419: Chapter 419 Climbing

Xiao Lingxian followed closely behind, and together they arrived at the foot of Heart-Burning Ridge.

Looking up, the entire mountain path wound upward. The stone steps were faintly entwined with pale gold flame patterns, and a domineering, scorching aura permeated the air. Ordinary Cultivators would feel their minds becoming restless and difficult to control just by getting slightly close.

Yu Qingyan took a deep breath and was the first to step onto the first stone step.

In an instant, a violent heat surged from the soles of her feet, sweeping through her Meridians like boiling magma. Everywhere it passed, her Meridians seemed to tremble slightly. That was no ordinary flame; it was a bizarre power that pierced straight through the Divine Soul and scorched one's Heart-Nature.

Beside her, Xiao Lingxian's experience was the exact opposite.

The moment she stepped onto the stone stairs, she felt her whole body relax, as if a long drought had met sweet rain. The Heaven-Burning Flames that had been restless inside her for days actually began to calm down slowly at this moment, becoming as docile as if they had found their home.

The Heart-Burning Flames permeating the mountain path not only failed to hurt her but instead resonated faintly with her own true fire, making her feel comfortable all over.

Just as the two took their second step, the flames on the stone stairs suddenly flared up.

The stinging pain doubled instantly, as if her flesh was being roasted over an intense fire, and even her bones were growing hot.

Yu Qingyan's cold countenance was instantly stained with a sickly crimson flush. Fine beads of sweat slid down her neck, soaking her form-fitting green dress and outlining her exquisite curves. Her teeth were clenched tight as she desperately suppressed any cries of pain, yet deep within her eyes, a strange and satisfied light quietly flickered.

After just a moment, she was drenched in sweat and appeared to be in extreme agony.

The Mountain-Guarding Elder stood to the side and, seeing this, spoke softly: "This fire is called the Heart-Burning Flame. It specifically burns Heart Demons and cleanses the Impurities of one's cultivation. The pain you feel originates from your own hidden impetuousness, hostility, and obsessions. Young lady, there is no need to force yourself. If you cannot endure it, you can withdraw at any time..."

Before the words could fully leave her mouth—

"Mm~"

A very soft yet exceptionally clear moan drifted into their ears.

That sound did not resemble a wail; instead, it carried an indescribable hint of laziness and intoxication, making one's ears flush slightly upon hearing it.

The Mountain-Guarding Elder stiffened, her words coming to a dead stop as her gaze turned instantly vacant.

She had guarded this Phoenix Bone Land for hundreds of years and had seen countless Prodigy Disciples. Some gritted their teeth and endured, some wept bitterly, and some rolled down the mountain screaming, but she... had never heard anyone make such a strange sound while being scorched by the Heart-Burning Flame.

The Elder subconsciously rubbed her ears, suspecting she was getting old and experiencing auditory hallucinations.

But looking up, the scene before her made her heart skip a beat.

She saw Yu Qingyan's green dress half-soaked and clinging to her body, her cheeks flushed as if drunk. Those usually cold and proud phoenix-like eyes were half-closed and clouded with a thin layer of mist. While her expression was clearly one of pain, deep in her gaze was a hidden, undeniable pleasure and addiction, making her entire aura become exceptionally subtle.

This girl... this kind of Heart-Nature was far too bizarre and rare!

Xiao Lingxian also stared blankly at Yu Qingyan beside her, completely stunned for a moment.

She didn't think too much of it, simply assuming the other was still holding onto her Dao Heart despite the extreme pain. Sister Qiyue's past reminders involuntarily surfaced in her mind:

"On the path of cultivation, high talent and good Opportunity are not the most fearsome things. Those who can truly reach the Peak are those with resilient wills and unyielding spirits, who never give up even in the most desperate situations."

As long as such people are given a sliver of a chance, they can soar to the heavens.

Xiao Lingxian had always considered herself diligent and hardworking within the Sect, but comparing herself to Yu Qingyan now, she realized that this favored daughter of the Tiangong Pavilion not only had talent far exceeding others, but even her resilience of Heart-Nature was far beyond that of ordinary Prodigies. To be in extreme pain yet still refuse to take a single step back—this will was truly admirable.

