Volume One: The Soul-Guiding Gourd and the Soul-Burning Lamp Chapter 100: Sanctuary

Hiss!

The giant reticulated python opened its horrifying, blood-red maw and began to swallow.

Suddenly, a "crack" sound echoed!

As the two rows of scimitar-like fangs in the python’s mouth exerted force, they instantly shattered like broken glass, scattering everywhere. For a brief moment, one could almost see hot tears welling up in the corners of the python’s eyes.

Hiss...

Just imagining that sensation was enough to know how painful it must have been!

Afterward, the python withdrew its terrifying maw, cast a resentful look at the three people on the small bamboo raft, and uncoiled its snake body, which had been wrapped tightly around them. Who would have thought that a massive, fearsome reticulated python would have a day where it had to admit defeat? But who told this wretched creature to mess with people it shouldn't have?

Splash!

With a soft sound of entry into the water, not even a tiny ripple was splashed. The diving judges outside the arena would have surely held up their little round paddles to award a perfect score!

The three people on the bamboo raft immediately let out a sigh of relief, collapsing like piles of mush. The giant python, having submerged into the lake, poked only its massive head above the surface; it glared resentfully at the raft once more before sinking back into the depths. At the very last second, Min Wenhua and Li Hetang both caught sight of the large bump protruding from the top of the python’s head. It seemed that lump must have been left behind from the impact with the tortoise-shell shield.

Once their frayed nerves relaxed, the three men slumped on the bamboo raft began to pant heavily. Li Hetang wiped the blood from his face, looked at Xiao Yulou’s unusually imposing back with a pale complexion, and managed a smile of survival, whispering, "Daoist Xiao, you really are something! When can I borrow that tortoise-shell shield to play with?"

Xiao Yulou, who was lying prone, did not respond as he caught his breath. Seeing this, Li Hetang assumed Xiao Yulou was just being stingy, unwilling to lend out his divine artifact. But then, the ethereal and immortal-looking Xiao Yulou suddenly went limp, as if he had lost consciousness, and fell backward, crashing heavily into Li Hetang’s arms.

The sudden turn of events left Li Hetang completely bewildered. A second later, he immediately reached out to shake Xiao Yulou’s body, calling out, "Daoist Xiao... Daoist Xiao!"

Seeing this, Min Wenhua frowned, lunged forward in a flash, and checked his condition. At a glance, the pale-faced Xiao Yulou appeared to have no obvious wounds. However, his pitch-black Daoist robe was completely soaked through with sweat as large as peas, and his cracked lips were utterly drained of blood.

"Could it be exhaustion?"

Hearing this, Li Hetang placed his hand on the carotid artery at Xiao Yulou’s throat.

*Thump-thump, thump-thump.*

The faint pulse allowed Li Hetang to finally breathe a sigh of relief. As he caught his breath, Xiao Yulou opened his heavy eyes, let out a deep sigh, and said softly, "Brother Hetang, do not be alarmed. This priest is merely suffering from overexertion."

No sooner had he spoken than the ethereal Xiao Yulou tremblingly raised his hand to pass a few wax-sealed pills to Li Hetang. Li Hetang quickly reached out to take them.

"These are pills I crafted myself; they can regulate one's breath and nourish the spirit. Take only one per day. I entrust Brother Gu to you, Brother Hetang!"

Having said this, Xiao Yulou tilted his head and slumped into Li Hetang’s arms, falling into a deep sleep. For a time, the snoring of the exhausted Xiao Yulou echoed through the perilous rainforest, sounding strangely out of place.

"Damn it! You scared the hell out of me!"

After a frustrated curse, Li Hetang exchanged a look with Min Wenhua and picked up the paddle once again.

*Swish, swish.*

The rickety, falling-apart bamboo raft drifted toward the depths of the rainforest...

