51: Chapter 51 Three-Way Battle, Snatching Chestnuts from the Fire

Joining one side? The risk is too high, trust is hard to build, and the Fire-attribute Sect, Yinkui Sect, and Xuanbing Pavilion are none of them kind-hearted; it would be like seeking skin from a tiger.

Feinting east to attack west? Once the Fire Eye is detonated, the consequences would be unpredictable. It might destroy the entire Yan Yang Hall ruins, making the loss outweigh the gain.

The only option is to continue lurking, like the most patient hunter, waiting for the prey to tear each other apart until they are exhausted, then delivering a fatal blow to reap the greatest reward.

Lin Ye restrained his Qi Concealment Technique and the icy Aura of the Ice Soul Sword Art to the extreme, his entire person seemingly merging with the glacier behind him.

His gaze, however, was like a hawk, firmly locked on the three parties in the crimson clearing ahead.

He first swallowed a leaf of the Ice Marrow Ganoderma to stabilize his injuries, recover his Spiritual Qi, and adjust his state to the Peak.

In the crimson clearing, the atmosphere was tense.

The leader of the Fire-attribute Sect, an old man in red robes with red hair and beard, his eyes like torches, said in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoist from the Yinkui Sect, this Fire Eye was discovered by our 'Chi Yang Sect' first. The Fire Essence and the Fire Ganoderma are compatible with our Sect's Cultivation Technique, so please make it convenient for us."

The Shadow Envoy of the Yinkui Sect, though severely injured and not yet recovered, did not lose his Aura. He said sinisterly: "Chi Yang Sect? Never heard of it. Treasures go to those with affinity; this Yan Yang Hall ruin is not your private property. Furthermore..."

His tone shifted, and his cold gaze swept toward the broken walls on the side: "Murong Bai, stop hiding, come out! Thinking of reaping the fisherman's profit? That's too naive!"

Behind the broken wall, there was a moment of silence.

Murong Bai's figure slowly walked out. His face was still pale, but his Aura was much more stable than before, evidently having taken a precious Medicinal Pill.

Following behind him were two Xuanbing Pavilion Disciples who were also not lightly injured.

"The Shadow Envoy truly has sharp eyes." Murong Bai's voice was cold. "This Fire Eye is a phenomenon of intersecting ice and fire, and it also has research value for my Xuanbing Pavilion. Moreover, in this Yan Yang Hall, there may be items I need."

The three parties stood in a standoff, wary of each other.

The red-robed old man of the Chi Yang Sect's expression darkened slightly: "The Xuanbing Pavilion wants to get involved too? This place is a land of extreme Yang, which conflicts with your ice-attribute Cultivation Technique. Why bother?"

Murong Bai did not answer, merely tightening his grip on the ice crystal longsword in his hand.

The Shadow Envoy laughed strangely: "It seems we cannot reach an agreement. Then... let's see the real results in battle!"

Before the words finished, he struck first! Despite his severe injuries, he was still ruthless and decisive. A pitch-black ghost claw struck directly at a Qi Refining eighth-stage Disciple of the Chi Yang Sect!

"Presumptuous!" The red-robed old man of the Chi Yang Sect shouted angrily, raising his hand to cast a ball of crimson fire to meet the ghost claw.

Boom!

The fireball collided with the ghost claw, cold and scorching energy intertwined, erupting into an astonishing wave of air.

The great battle erupted instantly!

The three from the Chi Yang Sect had domineering Cultivation Techniques, with flames roaring, enveloping the Yinkui Sect's Shadow Envoy and the other man in black.

Murong Bai watched coldly from the sidelines, not immediately joining the battle. Instead, he slowly retreated with the two Disciples, seemingly wanting to reap the fisherman's profit, or perhaps guarding against something.

Although the Shadow Envoy was severely injured, his Cultivation Technique was bizarre, his movement technique was elusive, and he had a Puppet for assistance (though it was damaged earlier, it seemed he still had a spare), surprisingly fighting to a standstill against the three from the Chi Yang Sect.

For a time, flames and black Qi intertwined in the crimson clearing, with continuous roars.

Lin Ye lurked in the shadows, his heart as still as water, silently observing.

He was waiting, waiting for the best Opportunity.

The battle situation changed quickly.

The Chi Yang Sect had more people after all, and their Cultivation Technique countered the Yinkui Sect's cold ghost Qi.

The red-robed old man had the highest cultivation, dancing a giant flame sword so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through, forcing the Shadow Envoy to retreat repeatedly.

The other two Chi Yang Sect Disciples also suppressed the man in black.

The Shadow Envoy seemed unable to hold on, suddenly spitting out a mouthful of black blood, his Aura withering again.