Sensing the strange gazes of the two, Yu Qingyan snapped back to her senses.

She forcibly suppressed that indescribable feeling of comfort, pulled back all her unusual expressions, and tried her best to put on a solemn and grave look as she spoke in a deep voice:

"I... I didn't expect this Heart-Burning Flame to be so domineering."

"However... Opportunities are always hard to come by. If I miss this chance, there won't be another."

*Hiss—*

She took a deep breath, suppressed her churning aura, gritted her teeth again, and resolutely took the third step.

She felt that this trip to the Secret Realm was truly not in vain.

Seeing this, Xiao Lingxian also quickly focused her mind and followed closely behind.

The Mountain-Guarding Elder stood in place, watching the two figures climbing one after the other, speechless for a long time.

One was surrounded by flames, calm and relaxed like a fish in water;

The other was struggling in severe pain but grew more courageous with every setback, even faintly enjoying it.

The Elder watched their departing figures, leaving only a long sigh in her heart:

Times change; the Junior Disciples of today are truly more unexpected than the last...

...

The moment she stepped through the ancient gate, Yun Xuanxuan felt the world spinning, and the whistling wind in her ears replaced the dead silence of the underground palace.

By the time she stabilized herself, an ancient battlefield of broken walls and ruins lay before her.

As a member of the Dragon Clan, she was naturally able to sense the Water Origin Qi between heaven and earth, but here, besides dead silence, there was only a faint power of a Restriction that made her feel vaguely uneasy.

"Where is this?"

Yun Xuanxuan looked around blankly. Mu Wanqing and Xie Stars were nowhere to be found; she was alone, walking on this ancient battlefield.

She didn't want to stay here for long and was about to find a way out when a sharp aura of a technique suddenly came from behind, aimed straight at her back.

Yun Xuanxuan's reaction was extremely fast. The sharp intuition of the Dragon Clan allowed her to instantly turn sideways, her soft figure drifting away like willow catkins. With a loud "boom," the spot where she had just been standing was blasted into a deep pit, sending gravel flying.

"Demon girl, how dare you trespass into the Secret Realm of my Yuquan Void Palace!"

An old and majestic voice rang out, carrying undisguised hostility.

Yun Xuanxuan looked toward the source of the sound and saw the phantom of a grey-robed old man standing on a broken wall not far away. His hair and beard were all white, and he held a three-foot-long ink-colored saber.

"Junior is not of the Yao Race."

Yun Xuanxuan said in a deep voice, "I am Yun Xuanxuan. I unfortunately ended up in this body and definitely did not intend to trespass into the Secret Realm. It was Senior A-Qi who brought me here."

The old man gave a cold laugh and raised the Ink Saber slightly, sending several streaks of pitch-black Saber Qi toward the ground, kicking up layers of dust: "Do you really think this old man is senile? Although you've deliberately suppressed that turbid Qi of the Dragon Clan, it cannot escape my eyes! What 'unfortunately ended up in this body'? You are clearly a loach from the water that has attained spirit form, trying to covet the Opportunities of the Secret Realm!"

Yun Xuanxuan's brow furrowed slightly, though she wasn't particularly angry, having long since grown accustomed to this.

The prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain.

Moreover, this Yuquan Void Palace was originally destroyed by the Yao Race, so she didn't want to say more and chose the next best thing:

"Since Senior does not believe me, then I shall withdraw from this place immediately and will not stay a moment longer."

After saying that, she turned to walk in the opposite direction of the Secret Realm's depths.

"You think you can leave just because you've come?"

The old man snorted coldly, his figure flashing to block Yun Xuanxuan. The Ink Saber swept out, and a pitch-black net of Saber Qi suddenly unfolded, the Saber Qi chilling as it sealed off all her paths of retreat.

"Does the Yuquan Void Palace Secret Realm allow you monsters to come and go as you please? Today, I shall act on behalf of Heaven and eliminate you, a hidden threat!"