Li Tongya departed and returned, cradling a small white lamb that bleated softly as he ascended Meichi Mountain. The hour was growing late; the sky darkened with the approach of nightfall. The two exchanged nods, and Li Tongya cast the trembling creature into the mouth of the cavern.
The lamb cried out, its voice thin and frightened. It staggered, seeking to retreat toward the entrance.
"Go!"
Li Xiangping forced the creature to turn about, striking its hindquarters with a wooden branch. Only then did the lamb bleat loudly and retreat deeper into the darkness.
The party waited for a time, listening to the distant cries echoing through the tunnel. When the sounds persisted without sign of harm befalling the beast, they exchanged glances and ventured cautiously into the passage.
The tunnel was wide enough for two to walk abreast. The air was surprisingly fresh, though dim and without illumination. With each step toward the interior, the concentration of spiritual energy in the atmosphere grew noticeably denser.
Upon entering the main chamber, they found a broad hall carved from grey stone. Night-luminescent pearls hung from the ceiling, casting a faint glow sufficient to discern the details of the space. The spiritual energy here was thick and pleasant to the senses, so rich that one might wish to remain and cultivate without cease. Upon the floor, pale golden formation lines had been inscribed, converging upon a small aperture at the center from which spiritual energy surged upward in rhythmic pulses. Meditation cushions lay nearby, and several jade-green stone shelves stood empty, coated in dust.
Li Xiangping surveyed the surroundings, finding only a stone table and a few azure jade stools, all bare of any object. Disappointment colored his voice: "This dwelling has been scoured clean, as though ravaged by bandits."
Three stone doors remained upon the walls. The lamb had already pushed one open with its head. Li Tongya, as before, sent the creature through first before he and Li Xiangping crept after it into the first chamber.
The space beyond was of reasonable proportion, lit by more luminous pearls. Several stone shelves stood within, equally vacant. They searched thoroughly among the remains, finding nothing but dust and heaps of ash so decayed as to be unrecognizable.
Li Tongya and Li Xiangping regarded one another in silence, then proceeded to the next door.
"This dwelling is emptied of all things," Li Xiangping said. "I suspect it is no treasure trove left by some departed cultivator, but rather an abandoned abode."
Li Xiangping nodded toward the open second door and spoke in low tones: "Indeed. Even had the occupant perished outside these walls, some personal effects ought to remain. That everything has been removed so thoroughly suggests the master prepared to depart long ago, gathering jade slips and elixirs into a storage pouch."
Beyond the second door stood seven or eight stone platforms, each bearing white jade vials. They examined each one in turn—some contained pills whose spiritual potency had long since dissipated, while others proved entirely empty. Upon one platform lay a hexagonal jade disc inscribed with formation runes, now shattered beyond recognition. Pale blue-green fragments littered the surface. Li Xiangping lifted a shard; it still radiated a faint warmth.
The pair exchanged rueful glances and withdrew.
"That jade disc bears resemblance to the formation discs spoken of by Wan Yuankai," Li Tongya remarked.
At Li Xiangping's questioning look, he explained: "Both formation flags and formation discs may be used to deploy arrays. Unlike flags, which depend upon the cultivator's mastery of formation theory and diagrams, a disc can only manifest a single pre-inscribed formation—rigid in application, though requiring less expertise to operate. One need only understand how to modulate the spiritual energy channeled into it."
"Should the formation be broken, the disc shatters instantly into fragments. Arrays deployed with flags may be reformed so long as the flags themselves remain intact."
"So the disc was the guardian array at the cavern's entrance. When we employed the Profound Lunar Radiance to break through, the disc was destroyed."
Li Xiangping nodded. They returned to the great hall and watched as Li Tongya cautiously sent the lamb into the third chamber before following.
Within lay a stone bed, its cushions rotted beyond recognition. At the head rested a small jade vial; when Li Xiangping opened it, nothing remained save a lingering trace of elixir fragrance.
Li Tongya, keener-eyed, discovered beneath the bed a slender azure jade vial and a sheet of white cloth of unusual texture, covered in tiny script. At last they found something of value. Li Xiangping smiled: "At least we have not returned entirely empty-handed."
"Indeed not," Li Tongya replied. "The dwelling itself, the gathering formation at its heart, and the vent of spiritual energy—these alone constitute a considerable treasure. We have obtained a cave with nearly forty percent greater spiritual density than the mountain, without suffering harm or triggering any trap. We should be content."
Li Xiangping approached to examine the cloth and vial in Li Tongya's hands.
Li Tongya spread the cloth and read aloud: "Chi Wei bows his head: The individual has reached Moonview Lake. The Sect has dispatched forces to intercept. I beseech you, friend, to act swiftly. The Blazing Sun Scripture you requested has been delivered. Upon conclusion of this matter, the spirit jade and fire crystal shall be presented personally at the dwelling."
"The enemy's strength is formidable. Exercise utmost caution—show no mercy. Should you encounter this person without warning, fly toward the direction of Qingchi Sect and notify us immediately."
They read these disjointed words without comprehension, gaining no useful intelligence from the cryptic message. They set the cloth aside and turned to the slender azure vial.
Li Xiangping shook it gently. The vessel felt warm to the touch, seemingly empty. He carefully removed the stopper, but nothing poured forth.
Li Tongya extended his spiritual sense across the surface and exclaimed: "This is an artifact!"
He frowned, probing more deeply with his spiritual perception. After careful examination, he spoke with some uncertainty: "It appears to be a specialized storage artifact, containing within it a spiritual energy of intense, flame-like heat."
"No wonder I could pour nothing out."
Li Xiangping nodded. "Could this be the celestial spiritual energy required for advancing from Embryonic Breathing to Qi Refining?"
"Whatever its purpose, we have no use for it now. Let us store it safely."
Li Tongya tucked the azure vial into his robes. Together they conducted a final inspection of every corner of the dwelling before leading the lamb outside.
Li Yesheng was directing the laborers of Jingyang Village in compacting the foundations upon the hillside when they emerged. He had not dared approach the cavern entrance and breathed freely at the sight of them. "I discovered the opening at dawn and sent word to Lijing Mountain for you two. I did not expect you to arrive first."
Li Xiangping handed the lamb to Li Yesheng and spoke briefly regarding the construction plans for the mountain estate before departing with Li Tongya for Lijing Mountain.
"The spiritual energy in that dwelling surpasses our mountain by a considerable margin," Li Xiangping said as they walked. "We must post a guard."
"Agreed," Li Tongya nodded. "Let us recall Li Qiuyang. I shall oversee Meichi Mountain together with Xuanxuan. The boy will benefit from a better cultivation environment—he may journey further in the future."