The Golems of the Immortal’s Cave

Stepping through the azure stone gate, the interior of the immortal’s cave was laid bare before them. The floor was paved with dark gray flagstones, upon which various metal golems, each distinct in shape, lay scattered haphazardly. A fine layer of gray dust coated these metal figures, clear evidence of their long neglect.

These golems varied greatly in size and appearance. The largest among them stood five or six zhang tall and three zhang wide. It took the form of a winged tiger, seemingly modeled after the ancient ferocious beast, Qiongqi. The smallest, no bigger than a fist, was shaped like a flying bird, its original form unknown.

“What are these?” Chi Qiu first investigated with her senses. Only after confirming that these oddly shaped metal constructs held no lingering true qi did she curiously touch one, then turn to Su Hanxing.

“These are golems, a type of mechanical construct,” Su Hanxing explained softly, his face etched with surprise as he gazed at the myriad golems scattered throughout the cave. “It seems this person’s mastery of mechanical arts was truly profound, to have forged so many golems.” After carefully examining a humanoid golem nearby, he added, “Even without using true qi, these golems possess strength comparable to a Heart Scripture Realm cultivator.”

“Oh? They can exhibit the strength of a Heart Scripture Realm cultivator without true qi?” Chi Qiu moved to Su Hanxing’s side, joining him in observing the black humanoid golem before them.

“Precisely. Once activated, these golems can automatically draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to power their movements. Furthermore, their bodies are crafted from spiritual materials, making them incredibly tough. While cultivators of the same level can suppress them, it’s exceedingly difficult to inflict serious damage; they are truly troublesome opponents.” Su Hanxing patted the black humanoid golem, nodding slightly as a metallic clank echoed.

“So useful! The owner of this immortal’s cave, even in such a remote location, managed to create these metal golems. No wonder they could associate with the Heart God Sect?” Upon hearing the golems’ capabilities, Chi Qiu’s eyes immediately sparkled. Then, recalling something else, she hastily asked again.

“Little Chi, you can try to see if you can place this golem into a storage artifact,” Su Hanxing replied with a faint smile.

“Could it be that these golems cannot be stored in spatial artifacts or personal caves?” Hearing Su Hanxing’s words, Chi Qiu instantly grasped the situation. She raised a hand and lightly brushed her storage ring; a flash of purple light appeared, but the golem before her remained utterly still.

“Indeed. Once these golems are fully constructed, they cannot be stored in any spatial dimension, be it a storage artifact or a personal cave.” Su Hanxing nodded.

“I’m surprised you know so much about golems and mechanical arts. I’ve never heard of such things before.” Seeing that she couldn’t store the golem, Chi Qiu dropped her hand and turned to Su Hanxing, speaking with considerable curiosity.

“Actually, within Daqi, there was once a sect that specialized solely in cultivating mechanical golems. However, tens of thousands of years ago, the Daqi Emperor led an army to destroy it.” Su Hanxing, fully aware of Chi Qiu’s implication, did not conceal anything and slowly began to explain. “The name of that sect has long been lost in the river of time, known to no one anymore. However, our Tianyan Sect has collected quite a few secret texts on mechanical golems, which, according to legend, were secretly gathered by a Grand Elder when that sect was annihilated.”

“Is this the true heritage of a great sect, to possess even such secret arts?” Chi Qiu raised an eyebrow, her words tinged with envy.

“I’m quite curious, why did the Daqi Imperial Family send troops to destroy that sect?” As Su Hanxing held a secret of the cultivation world, unknown to most, Chi Qiu pressed him with eager impatience.

“Well… the legend says that sect, in its pursuit of creating golems, committed great evil by slaughtering mortals. That’s why they were eradicated.” Su Hanxing pondered for a moment before answering.

“Then they truly deserved their fate, no pity lost for their destruction.” Chi Qiu nodded gently. One must understand that the Daqi Imperial Family regarded the crime of wantonly slaughtering mortals with extreme gravity. If the number of massacred mortals was too high, even a cultivator who had reached the Calamity Tribulation Realm would be hunted down and executed by the Imperial Family.

Chi Qiu had spent the greater part of her life as a mortal, and her parents had died due to cultivators. Thus, she naturally harbored not an ounce of goodwill towards cultivators who indiscriminately killed mortals.

“They certainly deserved their end. However, after that sect’s destruction, the path of mechanical golems gradually vanished. Occasionally, powerful practitioners of this path would emerge, but they were merely a fleeting phenomenon. Moreover, cultivating this path carried a significant drawback.” Su Hanxing reached out, gently stroking Chi Qiu’s head, and continued his explanation.

“What drawback?” Chi Qiu asked curiously.

“Difficulty in transcending tribulations.” Su Hanxing idly played with Chi Qiu’s dark hair. “The Calamity Tribulation Realm involves three calamities: water, fire, and lightning. These three tribulations directly test a cultivator’s very foundation. However, cultivators who practice the path of mechanical golems primarily refine their golems. Consequently, they themselves are almost incapable of surviving the fire calamity, which incinerates the physical body.”

“So that’s how it is…” Upon hearing this, Chi Qiu suddenly understood. While golems could engage in battle, they could not withstand heavenly tribulations on behalf of their masters.

“These golems are of little use to either of us. Moreover, since they cannot be stored in spatial artifacts, taking them outside would make it far too easy for the Heart God Sect’s evil monks to detect them.” Su Hanxing spread his hands, speaking with a hint of helplessness. Given that Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators could easily perceive them, it would be best to leave them here.

“Hmm, you have a point. Let’s quickly search for other rare treasures within this immortal’s cave instead.” Chi Qiu nodded, gently shifting her gaze away from the golems.

“Little Chi, you previously mentioned sensing the aura of the ‘Dao.’ Can you still feel it now?” Su Hanxing asked.

“Let me sense it for a moment.” Chi Qiu nodded slightly, then closed her eyes, carefully attuning her senses. Before long, she abruptly opened her golden eyes. She had indeed perceived the faint, ethereal aura of the ‘Dao’ within the immortal’s cave.

“There is indeed an aura of the ‘Dao,’ but its location is very peculiar.” Chi Qiu scratched her head with a hint of confusion.

“Where is it?” Su Hanxing hastily inquired.

“Beneath our feet.” Chi Qiu pointed to the gray flagstones underfoot.

“Underfoot?” Su Hanxing paused in surprise. “Where underfoot?”

“Roughly here.” Chi Qiu shifted her feet, then moved three zhang away to a specific spot, stating, “It’s directly beneath this very point.”

Without further hesitation, Su Hanxing first conducted a quick scan, confirming there were no traces of true qi within. Then, with a wave of his hand, a burst of true qi rapidly expanded, blasting the flagstones away.