With a hiss, the purplish-brown flames engulfed Little Healer Immortal and the others, like a fire dragon recklessly rushing out from the countless figures, causing a wave of panic. They charged straight into the exceptionally hot fire passage. As they entered the fire passage, the surrounding temperature noticeably increased by dozens of times. The solid crimson rocks were burnt red, and beneath them, the scorching lava spewed forth like a fountain. The searing debris within the lava also became quite lethal at this moment. A single misstep could result in their protective qi being punctured, and they would be torn apart in an instant.
However, for Xiao Yan, this troublesome fire passage posed no difficulty. With the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame protecting him, neither the lava nor the strange blue flames erupting from all sides could harm Xiao Yan and his companions. The power of the Heavenly Fire was fully displayed here. Inside the fire passage, there were other strong individuals also pushing forward. Their bodies were entirely covered by robust qi, without a single gap. Although they managed to enter, it was clearly far less effortless than for Xiao Yan and his group. The blue flames seemed to have the peculiar effect of melting qi. During the process, the consumption of qi far exceeded many people’s expectations. Even a Battle Sect expert would not last long under such consumption.
As these people endured the flames and lava, rushing forward, they noticed Xiao Yan and his group, who strolled leisurely, causing a momentary shock in their eyes. Xiao Yan, however, ignored these gazes. With a thought, the purplish-brown flames whooshed up, carrying everyone rapidly towards the depths of the fire passage. Boosted by the power of the Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yan and the others advanced swiftly. In just a few minutes, they overtook some strong individuals who had entered earlier. However, even so, they had yet to see the end of the fire passage.
“Indeed, this is the legacy left by a Dou Saint. This fire passage is so long; it seems some people will be in big trouble…” Little Healer Immortal couldn’t help but chuckle lightly upon seeing this.
Xiao Yan also smiled and nodded. The blue flames around them were extremely strange, capable of melting qi. Those who wanted to rely on their powerful qi to force their way in were indeed going to be in trouble. Such a long passage, unless one was incredibly strong, few people would be able to pass through with their qi alone. According to Xiao Yan’s estimation, just the flame columns at the entrance would eliminate many people.
“Heh, isn’t that the group from Binghe Valley up ahead?” The Heavenly Fire Venerable’s gaze swept over the front of the channel, suddenly saying.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and looked up. Sure enough, he saw a large mass of white cold mist not far ahead, faintly revealing some figures. The coldness felt familiar to Xiao Yan, as it was the unique icy qi of Binghe Valley.
“Hmph!” When Xiao Yan and his group’s gazes landed, the Binghe Venerable inside the cold mist also sensed Xiao Yan and the others behind. He immediately let out a cold snort, waved his sleeve, and enveloped the Binghe Valley experts in a cold light, suddenly speeding up and disappearing from Xiao Yan and the others’ view.
“Trash, running so fast, afraid we’ll attack them?” Seeing this, Xiong Zhan grinned disdainfully.
Xiao Yan smiled. With their current lineup, they no longer feared Binghe Valley. If they really fought, the one to be worried about would be Binghe Venerable.
“Let’s go. I feel something is not right with this fire passage. Let’s get out first…”
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the blue flames around, and his brows furrowed involuntarily. Though these flames weren’t Heavenly Flames, they were extremely strange. Ordinary qi in the face of these flames acted like a catalyst, not only unable to extinguish them but also making the flames more intense.
His words fell, and Xiao Yan waved his sleeve, his speed shooting up. He transformed into a streak of firelight, dashing towards the end of the fire passage. Riding the firelight, Xiao Yan and the others also rushed a distance. Occasionally, they saw some lone figures with rather sullen expressions. Yet, what puzzled them was that the group from Binghe Valley had completely disappeared.
“Something is wrong. The people from Binghe Valley can’t possibly surpass us in speed…” Little Healer Immortal frowned, finally speaking gravely after a moment.
Xiao Yan slightly slowed down, his eyes flashing, and he looked up at the depths of the fire passage, which was still a sea of red, with no sign of an end.
“This fire passage is too long; is the end truly up ahead?”
