Chapter 293: First Layer of the Forbidden Seal

With time running out, they couldn't afford to slowly search for a safe path. Forcing their way through seemed to be the only option. Even though Qin Sang was skilled in the art of restrictions, glimpsing just a fraction of the formations within the mist left him no confidence in breaking them quickly. Therefore, they had no choice but to follow Yu Kong's suggestion.

Yan Wu suggested, "The four of us can form two pairs to support each other..."

Before Yan Wu could finish, Yu Kong pointed a finger and stated unequivocally, "Yan Wu, you'll go with Daoist Wu Chen. Daoist Qingfeng and Daoist Shangguan, with their combined sword and saber skills, will be a more effective pair!"

Yan Wu froze, a hint of displeasure in his heart. He opened his mouth, about to protest, but then met Yu Kong's icy gaze, which sent a shiver down his spine. He immediately understood that their shallow connection wasn't enough for Yu Kong to risk everything to help him. If his personal grievances were to jeopardize the crucial mission of acquiring the medicine, Yu Kong would undoubtedly teach him a lesson first.

Just then, a faint, almost inaudible sound transmission reached Yan Wu's ear. Yan Wu was overjoyed and relieved by Yu Kong's whispered promise. He subtly glanced at Qin Sang before immediately obeying Yu Kong's command and moving to Wu Chen's side.

"Daoist Wu, please look after me."

The others seemed oblivious to the brief exchange between him and Yu Kong.

"Likewise..."

Wu Chen quickly returned the greeting, though his smile was tinged with bitterness. Had it not been for Yu Kong's direct order, he would have preferred not to be paired with Yan Wu. It wasn't that he feared Yan Wu would harm him. If Yan Wu were like the rest of them, deciding whether to save him in a crisis would be a choice. But Yan Wu was Yu Kong's subordinate. Wu Chen couldn't help but worry about incurring Yu Kong's wrath should anything go wrong during the formation breakthrough. He would not only have to protect himself but also constantly be vigilant for Yan Wu, essentially doubling the risk. Wu Chen inwardly sighed.

Shangguan Lifeng approached Qin Sang, lightly raising his long saber. "Daoist Qingfeng," he began, "I am not very familiar with your swordsmanship. Please guide me if our coordination is lacking in any way."

Qin Sang clasped his hands and replied, "Daoist Shangguan, you are too modest. I will also make sure to coordinate with you. However, since we don't know the situation inside yet, perhaps it's best to decide on a strategy once we've entered."

"Daoist makes a good point."

Shangguan Lifeng was a man of few words to begin with, so he immediately sheathed his saber and fell silent.

With the plan settled, the five assumed their positions. Qin Sang and Shangguan Lifeng took the left, while Wu Chen and Yan Wu positioned themselves on the right, acting as Yu Kong's vanguard.

The restrictive formations around the mountain were largely similar in power, and with no time to differentiate, they picked a random spot and stepped inside. There was no dizzying disorientation. Their vision simply went black, then abruptly brightened, followed by a surge of heat and a stream of blue-violet flame descending from above. Qin Sang and the others had remained vigilant. The instant they felt the heat, they reacted swiftly. Several bursts of spiritual energy struck the flame stream almost simultaneously, scattering it. They then drove the scattered flames aside and surveyed their surroundings.

They had landed in a world engulfed in raging flames. Flames were everywhere—above, below, and all around—making the world oppressively hot. These flames burned and drifted through the void without any visible fuel, yet they persisted endlessly. The flames immediately surrounding them weren't particularly dense, with several large and small streams drifting aimlessly. They had merely been unlucky to disturb one right as they entered, but thankfully, its power was weak and easily dispersed. However, beyond their immediate vicinity, the flame streams grew dense, merging into a continuous, boundless sea of fire. The raging inferno blotted out the sky.

The flames in different directions varied in color: some were blue-violet like the one they had just faced, others were grayish-white, and some were normal crimson. In fact, flames of eight distinct colors were arranged in all eight directions, distributed remarkably evenly, forming a Bagua-shaped fire disk around them.

Yu Kong, who had been observing the shifting flames, let out a soft exclamation. "The scene manifested within this restriction is rather familiar," he remarked. "The last time I traversed the guardian formation, I encountered precisely this type of blazing inferno array."

The sight of such powerful flames had initially made everyone apprehensive, but their spirits lifted upon hearing Yu Kong's words. Wu Chen, seemingly relieved, asked, "Senior Yu, have you found a way to break this restriction?"

Unexpectedly, Yu Kong slowly shook his head. "Not quite," he replied. "This restriction appears to have some connection to the guardian formation, but there are also significant differences. You will still need to enter and probe it. Based on past experience, these eight colors of flames likely represent eight paths. No matter which path you take, you will eventually find a door, but only one of them is the true exit. Choosing the wrong door will lead you into the next, more complex layer of the restriction, doubling the difficulty of breaking it. Even more terrifying, this is only one layer of the entire system of restrictions. Should a single mistake trigger a chain reaction and destabilize the whole formation, we will find ourselves in an extremely perilous situation."

Wu Chen's face paled. "The very first layer is this dangerous?" he exclaimed in alarm.

Yu Kong offered a faint smile. "Daoist Wu, there's no need to worry. As long as you find the correct method, breaking the restriction won't be overly difficult. Now, you two pairs will enter the sea of fire. You don't need to push all the way to its end; just proceed halfway and hold your position for at least thirty breaths. Then, I'll be able to discern the changes within and distinguish between the illusory doors and the true exit. Should you encounter danger, retreat immediately, and I will provide full assistance."

Having said this, Yu Kong sat cross-legged on the spot, produced three small flags, and planted them around him. The flags formed a misty barrier, designed to protect him from the flame streams and allow him to focus on observing the restriction's changes. Yu Kong's eyes gleamed as he nodded, signaling them to begin.

From the outside, the eight directions seemed indistinguishable; other than their varied colors, the flames appeared identical, making any choice seem arbitrary.

Wu Chen and Yan Wu entered the grayish-white flames. Meanwhile, Qin Sang and Shangguan Lifeng, conversing as they went, advanced towards the blue-violet sea of fire directly in front of them. Qin Sang activated his ebony sword, while Shangguan Lifeng gripped his saber with both hands. During their previous cloud beast hunts, they had developed some understanding of each other. While their synergy wasn't seamless, basic cooperation was certainly feasible.

Sword and saber energy crisscrossed, jointly dispelling several incoming flame streams. Their figures emerged at the edge of the sea of fire. The sea of fire stretched on, an unbroken expanse of flames. Countless fiery tongues leaped from the inferno, licking at their protective spiritual energy. Enveloped by the intense heat, their hair and even their robes seemed to visibly ripple.

"Daoist Qingfeng," Shangguan Lifeng suggested, "if we proceed side by side and both fall into danger simultaneously, we might not react quickly enough. Perhaps it would be better for one to go ahead while the other stays behind, allowing for better mutual support."