"Die!" A fierce look flashed in the red-robed old man's eyes. The giant flame sword transformed into a streak of crimson light, slashing towards the Shadow Envoy's head!

At this critical moment!

A look of madness flashed in the Shadow Envoy's eyes. He slammed his chest, and a pitch-black, fist-sized bead was spat out by him, meeting the giant flame sword!

"Yin Evil Thunder Bead! Retreat quickly!" The red-robed old man's expression changed drastically, shouting for them to retreat.

But it was too late!

Boom—!!!

A terrifying explosion resounded through heaven and earth! The black Yin Evil Qi mixed with the crimson flames, forming a small mushroom cloud. The violent energy shockwave swept in all directions!

The red-robed old man, bearing the brunt, groaned. His protective spiritual light shattered, and he was blown backward, his chest charred black.

The other two Chi Yang Sect Disciples were also affected, vomiting blood and falling to the ground.

The Shadow Envoy was even more miserable. He was already severely injured, and now, having forcibly activated the Yin Evil Thunder Bead (detonating his own Magic Treasure?), he suffered a backlash.

Half of his body was blown to pieces, and he lay in a pool of blood, on the verge of death. The man in black's life or death was also unknown.

Murong Bai and the two Xuanbing Pavilion Disciples had been prepared, retreating far enough, but they were still shaken by the aftermath, their blood and Qi roiling.

A good Opportunity!

All three parties were heavily damaged!

The three from the Chi Yang Sect were heavily injured and lost their combat effectiveness, the Shadow Envoy was dying, and the three from the Xuanbing Pavilion were in relatively better condition, but they had also consumed much.

Lin Ye's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he did not hesitate any longer!

Like a leopard that had been lurking for a long time, he burst out from the shadows of the glacier. His target was not the Fire Essence and Fire Ganoderma beside the Fire Eye, nor anyone who was heavily injured, but—the broken gate of the Yan Yang Hall ruins!

His primary goal had always been the clues or items related to the key fragment (the dark red metal lump) that might exist inside the Yan Yang Hall!

The treasures outside were good, but the risk was too great, and it might attract a desperate pursuit from Murong Bai.

"Who is it?!"

Murong Bai noticed it immediately, shocked and furious. He hadn't expected someone else to be hiding nearby! And the speed was so fast!

He swung a cold sword energy, attempting to intercept.

But Lin Ye had anticipated this. His body twisted strangely in the air, avoiding the sword energy, while his left hand flicked backward, activating several low-level "Ice Explosion Talismans" and "Fog Talismans"!

Bang bang bang!

Ice mist mixed with fog, instantly shrouding the area behind Lin Ye, blocking Murong Bai's line of sight and Spiritual Sense.

Lin Ye did not slow down, crashing into the broken gate of the Yan Yang Hall!

"Chase!" Murong Bai was shocked and furious. He couldn't care about collecting the Fire Essence (it wouldn't run away anyway), and led the two Disciples into the fog, chasing closely.

In the crimson clearing, only the three heavily injured Chi Yang Sect members, the dying Shadow Envoy, and the still-gushing Fire Eye and floating treasures remained.

Inside the Yan Yang Hall, it was even more dilapidated than outside.

Tall hall pillars had collapsed for the most part, the ground was covered with dust and rubble, and the originally exquisite murals on the walls had long peeled off, leaving only blurred traces.

The air was filled with a smell of heat mixed with the dust of time.

Deep in the main hall, a dilapidated altar built of crimson crystals was vaguely visible.

As soon as Lin Ye entered the hall, he rushed toward the altar. He could feel the dark red metal lump (the key fragment) in his bosom heating up slightly, resonating faintly with the direction of the altar.

Behind him, the three from Murong Bai had already rushed in.

"Little thief, where are you going!" Murong Bai shouted sharply. The ice crystal longsword flew out of his hand, turning into three ice crystal sword lights, sealing off Lin Ye's front, left, and right.

Lin Ye didn't even look back, his right hand throwing out a bone spur. The bone spur, infused with [Severing Flow] Sword Intent and Star-glimmer cold energy, accurately hit the middle sword light.

Crack!

The bone spur shattered, but the ice crystal sword light was also blocked for a moment.

Lin Ye seized the Opportunity to lunge forward, rolling to dodge the other two sword lights. He was now less than ten feet from the altar!

On the altar, it was empty, with only a groove in the center. Its shape... was almost exactly the same as the dark red metal lump in his bosom!

Sure enough! This metal lump is the key to opening the altar!

Lin Ye was ecstatic in his heart, rushing toward the altar.

