Chapter 36: True Merit Returns to the Immortal Gate

After the battle, Yun Yao picked up the secret treasure, which had not yet fully returned to its original state, her expression turning grave. Following the clues provided by the little fox, she discovered that the secret of the treasure seemed linked to an ancient legend of the Immortal Sect. Her brow furrowed, as if she were contemplating something of great importance.

"Mo Han, the truth hidden behind this treasure may be far more complex than we ever imagined," Yun Yao said, her voice tinged with solemnity.

Jun Mo Han gently took her hand and said firmly, "No matter how many unknowns lie ahead, we will face them together." Yun Yao nodded. She took a deep breath, carefully stowed the treasure away, and silently resolved to delve deeper into the ancient legend.

The pair returned to a relatively secure cave, its interior adorned with ancient runes and patterns that seemed to recount tales from millennia past. Yun Yao sat upon a flat stone, placing the treasure before her. Closing her eyes, she focused on the hints from the little fox while replaying every detail of the Immortal Sect’s ancient lore in her mind.

Jun Mo Han stood guard nearby, his eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly. The air inside the cave seemed unusually heavy, with only a faint firelight casting mottled shadows against the stone walls. His sword was ready to be drawn at a moment's notice to prevent any sudden disaster.

A light sheen of sweat appeared on Yun Yao's forehead. As her fingers brushed the treasure, she felt a warm surge of power flowing from her palms. The little fox circled her feet, emitting soft squeaks as if cheering her on. Gradually, her mind cleared, and vague, abstract threads began to sharpen into focus.

"Mo Han, I feel it!" Yun Yao suddenly opened her eyes, a glimmer of excitement shining within them.

Jun Mo Han leaned in closer, asking with concern, "What did you feel?"

"The core of the treasure seems related to the 'Nine Heavens Divine Fire' from the ancient legends of the Immortal Sect!" Yun Yao explained. "Legend says the Nine Heavens Divine Fire is the purest flame in heaven and earth, possessing the power to purify all things. The treasure might be the vessel for this very power!"

Jun Mo Han’s brow relaxed slightly, though his gaze remained sharp. "Then what is the purpose of this treasure?"

"I am not yet certain, but it must be intended to suppress some powerful evil entity," Yun Yao continued. "If we can unlock the full secret of the treasure, perhaps we can find a way to subdue that evil."

She took a deep breath, pressed both hands firmly onto the treasure, and began to align her own frequency with it. As she exerted her effort, a faint glow began to emerge from the surface of the treasure, gradually growing brighter. The temperature in the cave rose instantly, as if a wave of heat had surged through. Jun Mo Han felt the surrounding darkness being dispelled by the light, and everything in the cave became clearer.

A joyous smile spread across Yun Yao’s face, her voice filled with a sense of accomplishment: "I did it! The secret of the treasure has been fully unlocked!"

Just then, a low, cold sneer echoed from outside the cave, as if someone, unwilling to accept defeat, was plotting something dark. Jun Mo Han’s gaze hardened; he gripped his sword hilt and whispered to Yun Yao, "Get ready. They may not give up so easily."

Outside the cave, Shadow Fiend’s sinister face flickered in the firelight. He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Damn it! They actually unlocked the secret! We cannot let them leave alive!"

Elder Ling Feng stood by with a gloomy expression, his eyes burning with greed. "The power of the treasure is so great... if only it could be mine." He licked his parched lips, revealing a treacherous smile. "Even if it costs me my life, I will seize it!"

"Mo Han, be careful." Yun Yao gripped Jun Mo Han’s hand tightly, the chill in her fingertips betraying her worry.

Jun Mo Han gazed at her with deep, tender eyes, as if he wished to etch her image into his soul. "Yao'er, I will protect you." His voice was low and firm, carrying a reassuring strength.

