The Black Bear King rubbed its head against Yu Su's palm, behaving as obediently as a small kitten, completely defying its terrifying appearance. Xin Ya and the other six or seven slaves were left bewildered.
"Are you guys stupid? This bear is our brother Yu Su's beast companion," Yu Meng explained to them.
"Beast companion..." Xin Ya muttered, looking at Yu Su with eyes full of astonishment and admiration. "My father said the great shamans in Fengcheng Temple could control Barbaric Foxes. I thought that was impressive enough. I never expected our master could control the Barbaric Bear King. Isn't he more powerful than those great shamans!"
Hearing this, Yu Su turned to look at Xin Ya, asking, "Great shamans in Fengcheng can control Barbaric Foxes?"
Xin Ya nodded, saying, "Yes, my father also mentioned that Barbaric Foxes are the guardians of the temple."
Yu Su raised an eyebrow, realizing that the great shamans in Fengcheng Temple indeed had some skills.
Given the opportunity, it might be worth checking them out.
Arriving at Black Bear Valley, the team, tired from days of travel, could finally rest. While Black Bear Valley used to be a dangerous and terrifying place, the people of Yu Village, with the Black Bear King guarding, felt no fear returning here. Their mood relaxed considerably.
With the Black Bear King around, there was no need to worry about other barbaric beasts disturbing them.
The village chief pulled Yu Su to a quiet corner, expressing his urgency, "Yu Su, that salt spring, can I go take a look?"
"Of course, I'll take you there shortly," Yu Su replied.
The village chief immediately smiled, "Great!"
After arranging for everyone to rest, Yu Su took the village chief to the Salt Spring Valley.
The Salt Spring Valley remained as it was when they left, with the Black Bear King guarding. No other beasts or people had intruded.
"Oh God, it's truly a salt spring!" The village chief took a sip of the salty water, though unpleasant, and was almost moved to tears by happiness.
"Village chief, don't get too excited. Take care of yourself," Yu Su advised.
Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, the village chief smiled, "I'm happy. Just thinking about having salt in the future, not enduring the oppression from Salt Village anymore, makes me wake up laughing from my dreams at night."
Yu Su chuckled, thinking that they had only just begun. The salt spring was just the start; Yu Village would undoubtedly become better in the future.
Seeing the village chief so happy with the salt spring, Yu Su asked Yu Feng and Yu Meng to take the village chief around while he took Lan Yan down to the water, intending to explore the cave in the depths.
"Yu Su, can you handle this? Do you need our help?" Yu Meng was somewhat concerned.
The water pool was deep, and Yu Meng worried that Yu Su might not be skilled enough, leading to trouble.
"No need. Lan Yan and I have already practiced breath control. We can hold our breath for a while. Don't worry about us," Yu Su reassured him.
Yu Meng was surprised. Breath control had such benefits?
"There are many advantages. You'll understand as long as you diligently practice in the future," Yu Su encouraged him.
The village chief, seeing Yu Su and Lan Yan entering the water, was uneasy and went to check nearby but quickly returned.
By this time, Yu Su and Lan Yan had already dived into the water. The bottom of the water pool was deep, and entering the dark cave made it challenging to discern directions.
However, with the help of the all-element spirit guiding them, Yu Su and Lan Yan navigated the dark cave for some time, gaining a rough understanding of the cave's layout.
"Master, there's another space over there, and it seems quite large," the all-element spirit suddenly communicated.
Marking the location on the mental map, Yu Su led Lan Yan toward that direction.
After swimming for about ten minutes, there was a splash, and Yu Su emerged from the water.
He breathed heavily, surveying the surroundings.
This area was a larger cave, and there was a broad space above.
Although everything was pitch-black, it didn't seem to bother them.
The all-element spirit diligently scanned the large cave, informing Yu Su that there was a shore ahead that they could reach.
Yu Su swam towards it, and indeed, he soon felt the shore.
Climbing onto the shore, they found a clear area. Lan Yan followed, and both stood at the edge to catch their breath.
After a while, Yu Su sensed the airflow and guessed that there might be another exit in this place.
The all-element spirit also detected a passage in this direction, likely connecting to another cave exit.
Yu Su wanted to explore, so he said to Lan Yan, "There might be another exit here. I want to check it out. Be careful and follow me."
However, Lan Yan insisted, "You follow me."
He intended to take the lead, but Yu Su had the all-element spirit's assistance and didn't need Lan Yan to take the lead, even though it was dark. Yu Su could still find the direction.
"No need. You follow me. I can find the way."
In the darkness, they cautiously moved along the passage, using the cave walls as support.
During their journey, they encountered a group of bats hanging above the cave. They were rather large.
"They are blood-sucking bats," the all-element spirit reminded.
Surprised to learn they were blood-sucking bats, Yu Su and Lan Yan stopped in their tracks.
"What's their weakness?"
"Scared of light and fire. They are asleep now. Don't disturb them, and you can pass through."
To avoid disturbing the blood-sucking bats, Yu Su and Lan Yan moved with extreme care.
After passing the area where the bats rested, they continued for about half an hour and finally reached the end of the passage.
Before them was a bright light.
The orange sunset dyed the surrounding vegetation a vibrant orange.
Yu Su took a breath and found that the spiritual energy of the plants here was quite rich.
Judging by the direction, they should be to the east of Black Bear Valley.
The direction of Salt Village also seemed to be to the east of Black Bear Valley.
They had spent a whole day and a morning walking from Salt Village to Black Bear Valley. In reality, they had traveled a large semicircle around the continuous mountains. If they drew a straight line...
Drawing a line from here, it should lead to the direction of Deer God Mountain.