166: A four-star Dou Zun, once again descending into the abyss.

Within the Dragon Phoenix Blood Pool, Li Ao slowly opened his eyes, golden-red and grey-white light alternating in his pupils before finally settling into a profound calm.

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging, roaring new power within him; his Qi and blood were like a Dragon, his muscles and bones resonated, as if a single punch could shatter mountains!

Four-Star Dou Zun!

Not only was his Dou Qi Rank elevated, but after being tempered by the Dragon Phoenix's power, his Physical Body strength reached an unimaginable level.

His Meridians were wide and tough like a Dragon, his bones dense and shimmering with a metallic luster, and his Qi and blood were as vast as the sea.

More importantly, that wisp of Nirvana Origin, stimulated and refined by the high-level energy of the Dragon Phoenix's power, became more harmonious and transparent, and the meaning of Reincarnation of life and death it contained became even clearer.

With a slight thought, a wisp of grey-white Qi swirled around his fingertips.

This Qi no longer carried the icy stillness it once did; instead, within that ultimate "destruction," a hint of warm "life" Qi subtly emerged, like a miniature Reincarnation.

"Breaking before establishing, living towards death... Dragon Phoenix Body Tempering... my Dao of Nirvana has finally truly entered the gate," Li Ao murmured, a flash of realization in his eyes.

Now, even without using the deeper power of the black iron, he was confident he could easily defeat a Five-Star Dou Zun, and even contend with a Six-Star Dou Zun!

He rose from the Blood Pool, dried the water from his body, put on his clothes, and strode out of the valley.

Outside the valley, two figures had been waiting for a long time.

One wore a Seven-Colored dress, her figure graceful, her purple eyes flowing with an innate nobility and cold allure; it was Medusa, her injuries fully recovered and her cultivation further improved.

When she saw Li Ao emerge and felt the increasingly profound and powerful aura emanating from him, a hint of imperceptible relief and tenderness flickered in her purple eyes.

The other was the petite and delicate Zi Yan, hands on her hips, looking as if to say, "This King has been waiting for a long time."

"Tsk tsk, Four-Star Dou Zun, with a solid aura, it seems you've gained quite a bit!" Zi Yan scrutinized Li Ao, nodding with satisfaction, "You didn't waste This King's Dragon Phoenix Blood Pool."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your benevolence," Li Ao cupped his hands, expressing sincere gratitude.

If not for Zi Yan's full assistance, he and Medusa would never have recovered or even achieved a Breakthrough so quickly.

"Alright, less of the pleasantries," Zi Yan waved her hand, her small face serious, "Sister Medusa is awake, your injuries are healed, and your strength has increased.

It's time to settle what needs to be settled."

Her gaze looked into the distance, as if it could penetrate endless space to see that burning inferno: "The Flame Abyss, and the whereabouts of Sister Xiao Yi Xian, it's time to get to the bottom of it."

At the mention of Xiao Yi Xian, Li Ao's eyes instantly became sharp and resolute.

He looked at Medusa.

Medusa nodded slightly to him, her purple eyes also filled with determination.

No matter what lay ahead, she would go with him.

"Let's go," Li Ao said in a deep voice, without the slightest hesitation.

The three no longer delayed.

After a brief word with the Dragon Island Elder, Zi Yan personally tore open space, creating a stable passage directly to the outer reaches of the Endless Fire Territory.

The spatial passage constructed by a Dou Saint-Grade expert was far faster than before.

In less than half a day, the three had traversed endless distances, reappearing at the edge of the reddish, scorching, sulfur-smelling Endless Fire Territory.

Revisiting the old place, their mood was completely different.

Last time, they came with the goal of seeking Opportunity and strengthening the Alliance, but encountered a life-and-death crisis and suffered a tragic loss.

This time, they carried the power of Nirvana, wielding the might of the Dragon Emperor, to uncover the truth, for a possible hope, and even more so... to exact a blood debt!

"Directly to the Flame Abyss entrance," Li Ao's gaze was cold as he looked into the depths of the Fire Territory, where it was still shrouded in distorted, shimmering heatwaves.

