Turmoil in the Central Plains: Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array

[System notification: Main quest "Ten Thousand Flames Return to Origin" activated. Current team status: Xiao Yan (Green Lotus Core Flame + Gu Clan sacred flame fragment + Earth Vein Flame Seed, Early Dou Emperor), Zi Yan (Dragon-Phoenix Bloodline fully awakened, Early Dou Emperor), Lin Yan (Burning Heaven Flame fused with Nether Prison Purple Flame, Peak Dou Wang), Ye Xinlan (alchemy advanced to the "Pill King" realm, Peak Dou Wang), Lu Mu (array grandmaster, Peak Dou Wang), Wu Hao (great axe techniques fused with spatial power, Peak Dou Wang), Lin Xiuya (sword intent made tangible, Peak Dou Wang), Hu Gan (defensive technique "Black Tortoise Indestructible Body" at minor mastery, Peak Dou Wang). Quest objective: Within three days, set up the "Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array" in the ancient city of the Central Plains and suppress the remnant soul of the Mother of Heavenly Flames before she awakens.]

Chapter 1: Shadows over the Ancient City and the Remnants of Burning Heaven Valley

The ancient city lay in the heart of the Central Plains. Once the Gu Clan's center for deliberations, it was now nothing but broken walls and ruins, shrouded in a thin gray mist. Mixed into the mist was Spirit-Devouring Miasma, which could silently devour Dou Qi. Only those carrying a Miasma-Clearing Pill or possessing a Heavenly Flame could enter safely.

"This miasma is even more sinister than the Bone-Corroding Miasma in the volcanic region." Ye Xinlan took out her alchemy cauldron, pale green Dou Qi gathering at her fingertips. "The Miasma-Clearing Pills I refined only last four hours. We need to find the array core quickly."

Lu Mu unfolded the Ancient Map he carried with him. The outline of the ancient city on it matched the ruins before them for the most part. "The core of the Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array is at the Heaven Burning Platform in the city center, but all three roads leading there have been deliberately damaged and are full of traps."

"Remnants of Burning Heaven Valley." Green Lotus Core Flame ignited at Xiao Yan's fingertips, illuminating black figures flickering in and out of sight within the mist. "Their Qi is identical to Mo Xuan's. It seems they're here to stop us from setting up the array."

[System notification: Encountered remnants of Burning Heaven Valley (Middle Dou Wang x20, Peak Dou Wang x5). "Ancient City Ambush" event triggered.]

Before he had finished speaking, twenty-five black shadows sprang from the ruins. Dark purple flames flickered along the curved sabers in their hands-the Nether Flame Blades that were Burning Heaven Valley's signature weapons. Their leader was a one-eyed old man with a bronze patch over his left eye. His presence was slightly weaker than Mo Xuan's, but more sinister and vicious.

"Xiao Yan, hand over the Gu Clan heart seal fragment, and I, Mo Tu, will grant you a quick death." The one-eyed elder's voice rasped like a broken gong. He swung his Nether Flame Blade, sending a slash of purple blade Qi at Xiao Yan. It ignited the Spirit-Devouring Miasma in its path, turning it into purple fire snakes.

"You think you can?" Xiao Yan flickered, and his Green Lotus Core Flame became several threads of fire that shredded the purple blade Qi. "Wu Hao, Lin Xiuya, left flank! Zi Yan, Hu Gan, right flank! Lin Yan, break through the center with me!"

The moment battle erupted:

- Wu Hao swept his great axe across, his Dou Qi condensing into an axe shadow over ten feet wide. It cleaved three Burning Heaven Valley disciples and their sabers in half, while the spatial rifts on the axe blade kept their wounds from healing.

- Lin Xiuya's sword moved with him, his sword intent taking the tangible form of a silver-white hawk. It tore through the mist and precisely pierced a disciple's Dou Qi shield-his "Eagle Strikes the Vast Sky" sword intent could now ignore thirty percent of an opponent's defenses.

- Zi Yan spread her dragon wings, her Dragon-Phoenix Power becoming a golden torrent. Everywhere it passed, the purple flames on the Nether Flame Blades went out. A Peak Dou Wang disciple caught in the torrent had every bone in his body shattered.

