Chapter 253

Wang Ping stepped into the purple-cloth area of the Dao Academy Mission Hall, which was unusually quiet compared to the bustling ordinary mission area.

Only a few cultivators in various colored Dao robes stood before the huge light screen, their lowest aura being late Golden Core, and several had a murky spiritual pressure, obviously Nascent Soul cultivators.

As their gazes swept over the mission list, each carried scrutiny and deliberation.

Wang Ping's appearance did not attract much attention; he restrained his aura, the purple-ribbon immortal robe's light hidden within, looking like an ordinary mid-Golden Core cultivator.

His gaze quickly swept across the light screen, finally settling on a task flashing with crimson light:

【Emergency Summons: Blazing Flame Valley Collection】

Mission content: Go to the Blazing Flame Valley in the Molten Fire Realm to collect "Blazing Flame Stone". The valley's environment is extreme, fire spirits run rampant, and in the depths there wander Golden Core stage fire fiend conglomerates, suggesting the presence of even more dangerous creatures.

Mission requirements: at least mid-Golden Core cultivation, needing strong fire resistance or fire control ability. It is advised to go in a team.

Mission rewards: settled according to the quality and quantity of collected Blazing Flame Stone:

· Pale red Blazing Flame Stone: 1000 points each or one low-grade spirit crystal each

· Deep red Blazing Flame Stone: 5000 points each

· Pale gold Blazing Flame Stone: points each or 10 merit points each

Note: The Blazing Flame Valley was formed by the eruption of an ancient fire vein; its depths may connect to the earth marrow fire sea, with danger increasing the deeper one goes. Three days ago, the Flame Blade Squad (all late Golden Core) was besieged by a swarm of fire fiends; only the captain escaped heavily wounded, while the other four were confirmed dead.

"Pale gold Blazing Flame Stone, fifty thousand points each..." Wang Ping's heart gave a slight jolt.

This reward is astonishing; know that when he was a white-robed disciple, fighting desperately in the arena, an average Spirit-Lifting Fruit was worth only a few hundred to a thousand points.

One such pale gold Blazing Flame Stone equals the earnings of fifty arena matches!

Interestingly, deep red and pale gold Blazing Flame Stone can be exchanged only for points, not spirit crystals, while the gold Blazing Flame Stone can be exchanged for merit, suggesting it is extremely precious.

Among humans, some precious treasures require not only points but also merit.

He urgently needed a large amount of points or spirit crystals to stockpile enough spirit crystals for the Silver Stone Gate; although dangerous, this task suited him perfectly.

Without hesitation, he walked to the steward's desk before the light screen, presented his identity jade tablet, and said, "I accept the Blazing Flame Valley collection mission."

The steward was an early Nascent Soul old man; upon inspecting the jade tablet he obviously paused, gave Wang Ping a deep look, and said, "So you are Senior Brother Wang. This mission is quite dangerous; are you sure you want to take it alone?"

"Certain." Wang Ping's tone was calm.

The old man said no more, after registering handed him a red jade slip: "This is the detailed information and map of the Blazing Flame Valley, marking known dangerous zones and the approximate distribution of Blazing Flame Stone. Pale red Blazing Flame Stone is a difficult mission, deep red is hell-level; I wish you success, Senior Brother."

The pale gold old man said nothing, obviously doubting Wang Ping could harvest any.

Wang Ping took the jade slip, swept it with his divine sense, and a flood of information poured into his mind.

The Blazing Flame Valley lies in the southwest of the Molten Fire Realm and is not naturally formed.

In ancient times, this place once had a top-grade fire-attribute spirit vein that for some reason suddenly went berserk, triggering the earth marrow poison fire to erupt wildly, turning mountains and rivers within tens of thousands of miles into a lava hell, with all living beings suffering.

Later, human experts joined forces to suppress it, laying down the "Nine Turns Seal Fire Grand Formation" to reroute the rampant fire vein. However, the earth fire's power was too immense; the formation could only guide it, not fully suppress it, and over time this gave rise to this peculiar region that burns year-round.

Within the valley, besides producing Blazing Flame Stone imbued with pure fire spirit power, various fire spirits, fire fiends, and medicinal herbs also proliferate.

