Chapter 1653: Firefly Magic Chain

"Fire Rhinoceros Pendant!"

The junior sister also spotted the crimson immortal pendant, and her breathing suddenly became heavy. She had just heard her senior brother mention the top-tier treasures of the Fire Element lineage, and the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant was among them. Its most astonishing function was its ability to set up a Tribulation Array.

After the Formless Immortal Sect was destroyed, the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant's whereabouts became unknown; it had apparently been brought into the Yang Flame Divine Restriction by the Fire Element Ancestor. The junior sister was eager to try something, but seeing her senior brother remain still, she dared not act on her own initiative.

"Junior Sister, don't rejoice too soon," the white-robed Daoist gently shook his head, pouring cold water on the junior sister's enthusiasm. "Setting up a Tribulation Array requires not only the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant but also a supreme treasure from the Water Element lineage, and that treasure's location is still unknown. Furthermore, we don't know the method for array formation. Restoring such an array would be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

The junior sister was not particularly disheartened. She turned her head to look east. "Perhaps the supreme treasure of the Water Element lineage was also brought into the mountain by the Water Element Ancestor. Senior Brother, after we retrieve the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant, why don't we visit the Water Element Divine Restriction as well?"

The Five Element Divine Restrictions were arranged around the mountain in a formation based on the generative cycle of the Five Elements. Water generates Wood, and Wood generates Fire. From this, it could be deduced that the Wood Element Divine Restriction lay between them and the Water Element Divine Restriction. The best path would be to exit the Fire Element Divine Restriction first, then circle around from the outside.

Wandering around outside carried the risk of being discovered. However, the main issue was not this. While they could move freely within the Yang Flame Divine Restriction thanks to the Yang Flame Dharma Sword, they didn't even know what divine restriction was used in the Water Element area. If its power was comparable to the Yang Flame Divine Restriction, it would be extremely difficult for the two of them to find the Water Element Ancestor's cave abode.

The white-robed Daoist knew that his junior sister was certainly aware of these difficulties, but the allure of the Tribulation Array was simply too great.

"It's still too early to talk about tribulation crossing," the white-robed Daoist said reassuringly, then changed his tone. "The Tribulation Array is only one function of the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant. Several great divine abilities within our sect can have their cultivation difficulty significantly reduced with the help of the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant. Even without the Tribulation Array, our trip won't be in vain..."

Hearing her senior brother name those divine abilities, the junior sister's eyes lit up.

While conversing, they did not forget to observe the cave abode. The cave abode was quiet and peaceful. The old man sat still and withered, truly in a state of nirvana. He must have long since decayed, like the other corpse. It was only due to the protection of the fire bell that he hadn't immediately turned to ash.

The two hesitated no longer and entered the cave abode, one after the other. The white-robed Daoist went straight for the fire bell. As he approached, he did not reach out rashly. His gaze swept over the old man's lifeless face, and he began to observe the array beneath the old man.

The junior sister followed closely, constantly surveying the cave abode. Her gaze swept over the location of the earlier corpse, and her expression shifted slightly, as if she had made a new discovery. She suddenly darted over. The corpse had been seated on the edge of the fire bell's spirit array, with a stone platform beneath it. This platform was also enveloped by the spirit array's energy, though it was not inside the fire bell itself. Judging by his position relative to the old man, there seemed to be a distinction of rank.

Only a pile of white ash remained of the corpse on the stone platform. The junior sister glanced at it twice, then astonishingly reached out her hand to grasp the white ash. Her unbidden action startled the white-robed Daoist. His expression changed slightly, worried she might trigger the spirit array. Just as he was about to stop her, he saw the white ash swell up, and an object flew out, landing in the junior sister's hand.

This object was a bracelet. At first glance, it had no dazzling spiritual light, but once the white ash was brushed away, its exquisite craftsmanship became apparent. Any female cultivator would be captivated by it. Most eye-catching were the three red crystals, each the size of a dragon's eye. Inside each crystal was a faint firefly-like glow, containing the essence of pure fire elemental energy. This glow cast a soft, beautiful light within the crystals; though not dazzling, it was exceptionally magnificent.

