, these runes change positions every time I come in. I have recorded them all on the back of the map I gave you. If you come in again next time, you can follow what is recorded on it, and it will be much more convenient."

Hearing Bai Yunhua's reminder, Song Qingming opened the drawing in his hand, soon found the runes he mentioned, and then nodded to him with a smile.

It was fortunate that he brought Bai Yunhua along this time; otherwise, it would have taken Song Qingming a lot of time to find the passage he wanted to enter among so many runes by himself.

After Song Qingming put away the drawing, the scroll on the wall suddenly flashed with an even more dazzling spiritual light again, and immediately afterward, a rotating pattern resembling a teleportation entrance appeared.

"Senior, the passage has been opened. Let's go in first!"

After Bai Yunhua spoke, seeing that Song Qingming did not object, he walked into the teleportation entrance first, and his figure soon disappeared on the high platform of the main hall.

Seeing this, Song Qingming also followed immediately. The two of them, one after the other, soon passed through the teleportation array and fell into an underground passage that was much smaller than the main hall outside.

After arriving here, Bai Yunhua led Song Qingming along the passage for several dozen zhang before being blocked by a white stone door.

Taking a look at the stone door in front of them, Song Qingming soon noticed that the restriction on it had already been broken by someone, and he immediately asked, "Was the restriction on this door broken by you?"

Hearing this, Bai Yunhua nodded, "Senior is correct. This restriction was indeed removed by me. However, the restriction on this door is not considered powerful, and this junior did not spend much effort at the time."

"However, apart from the restriction on the stone door, there is a very powerful gale restriction behind the door. It was precisely because I was blocked by it that I have never been able to enter."

"Hmm! You open the stone door first; I will try to see how powerful this restriction is!"

After Song Qingming spoke, his magic power moved, and the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" flew out of his body automatically, protecting him and Bai Yunhua.

Seeing this, Bai Yunhua did not hesitate at all and stepped forward to push open the stone door.

As the stone door was opened, a violent gale rushed toward them. Bai Yunhua, standing in front, even though he was prepared and used a protective light shield, was still blown to the point of being unable to stand steady.

Just as Bai Yunhua took out a magic tool to prepare to resist, a bronze mirror appeared beside him first, blocking the fierce gale in front and allowing him to stabilize his figure.

"This gale is indeed somewhat powerful; it is not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator can pass. Fellow Daoist Bai, you stay here first; I will go forward to see if I can break this restriction."

Hearing Song Qingming's suggestion, Bai Yunhua nodded hurriedly in response, then took out several formation flags to simply set up a defensive formation on the spot and drilled into it.

After Bai Yunhua had done all this, Song Qingming retracted the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" to protect himself and walked forward carefully against the violent gale.

The further he walked forward, the more Song Qingming discovered that the power of this gale seemed to be slowly strengthening, and it was no longer something an ordinary Jin Dan cultivator could directly resist, causing him to frown slightly. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 751 =====