285: Undercurrents surge within the secluded courtyard; true gold is forged in fire.

The Yan Heart Separate Courtyard lived up to its name.

The courtyard walls were built from warm, red jade, isolating the interior from most of the external heat and clamor. Inside, it was not an ordinary garden; instead, it utilized geothermal fire, cleverly arranged to form several zones with varying temperatures and concentrations of fire-attribute energy. There was a training ground as scorching as a furnace, residential quiet rooms as warm as spring, and hot spring pools formed by diverted branches of flame rivers, shrouded in mist. In the center of the courtyard, a strange three-colored fire lotus slowly bloomed in a small magma pool, with liquid fire spirit essence condensing at its heart, emitting an alluring aura.

This place was indeed where the Yan Clan entertained their most distinguished guests. The protective Formations were layered, and one could vaguely sense the aura of the elite Flame Dragon Guard patrolling outside the courtyard, standing on high alert.

"They certainly know how to enjoy themselves." Medusa swept her gaze over the layout of the courtyard, her cold, beautiful lips curving slightly. She walked straight toward the warm pavilion, which had a comfortable temperature and soft couches. Her Seven-Colored Dou Qi circulated slightly, dispersing the fire energy that felt a bit too dry for her.

Xiao Yi Xian was quite interested in the three-colored fire lotus. She could feel the majestic life energy and pure fire energy contained within the fire spirit essence, which also had a nourishing effect on her consolidated Chaos Poison Body. "This item is quite rare."

Elder Gu Hai silently found a quiet corner, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, while keeping his Soul Power projected outward, alert to any abnormal fluctuations. Elder Yan Sha being attacked made them even more cautious while in the heart of the Yan Realm.

Gu Xun'er and Li Ao stood side by side near the fire lotus in the courtyard. Xun'er extended a jade finger, a wisp of pale golden flame dancing on its tip, faintly resonating with the aura emitted by the fire lotus. "The Yan Clan is truly facing both internal and external troubles this time. Brother Li Ao, you spoke with Clan Chief Yan Jin privately; just how serious is the hidden danger of the Red Lotus Karma Fire?" She asked via sound transmission, as this matter was of great importance and should not be publicized.

Li Ao also responded via sound transmission, briefly informing her of his findings in the quiet room—the rule contamination, the ancient imprint, and the potential danger of a mole. He concluded, "Elder Yan Sha was attacked, likely because he supported the Alliance and may have inadvertently touched someone's sensitive nerves. The other party is either silencing him or issuing a warning, while also muddying the waters to prevent us from investigating the Karma Fire issue further."

Gu Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed deeply. "In that case, there is indeed a mole with a very high status within the Yan Clan, and they are deeply colluding with the Hun Clan. To be able to touch the deepest Origin of the Red Lotus Karma Fire, and perhaps even have left an imprint since ancient times... Who could this person be? One of the few remaining Grand Elders of the Yan Clan? Or..." She did not continue, but the meaning was clear; it could even involve Yan Jin's direct relatives or absolute confidants.

"Both are possible." Li Ao's expression was calm. "The more anxious the other party is and the more extreme the measures they use, the more it shows that we are on the right track and have touched their core interests. Next, Yan Jin will surely carry out a secret purge and investigation. We just need to wait and see, and provide some 'help' when necessary."

He paused and looked at Xun'er. "The negotiation of the Alliance details will likely have to be conducted amidst these treacherous undercurrents. Xun'er, you and Elder Gu Hai need to be extra careful. You must push for the Alliance, but also guard against anyone sabotaging it or even using the opportunity to cause trouble."

Gu Xun'er nodded. "I understand. Father has already sent a secret message; the Ancient Clan reinforcements are on the way, led by a hidden Elder at the Late Stage of the Four-Star Dou Sheng, who will arrive at the periphery of the Yan Realm in a few days to meet us. If things go wrong, we have a retreat route. However," she looked at Li Ao, her eyes filled with trust, "I believe that Brother Li Ao will definitely be able to resolve this crisis."

Just as the two were whispering, a voice came from outside the courtyard: "Huo Xuan requests an audience with Hall Master Li and Miss Xuner."

"Invite him in." Li Ao said.

The courtyard gate opened, and Huo Xuan strode in. His brows were tightly locked, his face showing obvious anger and anxiety, and the flame aura around his body was more restless than usual. "Hall Master Li, Miss Xuner, forgive the intrusion."

"Brother Huo Xuan, no need to be so formal. Is there news about Elder Yan Sha?" Li Ao asked.

