69: The struggle for succession is brewing beneath the surface.

Facing the suddenly appearing Mysterious Figures, Qiao Feng and the others immediately became vigilant, striking fighting poses. Qiao Feng declared loudly, "We have come to resolve the crisis in the Yanhuo Mountain Range and have no intention of offending. But if you insist on blocking us, we will never back down."

The leading Mysterious Figure snorted coldly, "The Yanhuo Mountain Range is fraught with danger, all caused by greedy people like you trying to seize the southern bright fire pearl. Your attempts to obtain the mysterious Legacy are nothing but wishful thinking."

Blood Demon couldn't help but shout, "Hmph, stop talking nonsense! If it weren't for that Mysterious Evil Force setting a trap, we wouldn't be trapped here. Let's attack together and break through their obstruction." Hearing this, the Blood Demon Hall members prepared to launch an attack.

The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect also chimed in, "Indeed, if not now, when?" The Disciples of the Nether Ghost Sect chanted incantations, summoning eerie Yin Qi.

Qiao Feng frowned deeply, knowing it was not wise to act rashly at this moment. "Hold on, everyone, calm down first. If we fight them, we will only suffer mutual losses, playing right into the hands of the Mysterious Evil Force."

The Man in Black Robe stepped forward and said, "Everyone, I am a successor of Lingxiao Pavilion. Lingxiao Pavilion has a deep connection with the Yanhuo Mountain Range; perhaps we can discuss this properly and avoid conflict."

The Mysterious Figures showed a slight change in expression upon hearing 'Lingxiao Pavilion'. The leader said, "Lingxiao Pavilion... indeed had dealings with the Yanhuo Mountain Range in the past. But how do you explain the others among you?"

Qiao Feng clasped his fists and said, "Although we come from different forces, we are all trapped here now, only to resolve the crisis, with no malicious intent. If we can obtain the mysterious Legacy, we are willing to guard the Yanhuo Mountain Range together, preventing the southern bright fire pearl from falling into the hands of evil forces."

The Mysterious Figures conversed in low voices. After a moment, the leader said, "We can give you a chance. The mysterious Legacy of the Yanhuo Mountain Range is a test for those with destiny. If you can pass the test, you can obtain the Legacy, and we will no longer obstruct you. But if you fail, please leave immediately and do not step into the Yanhuo Mountain Range again."

Everyone exchanged glances and nodded. The Mysterious Figures waved their hands, and the runes on the stone platform glowed brightly, a light screen shot up into the sky, displaying various strange scenes within.

"This is the test. You must accept challenges within the light screen. The difficulty of the challenges will vary according to your respective strengths," the leading Mysterious Figure explained.

Qiao Feng was the first to step into the light screen. Inside, a giant Fire Qilin appeared. Unlike the Fire Qilin encountered before, this Qilin's flames were even hotter, exuding a more powerful aura. Qiao Feng took a deep breath, unleashed the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, and golden palm prints rained down on the Fire Qilin. The Fire Qilin roared, spitting out a thick pillar of flame that collided with Qiao Feng's palm prints, erupting in a deafening roar.

Fu Hongxue followed closely into the light screen. Before him appeared a group of Flame Warriors, who, armed with flaming long sabers, charged at Fu Hongxue in unison. Fu Hongxue brandished his long saber, and the Saber Qi of the Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossed, engaging in a fierce battle with the Flame Warriors.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng stepped into the light screen together. Inside the light screen, they found themselves in a Flame Sword Array, where swords formed from flames continuously thrust at them. The two unleashed their combined sword techniques, Sword Qi crisscrossing, attempting to break through the sword array.

After the Man in Black Robe stepped into the light screen, he encountered a Flame Giant. The Flame Giant, several zhang tall, wielded a massive flaming stone pillar and swung it at the Man in Black Robe. The Man in Black Robe formed hand seals, unleashing Lingxiao Pavilion's ultimate technique, sending streaks of icy blue runes flying towards the Flame Giant, attempting to weaken its power.

After the Woman in White entered the light screen, a Flame Maze appeared within. The maze was filled with various traps and illusions. The Woman in White played her jade flute, and the flute's sound transformed into white light, guiding her direction while fending off the attacks of the illusions.

The Blood Demon Hall and Nether Ghost Sect members also stepped into the light screen, each facing different challenges. Blood Demon confronted a group of blood-red Flame Phantoms, which continuously absorbed his Blood Demon Power; the Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect, meanwhile, had to contend with a giant skeleton composed of ghostly flames, which continuously released powerful Yin Qi.

While everyone was undergoing their tests, the remnants of the Mysterious Evil Force were searching for the southern bright fire pearl elsewhere in the Yanhuo Mountain Range. They believed that everyone was trapped in flames and lava and would be too preoccupied to notice, unaware that Qiao Feng and the others had already reached the mysterious Legacy site.

"Quickly, search! The southern bright fire pearl must be nearby. Once we find it, we'll go back and deal with those guys," the leading Man in Black urged.

They searched everywhere, not missing a single corner. Suddenly, a subordinate excitedly shouted, "Boss, there's a cave here, and it seems to have strong spiritual energy fluctuations inside."

A hint of surprise flashed in the Man in Black's eyes, "Let's go, let's check it out."

They cautiously entered the cave, which was filled with dense flame spiritual energy. In the depths of the cave, a pearl emitting a scorching glow floated in mid-air—it was precisely the southern bright fire pearl.

"Haha, finally found it!" The Man in Black excitedly reached out to grab the southern bright fire pearl. However, just as his hand was about to touch the pearl, a flame barrier suddenly appeared, bouncing his hand away.

"What's going on?" The Man in Black frowned.

At this moment, a voice came from the cave: "If you want to take the southern bright fire pearl, you'll have to get past me first." A Flame Spirit appeared before them. The Flame Spirit was small in stature but exuded a powerful aura.

The Man in Black snorted coldly, "A mere Flame Spirit dares to stop us. Attack, deal with it!" The remnants of the Mysterious Evil Force all charged towards the Flame Spirit.

Meanwhile, Qiao Feng and the others' trials in the light screen entered a critical moment. Could they successfully pass the trials and obtain the mysterious Legacy? Could the Mysterious Evil Force break through the Flame Spirit's obstruction and seize the southern bright fire pearl? How would Qiao Feng and the others face the Mysterious Evil Force after passing the trials? The Jianghu situation grew increasingly tense, and everything was full of variables...