52: Chapter 52 Passing Through the Sea of ​​Fire, A Shocking Change in the True Source

(Launching a sneak attack carries too much risk. Fairy Yun Yao is composed, surely having something to rely on. Plus, she comes from Starfall Pavilion, and her trump cards are unknown. Once a strike fails, it becomes a mortal enemy.)

(Refuse to go alone? There is more than one Tier 2 Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon in the magma lake, watching covetously. Although I have the ancient ring yuan sha and cold Spiritual Qi protecting my body, crossing the magma lake while dealing with the Restriction leaves little chance of success.)

(Cooperate to pass the immediate difficulty and enter the true fire source. As for what happens after getting inside, I will adapt as the situation demands.)

Lin Ye's mind raced, and he made a decision in an instant.

He looked at Fairy Yun Yao and nodded: "Fairy's words are reasonable. This place is dangerous; cooperation benefits both. I will follow the Fairy's suggestion: I will provide the key, and the Fairy will open the path."

A flash of approval appeared in Fairy Yun Yao's eyes, as if she appreciated Lin Ye's decisiveness. She did not waste words, throwing the crimson "Fire-Avoidance Token" in her hand into the air above the magma lake, while simultaneously casting a spell.

"Fire-Avoidance Token, open!"

Hum!

The Fire-Avoidance Token shone with intense red light, transforming into a crimson curtain of light like a bridge, extending from the shore to the cave entrance on the opposite side of the magma lake. Wherever the light curtain passed, the boiling magma actually parted to both sides, revealing a "safe passage" about three feet wide that led straight to the cave entrance.

However, the light curtain was clearly unstable; its edges were constantly being eroded by the magma, emitting "hissing" sounds. It was clear it could not hold for long.

"The passage can only be maintained for ten breaths! Hurry!" Fairy Yun Yao shouted in a low voice, stepping onto the light curtain bridge first, her movement light as if walking on flat ground.

Lin Ye dared not delay and followed closely, stepping onto the light curtain. A burning sensation came from beneath his feet, but the light curtain did indeed isolate the terrifying high temperature of the magma.

The two moved one after the other, speeding along the narrow light curtain that could only accommodate one person.

In the magma lake, those few Fire-Scaled Flood Dragons seemed provoked, emitting hoarse roars. Their massive bodies rolled in the magma, kicking up monstrous heat waves, attempting to charge the light curtain.

The light curtain shook violently, and its edges began to crumble.

"Not good! The Fire-Scaled Flood Dragons are going to attack! Speed up!" Fairy Yun Yao's expression changed slightly, and she increased her speed by another thirty percent.

Lin Ye also pushed his Mystic Jade Body to the limit, sprinting on the light curtain.

Five zhang, three zhang, one zhang!

The cave entrance was right before them!

However, the largest Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon suddenly leaped from the magma, opened its giant mouth filled with sharp teeth, and spewed a crimson, scorching column of fire directly at Lin Ye, who was in the middle of the light curtain!

Before the fire column arrived, the terrifying high temperature already caused Lin Ye's protective Spiritual Qi to fluctuate violently, and his skin felt a burning pain!

There was nowhere to hide!

A ruthless glint flashed in Lin Ye's eyes. His left hand's ancient ring yuan sha shone brilliantly, and Evil Qi mixed with starlight silver and dark red surged out, condensing into a small, rotating shield in front of him. At the same time, his right hand flicked his fingers repeatedly, shooting several condensed cold Sword Qi towards the Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon's eyes!

Chi chi chi!

The cold Sword Qi struck the Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon's eyelids (covered in thick scales), leaving only a few white marks, but the extreme chill caused its movements to pause slightly.

And that column of fire slammed fiercely into the Evil Qi shield!

Boom!

The shield shattered, the fire column continued with undiminished momentum, and slammed into Lin Ye!

Pfft—!

Lin Ye felt as if he had been struck hard, spitting out blood. His protective Spiritual Qi vanished instantly, his back was charred black, and the pain was heart-wrenching. If not for the Evil Qi shield and the Mystic Jade Body offsetting most of the power, this blow would have left him severely injured and on the verge of death.

But he used this impact force, his body flying forward like a kite with a broken string, landing precariously on the rock in front of the cave entrance.

Fairy Yun Yao had already arrived a step earlier. Seeing Lin Ye injured, she raised her fair hand, and a gentle white light covered Lin Ye, temporarily stabilizing his injuries.

"Quick! the key!" Fairy Yun Yao urged. The light curtain of the Fire-Avoidance Token was fading rapidly, and the Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon's second wave of attack was imminent.

