280: The Flames of War Begin

Forty-nine days of time, in the eyes of those who Cultivate, is but a snap of the fingers.

Inside the myriad medicine cauldron furnace hall, the cyan radiance finally slowly receded.

When that enormous phantom of the medicine cauldron gradually faded, revealing the white-clad figure sitting quietly within, Li Ao and Medusa, who were waiting outside the hall, raised their eyes almost simultaneously.

Xiao Yi Xian descended gracefully from mid-air, her toes lightly touching the ground.

She was still in that simple clothing, her appearance unchanged, but the Aura around her had undergone a transformation as if reborn.

The previous "new vitality" and that extremely subtle feeling of floating were gone, replaced by a kind of Perfection that was as warm and smooth as jade, yet as deep and calm as an abyss.

Standing there, she seemed to be one with the medicinal power and life essence of the surrounding world.

With every breath, faint streams of Chaos Qi appeared around her mouth and nose, carrying a strange Dao charm intertwined with creation and annihilation.

The barrier of the Peak Dou Zun Realm now appeared incredibly solid and heavy, even faintly revealing a mysterious Aura of having touched upon higher-level Laws—this was the sign that the potential of the "Chaos Poison Body" had been further stimulated, reaching the threshold of "returning all poisons to the Origin, transforming poison into spirit."

"Xian'er." Li Ao stepped forward, a flash of relief in his eyes.

Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes, and deep within her pupils, a grayish-white Chaos vortex seemed to flash and vanish, immediately returning to clarity.

She looked at Li Ao, a genuine and peaceful smile spreading across her lips: "Big Brother Li, I feel... very good. More grounded than ever before."

She gently clenched her fist, and the space rippled slightly, "The Origin of the Chaos Poison Body seems to have awakened a deeper part of itself; my control and understanding of poison power are completely different now."

The three Elders, Yao Yan, Yao Lin, and Yao Xun, also finished their Cultivation and stood up.

Although there was fatigue on their faces, their eyes were full of smiles.

Yao Yan stroked his beard and smiled: "Fortunately, we did not fail the mission. Miss Xiao Yi Xian's Foundation has been completely solidified, and her spirit and flesh are flawless.

The Chaos Poison Body is indeed infinitely mysterious; with this activation, the Sage Realm is promising in the future.

However, she will need to slowly comprehend and Breakthrough the Law threshold of 'transforming poison into spirit' on her own in the future."

"Li Ao will remember this great favor from the three Seniors." Li Ao bowed solemnly.

Xiao Yi Xian also bowed deeply.

Medusa walked over, her beautiful eyes scanning Xiao Yi Xian up and down.

She nodded slightly, a faint arc appearing on her cold and gorgeous lips: "It seems the effort was not in vain."

Thus, the two core goals of the trip to the Medicine Clan—nurturing the ancient jade and consolidating Xiao Yi Xian's Foundation—had both been achieved to Perfection.

During this period, Gu Xun'er and Yao Dan had also completed a series of detailed deployments.

The internal purge of the Medicine Clan continued, and new protection and detection Formations had begun to be built.

The second batch of forces from the Ancient Clan supporting the Ruins Hall had also arrived, and under the coordination of Elder Gu Ling, the Foundation of the Ruins Hall was becoming increasingly stable.

"It is time." Inside the Medicine King Hall, Li Ao, Gu Xun'er, and Yao Dan gathered once again.

Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa accompanied them at their side.

Yao Dan took out a Jade Slip as red as fire and handed it to Li Ao: "This is a private letter I wrote to Yan Jin in the name of the Medicine Clan Chief.

It clearly states the intention of an Alliance between our clan, the Ancient Clan, and the Ruins Hall, and contains much praise for you, Hall Master Li Ao.

Although I cannot guarantee that the old stubborn man will believe it entirely, it is at least a stepping stone."

Li Ao took it; it was slightly warm to the touch, and he could feel a trace of pure fire-attribute energy imprint of a Five-Star Dou Sheng contained within.

