122: Chapter 122, Bai Yu's Rescue, Water-Eroded Cave

But at this moment, Bai Yu's eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and his movement technique was incredibly fast, appearing in the nick of time.

With the edge of his iron fan, he blocked and deflected the lethal chain's strike with pinpoint accuracy.

The chain flew past Ye Chen's ear and pierced deep into the rock wall behind him, sending stone fragments flying.

"If you're not dead yet, don't be in such a hurry to close your eyes."

Bai Yu's voice rang out in Ye Chen's ear.

It carried a hint of his usual flippancy, yet it seemed to contain something more.

Without even looking at Ye Chen, he reached back and tucked the limp Ye Chen under his arm.

Simultaneously, his other hand pulled the ice scar sword from the rock layer with lightning speed.

At the very moment he pulled out the ice scar sword.

The pitch-black rock layer at the bottom of the pit, riddled with cracks, finally could not withstand the impact of the internal violent energy and exploded!

"Boom—!!!"

An indescribable, terrifying explosion erupted at the bottom of the pit.

The destructive energy, a mix of gray-red and pitch-black Death Qi, rose into the sky like the raging waves of a furious sea, instantly submerging the entire pit.

Centered on the pit, it swept and spread frantically in all directions.

The first to bear the brunt was the Netherworld Corpse General.

It let out a shrill, desperate wail of resentment, its massive body...

...scoured by the gray-red destructive energy, it rapidly melted, disintegrated, and was annihilated like a snowman under the scorching sun.

The bone armor on its surface shattered into pieces, fell off, and turned into fine powder.

The Netherworld Chains wrapped around its body snapped inch by inch, crumbled, and dissipated.

Finally, together with its deathly pale soul fire, it was completely swallowed by that destructive torrent, leaving no trace behind.

Immediately after, the destructive torrent surged out of the pit and swept through the entire ruins.

Murong Bai, Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, Jing Wuming, Mo Ling, Zhao Feng, Han Li, Su Yuwei, and the others.

At the moment the explosion occurred, they had already desperately retreated backwards.

But they were still violently blown away by the explosion's shockwaves.

Like kites with broken strings, they crashed onto the distant ground, everyone injured and their auras listless.

The entire ruins, under the impact of this destructive energy, looked as if they had been violently wiped over by an invisible giant hand.

The broken walls and debris completely collapsed and were pulverized.

A thick layer of the ground was scraped away, revealing the hard black bedrock beneath.

The deep ancient well and the expanded pit also completely collapsed and were buried under this force, leaving only a messy depression.

A long time passed.

The destructive energy turbulence finally slowed down, subsided, and dissipated.

The air was filled with a pungent burnt smell and rock dust.

As well as a lingering, heart-palpitating aura of extinction and death.

But the netherworld death qi, which had originally been too thick to disperse, was now gone, as if it had never existed.

The ruins... no, they could no longer be called ruins at this moment.

It could only be described as a flat piece of land that had been violently plowed, returning to a dead silence.

Only the heavy, painful, and post-disaster gasps of the crowd echoed in the air.

"Cough, cough..."

Murong Bai struggled to climb out from a pile of rubble.

His clothes were tattered, he was covered in blood, and his aura was weak, but his eyes immediately scanned the collapsed pit in anxiety.

"Junior Brother Ye! Bai Yu!"

He shouted hoarsely, his voice raspy.

"Over here..."

A weak voice came from the edge of the depression formed by the pit's collapse.

Bai Yu was seen half-kneeling on the ground, one hand propping himself up.

His other hand still tightly held the unconscious Ye Chen, whose aura was weak to the extreme.

His face was deathly pale, and blood constantly seeped from the corners of his mouth.

Clearly, to save Ye Chen just now, he had endured the explosion's shockwaves and the Netherworld Corpse General's final madness, and his injuries were extremely severe.

But he had held on after all, rushing out of that destructive torrent with Ye Chen at the final moment.

Seeing that both were still alive, Murong Bai let out a long sigh of relief, his body swaying.

He nearly collapsed again but was supported by Shi Yue, who had struggled to get up.

The others also gathered, supporting each other one after another.

Everyone was injured and in a wretched state, but in their eyes...

...there was a sense of relief from surviving the disaster, as well as a hint of unbelievable daze.

They won?

That terrifyingly desperate Netherworld Corpse General was... actually resolved?

Though it was in this manner that nearly resulted in mutual destruction.

But in the end, they were the ones who survived.

"Quick! Save them!"

Murong Bai ignored his own injuries.

He hurriedly took out the last few life-saving Medicinal Pills from his robes and placed them into the mouths of the unconscious Ye Chen and Bai Yu.

