281: Molten fire vanquishes evil, a glimpse into the mirror is chilling.

Molten Fire Canyon, true to its name.

This was a massive fissure spanning a hundred miles deep within the crimson mountain range, over a thousand zhang wide at its broadest point, and bottomless. The rock walls on both sides of the canyon were dark red, covered in honeycomb-like holes, from which hot air, sparks, and sulfurous fumes constantly erupted. The canyon floor was not solid ground, but a slowly flowing river of scorching magma, occasionally erupting in fire waves dozens of zhang high. The space here was extremely unstable, with fine black cracks appearing and disappearing, only to be violently mended by the raging fire-attribute energy, emitting hissing sounds.

When Li Ao and his group arrived above the canyon, the violent aura, a mixture of spatial turbulence and scorching magma, was enough to make even ordinary Dou Sheng frown. But what was more striking were the few wisps of cold, decaying Soul fluctuations pervading the air, completely out of place with the surrounding environment.

"As expected, they've been tampering here." Li Ao hovered in mid-air, his Power of Gui Xu silently spreading out like the most precise detection net, sweeping over every inch of the canyon. His gaze finally settled on the middle section of the canyon, an area where the magma river was relatively calm, but the spatial folds were unusually dense. "More than one spot... three nodes, arranged in a triangle, echoing each other. They are setting up some kind of Formation for spatial interference and Soul erosion, and it's quite large-scale; it looks like it's almost complete."

Gu Xun'er's beautiful eyes flickered with golden flames, and she also sensed the hidden malice: "The Hun Clan's methods are always so sneaky and venomous. If this Formation is completed, it will likely not only interfere with the spatial stability of the Yan Realm's entrance but, with long-term erosion, it might even serve as a springboard to infiltrate Soul Power into the Yan Realm, planting hidden dangers."

Medusa's crimson snake eyes coldly scanned below, Seven-Colored Dou Qi surging around her: "Rats hiding their heads and tails, just drag them out and crush them."

Xiao Yi Xian, however, frowned slightly and whispered, "Those cold Soul Powers also contain a... very subtle fire poison? Unlike the natural fire poison here, it's more insidious, seemingly designed specifically to erode the Soul Origin of fire-attribute Cultivators." Her recently consolidated Chaos Poison Body was extremely sensitive to all kinds of 'poisonous' substances.

Elder Gu Hai's expression was solemn: "To be able to set up such a Formation here, the Hun Clan personnel dispatched this time are probably not weak in strength, and they came prepared."

"Their strength? We'll know once we try." Li Ao's tone was calm, yet it contained absolute confidence. He did not rush directly towards the Formation node but raised his right hand, gently clenching his five fingers at the Void Realm where the spatial folds were densest.

There was no earth-shattering commotion, but that space suddenly collapsed inward, twisting as if gripped by an invisible giant hand. Several blurry black figures hidden deep within the spatial folds were caught off guard, forcibly expelled from their concealed state, and stumbled into view. They were completely shrouded in black robes, emitting a cold aura, and were none other than four Hun Clan powerhouses. The leader actually possessed the cultivation of a One-Star Dou Sheng in the Late Stage, while the other three were also Peak Half-Saints!

"Li Ao of the Ruins Hall?!" The Hun Clan Dou Sheng was both shocked and enraged, clearly not expecting their whereabouts to be exposed so easily, nor that Li Ao would appear here. They had received orders to set up the 'Soul Corroding Demonic Flame Formation' here as a prelude to subsequent actions, and it was on the verge of completion.

"Too slow to react." As Li Ao's voice fell, his figure had already vanished from his original spot like a ghost.

The Hun Clan Dou Sheng's scalp tingled, and he roared, "Form the Formation! Activate the Demonic Flame!" His hands rapidly formed seals, and viscous, ink-like black flames surged from beneath his black robe. The other three Half-Saints also activated their powers simultaneously, and the four streams of black flames quickly connected, forming an evil black flame triangular Formation diagram. In the center of the diagram, wisps of cold, Soul-corroding fluctuations spread out, attempting to erode Li Ao's mind, while the black flames transformed into countless venomous snakes, biting at him.

"Petty tricks." Li Ao's figure abruptly appeared directly above the black flame Formation diagram. He didn't even use the silent ruin Blade, simply and straightforwardly, he punched downwards.

