105: Chapter 105 Burning Heaven Purgatory, Song of Ice and Fire

Eastern Wasteland, once a Holy Land for Cultivators, is now synonymous with scorched earth and Chaos.

Since the fall of the Skyfire Sect and the death of the Flame Emperor, this ancient land has lost its sole hegemon, sinking into a chaotic situation of warlords and numerous factions.

Although the Vajra Temple of the Western Desert and Lihuo Palace took the lead in barely assembling the "Eastern Wasteland Anti-Catastrophe Sub-Alliance," after the death of Old Ancestor Guyou, the Northern Plains were overwhelmed, and the Western Desert focused its efforts on its own "Ten Thousand Demon Cave" crisis. Lihuo Palace found itself unable to support the situation alone, rendering the sub-Alliance largely nominal with extremely limited control over the Eastern Wasteland.

The incident at the "Burning Heaven Purgatory" Secret Realm was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the already fragile balance.

"Burning Heaven Purgatory" is located three thousand miles south of the former site of the Skyfire Sect, deep within a Forbidden Ground known as the "Molten Sea of Death."

Legend has it that it is a natural Secret Realm formed by volcanic eruptions in ancient times, filled with violent fire-attribute Spiritual Qi and various strange earthly fires and heavenly fires, even nurturing certain fire spirits and Heaven And Earth Treasure.

After the rise of the Skyfire Sect, it was listed as a Forbidden Ground, sealed with Sect secret techniques and layers of Formation, serving as a place for past Sect Masters and core Elders to go into seclusion, perform Artifact Refining, and research certain forbidden techniques, making it extremely mysterious.

After the Flame Emperor fell, this place was naturally taken over by the Alliance, or more accurately, jointly taken over by Lihuo Palace and the Vajra Temple.

After preliminary exploration confirmed that the fire-attribute Spiritual Qi within was violent and the environment harsh, but no obvious aura of "the end" was found, the Palace Master of Lihuo Palace, "True Monarch Chiyang," led two high monks from the Western Desert, "Huiming" and "Huijue," along with some Alliance Cultivators to station themselves there, preparing to slowly clean up, explore, and receive the heritage of the Skyfire Sect that might exist within.

However, just a few days ago, a group of mysterious Cultivators with unknown identities, formidable strength, cloaked in black robes, and with auras perfectly matching "the end," suddenly descended.

With thunderous methods, they killed True Monarch Chiyang and the two high monks, Huiming and Huijue, severely injured the remaining guards, forcibly blasted open the entrance to "Burning Heaven Purgatory," and fled inside, disappearing without a trace.

When the news spread, the Eastern Wasteland was shaken, and the Alliance was in an uproar.

True Monarch Chiyang was at the Soul Transformation Middle Stage and was the Palace Master of Lihuo Palace, enjoying high prestige in the Eastern Wasteland; Huiming and Huijue were also famous high monks of the Western Desert Buddhist Kingdom, with profound Buddhist knowledge.

That the three of them joining forces could be so easily killed by the other party shows the terrifying strength of the attackers; there must be at least one Soul Transformation Late Stage or even stronger existence!

This was no longer a simple harassment, but a naked declaration of war and provocation!

It also indicated that within "Burning Heaven Purgatory," there must be something extremely important to the "Void Church," something they would not hesitate to expose part of their strength to seize!

Heavenly Capital City, Teleportation Hall.

Several large teleportation arrays flashed with light, and batches of Cultivators with stern expressions and sharp auras, led by their respective captains, quickly assembled and then entered different teleportation arrays in batches, heading to the Western Desert, Southern Territory, and Northern Plains.

Lin Wan stood in the center of the hall, dressed in a black Elder robe, his posture upright, his gaze scanning the Cultivators of each unit about to depart calmly.

Beside him, Soul Transformation giants like Sword Master Jian Wuming, Fairy Yaoxi, Great Elder Danchenzi, and Elder Xingshu stood solemnly, the atmosphere heavy.

"...The Western Desert, Southern Territory, and Northern Plains have all been reinforced by teams led by you Seniors according to the plan."

Lin Wan's voice rang out clearly, carrying a convincing steadiness, "As for the 'Burning Heaven Purgatory' in the Eastern Wasteland, I will personally lead the Seventh and Eighth Squads of the 'Demon-Slaying General Corps' there. Our mission is to retake the Secret Realm, uncover the truth behind the transaction between the Flame Emperor and 'the end,' annihilate the invading enemies, and gather as much information or resources as possible that may be beneficial to the Alliance."

"This trip is fraught with unpredictable dangers. Since the 'Void Church' dares to attack so blatantly, there must be traps within the Secret Realm, and there may even be a 'Lord'-level existence sitting in command. Everyone must be careful; prioritizing self-preservation and completing the mission is paramount. Do not advance rashly."