Huo Xuan nodded and said in a deep voice, "Elder Yao (the Yan Clan's chief alchemist) has already treated Elder Yan Sha. The external injuries are not fatal, but his Soul has been eroded by a strange fire poison. That fire poison is extremely insidious, completely different from ordinary Yan Clan poison, specifically devouring Soul Power, and is extremely difficult to remove. Elder Yao can only temporarily stabilize the injuries to prevent them from worsening. Elder Yan Sha is sometimes conscious and sometimes delirious; when conscious, he only repeats fragmented words like 'fire poison... imprint... beware of fire...', making it difficult to ask for details."

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "The attacker's methods are vicious, and the residual Soul Power fluctuations have been tested and confirmed to be related to the Hun Clan! The Clan Chief is furious and has ordered the entire realm to be under martial law, secretly investigating everyone who has acted abnormally recently or has had frequent contact with the outside world. Several Elders who are not on good terms with Elder Yan Sha have already been temporarily restricted from movement and are undergoing questioning."

There was frustration and anger in Huo Xuan's tone. An Elder being attacked on their own turf, with the perpetrator suspected of colluding with external enemies and internal traitors, humiliated the Yan Clan, which had always prided itself on bravery and unity, and also made him feel deeply uneasy.

Li Ao pondered, "Fire poison devouring the Soul, imprint... Elder Yan Sha's words before falling unconscious might be a warning that the fire poison used by the attacker is related to some contaminated characteristic within the Red Lotus Karma Fire? Or perhaps the attacker themselves has some connection to that 'imprint'?"

Huo Xuan's eyes sharpened. "Hall Master Li, you mean...?"

"This is just a guess." Li Ao didn't say much more, turning to ask, "Brother Huo Xuan, you came here, surely not just to inform us about Elder Yan Sha's injuries?"

Huo Xuan took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and nodded. "The Clan Chief asked me to tell you all that the matter of clearing the Red Lotus Karma Fire contamination must be postponed. There are currently undercurrents surging within the clan, and it is not suitable to add more variables. The initial negotiation of the Alliance details will be led by our clan's Third Elder, Yan Lie (a relatively neutral, highly respected Elder at the Late Stage of the Two-Star Dou Sheng), and will take place tomorrow at the 'Yan Discussion Pavilion' next to the separate courtyard. Miss Xuner and Elder Gu Hai just need to attend. The Clan Chief hopes that Hall Master Li and everyone will try to stay in the separate courtyard recently and minimize going out to prevent any accidents."

He paused, a complex expression appearing on his face, and lowered his voice. "Also... the Clan Chief privately asked me to remind Hall Master Li that not everyone in the clan is happy to see the Alliance, especially some... old-school factions and those who are too deeply involved with certain forces. Younger sister Huo Zhi... she has been a bit too active recently, frequently visiting several Elders who have reservations about the Alliance. Although the Clan Chief trusts her, but... let me remind Hall Master Li that you also need to keep three parts of attention on her."

This was almost a direct hint. Although Yan Jin loved Huo Zhi, he remained clear-headed and vigilant when faced with the Clan Chief's position and the survival of the clan. The fact that Huo Xuan could come to convey this message also showed that he stood completely on the side of Yan Jin and Li Ao.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Huo Xuan, and please tell Clan Chief Yan Jin that we have it in mind." Li Ao said solemnly.

Huo Xuan nodded and said again, "Hall Master Li, can that Purification Lotus Demon Flame... really help Elder Yan Sha expel that strange fire poison? Elder Yao is at his wits' end regarding this." His eyes held hope.

Li Ao thought for a moment. "The Purification Lotus Demon Flame has a purifying effect, but it targets 'contamination' and 'Impurities' at the energy and rule level. Since the fire poison Elder Yan Sha is suffering from is related to Soul Power erosion, it might be worth a try. However, he needs to cooperate, and I need to carefully investigate the essence of the poison before I can act. I cannot guarantee success."

Hearing this, Huo Xuan was energized. "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, that is enough! I will go back and report to the Clan Chief! Arrange for Hall Master Li to treat Elder Yan Sha!" He bowed hurriedly and was about to leave.

"Brother Huo Xuan, wait." Li Ao stopped him. "The treatment should not be publicized. It is best to conduct it secretly to avoid startling the snake or giving certain people an opportunity."

Huo Xuan suddenly realized and nodded vigorously. "I understand! I will ask the Clan Chief to arrange the most secret route and protection!"

After sending Huo Xuan away, the separate courtyard returned to a brief silence. But the tension permeating the air did not dissipate.

"This Yan Realm is truly a place where every step is perilous." Xiao Yi Xian sighed softly.

"The more it is like this, the more true gold can be refined." Li Ao's gaze was distant. "The more frantic the Hun Clan and the mole are, the more it shows they are afraid. Afraid of the Alliance taking shape, afraid of the Red Lotus Karma Fire problem being solved, and afraid of their conspiracy being exposed. We just need to sit firmly on the fishing platform and wait for them to deliver their flaws to us."