"Thank you, Clan Chief."

"The Yan Clan values martial arts and worships fire even more," Yao Dan reminded, "Verbal exchanges are important, but in the end, the power to make them convinced will likely fall on the word 'fire'.

You possess the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, which is a huge advantage, but it may also attract covetousness or defiance; you need to use it well."

Gu Xun'er also said: "The rubbings of the ancient book about the 'Red Lotus Karma Fire' sent by my father have arrived."

She took out a scroll that was neither gold nor jade, glowing with a faint red light, "It records an incomplete process of a riot of the Red Lotus Karma Fire in the ancient times for unknown reasons, which almost burned down nearly half of the Yan Realm, and was finally jointly suppressed by several predecessors of their clan using special secret techniques.

Although it is incomplete and the secret techniques from long ago may be lost, the descriptions of the nature of the Red Lotus Karma Fire and the patterns of its riots involved are of immeasurable value to the current Yan Clan."

Li Ao nodded; the weight of this "gift" was indeed heavy enough.

As the Legacy fire of the Yan Clan, the violence and difficulty in controlling the Red Lotus Karma Fire was a thorn in the side of successive Yan Clan experts.

This ancient book was like sending charcoal in the snow, especially when there might be unstable factors (Hun Clan secret agents) inside, making it even more precious.

"There is no time to delay." Li Ao put away the Jade Slip and the scroll, "The Hun Clan is frequently active near the Yan Realm, and I fear there may be changes.

We will depart immediately."

Yao Dan did not try to keep them any longer: "Take care on your way. The Medicine Clan can provide reinforcements at any time."

Bidding farewell to Yao Dan, Yao Yan, and the others, Li Ao's party of five (Li Ao, Gu Xun'er, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and the accompanying Ancient Clan Elder Gu Hai; Elder Gu Ling had already returned to the Ruins Hall to preside over affairs) arrived at a specific teleportation plaza in the Medicine World.

An ancient space wormhole directed towards a secret Ancient Clan stronghold near the outskirts of the Yan Realm had already been prepared here.

This wormhole was jointly maintained when the relationship between the Ancient Clan and the Yan Clan was still harmonious.

Although it is rarely used now, the passage is still stable and is much more secretive and efficient than tearing through space to travel on one's own.

Stepping into the wormhole, the familiar feeling of space tearing came.

All around were the strange and kaleidoscopic space streamers.

The Power of Gui Xu circulated slightly around Li Ao, smoothing out all spatial fluctuations and protecting the people behind him.

Gu Xun'er was covered in a layer of pale golden flames, also appearing calm.

Medusa was surrounded by Seven-Colored Dou Qi, and faint Chaos Qi currents appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's body; all were unharmed.

Elder Gu Hai operated his Ancient Clan Dou Qi to guard the rear.

About half an hour later, a scorching and violent energy Aura came from the end of the space passage ahead.

"We are arriving." Gu Xun'er said softly.

The exit of the wormhole did not open directly within the Yan Realm, but in a desolate, crimson mountain range.

This place was the location of a secret Ancient Clan stronghold, covered by a Formation.

As soon as everyone stepped out, they felt a heat wave rushing towards them, and the air was filled with a rich smell of sulfur and pure fire-attribute energy of the world.

Looking around, the red land stretched for a thousand miles.

In the distance, there were continuous volcanoes, some emitting billowing thick smoke, others with dark red light flickering at the crater.

The sky was a faint crimson, as if it were always in twilight.

"The outskirts of the Yan Realm, the Fire Meteor Mountain Range." Gu Xun'er explained, "The fire-attribute energy here is violent, the environment is harsh, and few outsiders set foot here, making it suitable for establishing a secret stronghold.

According to reports from the clansmen left behind here, in recent days, abnormal spatial prying fluctuations in the vicinity have mainly been concentrated in the area of the 'Molten Fire Canyon' three thousand miles to the northeast, which is a somewhat unstable spatial weak point of the Yan Realm."