"Yes! We will obey the Elder's orders!"

The twenty-plus Cultivators of the Seventh and Eighth Squads, including ten Soul Transformation Stage experts and over a dozen Peak Nascent Soul elites, responded in unison, the sound shaking the hall.

The gazes they looked at Lin Wan with were full of awe and conviction.

In the battle at the Imperial Mausoleum, Lin Wan, with his Soul Transformation Late Stage cultivation, had nonchalantly "finished off" the "Tianwu Evil Corpse" that was touching the threshold of Void Refining, and his prestige had long spread throughout the Alliance.

Following such an Elder with formidable strength, illustrious battle achievements, and a strong suppression against "the end," although they knew the road ahead was dangerous, they were full of confidence.

"Elder Lin, the situation in the Eastern Wasteland is chaotic, and that 'Burning Heaven Purgatory' is the old lair operated by the Flame Emperor for many years, full of crises. Please be careful." Fairy Yaoxi whispered, a trace of worry in her beautiful eyes.

She knew Lin Wan's strength was extraordinary, but the enemy was by no means easy to deal with.

"Rest assured, Senior Yaoxi. The war in the Southern Territory is equally critical; you, Sect Head Daoxuan, and Elder Han must also take care."

Lin Wan nodded, then looked at Sword Master Jian Wuming, Great Elder Danchenzi, and Elder Xingshu, "I leave the Western Desert and Northern Plains to you Seniors."

"Haha, Lin kid, go ahead! I, this old Daoist, want to see what kind of monsters and ghosts are hiding in that 'Ten Thousand Demon Cave'!" Sword Master Jian Wuming laughed loudly, his Battle Intent soaring.

"Regarding the Northern Plains, this old man and Fellow Daoist Xingshu will act with caution. Elder Lin, your trip to the Eastern Wasteland is fraught with both fortune and misfortune. Be careful in everything." Great Elder Danchenzi said in a deep voice.

"The Heavenly Secrets are obscure, but Elder Lin, you carry the 'Reincarnation,' and your fate is special. Although this trip is dangerous, it hides a glimmer of survival and... great Opportunity. Remember, if you are unsure about something, follow your own heart; it might be the way to break the situation." Elder Xingshu stroked his beard, starlight flowing in his eyes, giving a somewhat vague hint.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior." Lin Wan bowed and kept Elder Xingshu's words in mind.

This Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, although he spoke in a mystical manner, his deduction skills were indeed unique.

Without further ado, Lin Wan turned around and said to the Seventh and Eighth Squads of the "Demon-Slaying General Corps" who were ready to go, as well as several Alliance Guest Elders who were temporarily assigned to him and were good at Formation, Restrictions, and investigation, in a deep voice: "Depart! Target, Eastern Wasteland, 'Burning Heaven Purgatory'!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison and, following Lin Wan, stepped into the large directional teleportation array leading to the Eastern Wasteland.

Light flashed, and the figures disappeared.

...

Eastern Wasteland, Molten Sea of Death.

This is a forbidden zone for life in the true sense.

Looking around, the earth is cracked, magma flows, and the scorching heat waves distort the air.

The air is filled with a pungent smell of sulfur and scorching fire poison.

Ordinary Cultivators, even those at the Golden Core stage, find it difficult to stay here for long.

Only those at the Nascent Soul stage can explore briefly, but they must always use their magic power to protect their bodies.

And in the deepest part of the "Molten Sea of Death," in the center of a basin surrounded by nine huge, burning volcanoes, is the entrance to the "Burning Heaven Purgatory" Secret Realm.

At this moment, the entrance is a mess.

The Formation and Restrictions originally set up by the Skyfire Sect and later reinforced by the Alliance have been violently broken, leaving a deep, dark hole with a diameter of several dozen zhang and irregularly torn edges.

On the edge of the hole, there remains the cold, dead, and discordant aura of "the end," which is completely out of place with the surrounding scorching environment.

On the ground near the entrance, traces of battle, charred bloodstains, and magma frozen by some kind of cold power that has not yet completely melted are scattered.

The corpses of the Lihuo Palace and Western Desert monks have been collected, but the lingering resentment and undissipated blood smell in the air still tell of the tragedy that happened not long ago.

Lin Wan and his party arrived at the nearest Alliance stronghold via the teleportation array and then quickly rushed to the scene.

Looking at the violently broken entrance to the Secret Realm, and the rich and pure aura of "the end" remaining in the air that made his "Eye of Samsara" in the center of his eyebrows jump faintly, a trace of cold light flashed in Lin Wan's eyes.

