53. The Heart of Blazing Flame
Besides Shangguan Qingyun, the disguised Tian Shangque, the twin sisters, and two other demonic cultivators, there were fourteen remaining contestants.
Usually, only about five people entered the Heart of Blazing Flame. Fourteen was unprecedented.
Now, guarded by numerous imperial soldiers, the entrance to the secret realm, glowing with fire and emitting white mist, was located here.
It looked like a volcano crater, the heat even more intense.
A powerful stream of fire essence continuously erupted from the entrance, permeating the air, a paradise for fire cultivators.
Led by the Grand Elder and Shangguan Long, the fourteen contestants arrived at the entrance.
“You must have all heard of the wonders within the Heart of Blazing Flame,” Shangguan Long said, his hands behind his back, a smile on his face. “As for what you can obtain, it depends on your own fortune.”
“However,” he held up a number card, “this is your pass. If you lose it, you’ll be disqualified and might even face mortal danger before being expelled.”
“After the recent events, I sincerely hope none of you will be harmed. Please keep this in mind.”
Everyone presented their number cards. Each had up to three. Were the extra two meant as backups?
“If there are no questions, then please enter.”
With that, the contestants jumped into the entrance one after another.
When it was Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao’s turn, they hesitated.
Qiu Shui wasn’t exhausted, but Lu Xinyao had overexerted her bloodline power and was in a strange state.
All Xinyao wanted now was to return to Gong Yiling and sleep.
Just then, Miss Gong appeared behind them.
“My, my, I never thought I’d get such a great opportunity by freeloading off you two.”
She gave them a reassuring look, then pulled them into the entrance.
Inside, they were met with a surge of fire essence and dense white mist.
The combination of the two significantly slowed their descent.
They floated in mid-air for a long time before finally landing.
“Phew…”
After everyone landed, the mist dissipated.
The place resembled a barren wasteland.
The sky was a reddish-brown, the ground a dull red. As far as the eye could see were rock formations, ruins, caves, and hills.
The contestants exchanged glances, then dispersed, searching for their own opportunities.
Only Gong Yiling, Qiu Shui, and Lu Xinyao remained.
“Big Sister…” Lu Xinyao tugged at her sleeve, pouting. “I…”
“The fire essence here is dense. There’s no need for you to wander around. Get some sleep, and your bloodline power will recover.”
Lu Xinyao blinked and nodded happily. “Okay!”
Then, she collapsed into Gong Yiling’s arms and fell asleep.
Miss Gong noticed that the girl’s eyes were purplish-red, but her hair was black.
What was going on?
She rubbed the girl’s head and looked at Qiu Shui. “Do you want to explore the treasure chamber?”
“Wherever Master goes, I follow.”
“Silly girl, I can’t always be with you.” Gong Yiling chuckled. “Opportunities like this to explore a high-level secret realm are rare.”
“Do I also need to seek inheritance here?”
Well…
She had a point.
Both girls had their own destinies and didn’t need to waste time here.
But!
“Actually… Master intends to rebuild the Cloud Rainbow Sect. To give you a sense of participation, I’ll entrust you with the task of gathering resources.”
Qiu Shui’s eyes widened in shock.
“Rebuild the Cloud Rainbow Sect!?”
Few things could surprise her this much. Rebuilding the Cloud Rainbow Sect was one of them.
If anyone else said this, it would be one thing. But coming from Gong Yiling…
“Isn’t Master from the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“Yes!”
The problem was, the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace and the Cloud Rainbow Sect were sworn enemies.
If the Cloud Rainbow Sect reappeared, the Hundred Paths Mountain would surely launch another crusade against the Five Demonic Abysses.
Would she… have to fight against her master?
“No!” Qiu Shui shook her head immediately, a hint of panic in her voice. “I don’t want to fight against Master! If cultivating this technique means I have to, then I’d rather cripple my own cultivation.”
“Huh?”
Gong Yiling was confused. “I never said you had to fight against me.”
“But righteous and demonic paths are always opposed. Is Master’s Cloud Rainbow Sect a demonic sect with the same name?”
If she dared do such a thing, the Nine-Colored Deer would obliterate her in an instant!
Unless she could defeat the Nine-Colored Deer, the Cloud Rainbow Sect had to be a righteous sect, extremely righteous.
However…
That was only one aspect.
“You haven’t understood my meaning.” Gong Yiling smiled. “The past is the past. Why can’t the righteous and demonic paths coexist peacefully?”
Her idea was… idealistic.
Or perhaps overly naive.
There was too much bad blood between the demonic and righteous sects.
For them to reconcile and forget their past grievances was more difficult than… well, you know.
“I know what you’re thinking. It’s more likely for a monkey to climb a tree than for that to happen.”
Miss Gong accurately pinpointed Qiu Shui’s thoughts.
Then she added,
“Actually, monkeys can climb trees.”
