Boom!
As Huo Yao's warning rang out, the tens of thousands of flaming figures in the sky roared and unleashed their mighty might, sweeping down upon the square below. The roar was earth-shattering.
"Kill! Stop them!"
Like a powder keg ignited, the powerful warriors in the square rose to their feet, each unleashing a lethal attack. Brilliant dou qi danced through the air, blasting countless flaming figures like a sky full of fireworks.
Chen Guan and the other Dou Sheng masters joined the fray without hesitation, their terrifying aura radiating. With each blow, they blasted nearly a hundred flaming figures to pieces.
Each Dou Sheng was like a wolf among a flock of sheep, their destructive power terrifying. Swarms of flaming figures vanished into thin air.
However, whenever an area was cleared, a seemingly endless stream of fire slaves emerged from the cracks, seemingly endless and inexhaustible.
No one could fathom how many fire slaves the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire had commandeered over the millennia, serving as cannon fodder.
As the battle dragged on, casualties gradually arose among those fighting against the flames, and even some semi-saints felt immense pressure.
Ants in numbers can kill an elephant, let alone each of these flaming figures, each one formidable.
"No time to waste! Young Chen Guan, Huo Yao, Hun Mie Sheng, everyone, attack together and force the gate!"
Gu Nanhai, who had been guarding Gu Xun'er, suddenly called out.
This was the most direct way to break the impasse.
Chen Guan, the Yan Clan, and the others agreed, leading their respective teams to clear the way, with a large group of people following behind them, gathering towards the giant gate.
Some, however, hesitated, their attention fixed on Hun Mie Sheng and Hun Feng.
The Soul Palace possessed a high standard of character, and if these two didn't express their stance, they would find it difficult to join forces. No one wanted to be stabbed in the back while exerting their strength.
Sensing their gazes, Hun Mie Sheng frowned slightly. He didn't care what others thought, but he disliked the feeling of being coerced.
However, the situation compelled him to express his stance.
After a moment's hesitation, Hun Miesheng finally nodded slightly, his attack becoming even more ferocious, as he quickly approached the giant gate, responding with action.
Seeing this, those still hesitant reassured themselves and followed closely.
Soon, everyone had gathered within reach of the giant gate. With Gu Nanhai of the Ancient Clan taking the lead, they each launched a furious assault.
"Bang!"
Faced with the combined might of so many powerful individuals, the giant gate, powerful enough to render even a four-star Dou Sheng helpless, burst open.
At the moment of the gate's demise, the endless fire slaves behind them ceased their pursuit, hovering densely in mid-air and refusing to attack, as if their sole purpose was to force the crowd into the gate.
Seeing this, many of the more discerning individuals, whose expressions had just relaxed, tensed up again.
At the front of the team.
Chen Guan, along with Medusa and Zi Yan, briefly greeted Gu Xun'er, who returned a polite smile.
Their casual greetings made it seem as though their relationship wasn't even as close as it was with Huo Xuan. Gu Xun'er, however, gave Medusa and Zi Yan a second glance but didn't ask any questions.
"Young friend Chen Guan, please come in with us. According to our clan's ancestors, the end of this Demon Fire Hall is where the Demon Fire's true form resides."
Gu Nanhai invited Chen Guan alone, not lowering his voice. This was no secret, and the other clans were undoubtedly aware of it.
The reason for inviting only Chen Guan was simple.
The Soul Hall held 95% of the suspicion for the Spirit Clan's disappearance, while the Ancient Clan held the remaining 0.5%. Unless Ling Yu personally stepped forward to disprove the situation, suspicion of the Ancient Clan would persist.
While the probability was small, the matter concerned the survival of the clan, and the other clans remained wary, creating unavoidable resentment.
As for the others, to be honest, Gu Nanhai didn't think much of them.
Chen Guan glanced back at the endless stream of fire slaves outside the massive gate behind him. His escape route now blocked, he nodded without hesitation.
"Alright,"
Gu Nanhai nodded in satisfaction upon seeing Chen Guan's agreement. He took the lead, heading deeper into the Demon Fire Hall. Chen Guan, Gu Xun'er, Medusa, and Zi Yan quickly followed.
The rest of the group also formed into teams, large and small, and began advancing.
Within
the vast hall, a milky-white flame filled the eye. Within this vast hall, nearly several thousand feet long, densely packed flaming figures stood upright. They made no sound, yet an extremely terrifying aura permeated the space. It was as if that aura had merged into a giant flaming dragon, hovering above them, brimming with murderous intent.
At one end of the hall, Chen Guan and the others surveyed the scene, each with a solemn expression.
This wasn't the first time they'd witnessed this. Since entering the massive gate, teams had each passed through three nearly identical halls, the only difference being that the further they advanced, the stronger the fire slaves appeared!
Just like the fire slaves in this hall, everyone sensed that each possessed Dou Zun-level strength.
Thinking that these fire slaves were among the most powerful to have entered this place in the past few thousand years, everyone felt a surge of pressure, their fear of the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire growing even stronger.
"The third level, keep going. Our ancestors also experienced this when they arrived here, though the fire slaves back then were slightly weaker than today's."
