The Portal of Wonderland

There was infinite darkness… There wasn’t any trace of light. Even time seemed to have become unclear and deceptive… It seemed as if every moment was taking thousands of years to flow.

Shi Mu suddenly opened his eyes. He felt as if he had woken from a nightmare.

He tried to move his body, but his body refused to comply. Instead, a fit of acute pain started to spread from every part of his body. He felt a strange taste in his throat, and he nearly puffed out a mouthful of blood. He got scared by this. So, he gave up on the thought of trying.

Shi Mu swept his gaze around, but couldn’t see anything except for the endless darkness. He moved his hand to feel his body, and discovered that the surrounding area was the boundless sea water.

“Seabed?”

He was stunned for a moment. But then, a pale-golden light gleamed in his eyes, and the surrounding area became crystal clear to him.

He indeed lay down at the bottom of the sea at the moment. His whole body was surrounded by corals and strange plants. Some plants looked like palm-leaf-fans, while some were very smooth like a lower millstone. They were of vibrant colors. They were glittering, and emitting strange brilliance in the swaying sea water. A cluster of beautiful and lustrous small fishes would sometimes gather near him. And, they would shuttle back and forth between the corals in a playful manner.

However, Shi Mu’s brows creased since a strange feeling had suddenly struck his heart.

He saw that a shadow appeared in the frontal sea area the next moment. Then, it started to swim in his direction at an extremely fast speed.

This shadow was a grey marine beast. Its contour bore a very strong resemblance to that of a shark. Its body was forty-or-fifty-feet long. It had a cone-shaped head, and its mouthful of sharp fangs seemed similar to double-edged swords. Those sharp fangs were giving off a fierce kind of aura.

Shi Mu was alarmed to see that this marine beast was advancing toward him. This beast couldn’t be regarded as a very vigorous sea beast. But, Shi Mu was in a paralyzed kind of state at this time. He couldn’t even budge an inch. Therefore, his heart couldn’t help but pound wildly.

The grey sea beast approached him at an alarming speed. Shi Mu squeezed out his entire remaining strength to stimulate the operation of Real Qi and magic power in his body. However, he soon realized that both his Real Qi and magic power were nearly exhausted at the moment. So, it was futile to stimulate their operation.

Shi Mu’s heart was fluttering with a fit of fear. But then, the grey sea beast went past the top of Shi Mu’s head in a casual manner. It seemed as if it hadn’t even seen him even though he was almost within its reach. Then, the marine beast soon disappeared into the distance.

Shi Mu was dumbfounded by this. But then, he looked at his body, and his eyes brightened.

He saw that his whole body was shrouded in a layer of transparent light-curtain. This light-curtain was spherical in shape. He must’ve failed to notice it since he hadn’t seen his body in a careful manner until now.

His chest felt a bit hot. Apparently, the source of this light-curtain was somewhere on his chest.

Shi Mu controlled his breathing for a moment, and succeeded in restoring a bit of his strength. After that, he made an effort to raise his hand. He moved his hand to his chest with difficulty, and fumbled for some time. He then took out a blue pearl in the hollow of his palm. It was the same pearl that Xiang Zhu had bestowed on him!

He looked at the clam pearl a few times, and a hint of understanding flashed through his eyes. He reckoned that this pearl must have emitted that light-curtain which had hidden him from that sea beast.

Shi Mu heaved a sigh of relief when he discovered the role of this pearl. He then put the pearl back into his clothes.

He looked around with an expressionless look in his eyes. The fact was that Shi Mu had been swaying in a train of disturbing thoughts at the moment. The only thing that he remembered was that he had fled from the Gigantic Vast Sea Boat. He had then been injured by that monstrous octopus sea beast to such an extent that he had fallen unconscious. But, the memories after that were a bit blurry.

He could vaguely recall that he had transformed into the white ape once again at the last moment. And then, he had gotten entangled in a bloody hand-to-hand fight with that octopus in the sea. Also, he had sustained further serious injuries in that battle, and had subsequently passed out.

He could also recall that he had experienced a dream of the white ape when he was unconscious. He had been incarnated into a white ape once again in that dream. Afterwards, he had been chased down, and almost killed by a colorful-robed old man.

