Chapter 1011

You damn little bastard, that Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire has been with me for thousands of years. I, an old man, have long since begun slowly infusing it with my own Dou Qi, leaving my aura inside. Unless you find someone of my level who is familiar with strange fires to help you, you still won't be able to absorb that strange fire.

Translation: "Damn little bastard, that Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire has been with me for thousands of years; I long ago began slowly using my own Dou Qi to infect it, leaving my aura inside. Unless you can find someone of my level who is familiar with strange fires to help you, you still won't be able to absorb that strange fire."

Check: "Damn little bastard." "that Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire has been with me for thousands of years." "I, old man, have long begun slowly using my own Dou Qi to infect it." "leaving my aura inside." "Unless you can find someone of my level who is familiar with strange fires to help you." "otherwise, you still won't be able to absorb that strange fire."

We'll output as one line.

Just wait, we will surely meet again someday.

Translation: "Just wait, we will surely meet again someday."

Upon thinking that his own mark resided within the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, the gold‑clad man's face showed a grim smile.

Translation: "Thinking that his own mark was inside that Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, the golden-clothed man's face revealed a sinister smile."

This time, he genuinely intended to kill Lin Feng and Yun Yun.

Translation: "This time, he truly had murderous intent toward Lin Feng and Yun Yun."

Even if the opponent simply fled, he didn't leave the strange fire for him.

Translation: "Even if the other party just ran away on his own, that would be fine, but he didn't even leave the strange fire for him."

As a result, even if he manages to escape, he still cannot use the strange fire, nor can he refine himself to perfection.

We need to keep punctuation. The line ends with a period after "perfect." Actually there is a period after perfect. We'll translate: "As a result, even if he escapes now, he still cannot use the strange fire, and cannot refine himself to perfection."

As a result, even if he escapes now, he still cannot use the strange fire, nor can he refine himself to perfection.

We'll keep meaning.

Meanwhile, that damned bird-like magical beast blocked them.

Translation: "At the same time, because of the obstruction of that damned bird-type magic beast."

Because the man and woman have run too far, he can't tear space, so he tracks the mark he left in the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire to catch up.

Translation: "This caused the man and woman to run too far away, making him unable to tear open space, and then follow the mark he left inside the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire to catch up with that man and woman."

He then flicked his sleeve and snorted, 'I finally broke free, but my soul power has taken another heavy blow; I've been starving for millennia, so I'll feast and look for an elixir to heal my soul.'

Translation: "Immediately, he flicked his sleeve forcefully and coldly snorted: 'After finally breaking free, my soul power has suffered such heavy damage again; I have been starving for thousands of years, so now I can have a good meal and see if I can find any elixir to heal my soul injuries.'"

'If I can't find any, I'll swallow all those elixirs; at least it'll improve my odds of getting away.'

Translation: "'If I really can't find any, I will devour all those elixirs; at the very least, it will increase my chances of escaping this place.'"

His words faded, and he instantly disappeared from the sky, shooting toward a hall in the inner palace.

Translation: "As soon as his words fell, his figure instantly vanished from this sky, shooting toward a hall in the inner palace."

If Lin Feng and Yun Yun were there, they'd be devastated.

Translation: "If Lin Feng and Yun Yun were present, they would surely feel heartbroken to death."

Above the hall the gold‑clad man entered, a plaque read 'Neidan Hall' in large characters.

Translation: "Because above the hall that the golden-clothed man flew into, there hung a plaque bearing the three large characters 'Inner Elixir Hall'."

A humming sound.

Translation: "Hum~"

Meanwhile, on a lofty mountain peak elsewhere, a black vortex abruptly appeared.

Translation: "At the same time, on another side, a pitch-black vortex suddenly formed atop a towering mountain that pierces the heavens."

Strands of spatial energy immediately poured out.

Translation: "Strands of spatial power immediately began to permeate from within it."

A swoosh.

Translation: "Whoosh"

Shortly thereafter, two figures escaped in disarray from the black vortex.

Translation: "Soon after, two figures fled in a sorry state from that black vortex."

Bang!

Translation: "Bang!"

But the moment they got away, the black spatial passage's entrance burst open.

