Chapter 601: Test

Yun Youzi saw Qin Sang's concern and doubt. He flew forward, nearing the Southern Bright Lihuo. After surveying the surroundings, he suddenly flicked his fingers, releasing countless streams of spiritual energy that vanished into the walls of the secret passage.

The next moment, a faint blue light suddenly illuminated the secret passage.

Countless unusually complex runes inexplicably appeared on the passage walls. As Yun Youzi moved, the runes activated, and the blue light intensified, revealing the outline of a spiritual array.

The blue light was far from comparable to the Southern Bright Lihuo, but it still held its own.

Qin Sang noticed that this spiritual array bore no resemblance to the fragmented arrays and immortal restrictions they had encountered earlier, suggesting it wasn't an inherent part of the Ziwei Palace.

Although not as complex and mysterious as the immortal arrays outside, it was still incredibly intricate, forming a self-contained system that no ordinary person could have set up.

Qin Sang, for his part, couldn't understand it; even a quick glance made him feel dizzy.

The blue light shimmered brightly.

The next moment, a fiery red bird flew out from within, chirping and circling Yun Youzi. It then obediently landed on his arm and began preening its feathers.

The little bird appeared lifelike.

However, a quick scan with spiritual sense revealed its true nature: the bird was not a living creature but an exceptionally intricate puppet woven from a type of spiritual wood, a true marvel of craftsmanship!

The bird was entirely fiery red, its feathers seeming to burn with flames, though this wasn't due to its original material. Its aura was identical to that of the Southern Bright Lihuo.

Its framework and feathers were made from red strips and a type of slender leaf, which had been cut and then, with the help of the spiritual array, absorbed the Southern Bright Lihuo, undergoing a transformation that made their original spiritual materials unrecognizable.

Over the years, Qin Sang had encountered many cultivators skilled in puppetry, but only this little bird, besides the azure phoenix created by Granny Jing, possessed such ingenious craftsmanship that it could almost be mistaken for a real creature.

"Who placed the bird here, or had it always been here?" Qin Sang wondered. He was secretly amazed.

Holding the little bird in his palm, Yun Youzi said with satisfaction, "Years ago, someone buried this item here to absorb the power of the Southern Bright Lihuo. After years of cultivation, it has finally assimilated some of the Lihuo's aura. This bird, utilizing the spiritual array and this spiritual puppet, can carve a path through the flames. Passing through the Southern Bright Lihuo isn't difficult; the challenge lies in retrieving the cauldron fragment. Among those I can invite, only you, Brother Qin, are capable of this."

"Oh?"

Qin Sang withdrew his gaze from the puppet bird and looked at Yun Youzi curiously. What kind of obstruction lay ahead, and why was Yun Youzi so certain he could help retrieve the cauldron fragment?

Yun Youzi extended a finger, soothing the puppet bird, and pointed ahead as he spoke.

"Not far ahead, the secret passage is bisected by sword marks. Normally, one could pass through there, but the sword qi within the marks lingers, making it too dangerous for anyone to attempt."

"The sword wielder must have practiced a cultivation method of the ice and cold path, as the residual sword qi is a profound ice sword qi."

"This sword qi gathers without dissipating, drawing on the spiritual energy of this place to form an extremely cold malevolent wind. It rages constantly around the sword marks, though it's not visible from outside due to the illusory array."

"Even more frightening, this malevolent wind carries the profound ice sword intent left by the sword marks. This sword intent has now evolved into an extreme and bizarre cold. Does this combination sound very familiar to you, Brother Qin?"

Qin Sang was startled by his words.

Hearing Yun Youzi describe these characteristics, Qin Sang immediately recalled the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind he had encountered in Wuya Valley.

The Profound Frost Malevolent Wind was naturally formed, whereas this malevolent wind originated from the influence of sword qi. Their sources differed, but they sounded remarkably similar.

Qin Sang sensed a deeper meaning in Yun Youzi's words, and his expression subtly shifted. How could he know that Qin Sang had encountered the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind?

"Senior, that day... did you still have the energy to sense what was happening outside?"

Qin Sang's face was filled with surprise.

At the time, while gathering Night Orchid Lilies in Wuya Valley, Yun Youzi was using the Green Lamp and the Flawless Pearl to resist the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind and nearly couldn't hold on. Qin Sang had even been prepared to help him.

He actually had enough residual energy to sense Qin Sang!

Yun Youzi nodded slightly, then shook his head, saying, "Indeed, I was at the end of my rope then, but my spiritual sense is keen. I vaguely perceived another person's aura nearby. Given that someone appeared in such a place, didn't pose a threat to me, and didn't try to snatch the Night Orchid Lilies, after much thought, I concluded it could only have been you, my brother."

"This..."

Yun Youzi's words greatly exceeded Qin Sang's expectations.

No wonder, outside the Ziwei Palace, Yun Youzi had first asked for his opinion on whether the black-clad figure was the Sect Master of Wuji.

He knew that Qin Sang had reached the end of the ice cave and witnessed the battle, potentially seeing their true faces!

Although Yun Youzi hadn't personally witnessed the battle, he could infer some details. Wuya Valley was rarely frequented, and it was unusual for so many Nascent Soul cultivators to coincidentally appear there.

Qin Sang's brow furrowed slightly.

Since Yun Youzi already knew of Yi Tiannie's existence, Qin Sang briefly recounted his encounter with Yu Hua in the ice cave.

"Senior, I originally had no intention of going in. I was forced by a powerful enemy, with no other choice. At the time in the ice cave, I had planned to help you, but then you managed by yourself..."

Yun Youzi waved his hand and sincerely said, "I am not one to be ungrateful. I know your intentions, brother. That was a trial, like a chick breaking out of its shell. If it were me, I wouldn't have rashly offered help either. Besides, my obtaining the Night Orchid Lily was thanks to you. Do you remember the final tremor in the ice cave? You were standing in front of me then, and you happened to block a wisp of Profound Frost Malevolent Wind for me, allowing me to seize the opportunity to rush past..."

Yun Youzi cupped his hands towards Qin Sang and said, "Brother, you must have some secret technique to withstand the chill of the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind, right? Your cultivation is far greater now than before, so the power of your secret technique should be even stronger. I'll rely on you, brother, to retrieve the cauldron fragment from the sword qi malevolent wind."

Qin Sang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What he feared most was the exposure of the Jade Buddha.

The Jade Buddha was his most crucial secret, the very foundation of his standing in the cultivation world. Not even his closest confidants could know of it.

Fortunately, Yun Youzi, misled by the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind, had drawn the wrong conclusion, thinking Qin Sang merely possessed a secret technique or treasure that could withstand the chill. Given Yun Youzi's extensive knowledge, it was unlikely he would imagine the existence of a miraculous item like the Jade Buddha.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Qin Sang agreed, "If the sword qi malevolent wind isn't too much stronger than the Profound Frost Malevolent Wind, I should be able to withstand it. Senior, please part the flames, and we can give it a try."

With the Jade Buddha's capabilities, even if the puppet bird malfunctioned and the Southern Bright Lihuo blocked their path, he could endure the sword qi malevolent wind and exit from the other end, unafraid of being trapped inside.

Qin Sang gave Yun Youzi a deep look; this was also a test.

He trusted Yun Youzi's character, but riches could sway anyone's heart.

He only hoped his old friend's heart remained unchanged!

Seeing Qin Sang agree, Yun Youzi's expression became serious. "I can fully control the spiritual array and the spiritual puppet for ten breaths. Within those ten breaths, whether you succeed or not, you must come out!"