260: Fire Spirit in Front of the Palace

Stepping onto the ruined plaza on the opposite bank, the ancient and vast aura became even more intense. The stone slabs underfoot, having endured countless years and high temperatures, remained hard, inscribed with faint flame totems. The air was no longer simply scorching, but heavy and majestic, as if countless eyes were watching the intruders from the shadows.

At the end of the plaza, the continuous cluster of dark red palaces stood like prostrate primordial beasts, silently amidst a sea of fire. Getting closer, one could feel their grandeur and oppressive presence even more. The material of the palaces was neither gold nor stone, but rather like jade or crystal, dark red throughout, as if formed from solidified flames, with a faint luster flowing across their surfaces.

However, the path to the main hall was not unobstructed. Between the plaza and the palace cluster stood nine giant flame stone pillars, each a hundred zhang tall. The pillars were arranged in a mysterious trajectory, subtly forming a Formation. At the top of each stone pillar, a human figure, entirely condensed from dark red flames, sat cross-legged!

These flame figures were solid in form with Vague features, but the aura they exuded was incredibly powerful, all having reached the Eighth Rank (Dou Zun) level, with the three leading ones even reaching the Peak of the Eighth Rank! They were like the most loyal guardians, silent, but their murderous and destructive will formed an invisible barrier, blocking all outsiders.

“Nine Fire Spirits… it seems this is Fentian Valley’s final protection.” Medusa’s snake pupils constricted slightly, feeling the pressure. Nine Dou Zun-level Fire Spirits, three of them at the Peak, forming a battle Formation, their power would likely be enough to trap or even severely injure a nascent Semi-Saint expert.

Xiao Yi Xian’s expression also became solemn: “Their auras are connected to the entire palace complex, their energy is inexhaustible, and… they seem to possess a certain combat instinct, not purely energy constructs.”

Just as Li Ao and the two were observing, the sound of water breaking and hurried gasps came from behind them.

The Burning Flame Valley, the Hall of Souls, and two other lone Dou Zuns who had fortunately crossed the lava fire river, finally stumbled onto the plaza in disarray. Their numbers were less than half of what they were before, each bearing injuries and weak auras, clearly indicating an extremely perilous river crossing. When they saw the nine terrifying Fire Spirits at the end of the plaza, everyone’s faces instantly turned pale.

“Nine… nine Dou Zun Fire Spirits?!” One lone Dou Zun’s voice trembled, almost in despair. They had barely managed to cross the fire river, already at their limit, where would they find the strength to face such a lineup?

The Red-haired Elder of Burning Flame Valley’s face was extremely grim. He looked at Li Ao, his eyes complex. He knew that their only hope now probably lay with this mysterious young man.

The Black-robed Venerable of Soul Hall’s eyes flickered, and he secretly transmitted a message to his sole remaining companion: “The situation has changed, do not act rashly for now. Let these fools go ahead and test them, we will act according to the situation.”

Just as everyone hesitated, the Fire Spirits atop the nine stone pillars seemed to be awakened by the aura of living beings, and simultaneously opened their “eyes”—two flickering, incredibly cold, dark red flames!

“Buzz—!”

Nine powerful auras instantly linked together, forming a huge flame force field that enveloped the entire plaza entrance area! The temperature in the air suddenly soared again, and the stone slabs on the ground began to glow red, as if about to be re-melted.

“Intruders… stop!”

A spiritual fluctuation, imbued with antiquity and majesty, like a great bell, directly exploded in everyone’s Sea of Consciousness! This was the warning issued by the leading Fire Spirit.

Li Ao raised an eyebrow slightly; these Fire Spirits indeed possessed considerable intelligence. He stepped forward, his gaze calmly meeting the nine locked-on fiery gazes: “We are only seeking the exotic fire in the Valley, with no intention of offense. Please make it convenient for us.”

“The exotic fire is the Foundation of Fentian, only the fated can obtain it! Retreat, or… die!” The leading Fire Spirit’s spiritual fluctuation was filled with an undeniable resolve. It slowly raised its arm, formed of flames, and the other eight Fire Spirits moved in unison, powerful energy circulating between them, poised but not yet unleashed.

Negotiations broke down!

Seeing this, the Red-haired Elder of Burning Flame Valley gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and cupped his hands to Li Ao: “Friend, only by joining forces now do we have a chance to Breakthrough this place! My Burning Flame Valley is willing to follow your lead and break the Formation together!” He had understood that they alone had no chance of getting through.

The other two lone Dou Zuns also quickly agreed; at this point, preserving their lives and seeking Opportunity was paramount, and they could not worry about other things.

The Black-robed Venerable of Soul Hall remained silent, tacitly agreeing.

Li Ao glanced at them. Although their strength was greatly diminished, they were still somewhat useful, at least capable of holding back a few Fire Spirits. He nodded faintly: “Alright. I will be responsible for breaking through the core of the Formation from the front later. You all hold back the Fire Spirits on the left and right flanks, especially the three Peak-level ones. You must not let them combine their strength.”

“Good!” Everyone responded, activating their remaining Dou Qi, ready for battle.

“Attack!”

