Legend

Step by step, Old Dust walked on the seabed towards the cavern. It was several steps away, yet it felt like each step took years.

The moment he entered the cavern, a bright light flashed in his eyes and he was forced to close his eyes and turn away. Suddenly, he collapsed on the ground as the light began to dim and surround his unconscious body.

~~~•~~~

(Author: I will be using a First-Person point-of-view here)

In his mind:

"Hmm, someone finally found me? It certainly took you people long enough... I have been sleeping for millennials. I suppose I should thank you."

A woman's voice resounded in my mind. It was a soothing and serene voice.

"Who... who are you?" I asked hesitantly. I feel like I'm dreaming, but there is a certain feeling of realism that I can't understand. Am I just dreaming? Or is this real?

"You're not dreaming." The woman said suddenly, ignoring my question.

"How... how did you know what I was... what I was thinking...?"

The voice didn't reply.

I don't know how I should feel about this. I'm sure I didn't say anything out loud, so how did this woman know what I was wondering? Actually, who even is this woman and where is her voice coming from? Where am I?

I was too muddle-headed to think properly at first, but now that I can, I realize that I am in a completely pitch-black space. I can't see my body either. As a matter of fact, I can't see anything at all.

I hear the woman sigh before her voice rings all around this place again.

"This... is naturally your mental sense, or basically your mind. My name is Io Moon, and this... is my divine sense."

"Miss Io Moon...?" I ask with a little uncertainty. The gears in my mind were working fast, and I had an idea forming, but it was still hard to believe.

"I assume you know me already since you and all the other people were exploring my resting place."

I couldn't believe my ears upon hearing that. Of course I recognize the name.

Io Moon, a legend of Kepler. She was known as a genius and a powerful cultivator. Her journey of cultivation was a lot smoother than it was for normal people. However, she died in battle at the young age of 42. The Sea of Misfortune, as it is called, is actually the deathbed of Io Moon.

At that time, she had a Seventh Moon. That's right. Second Moon actually isn't the limit of the Moonlight Cycle. Only thing is, our continent doesn't have enough energy for people to form anything greater than their Second Moon. Therefore, our continent isn't a place of cultivation. Those who seek to embark on the path of cultivation leave for other continents to get stronger. Io Moon was someone from another continent. However, during her fight with another powerful cultivator, she somehow made her way here. Each of the thirty-four caverns were created from the force of her body slamming into the walls of the huge ditch; the thirty-fourth was where she finally died. It was certainly a very gruesome death.

The water that now filled what is called the Sea of Misfortune was condensed through thousands of years as the overwhelming energy prevalent in this ditch liquified. It is the single place in our continent with the most energy present, but it's a secret to the residents of Carpo, our continent, and also the weakest continent cultivation-wise on Kepler.

How do I know all this? It was carved onto the walls of this hidden cavern.

"Indeed it was. Everything on the walls as well as the engravings on the surface of each underwater cavern was carved by my energy before I died. My body is the fuel for this cavern. It is what gives energy to this place. And you are the first in thousands of years to meet me. So welcome. It could have taken less time if cultivators from the other continents knew but..." she trails off, but it is obvious what she means. Carpo's cultivators are too weak.

"It is an honor to meet the legendary Miss Io Moon whom this old man has only read of." Even if it was only a voice, I am not so presumptuous to think I can compare to a once Seventh Moon cultivator as a Second Moon cultivator.

"Well... like I've said already, welcome to my deathbed. This place is an energy reservoir created by me and therefore connected to me. As long as it is around, my divine sense will also be around. I will allow you to cultivate beside my body and try to break into the Third Moon realm. And as you are aware, this cavern will hide itself away for another year to recharge its energy before revealing itself yet again next year. But the condition is that you must bring my divine sense along with you."

"What do you mean, Miss Io Moon?"

"I've been here for thousands of years. I want to see the outside world again. I will simply remain in your mind. It won't bother you at all."

Well, I don't really have a choice now, do I?

"Alright. I will do as you wish, Miss Io Moon."

"Perfect~"

Her voice echoed softly as it gradually disappeared, and the dark space started getting lighter.

(Author: and that's the end of the scene happening in his mind, so we're transitioning back to Third-Person now)

~~~•~~~

Old Dust closed his eyes when the light became too blinding, and when he opened his eyes again, he was back where he was before. He got up from the ground and looked ahead of himself. In front of him was a figure on the ground. The energy around her had turned into mist, shrouding her figure, but he could sense the strong energy emanating from her. He had never felt so much energy all at once before, and it immediately made his blood rush faster.

He rushed towards her body and stopped in front of her, bowing down deeply and respectfully before sitting down before her, closing his eyes to cultivate.