Translation: "However, just as these two had escaped, the entrance and exit of that black spatial passage violently exploded."

Then spatial energy raged, throwing the surrounding sky into turmoil.

Translation: "Then, spatial power ran rampant, stirring the surrounding sky into chaos."

'Whew, that was close—I nearly got stuck in the void.'

Translation: "Phew, that was close; I almost got trapped in the void."

Seeing the familiar mountains, Yun Yun couldn't help patting the fatty lump in front of her, her face still etched with fear.

Translation: "Seeing the familiar mountains around, Yun Yun couldn't help lightly patting the fatty lump in front of her, her face still filled with lingering fear."

Although her husband has the spatial talent of the Ancient Void Dragon, he can still move freely even if the spatial passage is destroyed.

Translation: "Although her husband possesses the spatial talent of the Ancient Void Dragon, even if the spatial passage is destroyed, he can still come and go freely within it."

But since they don't know the route, if they got stuck in there, who knows how long it would take to find a way out.

Translation: "But because they don't know the route, if they were truly trapped inside, who knows how long it would take to find the way."

'Sigh, I thought I'd just stroll through the ruins, take down a few eighth‑rank magic beasts, and bring everything home easily, but who knew this would happen? Sigh.'

Translation: "Sigh, I thought this time we'd just casually wander the ruins, defeat a few level Beasts, and easily bring everything home, but who would have thought such a thing would happen. Sigh."

Note: level Beast translated as "level Beast" per glossary.

Gazing at the sky in turmoil from spatial forces, Lin Feng let out a sigh.

Translation: "Looking behind at the sky thrown into chaos by spatial power, Lin Feng couldn't help but sigh."

He wasn't sure if this was a loss or a gain.

Translation: "This time, he didn't know whether it was a loss or a gain."

Although he ventured into the Dou Saint ruins and secured two Dou Saint skeletons plus the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire.

Translation: "Although he entered the Dou Saint Ruins this time and successfully obtained two Dou Saint skeletons and the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire."

But as a cost, he lost a fragment of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan leader's will.

Translation: "But as a price, he lost a thought of the Heaven Phoenix Clan Chief this time."

This time, overseeing the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will probably be postponed.

Translation: "This time, his control over the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan affairs will likely be delayed further."

Moreover, Lin Feng lost a six‑star Dou Saint–level lifesaving charm.

Translation: "Furthermore, Lin Feng has also lost a life-saving charm with the combat power of a Six-Star Dou Saint."

Still, despite the huge cost, they gained specific intel on a nine‑grade golden pill.

Translation: "However, although the cost is enormous, they have obtained concrete information about a Nine-Rank Golden Pill."

Later, if he can bring enough powerful allies before that golden pill breaks out, he can subdue the nine‑grade golden elixir.

Translation: "Afterward, as long as he can bring sufficiently strong experts here before that golden pill breaks free, he can subdue that Nine-Rank Golden Pill."

Even for powerhouses like the Soul Heavenly Emperor and Gu Yuan, this grade of divine elixir offers huge benefits.

Translation: "Such a grade of divine pill, even for experts like the Soul Heaven Emperor and Gu Yuan, brings enormous benefit."

I'm sure that once they hear about it, they'll both come running to snatch it.

Translation: "I fear that as soon as they learn of it, they will likewise rush over to seize it!"

Although Lin Feng can't use that grade of elixir yet, he'll surely need it when his strength grows.

Translation: "Although Lin Feng cannot currently use such a grade of pill, if his strength rises in the future, he will surely need it."

Therefore, this whole affair is quite difficult to judge.

Translation: "Therefore, this incident is really hard to evaluate."

Seeing his mood, Yun Yun smiled and said, 'Husband, don't worry; we got an eight‑star Dou Saint skeleton and the seventh‑ranked Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, so we still came out ahead.'

Translation: "Meanwhile, Yun Yun beside him saw his state, knowing he felt a bit down, and lightly laughed: 'Husband, it's fine; we obtained an Eight-Star Dou Saint expert's skeleton and the seventh-ranked strange fire on the Strange Fire Ranking, the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire; overall, we still profited.'"

'Don't worry, although it didn't go smoothly, I'm not that fragile.'

