Chapter 25: The Supreme Force Fails to Break Through the Barrier

The once simple and ancient formation plate was now covered in scars, every line and groove bearing the marks of battle. Yi Xian clenched his jaw, preparing for a final desperate attempt. With a thunderous shout, he held the formation plate horizontally before his chest. Channeling every last drop of his spiritual energy into the plate, he watched as it erupted with radiant light, as if suddenly enlightened. A surge of power burst forth from the plate, crashing against the wall of flames before him.

A thunderous boom resounded.

The wall of fire seemed to swell dramatically in an instant, blocking the group’s path with renewed intensity. Yi Xian moved to act again, but the plate in his hands grew searingly hot. Another explosion rang out; before he could react, the formation plate shattered, scattering to dust at his feet.

But it did not end there.

The flames lashed out, unrestrained, surging directly at Yi Xian. With a gaping maw, the fire engulfed him completely, swallowing him whole. As the flames danced and leapt, there was no trace of Yi Xian to be seen.

“Master Yi!” Yin Luo called out anxiously.

The faces of everyone from the Misty Pavilion turned ashen. Yi Xian was no ordinary man—if he perished here, how could they explain themselves?

Yin Luo was beside herself with worry, her mind blank with panic.

Suddenly, the raging flames seemed to hit an invisible barrier and halted, flickering aside. In the next moment, a figure emerged from the fire and landed on the ground.

It was none other than Yi Xian!

“Sir, are you all right?” Yin Luo hurried forward, her concern palpable.

“The power of these flames is overwhelming. My skill could not carry me through,” Yi Xian replied, his face drawn with exhaustion. “If not for the artifact my master bestowed upon me, I fear I would have perished.”

Yin Luo finally relaxed. As long as Yi Xian was safe, that was all that mattered. “As long as you are unharmed. The domain of Supreme Yi Li was never meant to be entered lightly. Your well-being is paramount.” Having said this, she turned her gaze elsewhere.

On the other side, the people of the Black Dragon Sect were hard at work, trying to break the formation. Now, all hopes rested with them. Their own attempt had failed; now it was up to the Black Dragon Sect. If they could breach the final barrier, everyone might enter together.

Letting the Black Dragon Sect choose the treasures first was not the issue—it was the fear that even they might fail to open the last seal of the formation.

Apart from the Misty Pavilion, many others watched the events unfold at the Supreme Yi Li’s mystical formation. Seeing the Misty Pavilion fail, the crowd sighed in disappointment.

“Unbelievable—even the Misty Pavilion failed!”

“Good thing we didn’t rush in headlong, or we’d be dead for sure!”

“Now we can only wait and see what the Black Dragon Sect can do. If even they can’t get through…”

“Then there truly is no hope left.”

“No, let’s still hope they succeed in breaking the formation!”

The Black Dragon Sect now approached the final trial of the formation. The array was formidable, and An Wenxuan and An Fei’er exchanged the Fire Ring back and forth multiple times as they advanced. Only by doing so had they managed to reach this point. Without the Fire Ring, they could not have made it halfway.

“I’m almost at my limit… the power here is even stronger…” An Fei’er’s raised hand trembled. The Fire Ring on her finger still glimmered, but sweat poured down her face, her body on the verge of collapse. She had endured until the final trial, but even before she could act, her spirit was nearly broken.

Long Ziyan, seeing An Fei’er’s state, frowned deeply. “Please, both of you, hold on a little longer. If you can break this barrier, I promise you a supreme cultivation technique as a reward.”

An Wenxuan’s eyes lit up. A supreme technique—such an opportunity was rare indeed!

“Saintess, let me try!” With renewed vigor, An Wenxuan took the Fire Ring, put it on, and poured all his power into his eyes. The scene before him grew sharper, the flames dancing with restless energy in his gaze. He pressed on, about to speak the method to break the array, when suddenly a mouthful of blood spurted from his lips. Blood streamed from his eyes as well. Even worse, the Fire Ring on his hand grew blazing hot, searing his flesh and sending wisps of smoke curling into the air.

An elder from the Black Dragon Sect rushed forward, quickly using spiritual power to shield An Wenxuan’s body.

“This is bad—he’s been burned by the flames’ backlash!”

Long Ziyan’s face darkened. “Saintess, I fear we have run out of options,” Elder Li said, disappointment in his voice.

How could they have no options? They had hoped to obtain the Supreme Yi Li’s inheritance. Now, with only the final trial remaining, they could not give up. Frustration filled Long Ziyan’s heart.

Those outside could see everything clearly. When they saw the Black Dragon Sect fail as well, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“What now? It seems even the Black Dragon Sect can’t break the final barrier!”

“No wonder this is a supreme domain—even the strongest among us stand no chance. There’s simply no hope…”

“To have the duck in hand yet be unable to eat it—what torment!”

Everyone sighed, yet no one chose to leave. Disappointment spread among them like a chill.

“Wait, maybe there’s still a chance! Look—someone else is still advancing!”

The sudden cry drew everyone’s attention.

All eyes turned to the formation—and sure enough, there was still one team pressing forward.

It was An Yue’er, Yu Qiushui, and their companions!

Both the Black Dragon Sect and the Misty Pavilion turned to watch An Yue’er’s group.

“Which sect are they from? To match our progress and clear so many trials!” Yi Xian exclaimed in astonishment.

Unaware of how much attention she had attracted, An Yue’er focused all her energy on the formation before her, a thin sheen of sweat on her brow. She had no time to spare, her golden eyes flickering as she searched for weaknesses within the array.

Though she knew little about formations, somehow, with the Holy Fire Eyes, everything within the formation appeared different to her…