Chapter 6, in the Tianlu Cave

Lu Yao said: "Lu Li, stop talking. I will go by myself."

Lu Yao and Lu Li turned around upon hearing the words, only to see a woman in colorful attire standing a zhang away. She wore a phoenix crown, was young and beautiful, resembling a celestial fairy, far from an ordinary mortal.

Walking straight ahead, Lu Li slowly advanced along the tunnel. Before long, a bright light ahead caught Lu Li's attention

Red Silk Road: "I can do it in three counts."

Red Silk inquired: "His name is Lu Li, what is your name?"

Lu Li's gaze was peculiar as he said in a low voice, "Who are you?"

Hong Chou glanced at the two pools and said softly: "You may choose either of the two pools over there, jump in and soak for a while. If you can still remain conscious, then you will have passed the test, and I will take you to meet the Mountain God"

As she watched this scene, a hint of unusual emotion appeared on Lu Li's small face, and a strange light flickered in her right eye, as if she were detecting the differences between the two pools

Without hesitation, Lu Li pulled Lu Yao and dove into the tree hollow.

Hong Chou smiled and said, "How old are you? You certainly have a lot of courage."

At this moment, Hong Chou and Lu Li had arrived by the pool, observing Lu Yao's condition. They found that she was doing well, with steam rising all around her, mist swirling above her head, and her small face flushed like blood, as she was bravely enduring the high temperature of the water

Above the pool, there are stalactites hanging vertically, with their tips occasionally dripping a milky-white mineral that falls directly into the two pools below

Lu Yao was taken aback upon hearing this, staring at the two pools, momentarily at a loss for words

This is Tianlu Cave, and I can only take you this far. Silently appearing, the tree spirit stood behind Lu Li, with a somewhat strange expression.

Near the pool, there is an unknown small tree on each side, laden with fruits of various colors. Once ripe, the fruits fall into the two pools, merging with the water.

Red Silk Road: "I am referring to you."

Lu Li let out a light snort upon hearing this, indicating his displeasure

Red Silk Road: "Eyes higher than the top, very proud indeed"

The more beautiful something is, the more it conceals a deadly threat

The pool on the right is emanating a chill, with ice and snow covering the edge, also forming a circular shape

The red silk face revealed a hint of a smile and reminded, "Hold on, the longer you endure, the more beneficial it will be for you. This pool gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, capable of refining your marrow and cleansing your bones, allowing you to be reborn and transform your essence."

Hong Chou smiled and said, "Not bad, with a good heart, much better than Lu Li."

Lu Yao, puzzled, asked: "What does it mean?"

Lu Li hesitated for a moment upon hearing this and softly said, "Go to the pool on the left."

This means that what appears to be beautiful and alluring on the surface actually conceals dangers, making it unwise to approach

Lu Li asked: "How long should it be soaked?"

The red silk shook its head and said: "No, she must go herself."

Lu Yao said: "Thank you, big tree"

Lu Li said: "Whatever it means, let us first take a look at what is remarkable about this heavenly cave."

Soon, the two arrived at a spacious area, where the beauty of the scenery left the two children in awe

Lu Li snorted, "Is that not possible?"

Lu Li remained silent, yet another voice echoed from within the cave, providing an explanation

Upon hearing this, Lu Li's thoughts shifted, and he suddenly jumped into another pool.

Hong Chou looked at Lu Li, seemingly shocked by the words of this five-year-old boy, and was momentarily speechless

The tree spirit fell silent for a moment and softly said: "This is the heart of Canglu Mountain; I can only tell you this much. Well, I must take my leave now; the rest depends on you and the - map - book yourselves"

Lu Yao said: "In the past two days, the mountain god has roared, leaving us in great fear. The clan sent me to offer sacrifices to the mountain god, hoping it will not be angered and will protect our entire village, ensuring favorable weather and bountiful harvests."

This is a cave located underground, where two springs emerge, one cold and one hot, forming two pools each measuring approximately 10 feet in diameter, separated by a distance of about 20 feet.

Lu Yao expressed some concern and said, "Sister, please don't be angry. Lu Li is just speaking without thinking."

Lu Li asked: "Where is it?"

The red silk smiled and said, "Apart from me, there are also you all"

At this moment, Lu Yao had reached the edge of the pool, her expression slightly melancholic. She glanced back at Lu Li and Hong Chou, and then leaped into the pool.

The tree spirit glanced around and said softly, "It is not convenient to speak here; please enter the tree hollow, and I will escort you a short distance."

Lu Yao hesitated and said: "I am afraid, but I must come."

Red Silk inquired: "Are you afraid to be here?"

Lu Li retorted, "Is there a difference between adults and children?"

Lu Yao asked, "What test?"

Hong Chou smiled and said, "Worshiping the mountain god is truly interesting"

Lu Yao looked astonished and exclaimed, "So beautiful"

The woman in colorful attire said calmly: "My name is Red Silk, and I live in this cave."

Lu Yao said: "Even if I do not come, others will."

Red Silk inquired: "Knowing you are destined to die, why do you still come?"

At that moment, the tree spirit flashed away, and Lu Li and Lu Yao, who were in the tree hollow, felt a blur before their eyes. Once they steadied themselves, they realized they had left the tree hollow and arrived in a natural underground cave

Lu Yao's eyes revealed a sense of envy as she exclaimed, "So beautiful, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you."

Hong Chou smiled and said, "I naturally know the Mountain God. Are you here to find the Mountain God?"

The tree spirit shook its head and said, "There is no need to thank me; if you must express gratitude, thank Lu Li instead." With that, it departed in a flash.

Lu Li said: "I am five years old, so what?"

Lu Yao showed no signs of joy and asked, "Sister, can you take me to meet the mountain deity?"

With a turn of her red silk eyes, she smiled and said, "You may meet the mountain god, but you must first undergo a trial."

Lu Li said: "I will go in her place"

Lu Li snorted, "Using living people as sacrifices is an affront to morality; I must confront that mountain deity about this."

To the naked eye, the pool on the left is emitting steam, with white mist enveloping it, creating a circular area

Lu Yao hurriedly followed He - Tu - Shu, tugging at Lu Li's sleeve, her eyes wide with both fear and astonishment as she glanced around at everything.

Lu Yao tugged at Lu Li and asked, "Sister Red Silk, why do you live here? Do you know the Mountain God?"

Sinking to the bottom of the pool, Lu Yao instinctively kicked hard, causing her body to surface, gasping for breath.

Lu Li asked, "Who else is in this cave besides you?"

Red Silk was taken aback and scolded with a smile, "You little rascal really know how to take advantage, but the pool you jumped into is extremely cold, nothing like this pool here"

Lu Yao nodded slightly and walked straight ahead

The red silk, appearing somewhat displeased, asked: "Is this how you speak to adults?"

Lu Yao, puzzled, said softly: "Lu Li, do you understand what he means?"

As she entered the pool, the scalding hot water surrounded Lu Yao, and countless streams of spiritual energy surged into her body, allowing her to feel a hint of coolness amidst the unbearable heat

My name is Lu Yao, and I am eight years old

Lu Li snorted: "I am asking about someone else."

Lu Li asked: "What is the Tianlu Cave?"

Hong Chou was quite surprised by Lu Li's words, casting a strange glance at him before shifting her gaze back to Lu Yao.