**Disciple of the Divine Star Gate**
"How deep is this hole, exactly?"
Casting a glance at the black-furred violent bear king guarding the entrance, Ye Tian felt somewhat helpless. He could only venture deeper into the dark cavern, hoping to uncover something of value.
If it were a den established by some ferocious beast, perhaps he could scavenge for food. While it might not be much, even a small supply could offer him a glimmer of hope for survival.
After all, if his parents discovered he had been gone for too long, they would surely come searching for him. Fortunately, he hadn't strayed far; if the villagers from Ye Family Village came looking, there was a considerable chance they would find him.
Thus, Ye Tian's worries were somewhat alleviated.
"This cave is extraordinarily deep, extending into the earth. Could it possibly be an underground tunnel?" Ye Tian, emboldened by his skills, began to explore the pitch-black interior, feeling his way along the stone walls.
…
Time slipped by—perhaps an hour or two—while the tunnel remained eerily silent, filled only with the sounds of Ye Tian's movements and his breathing.
It was incredibly quiet!
Were it not for his past experiences, particularly his time as a special forces soldier, where he had endured even lonelier environments, he might have hesitated to proceed.
One could imagine how daunting it would be for a person to advance further into a pitch-black tunnel.
Only Ye Tian, who had endured the most grueling training in his previous life, possessed such unwavering determination. Rather than succumb to fear, he felt a compelling desire to explore the unknown tunnel.
"This tunnel is so profound; it couldn't have been created by a mere beast. Could it be man-made? Is there some kind of relic buried beneath?" After another lengthy stretch of time, Ye Tian's curiosity intensified.
While he was aware that the Divine Continent was home to numerous strange beasts, there was no reason for any creature to excavate a den this deep.
Moreover, Ye Tian had yet to sense any trace of a beast within the tunnel; clearly, no ferocious creature had ever set foot here.
This realization left Ye Tian astonished.
With the knowledge from his previous life, he deduced that the tunnel could not possibly be of natural formation. Its remarkable depth and uniformity, just the right size for a person, coupled with the marks on the surrounding walls, revealed a clear truth—it was crafted by human hands.
"I must continue to explore. If it is indeed a relic, there might be other exits!" Ye Tian thought to himself, quickening his pace.
Time passed, and just as Ye Tian began to feel hunger and fatigue, a glimmer of light appeared ahead, instantly revitalizing him.
"There's a source of light! Have I finally reached the end?"
Ye Tian's eyes sparkled.
He had initially prepared to turn back; continuing further could very well lead to his demise from starvation.
Yet, fortune favored the brave, and he finally arrived at the tunnel's terminus.
Ye Tian quickened his pace toward the light source, and before long, he reached it.
As he approached, a wave of heat washed over him, causing beads of sweat to form as the chill that had enveloped him dissipated significantly.
"Magma!" Ye Tian's eyes widened. Through the opening, he beheld a churning sea of lava.
Amidst the molten flow, numerous massive rocks floated, and atop one particularly large boulder sat a young man, eyes closed, utterly motionless.
"Someone's here!"
Ye Tian gasped, surprised to find another person in such a desolate place. However, he soon realized that this individual was dead; otherwise, his presence would have drawn attention long before now.
The scorching magma roared and churned, the intense heat enveloping the area.
In no time, Ye Tian was drenched in sweat. Unable to bear it, he shed his shirt, now clad only in his tiger-skin trousers, and carefully leaped from one stone to another, inching closer to the young man.
Seeing a corpse in such a place unexpectedly filled Ye Tian with excitement. The mere fact that this person was here suggested he must be a "master" of some kind, just like those depicted in the novels from his previous life.
Perhaps he had left behind some martial arts techniques or other treasures.
This was indeed a fortuitous encounter!
Ye Tian felt a thrill of anticipation; surely, surviving this peril would lead to future blessings.
After considerable effort, Ye Tian finally reached the large stone where the young man lay. He reached out to check for signs of life, ultimately confirming that the young man was indeed deceased.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Ye Tian carefully examined the young man.
The individual possessed strikingly handsome features, exuding youthful vitality and an undeniable aura. His handsome visage was enough to invoke envy in Ye Tian.
The term "young hero" seemed perfectly suited to describe him.
Clad in a flowing blue robe embroidered with shimmering stars, this attire was so exquisite that even Ye Tian, who had seen countless garments in his previous life, couldn't help but admire it.
With the starry robe complementing the young man's appearance, he would undoubtedly outshine any beautiful woman!
"This isn't the attire of a villager from Baiyun Town!" After scrutinizing him for a moment, Ye Tian concluded. The villagers there could hardly afford such luxurious clothing; even in Wang Family Village, one would struggle to find something this fine.
Thus, Ye Tian deduced that this individual was not from Baiyun Town but rather from the outside world, possibly from Blood Jade City or even farther away.
What could an outsider possibly be doing in such a desolate place?
Ye Tian's heart brimmed with uncertainty as he gazed at the youth before him, whose lifeless form had likely been there for an indeterminate time. He clasped his hands together and said, "My friend, pardon my intrusion. Since you have departed from this world, these material possessions are of no use to you..."
