Creak...!
The final stone door opened. Xiao Chen led everyone onward, but beyond it was no longer another monotonous passageway, but a long flight of stairs.
In the distance, another massive altar stood at the end of the staircase. The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame might be there. Xiao Heng vaguely sensed that something was wrong. He glanced at Xiao Yan, only to see him smiling.
His Third Eye quietly opened. After looking once more at the altar, it closed, and his face also
broke into a smile. "Let's go!"
After walking for over ten minutes, they finally reached the end of the stairs. Ahead, atop the altar, stood a massive throne, upon which a figure in white robes sat quietly.
The figure sat silently, dressed in white robes. He was rather handsome, with an almost demonic charm, while milky-white flames swirled around him, constantly shifting into various forms.
The man simply sat there, without much terrifyingly powerful aura leaking from his body. Yet there was an indescribable strangeness about him, as though he could never be defeated.
As everyone stepped onto the altar, the figure looked down at them from above. The corners of his lips curled slightly, and his chin lifted faintly, revealing an unparalleled arrogance and confidence.
"Defeat me, and you may obtain the flame source. Otherwise, remain here forever and become my Fire Slaves." His voice was clear and distant, like a mountain stream—soft, yet carrying far. Still, no matter how one looked at him, there was something strange about him.
For some reason, although no terrifying aura emanated from him, Gu Nan Hai, Zi Yan, and the others all felt that he was invincible. They even felt powerless, as though no matter how hard they tried, they would be unable to move him in the slightest.