Severance (Seeking Votes and Collections)

The team advanced along the suspension bridge, which swayed unsteadily, setting everyone on edge as the iron chains clanked on both sides.

The underground river glowed with green light, illuminating the dark subterranean world. After crossing the bridge, they reached the first pillar-shaped platform. Xiao Hen stepped inside and looked around—it was an empty platform piled high with skulls. He couldn't help wondering how many people had died in ancient times to build such a tomb.

Xiao Hen looked ahead. Hu Bayi, Wang Kaixuan, and the other two had already reached the second platform. Xiao Hen knew that on that second platform, there was another key. Only by gathering all three keys could they finally open the Goddess's Coffin. Who knew why the keys to the coffin were placed along the tomb passage? Hadn't they considered that grave robbers might collect them one by one?

"This gentleman is no ordinary man either!"

Big Gold Tooth's exclamation came from ahead. Then, Hu Bayi and his group continued forward, while Xiao Hen, Ying Caihong, and the others had just arrived at this platform.

Ying Caihong scanned the area and spotted a skeleton sitting upright on an altar at the center of the platform. The skeleton was covered in cobwebs and dust, draped in all sorts of strange trinkets, all long decayed.

Ying Caihong's eyes lit up when she saw the bronze emblem embedded in the skeleton's chest. This palm-sized emblem was one of the three keys—the very last one.

"Yoko, go quickly and take that bronze emblem. This is the last one." Ying Caihong could barely hide the excitement in her eyes as she grabbed Yoko's hand.

"Yes, Master!"

Yoko stepped forward, ready to retrieve the emblem.

Xiao Hen knew that once this key was taken, it would trigger a trap—this pillar platform would collapse. He was already on high alert.

Sure enough, the moment Yoko removed the emblem, a green flame erupted from the seated skeleton. It was Phosphorus Fire.

The Phosphorus Fire blazed up, spreading across the entire pillar platform in an instant.

"Move, now!" Ying Caihong ordered everyone to retreat.

"Master, watch out..." The crowd pressed back, shielding Ying Caihong.

But even with their quick reactions, two people couldn't dodge in time. The Phosphorus Fire landed on them. Panicked, they slapped at the flames, but Phosphorus Fire was hard to extinguish—the more they beat at it, the fiercer the green fire burned.

"Master, Master, save me..." One man, engulfed in blazing Phosphorus Fire, stretched out his hands toward Ying Caihong in despair.

But Ying Caihong only glanced at him, unmoved. What could she do?

Ahh...

Finally, with two screams, the men fell into the river.

Xiao Hen retreated, watching the pillar platform burn with green Phosphorus Fire. The flames grew more intense, spreading down to the base of the pillar and coiling around it like a terrifying green serpent of fire.

The Phosphorus Fire was impossible to extinguish. Even after falling into the water, it still burned, spreading along the current to other pillars, making the flames even fiercer.

In the distance, Hu Bayi and the others were drawn by the sight. Wang Kaixuan cursed angrily, "What the hell did those bastards touch now?"

Big Gold Tooth wailed in despair, "We're done for, we're gonna be roasted pigs."

Hu Bayi waved his hand. "Don't just stand there—run!" With that, he took off ahead.

Under the scorching flames, the pillar platform cracked, tilted, and shattered into massive stone blocks that toppled into the underground river.

"Master, what... what do we do now?" A subordinate looked to Ying Caihong, at a loss.

"Move! The fire's right on us!" Hu Bayi shoved Wang Kaixuan forward. The flames behind them chased after them, and soon they would burn the suspension bridge.

The group finally reached the end point. They looked back at Ying Caihong and her people still halfway across. Wang Kaixuan exchanged glances with the others and said, "It's not that we're not loyal—what can we do? This trap is vicious!"

Seeing Hu Bayi and the others already at the finish, Ying Caihong snorted coldly. "Take out the Asbestos Suits!"

Yoko nodded. "Yes!" A Blackhand behind her opened a backpack and pulled out silver-white Asbestos Suits one by one.

Xiao Hen took one as well. These suits could effectively block fire and high temperatures. Why Ying Caihong's men happened to carry them? Who knew—maybe the movie plot demanded it.

