Chapter 486: Chapter 487: Water Prison Cave
Simultaneously, within the Water Curtain Cave of Aolai Country in the Eastern Sea, a veil of mist hung in the air, and the constant sound of waterfalls could be heard.
This was a mountain cave, and the entire mountaintop was enveloped by rich Spiritual Energy. Should an ordinary person reside in this place, they would not only become physically stronger but also extend their life span.
A waterfall covered the cave entrance on the mountainside, incessantly sweeping across it. Even from a distance, one could feel the moisture-laden Spiritual Energy and be refreshed in spirit and heart.
Within the cave, two women, one in red and one in blue, sat on the ground, waiting quietly for something.
Their beauty was stunning, their expressions serene, untouched by even a hint of the concerns of the mundane world.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
A Golden Silk Monkey scampered up, gesticulating wildly, trying to catch the women’s attention.
“Xiao Jin, stop fooling around and leave at once,”
the girl in blue said with a slight frown, speaking softly.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”
The Golden Silk Monkey scratched its head and, with a wiggle of its behind, scampered off.
“Youngest sister, do you think that Li Xiaobai really knows the secret of the Sea-Calming Divine Needle? Even you haven’t figured it out—how could a junior like him know of it?”
After the monkey had left, the woman in red spoke up.
“Eldest sister, we have only concluded over the years that besides the Six-Eared Macaque, there exist other mystical monkeys in the world. Now that Li Xiaobai was able to summon the Sea-Calming Divine Needle directly, it shows that he indeed knows something.”
“We need not delve into the root of it; understanding the key connection to the Sea-Calming Divine Needle will suffice,”
the girl in blue replied, speaking slowly.
“You seem to have a high opinion of this young man,”
the woman in red voiced her surprise, questioning her.
“Indeed, you should also be aware, Eldest Sister, that Li Xiaobai, though only in his early twenties, is already capable of contending with Great Crossing Realm Peak cultivators. Only a Half-step Human Immortal could suppress him. Such natural talent and speed in cultivation are unmatched from ancient times to the present.”
“I believe we need not pry into the secrets Li Xiaobai holds. We only need to form a good relationship with him. In the future, should he achieve enlightenment, our Eastern Sea might also share in his blessings,”
the girl in blue stated indifferently.
“Since you have said so much, there must be a reason. Let’s proceed according to your plan,”
the woman in red nodded. When it came to insight and perspective, her youngest sister was the most far-seeing among them.
“How is the plan progressing?”
“Recently, since we have kept behind closed doors, some families within Aolai Country have become a bit too active,”
the woman in red said with a chilly gleam in her eyes and a stern voice.
“The preliminary preparations are nearly complete. This time, we will surely root out these disturbers of the peace. All we lack is a chess piece that can penetrate those family forces, and then we can start the plan,”
the girl in blue replied with a faint smile, her eyes shining with intelligence as if she saw through everything.
“A chess piece?”
“Whom do you plan to use, Youngest Sister?”
the woman in red inquired.
“Well… you’ll know soon enough,”
…
Li Xiaobai and Liuren had by then reached the shore. This was Aolai Country; the island was vast, with an endless stream of people coming and going, bustling with activity.
Even without understanding cultivation, when Li Xiaobai set foot on this land he felt an invigorating sensation. Engulfed by Spiritual Energy so dense it seemed it could not dissipate, his body was nourished at every inch of the skin.
No wonder cultivators of the Eastern Sea generally possessed considerable strength. With such conditions for cultivation, even a pig might become a spirit, right?
“Young Master Li, this is Aolai Country of the Eastern Sea. How do you feel about it?”
Seemingly perceiving what was on Li Xiaobai’s mind, Liuren asked with a smile blooming on her face.
“It’s a mortal paradise, Vice Leader governs it so well!”
Li Xiaobai couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, for turning an island into a cultivators’ Blessed Land was no simple feat.
“Hehe, all the credit goes to my third sister. I’m not good at governing. In Aolai Country, there’s an unwritten rule that forbids cultivators from fighting in private. If one wishes to determine who is superior, they must go to the arena to do so.”
Liuren explained slowly.
Li Xiaobai nodded, “It should indeed be so!”
Though the area of Aolai Country was not small, it was still an island after all. If cultivators were to fight and spill blood in secret, the island would suffer great damage. Arranging specific venues to resolve cultivators’ disputes was a sensible way.
“The Great Family Head and third sister are already waiting inside the Water Curtain Cave… Let’s head over now…”
Li Xiaobai only felt a gentle tap on his shoulder again, and his vision blured as the scenery whirled around him. Stalls, shops, and crowds disappeared, leaving only the picturesque mountains and the murmuring rivers.
In front of him was a massive waterfall, cascading down from three thousand feet, with numerous Golden Silk Monkeys frolicking in the spray. Upon seeing Li Xiaobai, not only did they not show any fear, but they even splashed water at him.
Li Xiaobai had a look of exasperation, finding these mischievous monkeys quite playful. He wanted to get upset but couldn’t bring himself to do so—it was just a group of monkeys, after all. Taking them seriously would mean he had lost.
“Young Master Li is our guest and shouldn’t be bothered.”
Liuren said with a frown, shooing away the surrounding monkeys.
“Squeak squeak squeak!”
To his surprise, the Golden Silk Monkeys were not the least bit afraid of Liuren and did not react to her shooing. In fact, a few of them started splashing water back at Liuren.
Seeing Liuren’s wet face, Li Xiaobai secretly chuckled within. It looked like even Liuren could have moments when her authority was insufficient, now bullied by a band of monkeys.
Liuren’s expression darkened ominously but she didn’t say much more. She reached out towards the waterfall and shook her hand, parting the water to the left and right, revealing a huge cave behind it, and led Li Xiaobai inside.
“The Water Curtain Cave lives up to its name indeed; it’s truly a Blessed Land of Cave Heaven!”
Li Xiaobai couldn’t help but marvel at this hidden world, a paradise on earth, secluded from the mundane world. The powerful indeed knew how to pick their spots.
“It’s just a peculiar place naturally formed by heaven and earth. We are merely residents here. The Great Family Head and third sister usually cultivate in this place.”
Liuren said with a smile, knowing that anyone who saw the true face of the Water Curtain Cave for the first time would be full of praises.
Inside the cave, there were three caverns, each marked with an icon.
From left to right, there was a book, a Six-Eared Divine Monkey, and a hand gesture making the number six.
Upon seeing the icon of the six, the corner of Li Xiaobai’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily. These markers were indeed vivid.
Needless to ask, that six must belong to Liuren’s dwelling. The cavern with the Six-Eared Macaque icon in the middle should be the Great Family Head’s abode, and the book icon should indicate the third family member’s residence.
“Is it Xiao Liuzi who has come?”
A cool voice emerged from the middle cave.
“Great Family Head, I’ve brought Young Master Li.”
Liuren answered.
“Come in for a chat. We have been waiting for some time.”
The voice replied unhurriedly.
“Yes!”
Following Liuren into the cave, Li Xiaobai was staggered in an instant. With one step forward, his surroundings shifted as if through a cosmic spin, and the small cavern instantly transformed into an endless wilderness.
“Is this… a Secret Realm minuscule world?”