Chapter 383: Useless Trash
Just as Xiao Yuan had expected, the entrance fire path alone would be enough to eliminate a good number of participants.
Riding the power of his Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yuan and his group shot forward at high speed. Along the way, they occasionally passed by solitary cultivators with pale expressions, but Xiao Yuan had no intention of offering help. If smart people couldn't hold on, they would naturally retreat. If fools insisted on pushing forward and died—well, that was their own fault.
As for his own group...
Once they no longer sensed anyone around, Xiao Yuan finally came to a halt.
"Why did we stop?"
Zi Yan blinked in confusion, still munching on sugar-coated medicinal beans.
"Heh, this fire path is probably a trap. The route ahead isn't the real entrance to the ruins. If we keep following it, our Dou Qi will eventually be drained."
Xiao Yuan smiled as he explained.
"If this path isn't the way forward, then where is it?"
Cai Lin frowned as her gaze shifted to the crimson walls around them. These were forged from some kind of extremely tough red rock—so tough, even Venerable Tianhuo couldn't identify it. Since the material was chosen by a Dou Saint to build a relic, it clearly wasn't ordinary. Trying to break through with brute force would be futile.
Xiao Yuan grinned and pointed at the thick, glowing lava beneath their feet.
"The walls and ceiling are all made from the same crimson stone. Only this—"
"You mean... the real path is below?"
Cai Lin's expression changed slightly in surprise.
"The relic's creator really was cunning. Who would ever think to jump into lava on purpose?"
Venerable Tianhuo was equally surprised.
The members of Burning Flame Valley nearby revealed looks of sudden realization.
"Heh, let's go!"
Xiao Yuan chuckled, gave them all a quick reminder, and with a wave of his sleeve, his golden Heavenly Flame wrapped around everyone. Splash! They plunged straight into the searing lava.
Submerged in molten rock, their group quickly sank. Though scorching, the lava posed no threat with the Heavenly Flame's protection. After a minute or so, they suddenly felt the ground drop away and fell briefly—only to land on a cold, solid floor.
As their feet hit the ground, they quickly looked up—and were struck speechless.
Above them, dozens of meters overhead, the crimson lava flowed in massive, twisting coils like giant serpents, looping in arches. They could still see silhouettes flickering in the fire path above. Clearly, the lava layer they had just crossed was the fire path from before. It was a winding, seemingly endless corridor—if someone had followed it to the end, who knew when they'd have reached this point?
"Tsk tsk. Truly worthy of being an ancient relic... tricked everyone. Imagine walking the entire fire path, only to find a stone wall at the end—wouldn't that just make you die of rage?"
Zi Yan smirked as she looked at the convoluted fire path.
Cai Lin and the others couldn't help but laugh as well.
Xiao Yuan swept his gaze around. They were now in a vast stone corridor that stretched into the distance. In the distance, a plaza could be seen—with what looked like other people already present.
"Let's go. This should be the real entrance to the relic. Our goal is the Dou Saint's remains. Let the others scramble for the heaven-tier Dou Techniques. They'll all be mine in the end anyway."
Xiao Yuan said cheerfully.
Tang Zhen, surprised, asked, "Xiao Yuan, are you really here for the Dou Saint's remains?"
"Once we enter, I'll take my people elsewhere to explore. If there's trouble, use this jade slip to contact me."
Tang Zhen handed Xiao Yuan a jade fragment. Though Xiao Yuan was now technically his son-in-law and held the title of Burning Flame Valley's Young Valley Master, moving as one large group wasn't efficient or practical. Splitting up would yield better results.
"Understood, Uncle Tang. Stay safe—and notify me if anything happens."
Xiao Yuan accepted the jade and smiled.
Tang Zhen patted him on the shoulder and waved his group onward, heading toward the distant plaza. Xiao Yuan and his companions followed.
The corridor wasn't long. Within minutes, they reached the large plaza—only to find many people already there, most of whom were the ones who had charged in first. Among them were members of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan and the Sky Underworld Sect.
Their sudden arrival caught the attention of those in the plaza. Feng Qing'er frowned; clearly, she hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to uncover the fire path's secret so quickly.
Xiao Yuan ignored the stares. His attention was drawn instead to the far end of the plaza, where an enormous, thick stone gate stood. In front of it were ten upright figures, tall and unmoving like spears. Their skin gleamed silver, eyes lifeless, faces expressionless—like ancient corpses.
"Earth Demon Puppets?"
A glint flashed in Xiao Yuan's eyes.
He was likely the most familiar with these silver puppets in the crowd—after all, he had crafted several himself, and even evolved them to Sky Demon Puppet level.
The ones guarding this gate were all silver, clearly still at the Earth Demon Puppet level. Xiao Yuan estimated their strength to be peak Dou Sect. Not weak by any means, but not strong enough to stop all the elite cultivators gathered here.
