Chapter 173: Initial Trust
“Damn it, it’s hot enough to kill someone! These Fire-devouring Demon Spirits are endless. Old Lin, how much longer until we can get out of here?”
Old Hu was drenched in sweat. Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, in this world filled with nothing but flames, his mana simply could not withstand such consumption.
Beside him, Yun Yao displayed the effects of her cultivation technique. Under the extremely yin and frigid Water Shield Technique, she appeared exceptionally refreshed.
Seeing this scene, Old Hu could not help but say enviously, “Daoist Yun, could you perhaps…”
Before his words had even fallen, Yun Yao raised her hand and directly cast a Water Shield Technique, protecting all three of them.
“Recover your mana in turns.”
Afterwards, Yun Yao’s expression grew solemn as she looked at Lin Chang’an.
“Brother Lin, how much longer until we can get out of here?”
Faced with this question, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flashed with a trace of awkwardness. Could he really say that, for over half a month, they had been proceeding carefully without major mistakes?
He would rather walk the same path twice than take risks—yet it had already been more than half a month.
“Soon. I’ve already figured out quite a few patterns.”
Although it had taken them more than half a month, Lin Chang’an had not made zero progress.
Just as he was leading the two of them further forward, Lin Chang’an suddenly halted.
“What’s going on, Old Lin!?”
“Brother Lin?”
Yun Yao and Old Hu grew tense, warily scanning their surroundings, while Lin Chang’an activated the Eight Trigrams Disc Formation Tool in his hand. Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
“Why did the fire-attributed spiritual qi suddenly become so dense and violent?”
On the Eight Trigrams Disc, the Li Trigram in the due south flickered with blazing light, startling Lin Chang’an.
“Not good—someone is forcefully breaking into the formation, triggering its counterattack. The entire formation has now been activated.”
“Doesn’t that mean we’ll be facing a genuine third-rank grand formation!?”
Old Hu’s eyes widened. Could their group of Foundation Establishment cultivators really handle such a thing?
“Old Hu, if you don’t understand, don’t spout nonsense.”
Lin Chang’an glared at him in irritation, and Yun Yao also gave a cold snort. Old Hu’s words had startled even her just now.
As the formation was stimulated, the abundant fire spiritual qi continued to condense into Fire-devouring Demon Spirits. But most of them were rushing in one particular direction.
“Quickly, let’s go. Our chance has arrived.”
Lin Chang’an revealed a look of delight. Thanks to the outsiders’ activation of the formation, he had finally discerned the path forward.
Although it also increased their difficulty, it likewise exposed the formation’s details.
And since someone else was drawing the firepower, there could not be a better opportunity.
——
Outside the formation, six Foundation Establishment cultivators looked on excitedly as a gap was blasted open in the formation barrier.
Two Foundation Establishment cultivators at perfection stage treated the elder leading them with great respect.
After all, this elder was a False Core cultivator of their clan.
The False Core elder said with a grave expression:
“You two stay outside. This time, we must obtain this relic cave abode.”
“Yes!”
As the four of them entered, the remaining two Foundation Establishment cultivators hurriedly retreated until they reached a safe area.
“Sigh, if only the second-rank formation master we invited had arrived. Then we would have had better assurance.”
“Don’t worry. This time, even Elder Fu He has come. There definitely won’t be a problem.”
This group was composed of cultivators from Shayun Kingdom. They had inadvertently discovered the relic here, and so had traveled thousands of miles, using a merchant guild as cover to secretly come to Tianxuan City.
Originally, they had planned to wait for the clan’s formation master. But then, the soul lamp of the guest elder who had informed them of the relic’s existence had extinguished.
Knowing that something had happened to the relic, they had rushed here in haste.
Although the formation master had not come, their party still included a premium-grade first-rank formation master, and even a False Core cultivator as their leader.
This filled them with confidence.
In fact, they even planned to flee Shayun Kingdom altogether once they obtained the relic treasures.
Even if it meant losing the merchant guild that had covered their tracks, it would still be worth it.
——
At the gate of the Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation.
“Old Lin, what’s going on? Why are these demon spirits acting like they’ve gone mad?”
Inside the formation’s sea of fire, new demon spirits continuously emerged, rushing in one direction, while many Fire-devouring Demon Spirits still attacked them.
Although the pressure increased, Lin Chang’an’s face showed joy.
“As expected, this formation has been running for a hundred years. It’s long past its prime and is showing flaws. Moreover, those outsiders are draining its power. Let’s go quickly—don’t be stingy with your mana.”
With a wave of his hand, Lin Chang’an unleashed several Thunderclap Talismans and Ice Talismans, wiping out the attacking demon spirits and reducing them to pure fire spiritual qi.
Among the three, Old Hu was the most helpless, for he had not come prepared.
