Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 276 Entering the Cave
"What did you say?"

Shao Zhen grabbed the Shan Yun Sect disciple by the collar and demanded, "What's broken?"

The disciple who delivered the message was clearly frightened by Shao Zhen's agitation, and answered tremblingly, "The array has been broken!"

"I'm asking you, what kind of formation are you using!"

Shao Zhen's face turned ashen, and he slapped the other person across the face.

"Minor Mysterious Yin Spirit Array".

After being slapped, the disciple delivering the message became even more fluent.

However, everyone present was stunned.

The Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array is the protective array of Green Cloud Cave.

Once the case is solved, wouldn't everyone be in grave danger?
Moreover, that is the impregnable Xuan Yin Spirit Array!

It's broken like that?
"Green Cloud Fairy" made a quick decision and ordered, "Long Yang, keep an eye on these people."

After saying that, she immediately left the basement and headed to the entrance of Green Cloud Cave.

The others then realized what was happening.

Zhang Min asked anxiously, "Was it done by those people outside?"

However, none of the disciples of Shanyun Sect paid any attention to her.

Led by Long Yang, the disciples of Shanyun Sect continued to surround Zhang Min, Mao Jingze, and the others.

This fierce battle did not end because of the unexpected news.
-
"Brother Meng, you're finally back."

On a rocky hillside, Pei Si spread his arms wide and laughed as he greeted Li Xiangming.

Li Xiangming responded with a smile, but a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes.

At the Yin family residence in Furongping, he was entangled by the power of the Cold Light Magic and had no choice but to take the Frost-Cleansing Pill given to him by Zhang Min.

The Frost-Cleansing Pill failed to help him drive away the Cold Light Magic Power.

However, it also successfully suppressed the movements of the cold light magic power, confining them to a few meridians.

Given time, driving them away will be a piece of cake.

Li Xiangming felt a little relieved and began searching for Li Xiangren.

However, when he returned to Dendrobium Market, Li Qianchang told him that Li Xiangren had already set off for Furongping as agreed.

Li Xiangren did not break his promise; his absence from Furongping must mean something happened.

However, according to the Yin family, there was no major problem around Furongping, and they did not hear any unusual noises.

Li Xiangming then deduced that Li Xiangren arrived at Furongping just as he was accompanying Zhang Min to Luyun Cave.

Unable to find him, Li Xiangren also went to Green Cloud Cave.

However, Li Xiangren was unaware of the Dark River and was likely heading towards the entrance of the Green Cloud Cave. He encountered an accident along the way and subsequently lost contact.

Anxious, Li Xiangming went to the gate of Green Cloud Cave and reunited with Pei Si.

But this meeting took Li Xiangming by surprise.

Before anyone knew it, seven cultivators at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining had gathered around Pei Si, including Bai Shuo.

Judging from their apparent strength, this group is actually more powerful than Ouyang Zhen's gang.

"I am ashamed that I failed to bring back a formation master."

Li Xiangming cupped his hands in apology, his face showing shame.

He initially left Pei Si's group under the pretext of finding a formation master to break the formation.

Now, if he wants to use Pei Si's connections to stay near Green Cloud Cave and investigate Li Xiangren's whereabouts, he naturally has to maintain this lie.

Pei Si smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright, there's no use having a formation master nowadays."

Although Li Xiangming's purpose was unclear, who among those present didn't have ulterior motives?
He was able to gather so many people together, so naturally he wouldn't oppose Li Xiangming alone.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming was slightly taken aback, clearly not understanding Pei Si's words.

At this moment, Bai Shuo glanced at Li Xiangming and said, "Ouyang Zhen was the first to invite the array master, and the gate of Green Cloud Cave has already been breached."

what?
The Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array has been broken?

Li Xiangming was stunned for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and asked anxiously, "What about the Enlightenment Spring?"

