Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 394 - 171 Thorn Ridge

Xiniu Hezhou, Lu Yu descended from the clouds and saw a verdant range of mountains, everywhere were these towering ancient trees that had grown for who knows how many years, and beneath the trees was a dense thicket of thorns that seemed to have no end in sight.

Lu Yu strolled through the deep forest, only to see the surrounding vegetation seemingly come to life, actively clearing away to both sides, revealing a narrow path. Alas, it was clear that no one had passed this way for years, with wild grass growing up to waist height, and with poisonous insects and mice lurking within.

He hadn't walked for long before he saw a stone stele that had clearly been erected many years ago. It was covered in green moss and severely eroded, but the faint outline of three large characters could still be discerned: Thorn Ridge!

"It seems this is the place," Lu Yu murmured to himself, just about to continue onwards when he suddenly seemed to remember something, turned around, and used his finger as a pen to write below Thorn Ridge, "Thorns and weeds stretching eight hundred miles, an ancient path seldom tread."

After writing, he nodded satisfactorily and said, "Now that looks appropriate!"

In the depths of Thorn Ridge, there were several ancient towering trees, their age and girth such that even five or six strong men could not encompass them. The dense foliage blocked out the sunlight, creating darkness below. Read latest stories on novelbuddy

A gust of wind blew, causing some of the large trees to rustle suddenly, and an old voice emerged in the space, "This wind is unusual, it's as if someone's scent is carried with it." This was an old voice that resounded in the silent mountain ridge, making it especially eerie.

"Elder Eighteen must be mistaken, we have been here for a thousand years and have never seen anyone venture so deep into this place. The land here is covered with thorns, and predatory animals find it hard to survive, let alone people," another old voice responded.

"I also smelled it, it seems like someone really did come in."

"Indeed, the scent seems to be getting closer!"

No sooner had the voice faded than a scholar in a green robe, slowly walking in from the outside, was seen wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead with a dazed look around, seemingly unaware of where he had arrived.

Then, as if the scholar saw something, he quickly walked toward the dark area, pushing aside the branches blocking the path, allowing the bright sunlight to reach the ground. Using the residual light, he spotted a cliff with the words "Wood Immortal Hermitage" written behind several large trees.

"Is anyone there?" the scholar asked loudly, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"Young man, how did you come to this place alone?" an old voice asked. A figure in a dark green robe, holding a wooden staff, slowly emerged from the depths of the forest.

"Old sir, I am a scholar traveling to study. I have mistakenly entered this place and lost my way. I hope the elder can guide me and help me escape from here. My gratitude would be immense," the scholar said, bowing deeply.

The old man, stroking his long beard, said with a smile, "You, as a scholar, are indeed fortunate. This place is Thorn Ridge, covered with thorns for eight hundred miles and home to countless poisonous insects. That you were able to arrive here unscathed is truly a monumental blessing."

The scholar, hearing these words, showed a terrified expression, apparently recalling some horrific thought, and said anxiously, "I lost my way and stumbled around in confusion, not knowing how I came to be here."

The old man looked at him in surprise, examined him closely from top to bottom, and then said, "Perhaps this is your destiny. You seem very tired, having walked all day. If you do not disdain it, you can rest at my humble home, after which I will guide you out of this Thorn Ridge."

Upon hearing this, the scholar was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly and saying gratefully, "I am deeply thankful for your great kindness, sir."

The elder burst into hearty laughter, grabbed the Scholar in the green robe by the hand, and headed toward the cliff. The Scholar immediately exclaimed in a panic, "Elder, please stop, there's no path ahead!"

However, it seemed as if the elder had not heard him at all and continued moving forward. Suddenly, a miraculous scene unfolded. The cliff formed by rocks now appeared like a curtain of water. The elder easily stepped into it, leaving the Scholar gawping in astonishment, watching the elder's back in sheer disbelief.

After a while, the elder reappeared and asked with a hint of confusion in his voice, "Why haven't you hurried in yet?"

Only then did the Scholar reply dreamily, "Yes, right."

He followed the elder forward, and as they approached the cliff, the imagined hardness of the rocks did not materialize; it was as if he was walking through air. Mist enveloped the view ahead, leaving him no choice but to tightly grasp the elder's arm and continue forward.

They had not walked far when the fog cleared, revealing a mysterious space before them. Strange flowers and exotic grasses carpeted the ground, houses and corridors were neatly arranged, and there were also small bridges over running streams, artificial hills, and ponds accentuated with a few small fruit trees, their fruits gleaming brilliantly, obviously not ordinary.

The Study in the green robe seemed completely taken aback by the sight before him. He stood there paralyzed, staring blankly, unable to speak for a long while. Seeing the Scholar's reaction, the elder's face was filled with a smug smile.

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"Elder, could you possibly be the legendary Immortal, and this place the Immortal's Cave Mansion?" the Scholar asked slowly, swallowing hard.

The elder stroked his beard and replied with a smile, "What Immortal? I'm just whiling away the years in these mountains. Since you were fated to come here, I couldn't bear to see you lose your life to the Yellow Springs, so I lent a hand."

"Fortunately, today I and a few friends were discussing the Tao, and I thought I'd have you bear witness."

The Scholar responded nervously, "How could someone as humble as I bear witness for several Immortals?"

Upon hearing this, the elder laughed heartily, seemingly very pleased with the Scholar's reaction, and reassured, "No worries, if we say you are qualified, then you are. Don't delay any longer; follow me, and let's not keep my friends waiting!"

The Scholar quickly followed behind the elder, then he finally spoke up, asking, "May I know your honored title, Elder? So that when I go out, I can build a temple in your honor and ensure there are offerings all the time."

"I am called Elder Eighteen, and this place is the Wood Immortal Hermitage Cave Heaven."

Upon reaching inside, they found a uniquely designed, elegantly set pavilion, where three elders were already waiting. One had an elegant frosty appearance, the second green hair fluttering, and the third a gentle indigo disposition. Each had a distinct face and attire.

Upon seeing Elder Eighteen arrive with the Scholar, they all called out, "Elder Eighteen, you've finally come! We thought you might have broken your promise."

Elder Eighteen bowed slightly and said, "Having promised to discuss the Tao, how could I not come? It's just that I was delayed a while by some matters on the road."

Only then did everyone notice the Scholar in the green robe following behind Elder Eighteen.