Chapter 359: Entering the Remains
"Then go ahead, but be careful," Xiao Ming said.
Zi Yan nodded slightly and took a few steps forward. She took a deep breath, and her expression gradually grew solemn.
"There will be some commotion later. Pay attention to your surroundings."
After speaking, Zi Yan let out a soft shout. Countless streams of endless purple radiance emanated from her petite body. Under the illumination of this radiant purple light, the once clear and transparent void underwent subtle changes, causing ripples and undulations.
A partially visible celestial canopy appeared, resembling a colossal gate slowly materializing from the void, presenting itself before Xiao Ming and the others.
Although it appeared incredibly illusory and fragile, as if a touch would shatter it, a profound and vast aura swept over it, almost overwhelming. Even Xiao Yi Xian, who had the highest level of cultivation, could sense a faint feeling of oppression.
Zi Yan, however, couldn't fully open this illusory gate. At least, not yet. After all, it was created by a Dou Saint who possessed the ability to create small worlds, far beyond what she was currently capable of.
Her task was merely to open a passage within the space, allowing Xiao Ming and the others to pass through. If it were only Zi Yan herself, there would be no need for such trouble; she could probably walk straight in.
But now, for the sake of Xiao Ming and the others, she had to exert some effort.
With a grave expression on her delicate face, Zi Yan made a gesture with her fingers, creating a subtle crack in the space before her eyes. It seemed as if a storm of spatial energy was raging within.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the space violently twisted, emitting a rushing sound like flowing water. As this sound spread, faint ripples appeared on the celestial canopy.
Xiao Ming squinted his eyes, observing the increasingly distorted celestial canopy. Amidst the peculiar rushing sound, he sensed an extremely terrifying energy fluctuation. This kind of fluctuation was incredibly frenzied, like a volcano suppressed beneath the Earth's crust, giving a sensation of an imminent wild eruption.
"Open!" Zi Yan exclaimed softly, and her body suddenly radiated a brilliant purple light.
Whoosh...
Another strange rushing sound filled the air. The center of the celestial canopy abruptly solidified, followed by a crisp sound, and a distorted spatial passage appeared.
"Xiao Ming, hurry and go in!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Ming turned to the others and instructed, "Qing Lin, Medusa, do not separate from Xian'er." Immediately after, he dashed forward, transforming into a blurry figure, rushing into the fissure.
Shielded by the White Glazed Heart Flame, the sudden onslaught of magma and blue flames did not harm them in the slightest.
Seeing Xiao Ming unharmed, Xiao Yi Xian, who was about to take action earlier, breathed a sigh of relief and examined the passage more closely.
It was a long and pitch-black corridor constructed entirely of dark stones, with a river of magma flowing alongside.
"This Dou Saint's Remains is indeed not easily accessible. Ordinary people who come here would likely turn into ashes in an instant. And this passage is so long that many people wouldn't be able to endure till the end!" she said.
"Why bother with all that? We have Xiao Ming. Let's hurry!" Zi Yan eagerly moved towards the depths of the passage, but Xiao Ming reached out and stopped her.
He lowered his head and looked at the seething lava beside them.
"This passage is just a facade. The real path lies beneath this lava."
"Xiao Ming, are you sure?" Zi Yan blinked in surprise, and the others also expressed their doubts, their eyes filled with confusion. The lava didn't appear to be fake.
"I am certain. Let's go." Xiao Ming enveloped the group in his protection, and they swiftly flew out from the floor, positioning themselves above the lava. Then, they leaped downward.
As they submerged in the lava, Xiao Ming and the others descended swiftly. Although the magma was scorching, it posed no hindrance to them as they were protected by the Heavenly Flame.
After about a minute of descending, they heard a faint muffled sound. Suddenly, their footing gave way, and they slid down a certain distance until their feet landed on a cold floor.
Their gazes swept around as they stood on the floor. They were in a large stone corridor that stretched into the distance.
"Tsk tsk, the owner of the remains is indeed cunning. Who in their right mind would think of jumping into the lava..." Venerable Tian Huo chuckled.
"But he probably didn't expect that Xiao Ming would see through his intentions at a glance. Hahaha."
Xiao Ming remained silent, changing the subject instead.
"Let's go. Ahead should be the true entrance to the remains. There are many valuable treasures inside, such as Qi Methods, Dou Techniques, and rare medicinal materials."
Zi Yan's enthusiasm soared upon hearing about rare medicinal materials. She never grew tired of searching for such treasures.
"Then let's hurry!"