Pei Si had been observing Li Xiangming's expression, and when he immediately mentioned the Enlightenment Spring, he couldn't help but nod.

Although everyone is vying for the Enlightenment Spring, they can still be allies until they see it.

However, if someone comes not for the Enlightenment Spring, then it is undoubtedly an uncertainty for the team.

"The situation is still unclear."

Pei Si explained, "Although Ouyang Zhen and his group broke the formation, they encountered fierce resistance from the Green Cloud Cave disciples. Meanwhile, other cultivators who coveted the Enlightenment Spring also showed up. The Green Cloud Cave sect is now in chaos. We were just about to go and reap the benefits. Brother Meng's return this time is truly timely."

At this point, Pei Si gave a half-smile, clearly believing that Li Xiangming had deliberately chosen this moment to return.

"Haha, looks like I'm lucky."

Li Xiangming chuckled, but was inwardly deeply shaken.

That Ouyang Zhen actually managed to break through the Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array that Fairy Green Cloud had painstakingly created.

Without the Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array, what will happen to Green Cloud Cave?
Even if we can repel this invading enemy, the number of cultivators who covet the Green Cloud Cave spiritual vein will only increase in the future.

and
Li Xiangming glanced at Pei Si's companions; these people were undoubtedly elites.

Green Cloud Cave might not even be able to get past this current crisis.

Before Li Xiangming could gather his thoughts, Pei Si looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice, "The Enlightenment Spring is right in front of you. Those who want it, come with me."

After saying that, he flew towards Green Cloud Cave without looking back.

Others followed.

Only Li Xiangming hesitated for a moment.

He came to find Li Xiangren, but unexpectedly got caught up in this turmoil as soon as he arrived.

He certainly wanted the Enlightenment Spring.

So a few days ago, he couldn't wait to go into Green Cloud Cave to inquire about information.

Unexpectedly, the Green Cloud Cave regarded him as an enemy and pursued him relentlessly.

Thus, he naturally disregarded the Enlightenment Spring and focused solely on dispelling the cold, radiant magic power within him and finding Li Xiangren.

Unexpectedly, neither of these two things were accomplished.

After going around in circles, he returned to the path of searching for the Enlightenment Spring.

To this day, Li Xiangming has been unable to confirm the authenticity of the news about the Enlightenment Spring.

But at this moment, can he turn around and leave?
If the Enlightenment Spring truly emerged in the Green Cloud Cave, then his departure today will be a lifelong regret.

Thinking of this, Li Xiangming took a deep breath and caught up with Pei Si and his group.
-
"Young master, be careful, there are lightning cultivators in this Green Cloud Cave."

Outside Green Cloud Pool, a dozen or so cultivators were scattered about, each with their own thoughts.

The largest group among them was undoubtedly Ouyang Zhen and his associates.

Nevertheless, Ouyang Zhen's face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

To enter Green Cloud Cave, in addition to breaking the Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array, one must cross Green Cloud Pool and then pass through the magnificent waterfall hanging above the pool.

However, it seems that a master is guarding behind the waterfall.

The cultivator sent by Ouyang Zhen to test the waters only heard a muffled thunderclap before collapsing into the pool, staining the water with a hint of blood.

This surprised and angered Ouyang Zhen.

Their group originally consisted of five cultivators, but with Ding Xia and Uncle Huang included, there were seven in total.

However, Ding Xia, as a formation master, is weak in combat and may not necessarily follow orders.

Although Uncle Huang has the cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining, he is quite old after all. He is good at running errands, but it would be really difficult for him to participate in the battle.

With Duan Heng, who was capable of fighting, already on the run, and another cultivator who had died, Ouyang Zhen now only had himself, Xu Chuan, and another cultivator as his remaining combat forces.

Three cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining would be a force to be reckoned with even if they were outside.

However, it was clearly insufficient for attacking Green Cloud Cave.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Zhen turned to the others and said loudly, "Everyone, we have broken the formation of Green Cloud Cave, but the people inside are stubborn. If we want to seize the Enlightenment Spring, we still need to work together."

