Chapter 13: The Underworld Cave (Part One)

Yao Qian raised her hand to catch the storage pouch thrown by the burly man. Her heart felt heavy. The larger the sect, the stricter and more rigid the rules, making them harder to change. For the so-called senior disciple to suddenly give them three years’ worth of supplies—did that mean the Hellish Cave was incredibly dangerous?

Jin Xiuer’s eyes also reflected the same worry. “Qianqian, what should we do?”

Yao Qian replied, “Let’s go to the market to buy supplies.”

Jin Xiuer hesitated, “How should we prepare? Should we ask around?”

Yao Qian said, “We’ll ask the people at the market.” Often, she didn’t trust personal favors; she placed more faith in pure monetary transactions.

Seeing their fellow disciples rushing hastily down the mountain, the two hurried after them. “Qianqian, what are you planning to buy?”

Yao Qian whispered, “I went to the market earlier and met someone who said the best talisman for self-defense in the Hellish Cave is the Three Yang Talisman. I guess the Hellish Cave is a place filled with yin energy.” The Three Yang Talisman is especially effective against yin energy.

“I also want to buy blank talisman papers, Fasting Pills, and purified water. My Golden Silkworm Gu hasn’t hatched yet. Once it does, should I buy some blood and flesh of demonic beasts?” Jin Xiuer was an expert in Gu insects, so Yao Qian entrusted her with those matters.

Jin Xiuer nodded slightly. “I’ll handle the Gu insect supplies.” She sighed softly. “Why is it so turbulent right after we just joined? I thought we could peacefully cultivate for three years.”

Yao Qian frowned slightly. “The Hellish Cave might be a place where opportunities and dangers coexist.” She wasn’t overly worried; just from the boy buying only the Three Yang Talismans and no other offensive talismans, the danger there was probably not too severe.

Judging by the tone and expression of the black-clad man, the Hellish Cave was even a treasured site for cultivation to some. So why did Pei Changqing open such a treasure ground for newly inducted apprentices? Perhaps he hoped they could rapidly advance their cultivation. Yao Qian suspected that the trials they would face after three years might be vastly more treacherous than the Hellish Cave.

They moved swiftly and arrived at the market before the main group did. Without speaking, Yao Qian and Jin Xiuer went straight to their respective shops for major purchases. Both had some Fasting Pills on hand, but to be safe they bought more, along with several gourds of spirit spring water.

Then Yao Qian went to a talisman shop to buy blank talisman papers and talisman ink. These were not very expensive; she bought one premium sheet for a silver coin, and the rest were mid to low-grade papers. Her funds were limited, so she had to adopt a conservative consumption approach for now.

For an experienced cultivator, these purchases were trivial, but for a newly inducted apprentice, they were significant business. The shopkeeper smiled and asked, “Young disciple, are you going to the Hellish Cave to cultivate? Would you like to buy Serenity Talismans, Golden Light Talismans, or Soul Severing Talismans?” All the market shopkeepers were disciples of the Infinite Sect.

Yao Qian asked, “What are Serenity Talismans and Soul Severing Talismans?” She didn’t recall seeing them in the talisman compendium she bought.

The shopkeeper smiled, “Did you acquire your knowledge outside?”

Yao Qian nodded, “Yes.”

The shopkeeper pulled out a scroll. “I have an introduction to the Hellish Cave here. Would you like to buy a copy? It’s only twenty spirit pearls.”

Yao Qian looked at the Serenity and Soul Severing Talismans displayed in the shop, priced at three thousand and five thousand spirit pearls each. “Are these talismans only for inner sect disciples? Otherwise, they should be in the compendium I bought.”

The shopkeeper nodded, “Yes, these talismans require Foundation Establishment stage cultivators to make.”

Yao Qian asked curiously, “Is the Soul Severing Talisman a spiritual attack? How can a spiritual attack be turned into a talisman? I always thought talismans were natural elemental spells. Can spiritual attacks be talismanized?”

The shopkeeper laughed, “Because these two aren’t ordinary talismans—they are talisman treasures.”

Yao Qian was stunned. “Talisman treasures? Foundation Establishment cultivators can refine talisman treasures?”

Talisman treasures are talisman-type magical artifacts made from high-grade materials. Ordinary talismans are consumable, used once and gone, but talisman treasures can be reused multiple times, and their power surpasses common talismans. Many talisman treasures can even evolve into full-fledged magical artifacts.

It is said that the Infinite Sect’s sect sanctuary is a magical artifact with an intelligent spirit, but whether this rumor is true is beyond Yao Qian’s understanding.

The shopkeeper said, “Our talisman treasures are low-grade, usable only three times, but much stronger than ordinary talismans.”

Yao Qian looked at the talisman treasures and sighed softly. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford one; otherwise, she would have liked to buy one for study.

The shopkeeper cheerfully asked, “Would you like to buy a few more Three Yang Talismans? They are the best self-defense talismans in the Hellish Cave.”

Yao Qian shook her head. “No need. I’ve drawn many Three Yang Talismans recently, so I have enough for now.” She pointed to the booklet about the Hellish Cave. “I’ll buy five silver coins worth of talisman paper. Can you give me this booklet as a gift?”

Yao Qian wasn’t skilled in bargaining, but she knew how to haggle. Such magical booklets, copied by spell, could be replicated tens of thousands of times a day by a Foundation Establishment cultivator and were essentially worthless.