- Hu Gan used the "Black Tortoise Indestructible Body," turning his skin dark gold. He took three blows from Nether Flame Blades head-on, then struck back with a punch that broke an attacker's ribs. When his fist grazed the ground, even the flying rubble carried residual waves of Dou Qi.

- Lin Yan fused his Burning Heaven Flame with Nether Prison Purple Flame, forming a wall of purple-gold fire. The Burning Heaven Valley disciples' blade Qi was instantly purified into white smoke when it touched the wall. He seized the chance to charge out, his flames becoming chains that wrapped around two disciples' necks.

Xiao Yan faced Mo Tu directly. His Green Lotus Core Flame and Gu Clan sacred flame fragment erupted at once, forming a vortex of gold-green fire. "Mo Xuan has already died at the Mother of Heavenly Flames' hands. Are you still going to persist in your delusion?"

"Nonsense!" Mo Tu's single eye bulged, and the purple flames on his Nether Flame Blade surged. "The valley master is absorbing the Mother of Heavenly Flames' power in the Earth Core Fire Vein. Once he comes out of seclusion, the entire Central Plains will be ours!"

He plunged his Nether Flame Blade into the ground. Countless pillars of purple fire suddenly burst from beneath the ancient city's ruins, forming a gigantic cage around Xiao Yan and the others. "This is the Nether Flame Purgatory Array. It was made to counter Heavenly Flames. Just wait for the miasma to drain your Dou Qi dry!"

[System notification: "Nether Flame Purgatory Array" triggered. Team Dou Qi recovery speed reduced by 50%. Purple Flame burns inflicted once every 10 minutes (damage equivalent to 10% of the victim's own Dou Qi).]

Ye Xinlan immediately threw out dozens of pills. They burst in midair, forming a pale green shield that temporarily blocked the Purple Flame burns. "The array's power sources are in the stone statues around us! Lu Mu, can you break it?"

Lu Mu stared at the eight damaged stone statues along the edge of the cage. Purple crystals were embedded in their eyes. "It's a variant of the Eight Desolations Spirit-Locking Array. Destroy four statues, and an opening will appear in the array!"

"I'll do it!" Wu Hao shouldered his great axe. Its blade cut through space, leaving an afterimage as he appeared before a stone statue in an instant. "Break!" His axe struck the statue's head, shattering the purple crystal. Ripples immediately appeared in one corner of the cage.

Immediately afterward, Lin Xiuya's sword intent, Zi Yan's Dragon-Phoenix light arrows, and Hu Gan's heavy fist each destroyed another statue. The light of the Nether Flame Purgatory Array visibly dimmed.

"It's no use!" Mo Tu gave a vicious laugh and pulled a black token from his robes. Burning Heaven Valley's emblem was carved into it. "The valley master gave me the Nether Flame Token. It can detonate the array core!"

He threw the token into the air. It turned into a bolt of purple-black lightning and shot toward the Heaven Burning Platform. Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. The Gu Clan sacred flame fragment suddenly flew out, becoming a golden shield of light that stopped the lightning in midair.

"You want to detonate the core? You'll have to get past me first!" Xiao Yan shot forward like lightning and caught up with the falling token. The fused flames in his palm enveloped it, instantly purifying the Purple Flame on its surface and revealing a black talisman inside-a detonation talisman drawn with the essence blood of living people.

"Impossible!" Mo Tu's eyes nearly split with fury. He turned and tried to flee.

"Stay here!" Lin Yan's purple-gold flames became a long whip that wrapped around Mo Tu's ankle and dragged him back. Wu Hao's great axe fell immediately afterward, pinning him to the ground.

[System notification: Nether Flame Purgatory Array destroyed. Twenty-four Burning Heaven Valley remnants killed, one Mo Tu captured. Obtained "Nether Flame Token" (can locate Burning Heaven Valley's hidden stronghold).]

Ye Xinlan withdrew the shield and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "The Spirit-Devouring Miasma is growing denser. The Miasma-Clearing Pills won't hold out much longer. We need to get to the Heaven Burning Platform quickly."