On his fist, there was no dazzling Dou Qi radiance, only a deep, gloomy fist aura, like the end of Guixu. Wherever the fist aura passed, the strange black flames, capable of eroding Souls and melting refined gold, silently melted and annihilated like snow in spring, unable to stir even a ripple. The meticulously arranged triangular Formation diagram, which was on the verge of completion, let out an unbearable wail the moment the fist aura touched it, crumbling inch by inch!

"Pfft!" The four Hun Clan powerhouses simultaneously spat out large mouthfuls of black blood containing Soul poison, their auras plummeting, their eyes filled with horror. Their renowned Soul Corroding Demonic Flame was actually so vulnerable before that strange, gloomy power?

"Power of Gui Xu, erase existence." Li Ao's cold voice was like a death god's judgment. Before the momentum of his punch was exhausted, the gloomy fist aura had already enveloped the four.

"Soul Explosion Escape!" At the critical moment of life and death, a ruthless and pained look flashed in the Hun Clan Dou Sheng's eyes, and he fiercely crushed a pitch-black jade token in his embrace. The other three also made similar movements simultaneously.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Four intensely concentrated black Soul fires suddenly exploded, not to injure the enemy, but to use the force of the explosion to tear apart the four individuals' Soul Origins with a special secret technique, transforming them into dozens of tiny black streaks of light, fleeing madly in all directions, especially into the spatial cracks. This was one of the Hun Clan core members' trump cards for survival, at the cost of permanent damage to their Soul Origin and a significant drop in cultivation, but it was better than Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

"Trying to leave?" Li Ao's eyes turned cold, and his Power of Gui Xu suddenly expanded, forming a gray Domain that enveloped most of the fleeing black streaks of light. Within the Domain, it was as if even the concepts of time and space became blurred, and the speed of those streaks of light plummeted, like insects trapped in amber.

"Purify." A clear female voice rang out. Gu Xun'er had gracefully arrived at some point, her jade hand lightly raised, and a wisp of pure, brilliant golden flame shot out, dividing into dozens of tiny golden flame arrows in the air, accurately piercing into the slowed black streaks of light.

Hiss, hiss, hiss—!

Like cold water poured into hot oil, extremely shrill, Soul-piercing wails emanated from those black streaks of light. The Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame, the sovereign of all fires, naturally had a strong restraining and purifying effect on Soul bodies. These already damaged Hun Clan Soul fragments rapidly became transparent and ethereal under the scorching of the golden flames, eventually turning completely into nothingness.

However, three or four of the most cunning black streaks of light, at the very beginning of the explosion, chose to burrow into the most unstable and dangerous spatial cracks, narrowly escaping the coverage of the Gui Xu Domain and the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame.

"Should we pursue?" Medusa looked at Li Ao.

Li Ao shook his head, his gaze turning to the other two hidden Formation nodes in the canyon: "No need, they are just stray dogs. Cleaning up this place is more important." He had already sensed that the Hun Clan members at the other two nodes, when the Hun Clan Dou Sheng self-detonated and escaped, seemed to have activated some emergency mechanism, and the Formation fluctuations became urgent and dangerous, as if they were about to detonate or transform prematurely.

"For the other two locations, Medusa, Elder Gu Hai, and I will each take one. We'll finish quickly," Li Ao assigned. "Xun'er, Yi Xian, you two will provide central support, pay attention to the overall changes in the canyon, and especially be careful of unstable spatial cracks and any lingering Soul poison."

"Understood!" Everyone responded, immediately splitting into three groups and rushing towards the other two hidden sources of Soul Power fluctuations.

Meanwhile, within the Yan Realm, in that magma great hall.

An ancient red bronze mirror, over ten zhang in diameter and carved with countless exotic flame beasts along its edges, floated in the center of the great hall. The mirror surface did not reflect the hall's interior but instead showed an overhead view of the Molten Fire Canyon, the image clear, even allowing for the perception of faint energy fluctuations. This was precisely the Yan Clan's treasure—the Fire-Observing Mirror, capable of monitoring fire-attribute energy changes and spatial conditions in specific areas around the Yan Realm.

At this moment, almost all of the Yan Clan's high-ranking members were gathered before the mirror. Clan Chief Yan Jin sat in the main seat, his red hair like fire, his expression solemn. To his left and right were several Elders with white or crimson hair and powerful auras. Among the younger generation, only two were qualified to stand at the back and observe: one was a tall, rugged-faced, red-haired youth with piercing eyes, none other than Huo Xuan, the top Genius of the Yan Clan's younger generation; the other was the graceful and beautiful Huo Zhi, with a faint red flame mark on her brow, appearing calm and gentle.

