Chapter 2082 - 2079: The Secret of the Ancient Altar

Chapter 2082: Chapter 2079: The Secret of the Ancient Altar

"He’s really gone." Lin Tian scanned the area, but didn’t see any trace of Xu Feibai.

As agreed upon when entering, Xu Feibai was to guard the ancient altar to prevent any mishaps. With his character, he wouldn’t break his promise lightly.

The ancient altar hadn’t caused any issues, so nothing unexpected should have happened. Where did he go? Just as Lin Tian was puzzled, a creaking sound echoed, and a stone slab on the altar shifted, slowly revealing a passage.

Xu Feibai walked out from the passage. Upon seeing each other, both were surprised.

"When did you all come out?" Xu Feibai asked curiously.

"We just came out. But you, how did you end up down there, and how did you discover this mechanism?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

"Follow me." Xu Feibai didn’t immediately explain but turned and walked back into the passage.

Although Lin Tian and the others were curious, they followed him inside. It wasn’t deep; just a turn, and they reached the bottom, which was a cave the size of a basketball court.

However, besides the entrance, there were no paths leading anywhere else inside the cave. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all solid rock, a dead end.

"Don’t bother looking; I’ve studied it for days, and this is the end," Xu Feibai said, noticing Lin Tian observing the surroundings, and couldn’t help but remind him.

Using a super vision technique, Lin Tian indeed found no other passageways. Why is there a cave here, and a seemingly useless one at that? It’s illogical.

"After you all went inside, the altar began absorbing energy from the Netherworld, and the mechanism opened on its own," Xu Feibai explained.

"Perhaps it was coordinated with the altar in ancient times. After the altar was abandoned, the items in the cave were likely moved," Zhang Lingyu speculated.

Lin Tian didn’t reply. If it were that simple, where did the killing intent that had previously slain the Ghost Wolf Yaka come from? While they both belonged to the Yaksha Clan, the strength of the Ghost Wolf Yaka was several times that of Mu Yun, and defeating it wasn’t easy, let alone in an instant.

As Lin Tian puzzled over this, the entrance on the altar slowly began to close.

"Let’s go." Lin Tian quickly pulled Xiao Manxuan and Zhang Lingyu, retreating from the cave. Xu Feibai’s speed was naturally not a concern, safely exiting before the entrance closed.

"Master, the Netherworld passage is closed, the energy of the ancient altar is declining, and the entrance has closed again," said the Sword Spirit in his mind.

With a flash in his eyes, Lin Tian basically understood the principle: the ancient altar absorbed energy, triggered the mechanism, and without energy support, the mechanism shut down.

He pondered deeper; to open more mechanisms might require more energy. The cave is definitely not the end of the altar. Unfortunately, the Netherworld passage had already closed.

To align all conditions again to reopen the Netherworld passage of the ancient altar—who knows when that might happen. What secret lies beneath the altar? It seems the opportunity to solve this mystery hasn’t arrived yet.

Lin Tian shared his guesses with them, and suddenly they came to a realization, agreeing with his speculations.

"Let’s go. We’ve been in the Netherworld for quite a few days, practically disappearing from the human world for as long. Many people are probably worried." Lin Tian decided to leave, giving up the exploration of the ancient altar.

The ancient altar was both powerful and sinister; forcing it would definitely not work. They could only wait for the right moment. Blowing it up with explosives was something Lin Tian wouldn’t even consider. If that violent energy were disturbed, they might end up like the Ghost Wolf Yaka.

He jumped to the top of the totem pole, retrieved the Qiong Gou Jade, and the totem pole automatically descended back into the ground.

"Lingyu, the Qiong Gou Jade is for you." Lin Tian tossed the jade to Zhang Lingyu, and the Beautiful Sky Master hurriedly caught it, then glared at him as if to say, how can you casually throw such a precious jade as if it’s a stone?

Zhang Lingyu didn’t refuse, fondly caressing it a few times. Her expression was not like finding a treasure, but as if receiving a token of affection—sweet yet joyful.

Lin Tian had already turned to leave, not paying much attention. The ancient jade, though priceless, was of no use to him. In the hands of the Beautiful Sky Master, however, it could serve a greater purpose.

Xu Feibai also had no objections. Although the Xu Family already possessed the yang side of the Qiong Gou Jade, he wasn’t about to steal it. With his pride, he wouldn’t even entertain such robber-like behavior.

Even if he needed the Yin Jade, he would prefer to cooperate with Lin Tian at a cost rather than steal it. That’s Xu Feibai. He didn’t even ask what happened in the Netherworld, fully embodying his aloofness to the extreme.

The group retraced their steps, diving through the pond. Outside, the sun shone brightly in a clear, deep blue sky, making the human realm seem like a paradise compared to the Netherworld’s gloomy sky.

In the season of late autumn and winter, though the weather was a bit chilly, the sunlight on the skin felt warm. Of course, for Yin Sha creatures from the Netherworld, sunlight is lethal.

They returned to Xianlin Villa, not disturbing anyone, and each went to their rooms to change clothes. Before Lin Tian could plan the next step, Xu Feibai announced his departure.

In the living room, Xu Feibai, carrying a bag, said coolly, "Lin Tian, now that this matter is settled, I should return. However, we will meet again."

"You want me to help find Jiang Chen’s head?" Lin Tian immediately guessed his intention, and indeed, Xu Feibai nodded.

"Lin Tian, Chinese New Year is in a few days; you’re not going to work over the holiday, right?" Xiao Manxuan reminded.

Chinese New Year? Lin Tian paused slightly. "Chinese New Year" seemed both a foreign and familiar term. Ever since his grandfather’s passing, he had spent the last few years alone during the holiday; whether to observe it or not had become indistinguishable to him.

Once he came back to his senses, Xu Feibai had already left, his figure disappearing into the flower grove. Xu Feibai said nothing further, tacitly acknowledging Lin Tian’s guess.

Xiao Manxuan blinked her big eyes, seemingly understanding Lin Tian’s thoughts: "Lin Tian, how about... you spend the holiday at my house this year?"

The kind and beautiful little girl, usually lively and mischievous, always brought warmth in times like these.

Lin Tian nodded and smiled, "Sure."

"Lingyu, why don’t you come too? My family hasn’t had a lively Chinese New Year in a long time," Xiao Manxuan said, looking towards Zhang Lingyu with anticipation.

Zhang Lingyu shook her head and smiled slightly, "I just received a message from the clan; those disciples who were training outside have finished and are returning. So, see you after the new year."

The Beautiful Sky Master waved goodbye with a straightforwardness, leaving only him and Xiao Manxuan in the living room. They had been fighting side by side, and in the blink of an eye, everyone went their separate ways. The little bit of excitement Xiao Manxuan had felt for the New Year vanished, leaving her a bit melancholic.

"If only we could be together forever, never part," Xiao Manxuan said softly.

Lin Tian’s mouth curled into a smile, "That’s simple. You all marry me; that way, we’ll never part."