Xiao Yan picked up the black talisman from the ground. The essence blood on it gave off a familiar Qi-identical to Mo Xuan's. "Mo Tu said Mo Xuan was absorbing the Mother of Heavenly Flames' power. I'm afraid he wasn't lying. Lu Mu, did you bring all the materials for the array?"

Lu Mu patted his storage ring. "Don't worry. The Wan Huo Crystal, Earth Core Sand, and Gu Clan Bloodline Jade are all here. Once we reach the Heaven Burning Platform, I can set up the array foundation in six hours."

Wu Hao pulled his great axe out of Mo Tu, drawing a scream from him. Xiao Yan stepped forward and planted a foot on his chest. "Where is Burning Heaven Valley's headquarters? Where exactly is Mo Xuan?"

Mo Tu coughed up a mouthful of blood, his single eye fixed on Xiao Yan. "The valley master said that even if we died, we wouldn't let you learn where the entrance to the Earth Core Fire Vein is..."

A strange smile suddenly appeared on his face, and black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth-he had taken poison and killed himself.

"He's got a hard backbone." Wu Hao curled his lip. "But he just mentioned the Earth Core Fire Vein. Looks like the Mother of Heavenly Flames' remnant soul is there."

Xiao Yan looked at Mo Tu's corpse, frowning slightly. "There's a kind of power in his Dou Qi that doesn't belong to Nether Flame. It's like... the Mother of Heavenly Flames' Qi. It seems Mo Xuan really is in contact with the remnant soul. We have to hurry."

Chapter 2: The Heaven Burning Platform Ruins and the Array Foundation Crisis

The Heaven Burning Platform stood at the highest point of the ancient city, a circular raised platform built of obsidian. Flame runes, long since faded, were carved into its surface. The impact from the array earlier had collapsed one corner of the platform's edge, exposing a hollow beneath it—it seemed to be an entrance to the Earth Core Fire Vein.

"The array foundation has to be laid on the rune nodes." Lu Mu took out the three array materials. "Wan Huo Crystal must be embedded in the four nodes due east, south, west, and north to absorb the power of the Heavenly Flames between heaven and earth. Earth Core Sand goes in the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest corners to stabilize the array's connection to the earth veins. The Gu Clan Bloodline Jade goes in the center as the array's power hub."

Everyone immediately got to work:

- Wu Hao and Hu Gan worked together to embed fist-sized pieces of Wan Huo Crystal in the nodes. The instant the crystals touched the runes, they emitted a blinding white light that dispersed much of the surrounding Spirit-Devouring Miasma.

- Lin Xiuya and Lin Yan scattered the Earth Core Sand. As soon as the grains landed, they seeped into the cracks between the stones. The runes on the platform lit up at a speed visible to the naked eye, like veins awakening.

- Xiao Yan carried the Gu Clan Bloodline Jade toward the center. The Gu Clan essence blood it contained resonated with the Dragon Mark on his left arm, and patterns matching the Heaven Burning Platform's runes gradually appeared on the jade.

Just as the bloodline jade was about to be fitted into the central groove, the earth suddenly shook violently. Black flames spewed from the hollow at the platform's edge and took human form upon landing. Their bodies were covered in black scales, and they held bone blades-the Burning Heaven Valley disciples infected by the Mother of Heavenly Flames' remnant soul. Their presence was stronger than Mo Tu's had been; they had reached the Early Dou Emperor stage.

[System notification: Encountered "Mutated Heaven Burning Guards" (Early Dou Emperor x8). Their attacks carry the Mother of Heavenly Flames' corrosive effect. Those struck will continuously lose Dou Qi.]

"Mo Xuan sent them!" Zi Yan beat her dragon wings and stepped in front of Xiao Yan, firing golden light arrows in rapid succession. "Hold them off! Xiao Yan, hurry and put the bloodline jade in!"

The Mutated Heaven Burning Guards attacked in exceedingly bizarre ways:

- Their bone blades could cleave space apart. Lin Xiuya's sword intent was torn apart several times, and a cut opened on his left arm. The Dou Qi at the wound immediately dispersed as though swallowed by a black hole.

- The black flames could cling to objects and burn. When they caught on Wu Hao's great axe, its blade began to melt. He had no choice but to circulate his Dou Qi and forcibly drive the flames out, leaving his arm charred black in an instant.

