The Wu Shi Dragon Grotto is an arena that debuted in Mortal Kombat 11. It is located beneath the Wu Shi Academy, and also houses Earthrealm's Jinsei within the springs.
Deep underground beneath the Wu Shi Academy and guarded by a dungeon filled with traps just outside its entrance, the Dragon Grotto is a natural cavern from which a spring of Earthrealm's lifeforce, the Jinsei, sprung forth. The monks of the White Lotus Society built an effigy of many dragons around the spring, some carved from limestone while more were carved from gold and have the spring pouring from their mouths, to honor the Elder Gods. Many students and residents of the academy above will bring tributes of gold, food, and other items to the spring in reverence of both Earthrealm and the Elder Gods, while the White Lotus Society protects the spring as one of their most well-guarded secrets so that no one of evil intent may harness the power of the Jinsei for their own nefarious needs.
Theme songs[]
Wu Shi Dragon Grotto (Mortal Kombat 11)
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
The Dragon Grotto was shown by Kung Jin as he was taking Aiko below the stone slab. He was ecstatic on showing her the White Lotus Society's greatest secret, which was the hidden cavern that housed the Jinsei springs that was originally created from the Sky Temple. Jin told her the monks rotate to keep it away from intruders and evildoers from other realms, as the Jinsei had many healing properties as well as being the lifeforce of the planet itself. Warriors sculptured numerous effigies of dragons honoring the Elder Gods, and they offered them with food, gold, and other sundries. Jin said that Raiden, and other defenders, occasionally rest there after they're wounded from battle.
This location was also the hiding place for all the hapless monks once the Academy got invaded by Kahn's extermination squads. Jin stayed with Liu's grandfather while Kung Lao, Raiden, and Aiko went to Nightwolf's sacred land.
Thankfully, there was little to no damage as the monks and Jin finally emerged once Liu destroyed Kahn. The Jinsei fountain restored its purity once Earthrealm and Outworld restored themselves.
Return of the Dragon King[]
The Dragon Grotto was a sanctuary for the frantic Monks as they were being invaded by Dark Raiden and his enforcer, Zombie Liu Kang! Kenshi urged Aiko to evacuate the refugees there while he, and soon Fujin, Kung Lao, and Liu's pure spirit, dealt with the calamity! Eventually, everyone, assisted by Ermac, were able to make it thru the traps and stayed within the Jinsei Grotto. Moments later, Ermac warped himself and the injured Kenshi there, before the place was shook by the sudden impact of the raging rainstorm and electric strike! The soulkinetic kept everyone at bay, until it was breached by Nightwolf teleporting in it! Soon came Raiden...as his normal, benevolent self! He assured everyone he was the real deal and are in good hands; he offered to take Fujin and Nightwolf to the Sky Temple, while the Champions shall finish the mission, and Kenshi and Aiko returned to the Temple of Elements to protect Shinnok's Amulet from Onaga,
Final Kombat[]
Raiden has summoned Kung Lao, Aiko, Liu Kang, Kitana, Kuai, Frost, Smoke, Nightwolf, Kenshi, Hanzo, and Frederick there via portal to avoid the lethal traps. The Thunder God expressed his worries concerning Blaze and Armageddon is upon the heroes and all the realms. Liu expressed his concerns, as Kenshi read his mind, that their enemies can gain the upper hand, while Hanzo thought the same. Frost declared they should be taken out before Armageddon starts, though Raiden stated it was likely they'd be resurrected before that. So, he decided to espionage the underworld and assembled a small group that still had their souls tainted consisting of Aiko, Lao, Nightwolf, himself, Hanzo and Frederick. Kitana also mentioned before she left Edenia and was found by Frederick, she had a scuffle with the Shokan as Goro and Sheeva were planning to relocate to Australia for a fresh start, until Kintaro invaded the throne room! Goro won over him, but he didn't kill him; instead, everyone made the offer if he could take Goro and Sheeva's place as a bodyguard.
Liu Kang decided to stick with Kitana to settle some matters.
Moments later, Raiden offered a rip leading there from the Academy for Aiko, Kung Lao and Caro to rest in; Lao decided to tag along to keep the duo company, but Taven was halted after Caro spilt the beans on Daegon's treachery. The trio wondered deeply on what Shinnok's and Caro's warnings meant, even when she theorized if the Oriental may be a different version of Liu Kang since there're currently two forms of her too. They pondered about this, and Caro reckoned it won't be Kronika as she'd be too self-centered upon supporting her golden child and manipulating the pantheon. All a sudden, Aiko's heart gems possessed by her and Lao began to act up, giving them a couple hallucinations including Revenant Liu Kang and his undead cohorts worshipping Shinnok, even having an engraving missing its head. Aiko asked what date it was from the sudden daze, which was April 14th, and she realized it was the same day the undead legion first invaded Earthrealm, and she felt she'd been in a time loop since. Caro then came to the conclusion that Blaze is capable on not only destruction and Armageddon but having his victims be erased from existence.
Caro, Lao and Aiko took a slumber there, and according to Raiden, they'd been asleep for a few hours. He soon led them out of there after he took Aiko's advice that the heart gems were being tapped by Shinnok's mimicked cardiokinesis. He then insisted Caro to visit Yin Yang Island and see if that elemental's indeed Liu Kang, only to have him reunited with Orin and watch over Taven.
As Armageddon roamed around, Raiden reached the Grotto where Liu and Kitana were and suddenly shocked the Edenian!! The monk was outraged, though the electrokinetic assured she was only unconscious. Liu confirmed but wasn't certain of his strategy. Raiden stated she would be safe if everything goes as planned, and only he must win. Liu stated to Kitana earlier it shall be him since he was able to thwart the other overlords. He thought Raiden would have him comatosed too, but...he would rather save him. All a sudden, Liu was enveloped in lightning and immobilized with him! She came across a sudden blue zip, and she hesitantly touched it, causing the rip to open! She went into the portal leading to the Grotto and she couldn't believe who stood before her! It was Liu Kang!! He immediately laid one of her heart gems next to the unconscious Edenian and told her to do the same. He merged them into one larger jewel, the same effect in which he went thru! He urged to notify Caro; he'd know what to do if she can give him that heart gem! Aiko was upset he was willing to fight Blaze until the end, even when merged with Raiden, and finally fulfilling his destiny as the Chosen One! He whispered, "This will be...my final kombat." With a salute, he disappeared with a clap of thunder and flash of lightning. Aiko knew right then his sudden departure was a part of Raiden...
Aiko felt her heart gem ignite and Caro sent her gem to him via his own rip. Without her gem, she recalled all the time shifts and finally unveiled it wasn't from the negligible Kronika nor Raiden...it was him! Fire God Liu Kang was responsible for erasing Kronika and Cetrion, sending Aiko and Baraka back from their distant future, encouraged Kung Lao to keep on living, and watching over everyone... She broke down never wanting him to sacrifice himself and never noticing Kitana's vessel dissolve while the gem revitalized the Edenian on the island... The area was still intact after Blaze decimated himself.
Trivia[]
- It's quite possible that the Jinsei was inspired by the Lifestream, the Planet's sacred life force, from Final Fantasy VII. Since it was the sacred cave housing Earthrealm's vitality, and it's used for healing properties, fearing that evildoers could harness its purities, it may be based on the Lifestream as well as the holy lands, even if Shinra and the Sephiroth clones should corrode it and make the Planet suffer.