The ancient cave was pockmarked, its rock walls scarred by凿痕 (chisel marks) that bore the traces of time, their age incalculable. The sudden surge of yin-fiend energy had sent Daoling plummeting into an icy abyss; only his vigorous blood energy had dispersed the malevolence, sparing him from a dire fate.
The sable, hair bristling like a hedgehog, cowered on his shoulder, whimpering.
Daoling jolted at the shadow, only to relax at the stench of death—It was a dried corpse, its age unknown, lacking putridity but with a streak of black blood on the forehead, horribly ghastly.
"Black blood." Daoling's heart pounded as he staggered back, cold sweat drenching his back. "Lame Father always said old mines hold ill omens—could it be true?"
He clenched his fists, growing more wary. Lame Father had often muttered that ancient mines harbored不祥 (malevolence), warning never to enter lest one die without knowing why.
It was common knowledge that the earth孕育 (bred) ores over countless eons. Terrifying ores like Blue Crystal took millennia to form, and legends spoke of divine materials whose gestation periods were unfathomable. Lame Father had warned against disturbing such depths, though Daoling never knew why—until now.
Forcing calm, he eyed the unknown path with resolve. Even a dragon's den or tiger's cave must be traversed!
The cave broadened, the air turning frigid like a wind tunnel, wailing sounds echoing as if from the Nine Netherworlds, chilling bone-deep.
"Begone!" Daoling's aura surged, golden radiance压制 (suppressing) the yin-fiend energy. Like a blazing furnace, he marched onward.
"Many branches." He halted at intersecting tunnels, clearly凿开 (chiseled) by miners. Following the Devouring Heavens Technique's call, he entered the leftmost tunnel.
"Intense yin energy—this is no safe place." The moment he stepped in, howling winds and phantom wails shook his resolve. The sable curled up, covering its ruby eyes.
"Ancient mines are indeed strange. What killed all these people?"
Along the way, he saw countless corpses, each with black blood on the forehead, as if struck down by a single blow to the vital point.
In the dim cave, a pair of blood-red eyes flickered like lanterns, radiating violence. Daoling's body stiffened,汗毛 (hair) standing on end under a piercing阴冷 (icy) gaze. He whirled, roaring: "Who's there?!"
His shout thundered, internal energy vibrating the air. The sable blinked, confusedly scanning the empty space.
"Was it a mistake?" Daoling frowned. "Must have been an illusion."
Reassured by the sable's calm, he pressed on. The path grew smooth, but the sight ahead made his heart lurch.
Structures loomed—an underground palace, its halls collapsed, utterly desolate.
"Why build structures here?" Daoling marveled at the诡异 (bizarre) scene of broken walls and massive cracks, as if pierced by some great force. "Did the miners build this?"
He scratched his head, sensing no danger. The sable pointed at the ruins, its eyes foggy, as if recalling something.
Treading the barren ground, Daoling neared his goal. He ignored potential treasures, for everything here reeked of诡异 (mystery), following only the call of the divine beast's blood.
Beyond the ruins lay an underground palace with dragon pillars, most断裂 (broken), their destruction attributed to unknown hands.
Before he could survey the scene, a terrifyingly ancient and凶栗 (fierce) aura washed over him, laden with murderous intent that made his hair stand on end.
As the aura struck, his body trembled—terrible holy might seemed to awaken within, ready to suppress the intrusion!
Before Daoling could react, the sable yelped in delight and dashed inward. His eyes narrowing, Daoling followed, sensing great danger but drawing closer to the true blood.
A portal loomed ahead, emitting invisible light and大道 (grand dao) rhyme, with混沌气 (chaotic energy) falling from the void, capable of crushing all.
Beyond the portal lay a desolate land: barren earth, broken ancient trees, collapsed mountains, and yawning black crevices. It seemed a great war had been waged here, the earth nearly sundered. In the misty distance, an oppressive aura lingered.
Then Daoling's eyes snapped tight—the source of the邪魅 (sinister) aura was a colossal body, like a primeval mountain range. This must be the corpse of a terrifying being, its size unimaginable.
"The Devouring Heavens Technique led here!" he gasped. "Is this a divine beast?"
Though deceased, the corpse radiated恐怖 (horrifying) waves, its killing intent vibrating like heavenly swords. Approaching would mean being torn asunder!
"Cannot enter—certain death!" Daoling clenched his fists, feeling the killing intent that could shatter his body. He wondered how mighty this being had been in life, for even in death, its威严（Majesty） was inviolable.
"Where's the sable?" He scanned the area, finding no sign.
"Uwoo!" The sable popped up from the "mountain's" peak, its ruby eyes shining like night pearls.
"The sable can go up?" Daoling was astonished. Did being a heavenly spirit creature spare it?
The sable scampered down, holding three drops of inky-black true blood, each like a jade gem glowing with divine radiance and surging spiritual energy. They emanated an extremely powerful波动 (wave), rich in yin energy that made Daoling's body chill—this was undeniably terrifying true blood.
"Divine beast true blood!" he gasped, eyes wide. The sable had retrieved it.
"Uwoo..." The sable offered the blood, ruby eyes reluctant yet eager. It sensed the benefits of refining it.
Smiling at the sable's innocence, Daoling said, "I only need one drop."
The sable chirped happily, handing over a drop. Daoling's palm froze at the contact—the blood was so cold it nearly froze his veins. *True divine beast blood is indeed fearsome—weaker cultivators would burst from the chill.*
As he prepared to leave, he frowned at the misty depths. There, a sacred and solemn ancient hall emerged, radiating大道 (grand dao) aura and divine light, looming phantom-like in the void as if eternal.
"What is this?" Daoling gaped at the hall, a celestial treasure hidden here.
He took an involuntary step forward, then stiffened, coldness seizing him. He spun to flee.
"ROAR!"
Beside the hall, a humanoid figure in black armor appeared, radiating冷漠 (cold) aura. It brandished a battle spear, unleashing恐怖 (terrifying) power that exploded a collapsed mountain!