Guided by Dustin, the surviving guards, along with Grace and Judith, dove into the icy pool one after another. They swam through the dark underwater passage, heading toward the unknown. The tunnel was short, only about 200 feet in length.
A dim light soon appeared ahead. Everyone swam toward it with all their strength, breaching what felt like a thin, silken veil of water before their heads emerged above the surface. What greeted them was an enormous naturally formed cavern.
Countless stalactites hung from the ceiling, glowing with soft white light that illuminated the entire cavern. At the center lay another pool, connected to the one they’d come from.
Growing along the cave walls were strange luminescent mosses and low-growing plants. The air carried a faint, sandalwood-like fragrance that calmed the mind. But what shocked them most was what sat in one corner of the cave.
Several well-sealed leather pouches treated with special oils lay there, along with a few worn but still sharp weapons and even a small box of healing tablets. It was clear that these items had been left behind by humans.
“Here… Someone’s been here before? And left behind their supplies?” Judith asked, staring at the items in disbelief.
Grace stepped forward to examine the pouches and tablets, confirming they were non-toxic and well-preserved. A look of surprise crossed her face.
“Judging by how well these items have been kept, they haven’t been left here for very long. But who could have left them?” she wondered.
The guards treated the discovery like buried treasure, carefully distributing the water and dried rations among themselves. With their supplies nearly exhausted, these supplies were truly a lifeline.
Dustin, however, didn’t touch the supplies. His gaze fell upon some carvings on the cavern wall, which had simple, archaic lines, not cloud script. The basic pictograms seemed to record some kind of information.
He studied them carefully and saw the murals depicted several human figures battling ferocious monsters. Then they discovered this cave and left their supplies behind.
Finally, the mural pointed toward the far end of the cavern, where a narrow crevice had been deliberately marked. Beyond, it appeared to be a more expansive but also more dangerous area, marked with patterns of roiling clouds and lightning
At the end of the mural was a line of hastily scrawled letters, written with a grim determination.
“To those who come after, if you reach this place, take what supplies you need. The path ahead is treacherous, with nine deaths for every chance at survival. Proceed with extreme caution. Be warned! The one who came before, Ysolde Lazarov.”
“Ysolde Lazarov?”
Grace felt a chill run down her spine at the name.
He was a legendary rogue cultivator 80 years ago, renowned throughout the land. His cultivation had reportedly transcended the limits of mortality. His pursuit of ultimate ascension led him to brave a fabled realm beyond the seas, from which he was never heard from again.
Had he also come to Elysium Isle?
The traces and warnings left by an expert from 80 years ago weighed heavily on them. Even after finding the supplies, the atmosphere, which had briefly lightened, grew tense once more.
If even someone as formidable as Ysolde considered the path ahead to offer only a one-in-ten chance of survival, how much hope could they possibly have?
Everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned toward the narrow crevice the mural had pointed to. From beyond it came the faint sound of wind and thunder. They wondered if that was the direction they would be heading later.
Dustin stared at the inscription, then at the crevice, his expression unreadable. Beyond it, the spiritual energy in the water felt even purer. But alongside that clarity came a pulse of violent, heart-palpitating energy fluctuations.
He couldn’t shake the thought that the Vitalis Pool might lie just beyond.