“What does that dreamland want to indicate this time?” Shi Mu’s eyes flickered as he was pondered over this matter.

“Oh, that’s right… that old man’s mount was a nine-headed golden dragon. I had seen that the white ape had slaughtered that nine-headed golden dragon in the sea when I had dreamed of the white ape last time. But, that old man’s mount was very small. Is it possible that there’s a connection between these two dreams? In addition, there was that ancient golden book… is it possible…” Random thoughts were tumbling in his mind at the moment.

The fact was that Shi Mu had decided that he would try to find the ‘Rising to the Heaven Peak’ once he had reached the Western Continent. He had thought that he might be able to find some answers related to the mystery of the white ape’s memories at the ‘Rising to the Heaven Peak’.

Also, there should be a lot of secrets related to that ancient golden book – ‘Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art’.

Shi Mu’s heart couldn’t help but experience a kind of fervent feeling as this idea popped in his head.

But then, he shook his head, and put these thoughts aside for the time being.

The most important thing right now was that he had to regain his strength, and leave this place.

So, Shi Mu pacified his swaying mind, and regained his equanimity. He sat down cross-legged while leaning against a coral. Then, he fished out a Restoration pill and a Healing pill from his clothes. After that, he closed his eyes.

The Real Qi in his body gradually grew as the efficacy of the pills spread in his body.

Shi Mu opened his eyes after an unknown span of time. Half of his Real Qi had been restored. Also, his body had recovered a lot.

Shi Mu waved his hand, and a bluish-green long shuttle emerged beneath him. It carried him, and flew upwards.

“Crash-Bang” Shi Mu darted out of the water with a splashing sound after a moment.

The area around him was the boundless sea. However, the horizon of Western Continent could be seen not far from there.

Shi Mu’s heart overwhelmed with exhilaration as a result. He stimulated the bluish-green long shuttle, and flew toward his destination.

But then, a burst of screeching spread from behind. A black silhouette appeared in midair, and chased after him.

“Shi Tou, wait for me!” Shi Mu heard a familiar and boisterous voice at this moment.

Shi Mu stopped the Jade shuttle, and the black silhouette approached him quickly; it was Cai.

“Shi Tou, you’re finally awake! You were sleeping for three days and three nights this time,” Cai landed on Shi Mu’s shoulder, and said while gasping for breath.

“So, have you been waiting for me here all this time?” Shi Mu asked.

“I can see the depths of the sea, but I can’t drill into the water. So, I was left with no choice but to wait for you outside,” Cai replied.

Shi Mu’s eyes flashed. He couldn’t help but recall the situation before his stupor. He was unaware that he had been in an unconscious state for so long. Moreover, only Cai had waited for him to come back. And, this had touched him rather deeply.

“Shi Tou, how did you become that big white ape that day? Is it due to that barbarian’s totem technique that you practice?” Cai asked in a somewhat curious manner.

“It’s not because of that secret totem technique. In fact, I’m not too clear about this matter either. The first time that I had transformed into a white ape was a long time ago.” Shi Mu hesitated a bit. But then, he shared his experience of transforming into a white ape. He also gave a brief explanation of his frequent dreams of the white ape.

Cai seemed appeared to be an ordinary parrot. However, his actual age was much more than that of Shi Mu’s. Also, it seemed that he had been summoned by other people before he had been summoned by the Young Master Ju.

Shi Mu had learnt about these things only recently.

“Cai, you always keep on bragging about how experienced and knowledgeable you are. So, do you know why I keep experiencing this strange thing?” Shi Mu asked.

“Well, this is a rare case. My experience of many years compels me to say that your situation is somewhat similar to the condition where a demon spirit takes possession of a body,” Cai guessed after a momentary consideration.

“A demon spirit takes possession of a body… what is this again?” Shi Mu was startled.

“Well, let me tell you like this… your situation is almost the same as the Barbarians who seal beasts’ spirits in their bodies. I had often heard one of my masters talking about this matter. However, I didn’t care about it at the time. Anyway, you must have something in your body that has some relation with that white ape,” Cai explained.

“Perhaps, it may be the case. That warrant ‘to seize and kill’ me was indeed the main reason behind my choice to go to the Western Continent. However, it wasn’t the only reason. I also had a kind of premonition that I still haven’t been able to shake off my heart. I had felt that the Western Continent was crucial to solving the riddle of the White ape’s dreamland,” Shi Mu said with a brief nod.