"Firefly Dharma Chain!" the white-robed Daoist exclaimed in surprise. This was another valuable treasure from the Fire Element Hall.

"Senior Brother," the junior sister looked up, her face filled with joy, as she fondled the Firefly Dharma Chain, unable to put it down.

"Keep it," the white-robed Daoist said. "When we return, I'll teach you several talismans. With this chain, your power will surely multiply!"

The white-robed Daoist couldn't very well snatch a treasure from his own junior sister. He took it to examine, confirmed it was indeed the item described in ancient texts, then returned it, envying her good fortune. Afterward, he admonished the junior sister, emphasizing that she must not act rashly again!

As he observed the fire bell's spirit array, he had already discerned some clues. The cave abode drew heavenly fire from the external Yang Flame Divine Restriction into the abode, where it flowed into the array. This suppressed its volatile nature and manifested as the fire bell. It appeared that the Yang Flame Divine Restriction was the source of the spirit array's power, but the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant was also an indispensable component, holding a very important position. Rashly taking the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant could, at best, cause the spirit array to become unstable and the fire bell to collapse. At worst, it could trigger a rampage of heavenly fire, allowing the endless heavenly fire from outside to instantly rush in and effortlessly destroy this sanctuary. At that point, not even the Yang Flame Dharma Sword could protect them.

Hearing her senior brother recount the severe consequences, the junior sister felt a shiver of fear. She repeatedly said she wouldn't dare again, then hid behind the white-robed Daoist, avoiding his stern gaze, and happily admired the Dharma Chain.

The white-robed Daoist understood his junior sister's nature and smiled helplessly. Jade Platform Sect was a reclusive sect, and its disciples had few opportunities for outdoor training. His junior sister was the most favored, having barely left the mountain since joining the sect. Untouched by worldly affairs, she was as innocent as a young girl.

He put aside his stray thoughts and meticulously observed the spirit array, pondering how to retrieve the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant and the old man's relics. The junior sister, hidden behind him, couldn't take her eyes off the Dharma Chain. The more she looked, the more she liked it. After playing with it for a few moments, she eagerly put it on her wrist.

The Firefly Dharma Chain complemented her fair wrist beautifully; even if it weren't a treasure, it was a superb adornment. The moment she put on the chain, the junior sister's movements paused almost imperceptibly, then instantly returned to normal. Unaware herself, she continuously twisted her wrist, admiring it tirelessly. Her other hand unconsciously stroked the chain, and the firefly-like glows within the crystals gently flickered, as if responding to her touch.

A long time passed. The white-robed Daoist finally unraveled the intricacies and pinpointed the core mechanism.

"Junior Sister, step back!" he reminded her in a low voice.

The junior sister obediently retreated three steps. She no longer seemed as engrossed by the Firefly Dharma Chain as before, quietly watching her senior brother's actions, her fingers still silently caressing the crystals on the chain.

"This disciple means no disrespect. Ancestor, please forgive me!" The white-robed Daoist bowed towards the old man, then sat down cross-legged on the spot.

Next, he raised a hand and swept it over the top of his head. A crimson glow shot out from his crown. At the same time, the Scarlet Flame Sword vibrated to life and plunged into the crimson glow. In an instant, the crimson glow subsided, and the Scarlet Flame Sword's blade was spontaneously covered in dense, intricate patterns composed of countless runes. The patterns flickered, now bright, now dim, as a unique power coursed through them, circulating within the sword.

*Swish!* The Scarlet Flame Sword paused briefly, then flew above the fire bell, its tip pointing directly at the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant.

Simultaneously, the white-robed Daoist became busy. His hands danced, fingers whirling like wheels, as streaks of talismans formed out of thin air and were continuously struck into the interior of the fire bell. The spirit sword hummed and vibrated. Guided by the talismans, threads of sword intent seeped into the fire bell's interior, essentially integrating the talismans into the spirit array. During this process, the Scarlet Flame Sword's physical form grew increasingly ethereal, almost transforming into a beam of sword light, descending bit by bit until it truly touched the fire bell.

