Martial Peak - Rise Of The Human Emperor-Chapter 79 Exploring The Cave

The cave stretched on, its depth far surpassing what Yang Kai had initially expected. The winding path tunneled downwards first, then horizontally, and eventually began to slope steeply. As Yang Kai descended, his lungs burned from the lack of air, but he persevered. His body, though weary, was still infused with the immortal vitality of his past lives, pushing him forward despite the strain.

It wasn't until Yang Kai's head felt light, his breath shallow, that he finally reached a pocket of air—an oasis in the vast, suffocating tunnel. He gasped deeply, his lungs savoring the much-needed breath as he floated to the surface of the stagnant water.

He wiped the water from his face, feeling the cold of it sink deeper into his skin. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Yang Kai took stock of his surroundings. The pocket of air was far more than just a small refuge; it was a cavernous space, larger than he'd anticipated, and it seemed to be part of the larger underground network.

This should still be part of the cave, he thought, glancing around. The small lake above, perched atop a mountain peak, was only the beginning. From here, the cave seemed to expand into a large hollow space. Yang Kai could even feel the breeze coming from the entrance above, a reminder that the network of tunnels must extend further, linking air to this hidden domain.

The cave's dry environment contrasted sharply with the water he had just swum through, and it was almost unnaturally still. There was no sign of life—no sounds, no movement—just the eerie quiet of this subterranean world. Alone, with only the echo of his own breath, Yang Kai finally allowed himself a moment to relax, releasing the tension that had built in his limbs.

Realizing the pressing need to regain his strength, he sat cross-legged and began to circulate the True Yang Secret Art, allowing his body to heat up and expel the remaining chill from the Cold Breeze Palm's effects. His clothing dried rapidly, his internal Qi working in tandem with the environment to accelerate his recovery.

Time seemed to pass in a blur as Yang Kai focused solely on healing, determined to regain his full strength. He could feel the coldness ebbing from his body slowly, the lingering discomfort gradually fading. After what felt like an eternity, a dark pool of black blood emerged from his mouth, indicating that the poison of the cold Qi had finally been purged.

"Cool Breeze Palm," Yang Kai muttered under his breath, the name of Nie Yong's Martial Skill lingering in his thoughts. The attack had been potent, its ability to inject such frigid power into his body almost devastating. Yet, as he reflected on the event, Yang Kai couldn't help but feel relieved. While the Cool Breeze Palm was indeed powerful, it wasn't nearly as destructive as the Burning Sun's Blast.

After meditating for what felt like half a day, Yang Kai finally stood. His body, now cleansed of the lingering cold, was ready. He adjusted his clothes, feeling his strength return with every passing moment. A new sense of clarity settled over him as he carefully moved to explore the cavernous space.

His instincts urged him forward, drawing him deeper into the cave, urging him to uncover what lay hidden in its depths. He was still uncertain of the cave's purpose, but his experiences with cultivation—and the echoes of stories from past lives—told him that this was no ordinary place. He needed to find what was here, whatever it may be, and see what it could offer him on this strange, new path.

The sound echoed through the cave, reverberating off the walls and sending a shiver down Yang Kai's spine. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, though his mind remained focused on the strange scene before him. The bead of light continued to glow softly, its gentle illumination casting eerie shadows on the surrounding space.

Yang Kai's gaze shifted back to the skeleton. The old figure, seated cross-legged, appeared as though it had been in meditation when it died, its hands resting gently on its knees. The purple robe was tattered, but it still exuded an air of once-unimaginable grandeur. Yet, there was something unsettling about the skeleton—its empty eye sockets seemed to burn into him with an inexplicable intensity. It was as though this long-dead figure could still see through him.

As Yang Kai studied the skeleton, his thoughts raced

In many of the cultivation novels he had read in his past lives, he had seen this same pattern. When a powerful cultivator neared the end of their life, especially if they were close to death or nearing the limits of their lifespan, they often sought ways to transcend it. Whether through forbidden techniques or ancient rituals, the idea of reincarnation or leaving behind some kind of inheritance was a common trope.

Could this bead of light be the result of such an attempt? Was this the lingering will or remnant of a great cultivator trying to leave behind something for future generations—perhaps a fragment of their soul or a last-ditch attempt at reincarnation?

Suddenly, Yang Kai was snapped out of his deep thought by a thunderous crash that echoed violently through the cave.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

His eyes widened as he turned sharply, only to find that the path he had entered from was now completely sealed by a gargantuan boulder. It loomed like an immovable wall behind him, cutting off his only known exit. His gaze shifted back to the glowing bead, now flickering erratically. At the same time, the cave itself seemed to tremble, resonating with an eerie howl and a piercing shriek that sent chills down his spine.

A cold wind rushed through the chamber, slamming into Yang Kai like a ghostly wave. The warmth he'd retained from his True Yang Yuan Qi seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by a frigid sensation that bit into his fingers and toes.

Without hesitation, Yang Kai circulated his True Yang Yuan Qi once more. The golden energy surged through his meridians, pushing back against the Yin Qi that clung to him like a second skin. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings, senses sharpened, preparing himself for the worst.

The shrieking and howling continued without pause. It was a ceaseless wail that echoed in all directions, like the cries of countless resentful spirits. The sound itself felt unnatural—as if designed not just to frighten, but to disorient, to penetrate the soul and shake the will.

However, Yang Kai's spirit was not so easily broken.

His unyielding mind remained clear, steady, and firm

The bead continued to glow and fade erratically, casting long, twitching shadows across the cave walls. The shrieks howled on, but Yang Kai remained unmoved. His aura stayed constant. His face was serene and firm, like a mountain unshaken by wind.

If the cave intended to break him, it had chosen the wrong person.