Li Yao finally arrived at the location marked by the unknown presence in his deep meditation. The journey through the beast-filled forest had been arduous and fraught with danger, but his determination never wavered. As he parted the dense foliage, a secluded clearing bathed in soft sunlight opened up before him. At its center lay a tranquil pond, its surface like polished glass, undisturbed by even a single breeze. The scene was so ordinary, so deceptively calm, that it felt almost… disappointing.
He furrowed his brow, eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. He had expected a grand sight, glowing treasure, or a rare spiritual herb—but there was nothing. Only the quiet murmur of insects and the faint scent of wild grasses. The air was fresh, but not a hint of spiritual fluctuation stirred it.
Cautiously, Li Yao began to circle the pond, his sharp gaze searching for anything out of the ordinary. Yet no matter how hard he looked, nothing seemed amiss.
He clenched his fists. "Could it really be this simple?" His instincts screamed that something was concealed here.
Then a thought struck him. The system.
"Observation," he murmured.
A faint shimmer rippled across his vision as the Heavenly Observation System activated.
[Observation Result: Hidden Spiritual Formations Detected]
[Description: Natural formations created by the convergence of spirit grasses, herbs, and subtle qi currents conceal a unique spiritual pond. Caution advised: external appearances may be deceptive.]
Li Yao's breath caught. His heart quickened. So there was something here after all.
He stepped forward, crossing the boundary of the formation. His qi trembled slightly, as if brushing against something unseen. He half-expected an immediate challenge—a guardian beast or a hidden array—but nothing happened. Before him, the pond revealed itself fully, its deep blue waters glistening like polished jade, still and silent.
His steps slowed as he approached the pond. Now that his senses were attuned, he noticed delicate patterns hidden in the arrangement of stones, grasses, and even the natural flow of the terrain. These weren't marks left by human hands but formations slowly shaped over countless years by the natural convergence of spiritual energy. No wonder he had overlooked them at first glance. It was like the pond existed in a separate dimension.
A ripple spread across the water's surface, catching his eye. Subtle flashes of red-gold light shimmered beneath the blue surface.
[Vermillion Heart Spring detected]
[Description: An ancient spiritual water renowned for its purifying properties. Said to cleanse impurities, strengthen meridians, and enhance natural talent.]
His heart pounded. The Vermillion Heart Spring was a rare treasure. According to the observation result, a small amount of this water could purify the body and unlock one's potential to new heights.
Li Yao did not hesitate and extended a thread of qi toward the pond's surface. The energy met no resistance. Reassured, he stepped forward, the cool water lapping at his ankles and sending a gentle chill through his body. The touch of the water was almost invigorating, as though it were drawing out fatigue and replenishing his spirit.
He let out a soft sigh of relief.
But before the thought fully settled, a sudden pull dragged at his body. The still surface of the pond shattered into ripples as an invisible force yanked him downward. His muscles locked, his limbs refusing to obey as though bound by unseen chains.
Li Yao's eyes widened. "What—?" He struggled, but the force was unyielding, drawing him deeper and deeper beneath the surface.
"Damn it!" He cursed, panic rising as the water pressed against his body, growing heavier with each passing second. His vision darkened, the speed of his descent dizzying. His chest tightened painfully under the weight, and his thoughts scattered in the rush of water and pressure.
Then—impact. His body struck solid ground, jarring him from his struggle.
He lay there for a moment, dazed and gasping for air. His chest heaved as he sucked in lungfuls of cool, dry air. Slowly, he pushed himself up, blinking against the dim crimson light that bathed the cavern around him. The walls shimmered faintly, pulsing with a subtle glow, as though alive.
A strange warmth spread across his skin, accompanied by a faint, almost inaudible hum. And beneath it all, he sensed a presence—vague, immense, and utterly incomprehensible. The same indescribable force he had touched during his earlier meditation.
It was here.
He couldn't see it, couldn't hear it, but its presence was undeniable. It was watching.
Li Yao's gaze shifted, scanning the cavern. At the far end, nestled amidst glistening crystals and bathed in a subtle glow, lay an object—radiant and cloaked in mystery. He couldn't make out its exact shape, but deep within, something told him that it was what he had been led here to find.
The Heavenly Treasure.
His breath caught in his throat, excitement warring with caution. His heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm. The presence wasn't openly hostile, but it wasn't entirely passive either. He was being observed.
Steeling himself, he recalled the battle with the venomous serpent earlier. Even now, a faint ache lingered in his shoulder where the beast's fangs had struck. He had barely survived that encounter, saved only by a hard decision and the swift use of his master's medicine. That memory served as a stark reminder: don't act rashly.
He clenched his fists to still their faint trembling. "I can't let greed cloud my judgment. Whatever that treasure is, there's a reason it's hidden here. The presence watching me… it might not be friendly."
Cautiously, he took a step closer. The cavern remained silent. No traps sprung, no hidden arrays ignited. Only the faint hum of spiritual energy and the steady pulse of the treasure filled the space.
Li Yao's thoughts drifted to the pond above—the Vermillion Heart Spring, the natural formations concealing it—and he realized the entire setup was more than just a hidden entrance. It was a test. Perhaps to purify, perhaps to ward off the unworthy.
His racing heart slowed. His breath evened out.