Remnant Map of Demonic Flame

Once inside, the view immediately darkened. Even with the light filtering in from the cave entrance, it only illuminated a few dozen meters ahead; beyond that, it was impossible to see one's hand before one's face. Although he could sense his surroundings with Soul Power, Gu He was still accustomed to being able to see with his eyes, so he used Dou Qi to ignite a large fireball in his palm.

After walking for several minutes, Gu He saw a stone door ahead that emitted a faint yellow glow. He confirmed that he had reached the cave residence. All he needed to do next was break down the stone door and take what was inside.

Gu He used only the strength of a Dou Master to break the stone door, remaining fully alert for any unexpected changes. Seeing that no accidents occurred within the cave residence after the door shattered, Gu He let out a sigh of relief. He stepped inside. Beyond the stone door was a massive stone chamber, its walls embedded with Moonlight Stones for illumination. At the center of the chamber stood a chair, upon which sat a skeleton. Its deeply sunken skull had fallen between its stark white thigh bones.

Before the chair stood a broad, long bluestone table. Three locked stone boxes were neatly arranged atop it.

In the three corners of the stone chamber were piles of glittering gold coins and other valuable treasures.

Gu He ignored the coins and walked straight to the skeleton. He removed the three black keys from its hand, then took out a small scroll from the gaps between the bones of its arm.

Gu He completely unrolled the scroll. Before him was a piece of parchment made from some unknown material. On the slightly yellowed parchment were lines that appeared utterly irregular. In one corner was a blurry object resembling a lotus flower. The lotus was black, and a thin layer of black flame seemed to cling to its surface. Upon closer inspection, the entire lotus gave off a faintly sinister feeling.

Looking at the lotus, Gu He chuckled and murmured, "Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame... I now possess a quarter of Jing Lian Yao Sheng's remnant soul. Will your fate still be to be refined by Xiao Yan?"

After confirming that the item in his hand was the genuine Remnant Map of Demonic Flame, Gu He put it away for the time being. It was still too early to consider such things. Not only had the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame not yet emerged, but even after it did, no one below a six-star Dou Saint could subdue it.

Holding the three keys, Gu He walked to the three stone boxes on the table and opened them one by one in order. Since he already knew what was inside, he was not excited in the slightest. As expected, the first stone box contained an ancient, colorful scroll that recorded how to prepare poisons. The second held a black scroll containing the High-grade Profound Flying Dou Technique: Eagle Wings. The third box contained the scroll taken by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, which held the High-grade Profound Dou Technique, Roaring Lion Chant. Of course, with Gu He's discerning eye, he could tell that this Dou Technique was far more powerful than an ordinary High-grade Profound technique and could be considered Peak Black Grade. It was also relatively simple to learn, with no real threshold for mastery. In the original story, even the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, merely a two-star Dou Zhe, had successfully cultivated it. Gu He decided to try cultivating it when he returned to the Small Valley.

He then walked to the final corner where medicinal herbs were kept. A small flower bed had been piled up with soil, and all manner of flowers and herbs grew within it. A strange fragrance lingered above them.

Although most of the medicinal herbs here were not particularly rare to Gu He, the Ice Spirit Flame Grass was a primary ingredient for refining Sixth-grade pills and was quite precious to him. The other herbs were also commonly used in refining Fourth- and Fifth-grade pills, so they were still useful to Gu He. He carefully placed all the medicinal herbs into jade bottles.

Gu He stretched and let out a long breath. His purpose in coming here had been fully achieved. Seeing that there was still plenty of space in his Ring, he also stored the gold coins and treasures inside.

He scanned the entire cave residence once more with Soul Power. After confirming that there were no hidden chambers, Gu He left the cave.

When he returned to the Small Valley, Xiao Yi Xian had not yet come back. Gu He frowned slightly. Finding the cave, exploring the cave residence, and traveling back and forth had taken quite some time. By all rights, Xiao Yi Xian should have returned long ago after retrieving some clothes. Yet he had returned first, and there was still no sign of her.

Gu He suddenly felt uneasy. It was nearly evening, and he decided to make a trip to Qingshan Town. Whatever had delayed Xiao Yi Xian, he needed to find out first. If she had failed to return to the valley because she was in danger, and he remained here without investigating, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Gu He took out a Qi Cultivation Pill and swallowed it. The pill dissolved, transforming into an enormous amount of Dou Qi. The Dou Qi he had expended from prolonged use was immediately replenished, and his Dou Qi soon returned to a brimming state.

Taking advantage of the pill's potency, Gu He activated his Dou Qi Wings and flew at full speed toward Qingshan Town.

Qingshan Town was only a few dozen li from the Small Valley. At the full speed of a Peak Dou Wang, he arrived very quickly.

Unsure of Xiao Yi Xian's situation, Gu He landed quietly not far from Qingshan Town without alerting anyone, then used Soul Power to sense the entire town.

He soon found two familiar auras: one belonged to Sun Yi, and the other to Xiao Yi Xian.

At the same time, inside Xiao Yi Xian's room at Myriad Medicine House.

Yao Chen, the master of Myriad Medicine House, sat on a stool and coaxed her, "Xiao Yi Xian, tell me where you obtained that inner armor. Not only will I restore your freedom, I will also make you the deputy master of Myriad Medicine House. Think about it. Even if you have obtained that inner armor, you do not have the strength to protect it, and you may even lose your life because of it. But if you become the deputy master of Myriad Medicine House, your status will be second only to mine. Even Dou Master experts will give you some respect. The price is merely telling me where you found it." As he spoke, Yao Chen took out the light-blue inner armor. At the sight of it, fury flared in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. However, she knew that her strength was nowhere near enough to oppose Yao Chen, so she merely stared at him coldly.

Seeing that his persuasion had no effect, a trace of disappointment flashed through Yao Chen's eyes. Still suppressing his greed, he said gently, "Think it over some more. My proposal benefits everyone. I will come again tomorrow morning. If you have made up your mind, you can tell me directly. I will not treat you poorly. Oh, and do not think about resigning for the time being. I have announced to the public that you are ill, so you can rest peacefully for a few days."

After saying that, Yao Chen put away the inner armor, turned, left, and locked the door.

After Yao Chen left, Xiao Yi Xian's expression immediately crumpled. She leaned over the table and cried in grief.