As Shen Xian and Wei Zhaoli ventured deeper into the core of the Bronze Blood Hall’s fifth layer, the omnipresent crimson lightning began to thin. In its place, a cloying, damp chill settled over the air. Dark red patterns emerged on the stone floor, pulsing and extending toward the central region like gorged blood vessels.

“The baleful aura here…” Wei Zhaoli’s beautiful eyes flickered with perception. A wisp of clear, azure light coalesced at her fingertip. “It seems to contain a unique, hidden Water Essence.”

She had come to the Bronze Blood Hall precisely because an ancient text from a ruin had pointed her toward a destiny hidden within. Yet, until they reached the fifth layer, she had found nothing. Now, the sensation was unmistakable.

Hearing this, Shen Xian immediately activated the [Void Reflection Mirror] to scan the area.

Sure enough, within the scope of his Divine Sense, a dilapidated structure lay not far ahead. Concealed beneath layers of restrictions, it radiated a dense, rhythmic fluctuation of water attribute energy.

“Found it.” The corners of Shen Xian’s lips curved slightly as he led Wei Zhaoli forward.

They stopped before a stone wall etched with bizarre, archaic runes. Five chains formed of solidified blood energy crisscrossed over the surface, creating a complex, knotted seal.

Wei Zhaoli stared intently at the crimson chains, the Water Essence at her fingertip trembling in resonance. Possessing a Water Spirit Root, she could keenly sense that beneath this terrifying facade lay a reservoir of pure, ancient Water Spiritual Power—a stark, holy contrast to the savage blood qi ravaging the surroundings.

“This seal…” she whispered, “appears to have been left by an ancient mighty figure. Judging by the technique, it was the work of a righteous path cultivator.”

Shen Xian, familiar with the lore of this place, extended his Divine Sense to probe the structure before nodding in agreement. “Indeed. These crimson chains are not a restriction meant to suppress, but a protective shell. That Senior used the local blood qi as camouflage to hide the true inheritance within.”

Eons ago, the great powers of the righteous path had paid a devastating price to slay the Demon Venerable here. Many had fallen, leaving their legacies buried in the blood-soaked dust.

Boom—

Just as the two prepared to dismantle the seal, the surrounding crimson lightning suddenly went berserk.

The sparse arcs of electricity thickened instantly, transforming into countless scarlet pythons slithering through the air. More terrifying still, the dark red veins on the ground began to writhe and bulge, birthing ferocious, gore-formed phantom beasts that lunged with silent screams.

Shen Xian acted without hesitation.

He raised his right hand slightly, and the [Sky-Burning Cauldron] flew from his sleeve. In a breath, it expanded into a hundred-foot colossus suspended in mid-air.

The flames erupting from the cauldron’s maw were no longer red-gold, but a pure, blinding white True Fire. Wherever the white flames swept, the crimson lightning melted away instantly, like snow meeting the blazing sun.

The ferocious gore beasts didn’t even have time to howl. Caught in the True Fire capable of boiling seas and burning skies, they were instantly vaporized, turning into wisps of green smoke.

The space cleared in an instant. Even the dark red veins on the floor faded, reverting to cold, gray stone.

Seeing this absolute suppression, a profound sense of security rose in Wei Zhaoli’s heart.

Shen Xian immediately retrieved the [Nine-Aperture Exquisite Needle] and began to pick apart the formation. However, the ancient cultivator who laid this array clearly intended it for a successor with a Water Spirit Root; the spiritual treasure encountered unexpected resistance.

“Shen Lang, leave it to me,” Wei Zhaoli said softly. Her injuries had recovered sufficiently to mobilize her spiritual power.

Shen Xian nodded and stepped back.

After approximately a quarter of an hour, the final restriction dissolved. The stone wall groaned and slid open, revealing a square pool roughly ten feet wide.

The water within was a deep, mysterious blue, with specks of starlight floating upon the surface. Suspended above the water was a crystal-clear jade slip, radiating a gentle, rhythmic Water Essence.

Wei Zhaoli carefully retrieved the jade slip. Her Divine Sense swept through it, and joy instantly illuminated her features. “It really is an ancient Water Element Secret Technique!”

This was the very object she had sought. Her trip had not been in vain.

Watching from the side, Shen Xian felt a stir of temptation. This involves ancient items. If I could gift this to her and trigger the return system, I would undoubtedly receive a superior inheritance.

Pity… the cooldown time hasn’t passed yet.

Just then, a strange sensation pulsed from his left arm.

He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the [Taixu Rope] imprint glowing faintly, resonating with a crystalline stone at the bottom of the pool. After merging with the Taixu Essence, this ancestral treasure had begun to develop spatial abilities, but the fusion was incomplete, limiting its true power.

Sensing the artifact’s desire, Shen Xian’s mind moved.

