Chapter Forty-Three: The Gate of All Wonders

The sound of flowing water echoed within the caves, clear and distinct. A sense of tranquility pervaded the air. After entering the cave, a sudden rush of air filled with the smell of sulfur assailed their noses.

“Whoa, what a heavy sulfuric smell!”

Lu Yizhi covered his nose with his sleeve, slightly wrinkling it. Even Liu Yiyang couldn’t help but frown slightly.

“This smell… could there be a hot spring inside this cave?” Liu Yiyang muttered to himself.

“Hot spring? Then let’s find it and wash up properly. It’s been quite a few days since we’ve had a decent wash.”

“That’s right! Brother Liu, after washing up, we can finally feel clean and comfortable!”

As they spoke, they walked deeper into the cave. The entrance was quite spacious, allowing two or three people to walk side by side. However, as they went further in, the passage became narrower. The air grew warmer, and the sulfur smell intensified.

“It really is a hot spring!” Lu Yizhi said excitedly.

After walking for another seven or eight minutes, they finally saw a faint light ahead. Upon reaching the end, a huge cave chamber appeared before them.

Inside the cave was a steaming pool of water, the size of a small lake. White mist rose from the water, making the entire cave chamber seem like a celestial realm.

Around the hot spring pool were many strange rocks and stones, some in the shape of animals, others like human figures, each unique and interesting.

The steam rose, and the sulfurous smell was strongest here, but it wasn’t unpleasant; rather, it had a refreshing quality.

“Hahaha, a hot spring! Wonderful!”

Lu Yizhi quickly took off his clothes, revealing a strong and sturdy physique. He then plunged into the hot spring pool.

“Ah… so comfortable!”

After entering the water, Lu Yizhi let out a long sigh.

Seeing his comfortable expression, Liu Yiyang also smiled faintly. He wasn’t in a hurry to get in, but instead looked around the cave chamber.

The chamber was enormous, and the rock walls were covered in strange patterns that shimmered with a faint light under the illumination of the hot spring’s mist.

“Brother Liu, come in quickly! The water is really comfortable!” Lu Yizhi shouted from the hot spring.

“Alright, I’ll be right there.”

Liu Yiyang smiled and began to undress. He took off his outer robe, revealing a snow-white, smooth inner garment. Then he removed the inner garment, revealing a perfectly sculpted physique. He then stepped into the hot spring water.

“Ah…”

He also let out a comfortable sigh. The water was warm and soothing, and his entire body felt relaxed.

“Brother Liu, isn’t this hot spring amazing? It’s much better than bathing in a river or lake!” Lu Yizhi said with a smile.

“Yes, this is indeed wonderful. I didn’t expect there to be such a place in this desolate area.”

“Hehe, it seems we have good luck!” Lu Yizhi chuckled.

“By the way, Brother Liu, what were those martial arts moves you used earlier? They were so powerful!”

Lu Yizhi suddenly remembered the scene when Liu Yiyang fought those bandits earlier. His movements were incredibly fast, and each strike was precise, easily defeating the opponents.

“Oh, those are just some basic martial arts.” Liu Yiyang said casually.

“Basic martial arts? I don’t believe it! If those are basic, then the martial arts I’ve learned must be for children!”

Lu Yizhi’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

“Heh, you might not believe it, but they truly are basic martial arts. However, they are honed through countless repetitions and refinement, which is why they appear powerful.”

Liu Yiyang didn’t elaborate further, as his martial arts were indeed basic, but they incorporated the principles of the “Great Vajra Technique,” which was a secret cultivation method.

“Refined through countless repetitions? That’s amazing!”

Lu Yizhi was impressed by Liu Yiyang’s words. He also cultivated martial arts, but he had never heard of refining moves through countless repetitions.

“Brother Liu, can you teach me?” Lu Yizhi asked sincerely.

“Of course. However, cultivating martial arts requires perseverance and dedication. You must be prepared for hardship.”

“I’m not afraid of hardship!” Lu Yizhi declared confidently.

“Alright then, after we leave this place, I will teach you.”

“Great! Thank you, Brother Liu!”

Lu Yizhi was overjoyed. He knew that being able to learn from Liu Yiyang, who was so skilled in martial arts, would be of great benefit to him.

The two of them continued to soak in the hot spring, chatting and laughing. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

After soaking for a while, they both felt refreshed and invigorated. They changed into clean clothes and prepared to leave the cave.

However, just as they were about to leave, Liu Yiyang’s gaze fell upon a strange rock in the cave.

The rock was in the shape of a human figure, but it was different from the other rocks. It seemed to possess a faint vitality, and on its surface were some strange patterns that seemed to be naturally formed.

Liu Yiyang felt a strange energy radiating from the rock, an energy that was both ancient and powerful.

“Brother Liu, what’s wrong?” Lu Yizhi asked, noticing Liu Yiyang’s unusual behavior.

“This rock… it’s a bit strange.” Liu Yiyang said, walking towards the rock.

He reached out and gently touched the rock’s surface. Immediately, a surge of energy flowed into his hand, making his entire body tremble.

This energy was extremely powerful, but it also contained a pure and gentle quality.

“This is… spiritual energy!”

Liu Yiyang’s eyes widened in surprise. He had never encountered such pure spiritual energy before.

Spiritual energy was the foundation of cultivation, and the purity of spiritual energy directly affected the speed and effectiveness of cultivation. The spiritual energy contained in this rock was incredibly pure, far exceeding the spiritual energy he had encountered in other places.