"Hmm, This King also senses that the spatial fluctuations there are a bit unusual," a hint of solemnity flashed in Zi Yan's purple-gold Dragon eyes, "It seems... it's even more unstable than last time, and there's an added... aura that makes even This King feel a little apprehensive."

Even the Dou Saint-Grade Zi Yan felt apprehensive?

Li Ao and Medusa's hearts tightened; it seemed this Flame Abyss was more complex than they had imagined.

The three said no more.

Zi Yan released a faint Dragon Emperor's pressure, dispersing some of the unobservant fire-attribute Demonic Beasts along the way, and flew directly towards the entrance of the Flame Abyss.

The closer they got to the entrance, the stronger the destructive essence that made one's Soul ache became.

The dark-red fire poison floating in the air almost solidified; an ordinary Dou Zun would probably find it impossible to move an inch here.

Soon, the familiar spatial barrier, constantly twisting like water ripples, reappeared before the three.

Beyond the barrier was the abyss world filled with pale, destructive flames.

"This is it," Li Ao stopped, looking at the twisted space.

Xiao Yi Xian's resolute figure seemed to reappear before his eyes, making his heart ache.

"The spatial structure here is very fragile, and it's covered by a powerful destructive rule," Zi Yan observed the spatial barrier carefully, her small brows furrowed, "Forcing our way in might cause the entire abyss to riot, and even... alarm that big guy inside."

She was referring to the terrifying Flame Giant from last time.

"We must go in," Li Ao's tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

No matter how dangerous it was inside, he had to go in and confirm if Xiao Yi Xian still had a glimmer of hope.

Medusa stood silently beside him, her Seven-Colored Dou Qi hidden, indicating her stance.

Zi Yan looked at the two of them and sighed, "Alright, alright, I knew I couldn't dissuade you.

But we can't force our way in; we need to find a way to enter silently."

She pondered for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "I've got it! This King can use the Dragon Emperor's power to temporarily simulate the destructive aura originating from this place, enveloping us.

Perhaps we can trick this spatial barrier and the rules inside!"

No sooner said than done.

Zi Yan formed hand seals, and purple-gold Dragon flames surged around her, but this time, the nature of the Dragon flames began to change.

The majestic and upright Dragon Emperor's Qi gradually became internalized, replaced by an aura of destruction and violence extremely similar to the surrounding environment!

Although the essence was different, in appearance, it was almost indistinguishable!

A thin, reddish-purple light shield, emanating destructive fluctuations, enveloped the three.

"Go! Stay close to This King, and suppress all your auras!" Zi Yan shouted softly, taking the lead and stepping towards the twisted spatial barrier.

Li Ao and Medusa immediately suppressed their auras to the lowest possible level, following closely behind.

When the light shield simulating the destructive aura touched the spatial barrier, the barrier indeed only rippled slightly, without issuing an alarm or repulsion.

The three, like drops of water merging into the sea, silently passed through the barrier and once again stepped into the pale, dead Flame Abyss!

It was still that boundless, pale sea of fire, with destructive flames burning silently, and pale runes flickering indifferently in the sky.

But unlike last time, Li Ao keenly sensed that within the stillness of this abyss, there seemed to be a very subtle... vitality?

As if something, in a deeper place, was quietly awakening.

And the moment he stepped into this place, the black iron deep within his brow once again sent out an incomparably clear pulsation!

This time, it was no longer a warning, but a strong, guiding sense of attraction, pointing directly to the deepest part of the sea of fire!

At the same time, the transformed Nirvana Origin within his body also spontaneously became active, creating a peculiar resonance with the destructive rules of this world.

"Follow me!" A sharp glint flashed in Li Ao's eyes.

Guided by the black iron and the Nirvana Origin, he chose a direction and flew without hesitation towards the depths of the sea of fire.

Zi Yan and Medusa followed closely, the three of them like three phantoms, rapidly traversing this world of destruction.

This time, they were no longer passively enduring, but actively exploring!

Their goal was the ultimate secret hidden within this Flame Abyss, and that... possible glimmer of hope!

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