And he circulated his few remaining bits of True Essence to help them dissolve the medicinal power and stabilize their heart Meridians.

Mo Ling and Su Yuwei also forced themselves to treat everyone's wounds and perform simple healing arts.

Zhao Feng, Han Li, Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, and Jing Wuming each took their own Medicinal Pills.

They vigilantly scanned the surroundings, guarding against any new dangers that might appear.

Although the Netherworld Corpse General had been removed and the Death Qi had dissipated, this place had just experienced such a violent explosion, and there was no guarantee it wouldn't attract other things.

...

Half an hour later.

Under the Medicinal Pills and treatment, everyone's injuries finally stabilized temporarily, at least no longer worsening.

Ye Chen also slowly woke up.

He opened his eyes to see the gloomy sky and his companions surrounding him, everyone injured but looking at him with concern.

"You're awake?"

Murong Bai squeezed out a strained smile.

"How do you feel?"

Ye Chen tried to move, only to feel pain everywhere, his Meridians completely empty.

His Divine Soul felt as if it had been torn apart and then barely stitched back together, sending waves of weakness and stinging pain.

But he could feel a gentle medicinal power within his body.

It was slowly repairing his damaged Foundation, and that tiny Dark Red Ember in his Wheel Sea...

...though dim, was still stubbornly flickering, emitting a faint vitality.

The Ice Lotus Imprint also sent a warm and refreshing coolness, guarding his crumbling spiritual platform.

"Not... dead yet..."

His voice was hoarse, almost inaudible.

He turned his gaze to the side, to Bai Yu, who was equally pale but whose eyes remained clear.

"Senior Brother Bai, thank you."

He knew that at the final moment, if Bai Yu hadn't risked his life to save him, he would surely be dead.

"Don't mention it."

Bai Yu twitched the corner of his mouth, which aggravated his injuries and made him grimace in pain.

"If you died, who would show me such an exciting grand show?"

Though it was a joke, Ye Chen could feel the bond of fighting side-by-side between life and death.

"The others... how are they?"

He looked at everyone.

"Everyone is alive; the injuries are serious, but their lives were saved."

Murong Bai said in a heavy voice.

"This time, thanks to you, Junior Brother Ye, taking such a risky move to destroy the source of that Corpse General's power.

Otherwise, we would probably all have perished here today."

"It was the Opportunity... everyone fought to the death to create."

Ye Chen shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Murong Bai, Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, Jing Wuming, Mo Ling, Zhao Feng, Han Li, and Su Yuwei.

Everyone was injured, but their eyes were firm.

After this battle, this temporary team finally had a true cohesion of sharing life and death.

"That Netherworld Corpse General... what exactly was it? And that 'Netherworld Profound Yin Vein'?"

Zhao Feng asked with lingering fear.

"Netherworld Profound Yin Vein."

Mo Ling pondered.

"It should be a branch of an Earth Vein deep within Falling Star Lake that naturally formed pure netherworld death qi due to the terrain and ancient events. After being discovered by the Netherworld Sect, it was utilized and transformed into a precious land for refining Corpse Puppets, nurturing Yin Souls, and assisting in Cultivation."

"That Netherworld Corpse General was likely able to preserve part of its intelligence and combat power and remain dormant until now because of the power of this Profound Yin Vein. I don't know what kind of power Junior Brother Ye's final sword strike unleashed, but it was actually able to detonate the Profound Yin Vein and perish together with the Corpse General."

She looked at Ye Chen, her eyes full of inquiry.

The power of that sword strike exceeded her understanding.

Murong Bai, Bai Yu, and the others also looked at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen remained silent, not knowing how to explain.

Could he say it was his bit of mysterious Dark Red Ember vitality, combined with the clear chaotic radiance of the Ice Lotus Imprint...

...and the Concept of Hunyuan Return to Void, which happened to counter the netherworld death qi, triggering a chain annihilation?

This involved too many of his secrets.

"We'll discuss this later."

Murong Bai saw Ye Chen's hesitation and stepped in to help.

"The top priority is to leave this place as soon as possible and find a safe spot for everyone to fully recover. This commotion was too great; I'm afraid it has already disturbed certain beings deep within Falling Star Lake, and might even attract the Shadow Fiend or that Black-robed Man."

He struggled to stand up and identified the direction.

"About a hundred miles from here, a relatively hidden 'Water-Eroded Cave' is marked on the map; it's said to be an Immortal Cave once temporarily established by an ancient Cultivator."

"Perhaps we can take temporary refuge there. We need to get there before dark. We can't stay here any longer."

