Chapter Forty: Mount Fiery Sun

“The heretics of the White Bone Temple are indeed absent; they must have already gone to Huoyang Mountain!” Qu Zhang’s expression grew grave.

The ninth-rank demon serpent had been sealed within Huoyang Mountain for many years, and no one truly knew its current power. If it managed to break the seal and escape, its fierce nature would surely bring disaster upon Jinhua County.

“We must not delay. Let’s head straight to Huoyang Mountain!” Su Ye, after quietly observing the situation at the White Bone Temple, found only a handful of second- and third-stage cultivators left to guard it. It seemed the two ninth-rank heretics feared the serpent’s strength and took all their followers to Huoyang Mountain to bolster their numbers.

Once certain the two ninth-rank heretics were not at the temple, the trio wasted no time and hurried toward Huoyang Mountain.

Huoyang Mountain lay three hundred li from the White Bone Temple. The three moved with such speed that they arrived in less than an hour.

Though not tall, Huoyang Mountain stretched for nearly a hundred li, its ridges rising and falling. Within its heart flowed a river of magma; years ago, five ninth-rank cultivators had used its fiery power to seal the demon serpent within. Because of this, the mountain’s temperature was unnaturally high, barren of all vegetation—even in the depths of winter, it remained scorchingly hot.

“The heretics of the White Bone Temple have indeed arrived, but thankfully, they have yet to break the seal and release the serpent!” Qu Zhang, upon surveying the mountain, breathed a sigh of relief.

All three possessed ninth-rank cultivation and were adept at concealing themselves. Upon arrival, they avoided detection and began to investigate the situation among the White Bone Temple’s heretics.

“There are only two ninth-rank heretics here—nothing to fear. Let’s strike directly and slay them!” Ning Caichen spoke coldly.

He saw no need to hide; though the White Bone Temple’s numbers were many, aside from the two ninth-rank heretics, the rest were mere rabble, incapable of posing any threat.

“The heretics themselves are not worth worrying about, but we are within Huoyang Mountain. If they become desperate and break the seal, releasing the serpent, all our efforts will be for naught,” Qu Zhang replied, glancing at Ning Caichen. “Su Ye and I will act first, feigning weakness to lure the two heretics away from the area where the serpent is sealed. At the right moment, Ning—brother, you strike and finish them.”

Their true aim was not to slay the heretics, but to prevent them from releasing the serpent sealed in Huoyang Mountain. The serpent’s power far surpassed that of the heretics; should it escape, the devastation upon Jinhua County would be far worse.

“Ning, let’s do as Brother Qu suggests,” Su Ye said softly.

Though Ning Caichen was reluctant, he did not wish to quarrel with Su Ye and Qu Zhang over this matter and agreed without protest.

Once their plan was set, Su Ye and Qu Zhang stepped out from hiding and confronted Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning, the two ninth-rank heretics.

“Lian Sheng, Qiao Ning, you are truly bold—daring to hunt the ninth-rank demon serpent of Huoyang Mountain!” Qu Zhang shouted angrily. “It took five ninth-rank cultivators to seal that serpent here years ago. Do you believe you are stronger than those five?”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the City God of Jinhua County!” Lian Sheng sneered. “Why don’t you stay obediently in your city instead of meddling in our affairs? Slaying that useless Bai Song hardly qualifies you to challenge us!”

Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning were briefly surprised by Su Ye and Qu Zhang’s sudden appearance, but quickly broke into mocking laughter, dismissing them entirely. Their strength far surpassed Bai Song’s, and Jinhua County had been theirs to abandon, leaving Bai Song to occupy it. Unfortunately, Qu Zhang was even weaker than Bai Song, barely daring to show himself.

Recently, they’d heard that a new ninth-rank cultivator had appeared in Jinhua County, and together with Qu Zhang, had slain Bai Song. Now, Qu Zhang’s audacity knew no bounds, daring to join forces with a novice ninth-rank to trouble them—how reckless.

“Are you dissatisfied? Good! Let’s exchange a few blows and show you just how weak you are!” Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning laughed and strode confidently toward Qu Zhang and Su Ye.

Qu Zhang and Su Ye exchanged glances and slowly retreated. Their purpose was to lure Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning away from the serpent’s seal, not to engage in a decisive battle.

Seeing their retreat, Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning’s scorn only deepened. They summoned their internal powers and launched their attack.

Lian Sheng formed a spell in his palm, summoning a blue-white light that transformed into the shadow of a giant tiger, roaring as it lunged at Qu Zhang.

Qu Zhang’s face grew tense; he summoned his bronze seal, incense power surging forth to form a massive mountain, blocking the tiger’s path.

Qiao Ning withdrew a jade scepter from her robes, chanting as her internal power surged. A streak of snowy light burst forth from the scepter, becoming a white ribbon, radiating cold energy. Yet the intense heat of Huoyang Mountain diminished its strength.

Su Ye frowned slightly as the icy ribbon rushed toward him—Qiao Ning’s power was weaker than he had anticipated.

He formed a spell with both hands, summoning a crimson glow that condensed into a fiery seal. The abundant heat of Huoyang Mountain fed the seal, doubling its strength.

This was the True Fire Seal, a technique recorded in the Yin-Yang Five Thunder Heart Method, capable of absorbing true fire from heaven and earth to enhance its power.

Boom!

The crimson seal collided with the icy ribbon, the impact resounding fiercely as fire and cold melded, transforming into billowing white mist.

The True Fire Seal, fueled by Huoyang Mountain’s heat, remained inexhaustible. After shattering the icy ribbon, it continued its assault on Qiao Ning.

Qiao Ning’s expression remained unchanged. With a cold snort, she flung her jade scepter directly at the True Fire Seal.