The Heavenly Firmament Sect was one of the four major powers centered around Giant Stone City.
Though they were called the four major powers, in truth the other three couldn't even compare to the Heavenly Firmament Sect—whether in terms of foundation or the caliber of their experts, the Heavenly Firmament Sect led by several tiers.
The Guyue Cave Heaven, the Luosheng Gate, and the Thunder Light Divine Sect—none of them had a Saint Realm powerhouse presiding over them, but rumor had it that the Heavenly Firmament Sect possessed two or three such experts.
And below the Saint Realm, four peak experts at the Transcendent Third Stage were equally well known to all.
These four were all formidable individuals, and Cang Yan was one of them.
But in the eyes of those who didn't know better, the Heavenly Firmament Sect stood on equal footing with the other three powers, because its disciple numbers weren't large—far from the bloated ranks of Thunder Light and the others.
Yang Kai flew along with Cang Yan the entire way, constantly peppering him with questions about the Heavenly Firmament Sect.
Cang Yan appeared to be a taciturn man who guarded his words like gold, yet he was remarkably patient in answering Yang Kai's inquiries.
At the same time, he had been quietly observing Yang Kai throughout the journey.
As for why the Founding Master had sent him to find this youth, Cang Yan was just as perplexed.
Half a day later, as they were about to reach the Heavenly Firmment Sect, Cang Yan suddenly halted in his tracks. His expression turned suspicious as he gazed forward, letting out a soft "Hm?"—it seemed he had noticed something.
Sure enough, Yang Kai quickly sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching. The strength of this aura and its accompanying life force were no less than Cang Yan's, but unlike the oppressive pressure Cang Yan exerted, this newcomer's aura was gentle and fluid, like the ceaseless current of a great river.
Yang Kai couldn't help but show a curious expression. He refrained from asking and simply waited in silence.
After a moment, a streak of blue light shot toward them from the distance and halted before Cang Yan. The blue light dissipated, and a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in an unusually revealing manner appeared before him.
The woman had snow-white skin and dewy, glistening eyes that seemed to brim with endless allure. A small, rice-grain-sized beauty mark sat at the corner of her lips, adding to her bewitching charm.
A languid smile graced the woman's face. Her upper garment was daringly exposed, revealing half of her round, snow-white bosom and the deep, tantalizing cleavage that stirred the imagination. Below, she wore a high-slit skirt, one long, porcelain leg bared nearly up to the hip, with the hazy, alluring beauty between her thighs barely concealed.
Yang Kai was dumbstruck, unable to resist stealing a few more glances.
The woman showed no modesty whatsoever, nor did she display the slightest hint of shyness. Instead, she eyed Yang Kai with an amused smile, a look of keen interest flickering across her gorgeous features.
Cang Yan furrowed his brow. "Fei Yu, what are you doing out here? The Founding Master's confinement still has half a year left. Don't tell me you snuck out."
"I didn't sneak out." Fei Yu pouted. Her silver teeth lightly bit her lip, and before anyone could register any movement, she had suddenly appeared right in front of Yang Kai. She extended a delicate, jade-like hand and lifted his chin. "Where are you from, handsome? You look a bit unfamiliar."
Yang Kai broke out in goosebumps for no apparent reason.
Cang Yan quickly pulled Yang Kai behind him, shielding the youth from Fei Yu like a hen protecting her chick. He frowned. "Stop messing around. This is the person the Founding Master is looking for."
"The person the Founding Master is looking for?" Fei Yu's eyes lit up with an unusual glow upon hearing this. "What does the Founding Master want with him?"
"I don't know," Cang Yan shook his head. "But he is not your toy."
"Fine, fine," Fei Yu rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Now tell me your problem. Why aren't you staying put in the Sect instead of running around out here?"
"The Founding Master told me to come out," Fei Yu giggled. "Do you really think I'd dare leave without his orders?"
She paused for a moment, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she spoke. "Well, the Founding Master told me to earn merit and redeem myself. He said if I can resolve this matter, the six months of confinement will be waived."
"What matter does he want you to resolve?" Cang Yan asked curiously. The moment the words left his mouth, he slapped himself across the face and raised his hands. "Pretend I didn't ask. I'm heading back to the Sect. Do as you please."
"Don't you dare leave!" Fei Yu grabbed Cang Yan's arm and said in a sweet, coquettish voice. "Since you've already asked, of course I'm going to tell you about it."
Without waiting for Cang Yan to agree or disagree, she launched into an explanation on her own.
About a hundred miles from the Tianxiao Sect, one of the disciples had apparently discovered a cave while cultivating in the area. Inside were ancient restrictions, rich with spiritual energy — clearly a blessed site left behind by some expert from long ago. Unable to break through the restrictions, the disciple returned to the Sect and rallied a group of senior and junior brothers, over a dozen in total, to work together and open the blessed site. They had intended to seek out opportunities, but unbeknownst to them, a hidden trap lay within. Caught off guard, they met a gruesome fate.
Every single person who entered was afflicted by an ancient exotic insect known as the Soul-Devouring Worm. When the news reached the Tianxiao Sect, the Founding Master sent Fei Yu to handle the situation.
"The Soul-Devouring Worm?" Cang Yan's expression changed drastically. "Aren't those ancient insects supposed to be extinct?"
"Who knows." Fei Yu shrugged her delicate shoulders. "Some despicable bastard left this blessed site near our Tianxiao Sect. If I ever find his remains, I'll tear him apart!"
"And the Founding Master wants you to go? How do you plan to deal with it? That thing isn't something just anyone can handle. You could end up buried in there yourself."
"Exactly!" Fei Yu put on a aggrieved, pitiful expression. "So, Cang Yan, you have to help me."
"How am I supposed to help? I can't deal with those ancient insects either."
"You cultivate fire-attribute techniques, don't you? Just burn them to death."
"You think true-essence fire can kill them? You're dreaming." Cang Yan snorted coldly. As he spoke, he suddenly glanced at Yang Kai, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"But apart from you, no one else can help me. Those two bastards, Li Wan and Fei Jian — the moment they heard I'd taken on this task, they've been avoiding me. They're absolutely despicable!" Fei Yu gritted her teeth in contempt.