Alchemy Master

Chapter 412, Ancient Monument

Translator: Silavin

Although he could not tell what Lan Xinyu was planning, Qin Yichen still chose to follow her from a distance.

As they proceeded forward, Qin Yichen was surprised to discover that Lan Xinyu seemed extremely familiar with this place, as if she knew it like the back of her hand.

After traveling for an unknown period, the ancient palace in front of him gradually disappeared. As the beautiful figure ahead stopped, Qin Yichen swept his gaze forward, and his eyes became fixed on something in the distance. A sense of awe emerged from the depths of his heart and spread across his face.

A massive ancient stone monument stood quietly in the centre of the palace complex. It had not seemed particularly impressive from a distance, but upon getting closer, one could truly appreciate how breathtaking this monument was!

The stone monument was approximately several hundred meters tall, standing like a stairway connecting Heaven and Earth. Mysterious and ancient Runes covered its surface. These Runes flickered, in and out of visibility, with subtle waves of energy emanating from within.

Standing beneath this monument made one acutely aware of their own insignificance.

[Is this the actual core of the Eight Directional Flame Sealing Array?] Looking at the majestic ancient monument, Qin Yichen could not help but draw in a sharp breath, his eyes filled with awe.

[What is that?] While still marvelling at the enormous monument, Qin Yichen’s gaze fell to the lowest part of the stone, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

At the base of the monument, he saw traces of black patterns crawling upward. These black patterns were like a virus, continuously eroding the monument.

Around these black patterns, a terrifying evil energy  was subtly emanated outward, rippling through space and causing the temperature in the area to drop significantly.

[Such evil energy. What exactly is sealed below?] Qin Yichen stared at the massive monument and wondered.

Just as he was pondering this, a beautiful figure flew forward.

[What is she doing?] Looking at that figure, Qin Yichen’s pupils contracted. After all, that figure that flew out was Lan Xinyu!

*Hum…* Lan Xinyu’s figure hovered in midair, the aura of a Heavenly Martial Artist rippling outward, filling the space.

*Swish! Swish!*

Then, to Qin Yichen’s astonishment, Lan Xinyu’s jade-like fingers quickly formed a series of profound hand seals.

As she completed these hand seals, streams of scarlet flame Runes howled forth, carrying air distortions from the intense heat, rushing toward the enormous monument.

In Qin Yichen’s shocked eyes, these powerful flame Runes did not cause any damage to the huge monument. Instead, upon contact with the stone, they merged into it like droplets falling into the ocean.

As each flame Rune was absorbed, the massive monument emitted waves of energy so powerful that they were awe-inspiring.

Under this energy, the ancient Divine Runes on the monument began to change from dim to increasingly clear. The black erosion below also started to silently retreat.

[She’s reinforcing the seal?] Seeing her actions, Qin Yichen naturally understood what she was doing. Someone able to reinforce the seal must certainly have a deep connection with whoever had placed it here.

[No wonder she is so familiar with this place!]

“Seems like the earlier disturbances in Heaven’s Destiny Forbidden Area were caused by whatever is sealed here.” Qin Yichen murmured softly. From the previous commotion, to the somewhat broken cauldron, and then this monument, now being eroded by evil energy filled black patterns, it was not hard to tell that if the seal was not reinforced soon, it would get broken by whatever was sealed.

The reinforcement of the seal was proceeding smoothly, and Qin Yichen watched quietly, with no intention of interfering.

At a certain moment, Qin Yichen’s expression suddenly became rigid. He seemed to sense that the temperature in this space had abruptly dropped, and an indescribable coldness swept through the area.

*Boom!* Before Qin Yichen could figure out what was happening, the massive monument suddenly began to violently shake.

At the base of the monument, the compressed black patterns seemed to come alive. Countless black lines rose up and frantically climbed up the monument.

As these black patterns climbed, faint streams of black flame emanated from them. Wherever these black flames passed, an evil and freezing aura would spread out, seemingly able to erode and freeze one’s Soul.

Several wisps of black flame shot toward Qin Yichen.

Seeing this, Qin Yichen’s expression changed dramatically, and he swiftly retreated. Though the black flames were small, he dared not let them touch him.

These black flames were no joke. They could erode such a massive Array. He could not begin to imagine what would happen if his body was contaminated by them, or whether his Taotie Martial Soul could handle such a thing.

In short, he was not willing to gamble with his life against it.

*Hmph!* This sudden change also caused Lan Xinyu’s beautiful face to change, and an angry cold snort escaped from her delicate lips.

Her body trembled slightly, and a phantom manifestation appeared behind her.

“Is that… a Fire Phoenix Martial Soul?” Seeing this huge phantom manifestation, Qin Yichen’s pupils contracted slightly as he exclaimed in surprise.

With the appearance of the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, the flames surging from Lan Xinyu’s jade hands grew several times larger, and their quantity increased to turn into a rain of fire.

With so many flames being injected, the brilliance of the massive monument surged once more. The sealing power spread out, forcefully suppressing the black patterns trying to erode it.

*Screech!* As those black patterns were being suppressed, Qin Yichen thought he could hear extremely sharp and miserable wails arising, disturbing one’s mind. These screams were filled with coldness and exceptional evil.

[Just what exactly is underneath!? To think something so evil exists!] Qin Yichen frowned.

At this moment, the light on the monument clearly held the absolute advantage, with the black patterns continuously being pressed back to the base. From the looks of things, this matter obviously did not require any additional concern from Qin Yichen.

However, although the current situation looked favourable, Qin Yichen did not feel relieved. Instead, he had a vague worry in his heart.

*Boom!*

*Rumble!*

Just then, Qin Yichen staggered. The ground beneath his feet suddenly trembled, like an earthquake had just begun.

*Bang! Bang!* During these tremors, ancient palaces collapsed one after another. Amid the dust filled the sky, a terrible wave of energy spread out.