Unlike Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, who had techniques and tools specifically tailored to counter this formation.
Whether talismans or the Water Dragon Flags, their attacks did triple the effectiveness.
But Old Hu, despite using his full strength, could only deal seventy percent of the damage.
Still, under the protection of the two, Lin Chang’an, with the Eight Trigrams Disc in hand, was able to lead them forward faster than ever.
After traversing mountains of molten rock, they finally glimpsed a formation barrier in the distance.
“Old Lin, you’re really something! So we just need to pass through here?”
Old Hu could not suppress the excitement on his face.
But Lin Chang’an’s next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
“Be prepared. Although someone else has drawn away most of this formation’s assault, we still have to face its fiercest Fire-devouring Demon Spirit.”
As his words fell, countless fire spiritual qi gathered in the distance. Fire-bat-like demon spirits fused together.
With a piercing screech, they transformed into a terrifying Fire-devouring Demon Spirit several zhang tall.
“Old Lin, the aura of this Fire-devouring Demon Spirit has reached the level of a quasi–third-rank beast!”
“Not only that—within this formation, it can be endlessly reborn.”
Lin Chang’an put away the Eight Trigrams Disc. In his hand appeared a large water-blue flag.
The Fire-devouring Demon Spirit screeched sharply and charged at them.
“Brother Lin!”
“Here it comes!”
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao both wielded water-blue flags. As they activated them, two terrifying water dragons, each ten zhang long, erupted forth.
The water dragons roared, fused, and lunged at the Fire-devouring Demon Spirit.
Old Hu’s teeth ached at the sight.
“The Joint Strike Technique!”
He knew well the difficulty of cultivating such a technique.
Weren’t they supposed to devote themselves single-heartedly to the Dao? Yet Old Lin had secretly formed such a technique with someone else!
As water clashed against fire, fierce hissing echoed. Scorching steam spread, and Old Hu roared, unleashing his icy greatsword.
“Old Lin, I’ll restrain it—hurry and destroy this fire spirit!”
The terrifying Fire-devouring Demon Spirit with quasi–third-rank strength screamed shrilly under the water dragons’ assault. Instinctively, it evaded while spewing flames from its mouth.
Though water restrained fire, within this formation filled with dense fire spiritual qi, for a time, water could not suppress fire.
The three joined forces, and still they fought the Fire-devouring Demon Spirit to a stalemate.
“Brother Lin, the fire spiritual qi is growing denser. We must break through quickly, or else we’ll eventually be consumed here.”
They had already been inside the formation for nearly a month. Along the way, both Yun Yao and Old Hu had expended much of their mana.
Even Yun Yao now wore a solemn expression. A third-rank grand formation—even after centuries of depletion—still possessed such terrifying might.
Core Formation cultivators truly inspired longing.
“Yes, Old Lin. Daoist Yun and I will hold it back. You think of a way to break the formation.”
The two did not understand formations well, but Lin Chang’an knew. Yet he was only a second-rank formation master. To break the formation, he would have to find its weakest point.
“It won’t be that easy. First, let’s join forces to destroy this Fire-devouring Demon Spirit.”
Lin Chang’an’s calm expression belied the truth—his skills were still insufficient. If only he had the ability of a third-rank formation master, he would have already found the weak point of this formation.
“Destroy it first!?”
Old Hu’s eyes widened, and in the end, he let out a stifled roar, activating the icy blade in his hand.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, however, joined forces. Under the Joint Strike Secret Art and with their Water Dragon Flags, every attack they unleashed inflicted immense damage on the Fire-devouring Demon Spirit.
Yun Yao discreetly glanced at Lin Chang’an, as if to say that Old Hu’s mana was nearly exhausted.
A heart set on harming others was unacceptable, but guarding against others was a necessity.
They had no intention of harming Old Hu—after all, they still wanted his secret technique after this ordeal.
But precaution was necessary.
Finally, after a bitter struggle, the three together drove the Fire-devouring Demon Spirit beyond its limit. With a piercing screech, it suddenly exploded.
With a thunderous boom, the force of the blast left them disheveled, even with protective shields raised.
At the moment of the demon spirit’s self-destruction, Lin Chang’an’s sharp senses caught the faint ripples spreading across the distant formation barrier.
“Finally found it.”
Yet just as joy lit his face, fire spiritual qi gathered rapidly in the sky once again, condensing into a Fire-devouring Demon Spirit of the same size as before.
“Old Lin, if you don’t break the formation soon, I can’t hold out!”
Old Hu’s face was flushed red, drenched in sweat. This time, however, two quasi–third-rank Fire-devouring Demon Spirits had appeared.
“I’ve already found the weak point in the formation. You two hold them off.”
“Brother Lin, I’ll cover you.”
