The moment they appeared, a scorching, dry wind struck their faces, laden with the odors of sulfur and decay.
Looking out, they saw a land of interwoven crimson and charred black, crisscrossed by fissures and ravines. On the distant horizon, a terrifying abyss seethed with dark red flames and thick smoke, stretching beyond sight like a hideous scar across the earth.
That was the Abyss of Karmic Fire.
Legend held that this deadly place had formed in primordial times, when fire erupted from the star's core and mingled with some strange netherworld power. Inextinguishable karmic fire burned here year-round, capable of consuming not only flesh but also souls and stirring heart demons. Ordinary cultivators who entered would turn to ashes within moments; even their nascent souls could not escape.
Deeper within lay countless ancient restrictions, spatial rifts, and strange, vicious creatures nurtured by the karmic fire. Danger lurked everywhere.
Even Return to Void mighty cultivators dared not venture lightly into its heart.
"What a deadly place."
True Lord Qingwei gazed at the churning sea of fire, his expression grave.
"The fire spiritual energy here is extraordinarily violent, mixed with netherworld death energy and resentment. It corrodes cultivators' magical power and souls with tremendous force."
"Lingering here may damage our Dao foundations."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Great Compassion Zen Venerable invoked the Buddha's name. Gentle golden Buddhist light rose around him, shutting out the heat and corrosive power. "Fierce though karmic fire may be, this is also an excellent place to temper the Buddhist heart and hone the will.
"For our Buddhist Sect, it may not be entirely a bad thing."
Xing Chanzi nodded as well. The Buddha Beads in his hand emitted cool moonlight, mingling with his Buddhist light to protect him.
True Lord Caiyun, meanwhile, produced a seemingly ordinary palm-leaf fan