Chapter 1409: Chapter 1410: Setting the Trap
The cultivators gathered together, halting uniformly before the eerie black flames.
“Do you think these flames are connected to Cangtian City?”
“In my opinion, everything outside the city has been peaceful all these years, and I haven’t heard of any great figures passing away here. I suspect this might be an alchemical flame left by a senior refining pills here!”
“Many seniors in the city have stated that these black flames outside the city surely accompany the emergence of an ancient inheritance. Not hearing anything about it means that this inheritance is far older than we could have anticipated!”
The cultivators discussed among themselves.
“So, this is the infamous black flames?”
“Who was the first to discover them?”
A proud-looking cultivator appeared, parting the crowd as he moved forward. He sensed carefully for a moment but couldn’t feel any immense power from within the flames. Sweeping his gaze around, his expression remained unreadable.
“It’s Wu Zhong from the Cangtian White Crane Sect!”
“A young expert from Cangtian City has actually arrived!”
Someone recognized the cultivator standing before them.
Cangtian White Crane Sect, a prominent sect within Cangtian City, was famed for its cultivators, all bearing the bloodline of the Immortal Crane, and its overwhelming strength.
“The area on the mountain has been thoroughly inspected. All the cultivators in the camp have disappeared without a trace, and the camp’s name has been changed to Villain’s Guild. It must be that mysterious force behind it!”
Nearby, a cultivator descended from a streak of light and spoke.
“Make sure to investigate. Whoever dared to act against the cultivators of the Extreme Evil Pure Land—even if they were low-level—cannot be killed so casually. Since these incidents occurred outside Cangtian City, it’s inevitable that the Pure Land will investigate. We must quickly identify the culprit to avoid implicating Cangtian City.”
The youth known as Wu Zhong spoke with an indifferent expression.
He casually took out a brush and tossed it into the Hellfire. It crackled and burned, sizzling for just a moment before it was entirely devoured.
The surrounding crowd instinctively backed away, their expressions filled with shock. Though they had only heard rumors before, seeing it firsthand left them stunned—the flames could devour anything to grow stronger.
If that was the case, then wouldn’t its growth potential be limitless?
Many eyes grew fervent. While they had felt mildly tempted before, the black flames now appeared to be an undeniable treasure. If they could obtain even a sliver of it, their future would be limitless.
“Indeed! From now on, this area will be under the jurisdiction of the Cangtian White Crane Sect!”
“Fellow Daoists, I ask that you show us some respect. The elders from our sect will arrive shortly!”
Wu Zhong turned to the cultivators behind him, cupping his fists as he smiled warmly.
“This…”
“As they say, rare treasures belong to the capable. Wu Zhong, isn’t this move of yours a bit too overbearing?”
“This ancient inheritance is unclaimed territory outside the city. Is the White Crane Sect planning to seal off all cultivators in Cangtian City?”
The surrounding cultivators voiced their anger, glaring vehemently. Wu Zhong was too tyrannical and conceited. While the White Crane Sect was indeed a major sect, many strong cultivators here were no pushovers. There was no way they could retreat merely at a demand from this junior.
“That’s not quite accurate. We’re facing the emergence of a mysterious flame, which may bring disaster rather than fortune. You’ve all seen its terrifying might. Entering it rashly before subduing it would surely risk your lives!”
“As a renowned sect within Cangtian City, we, the Cangtian White Crane Sect, have the responsibility and duty to ensure the safety of the city’s residents. The closure is merely a temporary measure. Once we find a solution to neutralize and recover it, we will naturally lift the closure and share the wealth with our fellow Daoists!”
Wu Zhong spoke with an unchanging calmness.
His words sounded good, but the hypocrisy was apparent. The White Crane Sect was simply seizing this opportunity to hoard the benefits for themselves under the guise of safeguarding the city’s inhabitants. It was shameless to the extreme.
Just as the cultivators were about to refute and accuse him further, the pitch-black flames—dark as ink—suddenly surged violently, expanding and sweeping toward the outskirts of Wild Grass Village, covering hundreds of miles in an instant.
And that wasn’t all. The flames divided themselves, revealing pathways, and at the forefront, a flaming staircase formed slowly, appearing before the assembled cultivators. The meaning of this phenomenon was clear: the ancient inheritance had opened!
“Wu Zhong, you dare claim to care for the people of the city? If you’re sincere, then move aside and let us compete for this opportunity!”
“Move, let this seat test the flames!”
Seeing the strange new developments in the fire, many hidden experts could no longer restrain themselves. They immediately revealed themselves and began their moves, activating their cultivation techniques and rushing into the flames in a blur. Within them, the flames seemed to converge faintly into the shape of a great hall. If this wasn’t an inheritance activation, they’d eat dirt upside-down!
“Let’s go!”
Seeing the scene unfold, even Wu Zhong didn’t dare delay. Leading his followers, he quickly charged into the flames as well.
Who could have anticipated the flames would suddenly form such a phenomenon, revealing hidden depths? Though their cultivation was constantly being drained, it wasn’t significant. The flames hadn’t grown strong enough yet to completely devour them.
With their cultivation levels, they could withstand it long enough to explore within.
“The treasure is revealed!”
“Take action!”
“Before the major figures arrive, seize whatever you can—even a strand of flame would be life-changing!”
The crowd of cultivators grew restless with excitement and quickly followed, diving into the flames. However, some opted only to take a strand of the flame before retreating hastily.
The black flames were eerily strange, and the treasures within were likely beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
What they didn’t know was that, deep within the flames, a hundred pairs of eyes were intently watching everything unfold.
“Master, this Wu Zhong is a disciple of the Cangtian White Crane Sect. He seems rather wealthy!”
Ma Niubi’s eyes gleamed with greed.
Wu Zhong’s demeanor was entirely different from average cultivators—not only was he from a prestigious sect, but he surely held a position of considerable importance.
“If we rob him, we won’t have to worry about cultivation resources for a while!”
Fu Tiantian held a talisman in hand, ready to act at any moment.
“Not yet. Let’s observe further. Once we’re done, we’ll make our move and leave immediately.”
Li Xiaobai took a small puff from his Huazi cigarette, exhaling clouds of smoke as he spoke. He had spread the Hellfire across the area and constructed an intricate pavilion within, giving these cultivators something to explore for now. Among the newcomers, many appeared to possess profound cultivation—not individuals he could afford to provoke at this moment. Caution remained the name of the game.
The cultivators stepping into the flames moved cautiously, evidently wary. The flames’ aura intensified visibly, devouring their cultivation to grow stronger every second. No one dared to act rashly.
Approximately half a minute later.
Li Xiaobai’s eyes widened, his longsword raised high above his head as he shouted angrily, “Now! Attack!”