Exploring the Illusory Tomb Part 1 [Ancient Times Version] - Chapter 9: A Different Heaven Inside the Cave

Chapter 9: A Different Heaven Inside the Cave

After killing that giant snake, we did not encounter any more dangers along the waterway. Every now and then, I would see one ancient Yaksha lantern after another with ferocious faces. They appeared amidst the lush greenery. They showed a simple yet mysterious desolation. These lamps had stayed on the stone walls for far too long. No one could have imagined that, after brushing away the dust of history, they could still be lit once again.

What puzzled me, however, was why snake-attracting incense was added inside the lamps. I faintly sensed there was some inexplicable and unclear connection. While I was lost in wild thoughts, the darkness in front of my eyes was gradually filled in by the light from the outside. At that moment, the long night seemed to be over. And the arrival of dawn brought great joy.

The boat slowly approached the cave exit. Xie Long jumped ashore first and tied the boat securely. Then the rest of the group went ashore one after another. The air was filled with the freshness after a heavy rain and the unique tranquility of mountain ridges. I looked around and noticed that there was also a faint sense of unease and eeriness mixed in.

“The eastern hillside used to be heavily planted with Mao-ran tea. But it’s been a long time since anyone managed or harvested it. And now, it has already gone to waste. Mao-ran tea is a top-grade tribute tea. But people here don’t know why it only grows so lush in this area.” 

Qing Songzi pulled down the long sword on his back. He coldly stared at the surrounding mountain ridges as he spoke.

His words stirred my curiosity. I focused my eyes and looked carefully at the tea garden. I saw mist swirling around. It was lingering without dispersing. It was hazy like smoke, with a faintly desolate feeling mixed in.

The tea garden was overgrown with weeds. It was situated in a low-lying area, surrounded by four protruding small hills. They formed an auspicious shape of a square encirclement. However, the moisture in the low-lying area couldn’t be released and was trapped inside. Which ended up ruining this place of good feng shui. If there were a small river nearby to drain the moisture, it would have been perfect.

Qing Songzi used his sword to hack away some of the overgrown weeds. He walked as he continued, 

“Miss Shi, Mao-ran tea prefers shade — did you know that?”

“Taoist priest, Qingyi didn’t know,” 

I shook my head and said. I really had little knowledge about tea.

“Mao-ran tea likes shade, and therefore likes corpse energy,” 

A cold voice came from beside me.

Upon hearing this, Qing Songzi laughed heartily: 

“Lady Luo, such great insight. Nowadays, few people know this reason.” 

Then he leapt in a single bound in front of a huge rock. He proceeded to call Xie Long, Xiao Jian, and Cheng Yun behind him: 

“You three brothers, come help move this.”

Xiao Jian saw that the rock was enormous. He rolled his eyes, and muttered, 

“Taoist priest. This rock is so big, it might just wear us brothers to death.”

“Why so much nonsense? Xiao-zi (Bro Xiao), get over here,” 

Cheng Yun glared at him and stepped forward in three strides. He then lowered his stance and used his masculine external strength to push the giant rock. Xie Long also bent down to help move it. Since he excelled in external techniques and had a strong build. The two of them instantly gathered their strength and exerted force. Xiao Jian hurriedly joined in. Amid the sounds of straining breath — “Heave-ho, heave-ho” — the rock slowly began to move. As it rolled outward, it actually rolled quite far away. And the rumbling sound continued without end. A long while later, there was a loud *boom* — it was the sound of water splashing.

I was shocked and quickly stepped forward to take a closer look. Where the rock had been, thick moss had grown. And it was moist all over. It must have been a spot where water once flowed. I then leaned over and looked down. And below was actually a huge water pool. The place where the rock had been turned out to be a small drainage waterfall. But it had been blocked by the rock. Over time, it dried up. And the water flow to this low-lying tea garden had been cut off.

“This…” 

I looked at Qing Songzi in surprise.