"It really is them. Moreover, there is more than one person; there are at least three Soul Transformation Stage experts. Among them, one has an aura that is cold, domineering, and carries a sense of... 'decay' and 'withering,' with a cultivation level likely not lower than the Soul Transformation Late Stage, or even higher.

In addition, there is a trace of extremely weak but high-essence... flame Law fluctuation remaining here, which seems to have some kind of strange sign of Fusion with the power of 'the end'." Lin Wan said in a deep voice after carefully investigating with his "Eye of Samsara."

"Decay? Withering? Flame and 'the end' Fusion?" A Soul Transformation Guest Elder from the Eastern Wasteland who was quite sensitive to flames frowned, "Could it be... the one in the 'Void Church' who holds the authority of 'Flame's Withering'... the 'Lord of Ashes'?"

"Lord of Ashes?" Lin Wan looked at him.

"Yes, Elder Lin." That Guest Elder quickly explained, "According to ancient incomplete records, the 'Void Church' is not a monolith; it seems to be divided into different factions and authorities. Among them is an existence known as the 'Lord of Ashes'. The 'the end' authority he wields is 'withering' and 'decay', and he is particularly adept at turning all vitality—including flames, light, and even the Law itself—into 'ash'. His power attribute is different from the pure 'annihilation' or 'void' of ordinary 'the end'; it leans more towards a process of 'decline' and 'extinction'. If it really is him... I fear he will be even more troublesome than that 'Tianwu Evil Corpse' in the Imperial Mausoleum!"

An 'the end' Overlord who can make even flames 'wither' and 'decay' into ash? Lin Wan's eyes narrowed slightly. This 'Lord of Ashes' seems to have a relationship of both 'mutual restraint' and 'mutual generation' with the environment of this 'Burning Heaven Purgatory'. The Flame Emperor operated here for many years, so this Secret Realm must be filled with extreme flame power, and the 'Lord of Ashes's' power happens to restrain flames, perhaps even using the flames here as 'fuel' to strengthen himself?

"Regardless of who it is, since they have come, they won't be leaving." Lin Wan's tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable murderous intent. "Everyone, follow me inside. Remember, the enemy has at least one 'Overlord' at the Soul Transformation Stage, Late Stage, whose strength is formidable and who may hold the geographical advantage. Follow my commands in all actions; do not leave the group without authorization. After entering the Secret Realm, the primary goal is to locate the enemy, ascertain their purpose, and seize the Opportunity to annihilate them. If it cannot be done, prioritize gathering intelligence and disrupting their plans, with preserving strength as the priority."

"Understood!"

"Let's go!"

Lin Wan did not hesitate any longer. He took the first step, transforming into a stream of light, and charged straight into the deep, dark Secret Realm entrance that exuded an ominous aura. Behind him, over twenty figures followed closely, entering one after another.

The moment they passed through the entrance, a scorching heat, completely different from the outside 'Molten Sea of Death', rushed towards them. It was not just high temperature, but a pressure from an extreme, violent Law of fire that felt as if it could ignite the Soul and burn everything to nothingness! The air was filled with crimson, golden, and even slightly pale fire spirits, dancing, colliding, and exploding in the endless space as if they had lives of their own, stirring up gusts of scorching storms. Under their feet was a flowing river of magma with temperatures high enough to instantly vaporize refined gold; the sky was an ever-burning, unpredictable sea of fire clouds composed of various strange flames.

This was a world of fire, an extreme land where destruction and vitality coexisted. Ordinary Cultivators here, without special protective means, would likely be ignited instantly and turned to ash.

However, right in this scorching, violent world of fire, Lin Wan's 'Eye of Samsara' clearly 'saw' traces that were out of place with the surrounding environment—gray, carrying the aura of 'withering' and 'decay'—winding and extending towards the depths of the Secret Realm like maggots on bones.

Those were the tracks left by the 'Lord of Ashes' and his subordinates.

"Follow me!"

Lin Wan let out a low shout. The Chaos brilliance swirled around his body, easily isolating the encroaching flame power, and he sped towards the depths of the Secret Realm, following the gray tracks. The people behind him also used various means to resist the surrounding violent flames, following closely behind Lin Wan.

The deeper they went, the greater the power of the flames became, and the colors gradually changed from crimson and golden to pale, and even carried a hint of eerie dark blue and pitch black. Those fire spirits also became more violent and massive, some even condensing into vague forms, launching attacks at the intruders. But in front of these elites of the 'Demon-Slaying General Corps', who were at least at the Nascent Soul (Peak) stage, these attacks were not enough to pose too much of a threat.

After flying for about half an hour, the scene ahead changed abruptly.

A huge, vast underground space, as if the center of the earth had been hollowed out, appeared before them. In the center of the space, there was no flowing magma, but a... vast, eerie dark-red 'Sea of Ash' that seemed to be condensed from countless 'ashes', silent and dead!

