Chapter 382: Breaking Through the Fire Passage
"Sizzle! Sizzle!"
One by one, figures gradually slowed their pace and came to a stop a hundred meters before the crimson palace. From this distance, the massive palace loomed even larger—its peak seemed to pierce the sky like a mountain thrust into the clouds.
"No wonder it was concealed by a spatial seal. A structure this massive would stand out anywhere."
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but shake his head as he looked at the crimson palace. With a wave of his hand, he and his group slowly landed. Since an ancient Dou Saint had gone to the trouble of building such a grand structure, what lay inside must surely be valuable. It was clear this trip would not be in vain.
At this moment, numerous powerhouses continued to gather outside the crimson palace, but none dared cross the hundred-meter boundary. Those who had made it this far were either from powerful factions or possessed exceptional strength. None were foolish enough to volunteer as the first to rush in.
Since others weren't in a hurry, neither was Xiao Yuan. Such treasure-laden ruins surely weren't unguarded—only a fool would believe otherwise.
While Xiao Yuan stood with arms crossed, patiently waiting, he suddenly felt a cold gaze directed at him. He raised an eyebrow and turned his head, his sight locking onto the source of the hostility.
The glare came from a noble-looking woman dressed in a multi-colored robe. Her phoenix-style coiffure enhanced her regal aura, making her presence difficult to ignore.
"…Do you have a problem?"
Xiao Yuan frowned. He didn't recognize her. Who was this woman? Had a death wish?
Around her stood many others, their eyes cold and filled with hostility toward Xiao Yuan's group.
He didn't know her—but she certainly knew him.
This woman was Feng Qing'er, whose sect had been destroyed by Xiao Yuan. Though she didn't care for most Wind and Thunder Pavilion disciples, she respected her teacher, Venerable Lei.
Now, seeing her mortal enemy here, there was no way she would greet him with a smile. Even though she found Xiao Yuan extremely handsome by her standards, she wasn't the kind to fall for looks alone.
Xiao Yuan's gaze passed over her group and suddenly paused on a tall, silver-haired man in a brocade robe standing beside Feng Qing'er. He appeared to be around thirty years old—a mere youth by Heavenly Demon Phoenix standards.
The silver-haired man was strikingly handsome, his smiling face exuding noble elegance. One look was enough to tell he was no ordinary figure.
"Qing'er, is that the one who destroyed Wind and Thunder Pavilion?"
The silver-haired man glanced at Xiao Yuan, smiling faintly.
"Mhm. A few days ago, he killed two of our vassal clan leaders—just like that. His strength must be quite fearsome."
Feng Qing'er bit her lip in frustration.
She had first heard Xiao Yuan's name when the Wind and Thunder North Pavilion was wiped out.
Back then, he was already considered the strongest under Dou Zun. Now, in less than two years, he could kill three Dou Zuns with ease. His growth was terrifying.
"Heh, impressive. After this is over, you'll be eligible to receive the clan's inheritance. Reaching Dou Zun yourself won't be far off. As for Xiao Yuan—leave him to me."
The silver-haired man smiled gently.
Feng Qing'er nodded slightly. Though Xiao Yuan had advanced to Dou Zun, she had confidence in the man beside her. He had received his inheritance earlier than she had and mastered its power to a fine degree. Among all the young elites of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan, he ranked among the top three. Defeating Xiao Yuan shouldn't be difficult.
Xiao Yuan, however, ignored her glare. He could also sense the silver-haired man's killing intent. Still, he wasn't fazed—he could tell with a glance that the man wasn't a threat.
With his current strength, he stood undefeated among the younger generation. His sights were already set much higher.
"Senior Brother Xiao Yuan, that's Feng Qing'er from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan."
Mu Qingluan, having noticed the hostile gaze, quietly warned him.
"Oh? That's her?"
Xiao Yuan gave her another look, somewhat amused.
Due to Venerable Lei's death and the resulting chaos in the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, Xiao Yan and Feng Qing'er had never met at the Tianshan Blood Pool. As a result, she never learned about Xiao Yan's possession of ancient phoenix blood essence.
But… if Xiao Yan emerged from seclusion early and came here, things could get very interesting.
After another glance, Feng Qing'er grew visibly annoyed. If it weren't the wrong time to make a move, she would've charged in to fight Xiao Yuan. Of course, the outcome would've likely been tragic—for her.
Turning his gaze away from Feng Qing'er, Xiao Yuan suddenly spotted a familiar face.
Not far off, a smiling elder in red robes caught his eye—it was none other than Tang Zhen, the Valley Chief of Burning Flame Valley, and one of Xiao Yuan's fathers-in-law.
"Heh, I'd heard from Huo'er that your strength had skyrocketed. Seeing you now, I doubt even I could beat you!"
In full view of the other faction leaders, Tang Zhen approached with his group from Burning Flame Valley, smiling cheerfully.