“Spiritual energy? What’s that?” Lu Yizhi asked, confused.

“Spiritual energy is a kind of energy that exists in the world. It is the source of cultivation for us cultivators.” Liu Yiyang explained.

“Oh, so that’s it! This rock actually contains spiritual energy? That’s amazing!”

Lu Yizhi was also surprised. Although he didn’t understand what spiritual energy was, he knew it was related to cultivation, and since it surprised Liu Yiyang, it must be extraordinary.

“Yes, and the spiritual energy in this rock is exceptionally pure. If we can absorb it, it will be of great benefit to our cultivation.” Liu Yiyang said, his eyes filled with excitement.

“Then let’s absorb it!” Lu Yizhi said eagerly.

“Wait, this spiritual energy is very powerful. We need to be careful when absorbing it. We can’t absorb it too quickly, otherwise, it could cause harm.” Liu Yiyang cautioned.

“Alright, I understand.”

Liu Yiyang then sat down cross-legged in front of the rock and began to cultivate. He guided the spiritual energy from the rock into his body, slowly refining it.

Lu Yizhi also sat down beside him and began to cultivate. Although he couldn’t feel the spiritual energy as clearly as Liu Yiyang, he could still feel a faint energy entering his body, which made him feel comfortable and refreshed.

Time passed slowly. The two of them were completely immersed in cultivation, absorbing the spiritual energy from the rock.

After an unknown amount of time, Liu Yiyang finally opened his eyes. His eyes were bright, and his aura was much stronger than before.

“This spiritual energy is truly amazing! My cultivation has improved significantly!” Liu Yiyang said excitedly.

Lu Yizhi also opened his eyes, his face radiant. “Brother Liu, I also feel my strength has increased! This spiritual energy is incredible!”

“Yes, this rock is a treasure!” Liu Yiyang exclaimed.

He stood up and looked at the rock again. This time, he noticed some patterns on the rock’s surface that he hadn’t noticed before.

These patterns were very complex, and they seemed to be constantly changing, as if they were alive.

“What are these patterns?” Liu Yiyang muttered to himself.

He reached out and touched the patterns. As soon as he touched them, a powerful energy erupted from the rock, sending him flying backward.

“Brother Liu!” Lu Yizhi exclaimed, rushing over to support him.

“I’m alright.” Liu Yiyang waved his hand, a trace of surprise in his eyes.

The energy from the rock was even more powerful than he had imagined. It was a strange energy that seemed to contain some kind of ancient power.

He looked at the patterns on the rock again. This time, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. These patterns seemed to be related to the “Great Vajra Technique” he cultivated.

“Could these patterns be related to the Great Vajra Technique?” Liu Yiyang thought to himself.

He sat down again in front of the rock and carefully observed the patterns. As he observed them, he felt the energy from the rock flowing into his body, and the patterns in his mind began to change and combine.

Suddenly, a light flashed in his mind, and he seemed to understand something.

These patterns were not just simple patterns; they contained a profound martial arts philosophy, a philosophy related to the Great Vajra Technique.

“This rock is not just a treasure that contains spiritual energy, it’s also a martial arts inheritance!”

Liu Yiyang was ecstatic. This was a great opportunity for him. If he could comprehend the martial arts philosophy contained in this rock, his cultivation would definitely reach a new level.

He began to meditate and comprehend the patterns on the rock. As he comprehended, the energy from the rock continuously flowed into his body, and his understanding of the Great Vajra Technique deepened.

Lu Yizhi sat beside him, quietly waiting. He knew that Liu Yiyang was comprehending something important, so he didn’t disturb him.

Time passed slowly. Days turned into nights, and nights turned into days. Liu Yiyang remained motionless, completely immersed in comprehending the martial arts philosophy in the rock.

Lu Yizhi occasionally went out to hunt for food, bringing it back for himself and Liu Yiyang. He also practiced the martial arts that Liu Yiyang had taught him.

After an unknown amount of time, Liu Yiyang finally opened his eyes. His eyes were radiant, like two stars, and his aura was completely different from before.

He had successfully comprehended the martial arts philosophy in the rock, and his understanding of the Great Vajra Technique had reached a new realm.

“Brother Liu, you’ve succeeded!” Lu Yizhi said happily.

“Yes, I have succeeded. This rock is indeed a great treasure. It has helped me greatly in my cultivation.” Liu Yiyang said with a smile.

He stood up and looked at the rock again. This time, the patterns on the rock were no longer mysterious to him; they were like a map of martial arts, guiding him towards a higher realm.

He reached out and touched the rock again. This time, he didn’t feel the powerful energy from before; instead, he felt a sense of intimacy, as if the rock had become a part of him.

“Let’s leave here.” Liu Yiyang said.

“Alright.”

The two of them left the cave and continued on their journey. However, their path was no longer ordinary; it was a path towards a wider and more magnificent world of martial arts.

Liu Yiyang knew that his journey had just begun, and there were still many more challenges and opportunities waiting for him. But he was not afraid, because he had the Great Vajra Technique and the martial arts philosophy from the rock, which were his greatest reliance.

And beside him, Lu Yizhi also followed him firmly, ready to face everything together.

Their journey continued, and they would surely encounter many more wonders and mysteries along the way. And these experiences would become their precious memories, accompanying them as they walked towards a brighter future.