Chapter 1642: Fire Rhinoceros Island

Wuxia and Xianxia

The Cloud Roaming Sword hung inverted above, its tip pointed directly at the Gu King. The sword gleam pulsed, and its intent brewed, subtle yet potent.

Even before the sword struck, the Gu King grew restless and anxious, its protective poisonous aura immediately retracting. It was clearly reacting as if it had encountered a natural predator.

The Gu King raised its head, staring at the Cloud Roaming Sword, and let out a threatening cry. To Qin Sang, however, the cry lacked confidence.

Hearing this, Qin Sang knew he had found the key. He immediately activated the sword intent, and the Cloud Roaming Sword trembled slightly as sword light streamed forth.

Within the sword light, there was no killing intent, only pure sword intent. Qin Sang did not intend to kill the Gu King; he merely wanted to suppress its fierce nature.

The effect of this sword was evident. The Gu King scurried to hide. Having followed the Grotesque-Faced Man for many years, its fear of this kind of aura was deeply ingrained.

After several adjustments, Qin Sang also incorporated the poison bead to assist. Finally, the Gu King wrapped its entire body with its wings, curling into a ball. Its protective poisonous aura formed a sphere, creating a cocoon of light that sealed itself within.

"Phew..."

Qin Sang let out a light sigh of relief and examined the light cocoon. With the Cloud Roaming Sword remaining above, catalyzing sword intent, and the poison bead transforming into a luminous mist surrounding the light cocoon, this dual suppression barely managed to suppress the Gu King's ferocity. The Gu King had voluntarily entered a dormant state.

This state clearly could not be considered a true subjugation. As long as Qin Sang didn't reveal killing intent, a strange balance could be maintained. However, once the Gu King sensed a threat to its life, the balance would be broken.

The Gu King possessed low intelligence and a ferocious nature. Apart from the Grotesque-Faced Man who cultivated it, no one else could make it submit, and Qin Sang, at least, couldn't think of any viable methods. However, making the poison bead devour the Gu King wouldn't be easy either.

He paused to think, then attempted to activate the poison bead, revealing an aura of devouring power. As expected, the light cocoon trembled, and the Gu King's ferocity was almost reactivated. Qin Sang had no choice but to stop, thinking that maintaining this state was sufficient for now, and he would ponder it further after leaving the Boundless Immortal Sect.

His fingers flickered, imparting several sword incantations into the Cloud Roaming Sword, allowing the spirit sword to autonomously maintain its sword intent without expending his mental energy. Then, with a slight thought, he drew all three into his body.

The poison bead, with its luminous mist enveloping the light cocoon, returned to his Dantian. The Cloud Roaming Sword settled high in his Zifu, its sword intent reaching directly into his Qihai. Qin Sang focused his mind inwards, sensed for a moment, and, confirming everything was fine, no longer paid attention to the Gu King. He then organized all the Grotesque-Faced Man's miscellaneous items, sorting them by category and storing them away.

The avatar had been regulating its breath and was now almost fully recovered. In this battle, the avatar had repeatedly wielded spirit treasures to assist the main body, consuming a great deal of energy. The battle results were brilliant, especially the avatar's gains in the Ice Ceremony Palace, which made Qin Sang exclaim that the trip was truly worthwhile.

The avatar handed the Ice-Fire Token and the Water Element legacy to the main body. It also sketched out all the spirit formations and restrictions it remembered for the main body to store and contemplate in the future.

Next, Qin Sang still planned to split his forces. The main body would first ascend Mount Imperial Edict to scout the situation and prepare to contend for the Nascent Soul Transformation opportunity. The avatar, meanwhile, would go to Fire Rhinoceros Island to search for the fire-element treasure before meeting at Mount Imperial Edict. This was an unavoidable measure, as neither the Nascent Soul Transformation opportunity nor the Tribulation Crossing Formation could be missed. In fact, the Nascent Soul Transformation opportunity was even more crucial. If one couldn't achieve Nascent Soul Transformation, how could they possibly cross the tribulation?