"You're too kind, Uncle Tang. You look even more vigorous than ever."
Xiao Yuan smiled politely.
Burning Flame Valley was a well-known power in Central Plains, and Tang Zhen a respected expert. His actions naturally drew attention. When Feng Qing'er saw this interaction, her brows furrowed—she hadn't known Xiao Yuan was so close to Burning Flame Valley.
"Heh, had I known you were President Xuan Yi's disciple, I wouldn't have wasted so much effort. But for you to reach this level in just two years… you put this old man to shame."
Tang Zhen smiled and clapped Xiao Yuan's shoulder. He didn't care about the curious gazes around them.
"Send my regards to Venerable Yao," he added in a sound transmission.
Xiao Yuan nodded. It was probably Huo'er who had told Tang Zhen, but that was fine—after all, he was family.
"Did you come here for the ancient ruins as well?"
"Ancient ruins are rare. Those left behind by a Dou Saint? Even rarer. Since it appeared, of course I had to come see it."
Tang Zhen replied cheerfully. His gaze swept around, quickly noticing that at least two major forces seemed hostile toward Xiao Yuan.
"Things seem tense for you, huh?"
"Don't worry, Uncle. Just minor annoyances—nothing compared to the dangers inside."
Xiao Yuan smiled calmly.
Tang Zhen nodded knowingly. He didn't think Xiao Yuan was boasting.
Even back when he was a Dou Sect, Xiao Yuan could fight Dou Zuns. Now, with four-star Dou Zun strength and his secret techniques, he could probably defeat even seven- or eight-star Dou Zuns. Tang Zhen had no worries.
Boom!
After about ten minutes of tense silence, the earth began to tremble slightly. The massive palace rumbled, and the crowd watched as an enormous crimson stone gate slowly rose, revealing a pitch-black passage within.
"The gate's open!"
At once, many eyes turned red with excitement. Some couldn't hold back and dashed toward the passage, laughing as they entered.
With someone taking the lead, the crowd grew restless. One figure after another shot toward the entrance, terrified of missing out on the treasures inside.
Xiao Yuan and his group remained still. A Dou Saint's legacy that could be entered so easily? That would be too naive.
Boom!
Just as expected, once many had rushed inside, the pitch-black passage turned crimson. The floor cracked, and scalding lava gushed out. Meanwhile, dazzling blue fire columns erupted from the walls. Anyone touched by the flames turned to ash without even screaming.
In the blink of an eye, the passage was cleared of all intruders. Those about to enter froze in terror—only to be shoved in by others behind them, triggering a chorus of blood-curdling screams.
Chaos erupted once more.
It took a while before things quieted down. Greed gave way to caution.
"Hmph, just a little fire trap—won't stop us!"
With order restored, the powerful factions finally moved. While the fire path was dangerous, it wasn't fatal for them.
Massive surges of Dou Qi enveloped them as they charged into the fire path. The flames clashed with their energy barriers, slowing them down but not stopping them outright. Some, however, still fell as their Dou Qi waned.
"Heh, with your Heavenly Flame, this fire path shouldn't trouble you. Huo'er is still in secluded training. Mind bringing some extra people with you?"
Tang Zhen asked.
"No problem."
Xiao Yuan smiled. Golden flames erupted from his body, wrapping Cai Lin, his group, and Tang Zhen's people together.
"Hm? His flame… it's different from before…"
Seeing the golden fire, Tang Zhen's expression grew serious. Even he felt uneasy. This flame was far stronger than it had been years ago.
Sizzle!
Encased in golden flame, they charged into the fire passage like a blazing dragon, startling many along the way.
Inside, the temperature soared. The red rock glowed, and magma sprayed like a fountain. Even molten rocks were dangerous—one mistake, and a person could be burned alive.
But for Xiao Yuan, this path posed no challenge. With his Heavenly Flame—comparable to the Golden Emperor Flame—neither lava nor blue fire columns could harm them. His power truly shone here.
Other cultivators advanced cautiously, their entire bodies shielded by thick Dou Qi. Though they managed to push forward, they were clearly struggling. The blue flames corroded their energy rapidly—more than expected. At this rate, even a Dou Sect wouldn't last long.
Seeing Xiao Yuan's group moving casually, many others were stunned.
Xiao Yuan ignored them. With a flick of thought, the golden flames surged forward, carrying the group deeper into the fire path.
With his Heavenly Flame, they advanced quickly, surpassing even those who had entered earlier. Yet the tunnel still showed no sign of ending.
"A Dou Saint's ruin, indeed. This fire path is ridiculously long. Some folks are in for a bad time."
Tang Zhen chuckled.
Xiao Yuan nodded. The eerie blue flames were indeed terrifying. Anyone relying solely on Dou Qi to brute-force their way through would surely suffer. This fire path… was not something just anyone could survive.
(END CHAPTER)
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