Gu Nanhai relayed his knowledge, unsurprised by the challenging pattern of the Demonic Fire Hall.
Chen Guan nodded slightly, raising his hand to touch his faintly burning brow.
The strange ball of light was growing increasingly active.
A group of people moved quickly, attacking simultaneously with overwhelming force. They instantly tore a hole through the vast army of Fire Slaves within the hall. They transformed into light and shadow, appearing at the end of the hall in a few flashes. They worked together to break through the massive gate again and marched forward.
The following moments continued the dull, monotonous process of clearing levels. Each hall was filled with identical Fire Slaves.
The only difference was that the further they advanced, the stronger they became.
Among the teams following behind, even a one-star Dou Sheng suffered serious injuries.
Those below Dou Sheng level, with the exception of ancient geniuses like Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi, were all injured.
As for the Dou Zun masters, they were now few in number and nearly extinct!
"Bang!"
Another massive hall door was torn open by the crowd, sending a shower of stone chips through the air, revealing another hall.
The moment they saw this vast palace, a wave of fatigue washed over them. How long would this endless quest finally end?
Just as they were helplessly pondering this, everyone suddenly noticed something unusual.
There were no Fire Slaves in this great hall!
"Is it over?" a powerful figure whispered excitedly.
But this joy didn't last long, as they were suddenly stunned.
In the center of the vast hall, a somewhat emaciated figure stood upright, his body surprisingly devoid of flames. His eyes were tightly closed, and a powerful aura, like a mountain pressing down on one's head, emanated from him.
"He's not a Fire Slave?!"
"Four-Star Dou Sheng!"
exclaimed one after another.
In the Yan Clan, Elder Huo Yao shook his head gravely, "It's hard to say for sure. You could say he's a Fire Slave, but you're also right to say he's not. He still possesses his own consciousness and hasn't been completely controlled by the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire."
Gu Nanhai nodded in agreement, saying, "It seems this is the final hurdle. If we can get through it, we'll reach the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire!"
Breaking through was a must, but who would do it was the question.
Chen Guan stood before Medusa and Zi Yan, stroking the storage ring on his finger as he surveyed the scene.
Many powerful figures from the Eight Ancient Clans had come to vie for the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire; all who could have come had come.
On the surface, Hun Miesheng, already a Five-Star Dou Sheng, was undoubtedly the strongest,
with seven Four-Star Dou Shengs below him.
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Medusa, Zi Yan, Gu Nan Hai, Huo Yao, and an elder each from the Thunder Clan, the Stone Clan, and the Medicine Clan. With
so many powerful warriors, they felt they were more than capable of dealing with a four-star Dou Sheng fire slave.
"Everyone, this fire slave still has some sanity left, and cannot be compared to the previous ones. There's also the cunning Pure Lotus Demon Fire lurking in the shadows. Whether you agree or not, before suppressing the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, our interests are aligned. Therefore, I suggest not revealing too much of your strength, and ensuring a swift and decisive battle to prevent the Pure Lotus Demon Fire from causing further trouble. Master of the Soul-Mie-Sheng Palace, you are the only one present who can accomplish this."
As everyone pondered, the white-robed elder, his robe bearing the Medicine Clan emblem on his sleeve, spoke earnestly, his approach fair and matter-of-fact.
This suggestion instantly captivated many powerful warriors.
"Haha, Yao Wangui, I've always thought you were a sinister villain. It's rare that you've managed to speak human language today,"
the Thunder Clan elder said in praise, laughing.
Yao Wangui, however, looked unhappy at the praise.
"I agree with Yao Wangui. Before we can suppress the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire, we must work together. Palace Master Hunmiesheng, what do you think?" The Stone Clan elder also became volatile.
Gu Nanhai, Huo Yao, Medusa, and Zi Yan remained silent, but all looked at Hunmiesheng.
Everyone was extremely pleased with this disgusting Soul Palace act.
Hunmiesheng's face darkened, a dangerous glare sweeping across their faces.
But as he spoke, he offered an unexpected response.
"Since you want me to take action, fine. But even I won't have an easy time dealing with this individual. If we encounter the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire later, you'll have to lead the charge."
"No problem, no problem."
"Of course."
No one objected. They would
take things one step at a time. When the time came, it would be up to him whether or not to take action.
"Hmph."
Predicting their thoughts, Hunmiesheng snorted angrily and stepped forward, confronting the fire slave. The murderous intent in his eyes was more fierce than ever.
At the back of the hall, many people felt a sense of unfamiliarity with Hun Mie Sheng today. He had actually accepted such a thankless task, which was completely unlike the Soul Hall style.
Only a few stared at the Fire Slave, their brows furrowed slightly, as if a thought had occurred to them.
Chen Guan, standing in the crowd, silently took out the vial of Xiao Yan's blood he had prepared and opened it.
At that moment, the figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the hall slowly opened his tightly closed eyes. His dark pupils were indifferent and emotionless, but compared to the Fire Slaves he had encountered before, they were noticeably more lively, though a bit too cold.
His eyes fixed on Hun Mie Sheng as he left the group, completely ignoring everyone else. A strong murderous intent instantly emanated from him.