Several hours later, Li Hetang finally saw the long-awaited land. Once Gu Mo and Xiao Yulou were placed by a tree, Li Hetang looked back. The rainforest behind them appeared exceptionally eerie. The boundary where the forest met the land was truly mind-boggling. The sweltering rainforest before them seemed to be separated from the area they had just left by an invisible barrier. The deep, calm lake ended abruptly at this border. The solid ground made Li Hetang feel much more at ease.

Min Wenhua looked at the leaking bamboo raft and tucked it away behind a large tree. Having escaped death, Li Hetang was curious why Min Wenhua had gone to such lengths to travel so far. Thinking of this, Li Hetang took a deep breath and asked his question.

Min Wenhua gave a bitter smile and pulled a few special herbs from a small cloth bag at his waist. At a glance, Li Hetang understood instantly.

"Brother Cat, does someone over there have a fever?"

Min Wenhua stood where he was and nodded silently. "This stuff only grows at the edge of the micro-forest. If lives weren't at stake, I wouldn't have risked my own neck to go so far."

With those words, Li Hetang felt a surge of respect for the man before him. Suddenly, Li Hetang slapped his forehead, set his tactical backpack on the ground, and unzipped it. An emergency medical kit, essential for a special forces soldier, was revealed. Although this gear was precious, if it hadn't been for Min Wenhua acting as their guide, the three of them would have wasted far more time.

"Brother Cat, why didn't you say so earlier? Take this!"

Hearing this, Min Wenhua, for the sake of his companions, did not feign modesty and smiled as he accepted it. "Hetang, thank you!"

Li Hetang grinned broadly and waved his hand. The two of them then hoisted Gu Mo and Xiao Yulou onto their shoulders and strode toward the cave where Min Wenhua resided.

Not long after they had left, a round, pitch-black object slowly surfaced on the calm lake. Upon closer inspection, it was the very python that had been tormented so miserably by Li Hetang and his companions. Its gem-like eyes were filled with bone-chilling, icy murderous intent. After a long time, the python, with its lumpy head and shattered teeth, quietly submerged back beneath the lake...

The path ahead was relatively normal, looking much like a forest in the real world. The fresh scent of plants drifted into his nostrils, granting the exhausted Li Hetang a moment of tranquility. There were no signs of predatory beasts here, and even the surrounding vegetation seemed harmless. It was no wonder Min Wenhua had chosen this area as a base...

After walking for several dozen minutes, the sky began to dim. Under the glow of the setting sun, a towering, barren mountain came into view. Min Wenhua scanned the surroundings vigilantly, ensuring there were no signs of anyone else. Then, the cautious Min Wenhua led Li Hetang in a wide circle before arriving at a mountain fissure filled with stones.

The two set down Gu Mo and Xiao Yulou and began to move the stones with careful, deliberate movements. A few seconds later, just as a narrow gap appeared in the fissure—

*Whoosh!*

A sharp spear tipped with green sap suddenly thrust out right before Li Hetang’s eyes. If it had been a centimeter closer, Li Hetang would have been done for!

Facing such an immediate threat, beads of sweat the size of peas broke out all over Li Hetang. Immediately following, a childish voice came from within the dark, narrow crack.

"Password!"

"Open Sesame!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Min Wenhua looked at Li Hetang and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Boss, you're back!"

Then, the three people—those inside and outside the crack—worked together to move the remaining stones. The mountain fissure, which could only accommodate one person at a time, was quickly cleared. A breath of fresh air blew out from the dark passage. Looking into the depths of the crack, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy stood inside, looking at Min Wenhua with great joy.

When he saw Li Hetang beside Min Wenhua, the boy arched his brow and asked, "May I ask who you are...?"

Li Hetang smiled slightly, and Min Wenhua patted the boy’s head affectionately, saying, "This uncle is my comrade-in-arms, although there is a bit of an age gap..."

Having said that, Min Wenhua looked at Li Hetang and introduced the boy. "This kid is named Hutao; he is one of those who were imprisoned in the laboratory. Don't let his age fool you; he is very responsible and serves as my assistant."

Hearing this, Li Hetang reached out a friendly hand to shake the boy’s. Although young, Li Hetang saw in him the qualities of someone who could stand on his own.