The fire bell trembled slightly, but the anticipated counterattack did not materialize. The white-robed Daoist was secretly pleased, knowing he had done it correctly, and immediately sped up his actions. The sword light formed by the Scarlet Flame Sword gradually merged into the fire bell until it vanished. Inside the fire bell, a finger-sized sword shadow appeared, slowly moving closer to the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant. At this point, light converged within the sword shadow, and a dharma seal faintly emerged. This dharma seal was intended to replace the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant. The pendant was not the sole source of power for the fire bell's spirit array, and using the dharma seal as a substitute would mean losing its true Yang Demon-refining effect, but it could allow the spirit array to temporarily maintain a stable state without collapsing.

This way, he could easily retrieve the treasure.

*Om!* As the sword shadow attempted to pry the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant, it was like stirring up a hornet's nest. The fire bell shook violently, and its energies surged chaotically. This was within the white-robed Daoist's expectations. However, what caused his heart to tighten was that the Daoist within the fire bell also felt the tremor; his body swayed, and his features shifted as if he were about to awaken, creating a rather eerie scene.

Immediately after, the white-robed Daoist relaxed, for the old man, like the previous corpse, had also turned to dust. After enduring years of calcination by the Yang Flame Heavenly Fire, even the remains of a Soul Transformation cultivator could not endure. Moreover, it was uncertain whether the old man had been a Soul Transformation cultivator during his lifetime. The old man was dead.

As his body turned to dust, an object was revealed, showing a corner, resembling an archer's ring. Apart from that, there seemed to be no other relics.

"A spatial treasure?" This thought flashed through the white-robed Daoist's mind, and his heart burned with excitement.

With both skeletons in the cave abode having decayed, he had even less to worry about. His gaze returned to the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant, and he continued to manipulate the Scarlet Flame Sword to pry at it, causing the entire cave abode to shake violently. After countless attempts, the white-robed Daoist finally fully grasped the workings of the array. Without hesitation, his hands rapidly formed a seal, and he cried out in a low voice, "Descend!" The sword shadow no longer entangled with the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant. It suddenly dropped, intending to pierce the fire bell and first retrieve the archer's ring inside.

*Whoosh!* The Scarlet Flame Sword pierced the fire bell. Its light dispersed the white ash, swept up the sole archer's ring, and turned upward, just about to return the way it came. Unexpectedly, the array formation suddenly changed.

*Boom!* The fire bell trembled violently, and a bell chime seemed to resound from within the white-robed Daoist's heart, making his eyes dizzy. Flames erupted from within the bell, and several fire dragons immediately lunged at the Scarlet Flame Sword.

"This array allows entry but not exit?" The white-robed Daoist's thoughts raced. He quickly changed his hand seal, and the Scarlet Flame Sword flickered rapidly, dodging the attacking fire dragons, and continued to surge upward. The next moment, the scene within the spirit array became completely chaotic. A sword shadow moved about, maneuvering precariously. The white-robed Daoist's mind was taut, locked onto the Scarlet Flame Sword as if he had merged with the spirit sword, searching for a way out of the predicament. The only good news was that the fire seed spirit array was targeting the Scarlet Flame Sword and showed no signs of attacking them for the time being.

"Junior Sister, help me!" The battle had reached its most intense point. The white-robed Daoist finally figured out a solution, but fearing he might not have enough strength on his own, he urgently called for the junior sister's assistance.

The junior sister obediently stepped forward. Following the white-robed Daoist's instructions, she conjured a phoenix hairpin. Its shadow flashed like a sharp sword, piercing into the fire bell at the perfect moment. With a response from both inside and outside, an opportunity immediately arose. The Scarlet Flame Sword, like a fish leaping from a pond, seized the fleeting chance and surged out of the "dragon gate"! Simultaneously, the dharma seal materialized, intending to replace the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant and bring both treasures out in one go.