The shopkeeper was slightly surprised. “You can draw talismans?”

Yao Qian nodded. “I can draw the Three Yang Talisman.”

After some thought, the shopkeeper said, “Alright, but if you draw more talismans in the future, feel free to sell them to my shop.” For a little girl just recently inducted who could already draw Three Yang Talismans, she clearly had some talent. The shopkeeper was glad to make a connection with someone gifted.

“Fine.” Yao Qian agreed readily. After her stall experience fifteen days ago, she realized she wasn’t suited for business. It was better to leave such matters to professionals.

Having bought enough talisman paper and ink, Yao Qian went to meet Jin Xiuer. As soon as they met, they said in unison, “I have information on the Hellish Cave!” They both laughed after speaking.

Jin Xiuer said, “Let’s head back first.”

Yao Qian nodded. Their shopping was swift, and only now was the sect’s main group beginning to enter the market.

Back at Jin Xiuer’s cave dwelling, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and laid out their purchases. Yao Qian had bought Fasting Pills and spirit spring water; Jin Xiuer had purchased plenty of spirit grains and spirit beast meat. “I’ve already asked around. The Hellish Cave is thick with yin energy and often has attacks from yin souls. The best thing I have for surviving there is the Golden Silkworm Gu. To help it adapt quickly, I need to feed it more spiritual materials.” Jin Xiuer handed over the spirit grains and beast meat to Yao Qian.

Yao Qian gave her the spirit pearls to pay for the materials. Seeing the total cost—three thousand spirit pearls—she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. No wonder Gu cultivators were usually impoverished; these Gu insects consumed so much! She took out a stack of Three Yang Talismans from her storage pouch. “These are the Three Yang Talismans I drew. Use them for self-defense.”

Having just read the shopkeeper’s booklet, Yao Qian confirmed her suspicions: the Hellish Cave was a small secret realm filled with yin energy, where yin souls frequently appeared. These yin souls had almost no intelligence but were ferocious, most fond of devouring cultivators’ flesh and blood.

Yet these yin souls were excellent nourishment for one’s spirit. By destroying them and absorbing the scattered spiritual energy, one could strengthen their spirit. Aside from bitter cultivation, there were few ways for cultivators to advance their spirit realm. Absorbing yin souls was one of the rare, rapid methods with minimal side effects.

It was only after discussing with Jin Xiuer that Yao Qian learned the Infinite Sect’s entry-level cultivation method they were given was solely the Lesser Yin Herb Gathering Technique, lacking the Greater Yang Herb Gathering Technique. She wasn’t sure if the Greater Yang technique could even be cultivated inside the Hellish Cave. She hoped the Heavenly Evolution Stele would prove helpful.

The main danger inside the Hellish Cave was these unconscious yin souls, which was why many Infinite Sect disciples liked to cultivate there. Normally, entry required contributions, but Pei Changqing suddenly allowed this generation of disciples unrestricted access, clearly intending to invest heavily in their training.

This raised a question: Even among the mysterious sects, they rarely invested so recklessly in so many disciples. Most resources favored inner disciples and true heirs. What was the Infinite Sect’s ulterior motive?

Jin Xiuer sighed softly. “We can only take it step by step. First, raise our cultivation, then think ahead.” She smiled. “Luckily, the sect hasn’t completely abandoned us. We’re not forced to grind endlessly in the Hellish Cave. At least we can leave once every six months.”

Yao Qian said, “Inside, we must both improve our cultivation and nurture the Golden Silkworm Gu, at least until it can absorb yin energy. I suspect after three years, we’ll face a place even more saturated with yin energy.”

From what Yao Qian knew, despite being a demonic sect, the Infinite Sect’s disciples didn’t solely cultivate yin energy. Some cultivated blood killing energy, the Divine Demon Body Refining method, and others. However, this batch of apprentices seemed to practice only the Lesser Yin Herb Gathering Technique.

Jin Xiuer nodded in agreement. After some hesitation, she said, “Let’s enter the cave and assess the situation first. If our bodies permit, I want to stay longer inside. This opportunity is dangerous but rare.”

Yao Qian had no objection. “We’ll proceed as we are, choosing a spot neither too near nor too far to cultivate.”

Jin Xiuer smiled faintly. “Not too close either. From what the black-clad senior disciple said, aside from the yin souls, everything in the Hellish Cave is safe, and there won’t be disciples harming each other. If you can venture deeper, do so.”

Though Yao Qian had never disclosed her cultivation stage, Jin Xiuer could clearly sense she was different. Cultivators of yin energy inevitably suffered physical decline—a side effect of yin-based cultivation no one could escape.

At their current low levels, this side effect was subtle; most merely turned paler, losing blood color—a pale that was not fair skin but a ghastly lack of blood. Yet Yao Qian had remained unchanged from beginning to end, her complexion still rosy and vibrant, showing her cultivation method had no adverse effect.

Everyone had their secrets; Jin Xiuer didn’t pry. Who would reveal their secret techniques? She did not regret cultivating the Lesser Yin Technique; it greatly aided her Gu nurturing. She truly felt grateful to the female cultivator who had taken her in.

As for the Infinite Sect’s attitude toward them, Jin Xiuer felt little. The cultivation world was ruthless; except for a few, most struggled on the survival line from birth. This hardship-born strength was something many spent their lives seeking in vain.