Li Ao let out a low roar, no longer hesitating. His figure shot out like an arrow, aiming directly for the Eighth Rank Peak Fire Spirit at the very core of the nine stone pillar Formation! At the same time, his Gui Xu Domain fully expanded, countering the enveloping flame force field. Wherever he passed, flames retreated, and Laws subsided!

“Stop him!” The leading Fire Spirit let out a silent roar. Nine dark red pillars of flame, like chains, erupted from the stone pillars, weaving into a destructive net that enveloped Li Ao! The three Eighth Rank Peak Fire Spirits even detached from their stone pillars, transforming into three fiery meteors, attacking Li Ao in a 'pin' Formation. Flames condensed into three weapons: a saber, a spear, and a sword, carrying the might to tear space!

“We are your opponents!”

Medusa let out a delicate shout, and a seven-colored light soared into the sky, transforming into a giant Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python phantom. Its snake tail swept out, directly blocking one of the Peak Fire Spirits attacking from the left! Xiao Yi Xian, with a gentle flick of her jade hand, unleashed a gray-purple Chaos poisonous mist that spread out, forming a corrosive Domain, enveloping the Peak Fire Spirit on the right and two ordinary Fire Spirits nearby. The poisonous mist and flames collided violently, emitting hissing sounds.

The Red-haired Elder of Burning Flame Valley and the other two Dou Zuns also roared and charged towards the remaining four ordinary Fire Spirits. Though struggling, they managed to entangle them.

The Black-robed Venerable of Soul Hall and his companion exchanged glances. They did not exert their full strength, merely moving along the edge of the battlefield, employing insidious Soul attacks to interfere with the Fire Spirits, but their gaze occasionally darted towards Li Ao and the core Fire Spirit’s battle, seemingly waiting for something.

In the center of the battlefield, Li Ao faced the siege of three Peak Fire Spirits and the enveloping net of flames, his eyes cold.

“Gui Xu Annihilation—Burn!”

He pressed his palms together, then suddenly pushed them apart! A Power of Gui Xu, far more massive than when he dealt with the Lava Dragon Turtle earlier, swept out from him like an invisible storm!

The destructive net, condensed from flame Laws, instantly melted and broke apart like ice and snow in sunlight the moment it touched this power! The flame weapons wielded by the three Peak Fire Spirits also dimmed in brilliance and drastically reduced in power while still several zhang away from Li Ao!

“Die!”

Li Ao’s figure was like lightning, dodging two greatly weakened flame spears and a great sword, appearing directly before the core Fire Spirit wielding the flame saber. A punch, imbued with the true meaning of Gui Xu, landed without any flourish on its flame-condensed chest!

“Puff!”

There was no loud bang, only a faint sound, like a popping bubble. The core Fire Spirit’s movements suddenly stiffened. It looked down at its chest, where a fist-sized gray void was rapidly expanding. The flame energy and core spirituality it contained were being frantically devoured and erased by that gray void!

It wanted to struggle, wanted to self-destruct, but under the absolute suppression of the Power of Gui Xu, it couldn't even manage this final resistance.

In just an instant, this Eighth Rank Peak core Fire Spirit completely dissipated under Li Ao’s fist, transforming into a pure Origin fire energy, which Li Ao absorbed into his body. The hundred-zhang stone pillar it sat upon also crashed down, shattering into dark red crystal fragments all over the ground.

With the core of the Formation broken, the entire flame force field instantly became chaotic! The auras of the remaining eight Fire Spirits also plummeted by a significant margin!

“Now!” Li Ao’s gaze was sharp, locking onto the other two Peak Fire Spirits.

Having lost the Formation’s enhancement and witnessing their core being instantly killed, these two Fire Spirits showed human-like fear for the first time in their eyes, turning to flee back to their stone pillars.

“Can you escape?”

Li Ao’s figure was like a ghost, flashing twice in quick succession.

“Nirvana Finger!”

“Return to Nothing Palm!”

The two moves struck the backs of the other two Peak Fire Spirits almost simultaneously.

Like the former, these two powerful Fire Spirits couldn't even let out a scream before following in the footsteps of the core Fire Spirit, transforming into pure energy and being absorbed by Li Ao.

With their leaders lost, the Formation completely collapsed. The remaining six ordinary Fire Spirits emitted a chaotic spiritual fluctuation, their forms began to become illusory, and finally, they transformed back into six streams of flame light, merging into the remaining six stone pillars, no longer appearing.

On the plaza, silence returned.

The Burning Flame Valley and the two lone Dou Zuns looked at Li Ao, standing proudly in the center, as if looking up at a deity, their hearts filled with the joy of surviving a catastrophe and endless reverence.

The Black-robed Venerable of Soul Hall’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, trembled slightly. The strength Li Ao displayed was more terrifying each time, causing his killing intent and fear to intertwine and escalate.

Li Ao slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air. Continuously using the Power of Gui Xu consumed a lot, but the gains were equally immense. He felt that his Nirvana Hegemon Body, after absorbing this pure fire energy, seemed to have subtly improved a bit, getting closer to the barrier of achieving a Saint Physical Body.

He raised his head, his gaze piercing through the plaza, landing on the unobstructed, open dark red palace gates.

The core Legacy of Fentian Valley, that mysterious exotic fire, was behind the door.