Lin Ye endured the intense pain, took out the dark red metal lump "the key", and according to the description on the animal skin map, pressed it into the center of the Restriction covered by crimson light at the cave entrance.

Hum—!

The moment the key made contact with the Restriction, it burst into dazzling crimson light! The entire cave entrance vibrated violently, and the crimson light rippled like water, slowly parting to both sides, revealing a gap wide enough for only one person to pass through.

"Enter!" Fairy Yun Yao flashed in first.

Lin Ye followed closely behind, squeezing in just before the cave entrance closed and the Fire-Scaled Flood Dragon's fire column sprayed again.

Boom!

The fire column slammed into the re-closed Restriction, sparking a sky full of fire, but the Restriction did not move at all.

On the shore of the magma lake, only a few Fire-Scaled Flood Dragons remained, roaring in frustration.

Passing through the Restriction, the scene before them changed abruptly.

It was no longer a scorching world of magma, but a vast, magnificent, huge hall filled with an ancient and scorching aura!

The hall was dozens of zhang high, with walls and dome constructed of crimson crystals, carved with ancient flame totems and star patterns. The floor was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the soft red light emitted by the dome.

In the center of the hall was a huge, boiling magma pool, but the magma in the pool was not crimson, but a deep dark gold, emitting a terrifying high temperature and pure, extreme fire-attribute Spiritual Qi—was this the "true fire source"?

And above the magma pool, three things were floating:

On the left was an ancient scroll made of unknown animal skin, burning with faint flames (the Blazing Sun True Explanation Legacy?).

On the right was a long sword that was entirely crimson, with an ancient design, and the sword body seemed to have magma flowing through it (the flame sun sword? A Magic Treasure sword?).

In the center was a fist-sized, slowly rotating, crimson-gold lotus flower floating above the dark gold magma (the true fire golden lotus? A rare treasure of heaven and earth!).

The three treasures floated quietly, emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations.

Fairy Yun Yao and Lin Ye stepped into the hall almost at the same time, also shocked by the scene before them.

But both quickly came to their senses, looking at each other vigilantly, and then at the treasures in the center of the hall.

The atmosphere instantly became subtle and tense.

Cooperation ended here.

Next, it was time to compete for the Opportunity based on one's own ability.

Fairy Yun Yao's gaze swept over the three treasures, finally landing on the crimson-gold lotus in the center, a flash of heat appearing in her eyes: "The true fire golden lotus... My Starfall Pavilion needs this item to refine 'Starfire True Fire'. Fellow Daoist Lin, this item is crucial to me; can you yield it? You may choose between the scroll on the left and the long sword on the right."

Her tone was still calm, but carried unquestionable firmness.

Lin Ye's gaze swept quickly over the three treasures.

The scroll (Blazing Sun True Explanation) was a Cultivation Technique Legacy, which might not be completely compatible with him, an ice-attribute Cultivator, but his understanding and application of "fire" within it might allow for analogies, and it might be related to "the key".

The long sword (flame sun sword) was clearly not an ordinary item at a glance; it was very likely a Magic Treasure-grade Flying Sword with great power, but its attributes were in conflict with his.

The true fire golden lotus, a rare treasure of heaven and earth, had immeasurable value; whether for Alchemy, Artifact Refining, or Cultivating fire-attribute Cultivation Technique, it had miraculous effects. But for him, an ice-attribute Cultivator, its direct use seemed small.

More importantly, Fairy Yun Yao was determined to get this item and had unfathomable strength.

Try to snatch it? The chances of winning were not high, and it might lead to mutual destruction, allowing Murong Bai or others who might be chasing from outside to pick up the bargain.

Lin Ye's mind raced, and he instantly had a decision.

A bitter smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands and said: "Fairy Yun Yao did me the favor of opening the path. Since this item is crucial to the Fairy, how could I dare to compete for it? Please take it, Fairy."

Showing weakness to the enemy, advancing by retreating.

Fairy Yun Yao looked at Lin Ye deeply, seemingly surprised by his straightforwardness, but she didn't say anything more, nodding: "Fellow Daoist Lin is righteous. In that case, the scroll and the long sword shall belong to you."

As she spoke, her figure flickered, turning into a white shadow, sweeping towards the true fire golden lotus in the center of the magma pool.

However, just as she was about to touch the golden lotus!

A sudden change occurred!

The entire hall shook violently!

The three treasures floating above the magma pool erupted with dazzling light at the same time!

