Free Web NovelChapter 1262: Chapter 1262: Phoenix Fire Mountain Range
The Cold Flood Dragon certainly wouldn’t know that its attempt to persuade Yang Yan to give up instead served as a reminder.
Everything in the world has its counterforces, and what can open a door if not a key?
Yang Yan happened to have the key to this bronze door in his storage bag, so whether it would work or not, he decided to take it out and see!
With a thought, the key imbued with ancient charm appeared in Yang Yan’s hand.
Before Yang Yan could insert it into the hole, the key started to emit a faint light and slowly drifted towards the bronze door.
Simultaneously, the bronze door also began to close slowly.
The moment the two met, the bronze door released a dazzling light, causing Yang Yan and the Five Beasts to close their eyes.
Soon, the strong light subsided, and the bronze door uprooted itself with a rumble, becoming smaller and smaller, until it transformed into a palm-sized piece.
Yang Yan laughed heartily.
Just as he thought, there was no need to look for any mechanism, it directly changed size according to his wish.
Without saying much, amidst the bewildered gazes of the five exotic beasts, he stepped forward to pick it up.
He had thought it would be heavy, but to his surprise, it was no longer as heavy when he held it.
On the contrary, it felt quite light and agile.
Yang Yan was thrilled as he repeatedly toyed with the small door in his hand.
"Oh? There’s a line of small characters here?" While playing with it, Yang Yan suddenly noticed a line of old seal script engraved on the base of the bronze door—Yin Yang Baryan Gate.
"Not bad at all! As they say, all things in the world are born from existence, and existence from non-existence; the two energies of Yin and Yang give rise to all things. What a great name!"
There was no doubt that this was a magical treasure; it was just unknown what level it was or what special use it had.
However, judging by how the Cold Flood Dragon and other exotic beasts’ attacks did nothing and were rebounded, it was at least at the half-step sacred artifact level.
Yang Yan tried to infuse spiritual power into the bronze door, only to see it detach from his hand again, grow in the wind, and transform back into its giant several meters high form.
Moreover, a film of flowing light appeared within a hundred meters radius.
Yang Yan launched a few attacks with his spiritual power to test it and found the film’s defense was incredibly strong.
Keep in mind, Yang Yan had significantly progressed in the secret realm, and his attacks were no longer the same as before.
Having secured the Yin Yang Baryan Gate, Yang Yan was delighted but also filled with emotion.
After all, this Spirit Realm was once the supreme sacred land within the star universe of the Wandering Dragon Star, but now it had become such a desolate place, leaving behind this bronze door to guard endless years.
He secretly made up his mind that once he had the capability, he would restore this place to its former glory, to console the spirit of the Time Elder in heaven.
After these past few days’ experiences, Yang Yan and the five great exotic beasts had reaped tremendous gains.
Now, they planned to return home.
The group retraced their steps, but to Yang Yan’s surprise, the saying goes ’easier to ascend the mountain than descend it,’ he had not expected the secret realm to be the same.
The return journey was even more perilous.
Because the familiar terrain had already changed.
The exit of the secret realm was no longer in its original position but had shifted to a new location...
The route silently recorded in their minds on the way in was now completely ineffective.
Yang Yan observed their surroundings; the mountain shapes and topography were similar, and he thankfully noted that the deviation wasn’t too far, only requiring them to go through a stretch marked as the Phoenix Fire Mountain Range on the map.
This Phoenix Fire Mountain Range got its name from a legend.
It is said that the phoenix never dies, but every once in a while, it rebirths from the ashes.
During this time, the phoenix sheds all its feathers and regrows them.
It is rumored that a phoenix occasionally passed by this mountain range just as it was molting, thus scattering its feathers everywhere, causing a great fire that scorched the entire Phoenix Fire Mountain Range, rendering it barren and scorching hot to this day.
Yang Yan had only heard the legend, but he had never been to the Phoenix Fire Mountain Range, so he didn’t know what the actual situation was like.
However, as they approached the mountain range, they realized the rumors were indeed true.
The Phoenix Fire Mountain Range was indeed blisteringly hot.
Even several miles away from officially stepping onto the mountain, they could distinctly feel the temperature difference.
As they moved closer, the air began to warp, and rolling heat waves assaulted Yang Yan and the group.
Yang Yan considered taking a different route, but that would waste too much time.
Moreover, the surrounding terrain wasn’t flat either, presenting various challenges no easier than the mountain range ahead.
Therefore, crossing the mountain range was the best option for them.
Very soon, the Phoenix Fire Mountain Range was right before them.
The mountain indeed was as depicted, barren of greenery, with nothing but jagged rocks strewn about haphazardly.
In some places, small craters had formed from accumulated lava, continuously bubbling upwards.
Yang Yan let out a heavy sigh, no wonder it felt so hot from afar; the mountain’s temperature was even more stifling!
Despite being at the half-step Golden Core level, Yang Yan was already sweating profusely, as if he had been fished out of water.
Even the strong and robust exotic beasts were faintly sweating at this point.
Only the Cold Flood Dragon remained composed.
Yang Yan understood why.
First, the Cold Flood Dragon’s cultivation was more stable than the others; second, its cultivation technique was inherently cold, allowing it to stay at ease in such a hot environment.
Yang Yan only thought about crossing the Phoenix Fire Mountain Range quickly, so he moved closer to the Cold Flood Dragon, using its body chill to fend off the surrounding heat.
But before they had gone far, a sudden change occurred.
Boom!
With a muffled explosion, a stone monster emerged from a lava bubble they passed by.
The monster bore the appearance of a bear, its entire body composed of red crystal stones, basalt, and obsidian, looking quite imposing.
Yang Yan sensed the aura radiating from it, which seemed to be at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Raising an eyebrow, Yang Yan pondered.
Why not take it as a test, to see what effect his recent advancement had?
The Lava Bear crouched, then charged at Yang Yan on all fours.
The exotic beasts poised themselves to attack, but Yang Yan waved his hand: "Wait, let me take it on alone first; I want to see what kind of creature this is."
Saying this, Yang Yan drew a longsword from his storage bag and stabbed at the Lava Bear.
Clang!
Unexpectedly, the bear formed of lava was incredibly hard, and even the half-step Golden Core Yang Yan couldn’t penetrate it with a single strike.
However, at this moment, Yang Yan was at the half-step Golden Core, far from ordinary Pseudo Pill Realm levels.
Thus, with the massive force of this strike under Yang Yan’s rapidly advancing spiritual power, he managed to drive the Lava Bear back forcibly.
After several bouts, Yang Yan felt somewhat embarrassed.
Because he found that this Lava Bear was rather troublesome.
Though not very strong, its defense was nonetheless formidable.
After so long, neither could gain the upper hand on the other.
