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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 237: Flower Mountain Cave
Returning from the Five Mountains without seeing Huangshan is a regret.
In just over a day, we arrived at Huangshan, known as the "Number One Marvelous Mountain in the World." The peaks compete in beauty, and the ravines rise sharply. From a distance, the towering mountains reach into the sky, majestic and ethereal.
Here, not only are the natural landscapes unique, but the cultural heritage is also profound. It is said that Xuanyuan Huangdi, an ancestor of the Chinese people, practiced self-cultivation and alchemy here, eventually becoming an immortal. Thus, Huangshan is not only renowned for its scenery but has also been a frequent destination for Taoist immortals for thousands of years.
"Look!" Snow Princess exclaimed, pointing at the long pedestrian suspension bridge ahead. It appeared to be about 130 meters long and just over a meter wide; this is Jiangnan's first cable suspension bridge!
"Is this bridge safe?" With Black Bear's doubtful tone, our group crossed it safely.
The meeting point was on the southern bank downstream of the Xin'an River in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, specifically at the ancient Huizhou Cave ruins. Among the continuous mountains, lush forests surround 36 ancient caves scattered throughout the area. These caves are diverse in shape and form, with their grand scale, spectacular atmosphere, dense distribution, distinct features being rare in China; they can be considered a unique treasure of Chinese heritage.
We were currently at Cave No. 35. Since not everyone had arrived yet, we spent this waiting time discussing our next destination, especially regarding the location of the ancient tomb. In such a vast Huangshan, I had no clues in hand; I was merely following in my father's footsteps without knowing their exact location.
As for why we came here initially, it was because this place is known as Huangshan's Devil's Triangle!
The meaning of the Devil's Triangle does not need further explanation; it is the only place that connects all our previous locations. Except for Nanyue Hengshan, whether it was Heizhugou or Wawushan's "Dao," or even Poyang Lake's Old Master Temple Waters, all exist within the Death Latitude Line. Therefore, without hesitation, we headed straight here.
After arriving here, we felt slightly relieved. The caves here have rich and unique historical research and viewing value. The Qingliang Palace is magnificent and grand; the winding streams lead to mysterious caves; the twenty-four pillars are fantastical and mysterious; and the Sisters' Rouge Cave is vibrant in color... Inside the cave are numerous giant stones and stone carvings resembling birds and beasts, pavilions and pavilions that seem lifelike and natural!
The scenic area focuses on caves; there are currently 36 confirmed caves. Their grand scale and intricate formations are indeed rare across the country. Their impressive size and unique characteristics are breathtaking and can be considered a marvel of Chinese heritage!
However, questions arise: When did these caves originate? How were they formed? Where did millions of cubic meters of stone go? How were they mined and transported? To this day, these remain unsolved mysteries!
The allure of these caves lies in a series of "mysteries," which is also why we felt somewhat at ease.
"Feng Xiao Ge!"
"Boss Pei!"
Following the voices, we saw a group of people fully armed with large bags approaching us; it was Fu Song and Wuma You. Due to time constraints within Paradise Spirit Tower, Fu Song and his team hadn't had time to dig into the secrets of my hometown before I called them back midway.
"How could we be back so soon?" The Black Bear approached us, his small eyes wide with curiosity.
Since we hadn't shared much over the phone, they were unaware of what we encountered in the Paradise Spirit Tower. I briefly explained it to them, and aside from Fu Song, who seemed to take it in stride, the others were left astonished with their mouths agape.
"So you're saying that time there actually stopped!?" Wuma You nearly glared at me in disbelief and surprise.
"That seems to be the case," Xianxian said lazily from her spot nearby.
A pair of feet stopped in front of me. I looked up to see Fu Song gazing at me, asking, "Brother Feng, where should we go next?"
I shook my head, pulling my thoughts back to reality. "I haven't decided yet."
As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Wang Yi's puzzled voice. "What do you think? How were the Huashan Grottoes actually constructed? Why build these caves?"
With Wang Yi's question, many others gathered around. Wuma You added, "There are so many things you don't know! For example, where did all those millions of cubic meters of stone go? How were they mined and transported back then? Even today, it's hard to imagine such a massive project! How did those ancient people manage it without any word getting out?"
After Wuma You's comments, everyone found the Flower Mountain Caves even more mysterious. Such a vast cave system has yet to be documented in any historical records; it's truly strange!
