Chapter 11: Self-sealed Strange Fire

Yuan Qing and the Flame Demon Old Ghost surveyed the entire mountain for a long time before finally choosing a rock wall that looked as if a giant hand had chiseled out a niche—barely large enough for a single person to rest. Standing side by side in the void, they positioned themselves at an angle for a joint attack, leaving a few feet of space between them. Meanwhile, the three incarnations guarding Yuan Qing formed a perfect protective formation. This made the eyelids of the Flame Demon Old Ghost, hidden under his mask, twitch slightly, though he could only cast a helpless glance at Yuan Qing while maintaining his distance.

After repeated exploration, the two discovered that the restrictions in the sunken area were the most scattered and weakest—perhaps because a powerful individual had often come to inspect and rest there. Convinced that this was the optimal point to break the restrictions, they agreed to proceed from there. Yuan Qing exchanged a brief glance with the old demon Yan Mo, noting no hesitation from him, then set his eyes on the cliff and, after a slight pause, took action.

"Boom!"

In an instant, one of the three incarnations shot toward the rock wall and struck it with a heavy bang, causing the entire mountain to shake violently.

Yuan Qing watched this with a smile, thinking the restriction was trivial and that the old Flame Demon had gone to great lengths merely to join forces with him in breaking it. However, the next moment, Yuan Qing's face turned solemn.

"These mountain restrictions double the rebound of attacks!"

The incarnation Yuan Qing sent was seen falling backward in a tattered state; its once-solid form had become illusory. Its miserable appearance elicited a sneer from the Flame Demon Old Ghost beside him.

"Old Flame Demon, you're courting death! You knew about the rebound restriction—why didn't you warn me? Don't forget, if my incarnation's energy is overdrawn, I may not be able to break this restriction. Then not only will we fail to obtain the treasure in this mountain, but we'll also provoke a mighty foe. For the sake of both our lives, stop your tricks, or I'll leave immediately! Humph!"

Yuan Qing glared at the ethereal incarnation, his bloodshot eyes blazing, and roared at the old Flame Demon. In response, the old Flame Demon sneered beneath his mask, "Old Yuan Qing, you're mistaken. When you ordered your incarnation to attack the rock wall, I intended to remind you—but you moved so quickly that it was already in motion. How can you blame me? If you truly wish to forgo the Ice and Fire Vermilion Fruit, I won't force you. You can leave. At worst, I can call my men and trade their lives for that fruit—it would be their blessing, hahahaha."

The old Flame Demon's tone was indifferent, knowing that Yuan Qing had been trapped in this realm for many years. Yuan Qing's face reddened with anger; his eyelids twitched wildly and his old eyes widened like copper bells. In the end, he said no more—there was nothing left to say. Suppressed by his opponent's power, he no longer had the deterrent strength he once did. It seemed he could only cooperate temporarily to break this rebound restriction; once that was overcome, well... he'd leave it to fate.

"Hmph! If you know anything further, you'd better tell me immediately. Otherwise, if we remain on guard against each other, how can we seize the treasure of heaven and earth in this mountain? I expect you to be forthcoming—if not, I'll leave at once. The worst-case scenario is that I'll have to relinquish the Ice and Fire Vermilion Fruit."

Yuan Qing, while feigning fury, was already contemplating the next steps. Sensing his thoughts, the old demon Yan Mo responded briefly before joining him in working to break the mountain's restrictions.

High above, Xiao Yan watched the bickering below and considered how he might seize an opportunity to explore this strangely familiar mountain. Now that the two had reached an agreement, he observed them slowly advancing toward the giant mountain, their attention fixed on the rock wall. Seizing this moment, Xiao Yan carefully extended his soul power, forming a slender wisp of soul lines as he inched toward the rock wall above Yuan Qing and the others. Sure enough, his probing revealed a thin, invisible light curtain enveloping the entire mountain without any gaps.

However, when Xiao Yan's soul power touched the energy curtain, he detected an extremely violent energy—simultaneously hot and cold. This was the very energy he knew best: the power of Strange Fire!

"This… this is the power of Strange Fire, but how can it be so strong and violent? Could it be that this Strange Fire has existed for a thousand years, or even longer?"

Xiao Yan sensed the familiar breath emanating from the energy light curtain and thought in shock: no wonder there was a familiar aura that both Huo Yi and he recognized—it originated from this Dou Qi light curtain. Judging by the intense breath, the Strange Fire here definitely possessed its own spiritual intelligence. But if that were so, why would it seal itself here?

After careful observation, Xiao Yan discovered that the restriction was clearly meant to seal something, its aura derived from Strange Fire. It was evident that this Strange Fire had sealed itself. For if the Strange Fire were enraged, it would not merely seal its target to allow escape, but would use the most direct and brutal means to completely annihilate it. Now, having explored with his soul power, the aura of this forbidden light curtain unmistakably belonged to a transformed spirit of Strange Fire that had sealed itself here for some unknown reason.

"It appears that the Strange Fire discovered by these two is no ordinary thing! Perhaps it has undergone abnormal changes. Tsk, tsk—such a powerful treasure of heaven and earth must be sealed here. It truly is a waste of heaven's gift! Now it seems that among these two, only the Soul Clan member who calls himself part of the Ghost Killing Sect knows what lies within the mountain. In that case, hehe..."

When Xiao Yan reached the end of his thought, he let out a wicked laugh, nearly alerting Yuan Qing and the others. Fortunately, nothing occurred, or he would have been in danger.

After calming himself, Xiao Yan attached a trace of soul power to the restriction, then closed his eyes and waited quietly for news from the two below.

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