429: Chapter 429 The Lingering Ghost

The tunnel seemed endless, spiraling downwards continuously.

The temperature rose steadily, and the rock walls shifted from dark red to a bright crimson. In some places, they even took on a semi-transparent glassy texture, with faint red flows of light surging within.

The roaring sound grew louder as well, vibrating until one's eardrums felt swollen.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, a change appeared ahead.

The tunnel suddenly opened up, connecting to a massive natural cavern.

At the bottom of the cavern was a slowly rotating, scarlet-gold magma lake over a hundred zhang in diameter!

The magma was viscous, with massive bubbles bulging on the surface from time to time, splashing searing sparks as they burst.

From the ceiling of the cavern hung countless interlaced crimson crystal pillars. From the tips of some pillars, drops of golden-red "Magma Marrow," containing pure fire spirit, were dripping down one by one!

Above the center of the lake, a small platform hovered in the air, cast from dark-gold metal. Three narrow metal chains connected the edge of the platform to three different directions in the cavern, disappearing into the rock walls with no end in sight.

In the center of the platform, a high stand was vaguely visible. Something seemed to be placed upon it, but it was difficult to see clearly through the shimmering, scorching air.

"Good grief..." Pei Tieshan swallowed hard as he looked at the churning magma lake. "If you fall in there, not even a scrap of bone would be left."

"Whatever is on that platform is likely the Opportunity of this path, or... the key to the next area."

Dongfang Xinghe forced himself to analyze the situation, a flicker of desire crossing his eyes, though it was quickly masked by exhaustion.

He knew that given his and Pei Tieshan's current states, trying to cross this magma lake to reach the platform would be harder than reaching the heavens.

Those three chains were likely the only path.

Ye Tian observed the lake surface, the chains, and the platform.

The chains were only about as thick as an arm. Spanning over a dozen zhang, they hung directly above the churning magma. The rising heat made the chains appear to warp and twist.

Furthermore, he sensed that the magma lake emitted more than just intense heat; there was also a peculiar "field" that interfered with spiritual sense and the circulation of True Essence. Flying would likely result in a loss of control, leaving the chains as the only option.

"I'll go take a look," Ye Tian said.

"It's too dangerous!" Pei Tieshan immediately objected. "Those chains don't look stable, and there's magma below! Junior Brother Ye, your injuries haven't fully healed. If anything happens..."

"There are no 'ifs'," Ye Tian interrupted him, his tone calm. "This is our only path forward right now. Stay here, don't get close to the lake's edge, and stay alert."

Without waiting for them to argue further, he leaped forward and landed steadily on the nearest chain.

The chain dipped slightly but did not sway.

A searing sensation came from beneath his feet, clearly felt even through his boots.

More troublesome were the turbulent, scorching air currents rushing up from the magma lake below, attempting to knock him off balance.

Ye Tian steadied himself, gathered his Qi, and walked forward step by step.

Chaos True Essence circulated within his body, resisting the high temperatures and turbulent currents while absorbing and converting a portion of the invading fire spirit to replenish his energy.

He held sword in a reverse grip behind his back, ready to react to any sudden situation.

As he reached the midpoint of the chain, the magma lake below suddenly churned violently. A thick, crimson pillar of fire erupted without warning, shooting straight toward Ye Tian on the chain!

Even before the fire pillar arrived, the terrifying heat caused the air to explode with sharp cracks!

"Junior Brother Ye, look out!" the two on the shore cried out in alarm.

Ye Tian's eyes narrowed. His feet remained still, but he brought his right hand up with fingers joined and pointed into the air!

*Chiss!*

The front half of the fire pillar instantly collapsed, turning into scattered fire that rained back into the lake, while the back half lost control and veered off to the side.

Taking the Opportunity, Ye Tian moved with quick steps, rapidly crossing the middle section of the chain and landing on the central platform.

The platform wasn't large, about two zhang square.

In the center, there was indeed a waist-high metal square stand. Hovering above it was a strange, scarlet-gold crystal.

The air around the crystal was warped by the intense heat, emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations of fire element.

"fire spirit source crystal?" Ye Tian recognized the object.

This was a highly concentrated, top-quality fire element spiritual item. It was a supreme treasure for those who Cultivated fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques, and it was also of great use to him.

However, he did not reach for it immediately.

Around the square stand, there were faint fluctuations of formation runes.