He raised his arm, and the [Taixu Rope] shot out like a silver dragon, plunging into the dark blue water. The rope immediately began to shimmer with crystalline light as a surging aura washed over it.

Shen Xian was delighted. He could feel the fusion degree of the two ancestral treasures climbing steadily.

Suddenly!

His perception spiked. He turned his head sharply.

A woman in a plain white dress approached with graceful, measured steps. A sky-blue silk ribbon at her waist danced in the wind, holding a token that identified her as a disciple of the Tianyao Sect.

“Such pure Water Spiritual Power.” The woman smiled faintly, her voice as melodious as a clear spring. “It seems you two Fellow Daoists have gained quite a harvest.”

A flash of vigilance crossed Wei Zhaoli’s eyes, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on the jade slip. Although the Tianyao Sect and the Divine Wood Sect were technically allies, in a place like the Divine Demon Battlefield, trust was a fatal luxury.

“Who are you?” Shen Xian asked calmly.

She was likely one of the cultivators who had obtained a key to the fifth layer earlier. However, he was unconcerned. With his current strength, no one in this battlefield could threaten him.

“This humble girl is Bai Qingyao, a disciple of the Tianyao Sect,” she said with a gentle smile, quickly adding, “Please, do not be alarmed. Although I came for the opportunity here, since it has already been claimed by you two, I naturally will not stoop to robbery.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to the pool, a trace of regret flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Though her words were polite, Wei Zhaoli remained guarded. Not wanting to provoke unnecessary conflict, she cupped her hands. “So it is Senior Sister Bai. I am Wei Zhaoli.”

“You are Wei Zhaoli?” Bai Qingyao exclaimed softly.

As the direct disciple of the Tianyao Sect Master, Bai Qingyao spent most of her time in seclusion. She had never met Wei Zhaoli, but the name of the Divine Wood Sect’s genius was well known to her.

She looked at the handsome, elegant man beside Wei Zhaoli, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Then… could you be the Shen Clan’s direct descendant, Shen Xian?”

Shen Xian nodded slightly.

“I never expected to encounter you two here,” Bai Qingyao said with a faint smile, her gaze sweeping over Shen Xian inconspicuously.

Rumors claimed the Shen Clan’s heir was a waste with a ninth-grade spiritual root. Yet, judging by the residual heat in the air and his calm demeanor, those rumors were dangerously false.

Indeed. The heirs of these great clans are never as simple as they appear. Not attacking was a wise choice.

“Since Senior Sister Bai is here, you must have some understanding of this Blood Hall?” Wei Zhaoli asked tentatively, her hand still white-knuckled around the jade slip.

Bai Qingyao sighed. “To be honest, this place is bizarre. I know little, and I have yet to find the exit.” She paused for effect. “However… the Lin Clan’s second young master might know.”

She glanced deliberately at Shen Xian. The blood feud between the Shen and Lin clans was common knowledge in Qingzhou. With both heirs present in the fifth layer, a clash was inevitable.

Shen Xian caught the implication. “Where is he?”

“I only saw him from afar,” Bai Qingyao said, her expression turning grave. “I saw with my own eyes that the crimson puppets in this hall bowed and obeyed him completely. Even more horrifying, those puppets seem to host the souls of cultivators, yet Lin Lang controls them as easily as moving his own arm.”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow. Controlling the puppets? It seems Lin Lang came prepared.

Bai Qingyao continued, “I suspect this place is related to the Lin Clan’s heritage. Finding him might be the key to leaving.”

Her motive was transparent: she wanted to leverage their strength against Lin Lang. She knew she couldn’t defeat an opponent who controlled an army of puppets alone. But Shen Xian, with his clan’s treasures, and Wei Zhaoli, a top disciple of the Divine Wood Sect, might stand a chance if they all joined forces.

However, Shen Xian had no interest in traveling with her.

In a battle against Lin Lang, he couldn’t afford to watch his back for a potential stab from a temporary ally. Wei Zhaoli had her puppet for protection, but Bai Qingyao was an unknown variable with significant strength. Accidents happened too easily in these situations.

“Thank you for the information, Senior Sister Bai. We shall take our leave now,” Shen Xian said directly.

A flicker of surprise passed over Bai Qingyao’s face. “That Lin Lang is not easy to deal with,” she warned.

“Thank you for your concern. We have our own judgment. Worst case, we will simply find another way out,” Shen Xian replied with a polite but dismissive smile.

Understanding his refusal, Bai Qingyao could only cup her hands and bid them farewell.

“Shen Lang…” Wei Zhaoli hesitated as the woman walked away. She wanted to suggest that Bai Qingyao’s help might increase their odds, especially since she herself currently had little combat power.

“Better to be cautious,” Shen Xian cut in calmly. “Leave Lin Lang to me.”

Once the [Taixu Rope] finished absorbing the energy from the pool, Shen Xian took Wei Zhaoli and departed, disappearing into the shadows of the hall.