The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

After returning to the Luoxia Inn with the broken sword fragments, Xiao Fan began to study them.

He spread a white cloth on the table, placed the broken sword on it, and used the Creation Fire to seep into the sword blade layer by layer.

The spiritual energy structure within the broken sword was far more complex than he had imagined. The originally dull silver surface gradually became clearer under the stimulation of the Creation Fire, forming a complete set of runes.

These runes are very similar to the golden patterns on the token, except that they have three more branches, representing the spiritual energy conversion routes of fire, earth, and space elements respectively.

He drew the runes one by one, comparing them with the characters on the jade plate in the pool of light.

The ancient inscription in the center of the disc matches the core node of the broken sword runes, while the golden lines on the token resemble a simplified version of a complete set of runes.

He spent the entire night comparing the spiritual energy pathways in the Square Stele Array, the Light Pool Altar, and the Flame Marrow Cave, and finally came to an astonishing conclusion—this broken sword should be part of the key.

The complete key has three parts: the first half is a broken sword, the second half is a token, and the third part is very likely in Yaoguang Valley.

These three components must be combined to open a door somewhere.

Where? The broken sword didn't say, but the structure of the runes pointed to the depths of the Valley of Radiant Light.

The next day, the Ancient One sent someone to retrieve the sword. Xiao Fan attached a detailed rune diagram and his preliminary assessment, saying, "I plan to go to Radiant Valley to verify it. If the Ancient One is interested, you can come back later, or you can wait until I return to give you an answer."

The man thanked him and left with his things.

After learning that he was going to Radiant Valley, Master Cheng pondered for a moment and said, "The environment of Radiant Valley is much more dangerous than that of Flame Crystal Plain. Moreover, the further you go in, the thicker the obsidian on the ground becomes, making it easy to slip and fall." He said, "But I am very familiar with that place. If you want to go, I will go with you."

Xiao Fan patted him on the shoulder without saying much. At their level, there was no need for formalities.

Fire Crystal City is located southwest of Radiant Valley, about five days away.

The terrain along the way gradually changed from the town of Fire Crystal City to a reddish-brown plain, and finally to a large area of ​​translucent crystal ground.

On the afternoon of the fifth day, Xiao Fan finally saw the entrance to Yaoguang Valley. His eyes narrowed involuntarily. The entire valley was made of milky white obsidian, smooth as a mirror, radiating a soft white light under the sunlight, like a gem embedded in the earth.

The obsidian at the entrance is relatively thin, and you can feel a powerful force when you step on it.

The further you go in, the thicker the obsidian layer becomes, and the smoother the surface becomes.

Master Cheng took out a pair of specially made boots from his backpack and handed one to Xiao Fan, telling him that he must wear these boots, otherwise he would fall down after taking only three steps.

After putting on the spiked shoes, Xiao Fan felt much more relaxed.

The two walked deeper into the valley.

Along the way, on the surface of the obsidian layer, you can occasionally see some semi-solid spiritual energy condensations, which look like a thin layer of dew, but are actually a thin energy film that is warm and dense to the touch.

Xiao Fan collected some thin film samples using the jade bottle, and he guessed that this should be the "obsidian" that the ancients had mentioned.

The further you go in, the denser the spiritual energy becomes, and it's different from the spiritual energy in the Heavenly Fire Plain—it's finer, longer, and purer.

In this environment, his spiritual core operated even more smoothly than in the Flame Marrow Cave, actively absorbing the fine spiritual energy particles floating in the air.

Upon reaching the center of the valley, several winding cracks appeared before them.

The obsidian at the edge of the crack was a darker color, with a faint hint of warm gold, as if it had been deformed by the high temperature underground.

Xiao Fan crouched at the edge of the largest crevice and looked down. An ancient spiritual energy fluctuation emanated from the crevice, resonating with the spatial patterns on the broken sword.

"There's something down there." He stood up and examined the width and depth of the crack. "This time, let's pinpoint the location first, then come back."

Master Cheng nodded in deep agreement.

The two marked the edges of the crack, noting its exact location and characteristics, before retracing their steps.

As we left Yaoguang Valley, it was already dark. The milky-white obsidian emitted a warm orange glow under the setting sun, completely different from when we first arrived.

On the fifth day after returning to Fire Crystal City, a reply from the Ancient One arrived.

The letter mentioned that the rune analysis book Xiao Fan gave him was very valuable, and he had already sent people to prepare various supplies for the journey to Yaoguang Valley. If Xiao Fan intended to officially step into the rift, he could provide things like anchors and ropes.

Xiao Fan carefully put it away.

Two of the three keys have already been found; the remaining key is in the rift in Yaoguang Valley.

As for where the doors unlocked by these three locks lead, the answer lies in the Valley of Radiant Light.

Just as preparations were underway, a major event occurred in Fire Crystal City.

Someone has spread the word that an ancient core artifact of the Fire Path has been unearthed deep within Yaoguang Valley, and many forces have secretly dispatched people to investigate.

Xiao Fan was having a meal at a small restaurant in the west of the city when he overheard a conversation between two cultivators at the next table. He heard it all clearly.

"I heard that Fei Song of the Amethyst Alliance has already left with his men, and Ning Yao of the Silver Hammer Society has also left. Even some rogue hunters will be heading in that direction."

"Does this thing even exist? Who knows if it's even real?"

"Whether it's true or not, it's better than waiting here. Anyway, although Yaoguang Valley doesn't have ancient magical artifacts, it has enough Yaoshi Crystal Dew here."

Xiao Fan put down his chopsticks, picked up his teacup, his face expressionless, but his mind was rapidly analyzing the situation.

He held the patterns on the broken sword and the token in his hand. These were the only credentials that allowed him to determine the direction the key pointed to. Otherwise, even if he came to the Valley of Radiant Light, he might not be able to find the correct entrance, unless he was lucky enough to reach the warm golden obsidian area at the edge of the rift.

On the surface, that area looked no different from other places, except that the spiritual energy fluctuations were slightly different, and ordinary cultivators would hardly notice it even if they walked through it.

The cultivator Cheng entered the restaurant and sat down opposite him, whispering, "Fei Song left the city last night with seven or eight people. Ning Yao also left, but she only had three people with her. The rogue cultivator team only sent about ten people, most of them just to try their luck."

Xiao Fan downed his drink in one gulp and stood up: "I can't wait any longer, I need to get there as soon as possible."

After paying, the two left the restaurant and walked west along a small road, eventually setting off on the dirt road to Yaoguang Valley at dusk.

On the way, they met Ning Yao.