The Ice Ceremony Divine Plate would still be carried by the avatar, as it might also prove useful on Fire Rhinoceros Island. Additionally, Qin Sang gave a Boiling Snow Pill to the avatar and unfastened the spirit beast pouch from his waist, instructing the avatar to take the Fire Jade Centipede. The Fire Jade Centipede had entered the early stage of its Fourth Transformation, its sensing ability greatly increased, and it would surely be helpful when searching for treasures.

The avatar accepted each item. The main body pushed open the cave dwelling's door, soared to the mountaintop, scanned the surroundings, and, confirming nothing unusual, sent a signal before heading directly for Mount Imperial Edict.

Not long after the main body departed, the avatar also left the cave dwelling, heading south. According to the topographical map from the Langhuan Jade Pavilion, the Fire Element Palace was built on Fire Rhinoceros Island, located south of Mount Imperial Edict. The avatar flew through the mountains and forests, occasionally stopping to observe.

After moving far from the Ice Ceremony Palace ruins, it turned southeast. Currently, the Boundless Immortal Sect could still be described as vast and sparsely populated; after traveling for a long time, no human presence was detected. This place was covered in restrictions and towering ancient trees. The avatar had lost count of the pavilions and towers it had seen along the way. Countless ancient halls were hidden among the mountains and forests, appearing utterly mysterious. There might also be treasures there, but they paled in comparison to the five true legacies. Monks entering the Boundless Immortal Sect at this time would not linger in these places.

Recalling the topographical map, the avatar continuously adjusted its direction. Finally, after crossing a mountain range, the avatar saw the sky at the edge of its vision was crimson, and a floating island was faintly visible in the air. It was Fire Rhinoceros Island!

Fire Rhinoceros Island was built atop a fire vein. Its suspended height was not great, even lower than the mountain the avatar was standing on. Hidden by the surrounding mountains and restrictions, it couldn't be seen from afar. The fire vein was clearly still active. The crimson light staining the sky originated from the crimson magma.

From a distance, the terrain around Fire Rhinoceros Island was still unclear. The avatar only knew it seemed much flatter than other places, with no visible undulations, guessing there might be a magma lake. The avatar couldn't estimate the extent of the fire vein, so it shifted its gaze to Fire Rhinoceros Island above, examining it with a surprised expression.

Fire Rhinoceros Island was not entirely floating. Four immensely massive pillars of fire connected the island's bottom to the fire vein, supporting the floating island. The avatar focused its eyesight and discovered that the fire pillars were actually composed of magma. Boiling magma flowed upwards from the fire vein, injecting into the floating island with astonishing momentum. The four fire pillars resembled four fire dragons, carrying Fire Rhinoceros Island on their backs. It was clear that this unusual phenomenon could only be created using formations.

The grand formation of Fire Rhinoceros Island was certainly no less impressive than that of the Ice Ceremony Palace, but it appeared to be in a precarious state! Although supported by fire dragons, Fire Rhinoceros Island still gave the impression of being on the verge of collapse. Standing there, the avatar could only clearly see one side of the floating island, but it was evident there were many red lines on the island, clearly indicating cracks formed by magma seeping into the floating island.

The floating island had suffered severe damage; if the cracks expanded, it would shatter into pieces. The most severely damaged part was the south side of the floating island, which was largely incomplete, like a round pie from which a large chunk had been sliced off by two cuts. Magma flowed along the incomplete gaps, forming waterfalls. The magma waterfalls resembled crimson curtains, two of them converging at the center of the floating island, with crimson fiery magma cascading down, returning to the fire vein.

From this, it was clear that the four fire dragons were not the complete set. The avatar analyzed the pattern of the fire dragons' arrangement. If the floating island were complete, there would be at least nine fire dragons: eight positioned in the cardinal directions, surrounding the one in the very center, forming a "nine dragons supporting the heavens" formation. This meant the floating island was largely incomplete, and it was missing its most crucial central pillar!

Upon seeing this scene, the avatar's gaze darkened, and it immediately had a bad feeling. The Ice Ceremony Palace, at least its main structure, was still intact, and its residual formation could still barely operate. Fire Rhinoceros Island was even worse than the Ice Ceremony Palace; most of its treasures must have already been destroyed, right?

