Chapter 114: Southern Bright Separation Fire

On a crimson stone platform, Liang Yan stood facing a girl in blue.

"Miss, since we are trapped here, we should work together. If you know anything about the nature of these flames, please share it. Perhaps we might find a way out," Liang Yan said calmly, looking at the girl.

The girl in blue, who had been silent until now, hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking. "This is the Southern Bright Li Fire!"

Liang Yan’s heart stirred. "Please, elaborate."

"The Southern Bright Li Fire represents the 'Li' trigram in the Primordial Eight Trigrams. It is the natal flame of the divine vermilion bird and the bane of all ghosts and spirits," she said, her expression indifferent.

"So it is a fire of the Eight Trigrams!" Liang Yan realized. "Thank you for the information. My name is Liang Yan. May I ask your name?"

The girl glanced at him with a hint of wariness before answering, "Zhao Xunzhen."

Liang Yan smiled slightly. "Miss Xunzhen, I notice the fire has not spread to our path. Perhaps we could force our way through?"

"You think too simply," Zhao Xunzhen shook her head. "This is no ordinary flame. With our level of cultivation in the Qi Refining stage, even if we avoid direct contact, we could not withstand the sheer pressure of the Li Fire just by walking beside it."

Liang Yan felt a chill. "Does this mean we are destined to die here?"

"Not necessarily. I have a spiritual artifact that can partially ward off the flames, but..." She trailed off.

"Oh?" Liang Yan urged, "Whatever abilities you have, please use them. If you need my help, just say the word."

Zhao Xunzhen looked at him, choosing her words carefully. "I possess a defensive artifact called the 'Jade Heart Ring.' It is highly effective, but the Southern Bright Li Fire suppresses me greatly. Even with this artifact, I cannot approach it alone."

Liang Yan pondered for a moment. "Are you a practitioner of ghost arts?"

"And what if I am? What if I’m not?" she asked coldly, staring into his eyes.

"Haha! Don't misunderstand, Miss. There are three thousand paths to the Great Dao, and I have no prejudice against any. I only asked because you mentioned that these flames are the bane of ghosts, and I couldn't help but make the connection."

"Hmph," she snorted. "If it were ordinary fire, I would not fear it. But this Li Fire is too overbearing; it affects my mind, leaving me unable to act freely."

"I see," Liang Yan said. After a silence, he asked, "Can your Jade Heart Ring protect two people at once?"

"It can," she nodded.

"Then let us traverse the fire together. You use the ring to shield us from the flames, and I will use my techniques to stabilize your mind and spirit."

"If you truly have such a skill, it could work, but why should I trust you?" she asked suspiciously.

"We have no other choice," Liang Yan replied calmly. "Besides, if I cannot protect you, I will be consumed by the fire as well. I have no intention of digging my own grave."

"Very well! Let it be as you say!"

Without further hesitation, Zhao Xunzhen formed a hand seal and chanted an incantation. A jade-green light flew from her storage pouch, spinning in the air until it transformed into a ring about a yard wide, hovering around her.

"Get in here!" she said.

Liang Yan, having observed the ring's potency, stepped inside and stood beside her. As they stepped onto the bridge of fire, the deep red flames on either side seemed to react, swaying and flickering as if to intimidate these two intruders.

Zhao Xunzhen’s eyes betrayed a flicker of fear, and her shoulders trembled uncontrollably. Seeing this, Liang Yan immediately formed a seal and secretly activated his 'Clear Water Dan Heart Technique.' With a wave of his right hand, a stream of blue spiritual energy surged toward her.

Zhao Xunzhen was wary for a moment, but she soon accepted it. As the blue energy enveloped her, she felt a cooling sensation wash over her mind, and the oppressive pressure of the Southern Bright Li Fire seemed to diminish.

Feeling a sense of relief, she said nothing and focused on maintaining the Jade Heart Ring. They walked side by side through the narrow gap between the towering flames. Though progress was slow, they encountered no immediate danger.

The path, however, was agonizingly long. After two hours, they had yet to reach the end. By now, both had depleted much of their spiritual energy. Zhao Xunzhen, in particular, was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, as she was bearing the brunt of the fire’s pressure.

Seeing this, Liang Yan frowned. He placed his right hand against her back, pouring his own spiritual energy into her to form a protective barrier around her consciousness. Simultaneously, he formed a seal with his left hand and pointed it at the Jade Heart Ring.

A blue ring of light expanded, overlapping with the jade one. Upon touching this reinforced barrier, the ferocity of the Li Fire dampened, allowing both of them to breathe a sigh of relief. Liang Yan was using the 'Dissipating Force Method' from his 'Heartless Intent' technique to buy them time.

Zhao Xunzhen’s condition improved significantly. She nodded at him and continued to channel the ring. Both knew they could not hold out much longer; if they didn't escape before their energy ran out, they would surely perish. They increased their pace, breaking into a run.

Fortune favored them. After a frantic sprint, the bridge of fire finally ended, leading to a massive crimson stone platform.

Liang Yan and Zhao Xunzhen rushed off the bridge and collapsed onto the platform, releasing their techniques. They looked at each other and shared a bitter smile. There was no need to speak—they both knew their spiritual reserves were completely spent.