Two streaks of sword light descended one after another, slowly landing at the bottom of a deep pool. Lin Yaoyao held Bai Li as she landed steadily on a smooth rock at the bottom. The light there was dim, and the surroundings were thick with water vapor, the air heavy with a faint fishy smell and the scent of damp earth. The mist was so dense that the surrounding scenery appeared blurry, as if covered by a thin veil. Lin Yaoyao looked around and found the rocks at the bottom covered in moss, making them incredibly slippery; one careless step could lead to a fall. The pool water was bottomless, emitting an eerie green glow that seemed to hide some unknown danger, making one recoil in fear. Bai Li snuggled close in Lin Yaoyao's arms, curiously observing the environment. Her two fluffy fox tails swayed gently behind her like two blooming white velvet flowers, adding a touch of vitality to the gloomy pool bottom.
Shen Mo landed beside Lin Yaoyao shortly after. Holding her long sword, she scanned the surroundings with a vigilant gaze, remaining on high alert to protect Lin Yaoyao and Bai Li. "The light here is too dim, be careful," Shen Mo reminded in a low voice. Her brow was furrowed with gravity as she gripped her long sword, her internal Spiritual Qi circulating slowly, ready to respond to any danger at a moment's notice.
"Mm." Lin Yaoyao nodded in understanding. She channeled Spiritual Qi into her eyes to enhance her vision, attempting to see the surroundings clearly. With the enhancement of her Spiritual Qi, Lin Yaoyao's field of vision became much sharper. She discovered that the area at the bottom of the pool was far larger than she had imagined. The surrounding rocks were of various shapes—some like sharp blades, others like giant monsters—appearing particularly hideous and terrifying in the dim light. The current at the bottom was slow, yet undercurrents surged as if hiding some danger. Lin Yaoyao's heart tightened, and she became even more cautious.
The three of them explored the surroundings with extreme care. The rocks were slippery, and when Bai Li jumped down from Lin Yaoyao's arms, she almost slipped upon landing. Lin Yaoyao was quick to catch her. "Careful, Bai Li," Lin Yaoyao said in a gentle tone, filled with concern. Bai Li gave Lin Yaoyao a grateful look and nodded. "Thank you, Sister Yaoyao." Her two fluffy tails swayed gently like sensitive antennae, detecting movements in the surroundings and helping her maintain her balance.
"It seems no one has been here before," Shen Mo observed the rocks and water currents, a hint of doubt in her voice. "Look, the moss on these rocks is perfectly intact with no signs of damage, and the water is calm without any traces of fighting." As she spoke, Shen Mo used her long sword to push aside the duckweed and water grass, carefully observing the situation underwater to find clues. This pool bottom was so hidden and the Spiritual Qi so dense that, logically, cultivators should have come here to explore for treasures; it shouldn't be untouched. However, everything at the bottom appeared primitive and natural, without any signs of human interference, which left her somewhat puzzled.
Lin Yaoyao looked around and nodded in agreement. "It seems we've stumbled upon an unknown place by pure chance." Her voice carried a hint of excitement and her eyes sparkled. The Spiritual Qi here was so rich that they might truly find something to upgrade Bai Li's Bloodline.
"Then we must be even more careful," Shen Mo reminded them. An unknown Secret Realm often meant greater danger; no one knew what kind of perils and challenges awaited them inside.
The three continued their exploration. After walking for about fifteen minutes, Bai Li suddenly stopped. She lifted her small nose and sniffed the air, her face lighting up with joy. "Sister Yaoyao, I smell a very peculiar fragrance. It seems to be some kind of precious Spiritual Plant." Her voice was excited, and her two fox tails wagged like two flags fluttering in the wind. Her silver eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, filled with anticipation and longing. "Moreover, the Spiritual Qi over there is even denser!" she added, pointing ahead.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo looked in the direction Bai Li pointed. At the end of the pool floor, a stone wall appeared with an opening about the height of a person. The entrance emitted a faint fluorescence, like twinkling stars in the night. Inside, the Spiritual Qi was misty, and the silhouettes of rare Spiritual Plants could be vaguely seen shimmering with multicolored light. The air was filled with a thick medicinal fragrance that refreshed the mind and spirit.
"It seems we've found it." Lin Yaoyao's voice held a trace of excitement. She was full of curiosity and anticipation regarding the depths of the cave, wondering what treasures were hidden there and if the spiritual item Bai Li had been longing for to upgrade her Spirit Beast Bloodline was among them.
Shen Mo also looked pleased, but she remained vigilant. "Let's be careful. There's no telling what dangers lie deep within the cave," she warned. Caves within a Secret Realm were often the nests of Yao Beasts or hidden with deadly traps; they had to be cautious to avoid falling into peril.
Bai Li couldn't wait to go in and investigate. She turned to Lin Yaoyao, seeking her opinion. "Sister Yaoyao, can we go in and take a look?" Her voice held a hint of pleading, and her eyes were full of expectation.
Lin Yaoyao nodded. "Let's go." She reached out to take Bai Li's hand and then turned to Shen Mo. "Shen Mo, let's go in together."
"Alright." Shen Mo nodded. Holding her long sword, she walked at the front to clear the way for Lin Yaoyao and Bai Li, staying alert for any potential dangers. Lin Yaoyao held Bai Li's hand and followed closely behind, circulating her Spiritual Qi to the maximum, ready for any sudden situations. Bai Li followed tightly behind Lin Yaoyao, her two fox tails swaying gently like sensitive antennae, detecting the movements around them.
Bai Li was the first to hop into the cave, followed by Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo. The entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for one person, but once inside, the space opened up dramatically. The interior was spacious and bright, with many fluorescent stones embedded in the walls illuminating the entire cavern. The air was thick with Spiritual Qi and medicinal fragrance, refreshing to the soul. Various rare Spiritual Plants grew on the cave floor, shimmering with multicolored light and emitting a dense medicinal aroma that was a feast for the eyes. Bai Li excitedly ran to a Spiritual Plant and observed it closely, her silver eyes shining with light and a joyful smile on her face. "Sister Yaoyao, look! This is a spirit condensing mushroom!" she said excitedly, pointing at the plant.
Before Bai Li's voice had even faded, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo quickly walked to her side to identify the Spiritual Plant. The mushroom was a deep, translucent light blue throughout. Its cap was round and full, with a smooth, delicate surface that emitted a faint fluorescence like stars in the night sky. A thick medicinal fragrance wafted over, refreshing the mind and lifting the spirits. Lin Yaoyao carefully observed the mushroom's texture and color, then reached out to gently touch the cap, feeling its smooth and delicate texture before finally confirming: "It is indeed a spirit condensing mushroom." Her voice carried a hint of pleasant surprise. This thousand-year-old mushroom was an important material for refining many high-grade Medicinal Pills and was worth a fortune; she hadn't expected to encounter one here.
Lin Yaoyao carefully harvested the spirit condensing mushroom and placed it into her Storage Ring. The mushroom felt warm to the touch and emitted a faint, clear fragrance that made her feel refreshed. After harvesting the mushroom, the three continued deeper into the cave. The cave was winding and circuitous, seemingly without end. The fluorescent stones embedded in the walls cast a soft light, illuminating the path ahead and the various rare Spiritual Plants growing there. The dense Spiritual Qi and medicinal fragrance filled the air, making them feel as if they were in a fairyland. Bai Li's two fox tails wagged excitedly, and her silver eyes sparkled like stars in the night, filled with curiosity and anticipation for the depths of the cave.