- Their scales were incomparably hard. Hu Gan's "Black Tortoise Indestructible Body" left only faint white marks when it struck them, while the recoil sent his blood and Qi churning.

"These guys aren't afraid of ordinary Heavenly Flames!" Lin Yan's purple-gold flames burned the Heaven Burning Guards, but could only slow their movements for a moment, unable to inflict any substantial damage.

Xiao Yan pressed the bloodline jade toward the groove. Eight black chains suddenly sprang from around it and wrapped around his arm. Beneath the groove, a giant face made of black flames slowly rose-it was the Mother of Heavenly Flames' remnant soul!

"Another Gu clansman..." The remnant soul's voice was filled with venom. "You sealed me a thousand years ago, and now you want to use the same trick again?"

The black flames on the chains spread up Xiao Yan's arm, rapidly charring his skin wherever they passed. Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yan fused his three Heavenly Flames. Gold-green fire formed a barrier over his arm, temporarily blocking the flames' corrosion. "You were originally a Heavenly Flame Origin. Why cooperate with Burning Heaven Valley? They're only using you!"

"Using me?" The remnant soul burst into wild laughter, her giant face of black flames twisting out of shape. "I need their essence blood to nourish my remnant soul, and they need my power to overturn the Central Plains—we're each getting what we need. But you have the Dragon-Phoenix Bloodline, the Gu Clan sacred flame, and an Earth Vein Flame Seed... You're the perfect vessel!"

The eight Mutated Heaven Burning Guards suddenly turned in unison, pointing their bone blades at Xiao Yan as they launched Black Flame Charge together. Eight torrents of black flame converged in midair, becoming a black fire dragon that roared toward Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan!" Zi Yan let out a clear, ringing dragon cry and unleashed her Dragon-Phoenix Power without reservation. Golden dragon scales covered her body. She spread her wings and blocked the fire dragon's path, her golden dragon breath colliding with it and releasing a shock wave of world-destroying power. The entire Heaven Burning Platform shook violently as the collapse spread.

"Now!" Ye Xinlan threw an Origin Explosion Pill at Xiao Yan's feet. The torrent of Dou Qi released by its explosion temporarily blasted the chains apart. Xiao Yan seized the chance and slammed the Gu Clan Bloodline Jade into the groove!

The instant the bloodline jade fitted into the groove, boundless golden light erupted from the Heaven Burning Platform. All the runes of the Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array lit up, forming an enormous golden wheel of fire that covered the entire ancient city. As the golden fire wheel turned, the power it released formed an invisible barrier. The Mutated Heaven Burning Guards' black flames melted away instantly upon touching it, like ice and snow under the sun.

[System notification: Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array initially activated. Mutated Heaven Burning Guards' corrosive effect purified. Team Dou Qi recovery speed increased by 100%.]

Countless threads of golden fire flew from the golden fire wheel and wrapped around the Mutated Heaven Burning Guards. The moment the threads tightened, the black scales on the guards shattered inch by inch. They let out piercing screams and finally turned to ash.

Xiao Yan looked at the charring gradually fading from his arm, then at Zi Yan. To block the fire dragon, she had allowed most of the feathers on her dragon wings to be scorched, and blood lingered at the corner of her mouth. He walked over and handed her a Recovery Pill refined by Ye Xinlan. "Thank you for your effort."

Zi Yan accepted the pill and smiled unconcernedly. "It's good that the array is activated. Now it's time to settle accounts with Mo Xuan."

Lu Mu checked the array foundation's operation. "The foundation is stable, but the Mother of Heavenly Flames' remnant soul seems to have retreated into the Earth Core Fire Vein. The array can't hold her for long yet. We have to find the entrance to the Earth Core Fire Vein within three days and completely purify the remnant soul."

Ye Xinlan was treating Lin Xiuya's wound, which was slowly healing under the golden fire wheel's light. "There was a map on Mo Tu's body, marked with a 'Burning Heaven Valley secret passage.' Perhaps that's the way to the Earth Core Fire Vein."

