85: The subtle fragrances vie for beauty, and the sparks of life are about to ignite.

The Crimson Flame Phoenix Tree Forest burned quietly in the night, the leaping crimson-gold flames illuminating the steaming Spiritual Spring mist, making it hazy and warm. Qu Feiyan was soaking in the spring, her smooth back facing the group. The five savage wounds, under the effect of Lin Xuan's Medicinal Pill and the spring water's vitality, had closed up and scabbed over, but her pale skin and residual bloodstains were still shocking to behold.

Lin Xuan had just finished adjusting his breath; his aura was smooth and restrained, at the Peak of the Mid-stage Golden Core. He opened his eyes, and his gaze subconsciously fell upon the graceful figure in the spring, carrying a hint of imperceptible concern.

Almost simultaneously, a cold gaze, like clear moonlight, landed on the side of his face. Su Wanqing had silently stood beside him at some point, her slender, plain white hand resting on the Ice Sword at her waist. Her icy gaze swept lightly between him and Qu Feiyan. Though she said nothing, the chill emanating from her caused the green grass underfoot to instantly frost over. She noticed that Lin Xuan had looked at Qu Feiyan first.

Lin Xuan’s heart slightly chilled. Just as he was about to speak, the spring water made a soft "splash" sound.

Qu Feiyan seemed to be woken by the pain. She turned her head slightly, her wet dark hair clinging to her long neck, making her skin appear even more jade-like. Water shimmered in her enchanting eyes, carrying the haze of waking and pain. Her gaze bypassed Su Wanqing and looked straight at Lin Xuan, her voice hoarse and soft, laced with allure: "Junior Brother Lin... Senior Sister's back... it still hurts a bit..." She deliberately emphasized the words "Senior Sister," dragging out the final syllable, sounding alluring yet pitiful.

Before Lin Xuan could respond, Su Wanqing took a step forward, raising her plain hand slightly. Pure Taiyin Power transformed into swirling cold Qi, gently covering Qu Feiyan's wounds. Her tone was calm and emotionless: "Since Junior Sister Qu called me Junior Sister, I, as the Senior Sister, should naturally do my best." Her movements were elegant, carrying a natural cold detachment, and she pronounced "Junior Sister Qu" with perfect ease.

Qu Feiyan shivered slightly, stimulated by the cold Qi. She shot Su Wanqing a sidelong glance with her seductive eyes, but a provocative smile curved her lips: "Junior Sister Su is thoughtful. But..." Her gaze wrapped around Lin Xuan again, and she said softly, "Junior Brother Lin's Medicinal Pills are rich in Yang Qi, which is more suited to my injuries. Junior Brother Lin, don't you agree?" As she spoke, she subtly pushed her already slender, wet body further above the water's surface.

Lin Xuan felt two gazes, one cold and one hot, pinning him down like ice needles and a scorching fire. He cleared his throat, trying to mediate: "Both Senior Sisters are..."

Before he could finish, a petite figure squeezed in. Gongsun Yu held several large, cool Phoenix Tree Leaves, carefully placing them under Qu Feiyan's neck, whispering, "Senior Sister Qu, this will be more comfortable." After settling Qu Feiyan, she turned and sat down next to Lin Xuan, lifting her small face. Her eyes were innocent and reliant, and her voice was clear: "Big Brother Lin, you worked hard cultivating just now. I'll just keep watch for you." She deliberately ignored the undercurrents between the two "Senior Sisters," focusing only on her "Big Brother Lin."

For a moment, Lin Xuan felt like he was at the center of an invisible vortex. To his left, Su Wanqing was frigidly cold, executing her duty as a protector under the guise of "Senior Sister"; to his right, Gongsun Yu was intimately reliant, silently proclaiming closeness; and in the middle, Qu Feiyan was overtly seductive, using her injury to seek favor and pressing him relentlessly.

Wangshu stood gracefully a little distance away, her face covered by a White Veil, making her expression indiscernible. But her cold gaze swept over the scene of surging undercurrents, lingering for a moment particularly on Lin Xuan's slightly stiff back. Her pale moonlight-colored dress outlined her graceful curves in the firelight, exuding a distant elegance of standing aloof from the world.

"The time is near; we should depart." Wangshu's clear, melodious voice broke the deadlock. She looked calmly at Lin Xuan.

When it was time to move, the problem reappeared—Qu Feiyan was unable to move easily.

"I will support Junior Sister Qu." Su Wanqing's tone was indifferent, yet she extended her hand with an unquestionable implication, moonlight faintly visible on her fingertips.

Qu Feiyan, however, cleverly lifted her arm from the spring water, bringing up a string of water droplets. Her wet sleeve clung to her arm, further highlighting her curves. She looked at Lin Xuan, her eyes brimming with emotion: "How can I trouble Junior Sister Su? Junior Brother Lin, how about you help Senior Sister? You are stronger and more reliable." Her reason was sound, her posture weak, and the way she called out "Senior Sister" was full of intricate charm.

Su Wanqing's icy gaze narrowed slightly, and the knuckles of the fingers resting on her sword turned faintly white.

