As the magnificent portal opened, a fiery yet strangely comfortable aura spread throughout the surroundings.
Inside the portal, the world appeared stained with shades of red, and the temperature soared to remarkable heights.
Despite the intense heat, there was a curious absence of harm to the environment within the world beyond the portal.
the atmosphere felt oddly welcoming, almost as if it beckoned those who dared to venture further into its depths.
Especially Ye Fan and Ji Rongmei bore expressions of ecstasy on their faces as they felt the fiery aura enveloping them.
Ji Rongmei snapped back to her senses as if she had sensed something amiss. Her shock intensified when she realized that her bloodline was responding uncontrollably to something in the environment.
As the holder of the Inferno Lotus sacred bloodline, Ji Rongmei instinctively knew what could trigger such a reaction.
It was the heavenly and earthly strange fire, a rare and powerful force. She was certain of this, as she possessed one of the heavenly and earthly fires.
Thanks to her Inferno Lotus sacred bloodline, Ji Rongmei had an innate flame contained within her soul since birth, known as the ’Infernal Flame of Sacred Lotus.’
This heavenly and earthly flame was rare and powerful, bestowed upon her by her lineage.
The reason she was able to recover her strength quickly after awakening was attributed to her ’Infernal Flame of Sacred Lotus.’
More importantly, it allowed her to retain her soul when she was attacked by the top powerhouse of the upper realm during her chase, a feat that would have been impossible without its protection.
Ji Rongmei was acutely aware that her bloodline was far from ordinary.
It was this very reason that her clan had been massacred, and yet she could find no records of the ’Infernal Flame of Sacred Lotus’ in the upper realm.
Therefore, she understood that her ’Infernal Flame of Sacred Lotus’ was undoubtedly a top-tier flame, surpassing even the low-rank heavenly and earthly flames she encountered in the upper realm.
As it didn’t even bother to respond to low-rank heavenly and earthly flames.
This realization left her stunned, as it indicated that the ancient tomb contained a heavenly and earthly flame of middle rank or above, a discovery that held immense significance and potential power.
Xiao Chen’s expression shifted to one of shock and surprise as if he hadn’t anticipated that the treasure map would lead to a real portal.
Despite his initial disbelief, he approached the portal with a mixture of hesitation and caution, unsure of what lay beyond.
Meanwhile, Ye Fan, his eyes already tinged red with the allure of the treasures hidden within the ancient tomb, emerged from the shadows when he noticed Xiao Chen’s guard drop.
"Ye Fan, don’t engage Xiao Chen directly," Ji Rongmei cautioned.
"His cultivation level is already at the Mysterious Platform, and his true combat prowess likely exceeds what he displays outwardly."
Recognizing the wisdom in Ji Rongmei’s words, Ye Fan nodded, but his confident expression remained steadfast, his mouth crooking into an unusual yet determined smirk.
"Thank you for the Senior’s wisdom, but this junior has a perfect plan, and I am confident in its success," he declared, his tone resolute and unwavering.
When Ji Rongmei caught sight of Ye Fan’s crooked expression, a wave of extreme disgust washed over her, and she found herself utterly repulsed.
Yes, he was acting. He was arrogant but not a stupid fool. His objective wasn’t to engage in direct combat.
Moreover, after hearing the Senior’s words about Xiao Chen’s strength, his guess was further confirmed.
Now, he aimed for Xiao Chen to fully concentrate his attention and start a fight against him. When he thought about what would happen afterward, Ye Fan chuckled to himself.
Xiao Chen, standing opposite Ye Fan, also chuckled inwardly as he perceived Ye Fan’s malicious intentions toward him with the help of the Dao of Darkness.
As for Ye Fan’s plan, Xiao Chen didn’t care. With his plot viewing ticket, Xiao Chen knew what Ye Fan was thinking, and it was as clear as day.
But he decided to let Ye Fan continue because it was the most effective way to lure Ji Rongmei out of the Jade Pendant without confronting her directly.
While contemplating his next move, he also activated the "Villain’s Eye" on both Ye Fan and Ji Rongmei.
[Name: Ye Fan
Status: Inner disciple of the peerless Heaven Sword Sect and young master of the Immortal Ye family
Cultivation: Divine Awakening Early Stage
Physique: Great Divine Yang body
Destiny: 1950]
[Name: Ji Rongmei
Status: General of the Immortal Ye family and Sole Survivor of the Immortal Ji clan in the upper realm
Current Cultivation: Mysterious Platform peak stage
Former cultivation: [Above Transcend Tribulation Realm]
Physique: Inferno Lotus Sacred Heritage
Destiny: 6100]
Seeing their status panels, Xiao Chen noticed that aside from the increase in Ji Rongmei’s strength, there weren’t any significant changes.
More importantly, Ye Fan’s growth, which was ridiculous in the original plot line, stumbled due to his intrusion.
After checking their panels, Xiao Chen resumed his role in the unfolding play.
Xiao Chen employed the "Villain’s Eye" on Ji Rongmei; she immediately sensed a familiar feeling of being seen through, similar to what she experienced in the Silver Sword City’s bazaar.
Given that there were only three individuals present, she quickly ruled out Ye Fan, as he hadn’t even sensed her presence once before she awakened, let alone after she did.
Her gaze shifted immediately to Xiao Chen. Initially dismissing him as overly cautious, she now confirmed that Xiao Chen was undoubtedly the one who had seen through her, or at the very least, someone closely associated with him.
After the three of them finished contemplating their inner thoughts, the play began.