Chapter 357: The Second Part of the Heavenly Origin Instrument

Li Yan stood at the top of the highest observation tower of the Shushan Sect, his gaze fixed on the area of Spirit Qi turbulence churning incessantly on the distant horizon. The air there seemed to be twisting, with colorful ripples of energy flashing from time to time, like a torn firmament.

The afterglow of the setting sun added a touch of eerie beauty to the entire scene, and also made Li Yan's well-defined features appear exceptionally resolute. The Star-Extinguishing Flame burned quietly within him, forming an invisible barrier that shielded him from the extraterrestrial energy constantly seeping in from all around.

"The situation is becoming increasingly serious," Li Yan whispered to himself.

Huo Fenghuang let out a cry and landed on his shoulder. This was Ling Bo's method of sending messages. Li Yan immediately sensed the information brought by Huo Fenghuang: a clue regarding the second component of the Heavenly Origin Instrument had appeared in Mo Yun's memories, and it might be hidden in an ancient volcanic cavern.

"A volcanic cavern..." Li Yan's eyes narrowed, "Is it on Huo Yan Dao over in the East Sea?"

Huo Fenghuang pecked his ear lightly, as if confirming.

"I will set off immediately." Li Yan did not hesitate in the slightest, turned around, and left the observation tower.

Before leaving the Shushan Sect, Li Yan briefly explained the situation to the Sect Elder. As a traditional major sect, the Shushan Sect bore an important responsibility in this crisis, organizing Practitioners from various places to jointly resist the infiltration of the extraterrestrial civilization.

"Please tell the Sect Leader that I need to head to Huo Yan Dao to search for an important item, which may be related to resisting the extraterrestrial civilization," Li Yan said to the Elder.

The Elder's brows were tightly locked: "Phenomena of Spirit Qi turbulence have already appeared near Huo Yan Dao, and there are many people from the Mysterious Organization active there. I fear it is dangerous for you to go alone."

Li Yan smiled indifferently: "With the Star-Extinguishing Flame in hand, fire-element regions are actually my advantage. Please rest assured, I will act with caution."

The Elder sighed, knowing he could not dissuade this young genius of the Fire Department: "Then take this." He handed Li Yan an ancient-looking token, "This is the Shushan Sect's Mountain-Protecting Token. If there is danger, crush it, and we will sense it immediately."

Li Yan took the token, nodded solemnly, and then soared into the air, flying toward the East Sea.

On the way, Li Yan passed a small town and found that many people had gathered there. After getting closer, he saw three young people lying in a makeshift medical tent, their faces flushed and their breathing rapid, clearly suffering from a persistent high fever. The people beside them were at a loss, as conventional medical skills and Pill were completely ineffective on them.

Li Yan descended and examined them carefully. These three were all ordinary people, but the Spirit Qi within their bodies was in turmoil, clearly affected by the extraterrestrial energy.

"Are you a Practitioner?" An old man walked up, hope in his eyes.

Li Yan nodded: "I can try to help them."

He carefully placed his palm on the first young person's chest, sensing the flow of energy within their body. The Star-Extinguishing Flame condensed in his palm, but he controlled it with extreme precision, letting only a sliver of Flame Power seep into the patient's body to begin purifying the abnormal energy.

This was a delicate process; the slightest carelessness would injure the patient. Li Yan was fully focused, guiding the flame to travel along the patient's meridians, searching for and incinerating the energy that did not belong to this world.

Half an hour later, the body temperatures of the three patients gradually returned to normal, and their complexions were no longer so flushed. They opened their eyes weakly, the Hun Dun in their gazes having dissipated.

"Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving our lives." The old man bowed deeply.

Li Yan shook his head: "No need for that. This situation may happen again; I suggest you contact the nearest Practitioner sect to seek help." He paused for a moment and added: "Also, be careful of those who preach 'extraterrestrial evolution'; do not believe their words easily."

After handling this matter, Li Yan continued on his way, but his heart felt even heavier. The scope of the extraterrestrial energy's influence was expanding, and ordinary people were beginning to be implicated. Time was running out.

The next morning, Li Yan arrived at Huo Yan Dao. This was a volcanic island that was active year-round; the temperature on the island was extremely high, making it difficult for ordinary people to stay for long. For a Fire Department expert like Li Yan, however, it was as comfortable as returning home.

He concealed his aura and circled the island to observe, and sure enough, he discovered members of the Mysterious Organization active on the island. They had set up sentry posts near the main volcanic vent, appearing to be searching for something as well.

"It seems the intelligence was correct; the component of the Heavenly Origin Instrument is indeed here." Li Yan pondered to himself, deciding to avoid a direct confrontation and find a hidden path to enter the interior of the volcano.

Relying on his keen perception of fire elements, Li Yan discovered a tunnel formed by flowing magma that led deep into the volcano. He leaped into it without hesitation; the scorching magma posed no threat to him, but instead provided him with excellent cover.

Following the tunnel deep inside, Li Yan arrived at the heart of the volcano—a massive magma pool. On a stone platform by the pool, he sensed a special energy fluctuation that was producing a wondrous resonance with the Star-Extinguishing Flame.

"This is it!" Li Yan carefully approached the stone platform and found an ancient box placed on top of it, its surface carved with complex fire Rune, clearly a type of high-level Seal.

Li Yan carefully observed the structure of the Rune and discovered that these Rune had a startling similarity to the operational trajectory of the Star-Extinguishing Flame. He took a deep breath and slowly injected the energy of the Star-Extinguishing Flame into the box.

The Rune immediately lit up with a fiery red glow, and as Li Yan continuously input energy, the Seal gradually loosened. Finally, accompanied by a crisp sound, the box opened automatically, revealing a fiery red component—the second part of the Heavenly Origin Instrument!

This component was shaped like an exquisite flame-shaped gemstone, yet its interior contained countless tiny mechanisms and Rune, flickering with a mysterious light. When Li Yan approached, the Star-Extinguishing Flame automatically surged out from his body, producing a strong resonance with the component.

Just as Li Yan was about to take the component, a cold light suddenly struck! Li Yan quickly dodged, turned his head, and saw three Black-Clothed Person standing on the other side of the magma pool, their eyes flashing with cold light.

"Li Yan of the Shushan Sect, we have been waiting for you for a long time." The leading Black-Clothed Person sneered, "Many thanks for helping us break the Seal; now, hand over that item."

Li Yan remained silent, the Star-Extinguishing Flame forming a wall of fire around him.

"Unwilling? Then don't blame us for being impolite." The three Black-Clothed Person attacked simultaneously, each using peculiar techniques, actually able to condense Ice Power in such a high-temperature environment.

The cold air collided with the flames, producing a piercing hiss. Li Yan discovered that the energy within these three was no longer pure Practitioner Spirit Qi, but a mixture tainted with extraterrestrial energy, allowing them to defy common sense and use Ice Power inside a volcano.

"Is this the result of accepting the transformation of the extraterrestrial civilization?" Li Yan said coldly, "For the sake of power, you have even abandoned your own cultivation origin?"

"This is evolution!" the Black-Clothed Person leader roared, "The old cultivation system will eventually be eliminated; only by accepting new power can one gain a foothold in the future!"