Within a small space, the situation was breathtakingly tense. The situation could be said to be settled, and the white-robed Daoist was about to laugh aloud when a sudden premonition of danger surged in his heart. He felt a strong gust of wind strike from his ribs, aiming directly at a vital spot, and his face turned pale with alarm.

"Junior Sister, you..." The white-robed Daoist turned back in shock, only to see his junior sister looking at him, her movements stiff, her expression bewildered, and her eyes vacant. Her familiar, charming face, however, sent a chill down his spine.

"Demonic possession?" These words flashed through the white-robed Daoist's mind, but something was wrong! Sect texts clearly stated that cultivators afflicted by demonic possession would not immediately manifest symptoms, and the higher their cultivation, the stronger their resistance; otherwise, the cultivation world would have long since been overturned. His junior sister was, after all, a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was impossible for her to be silently controlled by demonic possession. Moreover, the corpses in the cave abode had already turned to ash; what would demonic possession rely on to exist? His junior sister's symptoms were also incorrect. Demonic erosion would transform one into a terrifying demon, not like this. This text was personally written by an ancestor who had experienced the demonic tribulation firsthand; it could not be wrong. In an instant, countless questions raced through his mind, but they were destined to remain unanswered.

As the sneak attack reached him, his protective qi automatically activated. Simultaneously, the white-robed Daoist's Dharma robe pulsed, and a green ring flew out—a rare magical artifact that offered automatic protection. Unexpectedly, no sooner had the green ring appeared than it was suddenly engulfed by dazzling heavenly fire.

"Heavenly fire..." the white-robed Daoist almost groaned inwardly. The fire bell's spirit array had been targeting the Scarlet Flame Sword all this time, yet precisely at this critical juncture, it turned on him, its master. Something was wrong! As the crisis descended, the white-robed Daoist vaguely realized that it wasn't that the fire bell's spirit array couldn't lock onto him before, but that an invisible hand was capable of manipulating the heavenly fire here and misleading his judgment. It must also be the one controlling his junior sister!

*Boom!* The heavenly fire instantly tore through the Dharma robe's defenses, and the excruciating pain that followed dragged the white-robed Daoist back to reality. The anomaly came so suddenly, and the coordination between the junior sister and the heavenly fire was so flawless, that the white-robed Daoist had no time to react. He struggled to lower his head and saw his junior sister's slender, jade-like hand plunging a jade sword into his chest, blood profusely flowing.

"I taught Junior Sister her swordsmanship..." Past scenes flashed in his mind. The white-robed Daoist gave a bitter smile, the light in his eyes rapidly fading.

The next moment, a brilliant light shot out from the white-robed Daoist's crown as his Nascent Soul left his body. It looked around bewilderedly, its sorrowful gaze sweeping over his junior sister, then turned to teleport out of the cave. Heavenly fire was everywhere outside; he didn't know if he could escape, but this was his only path. Unexpectedly, the heavenly fire's momentum did not cease. The flames suddenly erupted and spread out, instantly sealing off the entire cave abode, effortlessly trapping the white-robed Daoist's Nascent Soul in place.

Immediately after, the junior sister's eyelids fluttered, as if she had regained some consciousness. She smelled the pungent scent of blood and opened her eyes to see her senior brother lying dead beneath her own sword, his bloody, unseeing eyes staring directly at her. This deeply shocking scene instantly stunned the junior sister. A piercing, mournful scream echoed through the cave abode. Soon, the screaming stopped, replaced by sounds of sucking.

Before the junior sister could escape the cave, she lost herself again. Like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, she lunged at her senior brother's corpse, voraciously devouring his essence blood. The scene was utterly demonic. Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth onto her clothes, staining them red, but the junior sister paid no heed. After draining his essence blood, she fixated on the Nascent Soul, pulled it into her hand, shoved it whole into her mouth, and began to chew loudly.

The sound of grinding teeth, accompanied by occasional shrill screams, was bone-chilling. Gradually, the screams became scarcer, and the cave abode returned to silence, leaving only a mangled corpse and a female cultivator drenched in blood, slumped on the ground.