The vibrations of Kong Di's breakthrough still lingered in the cave.
Since his breakthrough to the 4th Order realm, the primal diagram had been glowing faintly upon his back every time he completed a full circulation of his cultivation of the Dark Sky Cannon. Yet, his cultivation did not simply end there; this was him exploring the inheritance skill that he gained from his Martial Spirit. Whenever he entered cultivation, a strange, primal, and instinctual fluctuation stirred within his dantian like a bound beast trying to break out.
While he was exploring, the Hollow Hydra Martial Spirit shimmered brightly, and suddenly, its form shifted—its countless maws opened in unison, each radiating a terrifying suction force.
Kong Di clutched his chest as an overwhelming instinct burned into his mind.
Inheritance skill… Sw...!
The Hollow Hydra's voice seemed to resound in the depths of his soul:
"Swallow."
Kong Di's body trembled as knowledge poured into his mind. This skill… it was unlike anything he had ever heard of or read about.
He could swallow anything in the world—rare ores, unique treasures, flames, poison, etc. All the things he swallowed would be stored in a strange space within his body and martial spirit, where they would be slowly dissolved into pure energy. This energy would be refined into his Battle Qi, Soul Qi, and Spiritual Energy, while the nature of what he swallowed would grant him resistances.
Swallow fire, and flames could never burn him fully. Swallow poison, and even the most venomous of toxins would no longer harm him completely. The growth potential was… limitless.
Kong Di's eyes shone with shock and disbelief. "This… this skill is too heaven-defying."
Kong Mei had been observing quietly, but when she felt the strange devouring fluctuations around her son and his explanation of the skill, her expression turned solemn and serious.
She stepped closer, her voice low and heavy.
"Kong'er. Do not reveal this ability to anyone. Not even to the closest of allies. In the eyes of the world, this will not be seen as a divine blessing but as an evil, demonic art. Those who learn of it will fear it, and hunt you down."
Kong Di turned his head to the side thoughtfully and said -
"I understand, Mother. I will not mention it to anyone."
Kong Mei placed her hand on his shoulder, her gaze softening.
"Good. Promise me that, no matter what, you will not flaunt this power recklessly."
"I promise."
-----
After a brief rest, the two resumed their exploration of the cave. For an entire week, mother and son scoured every chamber, tunnel, and crevice, unwilling to leave even a single stone unturned. The deeper they searched, the clearer it became—Kong Di had not been the first to set foot in this hidden place.
In the depths of the ancient pool, Kong Di discovered four very old skeletons, their remains resting silently along with their belongings at the bottom of the pool.
It was as if all the flesh of their bodies disintegrated into the pool and only left their skeletons, even the skeletons were almost wrapped around by the Ancient Tree roots of the 3 trees.
Across the cave, Kong Mei uncovered another small cluster of human skeletons huddled in a darkened corner. The air was thick with dampness and a rotting smell. It seemed like these people were the last cultivators who found the cave.
Not only that, but throughout the cavern, countless demon beast bones lay buried beneath layers of stone and soil, testaments to the ferocity of battles long past, and the brutality of nature.
Kong Di gathered the human remains from both locations together at the entrance of the cave. They whispered prayers as Kong Di dug a small grave near the surface. They gave the nameless cultivators a proper burial, honoring the dead before turning their attention to what was left behind.
"Spatial Rings!!!!". Kong Mei exclaimed, as only the Royal Family of the Luo Tong Kingdom has these legendary artifacts.
Two spatial rings were recovered—one from each group of fallen adventurers.
The first contained mostly personal belongings: clothes, travel utensils, and a few daily necessities. The second, however, held something far more extraordinary.
When Kong Mei probed its contents, her expression froze. Among the items, wrapped carefully in protective seals, was a treasure map. Yet this was no ordinary parchment—it was inscribed on a strange, indestructible material, resistant even to her strength as a newly advanced 7th Order cultivator.
The markings revealed a location deep within the inner region of Long Bone Lake. It was undoubtedly this map that had drawn the adventurers into these dangerous woods, lured by rumors of the Ancient Trees' power. Tragically, their greed had cost them their lives.
Beyond the map, after scouring the whole cave, they also gathered a staggering amount of beast cores. Their fortune suddenly became immense:
Thirty Three - Seventh Order Beast Cores
Seven - Eighth Order Beast Cores
Three - Ninth Order Beast Cores
Two - Tenth Order Beast Cores
and even
One - First Order Xiantian Realm Beast Core.
The discovery left them both breathless.
Kong Di's mother, without hesitation, gave all the 33 Seventh Order, 7 Eighth Order, and 3 Ninth Order cores to him, leaving the two Tenth Order and the Xiantian Realm core for herself. Kong Mei merely mentions that he is a genius and would need a lot more resources than she does. Kong Di did not say anything, as he knew even if he had the cores, he would not be able to refine them for himself. The qi contained in them is far too chaotic and powerful for his body to handle. Even the 9th and 10th Order Beast cores are too much for his current body. But he promised himself that once he gets stronger, he would get all the resources his other even needs, so she would never be short of anything.
Once all the treasures were divided, they organized their newfound treasures into the 2 Space Rings, one for each other, packed their supplies, and prepared to leave the cave that had granted them immense power and fortune.
As they stepped toward the surface, a faint wind stirred within the cavern, as though the ancient dead watched them depart, satisfied their final rest had been honored.
For Huang Kong Di and Huang Kong Mei, this was not the end of their journey—merely the beginning of greater trials to come.