Chapter 164

This is an extremely vast square, its ground paved with dark red fire lava, inscribed with formations that gather fire spiritual power. At this moment, the square is crowded with people; besides the Burning Heaven Valley's own disciples, many cultivators who heard the news have come, each with extraordinary aura and fiery eyes.

In the center of the square stand several tall stone steles, their surfaces flashing with different fire runes, emitting heat and pressure of varying strength. The selection is not complex, but it severely tests one's foundation: the first stage, endure for the time of one incense stick before a designated stele, bearing its fire spiritual pressure; the second stage, identify and preliminarily process three designated fire-attribute ores; the third stage, then, maintain a clear mind within the 'Heart Fire Illusion' condensed by the Burning Heaven Valley elders.

Ling Xiao and the three others arrived with Shi Meng, immediately drawing many gazes. Ling Xiao's aura was restrained like an abyss, Luo Changfeng's sword intent was imposing, Xiao Muyu was warm and gentle like jade, Shi Ran……, well, Shi Ran was lovely and charming; the four of them stood out starkly in this place full of fire cultivators.

Soon, the selection began. For Luo Changfeng and Xiao Muyu, the first stage posed some pressure, but thanks to their deep cultivation and exquisite control of spiritual power, they both passed safely. When it was Shi Ran's turn, she chose a stele with moderate pressure.

As soon as she approached, the scorching fire spiritual pressure came like an invisible wall pressing down. Shi Ran immediately activated the Netherworld Tranquil Seal; a tranquil aura surrounded her, blocking most of the heat and pressure. However, the fire spiritual energy here was extremely dense, greatly counteracting her technique; maintaining the Netherworld Tranquil Seal consumed far more than usual. Her face turned slightly pale, fine sweat beaded on her forehead, yet her posture remained upright, her gaze calm, standing firmly before the stele.

Time passed second by second; many cultivators around, unable to withstand the pressure, turned flushed, some even staggered back and were forced to withdraw. Shi Ran, however, was like a secluded orchid in a raging storm—though appearing delicate, her foundation was extraordinarily solid.

On the high platform, a red-faced elder in charge of supervision let out a soft 'Huh,' his gaze falling on Shi Ran: 'This girl…… actually managed to persist until now? Her spiritual sense seems quite extraordinary.'

Beside him stood an old man with a stern visage, wearing a crimson robe with golden cauldron patterns embroidered on the cuffs—the steward of the Grand Elder Chi Xuan's lineage. Hearing this, he snorted coldly: 'She's merely relying on some exotic treasure or special technique to force herself through; her foundation is insubstantial, making great achievements unlikely.'

Finally, the time of one incense stick elapsed. Shi Ran secretly exhaled in relief, stepped back slowly, her internal spiritual power already nearly half depleted.

The second stage, identifying ores, was not difficult for Shi Ran, whose spiritual sense was strong and she was meticulous and cautious. She accurately discerned the properties of the three ores, and with Extinction Power carefully stripped the violent fire toxin from the surface of one ore; her technique was so exquisite that the examiner steward also gave a slight nod.

Soon came the third stage, the 'Heart Fire Illusion.' A Burning Heaven Valley elder flicked his sleeve, and a crimson-red light curtain enveloped the cultivators who had passed the first two stages. In an instant, Shi Ran felt the scene before her warp, as if she had fallen into an endless sea of fire; the scorching flames not only seared her body but also tried to stir her inner demons, burning her soul.

'Uphold the original heart, extinction returns to the void…' she silently chanted the formula; the Netherworld Tranquil Seal's light in her sea of consciousness stabilized, firmly guarding her spirit platform. Yet this Heart Fire Illusion seemed to amplify the internal power conflicts of cultivators. The clash between her Extinction Origin and the external yang fire environment, the faint agitation of the Red Silk Thread, even the resentment of the suppressed abyssal devil power, were all subtly stirred within the illusion.

Just as she felt her spiritual sense waver and the illusion's fire was about to invade her spirit platform, the wooden box holding the seven-colored feathers in her storage ring once again sent forth a gentle warm current. This power was not strong, yet it brought an indescribable tranquility and harmony, like a spring breeze over scorched earth, quietly soothing the turbulent force within her body, allowing her spirit platform to regain clarity.

The illusion's fire gradually faded. Shi Ran opened her eyes to find herself still standing on the drill field, her whole body feeling fresh; the earlier ordeal seemed like merely a dream. She unconsciously stroked her storage ring, her apprehension and curiosity toward that feather deepening further.

In the end, all four successfully passed the selection, gaining the qualification to enter the Crimson Flame Path. Ling Xiao's cultivation was profound, naturally not needing mention; Luo Changfeng shattered the illusion with his peerless sword intent, while Xiao Muyu steadied her soul with her sincere heart; each had their own method.

