After bidding Ling Xue farewell, Xiao Yan headed south.
The battle at Soul-Severing Cliff had taken a tremendous toll on him. Though several days of recuperation had restored most of his Origin Qi, the exhaustion that had sunk into his bones had yet to fully fade. Rather than hurry on, he slowed his pace, taking in the local customs of the southern Northern Region while using the opportunity to consolidate his cultivation.
Most of the towns and villages he passed through still bore traces of the Blood Shadow Cult's rampage. The common people remained shaken whenever they spoke of the cult, but when they heard the outcome of the battle at Soul-Severing Cliff, especially how Xiao Yan had single-handedly turned the tide, every one of them looked at him with awe and gratitude.
The feeling of being remembered stirred something unusual in Xiao Yan. He had never thought of becoming a savior, yet without meaning to, he had shielded this land from a calamity.
"Does greater strength mean greater responsibility...?" Xiao Yan murmured as he gazed at the distant, rolling mountains. In his previous life on the Dou Qi Continent, he had started by seeking revenge for the Xiao Clan and climbed step by step to the position of Flame Emperor. Had he not also been driven forward by responsibility and conviction? Now that he had come to the Great Thousand World, this path seemed no different.
Half a month later, he arrived at a great city called Li Fire City.
As its name suggested, Li Fire City was filled with dense fire-attribute energy. Most of the buildings lining its streets were built of red stone, and even the air carried a trace of dry heat. Most of the cultivators in the city practiced fire-element cultivation methods. Walking down the streets, one could often see guards clad in flame armor, or fire-element pills and magic implements displayed outside shops.
"What dense fire-attribute energy." Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and the Green Lotus Core Flame and Fallen Heart Flame within him actually stirred slightly, as though drawn by something.
He found an inn and settled in, intending to rest there for a few days and make inquiries about the Southern Region. As far as he knew, Li Fire City was a major stronghold at the border between the Northern and Southern Regions. Many cultivators passed through, and news traveled freely.
He had barely settled in when the innkeeper approached him, all smiles. "Sir, there's an elderly gentleman outside who says he wants to see you. He says he's an old acquaintance of yours."
"An old acquaintance?" Xiao Yan was puzzled. He had never been to Li Fire City, so how could he have an old acquaintance here?
"Let him in."
A moment later, an old man in gray Daoist robes entered behind the innkeeper. His hair and beard were white, his face lean, and he leaned on a cane patterned with copper. His eyes were cloudy yet held a glint of sharpness. Not the slightest ripple of Origin Qi came from him, and he appeared utterly unremarkable.
But the instant Xiao Yan saw the old man, his heart stirred. The feeling he gave Xiao Yan was somewhat similar to that of the sand guardian in the Crimson Sand Desert. Both had the bearing of someone who had returned to simplicity and concealed his depths.
"And you are?" Xiao Yan asked, rising to his feet.
The old man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. "I trust you've been well, young friend? I am the pavilion master of the Burning Heaven Pavilion in Li Fire City. My surname is Qin, and my given name is Yan."
"Qin Yan? The Burning Heaven Pavilion?" Xiao Yan had never heard the name.
Qin Yan seemed to notice his confusion and explained with a smile, "The Burning Heaven Pavilion is a small force in Li Fire City. We specialize in collecting heavenly treasures and secret cultivation manuals related to flames. I heard that you used Heavenly Flames to defeat the Blood Shadow Cult at Soul-Severing Cliff, young friend, and came to pay you a visit out of admiration."
Xiao Yan understood. The man had clearly come for his Heavenly Flames. Without betraying his thoughts, he said, "You're too kind, Pavilion Master Qin. It was a mere lift of the hand."
"You're too modest, young friend." Qin Yan waved a hand. "At the Peak Origin King realm, you fought the Blood Shadow Cult leader, an Intermediate Origin Emperor, and you possess two kinds of Heavenly Flames. Among the younger generation of the entire Northern Region, you must rank first."
He paused, then changed the subject. "Besides paying you a visit, I have come today to ask a favor."
"Please, go ahead, Pavilion Master Qin."
