Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"Huh? Why is the cultivation of these juniors disappearing?"

The moment he emerged from the spatial rift, Yuan San sensed that the environment here was quite chaotic.

Many of the younger people's auras were steadily weakening, and they were aging rapidly. Others were fleeing for their lives, seemingly unable to withstand the heat of the Flame Mountain any longer.

As for the greater number who could still hold on, they seemed to be searching for something. Their faces were anxious, their auras fluctuated wildly, and they were restless and agitated. They all looked to be in a terrible state.

This left Yuan San deeply puzzled.

'Looks like that guy really did come here.'

In contrast, Yuan Haotian, who knew of Yang Xiao's bizarre ability to absorb others' cultivation, simply raised an eyebrow.

It confirmed that Yang Xiao was indeed here.

However, despite knowing this, he had no intention of speaking up, lest he create unnecessary complications.

At that moment, Yuan San's Immortal Sense also locked onto Yang Xiao's location.

"I can already feel that kid's presence. You all stay here. This flaming mountain is no simple matter, so don't make any rash moves. I'm going to capture him."

Though still puzzled, the moment Yuan San detected Yang Xiao's aura, he paid no more mind to the younger members of the Yan Family. He barked an order at Yuan Haotian and the others, and his figure shot forward.

As a lofty True Immortal, he couldn't care less what happened to these people.

As for why he didn't let Yuan Haotian and the others follow, it was because their presence would be useless.

This Flame Mountain seemed to emit a power that he himself found somewhat alarming, to say nothing of the heat.

'I'm afraid that besides Yuan Haotian, none of these guys could make it deep inside. But that kid... he's clearly just a True Intent Stage Martial Artist. How does he have such capabilities? Could it be... he has some kind of Secret Treasure?'

The thought of a treasure immediately brought the God-Suppressing Coffin to Yuan San's mind.

His heart began to burn with excitement, and his speed increased.

Anywhere else, with his True Immortal Level strength, Yuan San could have easily torn through space to arrive anywhere he pleased.

But this place seemed to have targeted restrictions in place. Yuan San found it impossible to tear through the space within the mountain's core, as the entire mountain was protected by them.

Yuan San was certain this place held a great secret.

'Perhaps, in addition to the God-Suppressing Coffin that brat is carrying, this strange volcano holds another pleasant surprise. If that's the case, the heavens are being far too kind to me.'

The more Yuan San thought about it, the more smug he became.

At the same time, however, he grew exceptionally cautious.

To him, a mere True Intent Stage brat like Yang Xiao was utterly insignificant.

Even if the boy had a few treasures, how much of their power could he possibly bring to bear?

This bizarre volcano, on the other hand, might just contain something that could threaten him.

It was only natural to be cautious.

Otherwise, what was the point of finding a treasure if he didn't live to use it? It would be better not to have come at all.

Yang Xiao, in contrast, was moving with much greater ease.

He had already obtained some information about this Forbidden Land from an ancestor of the Yan Family—and not an ancestor like Yan Yangtian, who relied solely on his aptitude, but one who had held true power.

What this ancestor knew was far more detailed than the knowledge of a nameless old guardian like Yan Yangtian. This was because the discoveries from generations of Yan Family explorers were ultimately passed down to him.

Upon his death, it would have been passed to his successor. Unfortunately for them, it had now fallen into Yang Xiao's hands.

He had naturally gained a massive advantage.

Soon, following the descriptions in the information he'd received, Yang Xiao reached the interior of the Flame Mountain and saw a palace.

'So this is the Sealed Flame Divine Hall the Yan Family ancestor mentioned? It doesn't look like anything special... Hmm? What's this...'

Yang Xiao scanned his surroundings, and suddenly, his expression changed dramatically.

He had discovered that while the palace looked unremarkable, the pillars that seemed merely decorative concealed a murderous intent, faintly forming some sort of array.

Even Yang Xiao couldn't identify the array, though he vaguely sensed it was somewhat similar to a few of the Arrays he knew—yet at the same time, completely different.

'It seems to have elements of the Eight-direction Enemy Annihilation Array, the Condensing Element Array, and the Heavenly Heart Annihilation Array... wait, and the Nine Seals and Ten Elements Array! This is too strange. The Eight-direction Enemy Annihilation Array is a Killing Array, and the Heavenly Heart Annihilation Array, which can wipe out a creature's consciousness, can also be considered a type of Killing Array. The Nine Seals and Ten Elements Array is a first-rate trapping array. If it were just these three, it would be a decent combination. But what's the Condensing Element Array doing here? Isn't that used for cultivation?'

After careful observation, Yang Xiao had identified the four major Arrays.

All four of these Arrays were at the Divine Array Level.

If someone who didn't recognize these Arrays were to enter, even a True God would suffer dearly.

'If I rush in recklessly, my chances of survival will be slim. When combined, these four Divine Arrays become exceptionally bizarre. And it feels like there are other dangers lurking within.'

Yang Xiao fell silent for a moment.

He finally understood why the Yan Family, despite having discovered this place nearly ten thousand years ago, had still made little progress exploring its depths and remained ignorant of what lay within.

With an Array like this in place, even a True God would likely be helpless, to say nothing of the Yan Family, which had never once produced a True Immortal in its entire history.

Even with a blessed land like Flame Mountain, and despite their increasing prosperity in recent years, they were still considered up-and-comers.

But just as Yang Xiao resolved to observe these Arrays more carefully before deciding whether to enter...

...the Thousand Mechanism Eye within him suddenly pulsed.

Yang Xiao froze for a second.

In the next instant, he infused it with the True Greater Yang Fire from his body.

What he saw made his face fall.

'That aura... it feels like a True Immortal! Is it that Immortal Envoy? It seems something must have happened with Yuan Haotian!'

Yang Xiao's expression darkened.

His mind raced as he tried to think of a countermeasure.

But before he could react, a terrifying aura washed over him from behind.

A figure slowly materialized behind him.

Who else could it be but Yuan San?

"Just as I thought, there's something strange here. This palace is clearly extraordinary. Could it be the Land of Inheritance of some powerful True Immortal? No, it must belong to a Martial Arts True God."

The moment Yuan San appeared, he didn't spare Yang Xiao a single glance. Instead, his full attention was fixed on the palace before him.

It was as if he was completely oblivious to his presence.

Yet Yang Xiao could sense that his own aura had been locked down.

The slightest unusual movement would be met with a Thunderous Strike.

With his current level of strength, a single blow from a True Immortal would undoubtedly mean certain death!

'What do I do?'

'Am I supposed to just stand here and wait for him to deal with me? No! Even if I die, I, Yang Xiao, refuse to just wait for death and be toyed with at his whim!'

Yang Xiao's expression hardened.

The aura around his body stirred.

This movement instantly triggered a reaction from Yuan San.

"A mere Martial Artist. Instead of waiting obediently to die, you dare to resist me? You're simply courting death!"

With a cold snort, he raised a hand and struck. Instantly, a wave of power strong enough to make the entire Flame Mountain tremble shot out directly at Yang Xiao.

The speed, the power...

Yang Xiao had no time to react.

He was struck squarely.

His body was instantly torn to pieces.

Dead?