When the list was announced, the cold-faced steward's gaze lingered on Shi Ran for a moment, carrying a hint of scrutiny and a barely perceptible chill.

Shi Meng came forward excitedly to congratulate, and again whispered a reminder: 'Several benefactors, inside the Crimson Flame Path the environment is not only harsh, but also teems with many fire-system spirits and even space rifts; moreover…… you must guard against the disciples of the Grand Elder Chi Xuan's lineage. They may target outsiders on the path, especially those as outstanding as you.'

Ling Xiao clasped his hands: 'Thank you for your repeated reminders, little friend; we will naturally be careful.'

Three days later, the day the Crimson Flame Path opened.

Deep within Burning Heaven Valley, before a huge space rift that seemed torn asunder, hundreds of qualified cultivators stood solemnly. Beyond the rift lay a vast expanse of twisted, scorching red, filled with an aura of destruction and vitality intertwined—this was the outer region of the Heart of the Molten Fire, the Crimson Flame Path.

Valley Master Yan Jin and Grand Elder Chi Xuan both appeared. Yan Jin was a middle-aged man of refined bearing and deep eyes, his aura like an abyss and sea. Chi Xuan had red hair and beard, exuding might without anger, his whole body radiating a powerful fire-spirit pressure.

Without extra words, as the two titans simultaneously cast a seal, the spatial rift stabilized, forming a flame-vortex-shaped entrance.

"The Scarlet Flame Path opens, lasting seven days. Whether you gain anything depends on fortune and opportunity! Remember, act within your limits!" Yan Jin's voice was calm yet reached everyone's ears.

"Go in!" Chi Xuan waved his hand, his voice like a great bell.

In an instant, streams of light rushed forward, shooting into the flame vortex.

Ling Xiao glanced at the disciples, gave a slight nod. The four linked their spiritual power, forming a stream of iridescent light that closely followed the crowd and plunged into the unknown and perilous Scarlet Flame Path.

Just as the four figures disappeared into the flame vortex, the wooden box in Shi Ran's storage ring again transmitted a clear scorching sensation; at the same time, the red silk band on her wrist also emitted a faint yet sharp pang.

It seemed as if something, deep in the heart of the molten fire, was awaiting her arrival.

Before them lay a violent torrent of light and heat.

Upon stepping into the flame vortex, Shi Ran felt as if she had plunged into the sun's core. Scorching energy pressed in from all directions; the air reeked of sulfur and molten rock, while cracked black ground oozed dark‑red lava beneath her feet. In the distance, crimson ridges undulated like a beast's spine, and deeper still, towering fire pillars and warped air hinted at the terrifying heat.

Here the fire-spirit aura was not only dense but also carried a primordial violence and chaos, far beyond what the outskirts of Liuhuo City could match. Shi Ran's inner essence of extinction almost instantly sounded a sharp warning upon entry; the Netherworld Stillness Seal spun at unprecedented speed, a pale, cold light forming a thin barrier on her body to resist the all‑penetrating scorching invasion. The stabbing pain in her meridians intensified sharply, as if countless red‑hot needles were repeatedly piercing her.

She let out a muffled groan; her face instantly turned ashen, and the sweat beading on her forehead evaporated into white vapor before it could fall.

"Junior Sister!" Xiao Mu Yu sensed her abnormality at once, stepped forward, and poured warm water‑wood spiritual energy over her to ease her discomfort. But this power clashed with the locale's violent fire spirit, yielding little effect.

Ling Xiao swept his gaze around, then said in a low voice: "The fire spirit here has mutated, containing an intent of extinction‑madness, which greatly counters Ranran's technique. Restrain your breath, keep your hearts steady; we must quickly find a relatively stable area."

Luo Chang Feng's long sword was already in hand; a fierce sword intent spontaneously surrounded him, silently slicing the approaching waves of scorching heat. He kept a sharp watch on his surroundings: "Stay close to me."

The four dared not delay, picking a direction where the fire‑spirit fluctuations were relatively (if only relatively) calm, and hurried forward. The rough map Shi Meng had earlier provided marked only a few rough zones and danger signs; in this chaotic land its guidance was limited.

Shi Ran gritted her teeth, focusing all her mind on maintaining the Netherworld Stillness Seal. Within her sea of consciousness, the demonic power surged actively under the stimulus of the external environment, yet remained controllable under the dual suppression of the seal and the faint harmonious aura of the seven‑colored feather. The red silk band on her wrist continued to send waves of burning pain, its sensation waxing and waning with the feather's response, pointing toward the depths of the molten fire's heart, as if there were a common source drawing them there.

After advancing for about an hour, they encountered the first wave of danger—not cultivators, but fire‑spirit sprites bred in this place.

They were a swarm of "fire lizards" composed purely of flame and magma—small in size but numerous and extremely fast, bursting from the cracks of scorched black rock and lunging at the intruders with a scorching breath.