Li Ao's Soul Power spread out like a tide, instantly covering a radius of several thousand miles.

Sure enough, in the northeast direction, he captured a few extremely obscure traces of spatial residual fluctuations carrying cold Soul Power, which were seven or eight parts similar to the Aura of the people from the Hall of Souls, but more pure and secretive.

"The people of the Hun Clan are indeed active nearby, seemingly investigating something, or... setting something up." Li Ao's eyes were slightly cold, "Let's go, first to the entrance of the Yan Realm.

This 'welcome gift' might be able to be delivered ahead of time."

The entrance to the Yan Realm was located in the belly of the largest active volcano at the core of the Fire Meteor Mountain Range.

The crater spewed dark red magma hundreds of feet high all year round, forming a natural barrier.

Only clansmen who Cultivate the core Cultivation Technique of the Yan Clan, or those holding special tokens, could trigger the ancient space Formation hidden within the volcano to open the gateway to the Yan Realm.

When Li Ao's party arrived near the crater, the scorching high temperature was enough to make ordinary Dou Zun experts feel uncomfortable.

The magma rolled, and the heat waves distorted the air.

"Who goes there! This is an important place of the Yan Clan, retreat quickly!" A roar like thunder came from within the crater, and immediately, four figures clad in crimson armor with fierce Auras stepped out of the churning magma on fire.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a red face and eyebrows that turned up like flames, whose strength had actually reached the Advanced Ban Sheng level, and the other three were also Peak Dou Zun.

The four people's Auras were connected, faintly forming a battle Formation, scanning Li Ao and the others with vigilant and oppressive eyes.

When their eyes swept over Gu Xun'er, they were slightly taken aback, obviously recognizing this young lady of the Ancient Clan, but their vigilance did not decrease.

The Yan Clan's border-protecting Flame Guards, indeed lived up to their reputation.

Li Ao stepped forward, ignoring the heat wave capable of melting gold and iron and the oppressive Aura of the four people combined, and calmly said: "Li Ao of the Ruins Hall and Gu Xun'er of the Ancient Clan have come specifically to pay a visit to Clan Chief Yan Jin.

This is a personal letter from Senior Yao Dan, the Medicine Clan Chief, and an Ancient Clan token." He simultaneously showed the crimson Jade Slip and the ancient jade carved with golden flame patterns that Gu Xun'er handed over.

The leader of the Flame Guards let his gaze linger on Li Ao for a moment, his pupils shrinking slightly.

He was unable to see through the depth of this Black-Robed Youth, only feeling that the other party standing there was like an abyss that devoured everything, and even the surrounding violent fire-attribute energy would inexplicably calm down when approaching him.

Hearing the four words "Ruins Hall Li Ao", his expression changed slightly.

The fierce reputation of the Ruins Hall Master who wiped out five Sages in ten breaths had long spread throughout the top forces of the continent.

He took the Jade Slip and the ancient jade, checked them carefully, and after confirming they were correct, his tone softened slightly, but still carried the directness unique to the Yan Clan: "Since it is a recommendation from the Medicine Clan and you are envoys of the Ancient Clan, do you have an appointment?

The Clan Chief has been in seclusion recently and does not usually see outside guests." This was half true and half false; Yan Jin might not really be in seclusion, but obviously, he did not want to let them pass easily, especially for this "malefic star" Li Ao, who had been in the spotlight recently and might have a deep feud with the Hun Clan.

Gu Xun'er frowned slightly and was about to speak.

Li Ao waved his hand, looked towards the northeast, and suddenly said: "Seclusion? I am afraid that Clan Chief Yan Jin is not in the mood to truly seclude himself at this moment, right?"

The Flame Guard leader was stunned: "What does this mean?"

Li Ao did not answer, but instead asked: "Have there been any abnormalities in the Molten Fire Canyon to the northeast recently? For example... increased spatial instability? Or, prying by unidentified persons?"

The expressions of the four Flame Guards changed at the same time.

