Chapter 270: Entering the Celestial Cave

Chapter 270: Entering the Celestial Cave

Under Xiao Diao's guidance, Xiao Tian entered the Tian Yao Diao Clan's territory. Suddenly, several figures appeared in the sky, heading toward them.

Leading the group was a man in gray-black clothing. He appeared quite young and handsome but had a somewhat effeminate look, with thin lips that gave an impression of coldness. Judging by his aura, he was clearly at the Revolving Wheel Realm.

The man glanced at Xiao Tian and then smiled warmly. "Brother, did you go out to meet a friend?"

Xiao Diao replied coldly, "Wu Jiuyou, do I need to report to you if I bring a friend to the clan?"

"Of course not, Brother. As the Young Clan Leader, you can do whatever you wish," Wu Jiuyou laughed, but Xiao Tian's sharp senses caught a hint of coldness deep in his eyes.

"Hmph!" Xiao Diao snorted and flew forward. Xiao Tian followed closely behind. They continued flying, heading towards the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Their destination was the Celestial Cave, a forbidden area of the Tian Yao Diao Clan where only those with high status could enter for secluded cultivation. Xiao Diao's father was currently in seclusion there.

In the deepest part of the mountains, towering peaks stood tall, and at the junction of these mountains was a bottomless dark cave. The giant cave, about a thousand feet wide, looked like a terrifying mouth ready to swallow any creature that entered. Above the cave, ancient symbols formed a barrier, sealing off the darkness within.

On the surrounding peaks, several elderly figures sat cross-legged with their eyes closed, like old monks in meditation. Despite their meditative state, a vast ocean-like energy emanated from them. These were the guardians of the Celestial Cave.

The wind howled, and this area was devoid of life. Even the members of the Tian Yao Diao Clan were forbidden from entering, let alone other species.

"Whoosh!" The sound of wind-breaking suddenly echoed from afar as Xiao Diao and Xiao Tian approached. Instantly, the guardians opened their eyes. Seeing Xiao Tian, they frowned and said in a stern voice, "Ah Diao, it's forbidden to approach the Celestial Cave. Why have you brought an outsider here?"

"My father hasn't come out in a hundred years, so I need to check on him," Xiao Diao replied, looking determinedly at the bottomless cave.

"Ah Diao, it's normal for seclusion to last a hundred years. Your father might be at a critical juncture, so don't act rashly," a white-browed elder advised.

"But something feels off, so I must go in!" Xiao Diao insisted, flying towards the cave.

"Stop him!" the white-browed elder shouted. The six guardians simultaneously lunged forward, releasing a vast energy that surged like rolling waves towards Xiao Diao. However, Xiao Tian waved his hand, and the energy dissipated instantly. The six Revolving Wheel Realm elders found their bodies frozen, unable to move.

They were utterly shocked. To restrain them so easily, the intruder had to be at the Reincarnation Realm!

"Let's go," Xiao Tian said to Xiao Diao, and the two entered the Celestial Cave. The six guardians attempted to send out a warning but found themselves unable to do so.

Inside the cave, a pitch-black space devoid of direction greeted them. The oppressive darkness felt suffocating.

At this moment, Xiao Diao grasped a dim blood feather in his hand. This feather, linked to his father's lifeforce, could help him sense his father's safety and location.

"That way!" Xiao Diao pointed west. Xiao Tian waved his sleeve, and the two vanished, moving forward instantly. Suddenly, Xiao Tian felt a strange fluctuation and stopped.

He touched the darkness, causing it to fade and reveal a dimly lit cave. Inside, a figure sat cross-legged. It was clearly a strong member of the Tian Yao Diao Clan. On the cave wall beside the figure grew an eight-petaled black flower, emitting a faint, barely perceptible fragrance.

"What is this?" Xiao Diao wondered.

"It's the Eternal Phantom Flower," Xiao Tian explained. "This flower, cultivated by the Evil Demon Clan, requires the blood of countless living beings and the blood of an Evil Demon King, taking a thousand years to grow."

"So, the Tian Yao Diao Clan has been infiltrated by the Evil Demon Clan!" Xiao Diao clenched his fists. "What does it do?"

"The Eternal Phantom Flower emits a fragrance that traps those who inhale it in an unending illusion," Xiao Tian said. "It leaves no outward signs, but unless the flower is destroyed, the victim remains trapped indefinitely, vulnerable to any harm."

"Wu Jiuyou!" Xiao Diao's eyes blazed with killing intent.

Xiao Tian patted him on the shoulder. "Let's find your father first."

"Alright," Xiao Diao agreed.

They continued deeper into the cave, encountering several more closed chambers where elders of the Tian Yao Diao Clan were trapped in illusions by the Eternal Phantom Flowers. Finally, the dim blood feather in Xiao Diao's hand began to glow faintly.

"We're here!" Xiao Diao said. After a moment's hesitation, he touched the darkness on the left.

A burst of light flashed, revealing a spacious, tranquil cave. At its center sat a majestic figure on a stone platform, draped in black with dark gold hair flowing down. The aura he exuded was like a dormant beast, poised to unleash unimaginable fury.

"Father!" Xiao Diao cried out.

Behind the figure, three Eternal Phantom Flowers swayed, emitting a faint black fragrance.

"Your father is also trapped in an illusion," Xiao Tian said.

"What should we do, Brother Xiao Tian? Should we destroy the flowers?" Xiao Diao asked.

"The fragrance is already in his system. Even if we destroy the flowers, it will take six months for him to wake up," Xiao Tian explained. "Fortunately, the Ancestor Stone created by the Symbol Ancestor can solve this."

(End of Chapter)