Zhang Xiaofan had not expected Biyao to react so dramatically. He was taken aback, pointing to the ceiling and saying, “There are a few red stones up there…”
Biyao immediately approached and examined the cave ceiling closely. Indeed, through the water droplets, she could see seven red stones, each about half the size of a palm, embedded in the stony surface. The texture of these stones was indistinguishable from the surrounding rocks, except for their distinct color.
Seeing Biyao’s tense and focused expression as she scrutinized the ceiling, Zhang Xiaofan grew curious. He stood up to look, and saw that the seven red stones were arranged in a crooked, spoon-like shape. The color, despite being washed by water for countless years, remained as vividly red as fresh blood. Even the clear, crystalline droplets that fell over these stones were stained red, dripping down like drops of blood. However, once they were far from the red stones, the droplets returned to their original, transparent state.
As he watched, he heard Biyao muttering, “Blood Cave, Blood Cave, blood… Ha!” Suddenly, her face lit up with joy, and she slapped Zhang Xiaofan’s shoulder with such force that his face turned pale.
Zhang Xiaofan was enraged and about to shout at her, but he saw her smiling, completely unconcerned, her face filled with excitement. “You sly old devil, you actually built the Blood Cave in such a place! No wonder we’ve searched for it dozens of times over eight hundred years and never found it.”
Zhang Xiaofan was surprised, but then he recalled Biyao’s earlier question about the Blood Cave. He understood and grumbled, “Evil cultist!”
Biyao, in high spirits, did not get angry. She smiled and said, “I am an evil cultist. So what? I should thank you for helping me find this place!”
Zhang Xiaofan felt even more unwilling, especially when he saw Biyao’s beautiful, radiant smile. A sense of inexplicable anger rose within him. He felt that he had unintentionally helped a demoness, and feared that if his masters found out, he would be severely punished.
But just as he thought this, he remembered that he couldn’t even leave the cave, let alone think about future repercussions. He deflated and sat down without a word.
Biyao, however, was utterly delighted, paying no attention to Zhang Xiaofan’s sullen demeanor. The history of the Cult of the Demon was long, with numerous factions and sects rising and falling. Eight hundred years ago, the Blood Refining Sect, led by the Black-Hearted Elder, was the most powerful faction within the Demon Cult. It boasted a formidable strength and a multitude of skilled practitioners. However, over time and through battles with the righteous sects, the Blood Refining Sect gradually declined, replaced by other factions.
In the current age, the four major factions of the Demon Cult were the Harmonious Pleasure Sect, the Venomous Door, the Eternal Life Hall, and the Ghost King Sect. But none of them matched the glory of the Blood Refining Sect in its prime.
For eight hundred years, it was rumored that after the great battle between the righteous and demonic sects, the main leaders of the Blood Refining Sect, though all perished, left behind many secret treasures and artifacts in a hidden place called the Blood Cave, located in the depths of the Bat Ancient Cavern, the foundation of the Blood Refining Sect.
Many cultists had secretly searched the Bat Ancient Cavern, even the Dead Spirit Abyss, but always returned empty-handed.
Despite her youth, Biyao was already an important figure in the Ghost King Sect. Her mission to the Dead Spirit Abyss was entrusted to her by the Ghost King himself. Now, she had found the place that eluded countless predecessors, and her joy was palpable, momentarily forgetting the dire situation they were in.
Biyao, with a determined look, leaped up and carefully touched the red stones, finding them cold and no different from the surrounding rocks. She then tapped on them, but nothing happened. Her expression was a mix of excitement and tension.
She tried pulling, knocking, lifting, and smashing, but the red stones remained unyielding.
Zhang Xiaofan, watching from below, couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t think this is the Blood Cave. You must have guessed wrong!”
Biyao, exasperated, landed on the ground and glared at Zhang Xiaofan. But a doubt gnawed at her—could she have been wrong?
For the next two hours, Zhang Xiaofan sat and watched Biyao, dressed in green, frown, pace, and ponder. She tried various methods on the red stones, but to no avail.
Suddenly, Zhang Xiaofan’s stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He reached into his pocket, only to find it empty; he must have lost his food when he fell into the water. With no food in the cave and the water in the small pool devoid of even fish or shrimp, he was at a loss. He drank some water, but it did little to quell his hunger.
He sighed, resigned to his fate of starving to death.
Biyao, however, was still engrossed in the red stones. After hours of fruitless effort, she sat down, still gazing at the stones, lost in thought.
Zhang Xiaofan, unable to bear the sight, reminded her, “Staring at those stones won’t help. We need to find a way out before we starve to death.”
Biyao, startled, turned to him and asked, “Are you hungry?”
Zhang Xiaofan, unwilling to show weakness, denied it, but his stomach betrayed him, growling audibly. Biyao laughed, and Zhang Xiaofan’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
Biyao handed him some dry rations, saying, “We should focus on opening the Blood Cave. Think of a way to do it!”
Zhang Xiaofan, stubborn, refused the rations, “You can’t bribe me with food!”
Biyao, undeterred, explained, “If we don’t find a way out, we’ll die here. But if we open the Blood Cave, we might find another way out.”
Zhang Xiaofan, seeing the logic, agreed. To survive, they needed to find the Blood Cave.
Reluctantly, he stood up and looked at the red stones again. Biyao, unperturbed, watched him, and together, they examined the stones. They observed the red stones, which were arranged like a spoon, and after a while, Zhang Xiaofan noticed something odd. In the reflection of the water, the red stones appeared to form a hand.
Zhang Xiaofan, hesitant, called out, “Hey!”
Biyao, still focused on the ceiling, replied, “Don’t call me ‘hey.’ That’s how you addressed me when we first met.”
Zhang Xiaofan, flustered, asked, “What should I call you then?”
Biyao, smiling, said, “I’m Biyao.”
Zhang Xiaofan, shaking his head, pointed to the water, “Come and look at this.”
Biyao, intrigued, walked over and saw the red stones reflecting in the water, forming a hand. She jumped into the water, and the reflection reappeared. She extended her hand and pressed on the stones, feeling slight protrusions under the sand. She found five small stones, glowing faintly red.
With careful precision, she pressed down on the stones, but nothing happened. Biyao, disappointed, looked at Zhang Xiaofan, who offered words of comfort.
Then, she noticed the remaining two reflections and found two more stones. This time, she pressed all seven stones simultaneously.
After a moment of silence, a loud, grinding sound echoed through the cave. The stone wall behind the waterfall slowly receded, revealing a new passageway.
Biyao and Zhang Xiaofan, both excited and wary, watched the secret passage open. Curiosity and fear mingled within them.
Eight hundred years of the Demon Cult’s secrets lay ahead. What would they find inside?
Biyao, stepping out of the water, joined Zhang Xiaofan, her eyes sparkling with triumph. Zhang Xiaofan, admiring her, congratulated her. Biyao, smiling warmly, thanked him for his keen observation.
They entered the dark tunnel, cautious and alert. The passage was dim, with fewer luminous objects, but they navigated it safely. As they approached a large circular chamber, Biyao lit incense before the statues, one resembling a benevolent deity, the other a terrifying demon.
Zhang Xiaofan, recognizing the cult’s deities, scoffed and turned away, while Biyao, reverent, prayed, “Holy Mother, Celestial King, I, Biyao, a disciple of the 43rd generation, beseech your mercy. Our sect has suffered, and we seek your blessings to revive and guide us to eternal bliss.”
Zhang Xiaofan, with a mix of skepticism and respect, followed Biyao deeper into the ancient, mysterious chamber.
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