Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 856.18: Crossing the Bridge

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To onlookers, this represented a lethal snare devoid of any survival possibility.

However, Chen Huaian's perspective revealed an entirely altered scene.

Upon fixing his gaze on the magma, a subtle outline of a crimson divine bird ascending appeared momentarily deep in his pupils, concealed from the group.

His energy sea surged violently, echoing with a phoenix cry resounding in Chen Huaian's mind.

The Vermilion Bird soul residing in his dantian vibrated in sync with the ferocious magma flames, abruptly growing agitated.

*Hum—*

The purple-red poisonous fire, once ferocious, disordered, and devouring everything, now seemed remarkably welcoming to him.

Chen Huaian distinctly perceived the "breathing" pattern of this fiery ocean.

Beneath the apparent chaos of spurting fire columns lurked a rhythmic pulse, rendered perfectly clear through the Vermilion Bird soul's aid.

Where lay the deadly path?

To him, it was plainly a wide avenue traversable blindfolded.

"So that's how it is." A sly curve formed at the edge of Chen Huaian's lips.

The scarlet gleam buried in his eyes silently receded.

Turning back with a composed face, his voice, though soft, cut through the billowing heat waves, reaching the ears of those trailing him distinctly.

"Old Zhang, Old Gu, and Wang Shouyi, stay close to This Venerable One." His tone remained even yet resolute. "Shut your eyes, seize the belt of the one ahead, follow precisely in This Venerable One's footsteps. Avoid any misstep, and pose no questions."

With those words, he planted his third footfall on the scorching iron chain.

The very moment that step touched down.

*Boom—!* A column of fire burst forth precisely then.

Nevertheless, just as it neared his robe's edge, it oddly "hesitated" for a split second.

As though yielding on purpose, letting him glide past unharmed.

Zhang Yibai and companions beheld the fire stream brushing Chen Huaian's garment hem, their pulses racing in terror.

Still, their faith in Chen Huaian's call outweighed the dread.

Yet, which belt to grasp?

Zhang Yibai and Gu Changsheng exchanged glances, their eyes converging on Wang Shouyi at once.

"Uh... Seniors..."

Wang Shouyi gestured awkwardly. "Could it be your belts are longer, whereas mine... is quite short?"

Zhang Yibai eyed Wang Shouyi, flashing a slender, fake grin. "Then inform me, who among us boasts the longest life?"

Wang Shouyi: "..."

One minute passed, and Wang Shouyi was unfastening his attire.

Clutching his pants with one hand, he trailed tightly after Chen Huaian.

His belt got securely held by Zhang Yibai and Gu Changsheng sequentially.

Linked like threaded candied fruits, the trio squeezed their eyes shut, dreading a peek downward might cause a tumble.

Since stepping into this realm, flight or levitation stood forbidden for them. Walking alone sufficed, with leaps feeling oppressively weighty. A true slip into the depths spelled inescapable doom.

Observing these ordinary humans boldly traverse the chain without a singe, Tu Fu Xing froze briefly. Glancing at his charred stump, fury twisted his features.

Why?

Why did this blaze spare these three mortals?!

"Tricks of mysticism." Bi Yue Wu muttered darkly. "Chen Huaian likely commands some fire-evasion technique. Tu Fu Xing, should we trail them?"

"Shadow mortals' steps? Absurd!" Tu Fu Xing, fresh from arm loss, bristled further at Bi Yue Wu's suggestion.

He raised his head haughtily. "This Venerable One, a proud True Immortal, mimic mortals' gait? Merely a fluke before! With my low-grade immortal artifact 'Li Huo Zhao' (Departing Fire Shield), we charge straight through!"

Thereupon, he summoned a pale golden orb radiating chill.

The orb hovered overhead, casting a sapphire-blue barrier ahead.

Ignoring Chen Huaian's stride rhythm, Tu Fu Xing boldly re-entered the chain.

Three chains bridged the gap; he advanced fearlessly on the central one.

Bi Yue Wu parted his lips to speak.

Precisely as Tu Fu Xing overtook Chen Huaian's quartet.

*BOOM!!!*

The previously "tame" purple-red magma exploded ferociously.

Myriad finger-thick fire jets spewed from the chasm like striking serpents, shredding Tu Fu Xing's artifact shield effortlessly. The Li Huo Zhao, enduring Celestial Immortal assaults, fragmented at once.

*Crack!*

The orb in Tu Fu Xing's grasp splintered.

"AHHHHH—!!" Fresh wails of torment ensued.

Tu Fu Xing's lone arm thrashed wildly.

Though he preserved that limb, flames scorched his hair, brows, and rear. His immortal garb incinerated fully.

Alerted by the uproar, Zhang Yibai's group glanced back. Witnessing Tu Fu Xing "prancing" upon the chain, they muffled chuckles with hands.

"Idiot!" Bi Yue Wu paled in shock. Shedding arrogance, he unleashed three or four shields. Enduring the fire toxin haze, he hauled the humiliated Tu Fu Xing in a desperate sprint. Dodging endless fire geysers, they hit the far bank first—yet save the array disk, Bi Yue Wu's artifacts lay in ruins.

He'd descended for a mere errand, unforeseen such devastation.

Bi Yue Wu eyed his blackened remnants, grief piercing his chest.

Many endured over a hundred rebirths unbroken, only to shatter in the Nine Heavens Refining Profound Array.

Absent compensating treasures here, losses would prove ruinous.

*Clatter—!*

The chains quaked.

Bi Yue Wu raised his gaze to find Chen Huaian's four, wobbling yet evading every fire jet, arriving before them effortlessly.

"The two Immortal Elders are truly formidable!"

Chen Huaian voiced admiration, saluting with cupped hands, and exclaimed. "The magma under these chains proves so treacherous. This junior advanced each step agonizingly, dreading one error spelling doom.

Conversely, the two Immortal Elders bounded across nimbly, deeming erupting fires mere pebbles!

I ponder when this junior might attain your heaven-defying, earth-shattering cultivation..."

His praise rang sycophantic, his smile servile, yet his gaze stayed profound and serene, viewing them as frolicking fools.

Zhang Yibai and Gu Changsheng clamped their lips, battling laughter.

They scarcely dared eye bald Tu Fu Xing, lest mirth escape.

And Wang Shouyi truly shunned Immortal mockery.

Chen Huaian's lauding felt odd to him.

Seemed... they crossed smoother than these Immortals?

No matter. Echo the senior's praise for the Immortal Elders.

Senior deems them mighty; thus, mighty they are!

"You—!!" Bi Yue Wu detected the mockery laced in Chen Huaian's tone?

His frame shook with rage, yet outburst stayed checked.

Now, facing this courteous white-clad form.

An alien ridiculousness surged in Bi Yue Wu's core—this cursed realm rendered this mortal more immortal-like than they!

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