"A thousand li west of Li Fire City lies the Earth Fire Abyss, the remains of an ancient volcano. At the bottom of the abyss, a Heavenly Flame called the Netherworld Core Flame is being nurtured." A hint of anticipation flashed in Qin Yan's eyes. "But the abyss is filled with fire poison, and powerful fire-element ferocious beasts have made their home there. The Burning Heaven Pavilion has sent people to investigate many times, but they have all returned empty-handed. Since you possess Heavenly Flames, young friend, you may be able to subdue this flame. I would like to ask for your help. If you succeed, the Netherworld Core Flame will be yours. The Burning Heaven Pavilion won't take a single coin, and we'll offer you a hundred thousand Middle-Grade Origin Qi Pills as thanks."
"Netherworld Core Flame?" Xiao Yan's heart stirred.
His ability to sense Heavenly Flames far surpassed that of ordinary people, and he could tell Qin Yan was speaking the truth. To him, Heavenly Flames were not only a powerful means of fighting, but also an important aid in increasing his strength. Especially here in the Great Thousand World, one more Heavenly Flame meant one more measure of confidence.
Moreover, a hundred thousand Middle-Grade Origin Qi Pills were enough wealth to tempt many Origin Emperor experts, and would solve his shortage of cultivation resources.
"Is the Earth Fire Abyss dangerous?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Danger is only natural," Qin Yan said frankly. "Even Origin Emperor experts struggle to withstand the fire poison at the bottom of the abyss. There is also a Lava Hell Lion guarding the Netherworld Core Flame, with strength comparable to a High-Grade Origin Emperor. If you're unwilling, young friend, I won't force you."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then a flash of resolve appeared in his eyes. "All right, I agree."
To him, challenges and opportunities often went hand in hand. Strong as the Lava Hell Lion was at the High-Grade Origin Emperor level, his own strength was now infinitely close to that of an Intermediate Origin Emperor. With the help of the Origin Stabilizing Divine Stone and the Void Origin Stone Fragment, he might well be able to put up a fight. Besides, the temptation of the Netherworld Core Flame was one he could not resist.
A delighted smile appeared on Qin Yan's face. "You're refreshingly straightforward, young friend! When would it be convenient for you to set out?"
"Tomorrow morning will do," Xiao Yan said. "I need to make some preparations first."
"Good! I'll come to the inn and wait for you tomorrow morning." Qin Yan rose to take his leave. Before he left, he gave Xiao Yan a long look, his expression complicated and difficult to read.
After Qin Yan left, Xiao Yan closed the door, a slight frown on his face.
Qin Yan seemed forthright, but Xiao Yan could not shake the feeling that things were not so simple. As a local force in Li Fire City, why would the Burning Heaven Pavilion hand such an important opportunity to someone else? The Earth Fire Abyss was likely more complicated than Qin Yan had said.
"When soldiers come, send a general to block them; when water comes, build an earthen dam." Xiao Yan shook his head and thought no more about it. Whatever dangers lay ahead, he was confident he could handle them.
He spent the rest of the time carefully checking the contents of his Storage Ring: he had plenty of healing pills, the Heavy Xuan Ruler was intact, and the Origin Stabilizing Divine Stone and Void Origin Stone Fragment were safely stored away. There was also the black token he had found on the Blood Shadow Cult leader, as well as the Sect Breaking Pill he had yet to use.
"Perhaps this trip to the Earth Fire Abyss will be my opportunity to break through to Origin Emperor." Xiao Yan looked at the Sect Breaking Pill, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Qin Yan arrived at the inn on time. He had brought two Burning Heaven Pavilion disciples with him, both at the Peak Origin King level. They carried packs on their backs and had clearly made thorough preparations for the expedition.
"Young friend, are you ready?" Qin Yan asked.
"We can leave now." Xiao Yan nodded.
The four of them left Li Fire City and flew west toward the Earth Fire Abyss.
Qin Yan did not fly quickly and seemed to be deliberately slowing his pace. Along the way, he occasionally told Xiao Yan about the Earth Fire Abyss and the local customs of Li Fire City, speaking in a rather friendly manner.
Xiao Yan answered every question put to him, but remained on guard, secretly watching Qin Yan and the two disciples for any change in their expressions. He noticed nothing unusual.
After flying for roughly half a day, the world ahead gradually became shrouded in crimson. The fire-attribute energy in the air grew so dense it was almost impossible to disperse. The outline of a vast black volcano was faintly visible ahead: the Earth Fire Abyss.
The closer they drew, the higher the temperature rose. Even Xiao Yan could feel a trace of scorching heat, while the two Burning Heaven Pavilion disciples circulated their Origin Qi to form protective barriers over their bodies.
