The Hundred Li Fire Wall gave Qu Wuyi and Bao Tiangai an intense sense of oppression, causing even their Divine Souls to tremble involuntarily.

"Fellow Daoist Yi Nian, would you be willing to accompany me inside to try it out?" Zang Qianjian took out a Tier Three Mid-grade Protective Spiritual Artifact and held it in front of him, smiling as he asked Yi Nian Guan Shan.

Yi Nian Guan Shan furrowed his brow in silence, but the next moment, Zang Qianjian’s Divine Sense Communication reached his ear, "Fellow Daoist, do you still intend to back out? I can help you act, but I can also stop at any time. Do you want Lin Jiang to protect your Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks? If you don’t charge in the front, how will you prove your worth to Lin Jiang?"

Upon hearing this, even though he was displeased, Yi Nian Guan Shan could only force a smile and say, "Fellow Daoist Qi, I will accompany you for a walk."

Then he turned back to remind Bao Tiangai and his companion, "You two stay outside, and if anything happens, act accordingly."

Bao Tiangai and his companion quickly nodded.

The two immediately became extremely vigilant.

They also wondered what was behind this high wall of Demonic Qi?

Why does such a thing exist beneath Celestial Sword Peak?

While they were pondering, Yi Nian Guan Shan suppressed his displeasure and was the first to step into the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s aura of Demonic Qi. Upon entering the radius of the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s Demonic Qi, his Divine Sense and ability to fly were instantly suppressed by the Demonic Qi. However, fortunately, Yi Nian Guan Shan had already attempted to enter it no less than a dozen times and was mentally prepared.

Zang Qianjian followed closely behind, but after entering, he did not advance further until the distance between him and Yi Nian Guan Shan reached ten zhang before starting to move forward. Why ten zhang? Because his Divine Sense could only extend forward ten zhang.

"It seems this place is indeed related to the Blood Phoenix Demon Monarch." Zang Qianjian glanced at his Protective Spiritual Artifact already being burned by the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s aura of Demonic Qi, shocked in his heart, "This Blood Phoenix External Demon’s Demonic Qi can ignite even a Tier Three Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact and is rapidly consuming the Magical Power and Spiritual Qi within it. Within no more than a hundred breaths, this Tier Three Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact will be rendered useless. No wonder it’s a Demon Monarch that even Nascent Soul level major forces fear. This makes me even more curious about what’s behind this wall of fire."

Yi Nian Guan Shan saw Zang Qianjian always maintaining a distance from him and quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Zang, my Spiritual Artifact and Golden Core Power won’t hold for long. Continuing to probe further inside is meaningless."

"As far as you can go, I will protect your return." Zang Qianjian didn’t pay attention to Yi Nian Guan Shan’s words.

Helplessly, Yi Nian Guan Shan was forced to continue advancing.

Upon turning back.

He saw Zang Qianjian getting farther and farther away from him.

Already exceeding ten zhang.

"Fellow Daoist Zang." Yi Nian Guan Shan immediately stopped, "Aren’t you going too far?"

"I was so engrossed in studying the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s Demonic Qi that I forgot to keep up with you. You continue; I will definitely follow."

Zang Qianjian spoke indifferently, seemingly unbothered.

Yet in his heart, he sneered with contempt.

Yi Nian Guan Shan, you’ve lived for nearly a thousand years, did you think acting for you wouldn’t come without a price?

Though Yi Nian Guan Shan didn’t know what was on Zang Qianjian’s mind, he understood the implication of Zang Qianjian’s actions, but he also knew he had no choice but to move forward. However, after only dozens of breaths, his Protective Spiritual Artifact had completely lost its spirit and turned into ashes under the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s aura of Demonic Qi.

In desperation, Yi Nian Guan Shan could only take out another Tier Three Lower-grade Spiritual Artifact to protect himself and continue moving forward.

But the further he went.

The stronger the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s Demonic Qi became.

The Tier Three Lower-grade Spiritual Artifact that could last dozens of breaths earlier now could only last ten.

"Fellow Daoist Zang, we can’t go any further." Yi Nian Guan Shan immediately wanted to retreat, but the next moment a protective light surrounded him. Looking back, he saw Zang Qianjian activating a Tier Three Middle Grade Treasure Talisman in front of him, releasing a strong protective light.

"Just keep going, and I will ensure your safety." Yi Nian Guan Shan said calmly, taking out a large number of Middle-grade Spirit Stones to start burning and infusing Spiritual Qi into the Treasure Talisman. However, the rate of infusion couldn’t keep up with the rate of consumption.

In just ten breaths, the Treasure Talisman consumed the Magical Power and Spiritual Qi stored for ten years, which made Yi Nian Guan Shan feel like retreating. Because as he moved forward, he sensed the presence of other prohibitions.

The Escape Talisman in his storage bag was also restricted from use. Clearly, beyond this Demonic Qi lay an Array of Prohibition far beyond imagination.