Translation: "'Rest assured, although things didn't go smoothly this time, I am not yet that weak.'"

Hearing this, Lin Feng smiled slightly, looked at the skeleton holding the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, and said, 'I'll hold onto this; we're far from the Central Region, and if we don't conceal the fire's aura, whether we can return safely is uncertain.'

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Lin Feng gave a slight smile, then turned his gaze to the skeleton containing the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, and continued: 'I'll take this thing; since the distance to the Central Region is far, if we don't conceal the aura of the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, whether we can return safely to the Central Region remains unknown.'"

'Yeah.'

Translation: "Mm."

When he finished, Yun Yun wasted no time, lifting her jade hand to pass the skeleton over.

Translation: "As soon as his words fell, Yun Yun did not waste time, gently raising her jade hand to hand over the skeleton in her grasp."

Lin Feng reached out and took the skeleton.

Translation: "And Lin Feng, seeing this, reached out to take the skeleton."

He then closely examined the golden strange fire in the skeleton's abdomen.

Translation: "Immediately afterward, he carefully examined the golden strange fire at the abdomen of the skeleton in his hand."

'Given its power, even a half‑saint would risk a lot to absorb it; without the skeleton's restraint, I doubt I could even approach it.'

Translation: "Judging by the power of this strange fire, even a Half-Saint expert would have to take great risk to absorb it; and if it weren't for the suppression of this skeleton, I probably couldn't even approach it."

Watching the calm Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, like a obedient child, Lin Feng rubbed his chin, pondering.

Translation: "Gazing at the tranquil Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, like a well-behaved child, Lin Feng lightly rubbed his chin with his palm, pondering."

This Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire has been cultivated by that eight‑star Dou Saint for untold years, holding immense energy.

Translation: "This Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire has been nurtured by that Eight-Star Dou Saint expert for who knows how many years, its energy extremely vast."

This is due to the need to maintain the golden fire cauldron, which consumes considerable energy.

Translation: "This is also because it needs to maintain that golden fire cauldron, consuming much energy."

Otherwise, even lower‑rank Dou Saints would have to handle it carefully!

Translation: "Otherwise, even some lower-star Dou Saint experts would have to treat it with caution!"

After all, the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire ranks seventh among strange fires, and hardly any can outmatch it.

Translation: "After all, the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire is the seventh-ranked flame on the Strange Fire Ranking; there are hardly any strange fires in heaven and earth that can surpass it."

Furthermore, having been cultivated by an eight‑star Dou Saint makes its power even more fearsome.

Translation: "Moreover, it has been nurtured by an Eight-Star Dou Saint expert, making its power even more terrifying."

Without the millennia of consumption and the skeleton's restraint, Lin Feng would have been burnt to ash before he could even get near the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire.

Translation: "Without this thousands-of-years consumption and the suppression by the strange fire master's skeleton, Lin Feng would likely have been burned to ashes before even approaching the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire."

After examining it, Lin Feng released his own strange fire to envelop the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire again.

Translation: "After Lin Feng finished looking, he immediately released his own strange fire, wrapping the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire once again."

'All right, let's go back.'

Translation: "'That's enough; let's go back.'"

Having dealt with the strange fire in his hand, he promptly reached out to the graceful Yun Yun nearby.

Translation: "After dealing with the strange fire in his hand, he immediately reached out toward the elegant Yun Yun beside him."

'Okay.'

Translation: "'Good.'"

Hearing this, Yun Yun smiled, gave a slight nod, and placed her soft hand in Lin Feng's palm.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Yun Yun smiled, lightly nodded, then extended her soft hand and placed it in Lin Feng's palm."

Seeing this, Lin Feng took Yun Yun's soft hand in one hand and grabbed the gray‑flame fireball with the other, then raced north.

Translation: "Seeing this, Lin Feng firmly grasped Yun Yun's soft little hand with one hand, and with the other seized a large fireball formed from condensed gray flames, rushing northward."

And while Lin Feng and Yun Yun flew at full speed toward the Central Region, inside the mountain gate in the southwest of Zhongzhou's Central Region, which was perpetually shrouded in dark gray mist.

Inside a certain hall, many people sat on either side of a red-carpeted path in the middle, engaged in a heated discussion about something.