The scene in the mirror was precisely Li Ao's punch destroying the Soul Corroding Demonic Flame Formation, forcing four Hun Clan powerhouses to self-detonate and escape, and Gu Xun'er purifying the remnant Souls with the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame.

Inside the great hall, there was silence, only the faint rumble of energy emanating from the Fire-Observing Mirror.

After a long while, a red-browed Elder finally gasped, his voice dry: "Soul Corroding Demonic Flame Formation... the Hun Clan actually set up this Formation right at the entrance of our Yan Realm! If this Formation were completed, gradually eroding space and the Souls of our clansmen, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"That Black-Robed Youth, is he Li Ao of the Ruins Hall? What kind of power did he use? The Soul Corroding Demonic Flame actually crumbled upon contact? That punch... it seemed ordinary, yet it felt like it could end all things!" Another Elder's eyes were filled with shock and inquiry.

"And that girl from the Gu Clan, the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame is used with such purity and dominance, truly worthy of being Gu Yuan's daughter." An Elder sighed.

Yan Jin said nothing, his gaze fixed on Li Ao's figure in the mirror, flames intensely flickering in the depths of his pupils. He saw more clearly than others. The 'Dao' contained in Li Ao's punch was definitely not an ordinary Dou Qi attribute; it was a more fundamental, more terrifying 'annihilation' and 'ending' intent, which even caused a very faint... tremor in the Origin of his Red Lotus Karma Fire, which he had Cultivated for hundreds of years. It wasn't fear, but more like a natural reaction to encountering something diametrically opposite yet equally supreme.

"The Purification Lotus Demon Flame's sub-flame is real... this child's strength far exceeds rumors." Yan Jin mused inwardly, his attitude already subtly shifting. To so cleanly resolve a Formation squad led by a Hun Clan Dou Sheng, his strength had definitely reached the high-level Dou Sheng tier, and his methods countered the Hun Clan.

"Clan Chief, it seems Li Ao's words were not false. The Hun Clan is indeed plotting ill outside our clan's gates!" Huo Xuan stepped forward, his voice resonant, carrying suppressed anger. "Please allow me to lead the Flame Dragon Guard out of the Realm to clear the remaining enemies and welcome Hall Master Li and his group!" His nature was fierce and straightforward; he detested schemes and had long been unable to restrain himself after witnessing the Hun Clan's actions.

Several Elders nodded upon hearing this. Li Ao and his group helping to clear the threat outside their gates, regardless of their motives, was a benevolent act towards the Yan Clan, and it demonstrated sufficient strength and sincerity. Both emotionally and rationally, the Yan Clan should show some appreciation.

However, just then, a soft but clear voice rang out: "Brother Xuan, please calm down. Hall Master Li's strength is extraordinary; clearing the remaining enemies should not be difficult. It's just... their identities are special, and they are sworn enemies with the Hun Clan. While this action has indeed resolved our clan's immediate crisis, will it also directly draw the Hun Clan's greater wrath to the entrance of our Yan Realm? Should we not be more cautious, first thoroughly ascertain their intentions, and... what impact their struggle with the Hun Clan will have on our clan?"

The speaker was Huo Zhi. Her brows carried a perfectly appropriate worry, and her gaze was clear, as if entirely considering the clan's welfare. "Moreover, the Fire-Observing Mirror shows that there are still intense energy conflicts in the other two locations within the canyon, and the situation is unclear. Rushing out of the Realm might be inappropriate."

Her words were reasonable and logical, pointing out potential risks while also appearing to consider the bigger picture. Several Elders who had initially favored an immediate welcome also showed signs of contemplation.

Huo Xuan frowned and looked at Huo Zhi: "Sister Zhi, your words are mistaken! The Hun Clan's desire to destroy us is unceasing; if they can set up a Formation outside our gates today, they can infiltrate within tomorrow! Hall Master Li and others stepping forward to eliminate evil are friends, not foes! If we cower in fear of the Hun Clan's retaliation and even slight our friends, is that the style of our Yan Clan? As for risks, what do the sons and daughters of our Yan Clan fear in a battle?!" His voice was impassioned, carrying the unique fervor and straightforwardness of the Yan Clan.