Bear War grumbled impatiently.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was stunned, and he halted. His gaze flickered, seeming to understand something. He said solemnly, “This fire passage is a trap. The path in front of us is not the real path to the ruins. If we keep following the fire passage, we’ll eventually exhaust our qi.”
“If this fire passage is not the right path, where is the true path?” Little Healer Immortal questioned, her gaze shifting to the crimson walls on either side. These walls were made of extremely hard crimson rocks. Xiao Yan and the others couldn’t identify what these rocks were, but since they were chosen by a Dou Saint and used to build the ruins, they certainly weren’t ordinary. Using brute force to break through clearly wouldn’t work.
Xiao Yan pondered, then his gaze shifted downward, finally stopping on the thick, crimson lava below. He spoke slowly, “The reason the Binghe Valley people vanished is likely because Binghe Venerable discovered the true path. But the walls and ceiling of this channel are all solid rock.”
“You mean… the path isn’t up ahead, but below?” Little Healer Immortal asked in surprise.
“The owner of these ruins is truly cunning. Who would think of jumping into lava?”
The Heavenly Fire Venerable was equally startled.
“Heh, no wonder the Binghe Valley people were in such a hurry to lose us; they didn’t want us to know they found the real entrance.” Xiao Yan chuckled, reminding the others. He waved his sleeve, and the purplish-brown flame enveloped everyone as they plunged directly into the scalding red lava.
Diving into the lava, Xiao Yan and the others quickly sank. The lava was blistering, but for those protected by the Heavenly Flame, it posed no obstacle. After sinking for about a minute, they heard a muffled sound, and their feet met empty air, sliding a short distance before landing on the cool floor again.
Everyone’s feet hit the floor, and they quickly looked up. Their faces were covered in shock. Above them, about several dozen meters away, the crimson lava twisted and hung like giant vipers, forming a loop. Occasionally, they could see figures passing above, clearly using the fire passage. Such a long fire passage, if followed, would surely lead to endless twists and turns.
“Tsk tsk, indeed a relic of the ancient age, fooling everyone like this. Imagine if those who endured countless trials reached the end of the fire passage only to find a stone wall. Would they collapse on the spot in frustration?” Xiao Yan looked at the winding fire passage, feeling a bit gloating.
Little Healer Immortal and the others couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Looks like the people who came here before never found the true path. Perhaps due to the seal, the mechanisms here weren’t fully activated, allowing some lucky ones to slip through,” Little Healer Immortal said.
Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze sweeping their surroundings. They were now in a spacious stone passage extending far away, leading to a dimly visible square with some figures.
“Let’s go. This should be the real entrance to the ruins, but our goal is the Soul Baby Fruit and the Heaven Tier Skill. We’ll let them fight for it. Everything else must wait until we get the Soul Baby Fruit,” Xiao Yan said solemnly.
Everyone nodded.
“In the hall, the task of finding the Soul Baby Fruit falls to Zi Yan. You have a special connection to these treasures and will search much faster than us,” Xiao Yan instructed Zi Yan.
“Hee hee, no problem, leave it to me,” Zi Yan nodded, eager to take the initiative in searching for natural treasures.
Xiao Yan smiled, tapped the ground, and his figure turned into a blur, dashing towards the distant square. Little Healer Immortal and the others quickly followed.
The passage wasn’t too long, and with Xiao Yan’s speed, it took only a few minutes to reach the square. At the same time, he noticed that there were already many people who had arrived before them. Most of them were the quickest ones, including the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and Binghe Valley.
The sudden appearance of Xiao Yan and his group attracted everyone’s attention. Binghe Venerable’s brows furrowed, clearly surprised that Xiao Yan and the others had discovered the secret of the fire passage so quickly.
Xiao Yan paid no attention to these glances. As soon as he stepped onto the square, his gaze fixated on the end of the square. There, an extremely heavy stone door stood, with ten immovable, silver-skinned, and lifeless bodies before it, like ancient corpses.
“Earth Spirit Puppets?” Looking at these cadaver-like entities, Xiao Yan’s eyes twitched in shock.
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