"Stop him!" Murong Bai also saw the altar and the groove. Although he didn't know the specifics, his intuition told him he must not let him succeed.

The two Disciples beside him gritted their teeth and pounced, one swinging a saber and the other throwing an ice awl.

Lin Ye's eyes turned cold. He no longer held back, the power of the second layer of "Mystic Jade Body" erupted, hard-tanking the blade (his skin split and flesh opened, but his bones and tendons were not injured).

At the same time, his left hand's ancient ring "yuan sha" flashed with light, and a protective shield of Evil Qi mixed with star silver and dark red appeared, blocking the ice awl.

Borrowing the momentum to rush forward, he had already arrived before the altar!

Without hesitation, he took out the dark red metal lump, aimed it at the groove, and pressed it down hard!

It fit perfectly!

Hum—!!!

The entire altar shook violently, and a crimson light shot up into the sky!

A scorching, ancient, and vast Aura surged out from the bottom of the altar!

In the center of the altar, a crimson jade box, about a foot square, slowly rose!

The surface of the jade box was carved with flame patterns, radiating astonishing heat.

Lin Ye grabbed towards the jade box!

"Put it down!"

Murong Bai's eyes were split with rage; the main body of his ice crystal longsword had arrived, stabbing straight at Lin Ye's back!

With this sword strike, he had used all his strength, holding nothing back from his Peak Qi Refining Ninth Stage cultivation!

A deadly crisis descended in an instant!

Lin Ye gritted his teeth and flicked his left hand backward, activating all the remaining Talismans on his person (including an unknown golden Talisman obtained from a Xuanbing Pavilion Disciple's Storage Pouch) and throwing them behind him!

At the same time, his right hand grabbed the crimson jade box!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Talismans exploded. Especially that golden Talisman, which erupted with blinding golden light, forming a brief golden light shield that blocked the ice crystal longsword for an instant!

It was this very instant!

Lin Ye grabbed the jade box and used the momentum to lunge forward, while simultaneously shifting his mind to communicate with the altar—since the key was inserted, perhaps he could control something?

Sure enough, the altar sensed the key, and a crimson light flashed. Lin Ye felt his feet go empty, and he, along with the jade box, fell into a pitch-black passage that had suddenly appeared beneath the altar!

"No—!" Murong Bai's roar came from above, growing more and more distant.

The passage was steep, smooth, and scorching.

Lin Ye hugged the jade box, sliding downwards as if on a slide.

He did not know how long he had slid, but with a splash, he fell into a pool of warm water.

The water was not deep, just reaching his waist.

He struggled to stand up and found himself in a small cave made entirely of crimson crystals.

In the center of the cave, there was a small, bubbling hot spring pool, the water exuding pure fire-attribute Spiritual Qi.

The only exit from the cave seemed to be the passage he had slid down from above, which was now slowly closing.

He was safe for the moment.

Murong Bai should not be able to come down for the time being.

Lin Ye breathed a sigh of relief, only then feeling the burning pain of the blade wound on his left arm, and his blood and Qi churning from the aftermath of the Sword Qi on his back.

He swallowed a piece of Ice Marrow Ganoderma and circulated the Ice Soul Sword Art to calm his injuries.

Then, he looked at the crimson jade box tightly held in his arms.

The jade box felt warm to the touch, and the flame patterns on its surface flowed as if they were alive.

There was no lock, and it opened with a gentle lift.

Inside the box, there were no legendary Cultivation Techniques or heaven-shaking Magic Treasures as imagined, only three things:

A pill the size of a dragon's eye, crimson as fire, with what seemed to be magma flowing inside ([Chi Yang Obstacle-Breaking Pill]?).

A crystal the size of a palm, transparent and crimson throughout, with a wisp of leaping golden flame sealed inside ([Earth Core Fire Essence]?).

And... a neatly folded, pale red animal skin, neither leather nor silk, cool to the touch. It was drawn with a complex map, and in the center of the map were two large characters—"Yan Yang", with a small line of text beside it: "Hold the 'flame sun key' (the metal lump), follow the map's guidance, and you may reach the 'True Fire Source' to obtain my 'Blazing Sun True Explanation' Legacy."

Blazing Sun True Explanation! True Fire Source!

Lin Ye's heart pounded wildly!

This animal skin map actually pointed to the place of the Legacy of the "Blazing Sun True Explanation"!

And that "True Fire Source" was very likely a Yang-attribute heaven and earth wonder not inferior to "mystic yin true water"!

The dark red metal lump (flame sun key) in his hand was the key to opening the Legacy!

And the [Chi Yang Obstacle-Breaking Pill] and [Earth Core Fire Essence] were clearly treasures to assist in cultivation or Breakthroughs.