Fire spirits are lowly essences condensed from fire element, varying in form from Qi Refining to Golden Core stages; fire fiends, however, are more bizarre—formed from the lingering resentment of cultivators or demon beasts that died amidst earth marrow poison fire, having no fixed form, they specially harm the soul and are extremely hard to deal with.

The jade slip also mentions that deep within, a sentient fire essence spirit may have been born, its power possibly reaching Nascent Soul level.

"Earth marrow poison fire... fire fiends... fire essence spirit..." Wang Ping silently noted these key points.

Via the Dao Academy's dedicated interworld transmission array, after a brief sensation of spatial distortion, Wang Ping arrived at the border fortress of the Molten Fire Realm—"Blazing Sun City".

Hardly had he stepped out of the transmission hall when a hot wave mixed with sulfur, scorched earth, blood, and sweat hit him, forming a stark contrast to the clean order of the Dao Academy and the Imperial City.

Most of the buildings in Flame Yang City are built from dark red fire molten rock, the style rugged and practical.

People come and go on the street, hurrying. Cultivators' attire is varied; their robes mostly show obvious wear and stains, their cultivation ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, occasionally one can see a Nascent Soul cultivator with murky aura flash by, prompting surrounding cultivators to give way.

Along both sides of the street, cultivators setting up stalls can be seen everywhere; they simply spread the harvested materials on the ground.

Spiritual herbs still covered with dirt, ores flashing with faint light, claws, fangs and pelts of some demonic beasts... shouts of hawking, bargaining, and even arguments arising from failed price negotiations rise and fall.

Wang Ping saw a group of cultivators returning from outside the city, everyone wounded; one was missing an arm, the wound charred black and still wisping black smoke, obviously injured by extremely fierce fire.

Their eyes were sharp and lethal, ignoring the surrounding clamor as they headed straight for the nearest medicine shop; soon, fierce debate over treatment costs and material purchase prices came from inside the shop.

In another corner, several young cultivators who seemed to have just arrived excitedly discussed venturing into the fringe of the Blazing Flame Valley to seek herbs and make a fortune, only to be coldly interrupted by an old cultivator nearby: "A few Foundation Establishment brats, going to bring snacks to the Fire Fiend? You don't know the height of heaven nor the depth of earth!"

This is the true portrait of lower-level cultivators in the Spirit Realm. For resources, to advance a step further on the Dao, they struggle to survive in this perilous borderland, each foray possibly a final farewell.

A ripple rose in Wang Ping's heart; had he not fortuitously become a disciple of the Dean, he would likely be one of them, constantly running about for a few spirit crystals and a few spiritual herbs.

A slight stir of his mind activated the Five Elements Divine Light technique within him; his aura swiftly retracted, suppressing his cultivation to the early Golden Core level.

At the same time, the Purple Sash Immortal Robe's light flowed, shifting into a somewhat worn blue Daoist robe, making him appear like an ordinary loose cultivator.

In the city's specially designated 'Gathering Heroes Square' for cultivators to form teams, Wang Ping quickly identified a squad about to depart. The team numbered five, their equipment not exquisite but looking quite practical, the members seeming to have good rapport.

"Friend Daoist, you look unfamiliar; are you heading to the Blazing Flame Valley?" a burly man with a fierce burning scar on his face stepped forward to greet.

He had early Golden Core cultivation, his eyes sharp yet cautious: "We are the Fire Crow Squad, lacking one member; we only gather fire‑wool grass and flame mushrooms in the outermost area, low risk, spoils divided by contribution. Fellow Daoist, interested?"

Wang Ping clasped his hands, replying in a deliberately altered hoarse voice: "I am Wang Xuan, newly arrived in Flame Yang City, intending to visit the Blazing Flame Valley for experience. If we stay only in the outskirts, I am willing to join."

The scarred man carefully examined Wang Ping a few times; seeing his aura steady and refined, his eyes clear, not resembling a villain, he nodded: "Good! I am squad leader Shi Lie. These are our teammates."