"What is the Blood Phoenix Demon Monarch hiding in here?" Zang Qianjian was both apprehensive and even more curious.

Yi Nian Guan Shan also stopped at this point, daring not to proceed rashly. He only advanced once Zang Qianjian came alongside him.

"Fellow Daoist Yi Nian, do you not trust me?" Zang Qianjian spoke coldly, but he did not further insist that Yi Nian Guan Shan proceed alone.

Suppressing his anger, Yi Nian Guan Shan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zang, you’re joking. It’s just that the further we go, the less safe it becomes. Narrowing the coverage of the Treasure Talisman can reduce consumption, making us safer."

Having said that.

In his heart, Yi Nian Guan Shan couldn’t help but curse.

Trust?

Ridiculous!

Zang Qianjian said no more, cautiously continuing forward. Feeling the Spiritual Qi within the Treasure Talisman, which had been nurtured for a hundred years, nearing exhaustion, his heart ached, but having come this far, Zang Qianjian could only jarringly activate another Tier Three Top-Grade Protective Talisman.

This time, Zang Qianjian began to move faster under immense pressure. As the power of the Tier Three Top-Grade Protective Talisman was consumed, Zang Qianjian reminded painfully and took out two more, saying, "Fellow Daoist Yi Nian, the consumption of these Tier Three Top-Grade Talismans absolutely cannot be shouldered by me alone; since I’m ensuring your safety, you should bear seventy percent."

Tier Three Top-Grade Talismans.

For the West Mountain Floating Domain Lord’s Mansion, those are strategic resources that are not available on the outside market.

Even with Spirit Stones, you might not be able to purchase them.

These three were acquired by him after queuing for twenty years from a Tier Three Top-Grade Talisman Master in the Spirit Suppressing Army.

"Naturally." Yi Nian Guan Shan almost had murderous thoughts; this was all going to be counted on him! How did he not see it earlier? This person is even greedier than that Corpse Cultivator Du of Wind and Cloud Immortal City!

After securing Yi Nian Guan Shan’s nod, Zang Qianjian felt much relieved, focusing to continue the exploration.

When the second Tier Three Top-Grade Talisman also lost efficacy, and only the last one began to burn, Zang Qianjian’s heart was in his throat once more.

Time ticked away.

Zang Qianjian nervously sped up; he truly did not want to resort to his real trump card, as such a loss would be too significant.

Suddenly.

His Divine Sense broke through the fire wall.

Everything became clear.

"We’re out!" Zang Qianjian was overjoyed and accelerated once more, breaking out of the Demonic Qi.

However, what greeted him was still a darkness, his Divine Sense able to extend only ten zhang, but by the illumination of the vast Blood Phoenix External Demon’s Demonic Qi, he could vaguely see some structures: a dark array of stone pillars and stone walls standing upright before him.

Not a Spirit Array.

Not a Yin Array.

But a Demon Array built entirely from Demon Stone, its center seemed to contain a massive dark object reaching towards the ceiling of the Pocket World Space barrier, devouring all surrounding light.

Zang Qianjian tried to illuminate it with Sword Qi, but the dark object at the Demon Array’s heart instantly captured and swallowed it.

The sweeping sword light across thousands of zhang stirred no ripples above the Demon Array, failing even to reveal the structure clearly.

Vaguely, they could see that the central dark object within the Hundred Li Demon Array seemed to be a tree.

A towering tree.

"Could that be the relic of the Blood Phoenix Demon Monarch?" Staring into the darkness, Yi Nian Guan Shan was shocked beyond contemplation.

Suddenly.

The Hundred Li Fire Wall formed by the Blood Phoenix External Demon’s aura of Demonic Qi behind them began to extinguish slowly, and a voice echoed in their minds, causing their eyes to sharpen as they simultaneously glanced at the center of the Demon Array.

Ten breaths later.

As the fire wall fully dissipated, Zang Qianjian solemnly said, "We shouldn’t risk it, exploring this giant stone Demon Array should be left to others. With so many disciples, so many vassals at your Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks, losing tens or hundreds of thousands is of no concern."

"You..."

Yi Nian Guan Shan’s face hardened.

Zang Qianjian continued, "Fellow Daoist Yi Nian, only by thoroughly exploring this giant stone Demon Array, finding the path to the core of the darkness, will Lin Jiang shelter your Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks; as long as you’re present, your Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks exists; others simply do not matter... wouldn’t you agree?"

"If anyone knew of this, I’d lose the hearts of all, then what is the significance of a Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks with only me remaining?"

Yi Nian Guan Shan spoke solemnly.

Zang Qianjian laughed carelessly, saying, "Isn’t that simple, just don’t allow anyone to leave this place alive."

[The last few days have only been baseline updates.

I need to return to my hometown for a while.

I sincerely apologize.]