Since he had come, he would make the best of it. He had to go and take a look, no matter what. Thinking this, the avatar swept down the hillside and flew towards Fire Rhinoceros Island.

The journey was smooth. The avatar traversed mountains and ridges and arrived near the fire vein. There, it indeed saw a vast magma lake, with magma rolling within and an exceptionally dense crimson flame aura. Being closer, the sensation was even clearer.

The avatar slightly raised its head and examined Fire Rhinoceros Island. The island's dilapidated state was shocking to behold; it was truly difficult for it to have remained in this state until now. Crimson flame energy steamed up, and rolling heat waves surged forward. As the avatar cultivated ice-element methods, it felt a bit uncomfortable, but the impact was not significant.

He shifted his gaze to where the two magma waterfalls converged. Fire Rhinoceros Island's layout was easy to guess; the central palace position above the core pillar would undoubtedly be the most important. However, that area was a sea of crimson with boiling magma, making it impossible to tell if it still existed.

Of the four remaining fire dragons, one was in the southeast, and the other three were in the northern half of Fire Rhinoceros Island, forming an arc. That area was also the most intact part of Fire Rhinoceros Island. Although close, the avatar did not feel the same strong pressure as the faint blue heavenly light of the Ice Ceremony Palace. This indicated that the damage to Fire Rhinoceros Island's grand formation was more severe than anticipated. He couldn't help but wonder if flying up there immediately would cause Fire Rhinoceros Island to collapse, dragging him down into the magma.

The avatar carefully observed the four fire dragons and found that the qi connection between them was not tight; each fire dragon was a self-contained entity. This helped it understand the pattern of the formations on Fire Rhinoceros Island. Each fire dragon was formed by an independent formation, meaning the nine fire dragons were nine grand formations. Their function was not only to support the floating island but very likely also to serve as pillars for Fire Rhinoceros Island's grand formation. Only this could explain why, with Fire Rhinoceros Island's grand formation collapsed and other fire dragons destroyed, these four fire dragons could still exist.

This news was a mix of good and bad. The good news was that when the avatar ascended the island to search for treasures, the resistance encountered would not be too strong. The bad news was that the central palace of Fire Rhinoceros Island was likely doomed, with not much left to be found.

The avatar's gaze shifted, looking towards the northwest of Fire Rhinoceros Island, where a crimson rope connected the edge of the fire vein to Fire Rhinoceros Island. The crimson rope was not a solid entity but was composed of interconnected fire rings that constantly transformed into various shapes of fire spirit beasts, appearing truly mystical. There were similar crimson ropes in other directions; some were broken, others on the verge of collapse. They were likely paths to ascend the island.

During the time the avatar stopped to observe, there were no unusual signs on Fire Rhinoceros Island or its surroundings, presumably meaning no one else had approached, which saved some trouble. The avatar's mind relaxed slightly. Its figure flickered continuously as it flew around the magma lake for a moment, arriving before the crimson rope in the northwest and tentatively stepping onto it. At the same time, he released the true essence that had been locking his sleeve cuff, from which a crimson-gold light swam out. It was the Fire Jade Centipede. After its transformation, the Fire Jade Centipede's appearance was much more majestic than before.

He hid the Fire Jade Centipede in his palm while grasping the mysterious ice plate in his other hand. Unexpectedly, the crimson rope showed no reaction.

The Fire Jade Centipede, just released, snapped out of its daze. Its body suddenly stiffened, staring intently at Fire Rhinoceros Island, and began clamoring loudly, all hundred legs flailing, impatiently eager to rush onto Fire Rhinoceros Island. If not for the avatar holding it back, it would have instantly transformed into a streak of golden light and flown away.

"Slow down!"

The avatar quickly suppressed the Fire Jade Centipede with its true essence and looked at Fire Rhinoceros Island in surprise. The Fire Jade Centipede's reaction was unprecedentedly intense. It seemed there were still good things on the island. Seeing its eagerness, he wondered what kind of treasure it was. He was also quite eager but understood that this place was unlike the Ice Ceremony Palace, where the ice plate couldn't help him resist the power of the restrictions, so he must not act rashly.