He wasn't conscious, but he still felt an instinctive dislike for Hun Mie Sheng when he saw him.
In the crowd behind him, Chen Guan saw that the figure didn't even glance at him and shook his head slightly.
"Xiao Yan's bloodline power is still too weak, having not yet undergone a blood transfusion. Given Xiao Chen's current state, I'd have to smash him in the face to have any real impact."
Retracting the mutton-fat jade bottle into his ring, Chen Guan found a more comfortable vantage point to watch the show, inwardly chanting...
Fight! Fight!
He knew full well that Hun Miesheng's willingness to "take a loss" and attack was due to his recognition of Xiao Chen's identity.
This was a Dou Sheng of the Xiao Clan. Even without further intervention, given the feud between the Xiao and Hun Clans, Hun Miesheng couldn't sit idly by. That's why he'd "reluctantly" stepped forward to meet him.
Everyone in the vast hall remained silent, but the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Staring directly at Xiao Chen's frozen face, Hun Miesheng's Dou Qi surged, unleashing the full force of a Five-Star Dou Sheng.
"Blood Axe Xiao Chen! I never thought you'd find yourself here after disappearing a thousand years ago. I'm sure you've escaped death, and bringing back your head will delight the clan leader."
Upon hearing Hun Mie Sheng's words, the brooding elders suddenly understood, their understanding instantly resonating. They
also understood the reason for Hun Mie Sheng's unusual behavior.
They had all read in ancient texts that a thousand years ago, the Xiao clan had produced a brilliant individual: Xiao Chen!
His renowned weapon was an immense blood axe, hence the nickname Blood Axe Xiao Chen.
"So it's him..."
Recognizing Xiao Chen's identity, Gu Nanhai and the others couldn't help but wonder.
The Xiao and Hun clans were sworn enemies, grappling with each other for genocide. If Xiao Chen could be saved, the Hun clan would surely expend considerable effort on him, undoubtedly benefiting the overall situation.
But given Xiao Chen's current condition, was there any chance of recovery?
"Boom!"
The ground within the quiet hall suddenly shook violently. Xiao Chen lightly grasped the air before him, and a blood-red axe, several feet long and monstrous in appearance, materialized from thin air.
His slender figure seemed somewhat out of place against the backdrop of the axe, but everyone present could clearly sense the terrifying power hidden within that monotonous frame.
After the blood-red axe appeared, Xiao Chen didn't hesitate. His eyes locked with Hun Miesheng's. A sudden gust of wind blew, and the two figures collided fiercely with the most brutal force. The devastating wave of energy that erupted instantly forced everyone behind them to retreat to the hall's entrance.
"Dangdang!"
Within the vast hall, two figures flashed with dazzling speed. Sparks flew through the air as they appeared. The incredibly solid hall crumbled, shattered, and cracks spread in the brutal clash.
"Five-star Dou Sheng..."
Watching the two battles unfolding in the hall, Gu Nanhai, Huo Yao, and the others all wore solemn expressions.
Hun Mie Sheng's displayed realm barely crossed the five-star mark, but now it seemed clear that he was more than that, likely deliberately suppressing it.
Chen Guan, Medusa, and Zi Yan also discovered that this man wasn't as weak as they had seen him the last time. If he hadn't been forced to expose his strength today for Xiao Chen's sake, he would have had to put in even more effort to deal with Hun Mie Sheng.
Of course, while Hun Mie Sheng was formidable, Xiao Chen was even more astonishing. Even
in this delirious state, he faced a five-star Dou Sheng with the strength of a four-star Dou Sheng, yet he showed no sign of weakness. Instead,
he grew more courageous with each blow, creating a feeling of evenly matched strength. "This man is incredibly strong! One-on-one with Zi Yan, I don't think either of us could defeat him," Medusa whispered in Chen Guan's ear, a voice only he and Zi Yan could hear.
Fighting against opponents of higher rank was not uncommon, and Medusa, leveraging the Nine-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python's body and bloodline, was able to hold her own against a five-star Dou Sheng.
Zi Yan was similarly adept. In fact, if her opponent were the Grand Void Ancient Dragon, she could have slain a six-star Dou Sheng.
But Xiao Chen, now a brilliant genius, was equally astounding.
In comparison, Hun Mie Sheng seemed a notch below him.
Chen Guan's thoughts raced, his brows growing hotter.
Suddenly, he sensed a shift in the strange light within his mind. Like a chick emerging from its shell, something emerged.
Before he could investigate, a flood of information flooded his mind. Even with Chen Guan's mental strength, it took him ages to process it all.
"What's wrong with you? Are you okay?" Zi Yan's voice echoed in his ears.
Medusa, standing beside him, clutched Chen Guan's hand tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.
Just as he was speaking, Chen Guan suddenly looked dazed, his eyes blank, causing both women to worry.
Chen Guan tightened his grip and gave Zi Yan a reassuring smile. His eyes sparkled as he turned his gaze back to the battle within the hall.
"Don't worry, Xiao Chen is a very strong fighter. Let him consume more of his Soul Extinguishing Life. Then, you and the others will attack together to subdue him!"