The spatial fluctuations in the Molten Fire Canyon had indeed been unusually frequent recently, and the clan had already sent extra personnel to patrol, but had not made it public.

How did this person know?

Li Ao looked at their reaction and understood in his heart.

The Hun Clan's activities nearby were by no means aimless.

He stretched out his palm, palm facing up.

The next moment, a wisp of pure, flawless flame, which seemed to be able to purify all the filth in the world, yet contained a dreamy and hazy color, rose quietly.

The moment the flame appeared, the surrounding violent fire-attribute energy became docile as if worshipping a king, and even the rolling magma below seemed to quiet down for an instant.

"Purification Lotus Demon Flame!"

The four Flame Guards exclaimed in unison, their eyes erupting with incredible, scorching light.

As members of the Yan Clan, they had an almost instinctive desire and recognition for the strange fire of heaven and earth.

The characteristics of this pure white flame were exactly the same as the third in the strange fire ranking list recorded in ancient books—Purification Lotus Demon Flame!

"This fire is one of the sincerities of our visit." Li Ao's voice was calm but carried unquestionable power, "In addition, I sensed the residual of cold and filthy Soul Power in the direction of the Molten Fire Canyon, which I fear is detrimental to the Yan Realm.

Perhaps we can help the Yan Clan clear out the 'dust' outside the door first, and then talk about the visit, how about it?"

He flicked his finger, and that wisp of Purification Lotus Demon Flame child fire turned into a white light, flying towards the Flame Guard leader: "This child fire contains a trace of the true meaning of purification, just as a token.

Please present it to Clan Chief Yan Jin. See you at the Molten Fire Canyon in one hour.

If the Yan Clan is not interested, I will deal with those sneaky people myself, and then visit again."

After speaking, without waiting for the Flame Guard leader to react, Li Ao nodded slightly to Gu Xun'er and the others, his figure swayed, and he had already turned into a blurred phantom, speeding towards the northeast, with an unimaginably fast speed.

Gu Xun'er, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Gu Hai also followed closely behind, disappearing into the crimson sky in an instant.

Only the four Flame Guards were left, along with the pure white flame floating in front of the Flame Guard leader, emitting a tempting yet heart-palpitating fluctuation.

The Flame Guard leader looked at Yao Dan's letter and the Ancient Clan token in his hand, then looked at the Purification Lotus Demon Flame child fire in front of him, and recalled Li Ao's unfathomable Aura and his words about the Molten Fire Canyon, his expression changing unpredictably.

"Quickly report this fire and the token, as well as Li Ao's words, word for word, to the Clan Chief and the Elders!" He turned around abruptly and roared to a Flame Guard behind him, his voice filled with urgency.

The Purification Lotus Demon Flame has appeared in the world, and the Hun Clan may be plotting in secret... The matter is of great importance and is far beyond what these few border-protecting Flame Guards can decide.

Inside the Yan Realm, in the giant hall built entirely of dark red lava crystals, Yan Jin and several core Elders, who were originally discussing clan affairs, received the message almost at the same time.

When that wisp of pure white Purification Lotus Demon Flame child fire was presented, and they felt the supreme purification and nightmare Law charm within it, the entire hall was dead silent.

Immediately, in Yan Jin's eyes, which were like burning flames, a terrifying sharp light erupted, and he stood up abruptly, his voice like a bell:

"Open the Fire Viewing Mirror, focus on the Molten Fire Canyon!"

"Summon the Flame Dragon Guard, stand by at any time!"

"And... invite Huo Xuan over."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the people with different expressions in the hall, especially pausing slightly on a young woman who was bowing her head, his tone grim:

"This seat would like to see just how capable this famous Ruins Hall Master of the continent is, and whether he can really ferret out the 'ghost' outside the door of our Yan Clan!"

Inside the crimson hall, the heat waves were surging, and the atmosphere suddenly tightened like a bowstring.

The storm had already raised its first wave at the entrance of the Yan Realm.