Upon hearing this, everyone around looked at Ouyang Zhen.

In fact, Ouyang Zhen was not the only one who suffered a loss.

The group of water cultivators present had long since observed Ouyang Zhen breaking through the gate of Green Cloud Cave.

Therefore, they waited patiently on the sidelines. As the formation broke, they rushed forward, vying to fly towards the waterfall, even at the cost of violently colliding with Ouyang Zhen.

However, their fate was similar to that of the spies sent by Ouyang Zhen.

Several people died in an instant.

This also caused the water cultivators, who were originally in complete chaos, to calm down.

The Lesser Mysterious Yin Spirit Array is indeed the strongest defense in Green Cloud Cave, but it is not the only one.

The defenses of Green Cloud Cave were much stronger than they had anticipated.

"There's something behind the waterfall that blocks divine sense. Does Young Master Ouyang have a solution?"

At this moment, an old woman with white hair asked.

Ouyang Zhen shook his head. "It's probably something like a Ksitigarbha Stone. We're waiting outside the cave, so it's not good to target what's inside. If you ask me, we should use talismans to destroy the waterfall first, then go straight for the dragon."

Ouyang Zhen's suggestion undoubtedly provided new ideas for everyone present.

Green Cloud Cave can use the waterfall to cover the mountain gate, which naturally provides some protection for the waterfall, but under the bombardment of talismans from more than a dozen people, everything will be reduced to nothingness.

Without the waterfall's cover, the lightning cultivator inside the cave had to reveal himself.

What if the other side is powerful then?

How could it possibly deal with so many late-stage Qi Refining cultivators at the same time?
After hesitating for a moment, the old woman looked at her companion, an elderly man with equally white hair.

The old man nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the other cultivators also responded.

Their struggle will have to wait until the Enlightenment Spring is born.

Soon, under Ouyang Zhen's command, dozens of colorful talismans streaked through the air like rainbows and flew toward different parts of the waterfall, with the most being fire talismans.

As Ouyang Zhen's eyes narrowed, he suddenly waved his hand and gave the order, and all the talismans exploded almost simultaneously.

Instantly, a deafening roar resounded all around, like a thunderclap, shaking the entire valley.

The waterfall was shattered by this powerful force, the water flow torn into countless fragments, scattering and splashing in all directions, forming a spectacular rain of water droplets.

Sunlight shines through the splashing water droplets, refracting into a magnificent rainbow, making the moment of destruction seem like a dream.

Yi Ying Shui Xiu watched this scene in shock, then his eyes flashed with excitement.

The immense impact caused the waterfall's flow to change direction. Some of the water was thrown high into the air, forming a huge water curtain, while the rest cascaded down the mountain walls on both sides, forming countless smaller waterfalls. The original entrance to Green Cloud Cave, however, lost the cover of the waterfall, revealing the rock wall behind it and a dark cave entrance about half a person's height.

"Come in!"

Ouyang Zhen took the lead and flew towards the cave entrance first.

The other cultivators were not to be outdone, and each displayed their own abilities.

Just then, Pei Si and the others who had been lying in ambush revealed themselves and made their entrance with shouts.

Ouyang Zhen, who was flying at the very front, couldn't help but look back. He had thought that there were many "interested people" hiding around Green Cloud Cave, but he didn't expect there to be so many.

Especially the last group to arrive, whose numbers completely overwhelmed his team.

However, he had no time to think about it at the moment, and Ouyang Zhen slipped into the Green Cloud Cave.

Green Cloud Cave clearly did not expect the enemy to destroy the waterfall.

The cave entrance is now flooded by water, affecting all those who came to defend it, forcing them to retreat.

Only a few people hid in the water, intending to ambush the enemy who came in.

But Ouyang Zhen was also a skilled cultivator, and he saw through the deception at a glance.