"So beyond this gate lies the true relic."
Cai Lin gazed at the gate.
"Mhm. But it's sealed—and shows signs of spatial energy. It can't be opened by brute force. So, the key to unlocking it must lie with these ten puppets."
Xiao Yuan nodded, noting that most of the crowd was already focused on the puppets. They all seemed to realize this as well.
"No need for us to act just yet. Someone else will try first."
Venerable Tianhuo chuckled.
Xiao Yuan nodded in agreement, and they stood casually at the plaza's edge, watching the others.
After some whispered discussions and hesitation, an old man in gray robes stepped forward. Judging by his aura, he was a Dou Zun—but Xiao Yuan quickly saw that he was only a one-star.
Xiao Yuan didn't recognize his sect, but Central Plains was vast and full of hidden powerhouses. Sometimes, low-profile groups could rival famous factions in strength.
With all eyes on him, the elder slowly stepped forward, walking right into the circle of ten Earth Demon Puppets. He looked bold and confident.
Clack!
As he came within ten meters of the gate, the ten lifeless figures suddenly emitted cracking sounds as their joints shifted. Ten cold, empty gazes locked onto the old man. With a flash, each one summoned a silver long spear.
Swish!
In a blink, the ten puppets attacked with lightning speed.
"Ha! Just a few scrap puppets—you think you can stop me?!"
The old man laughed and charged in bare-handed. His Dou Qi surged, and every punch forced a puppet to stagger.
He was holding his own against ten puppets. Xiao Yuan shook his head—indeed, the gap between Dou Sect and Dou Zun was vast. The ten puppets weren't enough to stop him—but they wouldn't last long either.
Clang!
The old man struck three puppets with a heavy palm, leaving half-finger-deep dents on their bodies.
Roar!
Suddenly, the ten puppets froze. Silver light flared in their eyes, and a low growl escaped from their throats. Their steps synchronized as they formed a strange formation. Streams of silver energy burst from their bodies and connected, creating a circular energy loop.
Roar!
As the formation activated, the lead puppet let out another roar. To Xiao Yuan's surprise, its silver glow faded—replaced by golden light.
"Oh? They can evolve?"
Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up. He wasn't excited about the puppet itself—but rather the energy transfer array they had used. If he could master it, then with his own puppets, he might even be able to take on an eight-star Dou Zun!
"But still... with the formation, their power now matches a two-star Dou Zun. That old guy is in trouble."
With this realization, Xiao Yuan flexed his wrists.
He had seen enough—it was his turn now.
Swish!
The golden Sky Demon Puppet launched itself forward with immense force. In a flash, it appeared in front of the startled old man and punched with glowing fists.
Boom!
The elder tried to block the attack, but the puppet's strength now far surpassed his. The sound of a muffled groan escaped him, blood trickled from his lips, and he staggered back.
Once he retreated past the ten-meter range, the golden puppet returned to its place. The gold glow faded, and the puppets once again stood silent and silver.
The shift in power caused visible tension among the surrounding cultivators. Ten peak Dou Sect puppets they could deal with. But one golden Sky Demon Puppet with two-star Dou Zun strength? That was a threat. Even if someone could beat it, the cost would be immense—and no one wanted to expend all their strength before even entering the relic.
For a moment, awkward silence fell over the plaza. Everyone wanted in—but no one wanted to be the one to fight the puppets.
"Opening a door shouldn't be this difficult."
Xiao Yuan shook his head and blinked into view, standing ten meters from the gate. His soul power expanded without alerting anyone.
With his current level of soul mastery, there wasn't a single person present who could detect his movements.
As Xiao Yuan appeared, many were stunned. Their expressions turned serious. They'd all heard of the infamous "Three Kills" legend—how he casually killed three Dou Zuns. Now was their chance to see just how real that reputation was.
"That guy must have a motive…"
Feng Qing'er muttered, frowning.
The white-haired man beside her looked at Xiao Yuan's back and smiled. He stepped forward and said, "Heh, I'm quite interested in those puppets. Might make good guards at my place."
Clearly, he'd noticed Xiao Yuan's interest in the puppets.
Seeing this interruption, Xiao Yuan shook his head.
"You? I've already finished my meal. You wouldn't even catch the leftovers."
The white-haired man's face darkened instantly. Xiao Yuan's insult had crushed his pride into the ground.
But before he could retaliate, Xiao Yuan casually lifted his hand—and the ten puppets obediently vanished into his storage ring.
Everyone stood frozen.
There was only one word left in their minds:
"Huh?"
"Tsk. Useless trash."
In the stunned silence, Zi Yan munched her candy beans and commented offhandedly. Her lazy tone didn't hurt much—but the sarcasm hit like a slap.
(END CHAPTER)
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