Yun Yao, without needing further words, took Lin Chang’an’s Water Dragon Flag. With practiced ease born of years of cooperation, she wielded both flags.
Water dragons gathered, radiating terrifying power.
Old Hu, on the other hand, was in a sorry state. Though his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was not weak, the constant battles had drained him.
And now, he faced quasi–third-rank Fire-devouring Demon Spirits.
“Damn it, Old Lin, I’m going all out—don’t you dare trick me!”
Meanwhile, under their protection, Lin Chang’an rushed toward the formation barrier. Suddenly, a terrifying aura surged behind him.
“A Talisman Treasure!”
Glancing back, Lin Chang’an saw Old Hu, in desperation, once again unleash his Talisman Treasure.
Sure enough, under its immense power, the two quasi–third-rank Fire-devouring Demon Spirits were instantly sliced apart by a golden radiance.
As the demon spirits began to reform, Lin Chang’an grew even more certain of the formation’s weak point.
“It’s here!”
His expression hardened as he produced the quasi–third-rank Restriction-Breaking Talisman he had long prepared.
The talisman transformed into a beam of light that struck the weak spot of the formation barrier. With violent tremors, the barrier cracked slightly.
But the talisman’s power was spent, and as the formation began to heal, Lin Chang’an immediately unleashed another.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the barrier fractured like shattered glass, leaving an opening a zhang wide.
On one side was a world of fire, and on the other lay mountains and waters of serene beauty—two entirely different realms.
“The formation is broken—quickly, go!”
At that instant, Yun Yao and Old Hu both brightened with joy.
“Old Lin, don’t you dare leave me behind!”
In this critical moment, Old Hu shouted anxiously, deliberately staying last.
It was not foolishness—this was the most dangerous time, when betrayal was most likely.
After Yun Yao passed through, Lin Chang’an glanced back at Old Hu and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Old Hu harbored no intention of being the mantis stalking the cicada while another bird watched from behind.
“Old Hu, hurry!”
When Old Hu finally crossed, his face shone with excitement. Yet out of the corner of his eye, he saw the masked Daoist Yun holding a talisman.
That talisman looked far too familiar—wasn’t it the very Talisman Treasure Old Lin had used earlier!?
“Haha, to think we actually made it through.”
The next moment, Old Hu pretended not to notice, laughing heartily, though inwardly he broke into a cold sweat.
Thankfully, he had remained loyal. Otherwise, just as he crossed the barrier, he might have been struck down by that talisman.
“Yes, Old Hu. This time, we owe thanks to those who triggered the formation.”
Lin Chang’an wiped the sweat from his brow, looking relieved.
“Brother Lin.”
Without a change in expression, Yun Yao returned the Talisman Treasure to him. Old Hu saw this out of the corner of his eye, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
This Daoist Yun had clearly let him see it on purpose.
It seemed they were all guarding against one another.
If Yun Yao had not returned the Talisman Treasure, the consequences would have been obvious.
Familiar or not, caution was essential.
The three exchanged glances, and then smiles.
At the very least, they had achieved initial trust.
“Brother Lin, is there still danger ahead?”
At last, they turned to observe their surroundings.
The valley before them was filled with verdant mountains and flowing water, an idyllic scene with no trace of the previous peril.
“Yes, Old Lin, the spiritual qi here is even richer. But are there more traps?”
Lin Chang’an now had the leisure to take in the scenery.
“There should be no danger here, but do not act rashly.”
His face grew solemn. Though the ancient landscape was pleasant, there was no sign of a cave abode.
Because of the formation, there was not even any poison miasma. Their spiritual sense detected nothing but a valley dense with spiritual qi.
Nothing at all.
“Where’s the Golden Core cultivator’s cave abode? Could this all be a hollow shell?”
Old Hu’s eyes widened. After so much effort—and even the use of another Talisman Treasure—if there was nothing of value, it would be a terrible loss.
Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, however, had a safeguard. If he dared to break their pact, they would not let it go.
With the black market’s interests and both Lin Chang’an and Daoist Yun eyeing him, Old Hu dared not even think of betrayal.
But if this was all in vain, he felt wronged to the core.
Lin Chang’an frowned, saying in a deep voice:
“The cultivation world has never lacked malicious cultivators. Some leave behind empty relics—or even deadly traps—to lure others in.”
He, too, was unwilling, but had found no abnormalities.
Then, Yun Yao, who had also held something in reserve, spoke calmly:
“Leave it to me.”
From her storage pouch, she retrieved a palm-sized disk, scarlet and brimming with resentment. At a glance, it was a demonic artifact.
As Yun Yao activated it, a black phantom skull formed, wailing with resentment.
“A demonic artifact!”
Old Hu, as an artifact refiner, swallowed hard. He knew all too well how cruel such things were.