After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the stone steps finally came to an end, revealing a vast underground space before his eyes.
In the dim light, Gu Sheng saw that the walls around him were lined with iron chains, the other ends of which were connected to rusty iron cages, one after another.
Inside the cages were some people, dressed in rags, with disheveled hair and grimy faces, haggard-like living corpses.
Some were barely breathing, close to death; others had already perished, their bodies decaying and emitting a stench.
Gu Sheng noticed that some had the emblem of the Qingxia Sect etched on them, clearly disciples of the Qingxia Sect.
"This is the Soul Refining Cave..."
Gu Sheng muttered to himself, a chill rising in his heart.
He walked up to one of the iron cages, carefully observing the prisoner inside.
It was a young man, his eyes vacant and lifeless, his face pale as paper, covered in scars, evidently subjected to inhuman torture.
Gu Sheng tentatively asked, "Are you okay?"
The young man slowly raised his head, gazing at Gu Sheng with dull eyes, taking a long time before issuing a hoarse sound: "Who are you..."
"I’m here to rescue you," Gu Sheng said.
The young man seemed not to hear Gu Sheng, continuing to mutter to himself: "Soul Refining Cave... Soul Refining Cave..."
Gu Sheng sighed, knowing these people had been tortured out of their minds.
He continued forward, examining other prisoners, hoping to find someone still conscious.
Suddenly, he heard a low moan. Following the sound, he arrived at an iron cage in a corner.
Inside the cage lay a woman, her hair disheveled, clothes tattered, body covered in scars, yet faint traces of a once beautiful appearance were visible.
"Are you okay?" Gu Sheng asked.
The woman slowly opened her eyes, looking weakly at Gu Sheng, a hint of fear flashing: "No... don’t come closer..."
"I’m here to rescue you," Gu Sheng repeated.
The woman seemed to understand, a flash of hope in her eyes, but she shook her head again: "It’s useless... No one can leave here..."
Suddenly, from the darkness came a chilling laugh. Accompanied by the sound of chains, a tall figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
In the dim light, the figure appeared extraordinarily towering and brawny, like a fiend from the depths of hell.
He stood before Gu Sheng, looking down, in a gruff voice asking, "Which peak do you belong to? Why are you here in the Soul Refining Cave?"
Gu Sheng’s heart tightened, having anticipated being questioned about his identity.
Feigning calm, he clasped his hands, speaking with a slightly trembling voice: "Disciple Gu Sheng, from Qingfeng Peak, ordered to inspect the Soul Refining Cave."
"Qingfeng Peak?" The figure squinted, sizing up Gu Sheng, "I’ve never seen you before. When did Qingfeng Peak get a disciple like you?"
Gu Sheng forced himself to remain calm, explaining: "I’m newly initiated, so you might not know me."
The figure’s smile grew more sinister as he slowly reached out a hand, saying: "Since you’re a disciple of Qingfeng Peak, let me see your Identity Token."
Gu Sheng knew he had been exposed, took a deep breath, and deciding not to keep up the pretense, quickly drew a dagger, thrusting it toward the figure.
As the dagger thrust out, Gu Sheng felt an overwhelming and irresistible force reflect back at him, causing pain in his palm, the dagger flew out of his hand. He was forced to stagger backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Overestimating yourself!" The figure let out a cold laugh, voice booming like thunder, "You think you can ambush me?"
Gu Sheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, heart pounding in terror. This figure’s cultivation had reached the fifth level of the Other Shore Realm! He originally thought the opponent was at most the second or third level, but he had misjudged, hitting against a wall.
"Who are you really?" Gu Sheng asked, enduring the excruciating pain.



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