Huo Zhi, being refuted, did not get angry, merely sighed softly and lowered her eyes: "Brother Xuan's lesson is right; it was Zhi'er who overthought and was timid." Her posture was extremely humble.

Yan Jin took in their reactions, his thoughts racing. Huo Xuan was pure-hearted, brave, and reliable; Huo Zhi was meticulous, considerate, and both seemed to have valid points. But as the Clan Chief, he possessed more intelligence and knew that the Hun Clan's threat was imminent, and an Alliance was imperative. The strength Li Ao displayed and the emergence of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame made him see greater possibilities.

Just as opinions within the hall subtly diverged, the scene in the Fire-Observing Mirror changed again!

In the other two locations in the canyon, intense energy brilliance erupted almost simultaneously. In one spot, purple-gold lightning and Seven-Colored Dou Qi intertwined, dominant and sharp, clearly Medusa and Elder Gu Hai making their move, instantly suppressing the enemy. In another spot, however, a dense, pitch-black Soul mist, mixed with dark red fire poison, suddenly exploded and rapidly spread, even dyeing the magma in that area a bizarre black-red, emitting a terrifying Soul-corroding aura. A somewhat panicked Hun Clan figure was attempting to use the poisonous mist to escape into a spatial crack.

"Oh no! It's 'Soul Burning Poisonous Fire Miasma'! The Hun Clan actually used such an insidious substance!" An Elder skilled in pharmacology exclaimed in alarm.

However, before that Hun Clan member could escape, and before the poisonous miasma could spread further, a graceful white figure had already swept to the edge of the poisonous miasma like a startled swan. It was Xiao Yi Xian.

Facing the mixed poisonous miasma, which would make even low-star Dou Sheng retreat, she did not dodge. She simply raised her delicate hand and, with an aerial grab, targeted the rolling poisonous mist.

The next moment, a scene that left all the Yan Clan high-ranking members watching through the Fire-Observing Mirror dumbfounded occurred.

The viscous, malicious Soul Burning Poisonous Fire Miasma, as if summoned by a monarch, docilely and surgingly gathered towards Xiao Yi Xian's fair palm! Not only did it gather, but during the process, it was enveloped and refined by a gray-white Chaos airflow. The Soul poison and fire poison within were rapidly separated and transformed, black Impurities were annihilated, and the pure fire-attribute energy and a portion of special Soul poisons actually transformed into two pure energy streams, which Xiao Yi Xian lightly inhaled into her body. The Chaos airflow around her shimmered slightly, and her aura seemed to solidify a bit more.

And the Hun Clan powerhouse, stripped of the poisonous miasma's cover, looked at Xiao Yi Xian with terror and despair, as if seeing an existence even more terrifying than a Hun Clan Elder.

"This... this is..." Yan Jin suddenly stood up, his eyes bursting with terrifying light. "All Poisons Returning to Origin, absorbing poison as nourishment?! What kind of Physique is this?! To be able to so easily resolve the Soul Burning Poisonous Fire Miasma?!"

The profundity of the Chaos Poison Body, for the first time before the Yan Clan's high-ranking members, revealed just the tip of the iceberg. And the shock it brought was no less than Li Ao's Power of Gui Xu and the Purification Lotus Demon Flame!

In Huo Zhi's lowered eyes, her pupils suddenly contracted to pinpricks, and her fingers in her sleeves unconsciously clenched, her fingertips slightly white. But on her face, she still maintained that gentle expression mixed with perfectly appropriate shock.

Yan Jin took a deep breath, the hot airflow raising the temperature of the great hall by several degrees. He no longer hesitated, his voice like erupting magma, resounding through the great hall:

"Flame Dragon Guard, follow this Clan Chief out of the Realm!"

"Huo Xuan, you go with them!"

"Open the Yan Realm's gate, and welcome our distinguished guests!"

"Furthermore, command the entire clan to enter a second-level alert state!"

The dust settled; sincerity and strength were both present, and the threat was clearly visible. The Yan Clan Chief had finally made his decision.

In the crimson great hall, Battle Intent soared. At the ancient volcano leading to the Yan Realm, magma surged violently again, and a spatial channel, more stable and wider than usual, was slowly forming.

Above Molten Fire Canyon, Li Ao seemed to sense something, looking up towards the entrance of the Yan Realm, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

The stepping stone had already knocked on the door. Next, it was time to enter and face that undying flame that had burned for thousands of years.