He sneered and plunged his hands into the water. Instantly, his magical power surged wildly, and the backflowing water exploded one after another.

The people inside were forced to reveal themselves, but as soon as they showed their faces, they were spotted by Ouyang Zhen. Ouyang Zhen drew his long sword and swiftly and effortlessly chopped off two heads.

"The thief is vicious, retreat quickly!"

There seemed to be shouts coming from inside the cave, and the remaining disciples of Green Cloud Cave retreated one after another.

No one dared to stand in Ouyang Zhen's way.

However, Ouyang Zhen remained cautious and dared not pursue the matter too deeply.

He vividly remembered that there was another Lei Xiu in Green Cloud Cave who posed a significant threat to him.

As Ouyang Zhen passed through a narrow crevice in the rocks, it was as if he had entered another world, where everything suddenly opened up.

What came into view was a huge circular cave, which, judging by sight alone, was at least a hundred feet in diameter.

The cave walls bear the marks of human carving, a testament to the past glory and efforts of Green Cloud Cave.

The cave contains many facilities, the largest of which is undoubtedly a martial arts arena, behind which is the sect's main hall.

On either side of the main hall, there are two side halls whose purpose is unknown.

In addition, there appears to be a trading market next to the training ground.

Scattered around the edge of the cave are some spiritual fields.

"This is Green Cloud Cave?"

Ouyang Zhen frowned; this place did indeed look like a sect.

But it was only the rudimentary form of a sect.

Most importantly, it seems that all the disciples of Green Cloud Cave have disappeared.

The mysterious Lei Xiu has also disappeared without a trace.

Along the way, apart from the few people who died at his hands, Ouyang Zhen encountered no significant resistance whatsoever.

Before Ouyang Zhen could think it through, another group of people rushed in.

One of them demanded aggressively, "Ouyang Zhen, where is the Enlightenment Spring?"

Ouyang Zhen turned around and gave him a cold look.

The man felt the pressure and immediately swallowed back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.

The white-haired old woman looked around and said, "There must be more secrets in Green Cloud Cave. Let's search again."

Having said that, she personally took action and flew to the side.

The others also realized what was happening and began searching around.

"it's here!"

Before long, someone found the entrance to the cave.

However, at that moment, another person shouted, "I have one too!"

"There are so many cave entrances here too!"

One sound after another rang out, and everyone couldn't help but gasp.

The Green Cloud Cave has over a hundred openings dug into its walls.

Where these openings lead is unknown.

We don't know if there's any danger.

Finding the hiding place of the Green Cloud Cave disciples from among them is no easy task.
Just when everyone was at a loss, Pei Si and his gang arrived.

Li Xiangming looked around at his surroundings and sighed inwardly.

Green Cloud Cave was clearly unable to defend against external enemies and had no choice but to abandon the outer cave and move to the inner cave.

They were unable to find the inner cave, nor could they see the Enlightenment Spring.

The cultivators present were naturally unwilling to give up, and they looted and smashed everything that the Green Cloud Cave disciples hadn't had time to remove, taking all the good stuff into their own pockets. The immature spiritual herbs in the surrounding spiritual fields were also uprooted, and even some decent bricks and tiles were not spared.

The entire outer cave was a mess.

Ouyang Zhen, who came from a prestigious family, naturally looked down on such behavior. He frowned and asked Ding Xia beside him, "Miss Ding, can you find the hiding place of the Green Cloud Cave disciples?"

"this one"

Ding Xia smiled slyly.

Ouyang Zhen had a headache, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "One hundred spirit stones."

"three hundred!"

Ouyang Zhen shook his head repeatedly, "Two hundred at most."

"make a deal!"

Ding Xia grinned: "It's obvious that this is the outer cave of Green Cloud Cave. There must be an inner cave behind it. Since there is an inner and outer cave, there must be an array separating them. Watch how I find it."

(End of this chapter)