That night, the Yan Heart Separate Courtyard was shrouded in a hazy crimson light barrier, a protective Formation personally reinforced by Yan Jin, sufficient to withstand the prying and surprise attacks of ordinary Dou Sheng.

Li Ao sat cross-legged in the quiet room, not Cultivating, but instead sinking his consciousness into his body to once again observe the Void Realm Thunder Dragon Soul, which was sealed in layers.

The purple-gold Dragon Soul remained unruly, charging back and forth within the Seal, emitting a silent roar as the power of thunder and the Void Realm surged.

"Void Realm attribute... Thunder attribute... the resilience and pride of a royal Dragon Soul..." Li Ao's consciousness stared at it, "The silent ruin blade embryo is an extension of the Dao of Annihilation; it requires a 'Spirit' that is indomitable and capable of cutting through falsehoods."

"Although you are violent, you fit this intent perfectly. However, one ingredient is still missing to reconcile the Dragon Soul's ferocity, stabilize its spirit so it does not dissipate, and achieve perfect Fusion with the silent ruin blade embryo..."

Information regarding several rare treasures of heaven and earth flashed through his mind, finally locking onto "kongming jade marrow" and "Nine-Turn Lightning Tribulation Wood."

The former is a supreme treasure with the Space attribute, capable of stabilizing the Soul body and opening up a spiritual space; the latter contains the most pure power of heaven and earth's lightning creation, capable of tempering the Dragon Soul, washing away Impurities, and stimulating its most fundamental royal potential.

Both of these items are incredibly rare.

"For the kongming jade marrow, perhaps the Lei Clan might have a collection, or some spatial families passed down from ancient times."

"As for the Nine-Turn Lightning Tribulation Wood... I heard the Pill Tower once had a remnant root, I wonder if it still exists, or perhaps some forbidden grounds that have endured ten thousand years of lightning strikes without being destroyed might have nurtured it..." Li Ao pondered inwardly, adding the search for these two Materials to his future plans.

Once successfully refined and the silent ruin blade spirit is born, its power will surely undergo a qualitative leap.

Just as he was deep in thought, a very slight, almost imperceptible "tap" sound suddenly came from the quiet room's window, as if something tiny had struck the barrier.

Li Ao suddenly opened his eyes, and the Power of Gui Xu silently diffused.

He did not sense any powerful energy fluctuations or Soul prying; the sound was so tiny that even the Flame Dragon Guard patrolling outside the courtyard might not have noticed it.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window was the red jade wall, with nothing unusual.

But when he looked down, his gaze narrowed slightly.

Beneath the windowsill, in a gap in the red jade, lay a peculiar crystal, no larger than a fingernail, dark red all over, and shaped like a teardrop.

The crystal itself had no strong energy fluctuations, but inside it was sealed a trace of extremely faint, yet instantly alarming to Li Ao — cold Soul Power aura!

This aura felt faintly homologous to the Hun Clan remnants sensed earlier in the Molten Fire Canyon, as well as the "pollution" speculated to be eroding the Red Lotus Karma Fire!

More importantly, the location where this crystal appeared was precisely outside his quiet room's window, and it had avoided the monitoring nodes of the main Formation; it was clearly delivered by someone after careful calculation!

"Testing the waters? Or... framing me?" Li Ao's eyes turned cold.

He did not rashly touch the crystal; the Power of Gui Xu turned into invisible threads, slowly wrapping around it to sense it carefully.

The crystal structure was stable, and that trace of cold Soul Power was perfectly sealed, like a miniature "poison sac."

If someone unaware touched or tried to destroy it, it might trigger the leakage of the Soul Power inside, or even an explosion, at which point this cold Soul Power would spread.

If this item were discovered in the Yan Heart Separate Courtyard, especially outside his, Li Ao's, quiet room, what would happen?

"It has finally come." Li Ao sneered in his heart.

The opponent dared not attack directly, so they began using such insidious framing tactics, wanting to create conflict between him and the Yan Clan, or at least arouse suspicion against him.

He carefully used the Power of Gui Xu to completely wrap and isolate the dark red crystal, then placed it into a specially made jade box and attached a sealing Talisman.

"This thing might become a clue." Li Ao pondered.

To be able to obtain a crystal containing Soul Power suspected to be homologous to the pollution of the Red Lotus Karma Fire, and to deliver it accurately outside his window, the identity and methods of the mole are not simple.

He did not make a scene, but only strengthened the self-protection of the quiet room, and sent voice transmissions to Gu Xun'er, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Elder Gu Hai, reminding them to strengthen their vigilance and pay attention to any subtle abnormalities.

That night, the Yan Heart Separate Courtyard seemed calm, but the battle in the shadows had already begun.

The next day, early morning.

Inside the Yan Discussion Pavilion, the consultation regarding the details of the Alliance was held as scheduled.