At that moment, an elder rose immediately, clasped his hands toward the two on the main seats and said: "Supreme Elder, Sect Master, we previously allied with the Soul Hall and have already destroyed the Flower Sect and the Starfall Pavilion. Now that our great enemy has lost two of its forces, we should also go seek justice for the Vice Sect Master."

"After all, Vice Sect Master Liu Chang has contributed greatly to the development of our Heavenly Net Sect over the years of his tenure, his merits are not small. If we ignore his death, it would surely chill the hearts of all disciples of our sect."

After the former finished speaking, another person stood up and said: "Yes, the main culprits behind Vice Sect Master Liu Chang's death are three: the Flower Sect, the Starfall Pavilion, and Lin Feng. Since we have already dealt with the Flower Sect and the Starfall Pavilion, we cannot let Lin Feng continue to run rampant."

However, where there is agreement, there is also opposition.

Before the first elder who agreed with the proposal could finish speaking, another person stood up and said: "Now, Lin Feng is said to be extremely close to the Zhao family, and also rumored to have some shady relationship with Zhao Ran. If we go cause trouble for Lin Feng, and the Zhao family people come out to help him again, how will we end up?"

"After all, Lin Feng is not on the Soul Hall's must-kill list; if we go kill him, will the Soul Hall help us as it did when capturing Xiao Yan and Yao Chen?"

After that person finished speaking, another elder who opposed causing trouble for Lin Feng stood up and similarly questioned: "Moreover, who in the Zhongzhou Continent doesn't know that Lin Feng was personally invited by that force to attend the coming-of-age ceremony? If we kill Lin Feng, how will we deal with it if they take offense?"

"Would the Soul Hall offend that force just for the soul of an eighth-rank alchemist and a few Different Flames?"

"This"

Faced with the two elders' questions, those elders who had agreed to eliminate Lin Feng were instantly left speechless.

After exchanging glances, everyone shook their heads.

After all, Lin Feng has no deep grudge with the Soul Hall; the only things that could catch its attention are those Different Flames and souls.

But unfortunately, those Different Flames are likely already eyed by that force; if we go and try to steal them, isn't that just courting death?

Although they are proud of being able to unify the southwest of the Zhongzhou Continent for their sect, they are not so delusional as to think they can directly oppose that force.

Meanwhile, the opposing elder, seeing the situation, continued: "In my opinion, we should instead keep our eyes on Xiao Yan and Yao Chen. After all, the Soul Hall is genuinely willing to help us deal with those two, and it has promised that if we assist in capturing either Xiao Yan or Yao Chen, we will be richly rewarded."

"Therefore, rather than wasting time going after Lin Feng, it would be more practical to continue pursuing Xiao Yan and his disciple."

While speaking, that elder's sharp gaze swept over those who had proposed causing trouble for Lin Feng, and he continued: "Moreover, I see that your suggestion is not at all for the benefit of our Heavenly Net Sect; it is merely your Liu family, seeing your family's genius killed, wanting to use the sect's power to take revenge."

"Swish!"

As soon as the former's words fell, an elder who supported causing trouble for Lin Feng stood up, pointed at the former and angrily shouted: "Don't spout bloody nonsense; we are wholeheartedly thinking for the sect. Our Liu family's Liu Chang, during his tenure as Vice Sect Master, poured his heart and blood for our Heavenly Net Sect, establishing countless great merits."

"Now he has been beaten to death by a brat; if our Heavenly Net Sect remains silent, how will we ever establish ourselves in the Zhongzhou Continent?"

Upon hearing this, the elders who supported the Liu family and those descended from Liu Chang all rose to their feet, shouting in unison: "Exactly, you weaklings are just those Flower Sect elders who were selected for their good looks and young female disciples; now you spend your nights indulging in pleasures, addicted to women, and no longer wish to handle sect affairs."

"After all, if we do not avenge Vice Sect Master Liu Chang, how will outsiders view us, and how will our Heavenly Net Sect ever stand firm in the Zhongzhou Continent?"

"Damn it, you old fool are just stirring up trouble!"

"Nonsense, I see you as a coward; it's a waste that you've lived for hundreds of years."

