Shu Han furrowed his brows deeply upon hearing her words. He could sense that Gu Panchun wasn't lying.

The fact that Gu Panchun was aware of the hidden Heavenly Fire Protective Formation, knew how to travel against the flow of Fiery Cloud Onsen, and was familiar with the habits of the heavenly fire, indicated that she previously held a high position within Fiery Cloud Instant Sect or was closely acquainted with its higher-ups.

But why would she disguise herself as a newcomer and rejoin the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect?

Shu Han felt uneasy. Given the recent events in the hall, he clearly sensed an undercurrent within Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, as if a significant event was brewing.

Shu Han got straight to the point, "I might not inquire into the specifics, and I don't even want to know. All I wish to hear from you now is whether there's a major event looming over Fiery Cloud Instant Sect in the future. Is the sect safe?"

Gu Panchun smiled and reassured him, "You can rest easy, young master. My motives revolve around personal grudges and won't involve ordinary disciples of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. However, this is provided you don't pry too much. Otherwise, with your cultivation level, it might be hard for you to escape unscathed."

Personal grudges? With whom?

Though Shu Han had doubts, he refrained from asking further. He replied, "If that's the case, I'd like to know how to exit this Heavenly Fire Protective Formation. I am not one to meddle in others' affairs. I vow to keep our conversation confidential."

Gu Panchun wasn't worried, "Given the secret I know about your identity, I trust you. Regarding our exit, I'd appreciate it if you'd wait here briefly. I have urgent business to attend to. Once that's done, I'll accompany you out."

"That's unacceptable!"

Shu Han was adamant, "I won't interfere with your affairs, but you cannot leave my sight. What if this is just a strategy to shake me off?"

Taken aback for a moment, Gu Panchun smiled, "It might be risky for you to accompany me. It's safer for you to stay here. I certainly won't abandon you."

"There's no room for negotiation! Even if your cultivation is weaker than mine, if you're not afraid of risks, why should I be? The greatest risk right now is remaining within this Heavenly Fire Protective Formation. Before we leave, you mustn't get out of my sight!"

With a wave of her hand, Gu Panchun's figure instantly dissipated into thin air.

Shu Han was left alone in the corridor.

Gu Panchun's voice still echoed in Shu Han's ears, saying, "If the young master can conceal his presence and form like me, then you can come with me. Otherwise, following me recklessly would be like walking into a trap."

Shu Han's face twitched, asking in surprise, "Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique?"

Gu Panchun materialized, her face equally shocked. "How do you know of this technique?"

Suddenly, Shu Han formed a hand seal, and his body began to phase out, becoming invisible.

Gu Panchun looked around in astonishment, trying to detect any trace or aura of Shu Han. However, she realized that Shu Han's proficiency in the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique was even greater than hers, making him seemingly vanish into thin air!

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"Young master?"

Shu Han suddenly appeared behind her, chuckling, "Not only do I know of it, but I can also execute it!"

After acquiring the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique from Wei Haolongg, Shu Han never had the chance to practice it. During the four months in the Forest Tribe's ancestral tree space, he practiced it alongside the Shrinking Earth into Inches technique. Moreover, he enhanced it with the Heaven-Earth Transformation technique, making the skill even more undetectable.

Turning, Gu Panchun looked at Shu Han in amazement, "Young master's Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique surpasses mine. Where did you acquire it?"

"I was about to ask you the same."

Gu Panchun chuckled, "If neither of us is willing to divulge, let's leave it at that."

With that, Gu Panchun started walking towards the other end of the corridor, with Shu Han closely following her.

At this moment, doubts filled Shu Han's mind. He never expected Gu Panchun to know the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique. Could Wei Haolongg have taught her because he was smitten with her beauty?

Upon further reflection, Shu Han found this unlikely. Gu Panchun's mastery of the technique seemed more advanced than Wei Haolongg's, indicating she had practiced it for a longer time.

Could it be that the mysterious person who spied using the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique at the Fiery Cloud Celestial Tomb was Gu Panchun?

Shu Han quickly dismissed the thought.

On that day, the mysterious person's use of the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique was far more advanced. Even when Shu Han fully activated his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, he could only glimpse a faint outline, a level surely beyond what Gu Panchun could achieve.

Wei Haolongg had once mentioned that he fortuitously obtained the technique during his travels. Shu Han hadn't paid much attention then, but now he felt the need to thoroughly investigate its origins from Wei Haolongg.

It seemed many in the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect knew of this technique.

As he followed Gu Panchun through the interconnected tunnels, Shu Han mentally noted the path they took. Gradually, a complicated formation diagram took shape in his mind, revealing a glimpse of the legendary Heavenly Fire Protective Formation.

This formation uses the tunnels as its patterns, with its core centered on the Earth Dragon Fire vein inside the Fiery Cloud Peak. When the formation activates, flames from the Earth Dragon Fire vein rush into the tunnels, imbuing the array with Heavenly Fire's power.

The tunnels have specially refined luminescent walls and sacred wood ceilings. These elements amplify the Earth Dragon Fire's strength, allowing the formation to unleash power capable of countering a Nascent Soul's might.

Gu Panchun moved through the maze-like pattern effortlessly, without any formation guide or map. It seemed she had mastered the Heavenly Fire Mountain Protective Formation by heart.

Finally, they arrived at a nexus point of the formation. From her storage pouch, Gu Panchun produced a crystal-clear seed. The moment she revealed the seed, the scorching heat from the Earth Dragon Fire in the tunnel vanished, replaced by a vast surge of water elemental spiritual power.

"What is this?"

Shu Han suddenly grabbed Gu Panchun's slender hand. Startled, she exclaimed, "Alone in the dark, are you unable to resist your desires for me?"

Ignoring her tease, Shu Han, with his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, examined the seed, "What is this seed? Its water elemental spiritual power is immense!"

Gu Panchun smiled, "This is a seed of the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow."

Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow? Shu Han was taken aback. It was one of the water-elemental spiritual herbs he had been seeking!

Observing it closely, he remarked, "By its appearance, it's at least two thousand years old."

Gu Panchun confirmed, "Precisely. The Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow that produced this seed was 2,853 years old."

Ecstatic, Shu Han thought if he could have such an ancient water-element seed and replicate it, his quest for the water-elemental herb would be fulfilled. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed intricate patterns carved into the seed. It had been modified by other cultivators, making it unsuitable for duplication using the black jar.

"Do you have any of these seeds without the inscribed arrays? I'm willing to exchange it with other treasures," Shu Han inquired.

Gu Panchun shook her head, "I apologize, but all the seeds I have are inscribed, and they are crucial to me. I can't trade them."

Persisting, Shu Han asked, "Where did you obtain this seed? Can you share its location?"

"I'd advise you against seeking it. It's a place you can enter but never leave."

"Whether I can leave or not is my concern. Please tell me."

With a deep sigh, Gu Panchun whispered, "The Abyss of Falling Skies."

Following that, she flew to the top of the tunnel, embedding the seed into the sacred wood ceiling. The Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed emitted a faint blue glow before seamlessly merging into the sacred wood.