"Hello, my name is Li Hetang."

"Hello!"

After a simple handshake, the half-grown boy pointed to a clearing not far away. "There’s a spike trap there, be careful when you walk later."

As soon as he finished, Li Hetang looked over.

...

After the mountain fissure was sealed back up, Li Hetang and Min Wenhua carried Gu Mo and Xiao Yulou into the depths of the mountain. The long, deep fissure could barely accommodate one person, so Li Hetang, carrying Gu Mo, had to walk hunched over. He didn't want Mr. Gu to wake up and berate him for the bumps on his head. Thinking of this, Li Hetang gave a bitter smile and followed Min Wenhua, struggling forward...

After a few steps, a fresh, botanical fragrance drifted over. Li Hetang looked at the smooth stone walls and the small glimmer of light in the distance, smiling involuntarily.

*‘First it was narrow, barely allowing one to pass; after a few dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a clearing! Isn't this exactly the scene from The Peach Blossom Spring?’*

A patch of soft sunlight illuminated the entire cavern. The shelter where Min Wenhua lived was truly a world apart!

The cavern was about three hundred square meters in total. There were several perfectly sized cracks in the ceiling. As he stepped inside, the oxygen was exceptionally fresh and abundant. Several beams of sunlight shone down through the cracks, making the place feel uniquely blessed. The surrounding walls were exceptionally smooth, and even the ground beneath their feet was cold, natural stone. It felt as if this barren, towering mountain was hollow inside.

*(This cave is just too abnormal. You wouldn't find one like this in a hundred caves!)*

Before this, Li Hetang had naively assumed that Min Wenhua was likely living a miserable life, "tilling the fields and wearing rags." But after seeing the environment inside the cave, Li Hetang realized the clown was actually himself!

In the area bathed in sunlight was a large patch of crops. There was corn, wheat, sorghum, and fresh vegetables. Next to the crops was a large, deeply dug pit, and a stream of clear "mountain spring water," the source of life, flowed down the smooth wall and into the basin.

Could this be a blessing from the heavens? Li Hetang once doubted how Min Wenhua had discovered this natural shelter. Was their luck really that good?

Looking to the left, more than twenty children were playing and chasing each other around stone tables and stools. However, these children looked quite thin, and they were all dressed in identical, washed-out lab coats; even their shoes were uniformly matched. A very delicate-looking young woman stood by a hammock, tending to a feverish, unconscious child. When Li Hetang caught sight of the girl, he felt a sense of familiarity. But for the life of him, he couldn't recall where he had met her.

On the other side, the stone platforms were covered with thick mats woven from weeds. Seven or eight hammocks woven from grass ropes swayed in the breeze. These could be considered the most luxurious items in the "shelter." Further away were the daily necessities. The neat bowls, chopsticks, and water cups were all made from bamboo and stone. In such difficult circumstances, everything appeared so simple and unadorned.

It was hard to imagine that the thirty-some people here had been living in this cave for ten years.

When the children saw Min Wenhua return in triumph, they immediately ran toward him, calling out "Uncle Cat" affectionately. For a moment, the entire cave was bustling with excitement, and the scene was almost too much to handle. Min Wenhua set down the Xiao Yulou he had been carrying, patted each little head, and asked with a smile, "How is Little Duck doing?"

Upon hearing this, the children immediately took Min Wenhua’s calloused hand and led him toward the hammock. Li Hetang, with his strange attire, was completely ignored by the children.

Min Wenhua turned his head and gave Li Hetang an apologetic smile. "Brother Hetang, please make yourself at home. Consider this your own house."

Li Hetang shrugged indifferently and helped Gu Mo and Xiao Yulou to a corner to check their injuries. In an instant, a thick wave of drowsiness began to plague this "King of Soldiers" from the food company.

After the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, the exhausted Li Hetang felt everything before his eyes beginning to blur. Little did he know that after this sleep, "danger" had already quietly arrived...