Chapter 273: The Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury Opens!
BOOM! BOOM!
Just then, a thunderous explosion echoed from the center of the basin.
Countless eyes immediately snapped toward it in shock—where the space had begun to visibly twist.
Within that distortion, a faint image of an ancient hall slowly emerged.
A wave of desolate and ancient aura, formed by the passage of countless years, seeped through the space and spread across the land.
"The Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury!"
As the anomaly appeared, excited shouts erupted across the crowd like wildfire.
Suddenly, countless gazes grew heated and even greedy.
The elite disciples from the various super sects hadn't gathered here just to watch Dao Sect and Yuan Gate fight.
They had come for one reason—the legendary Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury said to be hidden here!
Very quickly, attention shifted away from the standoff between Yuan Gate and Dao Sect.
As far as the other sects were concerned, it would be better if Dao Sect and Yuan Gate wiped each other out—it would only increase their own chances of reaping benefits inside the treasury.
However, much to their disappointment, the twisted space continued to ripple but didn't fully open.
It felt as though something was missing—a key to unlock it.
All eyes gradually shifted toward Yuan Cang.
Everyone had come here because they'd heard that Yuan Gate had found a way to open the Burning Heaven Ancient Treasury.
From the current situation, it seemed that only Yuan Gate could unlock it.
Yuan Cang's gaze flickered slightly. He then said calmly, "Lin Fan, our true purpose here is the treasury."
"Hand over Lei Qian's nascent spirit. Yuan Gate will open the treasury, and all present may share in its rewards."
"But if you insist on being stubborn, then no one will get inside today. If that happens, and public anger rises—can Dao Sect afford the consequences?"
Yuan Cang had briefly considered using the treasury's opening as leverage to rally other sects to eliminate Dao Sect here and now.
But he dismissed the idea.
Such an act would make Yuan Gate the target of public outrage.
Besides, Yuan Cang still had concerns about Lei Qian. While his body was destroyed, his nascent spirit had not perished completely—meaning resurrection was still possible.
Most importantly, Yuan Cang believed that Yuan Gate had the strength to wipe out Dao Sect after the treasury business was done.
He didn't hide any of this. In fact, his words, amplified by Yuan Power, spread clearly across the area for all to hear.
"This guy's cunning," Xiao Xiao muttered, her expression darkening.
Yuan Cang was clearly trying to use the pressure of the crowd to force Lin Fan to release Lei Qian's nascent spirit.
Wang Yan and the others also looked grim. Already, they could feel the faint hostility building in the crowd.
Those gazes weren't kind—they were urging them to comply.
"Lin Fan, what now?" Wang Yan asked in a low voice.
Lin Fan smiled and said, "Since Brother Yuan Cang is being so generous, I must give face."
"Earlier, I only meant to spar with Little Thunder King. I was worried he'd go too hard, so I didn't hold back… Who knew one strike would blow him up? Truly unfortunate."
Hearing that, many Yuan Gate disciples clenched their fists in fury.
Lin Fan's words were sharp—every bit a verbal slap in the face.
"Please, Brother Lin Fan, hand over Lei Qian's nascent spirit," Yuan Cang said, smiling on the surface but with icy hatred in his eyes.
"No problem." Lin Fan smiled and casually tossed Lei Qian's scorched, half-destroyed nascent spirit toward Yuan Cang.
It landed in Yuan Cang's hand, barely holding together.
His expression turned grim as he quickly absorbed it into his body for preservation.
"You've truly surprised us…" Yuan Cang's smile vanished, his gaze heavy as he looked at Lin Fan.
"You're the most dangerous one in Dao Sect."
"Enough talk. I've given you Lei Qian's nascent spirit. Now open the treasury. You're not going to tell everyone you can't open it, are you?" Lin Fan smiled.
His words turned the crowd's attention back to Yuan Cang.
If Yuan Cang now admitted he couldn't open the treasury, the anger of the crowd would turn toward Yuan Gate instead.
Yuan Cang's face twisted with coldness, but he forced himself to calm down.
His eyes shimmered with killing intent as he glared at Lin Fan.
Then, with a wave of his hand, he turned and strode toward the center of the basin.
"Mock all you want now, Lin Fan. I just hope you're still smiling when it's time to pay the price…"
His voice was icy, chilling everyone who heard it.
As Yuan Gate disciples withdrew, the tension in the air finally eased.
Many Dao Sect disciples let out the breaths they'd been holding. Their hands were slick with sweat.
Still, despite the nerves, there was a spark of excitement in their eyes.
In all their years clashing with Yuan Gate, they had never felt such a satisfying moment of dominance.
"Once we're inside, everyone be careful," Lin Fan warned. "If you run into Yuan Gate, don't fight them head-on. Send a signal, and we'll regroup."
The disciples all nodded in agreement.
At this point, Dao Sect disciples trusted Lin Fan completely—no one questioned his judgment.
"Brother Chen Kui, I'll leave my sister in your care," Lin Fan said, glancing at Qingtan.
"I'm strong too, you know," Qingtan pouted, raising her little fists.
"Haha, of course you are," Lin Fan laughed.
"Don't worry, Brother Lin Fan. I'll watch over her," Chen Kui said with a slight smile.
As they spoke, the Yuan Gate disciples gathered in front of the rippling spatial distortion.
Yuan Cang stepped forward under countless burning gazes.
He raised his palm—and a ball of fire-red light appeared in his hand, pulsing with energy.
Flames burned within it like a living fire spirit.
With a flick of his wrist, the fireball shot forward, leaving behind a fiery tail as it plunged into the twisted space.
Chi chi…!
Upon contact, crimson ripples spread out from the space.
Then, before everyone's eyes, the warped space began to tear open.
From within the rift, an endless sea of flames surged forth, carrying a desolate aura—as if reaching back to an ancient, primal world.
BOOM!
In that moment, the entire atmosphere ignited with anticipation.
Countless eyes blazed with excitement.
Whoosh!
After a brief silence, several cultivators near the rift couldn't hold back any longer and rushed toward the treasury entrance.
Yuan Cang watched coldly but didn't stop them.
"Wait." Lin Fan raised his hand, halting the Dao Sect disciples who were about to move.
AAAH—!
Suddenly, one of the first people to enter the crimson realm burst into flames!
A horrifying scream rang out as his body burned uncontrollably.
Within moments, several of them had turned into fireballs—and then disintegrated, becoming ash in the wind!
The sudden tragedy hit the crowd like a bucket of cold water.
Greed turned to terror.
Everyone now stared at the fiery entrance with wide, fearful eyes.
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