With that, Ye Tian began to rummage through the young man's belongings, his hands traversing from top to bottom... a bit wickedly!
In the end, he managed to extract several items: a book, five small vials, a blue token, and a crystal box that housed an exquisitely beautiful blue flower.
Ye Tian was instantly captivated by the flower's beauty, convinced that any woman who beheld it would be enamored.
"Ah, my friend, it seems you too were a sentimental soul. Should I uncover your identity, I shall ensure this flower is delivered to the one you cherished," Ye Tian stated solemnly, then carefully tucked the crystal box away and turned his attention to the other items.
Next, his curiosity was piqued by the book; where there were books, there were words, and where there were words, there was information that might reveal the identity of the youth.
Fueled by insatiable curiosity, Ye Tian picked up the book, and the first thing that caught his eye was the faint blue inscription—"Hand of the Stars!"
"It appears to be a martial technique!" Ye Tian's eyes sparkled with excitement; given the youth's remarkable background, the technique he carried was likely formidable. He hastily opened the book to explore further.
"Hand of the Stars, an entry-level Xuan-level martial technique, wielding great power, can only be cultivated by those with yellow martial spirits or higher; mastery requires at least the rank of a Martial Master!"
The opening lines sent Ye Tian into a frenzy of joy.
"A Xuan-level technique! To think I have stumbled upon such a treasure! Even in Blood Jade City, one can scarcely find Xuan-level techniques; the finest available in Baiyun Town is merely an intermediate Huang-level technique. Hahaha..."
With excitement etched on his face, Ye Tian realized he had encountered a monumental opportunity. Although cultivation required the rank of Martial Master, he was undaunted. With his innate yellow martial spirit, it was only a matter of time before he achieved the Martial Master level. Once he did, with the Hand of the Stars at his disposal, who in Baiyun Town could rival him?
"This person's identity must be extraordinary!"
Calming his exhilaration, Ye Tian meticulously examined the Hand of the Stars, not with the intent to cultivate but to seek any additional information it might contain.
It was well-known that most individuals left behind some message at the time of their demise. Aside from the boulders and molten lava that surrounded him, if this youth had a final testament, it would surely be inscribed within this book.
"Hmm?" Upon reaching the final page, Ye Tian discovered a dozen lines of blood-red writing.
Indeed!
A jolt ran through him as he studied the words, recognizing that this was a message penned in blood, undoubtedly of immense importance.
"I, Liu Yunfei, the foremost disciple of the Inner Sect of the Divine Star Gate, the most extraordinary talent of this generation, cannot believe I must perish in such a desolate place. I am unwilling to accept this fate..."
The first line dripped with a palpable resentment and unwillingness, profoundly moving Ye Tian.
"The Divine Star Gate! To think he was a disciple of the Divine Star Gate, and the most talented among them at that! No wonder he possessed a Xuan-level martial technique!" Ye Tian was astounded; the implications of this encounter were monumental. This young man's lineage was indeed formidable, surpassing even the Blood-Clothed Guards, for he was a warrior of the legendary Divine Star Gate.
If Blood Jade City was a colossal entity, the Divine Star Gate was akin to a mythical sanctuary.
Ye Tian had long yearned for the Divine Star Gate and never imagined he would cross paths with one of its disciples, albeit a deceased one.
He continued to read—
"For my third junior sister's birthday, I wish to present her with the most beautiful Sea Blue Celestial Blossom in the world; it would surely bring her joy."
Ye Tian surmised that the blue flower's name must indeed be the "Sea Blue Celestial Blossom," a truly exquisite bloom, the likes of which he had never encountered.
Yet, he shook his head, realizing this romantic soul would never have the chance to deliver his gift.
"I refuse to succumb to despair... that despicable scoundrel, Lang Fantian, colluded with the Hundred Poisons Sect to ambush me. I fell victim to their three-day Soul-Banish Powder, and my demise is imminent..."
"I cannot simply perish without clarity; I must expose Lang Fantian's treacherous and hypocritical visage!"
"Whoever discovers my remains must deliver this blood-written testament to my third junior sister, Wan Yunxia. She will undoubtedly repay your kindness. Even in death, I shall be eternally grateful."
"My junior sister, I can no longer accompany you on your martial journey. Take care of yourself; I will bless you from the depths of the abyss..."
Each line of blood ink was steeped in despair, resentment, longing, and concern.
Ye Tian could vividly imagine the depths of Liu Yunfei's desperation and unwillingness as he faced his end, along with the profound regret of not being able to see his beloved one last time.
How utterly tragic it must have been to die without a final meeting with the one he cherished!
Ye Tian sighed softly and solemnly declared, "Rest easy, Brother Liu. I shall honor your legacy and seek vengeance for you. Your testament will be delivered to your junior sister. May you find peace!"
Around him, the lava continued to churn, and although there was no other sound, Ye Tian sensed an inexplicable reduction in the vengeful energy emanating from the blood ink above.