Lin Xuan was getting a headache, but Gongsun Yu volunteered: "I'll support Senior Sister Qu! My strength has improved a lot recently!" She tried hard to look reliable.

Finally, Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu helped Qu Feiyan up, one on the left and one on the right. Qu Feiyan leaned nearly half her body weight onto Lin Xuan. Through the slightly damp clothes, the soft and elastic sensation clearly transmitted. She tilted her head slightly, exhaling a breath like orchids. Her warm breath intentionally or unintentionally brushed past Lin Xuan's ear: "Junior Brother's presence... truly makes one feel safe." Her voice was low enough for only the two of them to hear, carrying a hint of triumphant seduction.

Lin Xuan's body stiffened slightly. He could clearly feel the suddenly dropping temperature behind him from Su Wanqing, as well as her icy gaze, which felt almost substantial.

Wangshu led the way, her figure graceful. When passing a narrow Lava Pass, her skirt seemed to catch on a protruding rock, causing her to stumble. Lin Xuan subconsciously reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist to help steady her. What he touched was slender and light. Through the thin fabric, he could feel the coldness and astonishing softness of the skin beneath, as if a little force might break her.

Wangshu's body instantly tensed, then relaxed. She said coldly, "Thank you." Her voice was still steady, but Lin Xuan keenly sensed that her breathing had faltered for a moment. He quickly let go, yet his fingertips seemed to retain the sensation of her Icy Skin and Jade Bones. This scene, naturally, was observed perfectly by the Three women behind them. Su Wanqing let out a cold snort, Qu Feiyan increased the force with which she leaned on Lin Xuan by thirty percent, and Gongsun Yu's small mouth pouted enough to hang an oil bottle.

Along the way, hidden fragrances floated, competing for beauty and brilliance, more scorching than the Crimson Flame Phoenix Tree itself.

Upon reaching the volcanic platform, everyone adjusted their breath. As soon as Lin Xuan sat down cross-legged, Su Wanqing silently sat down right next to his left side. She closed her eyes and circulated her Qi, the pure Taiyin Power naturally flowing, forming a small, cool Domain that half-enveloped Lin Xuan, making a silent declaration.

How could Qu Feiyan show weakness? She smiled sweetly and sat down closely on Lin Xuan's right side, her jade arm seemingly unintentionally pressed tightly against his. The warm, seductive charm and faint body fragrance she emitted while cultivating wrapped around him like invisible threads. She even adjusted her sitting posture, allowing the curve of her full bosom to subtly brush against Lin Xuan's arm.

Gongsun Yu looked at the ice-pure and jade-clean Senior Sister Su on the left, then at the naturally seductive Senior Sister Qu on the right. Her small face puffed up. She simply ran behind Lin Xuan and knelt down, extending her small hands to gently massage his shoulders and back, whispering, "Big Brother Lin, I'll help you activate your Qi and Blood." Her innocent yet persistent look made it impossible to refuse.

Lin Xuan was surrounded by three stunning beauties. To his left, the cold fragrance of plum blossoms; to his right, warm, sweet stickiness; behind him, soft small hands. The intermingling breaths near his nose and the physical sensations—cold or warm, soft or yielding—caused his Qi and Blood to surge and his Dao Heart to waver, making it harder to maintain control than facing a powerful enemy. He could only forcibly suppress his lustful thoughts, focusing his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, concentrating on the crucial moment about to arrive, yet fine beads of sweat had already seeped onto his forehead.

Wangshu stood at the center of the Formation Eye. Her gaze beneath the White Veil swept across Lin Xuan's forcibly composed profile and the Three women around him, each with their own charms, engaged in a silent struggle. A flicker of an elusive ripple quickly crossed her cold eyes.

When the hour reached Zi Shi (Midnight), the moonlight, like a ribbon of silk, pierced through the clouds and descended!

Wangshu suddenly opened her eyes, brilliant moonlight shining within them. Her clear shout echoed across the platform: "Lin Xuan, the cardinal edict!"

Lin Xuan's spirit lifted. Forcibly dispelling the distracting thoughts in his mind, the immortal abode pivot token appeared at his will. Its clear radiance instantly merged with the moonlight and the light of the Jade Hairpin, transforming into a mighty pillar of light that slammed into the core of the Formation!

Boom—!

The entire volcano trembled violently! The Molten Lava boiled. At the center, a point of golden light—brilliant to the extreme, containing terrifying heat and stellar fluctuations—the Blazing Sun Star Core, wrapped in an even more ancient and scorching intent and the phantom image of a Crimson Fragment, slowly rose up!

The Immortal Palace Core Fragment, the chapter of the blazing sun, was about to appear!

It was precisely in this instant of most intense Qi resonance, when everyone's attention was drawn, that a sudden change occurred! Several powerful figures shrouded in monstrous Devilish Qi tore through the night sky like phantoms, surrounding the platform! Leading them was none other than the Black-Robed Elder of the Guixu Cult!

"Hehehe! The star key! The fragment! They all belong to our Cult!"

Fierce and unmatched Demonic Technique attacks surged overwhelmingly towards the core of the Formation and Lin Xuan's group!

The crisis erupted violently at the Peak where ambiguity and Killing Intent intertwined!