As their eyes met, time seemed to stand still, and only the sound of each other's breathing could be heard. In this perilous cave, an intimate atmosphere quietly blossomed, diluting the tension. Yun Yao’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her heartbeat quickened. She could feel the warmth of Jun Mo Han’s palm and the strength flowing from his fingers, making her feel incredibly safe and grounded.

"Hmph! Still flirting? You truly have a death wish!" Shadow Fiend’s cold sneer shattered the brief tranquility. He flashed into the cave entrance like a phantom, the blade in his hand glinting with a cold light. "Since you are courting death, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Elder Ling Feng followed close behind, his staff glowing intensely as a powerful wave of spiritual energy swept inward. "The treasure is mine! No one is taking it!" he roared.

Jun Mo Han’s eyes turned icy. He drew his long sword, which let out a crisp chime. The sword light, bright as snow, illuminated the entire cave. "Then let us see if you have the ability to take it!" He shielded Yun Yao behind him, his sword tip pointing directly at the invaders.

Yun Yao took a deep breath and grasped the treasure firmly. She could feel its power surging within her, a formidable energy filling her entire body. Her gaze was resolute, without a trace of fear. "Mo Han, let us fight together!"

Shadow Fiend and Elder Ling Feng exchanged a glance; they knew this was a life-or-death battle and they had to give it their all. Shadow Fiend struck first, moving like lightning, his blade slicing through the air with a shrill whistle, aiming directly for Jun Mo Han’s vitals. Simultaneously, Elder Ling Feng brandished his staff, unleashing a barrage of fierce attacks like a torrential downpour.

"Yao'er, hold your ground!" Jun Mo Han commanded.

The sword light flashed like snow. Jun Mo Han moved with elegance, like a soaring dragon. His sword danced, creating a whirlwind that deflected all of Shadow Fiend’s attacks. Each collision produced a deafening metallic clang. Though Shadow Fiend’s blade was incredibly sharp, it could never pierce through Jun Mo Han’s web of steel.

Meanwhile, Yun Yao was not standing idly by. She channeled the treasure's power into her body, and a faint golden light wrapped around her, making her appear like a goddess descended from the heavens. With a flick of her finger, beams of golden light shot out, precisely striking and neutralizing Elder Ling Feng’s attacks. Despite the potency of his spells, the Elder could not get close.

The surrounding trees were struck by the shockwaves of their clash, collapsing one after another with thunderous roars. Dust filled the air, blotting out the sky. The Immortal Sect disciples watched the battle nervously, their hearts in their throats. They had never seen such an intense fight or witnessed such overwhelming power.

"Mo Han, look out!" Yun Yao cried out, warning him of a sneak attack from Shadow Fiend.

Jun Mo Han understood instantly, dodging the fatal blow with a swift maneuver and countering with a strike that forced Shadow Fiend back several steps. Shadow Fiend groaned, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Damn it!" Shadow Fiend roared and launched another attack. However, the coordination between Jun Mo Han and Yun Yao grew increasingly seamless. As their attacks became more fierce, Shadow Fiend and Elder Ling Feng began to falter.

Seizing the moment, Yun Yao pushed the power of the treasure to its limit. A blinding beam of light erupted from the treasure, striking Shadow Fiend and Elder Ling Feng directly. The two cried out in agony as they were flung backward, crashing heavily to the ground, unable to move.

"It is over," Yun Yao said softly.

Shadow Fiend and Elder Ling Feng struggled to rise, only to find they were powerless to resist.

"Let’s go." Jun Mo Han sheathed his sword, walked over to Yun Yao, and gently took her hand.

Yun Yao nodded. The two exchanged a smile and turned to leave. Their figures gradually vanished into the night, leaving behind a scene of devastation and a group of dumbfounded Immortal Sect disciples.

"Senior Brother, should we..." one disciple began hesitantly, only to be cut off by another.

"Hush! Say nothing," the other disciple whispered mysteriously. "I have a feeling... this is only the beginning."