Gu Xun'er and Elder Gu Hai attended on behalf of the Ancient Clan and the Ruins Hall, while the Yan Clan side was led by the Third Elder Yan Lie, with several Elders responsible for foreign affairs, resources, and war readiness participating.

Huo Zhi, as a representative of the younger generation, also sat in to listen.

The consultation process was orderly on the surface, but Gu Xun'er could clearly feel that the several Yan Clan Elders had different attitudes.

There were those like Yan Lie who were pragmatically pushing forward, and others who were evasive in their speech and deliberately difficult or delaying on key clauses, especially when it came to wartime command, resource allocation ratios, and the depth of information sharing, where the differences were obvious.

Huo Zhi rarely spoke throughout the process, only quietly recording, occasionally pouring tea for the speaking Elders, appearing obedient and low-key.

But Gu Xun'er keenly noticed that whenever an Elder proposed relatively harsh or unfavorable clauses for the Alliance, beneath Huo Zhi's lowered eyelids, her gaze would flicker slightly, as if she had some kind of obscure eye contact with the Elder who proposed the clause.

"It seems this water is even murkier than imagined." Gu Xun'er understood in her heart, but her expression remained calm as she argued on the basis of reason, demonstrating the demeanor and wisdom that the Ancient Clan should have.

Meanwhile, in another extremely secret underground fire secret room in the Yan Realm.

Yan Jin's face was livid as he looked at a dark red teardrop crystal in his hand, which had just been presented by his confidant and was almost identical to the one Li Ao had received.

This crystal was discovered in a hidden corner of Yan Sha Peak!

"The same thing... appearing at the place where the Law Enforcement Elder of the Yan Clan was attacked, and outside Hall Master Li's residence!" Yan Jin's voice was bone-chilling, containing the fury of a volcanic eruption before it happens. "What a move, killing two birds with one stone! They want to confirm that the matter of the Law Enforcement Elder of the Yan Clan is related to Li Ao, and they also want to sow discord!"

"Clan Chief, the Soul Power contained within this object is strange, having similar fluctuations to the fire poison that attacked the Law Enforcement Elder of the Yan Clan, but it is purer and more hidden."

"The refining method is extremely clever and could only be done by a core Soul Refining master of the Hun Clan." An reclusive Yan Clan Elder who specialized in the Soul Dao and Artifact Refining said solemnly after careful inspection.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me! Everyone who has recently been in contact with the core area of the Ancestral Land Fire Altar, or who has the ability to refine or touch such Soul Power crystals! Not a single one is allowed to be missed!" Yan Jin was burning with rage, his killing intent almost solidifying.

The mole not only existed but was also daring, actually daring to provoke so blatantly!

He looked at another old man in the secret room whose aura was calm and heavy, like a rock: "Grand Elder Yan Gang, you are in full command of the clan's secret guards, cooperate with me in the purge! Better to investigate wrongly than to let one slip through!"

Yan Gang, one of the Yan Clan's Grand Elders, with a cultivation base of Early Stage Four-Star Dou Sheng, had been hidden behind the scenes for years, in charge of the Yan Clan's most secret armed forces, and was absolutely loyal to Yan Jin.

He slowly opened his eyes, which had been slightly closed. There was no flame in them, only the cold, rock-like gray color: "Rest assured, Clan Chief. The rat cannot run."

A silent and cruel purge and counter-purge targeting the high-level members of the Yan Clan quietly began under Yan Jin's fury and determination.

And the Yan Heart Separate Courtyard, which was on the edge of the storm, was destined not to be able to stay out of it forever.

That afternoon, Huo Xuan came to the separate courtyard secretly again, bringing Yan Jin's secret order: At midnight tonight, please have Li Ao secretly go to the underground secret room of Yan Sha Peak to try to dispel the poison for the Law Enforcement Elder of the Yan Clan.

At the same time, Yan Jin also vaguely mentioned that he already knew about the dark red crystal and was investigating it with all his might, asking Li Ao not to worry and to strengthen his own precautions.

Night fell once again.

The crimson sky turned into a deep dark red; the night in the Yan Realm was still hot and dry, but it seemed to hide more man-eating shadows.

Midnight was approaching.

Li Ao stood up quietly, gave a few instructions to Gu Xun'er and the others, and then, under the cover of Huo Xuan, like a ghost blending into the night, left the Yan Heart Separate Courtyard silently, sneaking towards Yan Sha Peak, which was still tightly sealed and had a heavy atmosphere.

And they did not realize that in the shadow of a flame tower far from the separate courtyard, a pair of cold eyes were watching Li Ao's departing figure from afar, the corners of the mouth curving into a cruel, triumphant smile.

"The bait has moved... 'The Furnace', it is time to heat up."