Everyone nodded and forced themselves to stand, supporting each other as they prepared to leave this site of devastation where they had just experienced a life-and-death battle.

With the support of Bai Yu and Zhao Feng, Ye Chen also managed to stand up.

He glanced at the completely collapsed and buried pit, feeling a surge of lingering fear in his heart.

Just now, he had truly walked to the gates of hell and back.

If not for Bai Yu, if not for everyone desperately creating opportunities, and if not for those unknown powers within his body that happened to counter netherworld death qi...

Had any single link in the chain failed, he would have been completely obliterated by now.

Strength...

He was still too weak.

Facing a truly powerful expert, facing an existence like the Netherworld Corpse General, he was still like an ant.

I must become stronger as soon as possible!

Ye Chen clenched his fists, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

"Let's go."

Under Murong Bai's leadership, this scarred but determined team set off once again.

They stumbled toward the northeast, toward a more dangerous region even closer to the core of Falling Star Lake.

The exploration of Falling Star Lake was far from over.

And after this battle, the name of Ye Chen, as well as the strength and resilience of this team...

...would likely spread quietly through this ominous land in another way.

What awaited them—whether it was an even more difficult journey or a new Opportunity.

...

A distance of a hundred miles would be no more than a one or two-hour journey for a Wheel Sea Realm Cultivator in perfect condition.

But for this team, where everyone was injured, their True Yuan depleted, and their spirits exhausted, it felt exceptionally long.

Supporting each other, they trudged through the damp, muddy, and rocky lakeside area.

The air was filled with heavy moisture and a faint, sweet-smelling bloody toxic miasma, different from that of the Rotten Bone Forest.

In the distance, the dark green waters of Falling Star Lake lay under the dim sky.

It was as calm as a giant, bottomless piece of black jade, yet it always gave one an inexplicable sense of palpitations.

It was as if beneath that calm, a terror that could devour people was hidden.

Along the way, they encountered several waves of attacks from small poisonous insects and low-tier Yao Beasts.

Although they were all repelled by the group's collective effort, it further consumed their remaining physical strength and Medicinal Pills.

Ye Chen was supported by Zhao Feng and Bai Yu, barely managing to walk.

Within his body, the Hunyuan One-Qi Art operated slowly on its own with the aid of Medicinal Pills, absorbing the thin Spiritual Qi in the air.

It repaired his damaged Meridians and restored his dried-up Wheel Sea.

But the speed was extremely slow.

In particular, the trauma to his Divine Soul was not something that could be recovered from overnight; bouts of piercing pain and dizziness still struck from time to time.

Ye Chen could only force himself to stay alert, not allowing himself to fall unconscious.

"Hold on, we're almost there."

Walking at the front, Murong Bai would occasionally look back to encourage everyone.

His own injuries were also not light, and his face was pale, but as the backbone of the group, he had to remain calm.

Mo Ling led the way with a compass in hand; she was also heavily exhausted, but with her keen perception of Formation positions, she could still barely discern the direction.

Su Yuwei did her best to cast water-attribute healing techniques for the most severely injured, and though the effect was weak, it was better than nothing.

Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, Jing Wuming, and Han Li were spread around the team's perimeter, keeping a vigilant watch.

They trudged forward for nearly another hour.

The sky grew even darker, and the mist by the lakeside became thicker, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

"It should be just ahead."

Mo Ling stopped and pointed to a steep lakeside cliff ahead, covered in thick vines and moss.

"According to the map, the entrance to the 'Water-Eroded Cave' is right below that cliff, half-hidden by the lake water and extremely well-concealed."

Everyone's spirits lifted as they quickened their pace.

They arrived before the rock wall.

The dark green lake water gently lapped against the steep cliff.

At the base of the wall, near the water's surface, there was indeed a deep cave entrance about the height of a person, obscured by a large number of hanging vines.

As the lake water rose and fell, the lower half of the entrance was submerged while the upper half was exposed, with damp mist constantly billowing out from within.

"This is the place."

Everyone be careful, I'll scout it out first."

Murong Bai signaled for everyone to stop, while he forced a breath of True Yuan and cautiously stepped forward, parting the vines and slowly extending his Divine Sense into the cave.

A moment later, he withdrew his Divine Sense and nodded.

"The space inside is not small and there's dry land. I haven't detected any signs of living creatures for now, but there are traces of aquatic Yao Beasts left behind; it should have been abandoned for a long time.

We can enter."

Upon hearing this, the group filed inside.

As they entered the cave, the light dimmed instantly.

The air inside was damp and cold, carrying a fishy smell and a faint scent of mold.

But compared to the omnipresent toxic miasma outside, the atmosphere here was clearly much 'cleaner'.

