Chapter 37: The Terrifying Diagram of Yin and Yang

“What a formidable demon spirit array. As expected of the Demon Emperor—just a single stone coffin placed right in the open.”

“There are no supreme artifacts or magical treasures in this Yin-Yang Dao Diagram. They must be inside that stone coffin.”

“Of course. The Demon Emperor ruled the world his whole life; he must have possessed terrifying artifacts, magical treasures, and countless supreme techniques.”

“The journey here was arduous, but it was worth it—we’re about to strike it rich!”

In that instant, everyone present was ablaze with excitement. Their gazes brimmed with madness and greed; they could scarcely restrain themselves from lunging forward and claiming the Demon Emperor’s stone coffin as their own. The ugliest side of human nature was on full display.

No sooner had the words left their mouths than someone took action.

“Ha ha ha! Demon Emperor’s coffin, here I come!”

With a wild laugh, a middle-aged man dashed straight toward the stone coffin at the center of the Yin-Yang Dao Diagram.

But—

With a thunderous explosion, the moment he crossed into the bounds of the diagram, his body detonated, flesh and bone scattering everywhere.

The carnage was unspeakable.

The sudden bloodshed struck everyone like a bolt from the blue. They stood frozen, their hearts pounding and faces drained of all color. The fervor that had just filled their veins instantly turned to ice.

No one had expected that within this colossal Yin-Yang Dao Diagram lay such a deadly trap.

“This demon spirit array is too terrifying. Everyone, don’t act rashly.” Even Nalan Ruoshui, formidable as she was, looked deeply unsettled, her expression grim as she drew a sharp breath. “Every formation has an entrance—often more than one. This Yin-Yang Dao Diagram is no exception.”

At once, the crowd fell silent. Members of every major faction began searching in earnest for the entrance to the array. Having come so far into the heart of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, with the Demon Emperor’s coffin in sight, none would give up easily.

“How should we proceed, Young Princess?” Elder Hua looked to Bing Muer.

Bing Muer activated the Profound Ice Arts, an intensely cold aura spreading from her. At once, the previously invisible demon spirit array was revealed to her sight, a thin layer of frost outlining its structure.

“Follow me.” She beckoned with a slender hand and stepped into the Yin-Yang Dao Diagram, the others hurrying after her.

Sure enough, it was safe—they sensed no threat from the array.

Meanwhile, others from rival factions also entered the diagram. Nalan Ruoshui of the Sacred Sword Sect had golden light flickering in her eyes, enabling her to discern the workings of the demon spirit array and advance with ease. Many others followed close behind.

The demon spirit array’s lethality was such that a single misstep would mean instant death and dismemberment.

On the other side—

“Elder Princess, can you enter the Yin-Yang Dao Diagram safely?” Zuo Xiangyu asked Bing Miaoguo, his refined smile unchanged. “If not, don’t take unnecessary risks. Let me handle it.”

“Hmph! You underestimate me.” Bing Miaoguo shot him an annoyed glare, whipped out the Divine Profound Ice Hairpin, and gripped it in her palm. Instantly, a wave of frost emanated from the hairpin, rendering the demon spirit array within the diagram clearly visible.

“So the Divine Profound Ice Hairpin has such marvelous uses?” Zuo Xiangyu remarked, slightly surprised but smiling faintly.

“Let’s go!” Bing Miaoguo said smugly, stepping into the diagram, and her group followed.

All the major factions began searching for the various entrances to the Yin-Yang Dao Diagram, inching ever closer to the Demon Emperor’s stone coffin at the center.

They moved with utmost caution.

Still, some could not avoid triggering the array.

A chilling scream echoed as an elder was shredded to pieces by the demon spirit array in an instant.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd; hearts sank as the horror of the array’s power became clear.

Then—

Another explosion rang out—yet another sect cultivator was torn to shreds.

“Damn it!” Terror gripped the hearts of all.

Again and again, the array was triggered. Bodies exploded in showers of blood and flesh. In mere moments, dozens had perished within the demon spirit array.

Each death left nothing but mangled flesh; not even bones remained. The entire tomb of the Demon Emperor was soon steeped in the stench of blood.

Even those as strong as Nalan Ruoshui and Zuo Xiangyu turned pale, their expressions grave. This Yin-Yang Dao Diagram was simply too dreadful—one lapse, and there would be no return.

Many were on the verge of tears, their legs trembling uncontrollably.

Bing Muer’s expression was just as grave. Relying on her Profound Ice Arts, now at the ninth level, she guided Elder Hua, Mu Wanqing, and the others forward with painstaking care.

Suddenly, ahead of them, countless firebirds materialized out of thin air and swooped toward them.

A wave of heat surged forth, threatening to incinerate them on the spot.

“This is Fiery Essence!” Elder Hua exclaimed in horror. “We’ve entered the position of Fiery Essence. The Demon Emperor’s spirit is truly fearsome, able to manifest even Fiery Essence into demonic beasts!”

“Leave it to me!” Bing Muer cried softly. At once, she pushed the Profound Ice Arts to their limit. With a flick of her slender finger, a barrage of ice swords erupted from her fingertip.

The firebirds conjured by Fiery Essence were instantly shredded by the torrent of ice swords.

The ninth level of the Profound Ice Arts was indeed formidable.

The group breathed a sigh of relief and pressed on.

But with each step, the Fiery Essence they encountered grew more fearsome. It seemed to form layer upon layer of barriers, each more deadly than the last.

Fortunately, Bing Muer’s Profound Ice Arts were near perfection, and she pierced through the obstacles, one after another.

Other factions faced their own series of trials, each depending on the entrance and position they had chosen. At every checkpoint, many perished—sometimes even more than within the demon spirit array.

“Is it really that terrifying, Young Princess?” At last, someone noticed Bing Muer’s group and cried out in disbelief, “She’s already so close to the Demon Emperor’s stone coffin!”

At that moment, Bing Muer was beset by another flock of firebirds conjured from Fiery Essence. She drew upon her Profound Ice Arts to their utmost, and a mystical lotus of ice unfurled beneath her feet, spinning gracefully.

The firebirds collided with the lotus and shattered instantly.

“The Profound Ice Lotus!” Bing Miaoguo’s delicate frame trembled violently. “That’s the ninth level of the Profound Ice Arts! Damn it, that wretched girl has actually cultivated the Profound Ice Arts to the ninth level—how is that possible? Mother clearly implanted a Heavenly Fire Curse within her. How could she have ascended to the ninth level of the Profound Ice Arts?”

Elder Mu and the dozens of golden-armored warriors who had accompanied them were also shaken to the core. The presence of the Heavenly Fire Curse within the Young Princess was known throughout the Southern Region’s capital; her Profound Ice Arts should have been forever limited to the fifth level.

Yet now, she had broken through to the ninth level.

It was utterly uncanny.