Wandering Man could see the worry and doubt in Qin Sang’s eyes. He flew forward, stopping near the Southern Sun Fire, and after scanning his surroundings, suddenly flicked his fingers, sending countless threads of spiritual power into the walls of the tunnel. In the next moment, a faint azure light began to glow within the tunnel. Mysterious and complex runes surfaced along the walls, previously invisible. As Wandering Man moved, the runes activated, and the azure light grew brighter, gradually outlining the shape of a spiritual array. Although this light was nowhere near as intense as the Southern Sun Fire, it still held its own within the tunnel. Qin Sang quickly realized that this array bore no resemblance to the fragmented arrays or celestial barrier they had encountered before. It did not seem to be an innate part of Ziwei Palace. Though not as intricate or mysterious as the celestial arrays outside, the array was still exquisitely constructed and entirely self-contained. There was no way it had been made by an ordinary cultivator. Qin Sang could not understand it. Even just looking at it for too long made him feel dizzy. The azure light shimmered quietly. Then, a small fire-red bird flew out from within the array, chirping as it circled around Wandering Man before obediently landing on his arm and lowering its head to preen its feathers. The bird looked lively and lifelike. But a sweep of spiritual consciousness immediately revealed the truth. It was not a living creature, but a puppet crafted from some kind of spiritual material, incomparably intricate and skillfully made. The bird was completely red, and its feathers seemed to burn with flame. Yet this effect did not come from its original materials. The aura it gave off was exactly the same as the Southern Sun Fire. Its frame and feathers were composed of red strips and some sort of slender leaves, trimmed into shape. Now, after years of nurturing and the help of the spirit array, it had absorbed the Southern Sun Fire and undergone a metamorphosis. It was impossible to tell what the original materials had been. Over the years, Qin Sang had seen many cultivators who practiced the puppet arts. But such a lifelike puppet, so real it could fool the eye, was extremely rare. Aside from the Luan crafted by Granny Jing, only this bird came close. Qin Sang silently wondered whether the puppet had been placed here by someone or if it had already been here long ago. Wandering Man cupped the bird gently in his hand and said with satisfaction, "Someone buried this puppet here years ago, allowing it to absorb the power of the Southern Sun Fire. After being nurtured for so long, it has finally assimilated part of the flame’s aura. With the help of the array and this puppet, a path can be opened within the fire. Passing through the Southern Sun Fire won’t be difficult. What’s difficult is retrieving the cauldron shard. Of all the people I could turn to, only you, Brother Qin, are capable of doing it." Qin Sang shifted his gaze from the puppet bird back to Wandering Man, curiosity flashing in his eyes. What lies ahead that poses such a challenge? Why is Wandering Man so certain that I am the one who can retrieve the cauldron shard? Wandering Man gently stroked the puppet bird, then pointed ahead. "Not far from here, the tunnel is severed by a sword mark. That used to be a passageway in and out, but the sword qi left behind in the mark has not dissipated, and no one dares to approach." "The person who left that mark likely cultivated a technique rooted in extreme cold. The residual sword qi is a type of mystic ice sword qi." "The sword qi remains densely concentrated, and it has stirred the spiritual qi in this place, forming a malevolent cold wind that constantly ravages the area near the sword mark. The illusion array outside blocks it from view, so it’s not visible from afar." "Even more frightening is that within this wind lingers the mystic ice sword will left behind in the mark. Over time, it has transformed into a deadly and strange chill. Doesn’t this combination seem familiar to you, Brother Qin?" Qin Sang froze upon hearing that. As Wandering Man described those traits, Qin Sang immediately recalled the Malevolent Frost Wind he had encountered in Endless Valley. That wind had formed naturally, while the one here had been created under the influence of sword qi. Though their origins differed, they sounded remarkably similar. Qin Sang noticed something in Wandering Man’s tone and his expression shifted slightly. How did Wandering Man know I had encountered the Malevolent Frost Wind? "Senior, that day... Did you still have the strength to sense the outside world?" Qin Sang was stunned. Back when he was picking Night Lily in Endless Valley, Wandering Man had been using the lantern and Flawless Orb to resist the Malevolent Frost Wind. He had been nearly overwhelmed. Qin Sang had even prepared to step in and help him. To think he still had enough strength to sense another person’s presence. Wandering Man nodded slightly, then shook his head. "At that time, I was indeed at my limit. But my spiritual senses are keen. I faintly felt the presence of another person passing by. Someone appeared in such a place, did nothing to harm me, and didn’t compete for the Night Lily. After some thought, I realized it must have been you." Wandering Man’s words greatly surprised Qin Sang. No wonder, back outside Ziwei Palace, Wandering Man had asked for his opinion first, asking if that man in black was the sect leader of Wuji Sect. It was because he knew Qin Sang had made it to the end of the icy cave and likely witnessed the battle, possibly even glimpsed their true faces. The rightful source is novel·fire·net Although Wandering Man had not personally seen the fight, he could guess the truth. Endless Valley was a remote place rarely visited by anyone. It was far too coincidental for so many Spiritual Infant cultivators to appear there all at once. Qin Sang furrowed his brow. Since Wandering Man already knew about Yi Tianye’s existence, Qin Sang briefly recounted how he had encountered Yu Hua in the icy cavern. "Senior, I never intended to enter. I was forced in by a powerful enemy, with nowhere else to go. Back then, in the ice cave, I had planned to help you, but later, seeing you manage it on your own..." Wandering Man waved his hand and replied earnestly, "I’m not someone who fails to appreciate kindness. I understand your intentions. That was a trial, a form of tempering, much like a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon. If I were in your place, I wouldn’t have intervened lightly either. Besides, the fact that I obtained the Night Lily was all thanks to you. Do you remember that final tremor in the cave? At that moment, you were standing in front of me, and you just happened to block a gust of the Malevolent Frost Wind for me. I used that chance to break through..." Wandering Man gave Qin Sang a respectful nod. "Brother Qin, you must have a secret art that allows you to resist the chill of the Malevolent Frost Wind, right? Your cultivation is now far above what it was back then, so your secret art should be even more powerful. I’ll have to trouble you to retrieve the cauldron shard from within the sword qi and the cold wind." Qin Sang quietly let out a breath of relief. What he feared most was the exposure of the Jade Buddha. The Jade Buddha was his most guarded secret and the foundation of his standing in the world of immortal cultivation. No matter how close someone was, he could not afford to reveal it. Fortunately, Wandering Man had been misled by the Malevolent Frost Wind and drew the wrong conclusion, assuming he merely had a secret art or treasure that could resist the cold. With all of Wandering Man’s experience and knowledge, it was unlikely he would ever imagine the existence of a wonder like the Jade Buddha. After a brief pause, Qin Sang agreed. "If the sword qi and cold wind aren’t much stronger than the Malevolent Frost Wind, I should be able to withstand it. Senior, go ahead and part the flames. Let’s give it a try." With the Jade Buddha’s power, even if the puppet bird failed or the Southern Sun Fire blocked the way, he could still force his way through the sword qi and cold wind from the other side. He wasn’t afraid of being trapped inside. Seeing Qin Sang agree, Wandering Man’s expression turned solemn. "I’ll control the array and the puppet with all my strength. I can sustain it for ten breaths. Whether you succeed or not, you must come back out within ten breaths."