He pointed to a lovely-faced female cultivator in a light green robe: "This is Liu Qing, skilled in wood‑system healing arts and tracking spiritual herbs, our team's medic."

Liu Qing gave Wang Ping a slight smile, gentle and refreshing, like a spring breeze.

Shi Lie then gestured to a taciturn, extraordinarily burly man carrying a door‑wide crimson greatsword: "This is Man Shan, a body cultivator, with copper skin and iron bones, strongest in strength; he takes the front when danger arises."

Man Shan merely nodded at Wang Ping, his heavy aura like a mountain.

Next was a thin, small man holding an ancient compass, his eyes lively and shrewd: "This is Hou San, our pathfinder, versed in formations and restrictions and somewhat versed in terrain changes; his nose is keener than a dog's."

Hou San gave a hehe laugh, showing two big front teeth: "Daoist Wang, rest assured; following Old Hou, you'll at least avoid stepping on a suddenly erupting fire eye."

Last was a youth appearing the youngest, about seventeen or eighteen, with a somewhat immature face, waist hung with several pouches and bells: "This is Xiao Wu, responsible for watch, setting up temporary traps and handling chores; though young, his eyes are sharp."

Xiao Wu, somewhat shy, clasped his hands toward Wang Ping, his eyes clear.

Wang Ping returned each salute solemnly. The squad's composition is quite balanced—tank, damage, healer, scout, support—indeed appearing to be a long‑term cooperating mature team whose main purpose is gathering low‑grade spiritual herbs.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, since we will act together, some things need to be said up front." Shi Lie's expression turned solemn, his scarred face looking even more ferocious in the sunlight.

Blazing Flame Valley is no place for sightseeing; even in the outer regions we often visit, low-level fire beasts like Fire Scorpions and Lava Worms are not uncommon, and we occasionally encounter wandering low-level fire spirits.

What's more troublesome is that the weather inside the valley changes instantly—perhaps clear skies one moment, the next moment lava erupts and fire rain pours down.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the team members, finally settling on Wang Ping: 'Therefore, after entering the valley, all actions must follow orders; no one may leave the team without permission, nor let greed cloud their judgment and venture deeper on their own.'

The harvested spiritual grasses will be compensated at market price and then distributed uniformly. If danger arises, everyone should do their best and watch each other's backs, but anyone who stabs a comrade in the back, deserts in battle, and drags the group down..." Shi Lie's eyes flashed with ruthlessness: "My Splitting Flame Blade will not let the first such person off the hook!"

Quite right." Wang Ping nodded, his tone sincere: "Having joined the team, I will naturally abide by the rules and advance and retreat together with everyone."

Seeing Wang Ping's proper attitude, Shi Lie's expression eased slightly: "Good! Prepare a bit, we'll set off after the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

The group replenished some fresh water and ordinary fire-repelling pills, then left the huge bronze-red city gate of Flame Sun City, riding various evasion lights toward the distant mountain range whose sky was dyed crimson.

Leaving the city's protection, the dangers of the wilderness immediately became apparent.

The air was thick with a strong sulfur smell, the ground was dry and cracked, vegetation sparse, and occasionally one could see some fire-resistant peculiar plants tenaciously growing.

From afar, the occasional howl of unknown fire beasts and the booming roar of spell collisions could be heard—those were other cultivators fighting demon beasts or each other.

Along the way, Wang Ping intentionally chatted with a few people to further understand the situation.

Shi Lie is a straightforward sort; as he flew, he said: "Our Fire Crow Squad has been hanging around Flame Sun City for over a decade; we don't claim to have great ability, but we're fairly familiar with the outer hundred li of Blazing Flame Valley. Fire Velvet Grass and Earth Flame Mushroom are auxiliary ingredients for refining fire-repelling pills and blood-burning pills, among other common medicines. Though not worth much, they're purchased year-round by major shops, keeping prices stable. After a trip, deducting expenses, each person can get three to five hundred spirit crystals—enough to cultivate for a while."

"That Blazing Flame Stone isn't something we dare touch." Hou San, while manipulating the compass in his hand to sense the fluctuations of the earth's veins ahead, interjected, his tone filled with awe.

