In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Could this be related to the fragments of the Mirror of Reincarnation? After all, fragments contain strange power and it's possible that they emit light.

"Whether it is or not, this is a clue," Su Han said. "We can go to Blackstone Mountain to investigate, and we can also test the effect of this 'Compass'."

Lu Xueqi nodded: "Okay."

The three decided not to delay any longer. After putting the books back in their places, they bid farewell to Elder Qingxu and left Shanhaiyuan.

Shortly after they left, Elder Qingxu slowly opened his half-closed eyes, gazing in the direction they had gone, and murmured to himself, "The Compass, the Mirror of Reincarnation... these few children have entangled themselves in a great deal of karma. These are turbulent times; I hope they won't cause too much trouble."

He shook his head and closed his eyes again, as if it had nothing to do with him.

After purchasing some necessary supplies in the city, Su Han and his two companions left the city and headed towards Black Stone Mountain.

Black Stone Mountain is located about 30 miles northwest of Heyang City. It is named for its dark-colored rocks, sparse vegetation, and rugged terrain.

Along the way, Su Han would occasionally take out the "Compass" and the fragments of the Samsara Mirror to sense them.

At first, the compass did not react, but as they got closer to Black Rock Mountain, when Su Han brought the fragment close to the indentation on the back of the compass again, the pointer on the compass seemed to tremble very slightly and pointed to the depths of Black Rock Mountain!
"There's a response!" Su Han's spirits lifted.

Biyao also became excited: "It seems that the book of supernatural tales wasn't all nonsense after all!"

Lu Xueqi cautiously observed her surroundings: "Be careful. If there really is a rare treasure, there may also be demonic beasts or other cultivators eyeing it."

The three became more vigilant, used their movement techniques, and ventured deeper into Black Stone Mountain in the direction indicated by the pointer.

The terrain became increasingly rugged, and a faint smell of heat and sulfur began to permeate the air.

“This place looks a bit like a volcano.” Biyao wrinkled her nose.

Suddenly, the sounds of fighting and the roars of monsters came from ahead!

The three exchanged a glance, concealed their presence, and quietly approached.

Hiding behind a huge black rock, they could see what was ahead.

On a relatively flat open space, four or five cultivators dressed in uniform were engaged in a fierce battle with a massive demonic beast.

The monster resembled a lion, its entire body was crimson, it had a single horn on its head, and its body was ablaze with faint flames. It constantly spewed fireballs from its mouth, making it quite powerful.

"It's a Firemane Lion, a level five demonic beast!" Lu Xueqi whispered, recognizing the beast's origin.

Judging from their attire, those cultivators appeared to be disciples of a small sect called "Crimson Flame Sect" in the vicinity.

The disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect were at most at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and they were having a hard time dealing with the Firemane Lion, which was equivalent to the late-Foundation Establishment stage. One of them was already injured and fell to the ground, and the others were also in grave danger.

"Senior brother! What should we do? This beast is too powerful!" a young disciple cried out in panic.

The leader, wielding a flaming blade, barely managed to block a pounce from the Firemane Lion, roaring, "Form the formation! Use the Crimson Flame Chain Formation!"

Several disciples managed to change their formation, attempting to trap the Firemane Lion with several chains burning with flames.

But the fiery lion was incredibly strong. With a sudden struggle, the chains snapped inch by inch, and several disciples coughed up blood and flew backward.

The Firemane Lion's scarlet eyes fixed on the injured and fallen disciple. With a roar, it pounced!

The disciple looked despairing.

Just then, a cold sword light, like the Milky Way pouring down from the heavens, accurately struck the Firemane Lion's neck!

puff!

Blood spurts out!
The Firemane Lion let out a painful howl as its massive body was cleaved by the immense power contained in the sword light, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound on its neck. Had it not been for its thick hide, this sword strike would have almost decapitated it! It was Lu Xueqi who made the move!
She landed gracefully in the arena, her Tianya Divine Sword pointing diagonally at the ground, its blade shimmering with blue light and radiating a chilling aura.

Su Han and Bi Yao then appeared.

Biyao pouted: "Senior Sister Lu is truly chivalrous."

Su Han scanned the entire room, wary of any other potential dangers.

The group of Crimson Flame Sect disciples, having narrowly escaped death, were both surprised and delighted to see Lu Xueqi and her two companions suddenly appear. They were especially struck by Lu Xueqi's unfathomable cultivation and the extraordinary divine sword in her hand.

"Thank you so much, fairy, for saving my life!" The leading man quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.

Lu Xueqi nodded lightly: "It's nothing."

The Firemane Lion, severely injured, became ferocious and charged again with a roar, disregarding its wounds. However, its main target had now become Lu Xueqi, who had injured it.

Lu Xueqi remained expressionless, and the Tianya Divine Sword hummed softly as an even more condensed blue sword aura roared out.

At the same time, Su Han also made a move.

He did not draw his sword, but simply pointed his fingers together as if they were swords, and pointed them in mid-air.

An invisible sword aura struck first, accurately piercing the weak spot under the horn on the Firemane Lion's forehead!

puff!
The Firemane Lion's charging body suddenly froze, letting out a mournful cry of unwillingness, before crashing to the ground and its life force rapidly dissipating.

Su Han's finger strike directly destroyed its demon core.

The disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect were dumbfounded.

The powerful monsters that had put them in such peril were so easily defeated by these two men and one woman who had suddenly appeared.
The woman in white, who was as cold as ice, had superb swordsmanship, but this seemingly ordinary young man in green robes seemed to have even more unfathomable strength!

Only the girl in green has not yet made a move, but she must be no ordinary person.

"I am Zhang Lie of the Crimson Flame Sect. Thank you three for your righteous assistance!" The leading man bowed again, his attitude even more respectful. "May I ask the esteemed names of my three benefactors?"

"Qingyun Sect, Lu Xueqi," Lu Xueqi announced her name.

Su Han and Bi Yao remained silent.

"So you're a fairy from the Qingyun Sect! My apologies for not recognizing you!" Zhang Lie and the others were filled with respect. The Qingyun Sect was the leader of the righteous path in the world, no wonder they had such strength.

"Why did you provoke this Firemane Lion?" Su Han asked, noticing that the fire-attribute spiritual energy in this area seemed unusually active.

Zhang Lie dared not conceal the truth and hurriedly said, "Reporting to my benefactor, my fellow disciples and I accepted a mission from our sect to collect a mineral called 'Fire Crystal.' Unexpectedly, we discovered this Fire Mane Lion deep in this valley. It seems to be guarding something, and we were attacked by it when we accidentally got too close."

Protecting something?

Su Han's heart stirred, and he took out the compass again.

This time, without the fragments of the Reincarnation Mirror approaching, the pointer at the center of the compass trembled slightly, pointing towards a direction deeper in the valley, where a cave entrance was faintly visible.

Su Han and Lu Xueqi exchanged a glance, both understanding the meaning in each other's eyes.

It seems that what this fiery lion is guarding is likely related to the fragments of the Samsara Mirror, or at least something that has triggered the compass's response.

"It might be dangerous there, you should leave as soon as possible," Su Han said to Zhang Lie and the others. (End of Chapter)