Wrapped in the Asbestos Suits, the group charged into the flames, rushing across the suspension bridge toward the end point. With the suits' protection, they finally made it through.

"Let's go!" Ying Caihong stowed her suit and waved her hand. The group pressed on. After passing this trial, they were getting closer and closer to the Goddess's Coffin.

Xiao Hen felt a stir of excitement. The closer to the Goddess's Coffin, the closer to completing the main mission. The Flower of the Other Shore—once he obtained it and finished both the main and side missions, the Shuttle would naturally grant rewards. What Xiao Hen most looked forward to was the Shuttle's repair progress: 'Hopefully it can be restored to fifty percent.'

Emerging from the dark corridor, they came upon a large square littered with piles of rubble. Xiao Hen turned back—the doorway was shaped like a terrifying Demon Head.

"You actually made it through safely?" Only two people were in the square—Shirley Yang and Big Gold Tooth.

"Where are the other two?" Ying Caihong looked around and asked.

Xiao Hen knew that at this moment, Wang Kaixuan and Hu Bayi were having a falling out. Wang Kaixuan refused to leave, insisting on finding the Flower of the Other Shore for Ding Sitian, while Hu Bayi was determined to drag him away even if he had to tie him up. In the scuffle, Hu Bayi's Luopan had been broken.

"No idea." Shirley Yang was quietly fuming. She was still a bit jealous over Hu Bayi's connection with the deceased Ding Sitian. Now Wang Kaixuan didn't want to leave, and the three of them were at odds—it was getting on her nerves.

But Big Gold Tooth didn't dare to talk back to Ying Caihong. "Oh, don't worry, Boss Ying! Master Hu and Master Wang will be here soon, real soon. Rest assured, they'll get the job done for you."

Ying Caihong wasn't interested in Big Gold Tooth's rambling. She waved her hand directly. "Mr. Xiao, Yoko—go and seize that woman. I don't believe they'll still dare to disobey!"

Yoko stepped forward immediately. But Xiao Hen turned his head and looked at Ying Caihong. Now you want to use me?

"Ms. Ying, my duty is only to protect you." Xiao Hen gave a faint smile. He had no intention of offending Hu Bayi's team at this point. He walked over to a nearby rock, leaped up, and stood on top of it, gazing into the distance. He finally spotted Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan locked in a scuffle several dozen meters away.

"You dare to disobey my orders?" Ying Caihong paused, looking up at Xiao Hen.

"I said, I'm here to protect you, not to be your thug." Xiao Hen's tone was calm.

"Bastard! How dare you disrespect the Master!" One of Ying Caihong's men behind her grew furious and drew a pistol, aiming it at Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen, in turn, pulled out the submachine gun he had hidden on him and aimed it at the Blackhands behind Ying Caihong. "Careful now—don't let that thing go off."

"You..." The man's voice faltered. He held a pistol, but Xiao Hen had a submachine gun. The firepower wasn't even comparable.

"Fine. Very good." Ying Caihong was furious, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She took a deep breath, waved her hand to signal her men to lower their weapons, then turned her gaze to the scene. "Yoko, hurry up and catch her."

"Yes, Master!" Yoko moved even faster. Her strength was actually on par with Shirley Yang's, but with others joining in, the Blackhands couldn't handle Xiao Hen but could manage Shirley Yang without her guns. Before long, Shirley Yang was caught and bound.

"Hmph, daring to disrespect Master—do you want to die?" After capturing Shirley Yang, Yoko turned back, leaped onto the large stone block, and brandished a pair of sharp short axes. She swung one at Xiao Hen.

Xiao Hen jumped down, and Yoko followed, swinging another axe at him.

Xiao Hen sidestepped, dodging the incoming axe, and reached out to grab Yoko's arm. With a pull and a push, he sent her body flying.

Yoko gritted her teeth. She was no match for Xiao Hen to begin with, and even with a weapon now, she couldn't take him down.

"Come back, Yoko!" Ying Caihong called out.

Just then, footsteps sounded from afar as Hu Bayi and Wang Kaixuan came running over.

"You—you caught Shirley? Let her go now, or I'll make your lives hell!" Wang Kaixuan snapped the moment he saw Shirley Yang bound up.

The Goddess's Coffin was almost in sight! The Flower of the Other Shore was nearly within reach!

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