The Qīng Sōng Shān Zōng (Green Pine Sect) halted their flight high above the land of the Wǔ Yán Gǔ (Five Flames Valley), as Lei Ze commanded. They watched the three other sects—the Jīn Yàn Sect, the Bì Yù Zōng Sect, and the Chì Jiǔ Mén (Crimson Wine Gate) descend toward the volatile terrain.
Driven by his inherent greed and resentment, Hú Yì recklessly ignored Lei Ze's order and shot down toward the land.
In an instant, disciples from the Chì Jiǔ Mén Sect reacted. A sharp, lightning-imbued spiritual arrow, infused with potent Qi energy, launched straight toward the vulnerable Hú Yì.
Hú Yì was caught completely off guard, his defenses nonexistent, leaving him to stare in terror at the incoming attack.
From seemingly nowhere, Lei Ze materialized, summoning a defense technique: the golden glow of the Vajra Barrier flared into existence. The barrier intercepted the attack, exploding with a deafening thud.
"Huh! He's a Buddhist cultivator!" one of the Chì Jiǔ Mén disciples whispered in terror.
Far below, Měi Lín, the Jīn Yàn disciple, caught a glimpse of the glowing figure in the sky but couldn't quite recognize the name "Lei Ze" to the person she saw. She calmly paused her flying artifact, watching the bright, Buddhist light fade. "Who is that?"
Měi Lín muttered before continuing to follow her group.
The intense exertion of the high-level defense technique drained Lei Ze. He couldn't sustain himself in the air and instantly began to fall.
Lán Tíng swiftly dipped her flying sword and caught him mid-air.
"Thank you, Lán Tíng," Lei Ze said, slightly breathless.
Lán Tíng merely smiled, then pulled her sword back to join the others. She turned, her pleasant demeanor replaced by sharp anger directed at Hú Yì's rash behavior.
"Hey, you!" she snapped at the humiliated Hú Yì. "Why didn't you follow orders? If it weren't for my brother, I would have let them kill you!"
By now, the three rival sects had already landed and were fanning out across the territory, searching for artifacts.
"Listen closely," Lei Ze commanded, regaining his composure. "This will be a brutal hunt. Every sect is desperate to find something precious, so stay vigilant. We are not separating until I give the word." He glanced sharply at Hú Yì, whose mind was clearly already on the loot. "Did you hear me, Hú Yì?"
Hú Yì mumbled a resentful acknowledgment.
The Green Pine group then descended onto the land.
"Wow, this place isn't just fire! It's beautiful too. Look how well those tombs and temples were built!" one member exclaimed.
Lei Ze moved forward silently, the others following. He was using the secret guidance Master Jìng Xū had given him: "When you land at the Wǔ Yán Gǔ, look to the right. The third temple, the one that looks weakest and oldest, holds the Jade Sun Pagoda and countless powerful artifacts. Avoid the rest."
Lei Ze watched as every other sect entered the grand, ornate temples, completely ignoring the fragile, ancient-looking structure. "Hmph, this must be our opportunity," Lei Ze breathed, ordering his members toward the decaying temple.
They obeyed, but Hú Yì's face was a mask of furious disappointment. "I detest this guy," he grumbled under his breath.
High above, a powerful figure stood: Mò Zhàn. He was powerfully built, with thick, muscular limbs and striking crimson hair. He watched the Green Pine Sect disciples enter the small, dilapidated temple.
"Hmm. Is he this 'Lei Ze'?" he mused, staring intently at Lei Ze's retreating back just before he disappeared inside.
Měi Lín dropped back from her own group, having spotted the intimidating figure observing the Green Pine members. "Huh? Mò Zhàn is here?"
She flew to a hidden column and watched Mò Zhàn carefully. "Is he really here just to face Lei Ze? Or is he seeking the Jade Sun Pagoda my father was obsessing over?"
Mò Zhàn, instead of joining his Jīn Yàn comrades, flew straight toward the path the Green Pine disciples had taken. He had been instructed by his father that Lei Ze was the key to finding the Pagoda.
"Why is he going after the Green Pine Sect?" Měi Lín questioned herself, then quietly followed.
