Chapter 565: The Power of One Man Silences the Scene

The first figure racing toward the Sacred Flame Hall, just as it neared the white flame current, summoned a porcelain umbrella above its head; the white flame surged forward but was deflected sideways by the umbrella.

Shh!

The man’s figure successfully entered the hall.

With the first one leading the way, others also employed their own methods: some, like the man, used treasures to block the white flame; others relied purely on their formidable cultivation to charge straight through without fear.

In the span of a few minutes, half the cultivators on the plain had vanished.

“We should enter too.”

On the side of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, Jiang Chen spoke to his fellow disciples: “We don’t know what’s inside the Sacred Flame Hall, but entering together is safest—we can watch out for each other if danger arises.”

“Lin Brother, shall we go in together?”

Zeng Xi looked toward Lin Chen, who nodded; his gaze had just been drawn to two women.

Those two women entered the hall with effortless ease, and most importantly, he could not fathom the spiritual essence of one of them—clearly, the number of powerful figures drawn by this opening of the Sacred Flame Hall far exceeded his expectations.

…

…

Wan Huozong.

Among the mountains, the entrance to the Sacred Flame Realm.

At this entrance, numerous powerful figures had gathered, including elders from various sects.

This time, many disciples from each sect entered—those under fifty years old—and any mishap would be a devastating blow to any sect; none dared to take it lightly.

Shh!

A young figure emerged from the Sacred Flame Realm, disheveled and exhausted; only upon stepping out did he finally exhale in relief.

He had escaped. Lin Chen would surely enter the Sacred Flame Hall—he could not possibly abandon the chance to enter just to chase him. Once outside the Sacred Flame Realm, he could never re-enter.

Yan Rui landed on the ground; along his escape route, he had already planned how to appease his sect’s elders.

Master Wan and the others could never match Lin Chen’s strength. My escape isn’t out of cowardice—it’s to deliver news to the sect immediately, so they can send powerful cultivators to eliminate Lin Chen while he’s still inside. If Lin Chen’s power continues to grow, he will become a grave threat to our sect.

“You must be from the Bahuang Sect.”

As Yan Rui landed, two young men walked over with smiles. Seeing their Wan Huozong robes, Yan Rui’s wariness eased slightly, and he nodded: “Yes, I am Yan Rui of the Bahuang Sect.”

“Why are you leaving the Sacred Flame Realm now? Has something changed inside?”

Hearing the Wan Huozong disciple ask this, Yan Rui’s suspicion vanished completely. The Sacred Flame Realm was Wan Huozong’s secret domain; it was natural for them to dispatch disciples to monitor its condition.

“Rest assured, brothers, nothing has changed inside the Sacred Flame Realm—I left only due to personal sect matters.”

Yan Rui assumed this explanation would prompt the Wan Huozong disciples to leave. But to his surprise, they did not depart; instead, they pressed further: “Could you elaborate a bit more? We need to report accurately to our superiors.”

Yan Rui fell silent for a long moment, then said: “You must know of the war between my sect and Canglan Sect—Lin Chen of Canglan Sect is inside the secret realm. I must report this to my sect’s elders.”

In the end, Yan Rui chose to tell the truth. He believed Wan Huozong would never interfere in the conflict between two sects.

“I see.”

The two Wan Huozong disciples exchanged glances. One suddenly understood and smiled: “Then perhaps you should come with us to meet our elder first, clarify the matter, so we can report properly. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Hearing he must meet Wan Huozong’s elder, Yan Rui felt resentment—he thought he’d already explained clearly, and they had no right to detain him. But seeing their smiling faces, he couldn’t refuse.

Most importantly, this was Wan Huozong’s territory.

“Fine.”

Under the guidance of the two Wan Huozong disciples, Yan Rui was led to a courtyard.

“Where is your sect’s elder?”

Inside the courtyard, seeing only himself, Yan Rui frowned in confusion.

“Don’t rush, Brother Yan. Rest here for now—I’ll report to the elder immediately. With elders from many sects arriving, ours are all occupied with reception. I’m sure you understand.”

I don’t understand!

Yan Rui mentally grumbled. If they wouldn’t let him meet the elder, why detain him at all?

But he was already here, and they were still smiling. He could only grit his teeth and agree.

The two Wan Huozong disciples left the courtyard and stopped only once they were beyond Yan Rui’s spiritual sense range.

“Go inform Elder Zhuang immediately. I’ll keep watch on Yan Rui—he thinks he can still send word back to his sect? Pure fantasy.”

The two Wan Huozong disciples wore mocking expressions. If it were anyone else, fine—but Lin Chen had not only saved their sect, he had saved their lives. Had he not arrived at the critical moment, they’d be dead inside the Sacred Flame Realm.

With them here, Yan Rui would never get a message out to Bahuang Sect.

They informed Elder Zhuang because they knew he held Lin Chen in high regard. Once he learned of this, he would never let Yan Rui leave Wan Huozong alive.

“Should we get a few senior brothers to deal with Yan Rui…”

One Wan Huozong disciple made a throat-slitting gesture. The other shook his head: “We risk exposure. We can protect Lin Chen, but we can’t interfere in the conflict between Canglan and Bahuang. Let Elder Zhuang handle Yan Rui.”

Since they didn’t know the situation inside the Sacred Flame Realm, what if Bahuang’s top cultivator had sent Yan Rui out as a messenger? When the realm closed and Bahuang discovered Yan Rui missing, an investigation might drag Wan Huozong into the affair.

Even if they had to kill him, it should be Elder Zhuang—who could erase all traces without a single clue.

…

“A Bahuang Sect disciple?”

Zhuang Lie listened to his disciple’s report, his aged face hardening. He asked: “What realm is he in?”

“Early Stage of the Third Heaven Realm.”

“Then let him wait two days. If anyone else emerges from the Sacred Flame Realm, extract every detail they know about what happened inside.”

Zhuang Lie made his decision. As the reporting disciple turned toward the door, his voice rang out again: “Have He Yi keep watch. Don’t let him interact with anyone during this time.”

The disciple at the door stiffened, then quickly replied: “I’ll inform Senior Brother He immediately.”

Senior Brother He was at the Late Stage of the Third Heaven Realm and one of the senior disciples who had entered the Sacred Flame Realm. With Elder Zhuang assigning him to watch Yan Rui, and given He’s nature, Yan Rui wouldn’t utter a single word to anyone.

…

…

Inside the Sacred Flame Hall.