Seeing that the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed had flawlessly integrated into the sacred wood of the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation, Shu Han couldn't help but ask, "The formation inscribed on your seed, must share the same origin with the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation, otherwise, it couldn't have integrated so seamlessly."

Gu Panchun just smiled in response, choosing not to answer.

Shu Han's eyebrows furrowed deeper.

How secretive the patterns of the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation were! Yet this woman not only pinpointed its essential nodes but also had the means to insert the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed.

This clearly indicated her intricate knowledge of the formation.

The Forest Clan's sacred wood possessed pure wood-elemental spiritual power. Wood feeds fire; therefore, using it as the framework for the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation was perfect, significantly amplifying the might of the Earth Dragon Fire as it coursed through.

On the other hand, the thousand-year-old Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed was a water-elemental holy item. Water counters fire, so when the Earth Dragon Fire passed this node, it would undoubtedly be weakened and obstructed.

She must have placed the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed in the formation to weaken the power of the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation.

Did she intend to weaken the formation to prepare for another sect's assault on the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect?!

But she claimed her actions were personal and had nothing to do with the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

To the north of Great Cloud, the only sects that could threaten the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect were the Green Thunder Sect and the Devil Music Sect. The most likely to act would be the Devil Music Sect. But with the Green Thunder Sect's protection, the Devil Music Sect wouldn't dare to launch an overt attack on the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

Could it be that the Green Thunder Sect also wanted to act against the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect?

From what was known in the Immaculate Realm, the leader of the Green Thunder Sect had already secretly collaborated with the head of the Devil Music Sect.

But that was impossible!

If it were true, even without weakening the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation, the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect would face annihilation against two Nascent Soul sects. Why would they bother sending Gu Panchun for such petty tactics?

Moreover, with Song Jinglun's strategic acumen, he would surely notice if two major sects were plotting in the shadows against him.

So, what exactly was Gu Panchun's objective in meddling with the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation?

Shu Han kept all his speculations hidden, remaining silent as he followed Gu Panchun, observing her next moves.

Gu Panchun led Shu Han through the tunnels of the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation, identifying other crucial nodes of the formation to implant the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seeds.

After a day's work, Gu Panchun had inserted ninety-nine Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seeds into the formation. Having followed her through almost every corner, Shu Han had mapped out the complete layout of the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation in his mind.

"Miss Gu, are you aware of the consequences if the sect finds out you're tampering with the protective formation?" Shu Han inquired.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Flipping her sideburns, Gu Panchun responded with a bright smile, "What's the worst that can happen? Death?"

Shu Han laughed, "I initially felt uneasy when you discovered my true identity, but now seeing your actions, I realize there are always bigger fish in the sea. If word of this gets out and you harm the protective formation, the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect will undoubtedly place you on their hit list."

Her smile even more radiant, Gu Panchun teased, "If it does leak, I will surely reveal your true identity as well. Dying together like a pair of lovebirds doesn't sound too bad."

He chuckled, "Whether you harm the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect or not, it's none of my business. Can you lead me out of this formation now?"

She replied, "We're not done yet! Please be patient a bit longer."

"Not done yet?"

Gu Panchun continued, "This next part requires extra caution. I'd ask you to utilize your Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique as we move. Any noise or disturbances and we may indeed die in this formation."

Frowning deeply, Shu Han hesitated, "Forget it, just tell me the way out, so I won't hinder your plans."

Gu Panchun explained, "Every month, the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation self-activates on a small scale to inspect the formation. The only way out is to go to the temporarily opened fire exit during its self-activation and escape while facing the Earth Dragon Fire."

Facing the Earth Dragon Fire!

Shu Han was enraged, "Do you have any idea how formidable the main vein's Earth Dragon Fire is? Not just us, even a Core Formation cultivator wouldn't withstand it! If I could resist it, I'd have left directly through the Fiery Cloud Onsen's fiery rift! Why would I bother following you through all this trouble?"

Gu Panchun responded, "Please calm down. During the formation's self-activation, the amount of Earth Dragon Fire is minimal. I am confident in guiding us both out. Otherwise, coming here alone would be akin to seeking death, wouldn't it?"

Shu Han's eyes flickered between doubt and acceptance, ultimately having no choice but to accept Gu Panchun's words.

If she dared to come down here, she must have made thorough preparations.

He was not as familiar with this place as she was, so it was best to stick close to her.

Thus, Shu Han continued to follow Gu Panchun through the formation, curious about what she planned to do next.

Soon, Gu Panchun reached the southeast corner of the formation, tapping back and forth on a crystal-clear wall. Despite waiting for a while, there was no response. She pondered briefly, moved slightly to the left, and repeated the process.

After countless attempts, suddenly, a section of the crystal-clear wall melted away, revealing a hidden tunnel.

"What is..."

"Young master, use the Spirit Concealment and Void Transformation Technique!"

Both Shu Han and Gu Panchun concealed their presence. Shu Han opened his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, seeing Gu Panchun while she couldn't see him. Trusting her memory, she reached out and unexpectedly kissed Shu Han's cheek. A cold sensation spread across his face, and he realized that she could now see him.

Shu Han gave a wry smile, "Was that really necessary?"

Gu Panchun hushed him with a gesture, her radiant smile still on her face as she entered the secret passage.

Shaking his head, Shu Han realized that Gu Panchun's intimate gesture was not out of affection for him, but rather her nature.

She once made Xiao Zian exasperated with her antics. If one was deceived by her fleeting gestures of affection, they would fall right into her trap.

Quietly, Shu Han followed her into the concealed tunnel, noticing the sacred wood from the Forest Clan on the ceiling. Unlike the old tunnels, with walls crystallized by constant exposure to Heavenly Fire, this tunnel looked freshly dug, even the sacred wood seemed brand new.

The tunnel was a pattern of the formation.

Could this newly dug tunnel mean the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect intended to modify the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation?

As he continued to follow Gu Panchun, she appeared familiar with this new tunnel, continuing her task of planting the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seeds.

After a long journey, Shu Han's mental map of the formation was continuously updated.

Suddenly, he realized that this newly added formation seemed very similar to the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation within the Pure Ice Jade Pillar!

Incorporating the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation's patterns into the mountain's protective formation? What was the intent behind this?

A shocking thought dawned on Shu Han, leaving him in a cold sweat.

"Could they be planning to use the Heavenly Fire Protective Formation as a framework, constructing a Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation that covers the entire Fiery Cloud Peak? Such a massive conversion formation would only be meant to suppress and convert the main vein of the Earth Dragon Fire!"

"What is Song Jinglun up to? Do they intend to use this massive Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation to seal the Earth Dragon Fire's main vein within himself? No wonder he tore up the treaty with the Forest Clan and recklessly cut down the Forest Clan's sacred trees. It's all for the construction of this vast formation! What an audacious plan!"