At this moment, none of the people present dared to act rashly, even those like Hua Wu and Huang Ze, who prided themselves on being of the highest rank, were quietly observing the changes.

Ye Fan, carrying the Fire Dragon Sword, walked to the altar. Behind him were Li Zhaojun, Min Shang, and Sang Yuan. Ye Fan's Tongling Mirror began to change slightly, its yellow light gradually intensifying.

Ye Fan could sense the immense power ahead. With his cultivation level, he seemed unable to open this heavy restriction, yet it was as if a voice called out, urging him to act personally and not to rely on others. Ye Fan said to Li Zhaojun and Min Shang, "Assist me!"

"Alright." Li Zhaojun and Min Shang had fought alongside Ye Fan many times with pure yin Spiritual Energy when Ye Fan's cultivation was still only at the Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation Stages. But after Ye Fan's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, there was no longer any rival by his side. They were now adept at injecting their Spiritual Energy into Ye Fan, submitting under Ye Fan's Pure Yang Spiritual Energy.

"Hoo..." With the sound of Spiritual Energy rushing into his body, Ye Fan instantly infused the harmonized yin and yang Spiritual Energy into the Fire Dragon Sword. A massive fire dragon flew out from the Fire Dragon Sword, roaring and clawing towards the altar.

However, Ye Fan did not use the fire dragon to break open the altar. He directly leaped into the air, swinging the Fire Dragon Sword in his hand, cleaving down from the top of the altar, slicing it along the center, splitting it in two.

"Rumble..."

For a moment, the ground shook, and the entire altar was cleaved open, accompanied by the collapse of the underground cave. However, the cultivators present were at least at the Golden Core Stage, so a little soil and rubble could not pose a threat. But as the cave collapsed, many realized that if they lingered, they might be buried underground. Yet, the surrounding mechanisms were numerous; whether returning the way they came or breaking through, they could risk being petrified and dying with their eyes open.

Ye Fan, however, remained calm. As his Fire Dragon Sword cleaved the altar, a red brilliance burst forth from inside, instantly illuminating the cave.

It appeared to be a red lotus-shaped Nirvana, emitting a sinister red glow. The shaking of the ground soon ceased, and the cultivators present all examined the strange situation before them.

"It looks like a magical artifact."

"Is it a remnant from ancient times or the middle era?"

"Such powerful Spiritual Energy, it's likely an Immortal Artifact!"

A group of people discussed, all recognizing the lotus Nirvana as a powerful magical artifact, but no one dared to step forward to examine it. Apart from fearing the arrays and mechanisms in the cave, they also feared Ye Fan who split open the altar. According to the rules of the cultivation world, whoever discovers it owns it. This was found by Ye Fan, so to claim this magical artifact, one would have to defeat the powerful Ye Fan and break through everyone around.

Ye Fan did not step forward either. At this moment, Hai Wuzi said, "It seems that the root of everything lies in this magical artifact. Unfortunately, there was no record of it in ancient texts. It created a nonexistent illusion, making us believe Ye Shaoxia would go on a killing spree, suspecting him likely for this reason."

Hua Wu snorted, "Sect Master Hai's words are inaccurate. I understand Sect Master Hai's trust in Ye Shaoxia; I too believe Ye Shaoxia wouldn't cause a massacre without reason. But if it's for this magical artifact, that's another matter. There seems to be a kind of Magic Power in this artifact that can disturb the mind, and Ye Shaoxia might have been used by it in the end!"

"Why does Sect Master Hua keep trying to stir discord between the sects and Ye Shaoxia?" Huang Ze came forward to speak on Ye Fan's behalf, "As long as we don't fight Ye Shaoxia for this artifact, why would Ye Shaoxia cause a massacre? Unless there are some ill-intentioned people trying to stir trouble, then they could be tempted by Demonic Qi. Any determined person, like Ye Shaoxia, would not be easily taken advantage of by demons."

The old Taoist who previously provoked Ye Fan shouted, "We don't care about all that; get us out of this damned place immediately, leave the artifact to the one named Ye... ah!"

Before the old Taoist could finish, he suddenly screamed. Under everyone's eyes, he astonishingly "evaporated" on the spot.

The atmosphere became even more horrifying because the old Taoist's disappearance happened under everyone's watch. It was too bizarre, and Ye Fan and those beside him made no moves, nor did they notice any triggered mechanisms. Everyone vigilantly surveyed their surroundings.

Suddenly, a small red crystal shot out from within Ye Fan's body. The small crystal was very bright, even more dazzling than the light emitted by the red lotus Nirvana.

The small red crystal quickly darted towards the red lotus, as if a child returning to its mother's embrace. The small red crystal overshadowed the red lotus Nirvana, and the surrounding red light dimmed.

"Chirp chirp chirp..." The small red crystal chirped joyfully. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the small red crystal, except for those beside Ye Fan, who had no idea where the small crystal came from.

Hai Wuzi said in astonishment, "Could it be the Celestial Fire Spirit, one of the six spirits of the ancients?"

"Ah?" Everyone present was also astonished. They hadn't seen the small red crystal before, but they were all familiar with the "Celestial Fire Spirit." Legend has it that at the founding of the Pan Gu Secret Realm, a great fire burned for a thousand years. It was because the "Celestial Fire Spirit" burned the earth, turning the original rocks into ashes, which eventually merged into the ocean, mountains, and rivers, forming the soil where cultivators and mortals live.

There's also a legend saying that the Celestial Fire Spirit was the left eye of the ancient Pan Gu, who created the heavens and earth and later became the sun.

But as these are all ancient legends, whether the "Celestial Fire Spirit" truly exists or in what form no one knows.

They watched as the small red crystal greedily absorbed the energy of the red lotus Nirvana until the light of the red lotus completely dimmed. It then cheerfully chirped and returned to Ye Fan, disappearing around his body.

In the next moment, Ye Fan's entire body emitted a strong red glow, as if the small red crystal had transferred its energy into him.

"Ye Shaoxia, this is..." Hai Wuzi and Huang Ze almost spoke simultaneously.

Ye Fan, who had been silent since cleaving the altar, slightly shook his head, "There are many things I cannot explain to you, but rest assured, my mind is at peace, and there will be no killings. The previous prophecy was merely a delusion to confuse the mind."

Huang Ze said, "Then should we continue exploring the cave?"

"We've only covered less than half, yet many have already been injured or killed. If we venture further, more will suffer. It's better to retreat to the surface and plan for the long term!" Ye Fan firmly stated.

Those who harbored doubts finally breathed a sigh of relief, while those who were previously at odds with Ye Fan, like Hua Wu and her supporters, seemed dissatisfied with Ye Fan's decision.

They contradicted Ye Fan's exploration of the cave and yet were unwilling for him to retreat, clearly intending to use this occasion to undermine Ye Fan's authority.

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