A huge harvest!

But now was not the time for research.

Murong Bai was likely waiting outside like a rabbit waiting for a tree stump, or trying to find a way to open the passage.

He had to leave here immediately.

He put away the three treasures in the jade box and checked the cave.

Except for the hot spring pool and the closed passage above, there seemed to be no other exit.

Could he return the way he came? That would be walking right into a trap.

His gaze fell upon the hot spring pool.

The pool water was constantly bubbling, steam rising, and it seemed... there was a Water Source below?

He dived into the pool and groped downwards.

Sure enough! At the bottom of the pool was a small, diagonally downward hole, and warm water was gushing out from it.

This hole seemed to lead to an underground river? Or... somewhere else?

There was no other choice.

Lin Ye took a deep breath, packed away the jade box and important items, dived into the water, and squeezed into the hole.

The hole was narrow at first, but it became wider as he went deeper, and the current became swift.

This was a warm underground river, the water exuding a faint smell of sulfur and pure fire-attribute Spiritual Qi.

Lin Ye drifted along the current, not knowing how far he had floated.

Ahead, light and the roaring sound of water faintly came into view.

He surfaced and found himself in a huge underground cavern filled with stalactites.

In the center of the cavern was a huge, boiling magma lake!

The crimson magma flowed slowly, emitting a terrifying high temperature.

And on the rock wall opposite the magma lake, there was unexpectedly a hole shrouded in crimson light, only wide enough for one person to pass through!

Above the hole were carved two ancient, large characters—"Yan Yang"!

That was the entrance to the "True Fire Source" marked on the animal skin map?!

Lin Ye was excited, but immediately calmed down.

The magma lake's temperature was extremely high; ordinary Qi Refining Cultivators could not cross it at all.

Moreover, there were faintly crimson shadows swimming in the lake, appearing to be some kind of fire-attribute Yao Beast.

More importantly, on the shore of the magma lake, near the entrance, a person was standing there at this moment!

A woman in a moon-white robe, cold and immortal-like—Fairy Yun Yao!

She seemed to have just arrived as well, intently observing the magma lake and the entrance opposite, the compass needle in her hand pointing firmly towards the direction of the entrance.

She had actually found this place too?!

It seemed that the Starfall Pavilion's understanding of the Ice Soul Secret Realm (or rather, the dual Ice Soul and Yan Yang Secret Realm) was far beyond his imagination.

Fairy Yun Yao noticed the sound of water and turned to look. Seeing Lin Ye surfacing from the underground river, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly returned to calm.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, it seems we have the same destination."

Fairy Yun Yao's voice remained cold, "This 'True Fire Source' entrance is guarded by an ancient Restriction and requires the 'flame sun key' to open. Does Fellow Daoist have this item in your possession?"

She actually pointed out the 'flame sun key' directly!

Lin Ye was alert in his heart, but his face remained calm: "Fairy Yun is indeed knowledgeable. I did indeed luckily obtain an item, suspected to be the key. However, this place is dangerous; there seem to be Yao Beasts in the magma lake, and the Restriction is unknown. Does the Fairy have any profound insights?"

Fairy Yun Yao's gaze swept over the crimson shadows swimming in the magma lake, and she frowned slightly: "That is a 'Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon', a Second-Stage Early Stage fire-attribute Yao Beast that inhabits magma and is quite troublesome. As for the Restriction..."

She took out a crimson token, with flame patterns carved on it: "My Starfall Pavilion predecessors once explored the periphery of this place and left behind this 'Fire-Avoiding Token', which can briefly open a safe passage through the magma lake, but it can only be maintained for ten breaths. It requires the 'flame sun key' as a guide to trigger the Restriction and open the entrance."

She looked at Lin Ye: "Fellow Daoist Lin, let us cooperate. You use the flame sun key to open the door, and I will use the Fire-Avoiding Token to open the path, how about that? After entering, the Legacy will depend on each person's Opportunity, and other gains will be distributed according to the contribution."

Cooperate? It sounded fair.

But Lin Ye knew well that in the face of huge benefits, so-called fairness was often fragile.

Fairy Yun Yao's strength was unfathomable, and she came from Starfall Pavilion, possessing many means.

Although he had the ancient ring and trump cards, he might not necessarily be able to win steadily.

Agree, or refuse?

If he agreed, he might be used, or even discarded after being used.

If he refused, she might turn hostile immediately, and facing the Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon and the Restriction alone would be riskier.

Just as Lin Ye was pondering.

In the magma lake, those few Fire-Scaled Flood Dragons seemed to have sensed the scent of living people and were slowly swimming towards the shore, their crimson vertical pupils filled with greed and brutality.

Time was running out.