"It's said that from the middle of the valley onward, the active fire spirits become extraordinarily ferocious, at least at mid Golden Core strength, and they often appear in groups. Deeper still are those nasty things—Fire Fiends!" He shivered.

"That thing has no physical form, it's elusive and unpredictable, specializing in burning souls—hard to defend against. Even a late Golden Core expert who runs into it might easily be afflicted if not careful; just look at the Flame Edge Squad from a few days ago—a living example."

Liu Qing also let out a soft sigh, her beautiful face showing a hint of helplessness: "Yes, Elder Brother Shi is right; it's best to honestly gather our herbs."

"A single pale red Blazing Flame Stone can sell for ten thousand spirit crystals—enough to match our half-year of hard work—but you also need the luck to spend it. Those who dare to touch Blazing Flame Stone are either sect elites, Nascent Soul old monsters, or... corpses."

Man Shan muttered a conclusion: "Safety first."

Xiao Wu was quite curious about Wang Ping, this newly joined member; he flew closer and asked in a low voice: "Brother Wang, you look unfamiliar, not like someone who usually hangs around Flame Sun City. Where did you cultivate before? What is your treasure? Is it powerful?"

Wang Ping had already prepared his response, and said calmly: "I've been cultivating in the deep mountains under my master's guidance; recently my master ordered me to descend the mountain to travel and broaden my horizons. As for my treasure..." He patted the seemingly ordinary blue-steel long sword hanging at his waist, "It's just a common flying sword, barely enough for self-defense."

Seeing that he spoke cautiously and didn't want to discuss his background, the others tactfully refrained from asking further.

Throughout the flight, Wang Ping concealed all his sharpness, like a true novice cultivator just down from the mountain, attentively listening to Shi Lie and the others share their survival experiences in Blazing Flame Valley.

How to judge whether there are hidden fire eyes or poisonous gas ahead by the degree of scorching heat and changes in sulfur smell in the air.

How to discern which seemingly calm lava actually has hidden undercurrents, how to judge the firmness of ground rock by its color and texture, and how to respond to different kinds of fire beasts—whether to fight or flee...

These experiences may seem trivial, but they were bought with the Fire Crow Squad's blood, tears, and even teammates' lives; they are quite valuable to Wang Ping.

Although his strength far surpasses everyone else's, in terms of survival experience in this specific environment, he is indeed inferior to these loose cultivators who have long been scraping by here.

Looking at these fellow cultivators dancing on the knife's edge for a livelihood before him, he felt quite moved.

Shi Lie's steady responsibility, Liu Qing's gentle tenacity, Man Shan's reliable heft, Hou San's shrewd vigilance, Xiao Wu's unfaded vigor... together they formed the most basic ecology of the cultivation world.

If not for my bearing the Silver Stone Gate, encountering an enlightened teacher, charging through the Sea of Will, and obtaining an opportunity unimaginable to ordinary people, I might very well be one of them, painstakingly making my way along the long path of cultivation, exhausting my efforts for a single pill or a spirit crystal.

Several days later, at the far end of the distant land, a huge, ferocious, crimson canyon—as if cleaved by a heavenly god's giant axe—clearly came into everyone's view.

The canyon stretched ten thousand li, its cliffs on both sides steep as if carved, displaying a mottled palette of dark red, crimson, and black-red intertwined.

Above the canyon, the air twisted violently from the heat, forming visible heat-wave ripples to the naked eye, blurring the scenery beyond.

Even from a great distance, one could feel the scorching heat blowing toward them and the violent fire spirit power permeating the air.

Blazing Flame Valley, we have arrived.

Shi Lie halted his evasion light, his expression solemn as he looked at everyone, finally fixing his gaze on Wang Ping: "Fellow Daoist Wang, ahead is Blazing Flame Valley. Stay close to us; each step must be on a spot confirmed safe. Remember, getting out alive is more important than anything."

Wang Ping gazed at that burning land and nodded. His journey into Blazing Flame Valley had officially begun. Meanwhile, the members of the Fire Crow Squad did not realize that this "newcomer" they felt needed looking after had as his goal for this trip precisely the Blazing Flame Stone they talked about with dread and avoided at all costs.