He crouched down to observe them closely.

The formation runes were extremely ancient and complex, and they were subtly connected to the fire element meridians of the entire magma lake and even the whole cavern.

This crystal was likely one of the "Formation Eyes" maintaining the balance of this place.

If it were taken away recklessly...

"Junior Brother Ye! Look over there!" On the shore, Pei Tieshan suddenly shouted, pointing toward the other side of the cavern.

Ye Tian looked up and saw a figure fly out from an inconspicuous opening high on the opposite rock wall, landing gracefully on another chain.

The person also seemed surprised to find someone else there, pausing briefly to look over.

White robes, a long sword, and an aloof aura.

It was actually Li Xuanxiao.

As their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.

Li Xuanxiao's gaze lingered slightly on Ye Tian, swept over the bandages on his neck and shoulder, and then landed on the fire spirit source crystal in the center of the platform. His expression remained unchanged.

He didn't speak either, simply stepping onto the chain and walking toward the platform with the same steady pace.

His steps were even more composed than Ye Tian's. His white robes fluttered in the heat waves, yet remained completely untainted by dust. The turbulent air currents below seemed to have minimal effect on him.

In the blink of an eye, Li Xuanxiao also arrived on the platform, standing still several zhang away from Ye Tian.

The platform was small, making the distance between the two feel exceptionally close.

"We meet again," Li Xuanxiao spoke, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"You really are like a lingering ghost," Ye Tian replied, his hand already gripping the hilt of sword on his back.

He wasn't in good condition, and while this environment might not favor Li Xuanxiao's metal-element cultivation, the man's strength was unfathomable. He was a formidable enemy.

"Your injuries haven't healed." Li Xuanxiao's gaze passed over Ye Tian's pale face. "The fire spirit source crystal is mine. Leave now, and I won't kill you."

Direct and overbearing.

It fit his usual style.

Ye Tian didn't move, only looking at the crystal on the stand and then at the faint formation runes beneath his feet. "This thing is part of the balance here.

If you take it by force, it might trigger a catastrophe. Once this magma lake loses control, none of us might make it out."

"What does that have to do with me?" Li Xuanxiao's tone was indifferent. "When an Opportunity is before me, it is only natural to take it. I can bear the consequences myself. As for you—"

He looked at Ye Tian with a hint of something near pity in his eyes. "To be so heavily injured and still worry about these irrelevant details is laughable.

Your hesitation will only cause you to lose more and die faster."

"That isn't hesitation; it's weighing the situation." Ye Tian slowly drew sword. "Your path is to seize. My path is to take. They are not the same."

"Seizing or taking, what's the difference? The winner gains, and the loser perishes; that is the ultimate logic of heaven and earth." Li Xuanxiao also gripped his sword hilt, the blade sliding out half an inch. A clear sword hum drowned out the roar of the magma, and a sharp, matchless Sword Intent spread out, pushing back the heat on the platform. "It seems you still don't understand.

Then let us settle it here. Your sword, your life, and..."

His gaze fell on the fire spirit source crystal again, his meaning self-evident.

The battle was on the verge of breaking out.

On the shore, Pei Tieshan and Dongfang Xinghe were anxious but powerless.

In this environment, rushing over would just be a death sentence for them.

Ye Tian took a deep breath, circulating his Chaos True Essence to its limit.

Just as he prepared to strike first to seize the initiative, the fire jade essence in his bosom, which had been slightly warm, suddenly gave a soft tremor.

A wave of warmth flowed out from it, instantly spreading through his entire body.

This warmth wasn't powerful, but it carried a soothing force that instantly calmed his mind, which had been agitated by his injuries and the high temperatures.

At the same time, the world before his eyes seemed to become a fraction clearer.

The complex formation runes on the platform beneath his feet seemed to come alive in his perception. The subtle energy flows between the magma lake, the crystal pillars on the ceiling, and even the fire spirit source crystal itself presented themselves in a clear pattern.

He "saw" that the fire spirit source crystal was not a simple suppression object, but rather a "transfer" and "refining" node within the massive cycle of the entire fire element network.

It absorbed the violent fire spirit from the magma lake below; one part was used to maintain the stability of this place, while the other part was sent deeper through some method... in the direction the chaos bead craved.

If the source crystal were taken crudely, the cycle would be interrupted, and the magma lake might instantly go completely berserk, destroying everything.