Yun Lintian and Yang Chen had the same idea. This Flame Bridge was definitely the Flame Demon Bridge that Yan Qi mentioned.
"Before reaching the Ruler Profound Realm, you shouldn't go there. It's extremely dangerous. Countless students are losing their lives over there every year." Cai Xuwen gave a warning.
"Understood, Senior." Yang Chen accepted the warning solemnly. However, he would definitely find a chance to enter that place as soon as possible.
Unknowingly, the carriage passed several avenues and arrived at the foot of a tall mountain covered with ethereal white mist.
"We've arrived.." Cai Xuwen said and stepped out of the carriage, followed by the rest.
"This is our hall's base, Starry Mountain." Cai Xuwen introduced while leading everyone up the mountain.
Starry Mountain was full of lush vegetations, emitting a faint fragrance, causing anyone to relax. The richness of profound energy in this place made Yun Lintian and Yang Chen bewildered for a moment. They thought profound energy within the divine city was already dense enough, but it was a whole level different compared to this place. Both of them believed their progress speed would increase several times by practicing on this mountain.
Bai Yun noticed their expressions. He smiled and said. "This is just a perimeter area. Wait until you reach the peak."
Yun Lintian and Yang Chen looked at Bai Yun in astonishment. It was no wonder people here could progress extremely fast.
The group walked for another thirty minutes before arriving at an ordinary wooden gate.
"Senior Sister Cai!" The two male guards hurriedly greeted upon seeing Cai Xuwen walk toward them.
Cai Xuwen nodded gently and said. "These three are my guests. I'll take responsibility myself."
The two guards scanned Yun Lintian and the other two briefly and replied. "Understood, Senior Sister Cai."
Cai Xuwen turned around and beckoned Yun Lintian, Bai Yun, and Yang Chen to follow.
Behind the gate was an opened area with several courtyards arranged neatly on both sides. Several students were walking back and forth, looking lively. When they saw Cai Xuwen, they would immediately greet her respectfully. It seemed Cai Xuwen's status was not ordinary here.
Cai Xuwen led everyone to bypass the accommodation area and continued to climb up the mountain. The higher they reached, the fewer people, and the courtyard could be seen.
"There's a powerful artifact here, Big Brother Yun." Suddenly, Linlin sent a sound transmission to Yun Lintian.
Yun Lintian frowned slightly but soon relaxed. It was normal to have a powerful artifact here. He asked curiously. "Do Linlin know what it is?"
Linlin stared at the peak of the mountain and replied. "It is a genuine divine artifact that creates this mist."
Yun Lintian glanced at the mist around his body and secretly used Eyes of Heaven to check it. The scene was surprised him a little because this mist was similar to the white radiance above the divine city. "Divine energy?"
Yun Lintian was confused because if that was the case, why would the academy put this artifact here instead of taking it away by themselves? And Cai Xuwen said the Starry Hall wasn't even in the top three ranks. Wouldn't other top three halls covet it?
"We are here." Cai Xuwen's voice brought Yun Lintian back to his sense.
In front of Yun Lintian was a small plain courtyard with some trees and flowerbeds around it. Yun Lintian looked around briefly but did not find the so-called divine artifact that Linlin mentioned.
"Master, Xuwen is back." Cai Xuwen stood before the door and said respectfully.
"Xuwen? Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay at the entrance? Are you going to rebel against your master?" A moment later, an irritable male voice rang out from the room. Judging from his voice, Yun Lintian believed this person should be very old.
"I've brought Senior Brother Bai here. Would Master like to meet him?" Cai Xuwen appeared calm, as though she was accustomed to the old man's scold already.
"Which Bai? That bastard Bai Yun? Why are you here?" The old man yelled angrily.
Bai Yun smiled wryly. "I come here to pay respect to Master. At the same time, I brought two juniors to visit Master."
"Pay respect? Hmph! Bai Yun, do you think I would believe you? You stayed here with this old man for several years. When did you ever respect me?" The old man snorted coldly.
Bai Yun scratched his head embarrassingly and gave an apologetic smile to Yun Lintian and Yang Chen.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem, old man. Can you let us go in first?"
"Are you blind? The door isn't locked. Did I prevent you from coming in?" The old man's voice resounded once again.
Cai Xuwen covered her mouth and laughed heartily. She seemed to think of the time when Bai Yun and her master kept bickering.
Bai Yun snorted annoyingly. He irritably opened the door and walked in, followed by Cai Xuwen, Yun Lintian, and Yang Chen.
Entering the room, everyone was immediately hit by a foul smell of blood and medicine. On a simple wooden bed was an old man in his eighties. His face was full of wrinkles, and his skin was dried like a crumbled piece of paper. His disheveled white hair was spread messily around the bed, making him look miserable.
On the old man's body, Yun Lintian saw several infected wounds starting to decay. Blood occasionally seeped out through the cracks of the wounds, along with some smelly pus. Without thinking further, Yun Lintian secretly opened his Eyes of Heaven.
The first thing that came to Yun Lintian's sight was strange greenish energy flowing through the old man's Profound Vein. It was definitely not wood energy, but rather some potent toxins. Furthermore, it actually could disguise itself as a lifeforce. This was the reason why everyone thought the old man's vitality hadn't decreased. If Yun Lintian didn't have Eyes of Heaven, he might be deceived by it as well. It was no wonder no doctor could detect it.
"What are you looking at, brat?" The old man, Hong Wuya, stared at Yun Lintian sharply. He naturally detected an abnormality on Yun Lintian's pupils, and he also knew there was no malicious intent coming from Yun Lintian.