In the center of the Sea of Ash stood a huge altar, thousands of feet high, constructed entirely of some strange dark-red crystal that seemed to be burning yet radiated an endless aura of 'withering' and 'decay'!

At the top of the altar, a figure completely shrouded in a billowing gray cloak stood quietly. Its face was unclear, with only two points of eerie blue flame—as if they could freeze the Soul—flickering in the eye sockets. Around its body, a thick, nauseating aura of 'withering' and 'decay' permeated like tangible gray smoke, making the 'Sea of Ash' beneath its feet appear even more dead and terrifying.

Around the altar, suspended above the Sea of Ash, were dozens of figures also shrouded in gray cloaks with cold auras. Their cultivation was at least at the Nascent Soul (Late Stage), and among them, three emitted the powerful fluctuations of the Soul Transformation Stage! They were circling the altar, chanting incantations full of blasphemy and dead silence in a strange rhythm, injecting gray power containing the 'withering' Law into the Sea of Ash below and that huge altar.

As they chanted, the complex and eerie dark-red patterns engraved on the altar were being lit up bit by bit, emitting an increasingly intense and ominous grayish light. The Sea of Ash also surged accordingly, as if some terrifying, sleeping existence was being slowly awakened.

The 'Lord of Ashes'... and the elites of the 'Void Church' he brought, at least three at the Soul Transformation Stage and dozens at the Nascent Soul stage, were actually here! And they seemed to be holding some evil ritual, trying to awaken or summon something!

What made Lin Wan's pupils shrink even more was that beside the 'Lord of Ashes', hovering above the Sea of Ash, was a fist-sized, crimson crystal! Inside it, countless fire spirits seemed to be dancing, yet its surface was shrouded in a faint layer of gray 'withering' aura—a strange crystal!

From that crystal, Lin Wan sensed an extremely pure Flame Origin power that carried a hint of eerie 'the end'! Its aura faintly resonated with the entire 'Burning Heaven Purgatory' Secret Realm!

"That is... the 'Burning Heaven Flame Crystal' formed from the Flame Emperor's life-bound source fire?!" In the team, that Soul Transformation Guest Elder from the Eastern Wasteland exclaimed, his eyes full of shock and greed. "It is rumored that the reason the Flame Emperor could control all the fires in the world was because he obtained a piece of 'Burning Heaven Flame Crystal' in his early years and refined it into his life-bound source fire! This crystal is a supreme treasure of the fire element, containing a trace of the true meaning of the Law of 'burning everything, Nirvana and Rebirth'! After the Flame Emperor died, the whereabouts of this crystal were unknown. It turns out it was hidden in this Secret Realm all along! Looking at its state, it seems... it has been polluted and eroded by the 'Lord of Ashes' with the power of 'withering', wanting to convert it into... an 'Ash Source Crystal'?!"

The 'Burning Heaven Flame Crystal' being eroded by the power of 'withering' and converted into an 'Ash Source Crystal'?! Lin Wan instantly understood the purpose of the 'Lord of Ashes's' trip! He not only wanted to seize the Flame Emperor's legacy that might exist in this Secret Realm, but also to forcibly pollute and convert this 'Burning Heaven Flame Crystal', which contained the Origin of the Flame Emperor's 'Burning Heaven' Law, turning it into his own source of power. He might even use this as a core to set up some terrifying great Formation or ritual to completely pollute or even devour the entire 'Burning Heaven Purgatory' Secret Realm, turning it into a dead zone of 'ash', becoming another bridgehead for 'the end' to erode the Southern Continent!

"He must not be allowed to succeed!" Cold light exploded in Lin Wan's eyes, his killing intent fierce.

At this very moment, the 'Lord of Ashes' at the top of the altar seemed to have also sensed the intruders. He slowly turned his head, and those two points of eerie blue flame 'gaze' traversed space and fell upon Lin Wan.

"Interesting... a few more... reckless... bugs... have come..."

"And they carry... the disgusting... scent of... 'Reincarnation'... and 'Life'..."

"Just right... My 'Ash Altar'... is still missing a few... powerful Souls... as... sacrifices..."

"You... have come... just in time..."

A hoarse, dry voice, like two pieces of rotten wood rubbing together, yet carrying an aloof, cold tone that disregarded all vitality, came from the 'Lord of Ashes's' mouth, resounding throughout the underground space.

"Kill them all... use their Souls and flesh... to sacrifice to... the great... Ash and Withering..."

"Roar—!"

Following the 'Lord of Ashes's' order, those dozens of gray figures hovering around the altar issued roars that were not human, like hungry wolves that had smelled blood. They turned their direction, carrying thick 'withering' Death Qi, and rushed towards Lin Wan and his party, covering the sky!

The great battle was about to break out!