"The Earth Fire Abyss is just ahead." Qin Yan pointed to the enormous crater before them. "The abyss is about ten li across and so deep the bottom can't be seen. The fire poison and intense heat are concentrated at the bottom. We can only descend through the crater."
Xiao Yan gazed into the pitch-black crater. He could sense terrifying fluctuations of energy coming from within, along with the faintest trace of a Heavenly Flame's presence, and his anticipation grew.
"Let's go."
The four landed at the edge of the crater and looked down. Dark red mist filled the abyss, with searing currents of air churning within it. It gave off a pungent smell of sulfur. This was the fire poison Qin Yan had mentioned.
"Young friend, these are Fire-Avoiding Pills. They can ward off the fire poison and intense heat. Take them first." Qin Yan handed him three crimson pills.
Xiao Yan accepted the pills and examined them. After confirming there was nothing wrong with them, he took them. They melted in his mouth, and a cool sensation instantly spread through his body, counteracting the surrounding heat.
"Let's go down. Be careful," Qin Yan said, then leaped into the abyss first.
Xiao Yan and the two Burning Heaven Pavilion disciples followed close behind.
The air currents inside the abyss were extremely turbulent, filled with searing, razor-sharp winds. Visibility was very low. The four had no choice but to slow down and fly carefully downward.
The farther down they went, the denser the fire poison became. The Fire-Avoiding Pills gradually lost their effect, and even Xiao Yan could feel waves of stinging pain on his skin.
"We're almost there. It's just ahead," Qin Yan said, pointing to a spot not far below.
Xiao Yan looked in the direction he pointed and saw the faint outline of a lava lake at the bottom of the abyss. A mass of deep blue flame burned atop a black rock in the middle of the lake, the space around it twisting slightly. It was the Netherworld Core Flame!
Beside the lava lake, an enormous lion lay sleeping. Dark red scales covered its entire body, and its mane resembled burning flames. It was the Lava Hell Lion!
"So the Netherworld Core Flame really is here!" A flicker of delight flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Just then, Qin Yan suddenly stopped. The smile vanished from his face, and his eyes turned cold.
The two Burning Heaven Pavilion disciples instantly spread out as well, surrounding Xiao Yan and releasing their Peak Origin King presence without restraint.
Xiao Yan's heart sank. This is bad. There really is something wrong!
"Pavilion Master Qin, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Yan asked coldly, instantly circulating the Origin Qi within him.
Qin Yan grinned, revealing a mouthful of deathly white teeth. His voice was chilling. "Young friend Xiao Yan, don't blame me for being ruthless. We want the Netherworld Core Flame, and we want your two Heavenly Flames as well!"
"You never had good intentions from the start!" Xiao Yan's eyes turned cold.
"That's right." Qin Yan admitted it openly. "Since the battle at Soul-Severing Cliff, news that you possess Heavenly Flames has spread throughout the Northern Region. Young people like you, carrying such priceless treasures, make the easiest prey. I'm merely one of the hunters."
He glanced at the sleeping Lava Hell Lion, a vicious glint in his eyes. "I originally intended to let you and the Lava Hell Lion injure each other, while I sat back and reaped the fisherman's profit. But it seems taking you down directly will save more effort."
"Just the three of you?" Xiao Yan snorted coldly. The Heavy Xuan Ruler appeared in his hand, and flames instantly sprang to life. "You're far too naive!"
"Whether we're naive or not, we'll know once we've tried!" A ruthless glint flashed in Qin Yan's eyes. "Attack!"
The two Burning Heaven Pavilion disciples attacked at once. Two ribbons of scorching flame shot toward Xiao Yan, sealing off every avenue of escape.
Qin Yan's figure flickered, and the copper-patterned cane in his hand suddenly burst with intense light. A concentrated pillar of fire shot from its head, carrying a destructive presence as it hurtled straight for Xiao Yan's face!
At that moment, his presence surged, reaching the Intermediate Origin Emperor level!
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted. He had not expected Qin Yan to have concealed his strength!
Yet, facing the three attackers, Xiao Yan felt no fear. Instead, a flash of fighting spirit appeared in his eyes.
They wanted to take his Heavenly Flames? Then let them try with their own strength!
A sudden battle erupted at the bottom of the Earth Fire Abyss.