Inside the temple, the darkness was absolute; not a single speck of light broke the gloom.
"Where are we, Brother Lei?" one disciple asked, his voice cautious.
"I don't know the exact layout," Lei Ze replied, "but I know this place holds the greatest fortunes and treasures."
Hú Yì scoffed loudly, full of doubt. "You call this pitch-black hole a fortunate place?"
Lei Ze, ignoring him, instinctively reached out, found a piece of dead wood, and scraped it hard against the stone floor.
Numerous pieces of wood lay scattered, catching fire and illuminating the way.
"Now we can move forward."
They advanced vigilantly, weapons drawn, ready for any danger. The ancient walls were covered in complex, undecipherable symbols and carvings.
"Wow!" A shout erupted as one member stopped at a breathtaking hall. Lights flared magically to life on the walls, revealing a stunning space where four treasures—the Serpent Scale Armor, Flowing Spirit Jade, Crimson Cloud Talisman, and Silent Step Boots hung suspended from chains, each pulsing with energy.
Four disciples eagerly darted forward, grabbing their chosen items. "This place is special! We found treasures so easily!"
Lei Ze smiled, nodding confidently. "Master Jìng Xū was absolutely right."
They pressed on, searching for the Pagoda.
Mò Zhàn reached the first hall where the treasures had been taken. He stood with his arms crossed, his intense eyes meticulously scanning the surroundings before taking his next step.
Měi Lín hid, observing Mò Zhàn before deciding to continue trailing him. The temple, despite its small exterior, was labyrinthine inside—newcomers could easily become lost.
They eventually arrived at a huge, open hall. The walls were dotted with strange holes, and at the far end lay a massive circular stone platform.
Lei Ze ordered his team, "Search everywhere in this hall! There must be countless more treasures here."
He walked toward the circular platform, recalling Master Jìng Xū's last instructions:
"Inside a very large hall, near the circular pavement, there is a long, rectangular stone block. Press the red button in the center. It will open, leading you to the main Five Flames Valley. Take the right path; it leads directly to the Pagoda. Absolutely avoid the left path."
The members shouted with excitement as they found items one by one.
"Hey, look! I got a Jade Ring of Strength!"
"Me too! I found an Aura Condensing Pill!"
"I got a Talisman of Swiftness!"
"Wow, look what I have!" Lán Tíng cried, showing Lei Ze a glowing object. "A Soul-Warming Pearl! It's Mid-Grade!" Lei Ze smiled back, but his focus was entirely on the stone platform.
He found the stone block and pressed the central red button.
The large circular platform suddenly split open, and Lei Ze immediately plunged into the dark tunnel below.
Before the rest of the group could even react, Lei Ze was gone.
Mò Zhàn arrived at the hall the moment Lei Ze vanished into the opened pavement. His eyes swept the disciples, landing on Hú Yì, who was looking intently at a Shadow-Weave Cloth he had found.
"Is he Lei Ze?" Mò Zhàn muttered, staring at Hú Yì's arrogant profile.
Měi Lín, still hiding, tracked Mò Zhàn's gaze. "So, that is Lei Ze," she thought.
Mò Zhàn didn't hesitate. He launched himself from the shadows and unleashed a devastating attack on Hú Yì.
"Watch out, Hú Yì!" Lán Tíng screamed, but the attack was too fast. It struck Hú Yì and hurled him far against the rocks above. Hú Yì slowly slid down to the floor, lying motionless.
"Hú Yì!" The members cried out in horror.
Lán Tíng instantly drew her sword and attacked Mò Zhàn from behind. "How dare you strike a member of the Green Pine Sect!"
Just as her sword was about to slice Mò Zhàn's neck, he smoothly caught the blade between his index and middle fingers, then effortlessly shattered the sword into countless pieces.
Mò Zhàn looked closely at the unconscious Hú Yì. "So this is not Lei Ze," he murmured with a cruel, satisfied smile.
He whirled around, grabbed Lán Tíng by the neck, and lifted her into the air.
Lán Tíng struggled, but his grip was iron-tight. "Tell me," Mò Zhàn demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Where is Lei Ze?"