75: Dark collusion, a difficult journey forward.

After the Mysterious Figure retreated with the Men in Black, Qiao Feng and the others dared not delay for a moment. They continued their arduous journey through the Yanhuo Mountain Range, searching for a suitable location to Seal the southern bright fire pearl. The Man in Black Robe still tracked the Mysterious Figure's movements with that faint Qi, while also vigilant against any potential dangers.

Inside the Yanhuo Mountain Range, the temperature was extremely high. Scorching air currents constantly surged from all directions, making it unbearably hot. Magma churned on the ground, and volcanic rocks occasionally erupted, adding to the danger. Everyone cautiously navigated this harsh environment, every step filled with hardship.

On the other side, the Mysterious Figure returned to his stronghold. His face was grim as he sat at the head of the table, with a group of Men in Black standing below him. “This time, they got away, but it doesn’t matter. I have reached an agreement with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. With our combined forces, we will surely reclaim the southern bright fire pearl,” the Mysterious Figure said coldly.

“Cult Master, what should we do next?” a Man in Black respectfully asked.

A fierce glint flashed in the Mysterious Figure's eyes. “We will recuperate here first and await news from the Dark Holy Cult. They will set up numerous ambushes ahead. Once Qiao Feng and his group fall into the trap, we will attack them from both sides and wipe them out.”

After returning to his cult, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult was also busy making arrangements. He gathered many experts from the cult and meticulously formulated a battle plan. “This cooperation with the Mysterious Person is an excellent opportunity for us to obtain the southern bright fire pearl. Everyone must go all out and not make any mistakes,” the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult said sternly, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

“Yes, Cult Master!” everyone responded in unison.

Qiao Feng and the others continued their journey for a while in the Yanhuo Mountain Range. Suddenly, a narrow passage appeared ahead. Flames continuously erupted from the mountain walls on both sides of the passage, making the temperature inside extremely high and full of danger.

“This passage looks very dangerous, everyone be careful when passing through,” Qiao Feng reminded.

Everyone entered the passage one by one, trying to dodge the flames spewing from both sides. However, the flames in the passage seemed to change with a certain pattern, sometimes raging fiercely, sometimes weakening slightly. Just as everyone reached the middle of the passage, the flames suddenly became extremely violent, and pillars of fire shot towards them.

“Not good, everyone be careful!” Qiao Feng shouted, unleashing his Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Golden palm prints slammed towards the pillars of fire, attempting to repel them. Fu Hongxue brandished his long saber, Saber Qi crisscrossing, trying to carve out a path. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng combined their swords, Sword Qi like a rainbow, fending off the attacks of the fire pillars.

The Man in Black Robe formed hand Seals, casting ice-blue runes, attempting to lower the temperature in the passage and weaken the power of the flames. The Woman in White played her jade flute, and white light enveloped everyone, providing defensive shields while also soothing their emotions with the flute music, helping them stay calm.

The Blood Demon Hall members and Nether Ghost Sect members also unleashed their Cultivation Techniques, battling the flames. However, the power of the flames was too great, and everyone's situation became extremely perilous.

“This won't do, we must quickly find a way to get through this passage,” Qiao Feng said while fending off the fire pillars.

Just then, the Old Man carefully observed the mountain walls on both sides of the passage and discovered some peculiar runes. These runes flickered with a faint light, seemingly connected to the flames. “Don't panic, everyone, I've found some runes that might be able to resolve this flame crisis,” the Old Man said.

Hearing this, everyone continued to fend off the flames while looking towards the Old Man. The Old Man stepped forward, carefully studying the runes, muttering to himself. A moment later, he pressed his hands against the mountain wall, and a gentle force surged from his body, injecting into the runes.

A miraculous thing happened: the flames on both sides of the passage gradually weakened and finally stopped spewing. “Phew, we've temporarily resolved this flame crisis,” Qiao Feng sighed in relief.

Everyone continued forward. However, as soon as they exited the passage, they were met by a group of Flame Puppets. These Flame Puppets were enormous, formed from flames, wielding fiery long sabers, and exuding a powerful aura.

“These Flame Puppets are quite strong, everyone be careful,” Qiao Feng said.

Everyone immediately formed their battle formations and engaged the Flame Puppets. Qiao Feng unleashed his Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, golden palm prints continuously striking the Flame Puppets, each blow causing their bodies to sway. Fu Hongxue’s “Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon” Saber Qi was sharp and fierce, constantly slicing at the Flame Puppets' bodies. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng combined their swords, Sword Qi crisscrossing, moving freely among the Flame Puppets, searching for their weaknesses.

The Man in Black Robe cast ice-blue runes, attempting to freeze the Flame Puppets and weaken their power. The Woman in White played her jade flute, and white light enveloped everyone, providing defensive buffs while also disrupting the Flame Puppets' actions.

The Blood Demon Hall members and Nether Ghost Sect members also unleashed their unique skills, engaging in a desperate struggle with the Flame Puppets. Although the Flame Puppets were powerful, under the combined attacks of everyone, signs of defeat gradually appeared.

Just as everyone was about to defeat the Flame Puppets, a sinister laugh suddenly echoed from afar. “Haha, do you think you can easily pass through here?” The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult appeared before everyone with a group of experts.

“Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, it really is you. What do you want to do again?” Qiao Feng glared at the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult.

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult sneered, “Hmph, hand over the southern bright fire pearl, and we'll spare your lives. Otherwise, today will be your day of death.”

“Delusional! The southern bright fire pearl must never fall into the hands of you evil scoundrels,” Qiao Feng said firmly.

A fierce battle was about to erupt. Could Qiao Feng and the others break through the siege of the Dark Holy Cult? Would the Mysterious Figure appear at this time to form a pincer attack with the Dark Holy Cult? What would be the fate of the southern bright fire pearl? The situation in the Jianghu grew increasingly tense, and everything awaited them to face...