The scroll unfolded automatically, countless flame characters flew out, transforming into a fire dragon that pounced on Fairy Yun Yao!

The long sword unsheathed itself with a "clang", transforming into a crimson sword light, slashing at Fairy Yun Yao!

And that true fire golden lotus closed its petals, transforming into a crimson-gold ball of light, spinning rapidly, emitting a terrifying suction force, as if it wanted to burn and swallow everything that approached!

"There is a Restriction!" Fairy Yun Yao's expression changed slightly, but she seemed to have anticipated it, retreating rapidly while forming seals with both hands, a shield of brilliant starlight blocking in front of her.

Boom boom boom!

The fire dragon, sword light, and the golden lotus's suction force slammed into the starlight shield simultaneously!

The shield shook violently, and Fairy Yun Yao groaned, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth; she had clearly suffered a not-insignificant internal injury.

These three treasures actually all had powerful autonomous defensive Restrictions, and they were triggered in tandem!

Fairy Yun Yao was knocked back, her expression solemn; she had clearly underestimated the power of the Restriction.

Lin Ye watched from the side, his heart pounding. Fortunately, he hadn't rushed up; otherwise, he would have been dead or disabled from that blow.

It seemed that to obtain the treasures, one must first break the Restriction.

His gaze swept around the hall, and he suddenly discovered that in the four directions of the magma pool, there was a small groove similar in shape to the key.

Could it be... that four keys are needed, inserted simultaneously, to lift the Restriction?

He only had one, and maybe Fairy Yun Yao had one? But looking at her, she didn't seem to know.

Just then, at the entrance of the hall, the light of the Restriction rippled again.

Two figures, one after the other, rushed in in a sorry state!

It was none other than Murong Bai, and... that Shadow Envoy of the Yinkui Sect who should have been dying!

The two had actually found this place too, and seemed to have reached some temporary cooperation?

Murong Bai's face was even paler, his aura unstable; it was clear that forcing the passage open had come at a high cost. The Shadow Envoy was even more miserable, with half his body charred black, and only his remaining eye flashing with a resentful light.

As soon as the two entered, their gaze was immediately attracted by the three treasures in the center of the hall, and their breathing became heavy.

"Blazing Sun True Explanation! flame sun sword! true fire golden lotus! Hahaha! Heaven helps me!" Murong Bai laughed wildly.

The Shadow Envoy's single eye stared fixedly at the true fire golden lotus, hissing: "This item... can repair my Physical Body injuries, and even go further!"

The two instantly treated Lin Ye and the injured Fairy Yun Yao as air, their eyes only on the treasures.

But soon, they also noticed the Restriction on the treasures, as well as the grooves at the four corners of the magma pool.

"Need keys?" Murong Bai's gaze swept to Lin Ye and Fairy Yun Yao, finally landing on Lin Ye, "Kid, hand over the key in your hand!"

The Shadow Envoy also said gloomily: "And you, the little girl from Starfall Pavilion, don't think I don't know that you also have a 'Star Key' in your hand!"

Star Key? So the crimson token in Fairy Yun Yao's hand was not only a Fire-Avoidance Token, but also a key?

The situation instantly became complicated.

Four keys (Lin Ye's key, Fairy Yun Yao's Star Key, and very likely one each in the hands of Murong Bai and the Shadow Envoy?), corresponding to the four grooves.

And in the center of the hall, three treasures were watching covetously, and the Restriction was powerful.

The four forces were each harboring their own ulterior motives.

Murong Bai and the Shadow Envoy slowly approached, their gazes locked on Lin Ye and Fairy Yun Yao, especially the keys in their hands.

Fairy Yun Yao wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her expression cold, and a brilliant starlight Talisman appeared in her hand out of nowhere, its aura terrifying.

Lin Ye slowly retreated, approaching the edge of the magma pool, his brain working at high speed.

Fight hard? The two of them (Fairy Yun Yao injured, he himself not yet fully recovered from severe injury) against two (Murong Bai in poor condition, Shadow Envoy dying), seemingly evenly matched, but Murong Bai and the Shadow Envoy were both at the ninth level of Qi Refining; a thin camel is still bigger than a horse.

Hand over the key? That would be equivalent to handing over the treasures, and they would likely kill them to silence them after getting their hands on them.

Cooperate to break the Restriction? Dealing with tigers.

Perhaps... can I use the Restriction of the treasures?

Lin Ye's gaze swept over the automatically attacking fire dragon, sword light, and golden lotus, and then looked at the grooves at the four corners, a bold plan emerging in his mind.