"Careful!" Luo Chang Feng barked low, his sword light flashing like cold lightning cleaving the void. His sword qi was not fire‑aligned but pure metallic sharpness, which proved especially effective in this fire domain; where his light passed, the fire lizards were cut down into scattering sparks.

Ling Xiao did not strike; he merely flicked his sleeve, and an invisible wall of qi crushed the approaching fire lizards. His gaze remained fixed on Shi Ran and the movements farther away.

Xiao Mu Yu formed seals with both hands, summoning a translucent jade‑green vine phantom; though greatly suppressed here and its light dimmed, it still flexibly entwined several fire lizards attacking from the flanks, easing Luo Chang Feng's burden.

Shi Ran endured the discomfort, her fingertips flickering with a dim light as she shot several streams of extinction‑finger wind. Her attacks were less effective against these pure‑energy sprites than Luo Chang Feng's sword qi, but striking precisely at their cores could still disperse them instantly. Each mobilization of spiritual power intensified the internal conflict a notch, her meridians feeling as if scorched by fierce fire.

After clearing the fire lizards, the four paused briefly. Shi Ran's breathing steadied a little; she took out a waterskin, sipped, and the icy liquid slid down her throat, bringing a moment of cool relief.

"This is merely the outskirts, yet already so difficult." Xiao Mu Yu looked at Shi Ran's pallid face, worried.

"The Molten Fire Heart lives up to its name." Luo Chang Feng sheathed his sword, brow slightly furrowed, "The deeper we go, the stronger the fire‑spirit sprites will likely become."

Ling Xiao lifted his gaze to the distorted sky in the depths, then said slowly: "The anomaly of the fire spirit here indeed differs from past records. The Blazing Heaven Valley's premature opening of the Scarlet Flame Path suggests it is not merely an internal squabble."

As they spoke, a violent surge of energy and battle sounds came from ahead, mixed with a few angry shouts.

The four exchanged a glance, restrained their breath, and stealthily approached. Hiding behind a massive scorching rock, they saw ahead a relatively open shore of a lava lake where two forces were locked in fierce combat.

One side consisted of three cultivators wearing the core disciple robes of Blazing Heaven Valley, their collars and cuffs embroidered with a golden cauldron totem—the mark of Grand Elder Chi Xuan's lineage. They wielded flame‑type magical implements, attacking ferociously in seamless coordination.

The other side were two outsider cultivators, a man and a woman; the man brandished a wide‑bladed heavy sword with a sinking, fierce strike, while the woman held a feather fan, unleashing gusts of icy wind—clearly she practiced an ice‑based art, which was heavily suppressed here, leaving her struggling to cope and in constant peril.

"Hmph, mere loose cultivators dare to contend with my Blazing Heaven Valley for the 'Earth Fire Lotus Core'? Know your place and scram, or I'll spare your lives!" The leading Blazing Heaven Valley disciple sneered, manipulating a fire‑flamed spear, relentlessly assaulting the swordsman.

The man strained to block, his tiger's mouth split, and he shouted angrily: "These spiritual objects are ownerless; your Blazing Heaven Valley is being overbearing!"

"Overbearing? In this Scarlet Flame Path, my Blazing Heaven Valley sets the rules!" Another disciple scoffed, joining forces to attack the woman. Her icy wind lost much power in the scorching heat, and her protective shield wavered on the verge of collapse.

Ling Xiao's eyes turned slightly cold. Luo Chang Feng gripped his sword hilt, looking to his master. Xiao Mu Yu also showed a reluctant expression.

Shi Ran's gaze, however, fell on a protruding black reef at the center of the lava lake, where a crimson lotus grew, its petals like burning flames, its seed‑pod holding a golden core that radiated pure fire‑spirit power—this was the "Earth Fire Lotus Core." Such an item is a fine aid for fire cultivators to raise their rank, but it is of little use to the four of them.

Yet, the instant her eyes touched the Earth Fire Lotus Core, a faint tremor ran through her sea of consciousness—not from demonic power or the red silk band, but from the ever‑still Netherworld Stillness Seal hovering within, which seemed to resonate weakly with a certain "extinction"‑tinged scorching emanation from the lotus core. At the same time, the feather in her storage ring twitched slightly.

(This lotus core… seems to contain a hint of a peculiar fire‑extinction true intent?)

Her thoughts flashed, and she immediately sent a mental message to Ling Xiao: "Master, that Earth Fire Lotus Core seems odd; it may be related to the anomaly of the fire spirit here."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao turned his gaze back to the lotus, sensed it carefully, gave a slight nod: "Indeed, its fire spirit is fierce, yet within lies a hint of withering intent—nothing ordinary."

Just then, the situation in the arena suddenly changed. The woman wielding a feather fan, caught off guard, was entangled by a fire chain around her ankle, let out a startled cry, and fell downward. The man wielding a heavy blade had his eyes almost bursting, wanting to rescue but was tightly bound.