Judging by the feng shui of the area, it must have originally been excellent. But it had been forcibly altered by some external change. But this rock—how did it just happen to block this spot and ruin such a good place?

Qing Songzi saw through my thoughts. He stroked his beard with a smile: 

“Miss Shi, this poor Taoist doesn’t know the exact reason either. The clue might all lie in that water pool below.”

Luo Shen cast a glance at the weathered old man. She said coldly, 

“Taoist priest. Since you don’t know the reason, how do you know the secret of this rock?”

Qing Songzi laughed: 

“This poor Taoist has crawled and rolled in the mud for many years. And these eyes of mine are still somewhat sharp. The rock looks too abrupt — one glance and I could tell.” 

Then without further explanation, he told Xiao Jian to distribute the tools to everyone. The dry rations were wrapped in waterproof leather and handed out one by one. Judging by the preparations, it looked like we were really about to enter an ancient tomb.

But just from observing the terrain around us, I couldn’t determine whether there really was an ancient tomb nearby, let alone the entrance. Could it be that what I learned from books doesn’t work in actual practice?

Qing Songzi saw I was a bit distracted and gently said, 

“Miss Shi. Although you are a top disciple of Kunlun, in this tomb-raiding business, you’re just a beginner. The dangers around ancient tombs are extremely terrifying. You must protect yourself well.” 

Whether intentionally or not, his sharp eyes glanced at Luo Shen. At that moment, Luo Shen was tying a grappling rope around her body and didn’t notice Qing Songzi’s action. But I saw everything clearly. Though puzzled, I didn’t dare ask more.

We each tied the grappling hooks to nearby large trees. While the other end was fastened to our waists. We were ready to descend into the water pool below from this high spot.

These grappling ropes were extremely strong and flexible — essential gear for herbalists. Those who gathered herbs had to climb cliffs and precipices year-round. They could fall at any moment. Over time, to adapt to the harsh environment, they invented this kind of grappling rope.

I was a little afraid of heights. So I could only grip the rope tightly with both hands, brace my feet against the cliff wall, and slowly lower my body.

The soil on the cliff was soft at first. It had loose dirt falling from underfoot frequently. The lower it got, the harder it became. Some unknown weeds grew nearby. And in the middle of the weeds not far off, a crimson flower suddenly bloomed. It was standing proudly in the wind. Its shape resembled a human hand opening. It was quite eerie.

I stared hard at that crimson flower. It was as if my soul had been sucked out. Cold sweat streamed from my body, my breathing became uneven. And I quickly forced myself to look away. When I looked down again, I saw that Xiao Jian and the others had already descended far below. For the first time, fear overwhelmed me — an immense cold wrapped around me. My body trembled, almost letting go of the rope and falling.

“What are you thinking about?” 

A fresh and gentle breath suddenly brushed past my ear. I was startled and almost lost my grip. But a cold hand tightly wrapped around my waist from the side. It prevented me from falling. Before me was that ever-cold white jade mask — Luo Shen was holding me. The two of us hung motionless on the cliff wall. I was still in shock and only recovered after a long while.

“If you keep this up, you’ll fall.” 

That fresh breath still brushed close to my ear. It continued like a dreamlike murmur:

“Remember, don’t look. Don’t look at that flower.”

It was as if I were enchanted by that voice. I involuntarily turned my face and stared closely at Luo Shen — the intricate and strange patterns on her white jade mask, the unfathomable depth in her eyes, the cold arc of her lips — all fell into my sight. It felt like an invisible hand was gripping all my internal organs. I panicked and hurriedly looked away.

“Be careful. I’ll go down with you. Close your eyes and follow me down slowly.”

My heart trembled. Just thinking about that crimson flower gave me the chills. Obediently, I closed my eyes. Under Luo Shen’s guidance, I took one step at a time downward. My vision was pitch black. But I could feel the air at my feet getting colder and the moisture getting heavier. I didn’t know how long it took. But eventually, my feet stepped into a patch of soft, icy water.