Divine Beast Creator

Chapter 2191 - 2192: Grotto-Rock Village

Grotto-Rock Village did not surprise Feng Yuan; it was indeed a village located within a cavern. However, contrary to Feng Yuan’s expectations, Grotto-Rock Village was not in a cave within the canyon but situated in a massive cavern near the summit.

This mountain is very unique because there are few tall peaks around Maomu City, yet the mountain where Grotto-Rock Village is located is an exception.

Besides, the gigantic cavern is also awe-inspiring. Starting from two-thirds of the mountain’s height, a massive opening appears, visible from afar at the foot of the mountain, nearly hollowing out the summit.

Of course, that’s just a visual illusion; in reality, the seemingly thin mountain body still has several dozen meters of thickness at its thinnest point, and the mountain consists entirely of extremely solid rock.

If it weren’t for modern peace, the hidden secrets of Grotto-Rock Village might not have been revealed. The secret is that Grotto-Rock Village is one of the entrances to the underground magma channels in the Tea Wood Town Area.

Influenced by Yognot, there is a unique underground magma channel network beneath the Cha Mu area. Of course, calling it a magma channel is somewhat misleading; it is actually a naturally formed unique magma loop.

The exceedingly dense Fire Power gathers within the earth, forming river-like magma flows that slowly circulate beneath Tea Wood Town. Moreover, because these magma rivers are born from dense Elemental Energy, they not only circulate underground in the Tea Wood Town Area but appear implacably regular like artificially carved waterways.

Of course, while Grotto-Rock Village is an entrance, the underground is not open to tourism because the area’s danger level is too high. For safety reasons, tourists and even average Beastmasters are strictly prohibited from approaching that section.

It’s fair to say that among Feng Yuan’s group, only Feng Yuan possesses the strength to approach the magma channels. As for Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan?

Although they navigated the magma checkpoints in the Earth Maze, they are still far from possessing the strength needed for magma channel exploration.

Naturally, Feng Yuan has the capability for venturing into the magma channels, but he wouldn’t go there. Even though it’s winter and temperatures have dropped, Feng Yuan can imagine how hot it is there — he wouldn’t venture there idly, far less since it isn’t an open tourist site.

"The villages are all on the mountainside, huh? But is this path entirely composed of such peculiar villages?"

If at first Feng Yuan casually chose this route for the Fire Stronghold, at this moment he’s realized something is amiss. Kidding aside, while Half-Mountain Stronghold could be a coincidence, the subsequent Grotto-Rock Village is evidently another exceptional village. Without even needing research, Feng Yuan can easily deduce this route is likely filled with such unique settlements.

As for the Grotto-Rock Village lunch that Veronia mentioned earlier, Feng Yuan has roughly guessed the situation.

Although the tourism industry in Grotto-Rock Village is probably still in initial stages, unlike Half-Mountain Stronghold, Grotto-Rock Village itself holds a special significance.

As the entrance to the magma channels, Grotto-Rock Village is responsible for hosting Beastmasters who venture into and return from the magma channels, ensuring there’s definitely a dedicated dining venue there.

It should be noted that even without developing as a tourist site, the magma channels are a rare treasure for Fire-attribute Beastmasters.

The flowing magma contains immense Fire Energy, offering great benefits to Fire Attribute Spirit Beasts, let alone the various special Fire Attribute Spiritual Medicine and Materials it nurtures.

However, the limitations of the magma channels are considerable; they are valuable assets of the Tea Wood Town Area and not anyone can enter.

Like Feng Yuan, due to his relationship with Drudgeon, He Nanqing could let him take a turn inside, but only if he doesn’t take too much Spiritual Medicine and Materials.

Others must have contributed to the Tea Wood Town Area or be approved by the authorities to enter the magma channels.

Indeed, strictly speaking, those with official approval don’t get in for free compared to local Beastmasters; it’s just that the "ticket fee" has already been paid by the officials to Tea Wood Town.

This principle extends beyond Tea Wood Town, being similar for other local specialties. Such resources are invaluable for fostering local Beastmasters and not freely available to outsiders.

This makes Grotto-Rock Village not very famous; even Feng Yuan hadn’t heard of it before. Feng Yuan suspects that even if there are dedicated service facilities there, they probably only provide a few seats sparingly.

The reason being is that only basic services are provided; whether it’s Tea Wood Town’s Beastmasters or those with authorization, their numbers aren’t large. They don’t come to the magma channels for leisure; the facilities merely ensure they can quickly address any awkward situations.

Unlike Half-Mountain Stronghold, Grotto-Rock Village’s mountain roads are easily navigated, reaffirming Feng Yuan’s judgment.

Such mountain paths could not have been built by Grotto-Rock Village themselves; they have no necessity unless arranged by Tea Wood Town, most likely for the convenience of its Beastmasters.

"Using this place as a tourist attraction is rather daring; if people sneak past the checkpoint into the magma channels, it could become quite a hassle."

Feng Yuan remarked with a peculiar smile. As the team began climbing the mountain, the White Shadow Wolves slowed down, not because they couldn’t run, but because Qi Chen and his team couldn’t handle it.

For the White Shadow Wolves, running here is hardly difficult, even carrying people. However, the jostling en route is unbearable for Qi Chen and his team.

Especially since they are not far from Grotto-Rock Village; if Feng Yuan hadn’t said it was unnecessary, Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan might have dismounted the White Shadow Wolves and climbed independently.

Thanks to the carefully crafted mountain road, the White Shadow Wolves’ speed had decreased significantly but soon managed to send everyone to the front of Grotto-Rock Village.

Looking at the White Shadow Wolves resting in the shade of trees, Qi Chen couldn’t help but ask Feng Yuan

"Aren’t you letting them inside to rest?"

"They just prefer it outside, it’s not me bullying them."

Rolling his eyes, Feng Yuan replied disdainfully. Veronia chuckled softly and said

"To them, the areas where humans dwell are all similar; moreover, the food there may not suit their taste."

Seeing Veronia speak thus, Qi Chen didn’t press further, although he felt something odd was at play.

Following Feng Yuan into the village, it quickly darkened around them. The large opening was unable to bring much light across the village’s sprawling area.

Interestingly, the floor within the cavern where the village built maintained a level surface, while the Grotto-Rock Village gradually increased in height beginning from the entrance, or rather, the building levels sharply rose. At first glance, the entire village appeared as if built on a slope.

Of course, the highest point of the village is only five stories tall, incomparable to the over ten-story Half-Mountain Stronghold. Even so, up close, the further buildings carry a substantial oppressive effect.

"It’s weird indeed, why are the buildings here constructed like that?"

Scratching his head, Feng Yuan glanced around at the increasingly towering wooden structures, puzzled. Dou Yanlan furrowed her brows, also stumped by the place’s peculiarities.

Agunas swished its tail and commented

"Lighting issues."

"I see."

Prompted by Agunas, Feng Yuan immediately grasped the reasoning—unlike Half-Mountain Stronghold, which enjoys ample light except possibly its mountain-facing side, Grotto-Rock Village only receives light from the cavern entrance, deepening the interior shadows.

Even the paint utilized in Half-Mountain Stronghold is less effective here due to insufficient light entering the cavern. The light reflection is quite limited.

"So, the inhabited areas are all on top?"

Looking overhead at the surroundings, Feng Yuan was somewhat curious.