"Ah--!!" The crowd watched as the protective barrier was broken, each eyeing the treasures inside with envy and rushing in, unaware of the dangers that lay within. Many individuals blinded by greed were immediately affected by the power emanating from the arms mountain.
Some walked in without any protection, only to be met with the scorching heat that filled the arms mountain. Flames seeped into their pores, turning them to ashes in an instant.
Others cautiously activated their protective powers before entering, heading straight for the weapons on the arms mountain. However, before they could revel in their joy, the power of the sharp blades erupted, instantly killing them. They died without realizing what had happened, truly unable to accept their fate!
This protective barrier was not just a test, but also a form of protection. This arms mountain was no ordinary treasure trove; without sufficient strength, one wouldn't even be able to ascend it, let alone face certain individuals eyeing the main divine artifact on the mountain top. Witnessing this scene, they had to assess if they had the ability to reach the summit!
The main divine artifact was a precious item, one that was extremely rare and coveted. But to enjoy it, one needed fate on their side, didn't they? However, they couldn't just give up so easily!
"Zi Qingyun, why don't we enter together?" Monk Du'e cast a smile at Qingyunzi.
"If Master Du'e invites, Zi Qingyun will certainly accompany," Qingyunzi replied with a poker face. Although outsiders claimed that the relationship between Buddhism and Taoism was good, everyone in the know understood the reality. The so-called good relationship was merely a facade formed during a major calamity in the past. Afterwards, everyone went their separate ways, maintaining a superficial harmony. Behind the scenes, they were involved in shady dealings that they kept secret, understanding the unspoken rules among themselves.
Qingyunzi and Monk Du'e's groups, though appearing close, were actually on guard against each other, fully aware of what was at stake. They both knew what lay above, and no matter how many items there were, even if they were enough to be divided, it wouldn't be a peaceful resolution. After all, no one would discard something valuable just because they couldn't use it all. Everyone would fight for it!
As the two groups entered, they felt the power emanating from the sword mountain, causing their brows to furrow. With the increasing altitude, the fiery aura from the arms mountain became even more fearsome, with flames spewing out like molten gold!
"These flames are quite terrifying. I wonder if Zi Qingyun can withstand them?" Monk Du'e asked Qingyunzi.
"Just about. If Master can't hold on, feel free to retreat," Qingyunzi replied.
"Zi Qingyun jests. These flames pose no threat to my golden body," Du'e countered.
The two factions bantered back and forth, secretly using the power of the arms mountain to assess each other's strengths, preparing for a possible upcoming battle.
"Hahaha! Since you are so courteous, why not all descend the mountain? How about handing over the treasures to me?" a loud laughter resounded as a figure flew straight towards the arms mountain, appearing before them in the blink of an eye.
"The demonic clan!" Qingyunzi and Monk Du'e exclaimed simultaneously as they saw the young man with golden hair, arms transformed into golden wings flapping, looking mischievously at them.
"Great Solar Wind!" The golden-haired demon flapped his wings, creating a storm of golden wind blowing towards Qingyunzi, Monk Du'e, and the others. This wind was extremely scorching, even more terrifying than the blazing flames. What was most dreadful was that the force of the storm seemed to resonate with the golden flames on the arms mountain, indicating a certain connection between the two.
It seemed that few knew the origins of this arms mountain, including why it became the place where the ancestor of warriors, Chiyou, forged divine artifacts. Legend had it that in ancient times, the Demon Emperor had ten sons, nine of whom were killed by the descendants of the Witch Clan. The ten golden crows fell to the earth, transforming into ten mountains imbued with the flames of the Great Sun. One of these mountains was the arms mountain of Chiyou!
The golden-haired demon belonged to the lineage of the golden crow, his power could naturally resonate with the Great Sun flames on the arms mountain!
"Hmph! Asking for death!" Qingyunzi's expression changed, his brow furrowed, facing the incoming golden storm without fear, his sleeves moving on their own as if caught by an invisible wind.
"Pocket Dimension in Sleeves!"
Qingyunzi's sleeves seemed like bottomless abysses, instantly swallowing all the golden storm inside. In the next moment, he swung his sleeves, hurling the storm back at the golden-haired demon.
"If that's how it is, then I'll deal with you first before taking the treasures!" Evading the rebounding storm, the golden-haired demon grimly declared.
"Bloodline Secret Art: Great Sun Bathing Valley!"
"Aaaah!" A resounding cry echoed through the heavens as a fiery giant bird soared from behind the demon youth, carrying endless golden flames. As the golden bird appeared, the flames on the arms mountain became more turbulent, making the already powerful golden bird more terrifying.
"Boom!" The giant bird circled in the sky before suddenly plummeting towards the arms mountain, causing a series of anomalies. Everyone felt as if they were in a scorching space, surrounded by towering mountains and a massive basin filled with golden magma.
It was like a heated cauldron, bubbling with scorching hot soup, while a blazing sun slowly rose from the valley. Wherever the light shone, it ignited into the flames of the golden sun!
