77: A desperate turn of events, a sudden change in the tide.

Facing the desperate situation of being attacked from both front and rear, Qiao Feng and the others erupted with astonishing combat power.

Qiao Feng's "Divine Dragon Swings Tail" and Fu Hongxue's extreme Saber Qi coordinated with each other, like a giant sharp blade, slashing fiercely towards the defensive line of the Dark Holy Cult.

The Sword Qi of West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng followed like shadows, continuously clearing away the enemies attempting to block them.

The Man in Black Robe exerted all its strength to activate the ice-blue runes. The radiance of the runes flared, forming a temporary ice wall in front of the group, blocking some of the attacks from the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult.

The Woman in White played her jade flute even more urgently. White light surged like a tide, not only strengthening the group's defense but also disrupting the enemies' vision.

The people from the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect also tried their best.

The Blood Demon unleashed the forbidden Blood Demon Cultivation Technique, and its own strength instantly increased several times over. The blood-red spiritual power, like a roaring Vicious Beast, charged towards the members of the Dark Holy Cult.

The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect summoned its most powerful Ghost Spirits as a trump card. This Ghost Spirit exuded dense black Yin Qi all over its body, and wherever it went, the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult were eroded by the Yin Qi, their combat power greatly diminished.

With a loud "Boom!", the joint attack of Qiao Feng and the others finally broke through the black spiritual shield of the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult.

A gap appeared in the defensive line of the Dark Holy Cult, and seeing this, the group immediately rushed towards the gap.

"Want to run? Not that easy!" the Mysterious Figure roared, and the black demonic hand suddenly accelerated, reaching out to grab the group.

The demonic hand was extremely fast, instantly catching up behind the group.

The old man had been keeping an eye on the movements of the Mysterious Figure. At the critical moment, he waved his cane, and a beam of light, soft yet containing powerful energy, shot out and struck the black demonic hand.

After being struck by the light, the black demonic hand paused for a moment. This brief pause bought the group precious time.

The group successfully broke through the defensive line of the Dark Holy Cult and ran deeper into the Yanhuo Mountain Range.

How could the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure easily let them go? They immediately led their subordinates in pursuit.

During the escape, Qiao Feng noticed that the terrain of the Yanhuo Mountain Range was becoming increasingly complex, and the surrounding fire power was also becoming more powerful.

Suddenly, a huge magma river appeared in front, blocking the group's path.

The magma river was dozens of zhang wide, with magma rolling and surging in the river, emitting a suffocating high temperature.

"What should we do? This magma river is blocking our way, and the enemies behind have caught up again," said Ye Gucheng.

Qiao Feng looked at the magma river, quickly pondering a countermeasure in his mind.

At this moment, the Man in Black Robe discovered some ancient traces by the river, which seemed to be the remnants of some kind of mechanism.

"Everyone, don't panic. Let me see if I can use these traces to find a way to cross the river," said the Man in Black Robe.

Just as the Man in Black Robe was studying the traces, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure had already caught up.

"You have nowhere to escape. Hand over the southern bright fire pearl obediently, and I can still spare your lives," shouted the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult.

Qiao Feng and the others struck fighting poses, preparing to engage in a life-and-death struggle with the enemies again.

However, after successive battles, everyone's stamina was severely depleted, and coupled with facing such strong enemies, the chances of winning were slim.

Seeing the group's predicament, the Mysterious Figure laughed triumphantly: "Haha, there is no escape for you today. I am determined to obtain the southern bright fire pearl. Once I get it, the entire Jianghu will be under my control."

Just at this critical moment, the Man in Black Robe finally found the way to activate the mechanism.

Following the instructions of the ancient traces, it turned a giant rock by the river.

Instantly, a stone bridge slowly rose from the center of the magma river. The stone bridge was made of a strange kind of stone and seemed not to fear the high temperature of the magma.

"Quick, let's cross the river before they react!" shouted Qiao Feng.

The group quickly rushed towards the stone bridge.

Seeing the stone bridge appear, the expressions of the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure changed drastically, and they immediately launched attacks, attempting to stop everyone from crossing the river.

Beams of black spiritual light, blood-red spiritual threads, and eerie Ghost Qi shot towards the group.

Qiao Feng and the others blocked the attacks while quickly stepping onto the stone bridge.

Fu Hongxue brought up the rear, waving his long saber, blocking the attacks aimed at the group one by one.

Just as everyone was about to cross the river, Fu Hongxue was hit by a black spiritual light beam, and his body swayed.

"Fu Hongxue!" exclaimed Qiao Feng and the others.

Fu Hongxue gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and continued to block the enemies' attacks, covering the others as they crossed the river.

Finally, everyone crossed the river.

Qiao Feng immediately turned around and, together with Fu Hongxue, destroyed the stone bridge.

The stone bridge collapsed with a roar and fell into the magma river, splashing up large amounts of magma.

Watching the group escape, the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure were furious.

"Damn it, we absolutely cannot let them get away like this!" the Mysterious Figure roared.

However, at this moment, the magma river blocked their path, and they could only watch helplessly as Qiao Feng and the others departed.

Qiao Feng and the others continued to advance in the Yanhuo Mountain Range. They knew that the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure would definitely not give up and would certainly find ways to catch up with them again.

Moreover, unknown dangers in the Yanhuo Mountain Range were still waiting for them.

During the journey forward, everyone noticed that the surrounding flames seemed to be surging rhythmically, as if rotating around a certain center.

"The abnormal movement of these flames is very strange. Could there be something important ahead?" said West Gate Blows Snow.

The group proceeded in the direction of the flame's movement, and shortly after, an ancient palace appeared before them.

The palace exuded a mysterious aura, its doors tightly shut, and the doors were covered with strange runes.

What kind of secret does this ancient palace hide? Is it related to the Seal of the southern bright fire pearl? How will the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure catch up with the group again? The situation in the Jianghu is becoming increasingly confusing, and everything is waiting for the group to uncover the truth.