As the argument continued, after a moment the hall was no longer discussing specific issues but had turned into personal attacks.

At the same time, as more and more elders joined the argument, the hall soon resembled a bustling market.

"Bang!"

Upon seeing this scene, however, a loud table-slamming sound suddenly rang out in the hall.

As that sound rang out, the elders who had been exchanging greetings about their families reluctantly shut their mouths and turned their gazes toward one of the individuals on the main seat.

That person wore a dark green robe, his face was extremely gaunt, his eye sockets deeply sunken, his hair black with strands of blood-red.

Although this person did not speak, he emitted an aura that imparted a deep sense of pressure.

This person's identity is none other than the Sect Master of the Heavenly Net Sect, Wan Xing!

"You're making such a ruckus—what kind of decorum is this? Don't forget, you are elders of our Heavenly Net Sect, not old men buying vegetables at a market!"

Looking down at those elders, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Net Sect's face darkened slightly, his voice thick with anger.

After sweeping his gaze over the crowd below, he immediately roared: "All of you, get back to your places!"

"Hmph~"

Seeing their sect master angry, the elders in the hall dared not say more, and then in unison gave a cold snort to the person opposite them and returned to their seats.

"Supreme Elder, in my opinion, we would be better off continuing to keep an eye on Xiao Yan and his disciple. After all, Lin Feng involves too many parties. Those of the Five Clans and Seven Sects are also closely aligned; although your strength has recently improved, old sir, we still find it hard to extricate ourselves when facing those several forces."

Seeing the elders below calm down, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Net Sect, Wan Xing, immediately turned to the person in dark gray robes seated beside him and spoke softly.

Upon hearing this, the gray-clothed person slightly raised his head, revealing his face.

This person had a head of gray long hair, a face without wrinkles, instead appearing unusually fair.

At first glance, he appears much younger than the Sect Master of the Heavenly Net Sect.

Were it not for those eyes, glowing with blue light and exuding an aged aura, no one would guess that he is a monster who has lived for hundreds of years.

"Hehe, let's just do as the Sect Master said. After all, we have destroyed the Flower Sect and the Starfall Pavilion, crippled countless elders and disciples' Battle Qi, enslaved them as female slaves, and slain many of their kin. With such a great grudge, the other side will surely not let it rest. Moreover, we have earned the hatred of two Half-Saint-level experts, one of whom is a senior alchemist. I think it would be best to deal with them sooner rather than later."

After pondering for a moment, the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Net Sect gave a light smile and spoke in a calm tone.

"Have you heard? This matter is now decided; no one is allowed to raise any objections."

After receiving an affirmative reply from the former, Wan Xing immediately swept his imposing gaze over the elders below and hammered down the decision.

"We respectfully obey the Sect Master's command!"

Upon hearing this, the elders who supported continuing to pursue Xiao Yan immediately rose with smiles on their faces and clasped their hands.

As for the elders led by the Liu family, to which Liu Chang belonged, after exchanging glances they could only rise resentfully and likewise clasped their hands to show agreement.

Because they know that, although the Sect Master and the Supreme Elder seem easy to talk to now,

as long as they dare to utter half a word of refusal, later they will not have it so easy!

After all, whether it is their Sect Master Wan Xing, or their sect's Supreme Elder, known to outsiders as the Heavenly Net Old Monster, they have almost slaughtered their peers, climbing to this height today by stepping on the flesh and blood of fellow sect members and others—ruthless and merciless individuals.

"Since there are no problems, those who will carry out this decision, do so. You must closely monitor every move of Xiao Yan and his disciple; the moment they leave the range of Saint Pill City, send out a signal immediately. Then we will immediately concentrate our sect's strength, join forces with the Soul Hall there, and capture Xiao Yan and his disciple."

Seeing that the people below had no objections, Wan Xing nodded in satisfaction.

Immediately afterward, he began assigning appropriate tasks to some elders.

After issuing the orders, he then left the hall together with the Heavenly Net Old Monster.

After all, one of them is just a step away from reaching Battle Saint, the other has half a foot stepping into the Half-Saint Realm, and both are eager to break through their current bottlenecks and enter the next stage.

As for those elders, whether willing or not, they all left the hall honestly and went off to attend to their respective affairs.