"In fact, there are quite a few theories about how the Flower Mountain maze was formed," Xianxian said with a smirk, still looking relaxed in her attire. "Among them are a few that This Lord finds particularly interesting; you might want to listen."
The theories Xianxian mentioned were merely among the many rumors circulating. Whether they held any truth was uncertain, but where there are rumors, there are often shadows of fact intertwined within.
What caught my attention first was the "Royal Tomb Theory" that Xianxian mentioned. Some believe that due to the grand scale and impressive nature of the Flower Mountain Caves, such an enormous project could not have been completed solely by individuals or grassroots organizations; it must have been commissioned by royalty. Furthermore, since ancient times, Ancient Huizhou has been considered a land of good fortune. There is an old saying: "Born in Suzhou, played in Yangzhou, buried in Huizhou." The local customs are simple and the geography favorable for constructing mausoleums. Thus, some speculate that the Flower Mountain Caves might be an unfinished royal tomb due to historical upheavals like wars or dynastic changes.
Another point worth considering is the Daoist paradise theory. Not far from the caves lies Qiyun Mountain, one of the Four Great Taoist Mountains of China. Daoists traditionally favored caves as places for self-cultivation and spiritual practice. This theory could explain the numerous stone chambers within the caves.
Of course, if we take a more rational approach, we could also consider this:
These caves were not completed in one go during a specific dynasty or period but were gradually excavated over a long history. Initially perhaps for quarrying purposes, later they might have been used for refuge, troop barracks, or grain storage. This hypothesis could explain why different stone patterns and carving marks exist within the same cave.
Regarding the quarrying theory: it is well-known that Ancient Huizhou Prefecture was a culturally and economically prosperous area. The hardworking and intelligent ancestors not only left us with a brilliant Huizhou culture but also many magnificent ancient residences, bridges, and roads. The Flower Mountain Caves are located by the Xin'an River; could it be that large quantities of stone were transported via this river to various parts of Huizhou as building materials? This leads to the idea that the caves formed due to stone extraction.
Moreover, I heard that a professor from Fudan University spent considerable time investigating the cave area and boldly proposed that after tens of thousands of cubic meters of stone were removed from the cave entrance, they accumulated on-site over time to form new hills. If this theory holds true, then the mystery of where the stones went could be unraveled; understanding their destination is key to solving the enigma of the caves.
However! Beyond all these speculations mentioned above, there is one theory that I find particularly intriguing—the Prehistoric Civilization theory!
People refer to the 30th parallel north as the "Death Mystery Line." Along this mysterious line, there are many enigmatic and breathtaking wonders of the world, such as the Pyramids, the Bermuda Triangle, the Dead Sea, and the Sahara Desert. The Flower Mountain Caves are also located near the 30th parallel, leading to an exciting speculation: could these be the work of aliens?
The rumors about aliens are well-known, but those who have truly encountered them are likely only high-ranking officials from various countries. I do not doubt the existence of aliens; I believe they do exist and have been helping humanity all along, though most people remain unaware of it.
In any case, regardless of speculation, we cannot determine the origin of the Flower Mountain Caves. After resting enough, I nudged Lime beside me and asked, "Where should we go now?"
Among this group of people, I undoubtedly trust Lime's choices more. After my conversation with Luo Yu in the Paradise Spirit Tower, I realized that I no longer had unconditional trust in Pei Zi and the others, especially considering the events we encountered in the Ice World, which now seem filled with doubts.
Have the clues we've found along this journey been too easy? Moreover, everything seems to revolve around the Demon Clan. From initially learning about the existence of this mysterious race to witnessing their "great feats" against the God Alliance, it feels as if we've been brainwashed...
Brainwashed?
The moment that word crossed my mind, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Perhaps it was due to my increasing paranoia over time; I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were slowly being brainwashed. Just like Xianxian suspected before that we were being led by the nose, I sensed that more and more things were inexplicably strange...
Just then, Xianxian came over and smiled, "Yeah, Lime, you decide where to go; I'm listening to you!" Seeing his cunning expression made me realize what he was thinking. With no clear direction and an ancient relic present here, everyone else's opinions seemed trivial.
So I temporarily set aside my doubts and looked at Lime, waiting for his decision.
"Let's go in," Lime said calmly while looking at a nearby cave.
"OK, ready to set off!" I could hardly contain my excitement. Even though I... might not truly be my father's biological son... I not only want to find him and get answers but also to uncover the mystery of my true identity.
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