Boom!
Unfortunately, just as Xu Taiping leaped down, flames suddenly erupted more than a hundred feet from the crater, engulfing him completely.
Seeing this, the old hunter guiding them could not help crying out:
"Oh no, the flames swallowed him!"
Dongfang Yuejian and the other two beside him were much calmer, since they knew Xu Taiping's cultivation and fighting strength. Even so, when they saw the flames engulf him, worry filled all three of their faces.
Boom!
But with a violent explosive blast of qi, the flames engulfing Xu Taiping were scattered by the blade qi and thunderflame wrapped around his body.
Xu Taiping was completely unharmed.
At the mouth of Flame Mountain, Dongfang Yuejian and the other two immediately let out a collective sigh of relief.
The old hunter excitedly raised a thumb and said:
"As expected of an immortal lord descended from the heavenly mountains! You can actually remain completely unharmed in those flames!"
While the old hunter was voicing his admiration, Xu Taiping drew out the Rusty Sword with a swish, its blade having all but fused with the rock wall.
After the Rusty Sword was pulled free, an azure rune pattern suddenly appeared on the mottled rock wall of the crater.
Then a neat square cut appeared in the rock wall at the center of the rune pattern.
With a bang, a square piece of black rock was knocked out of that neatly cut section by a Bronze Casket of the same size.
Seeing this, Xu Taiping leaped up with the Rusty Sword in hand, caught the Bronze Casket, then flickered through the air and appeared directly before Dongfang Yuejian and the others.
Everyone was delighted to see Xu Taiping successfully retrieve the legacy.
Dongfang Yuejian hurried forward, gazing curiously at the Bronze Casket as she