197 Entering the Nether realm Grotto

Ryuu sighed as he got ready it will be a few hours from now that the hidden space will open and will allow access for the next month within this time period they will have to get in and out or else they will be trapped inside there until the next eclipse which will be exactly 100 years from today.

Ryuu: "Fellow Daoist Sisters are you ready?"

Aliyah gave a weak smile as she replied back, "Will we ever be ready for such a thing."

Ryuu: "So true sister so true."

After his outburst a couple of days ago, Lu Wu seemed to be avoiding him, he was saddened at that but if at the end of the day if that is what she wants she will receive as such since Ryuu decided to cease any and all relation with her.

But yet he seemed that he had become closer with the rest specially Aliyah and Alhma who had even persuaded Ryuu to take the mantle of the leader.

Suddenly they heard a knock on their door as Alhma opened the door she was greeted by Agrippa, "Good morning Junior Daoist are you all ready?"

At that the trio spoke simultaneously in an enthusiastic manner, "Good morning Senior and yes we are ready."

Agrippa gave a grin at their reply as he spoke, "Excellent now please follow me."

He then proceeded to lead them to a place where others including the secondary team along with the staff of Shangri-la Pavilion were waiting.

As they reached the other team felled completely silent as they watched their group with wariness in their eyes, during the last few days of their stay they have been to cafeteria many times but they were unable to make any friends because they were always treated like exotic animals as such they started to avoid them, but that even worsened the situation as Ryuu could hear clearly, "tch, see those arrogant whelps just because they are stronger they are acting so high and mighty."

Another voice came in, "Shut up or do you want to suffer like poor Gaius, he only was a little bit jealous but he was attacked in such a horrible manner poor Gaius."

Ryuu's eyebrow twitched as he had to sudden urge to strangle them, 'Me arrogant, if you want to talk with us then approach me without staring us like some otherworldly animal and you fellow he was just jealous, that mongrel tried to have me assassinated, whoo, cal down Ryuu calm down and do not pay attention to them you have yet to enter the hidden place, there is no reason for you to have a headache over them.'

AS the others gathered they were approached by Frozen Flames but before they could speak Lu WU suddenly stepped forward and stood in front of Ryuu as she spoke, "Brother Ryuu I am so sorry that day I reacted like a spoiled child my master explained to me and now I understand how naïve I am, although I do not like the idea of killing someone but I understand your reasoning now as such please forgive me for saying those words to you."

Ryuu smiled as he spoke, "It is no problem sister it is fine, there is nothing for you to ask for forgiveness."

Lu Wu smiled as she gave Ryuu a hug.

Agrippa: "Well everyone get ready the flying vessel will be arriving soon."

A big flying ship/vessel descended in front of them as everyone boarded in orderly manner, as Ryuu's group boarded they were escorted to a big room with chairs and sofas placed having a sitting arrangement of about 20 people but since they were only six they occupied whichever they desired with Lu Wu occupying the one near the window.

Ryuu chose to mediate during the entire trip a few hours later a voice sounded in the room, "To all participants of the expedition we are about to land soon, please follow instructions our staff member to the letter in order to avoid an unfortunate situation from taking place.

As they landed they were escorted towards a big tent where Lucius was waiting for them as they entered he suddenly spoke, "Welcome explorers this is the forward base and as you can see the cave over there is the entrance to the hidden space, it will open within the next few hours till then please feel free to relax."

Ryuu looked towards the entrance of the cave while standing a few feet away from Shangri-la Pavilion's tent, as he watched rows of tents bearing various color and flags fluttering each having different number of people some having a small army some having only a handful people, from what he knew there were even some who were not affiliated with anyone who would try their luck inside.

As he looked towards the left as he was greeted by a large gathering of what seemed to be non-humans each of them looking different some of them were a little bit more humanoid than the rest.

Frozen Flames: "Ryuu it seemed as if they are two sides of the war with the middle being the no man's land each vying the other with mistrust."

Ryuu nodded at that as he spoke, "It is such a pity if only they could overcome their needless hate, they could have worked wonders combining each other's knowledge but seeing them a simple misstep from one side would start a massacre."

Before either could speak a shout seemed to distract Ryuu, "Daoist Ryuu is that you?"

He turned towards to see the smiling visage of Princess Tsuji, "Greeting s Senior Tsuji, how have you been?"

Tsuji spoke with a smile, "I have been fine, and are you escorted the people of your kingdom."

Tsuji nodded with a smile as she puffed up her chest as she spoke, "Of course I am but what about you? Did you join some team?"

Ryuu : "Yes I did join a team, I am currently working with Shangri-la Pavilion."

Frozen Flames, "Ryuu and who might she be?"

Ryuu: "Ah sorry I forgot to introduce you senior but she is the First Princess of Habakar Dynasty Princess Tsuji, and Senior Tsuji the woman visit me is Mystic Immortal Empress Frozen Flames."

Tsuji's eyes widened at that as she quickly bowed and greeted, "This junior greets senior."

As they gossiped they were joined by Frozen Sky and his two teammates and Lu Wu, but soon their talk was broken by some loud shout as they watched the eclipse starting.

Tsuji: "Please excuse me but I will have to go back to my team for now."

They did not have to wait for too long as soon as the complete eclipse began and soon the cave mouth began to glow with a dull yellowish light, from a distance it seemed as if a curtain had formed covering the entrance.

Agrippa: "This is it we have to move quickly or else we will be caught in a stampede."

No sooner did he speak various beings humanoid or non humanoid were all rushing to enter and unluckily for them their tent was a bit further away causing them problem trying to enter the cave.

The entrance was becoming a warzone as a few unfortunate were already suffering the worst under the other's feet even few person from other camps had begun attacking the other to decrease the competition.

Ryuu sighed before turned towards Frozen Flames as he spoke, "Senior if you would please."

Frozen Flames smirked as she eyed towards Frozen Sky who both nodded as they let loose their tyrannical aura shaking everyone and causing the other participant to collapse on their knees, that was enough for Ryuu and his group who flew towards the cave and in a blink of an eye had already reached the entrance, by then their flight had caught the attention of several individuals who were shocked at seeing people of Primal Daoist realm.

The yellowish curtain felt like a dense liquid which they passed as soon as they entered the 'Nether realm Grotto', they were hit by a foul stale air which smelled as if it had been trapped inside a room for decades not to mention the yellowish color of the sky and the vast wasteland in front of the devoid of life.

Seeing the hidden space Aliyah could not help but comment sarcastically, "What a lively space!", causing her other teammates to crack a grin.