Xiao Yan unfolded the map. The entrance to the secret passage was at the Fallen Star Crater on the western side of the ancient city. It had once been a place where the Gu Clan conducted rites, but Burning Heaven Valley had now converted it into a military fortress.

"Looks like we're in for another fight." Wu Hao shouldered his great axe, the spatial rifts on its blade flashing coldly. "Good. I'll let them taste the power of the Black Tortoise Space-Splitting Axe."

[System notification: Myriad Flames Returning to the Origin Array has entered a stable phase and can suppress the awakening of the Mother of Heavenly Flames' remnant soul. Current quest progress: 60%. Next objective: Break through the entrance to Burning Heaven Valley's secret passage and enter the Earth Core Fire Vein.]

Chapter 3: The Fallen Star Crater Fortress and Mo Xuan's Trump Card

The Fallen Star Crater was an enormous circular depression over ten thousand feet across. Its walls were riddled with man-made caves, each housing a Nether Flame Cannon-a heavy weapon that could fire concentrated Nether Flame. A black stone gate stood at the center of the depression, carved with Burning Heaven Valley's emblem. It was likely the entrance to the secret passage.

"This fortress is harder to attack than I imagined." Lu Mu lay behind the ruins at the crater's edge, observing through a telescope. "There are at least fifty Burning Heaven Valley disciples in the caves, along with ten Nether Flame Cannons. Their muzzles are aimed right at us."

Purple-gold flames danced at Lin Yan's fingertips. "The Nether Flame Cannons have a range of a thousand feet. We need to find a way to get close and destroy their mounts."

"I'll go." Wu Hao hefted his great axe. "My Space-Splitting Step can teleport me over short distances. It's perfect for a surprise attack."

Xiao Yan shook his head. "Too risky. The Nether Flame Cannons put out a dense barrage. You could easily be targeted while teleporting. I have an idea-" He looked at Ye Xinlan. "Can you refine Aura-Concealing Pills? To temporarily hide our Dou Qi fluctuations."

Ye Xinlan nodded. "I have enough materials. Give me fifteen minutes." She immediately took out her alchemy cauldron and began refining behind the ruins.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone took an Aura-Concealing Pill. Their Dou Qi fluctuations vanished instantly, and even their body temperatures matched their surroundings.

"Let's go." Xiao Yan waved his hand, and the group used the ruins as cover to move silently toward the bottom of the Fallen Star Crater.

The Nether Flame Cannons remained aimed outside the crater. Clearly, they had not been spotted. But just as they were about to reach the stone gate, countless purple nets of light suddenly dropped from the crater walls and enclosed them-the Aura-Concealing Pills could hide their Dou Qi, but not the weight of their bodies, which had triggered the gravity-sensing net laid by Burning Heaven Valley.

"Hahaha! I knew there were rats!" Mo Xuan's voice rang out from the crater wall. He wore black armor inlaid with dozens of purple crystals, and the cloak behind him snapped in the eerie wind. "Mo Tu, that useless fool, couldn't even stop a few little brats."

[System notification: Encountered Burning Heaven Valley's valley master, Mo Xuan (Mid Dou Emperor). He has absorbed part of the Mother of Heavenly Flames' power. The purple crystals on his armor can release Heavenly Flame corrosion waves.]

The ten Nether Flame Cannons turned at once, purple spheres of power gathering at their muzzles. Wu Hao roared and swung his great axe, tearing an opening in the net of light before him with a spatial rift. "Retreat!"

The group rushed out of the net, but the cannons' spheres had already been fired. Zi Yan spread her dragon wings, shielding everyone behind her. A golden Dragon-Phoenix shield blocked the spheres, but the tremendous impact forced her back step after step, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth once more.

"Seize them!" At Mo Xuan's command, the Burning Heaven Valley disciples swarmed out of the caves. Their Nether Flame Blades formed a wall of steel, cutting off every path of retreat.

Xiao Yan infused his Green Lotus Core Flame into the Gu Clan sacred flame fragment. Gold-green fire formed a wall that temporarily forced the disciples back. "Lin Xiuya, take Xin Lan and Lu Mu to dismantle the Nether Flame Cannons! Wu Hao, Hu Gan, hold Mo Xuan off with me! Zi Yan, Lin Yan, clear out the rabble!"