They made their way to the end of the passage.
At the end of the passage was not the grand hall Ye Lin had imagined, but an enormous open-air circular valley.
This valley was immense.
At its center, a pool of crimson-gold water boiled and churned, as though countless suns were rising and sinking beneath its surface.
"Young Master Ye Lin, this place is the Ancestral Flame Pool, the most highly valued sacred ground of our Vermilion Bird Clan."
"Ordinarily, the Ancestral Flame Pool is forbidden to outsiders. But this time, it happens to be our Vermilion Bird Clan's Nirvana Festival, and Young Master Ye Lin has honored us with his presence. It is truly double happiness."
Listening to Chi Lian's pretty words, Ye Lin gave a faint nod without replying.
Anyone could butter someone up.
Ye Lin just did not fall for that sort of thing.
At that moment, Ye Lin was observing the entire Ancestral Flame Pool.
There was no banquet by the pool. Several hundred Vermilion Bird Clan members sat scattered about at leisure.
Most of them were young men and women, each dressed in lightweight garments embroidered with flame patterns.
Every one of them radiated an incomparably scorching aura.
These people were entirely different from the Vermilion Bird Clan members outside.
They were stronger.
And Ye Lin's group's arrival had not drawn their attention in the slightest.
Instead, they were discussing matters among themselves, exchanging insights on the Dao.
There were even young children playing and frolicking with one another here, utterly carefree and joyous.
"Young Master Ye Lin, feel free to look around as you please."
"During our Vermilion Bird Clan's Nirvana Festival, there are no guests—only friends."
Chi Lian pointed toward the distant Ancestral Flame Pool and smiled softly.
"Alright."
Ye Lin nodded and