“So, this is the case. Anyway, the ape that has possessed you is very formidable. After all, it was able to defeat that gigantic octopus! Now, let’s rush to the Western Continent!” Cai eagerly spoke-up.

Shi Mu nodded, and the bluish-green shuttle under his feet brightened. The shuttle then sped in the direction of the coastline which still looked like a black line.

“Oh, by the way… what had happened to Liu An and the other people after I fell unconscious?” Shi Mu suddenly remembered that he had flown off the ship in order to escape. So, he asked.

“Those people fled as soon as they saw that you were holding-up that octopus sea beast. That bunch of scumbags didn’t even stay to assist you!” Cai replied.

The expression in Shi Mu’s eyes changed, and he cracked into a soft chuckle.

“Oh, by the way… had Liu An and the others discovered that the white ape was my incarnation?” Shi Mu’s eyebrows plunged into a frown as he thought of this matter.

“No, they were under the impression that the white ape had suddenly appeared from somewhere. The situation had taken a very uproarious form after the ship you were on board was attacked and sent to the bottom of the sea. Everyone had been concerned about their own safety. So, nobody had the time to think about anything. Even Liu An thought that you had died in that attack,” Cai said.

“That’s wonderful. I will seize this opportunity to get rid of Liu An’s entanglement,” Shi Mu’s facial expression loosened, and he said with a nod.

Shi Mu finally arrived at the coastline after over two hours of flying. Then, he set foot in the land of the Western Continent for the first time in his life.

He stood on the pale-yellow sand by the side of the seacoast, and swept his vision around.

There was a grand forest with luxuriant foliage not far from here. But, Shi Mu wasn’t familiar with the majority of species present here. In addition, unusually lofty trees could also be seen here. This forest was very similar to the dense forest that he had seen in the Portal of Brave Warriors.

The scorching sun was high up in the sky. It was emitting scalding and dazzling rays of light.

The tree leaves would issue a crisp sound like that of gurgling water whenever the sea breeze found its way through the leaves of the forest.

Shi Mu closed his eyes, and took a long and deep breath. And, he felt the surge of an excessively soothing feeling in his body the next moment.

The heavenly and spiritual energy that prevailed in the atmosphere of this place was exceptionally rich; it was much superior to that of the Eastern Continent.

“This place is a treasure trove! It looks like the land of this place has never been put under the plough. Therefore, the resources it contains are far beyond the resources of the Eastern Continent. No wonder the Dark Moon Cult wanted to relocate their people to this continent,” Shi Mu opened his eyes, and said.

Cai nodded repeatedly. Simultaneously, he continued to observe the surrounding area in an inquisitive manner.

Shi Mu swept his gaze around a couple of times. He wished to set out on an exploration trip of this continent right away, but it wasn’t the right time to do so.

He walked toward the forest near the sea’s surface, and sat down cross-legged under a towering tree.

“Cai, be on you guard, and keep watch on the circumferential situation for me.” Shi Mu shook his head, and cast these thoughts off his mind for the time being. Then, he said to Cai.

Cai complied, and flew up in the sky. He then landed on the lofty tree Shi Mu was seated under, and started to sweep his glance at the surrounding area.

Shi Mu again took out a Restoration pill from his clothes, and started the operation of his cultivation art.

Nearly half-a-day seemed to have passed in a flash. Shi Mu finally opened his eyes. His eyes seemed to be projecting two beams of cold light.

He shook his sleeves and stood up. The hint of a delightful smile hung on his face.

This place was loaded with plentiful sources of spiritual energy. The wonderful atmosphere had allowed him to restore his Real Qi and magic power to its peak within half-a-day. Moreover, the injuries of his body had completely healed.

“Shi Tou, are you all right?” Cai swooped down.

“Let’s go and explore this new continent!” Shi Mu moved his head in a nod. Then, he looked toward the depths of the forest, and said with great enthusiasm.

Cai was also bubbling with zestful excitement. So, he issued a few strange and excited ‘Quack’ sounds. Then, he flew up, and started to hover around Shi Mu once again.