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The depths of the ruins were vastly different from the outside world. For hundreds of years, few cultivators had been able to break in, so the pavilions, towers, and more than a dozen magnificent palaces inside remained well preserved.
Aside from showing signs of age, there were hardly any missing wooden beams or collapsed walls. Unlike the outer structures, which had long been looted—right down to the very stones that were dismantled and taken by various sects—the inner sanctum still held its grandeur.
The yellow-turbaned female cultivator addressed the group. "Now that we are all here, we need to work together to break the remaining restrictions. If there are no objections, let's begin."
Though they had successfully broken through the soul-damaging restriction, it did not mean the path ahead was completely safe.
The old man in white took the lead. "I have no objections."
"I don't either," Pei Ao said with a smile.
Qi Yuan naturally agreed without hesitation. They were deep within another sect's territory—this was no place to act recklessly.
With their combined efforts, they temporarily broke through seven or eight powerful prohibitions, creating an opening. One by one, they moved cautiously toward the Fire God Sect complex.
Ling Yuling approached, her voice carrying a playful charm. "Fellow Daoist Qi, I don't think we've met before. May I ask which sect you belong to?"
"Yuling, don't be rude," the yellow-turbaned female cultivator said gently. Though there was no harshness in her tone, she was still mindful not to offend Qi Yuan. Many cultivators at the Jindan stage were known for their pride.
Qi Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, but he answered calmly, "It's nothing. I cannot reveal my master's name, but I have made great progress in my training over the years and was granted permission to leave the island to gain experience."
Ling Yuling's beautiful face showed a hint of surprise. Her lively eyes gleamed as she asked, "Then your master must be a Nascent Soul stage cultivator?"
The others reacted differently to her words.
A Jindan cultivator already held a respectable status within the Chaos Star Sea, but one backed by a Nascent Soul stage master would command even more respect.
Qi Yuan merely smiled and said nothing.
The old men in white exchanged knowing glances, while Ling Yuling continued probing for information.
Qi Yuan answered most of her questions openly, keeping only the most critical details to himself.
To the others, his openness made him seem like a naive newcomer—someone who was too sincere and unguarded.
His master's teachings must have been a complete failure.
Seeing through him, Ling Yuling's confident smile grew. Her initial curiosity faded as she lost interest, returning to the yellow-turbaned female cultivator without a second glance.
Qi Yuan felt a trace of disappointment but said nothing.
Pei Ao, who had been anxious at first when Ling Yuling approached Qi Yuan, suddenly relaxed. Seeing her lose interest so quickly brought a wave of relief, and joy flickered in his eyes.
Ling Yuling's lazy, alluring demeanor fascinated both men and women alike. Even though Pei Ao struggled with his own feelings, a strange emotion stirred within him.
Am I really developing a broken sleeve*?
The emotional shifts among the three did not go unnoticed by the old man in white and the yellow-turbaned female cultivator. However, the latter remained silent, her expression unreadable.
The old man in white cleared his throat and said, "Once we enter the palace, we will need to search separately. It would be wise to state our goals now to avoid unnecessary conflicts."
Pei Ao spoke first. "According to ancient records, the Fire God Sect once cultivated a Seven-Star Fire Lotus. My goal is the Baicao Garden."
"The treasure vault," the yellow-turbaned female cultivator said calmly.
Qi Yuan smiled. "I seek the Five Elements Earth Fire."
The old man in white stroked his long beard in surprise. "The Five Elements Earth Fire? That's a rare find. While it has no self-awareness, it can move freely among the five elements. Since you know about it, does that mean the restrictions sealing it have been broken? Capturing it won't be easy—it will be a matter of luck."
Qi Yuan sighed. "Regardless of the odds, I have to try."
The yellow-turbaned female cultivator turned to the old man in white. "And you, Brother Hong?"
The old man in white smiled bitterly. "The cultivation method I practice was inherited from the Fire God Sect. For my future progress, I must complete it. Switching techniques at this stage would be time-consuming, costly, and inefficient."
With their objectives established, there was no immediate conflict of interest, keeping the atmosphere harmonious.
With one final effort, the group broke through the last restriction, stepping into the vast palace complex of the Fire God Sect.
The yellow-turbaned female cultivator turned to the others. "Everyone, seek your own fortunes. We will take our leave." With that, she took Ling Yuling and flew toward a nearby mountain.
Pei Ao bowed and departed in another direction.
The old man in white looked at Qi Yuan, who was surveying the structures. "Fellow Daoist Qi, I will go ahead. Be careful."
Qi Yuan nodded slightly and watched as he left.
Where could the Five Elements Earth Fire be?
He spread his divine sense to search, but the depths of the Fire God Sect were heavily warded, limiting his range and obstructing his perception.
Looking up at the pink sky, Qi Yuan frowned, then flew toward Fire Cloud Cave.
This cave was known for its natural illusions, used by the Fire God Sect to train the minds of their disciples. Since it was only a training ground, it likely contained no significant treasures.
That meant no one else would choose to go there.
The Five Elements Earth Fire moved unpredictably—he had to search everywhere.
Following a map given by Yuan Yao, Qi Yuan arrived at a cave entrance. A soft red glow illuminated the surroundings, unlike the dark, damp atmosphere of most caverns. The fiery clouds inside created a breathtaking sight.
An incredible natural illusion.
As Qi Yuan approached, a strange sensation tugged at his mind, as if pulling him into a dreamlike realm.
His past experiences on Xiaohuan Island had strengthened his mental resilience, allowing him to resist the illusion's influence.
Since he was already here, he might as well test his willpower.
Qi Yuan stepped into Fire Cloud Cave, vanishing into the pink mist.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back at the front lines of Jinguyuan in the Yue Kingdom. Across from him stood Nangong Wan, a woman he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Little guy, you're back?"
Her cold yet stunning face radiated joy as she abandoned all decorum, rushing into his arms, ignoring the surprised looks from those around them.
Had he really returned to Yue?
Qi Yuan hesitated. Everything about Nangong Wan felt real—her warmth, her scent, even the lingering marks he had once left on her body.
A voice in his mind insisted that this was reality, yet he pushed Nangong Wan away. Her eyes filled with confusion and hurt.
Without hesitation, Qi Yuan summoned the Chaos Cauldron, smashing it into the air. A black hole appeared, and in a flash, he escaped the illusion.
The illusion wasn't strong enough to withstand the power of this treasure. Even in a passive state, the Chaos Cauldron shattered it with ease.
Qi Yuan didn't want to harm Nangong Wan, even if she was just an illusion.
As his vision cleared, he finally saw the true structure of Fire Cloud Cave.
The walls were lined with Fire Cloud Crystals—precious refining materials.
Excitement surged within him as he stepped forward, only for the illusion to shift once more. This time, it was Chen Qiaoqian gazing at him with longing eyes.
Again, he summoned the Chaos Cauldron, breaking free.
Again and again, illusions tested him, even manifesting his own master.
At last, he reached the cave's depths, where a human head-sized chunk of Fire Crystal Sky Stone gleamed before him. A single thumb-sized piece of this material could sell for ten thousand spirit stones.
Nearby, over a dozen three-thousand-year-old Fire Cloud Mushrooms grew—top-grade spiritual medicines.
Who would have thought such treasures lay hidden here? Even the Fire God Sect monks likely never realized it.
*End of Chapter*