The cave entrance was narrow, but after extending inward for several yards, it opened up into an irregular cavern about thirty feet high and over a hundred feet wide.

One side of the cavern was dry sandy ground.

The other side was a deep underground river channel leading to parts unknown, the water flowing silently.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping water droplets with a rhythmic 'tick-tock'.

On the cavern walls, one could faintly see traces of manual excavation.

Along with long-faded and blurred runes, confirming that this place had once been a temporary Immortal Cave for an ancient Cultivator.

"Finally, a place to rest."

Zhao Feng plopped down on the dry ground, gasping for breath.

Han Li and Su Yuwei also sat down exhaustedly.

Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, and Jing Wuming tacitly occupied positions near the entrance, the waterway, and the depths of the cavern, sitting cross-legged to begin regulating their breathing and keeping watch.

Mo Ling quickly checked the cavern, confirming there were no obvious dangerous Restrictions or hidden Yao Beast nests.

Then, at the cave entrance and the waterway entry, she set up simple warning and aura-isolating Formations.

Though crude, they provided a sense of security.

Murong Bai supported Ye Chen to a relatively flat and dry stone platform inside the cavern.

Bai Yu also walked over, sat to the side, took out a Medicinal Pill to consume, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

"Junior Brother Ye, your injuries are the most severe; you need to rest peacefully.

This is 'Jade Marrow Flesh-Growing Ointment' and a 'Soul Nourishing Pill'. They have miraculous effects on external wounds and the Divine Soul; use them."

Murong Bai took out two jade bottles from his Storage Pouch and handed them to Ye Chen.

These were his life-saving pills kept for emergencies, but he was not stingy at this moment.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Ye Chen did not refuse, taking the pills and swallowing the Soul Nourishing Pill, then applying the flesh-growing ointment to the wound on his left shoulder and several other deep external injuries.

The pill entered his stomach and turned into a cool, gentle medicinal power, nourishing his wounded Divine Soul; the piercing pain and dizziness immediately lessened quite a bit.

The ointment applied to the wounds brought waves of cool tingling, accelerating the growth of flesh.

"Junior Brother Bai Yu, you should use some as well."

Murong Bai handed another bottle of healing pills to Bai Yu.

Bai Yu took it and nodded without saying a word.

Having settled the two, Murong Bai also took a pill and sat cross-legged near the cave entrance to begin regulating his breathing.

He needed to recover some strength as quickly as possible to deal with any potential emergencies.

Silence fell within the cave.

There was only the sound of everyone's suppressed breathing and the 'drip-drip' of water from the ceiling into the underground river.

Time passed slowly in the quietude of healing.

Ye Chen operated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art with all his might, coordinating with the Medicinal Pills to repair the terrible state of his body.

In his Wheel Sea, that Dark Red Ember, after being silent for a long time...

...seemed to twitch slightly due to absorbing the power of the Soul Nourishing Pill, emitting a warm current of vitality.

It provided unexpected help in repairing his Meridians and Divine Soul.

The Ice Lotus Imprint also floated quietly, emitting a gentle Chaos radiance that smoothed over the trauma to his Divine Soul.

He didn't dare to practice the Great Sun Visualization Method for the time being, fearing it would aggravate his injuries.

He could only let the pills and the Ice Lotus Imprint do their work.

He didn't know how much time had passed—maybe two hours, maybe three.

The light in the cave had completely darkened, with only the Formations set by Mo Ling emitting a faint fluorescence.

Everyone was immersed in their own healing.

Suddenly.

Jing Wuming, who had been regulating his breathing with eyes closed, opened them without warning and looked toward the deep, dark underground river channel in the back of the cave.

Almost simultaneously, Shi Yue, who was responsible for guarding the waterway, also jumped up and shouted in a low voice.

"Something's coming! It's coming through the water!"

Everyone snapped awake, grabbing their weapons and looking toward the waterway with vigilance.

The originally calm and dark water surface began to show abnormal ripples, approaching rapidly from the distance.

The faint sound of splashing water could be heard.

Accompanied by a faint scent that was different from the fishy smell of the lake water—it was sickly sweet and bloody.

"Prepare for battle!"

Murong Bai barked, sword already in hand.

Ye Chen also forced down his discomfort and gripped the ice scar sword tightly.

Although his arm was still weak, he at least had some strength.

With iron fan in hand, Bai Yu's gaze was calm.

Zhao Feng, Han Li, and Su Yuwei also held their weapons, staring tensely at the water.

Mo Ling quickly reinforced the warning Formation at the waterway entrance.

The ripples drew closer, and the sound of water grew louder.