The Fire Jade Centipede, being forcibly suppressed, was very displeased. Its hundred legs continuously scraped at the avatar's palm, its body twisting back and forth, its back carapace creaking. From its agitated state, it seemed eager to bite its master. The avatar chuckled, shook its head, and walked forward on the crimson rope.

"Clatter..."

The crimson rope swayed, and although not solid, it emitted sounds of metal colliding. Listening closely, there was also a faint bell-like sound at the end of the crimson rope. The avatar paused. Seeing nothing unusual, it quickly walked up the crimson rope. Looking down, it could see magma flowing like a tide below.

After walking for a while, it reached the end of the crimson rope. Here was a jade platform built from valuable fire jade. The avatar ascended the platform, still not encountering any restriction attacks, which was friendlier than the Ice Ceremony Palace. The scene on the island could be described as utter chaos.

As far as the eye could see, the avatar saw clusters of spirit trees with leaves as large as cattail leaves. These were famous Fire Cattail Trees, which loved crimson flames the most and were the best choice for fire-element cultivators for refining magic artifacts and talismans. Their greatest use was for planting in spirit formations. Their thick leaf veins extended directly to their root systems, interconnecting and spreading in all directions, like the meridians of heaven and earth, capable of regulating crimson flame energy. The denser the crimson flame energy, the better the Fire Cattail Trees thrived. Magma flowed everywhere on Fire Rhinoceros Island, which ironically made them even more lush.

The Fire Cattail Tree forests were chaotically distributed, roots intertwined on the roads carved from fire jade, and magma covered the ground, leaving no place to step. This chaotic state was the result of severe past destruction followed by rampant, wild growth. Untended, the Fire Cattail Trees were unusually dense, their leaves more than twice the normal size, obscuring the buildings within.

With the Fire Jade Centipede guiding the way, the avatar didn't need to bother discerning direction. Slightly relaxing its true essence, it saw the Fire Jade Centipede burrowing straight ahead. As expected, what attracted it was in the central palace.

The avatar brought out the Snow Treading Divine Blade, suspended it above its head, and stepped off the jade platform. Before taking two steps, a stream of magma suddenly surged from a ground fissure, instantly transforming into a crescent-shaped fire blade that swiftly slashed towards the avatar. If this strike had landed firmly, it could have instantly cut the avatar in half at the waist.

The avatar was already prepared; its body tilted slightly backward as the Snow Treading Divine Blade swept out, releasing a chilling blade aura that struck the fire blade squarely.

"Bang!"

Both the blade aura and the fire blade annihilated simultaneously. Following that, the surrounding crimson flame energy vibrated violently, the Fire Cattail Trees shook fiercely, almost breaking, and the ground was also affected, shaking.

The avatar's expression darkened. This was already the result of his masterful control. Recklessly confronting the restrictions wouldn't be difficult, but he feared that a few more such encounters would cause the floating island's energy to become chaotic, leading to immeasurable consequences. Analyzing it step by step would consume too much time.

He pondered for a moment. Recalling the Fire Jade Centipede's previous behavior, a thought stirred in his mind: he released some true essence, allowing the Fire Jade Centipede to lead the way.

"Whoosh!"

The Fire Jade Centipede finally gained freedom and shot upwards. A golden light was seen swaying between the Fire Cattail Trees. In an instant, it vanished a hundred zhang away, yet it didn't trigger any restriction attacks. The avatar smiled. The formations here were broken and distorted, and the gaps between restrictions formed natural paths, perfectly allowing the Fire Jade Centipede to utilize its abilities. Of course, if he had brought the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, the effect would have been even better.

The avatar flashed to follow the Fire Jade Centipede, weaving through the forest. Although it was still unavoidable to trigger restrictions and face attacks, they were all within a controllable range.

Not long after, the avatar saw a cluster of palaces appear in the forest, their foundations submerged by magma, with collapsed structures everywhere—a truly tragic sight. The Fire Jade Centipede showed no signs of stopping, its body rapidly swaying as it swept over the ruins of a palace!