283: Inside the Temple of Flame, crimson flames scorched the heart.

The interior of the Yan Shen Hall was far more magnificent and spectacular than its exterior.

Supporting the great hall were thirty-six massive crimson pillars, each requiring ten people to encircle. The pillars were not carved, but formed from naturally condensed Flame Crystal Marrow, within which magma seemed to flow slowly, emitting a soft yet constant light and heat. The dome soared over a hundred zhang high, covered in lifelike murals depicting ancient ancestors worshiping flames, controlling exotic fires, and battling massive flame beasts, containing a fierce, savage will. The floor of the hall was paved with dark red Fire Obsidian Stones, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the scene above. Walking upon it felt like treading on fire.

At this moment, seats had been set up on both sides of the hall, with the important Elders and core disciples of the Yan Clan seated in rows. Yan Jin occupied the main seat, with Hall Master Li Ao and Miss Gu Xun'er placed in the guest seats below him. Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Elder Gu Hai were seated sequentially. Elder Yan Sha, having received guidance from Li Ao, had completely changed his attitude towards him and proactively sat on the side closer to the guest seats, causing several Elders who usually disagreed with him to glance sideways.

Maidens served the fire lotus Spiritual Tea, unique to the Yan Realm. The tea liquid was crystal clear and crimson, and as steam rose, it materialized into tiny illusory fire lotus shadows. The tea fragrance contained pure fire attribute energy, which was greatly beneficial for cultivation, but those without the fire attribute or sufficient cultivation might risk self-immolation if they drank it rashly.

Yan Jin raised his cup and said loudly, “Hall Master Li Ao, Miss Xuner, you have traveled a long distance. Please drink this tea first to relieve your exhaustion.”

Li Ao raised the teacup, and the Power of Gui Xu naturally circulated, quietly transforming and absorbing the overly aggressive fire attribute energy in the tea, leaving only the purest Spiritual Qi and tea essence. He took a light sip, nodding in praise: “Spiritual essence within fire, combining strength and softness. Excellent tea.”

Gu Xun'er, meanwhile, enveloped the tea with the aura of the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame before calmly drinking it. Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian each had their own methods, while Elder Gu Hai relied on his deep cultivation to endure it. Though he looked slightly strained, it caused him no harm.

Yan Jin observed everyone’s reactions, refining his assessment internally. He set down his teacup, skipping further pleasantries, and went straight to the topic: “Hall Master Li, Miss Xuner, I have read Clan Chief Yao Dan’s letter. I understand the Gu Clan and Ruins Hall’s intention to form an Alliance and their desire to oppose the Hun Clan. However, my Yan Clan has a long Legacy, with billions of members; every action we take concerns the rise and fall of our entire clan. The matter of the Alliance is no small thing. The Hun Clan is known to be powerful and malicious, but relying solely on our three parties—even with the Medicine Clan added—can we truly guarantee victory? The Void Swallowing Flame of the Hun Clan is mysterious and unpredictable, and Hun Tiandi is even more unfathomable. If we form an Alliance, who will hold the leading authority? How will the benefits be divided? How will the risks be shared? If the war goes poorly, or even leads to defeat, what retreat path remains for my Yan Clan?”

He threw out a series of questions in one breath, each hitting a vital point, displaying the shrewdness and foresight of a Clan Chief. The hall immediately fell silent, and all the Yan Clan members looked towards Li Ao and Gu Xun'er.

Gu Xun'er glanced at Li Ao. Seeing him nod slightly, she spoke first, her voice clear and composed: “Clan Chief Yan Jin’s concerns are entirely reasonable. My father once said that the Alliance is not for annexation, but for coexistence and mutual strength. The leading authority will not be held by a single clan. A Joint Council can be established, where the leaders of each clan collectively deliberate on major plans, and speaking rights are allocated based on contribution and strength. Benefit division will be clearly stipulated before the war, and followed after the war, with the Gu Clan willing to act as a notary. As for risk sharing, that goes without saying. Ancient Clans should understand the principle of ‘the loss of the lips exposes the teeth to the cold’ better than a Junior like me. As for a retreat path…”

She paused slightly, her tone becoming firm: “If the intent to retreat exists, then the Battle Intent will inevitably be weak, and the Alliance will not last. My father believes this is a battle of life and death, with no retreat possible. Only by uniting our wills can we seize a sliver of hope. The Gu Clan is willing to commit the entire clan’s strength to fight the Hun Clan, regardless of gain or loss.”

Gu Xun'er’s words not only demonstrated the Gu Clan’s sincerity and resolve but also proposed a relatively fair and feasible framework, and, more importantly, highlighted the cruel reality of “no retreat.” Many Yan Clan Elders showed signs of contemplation.

Yan Jin gave a noncommittal response and turned his gaze to Li Ao: “What is Hall Master Li’s opinion? The Ruins Hall is newly established. Although its Foundation is evident, it still lags behind our Ancient Clans in terms of background. Within the Alliance, how will the Ruins Hall establish itself? By relying solely on the power of the Hall Master?”

This question was sharp, directly pointing out the Ruins Hall’s weakness.

Li Ao set down his teacup, looked up at Yan Jin, his gaze calm yet profound: “Clan Chief Yan Jin speaks the truth. The Ruins Hall is newly established. In terms of background and population, it is far inferior to the Gu Clan and the Yan Clan. However, what the Alliance values is not only strength in numbers, but also core combat power, future potential, and... indispensability.”

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears: “The threat of the Hun Clan lies in its peak combatant, Hun Tiandi; in the Void Swallowing Flame; and in its mysterious and unpredictable Soul Dao methods and infiltration capabilities. Countering Hun Tiandi is not the work of one person but requires collective strength. Clan Chief Gu Yuan and Clan Chief Yan Jin are the mainstays. Countering the Void Swallowing Flame...” He made that wisp of pure white flame dance on his fingertip again, “The Purification Lotus Demon Flame, perhaps, can fight it. As for the Hun Clan’s ghostly tricks and infiltration, my Dao of Guixu happens to specialize in 'termination' and 'erasure.' ”

He paused, then continued: “The Ruins Hall may not be able to provide an army of a million, but it can provide the sharpest 'dagger,' as well as... the 'antidote' to counter some of the Hun Clan's special methods. This is point one.”

“Point two,” Li Ao’s gaze swept over the younger generation of the Yan Clan, lingering slightly on Huo Xuan, “the Alliance is also a battle for Legacy and the future. The Hun Clan devours Souls and plunders Origin, aiming to sever the Foundation of each clan’s Legacy. Prodigies of the Yan Clan, such as Brother Huo Xuan here, are exceptionally talented and full of vitality, and will certainly be the backbone in countering the Hun Clan in the future. But if they are secretly ambushed and killed by the Hun Clan during their growth, wouldn't that be a pity? The Alliance can provide a safer environment for growth, resource sharing, and mutual exchange of experience. Although the Ruins Hall is small, it also possesses unique Legacies and methods of tempering that can be shared.”

Upon hearing this, the flame in Huo Xuan’s eyes flickered, and his gaze towards Li Ao gained a degree of recognition. He had always yearned to clash and temper himself against true experts, but the environment within his clan was relatively closed off.

“Point three,” Li Ao’s tone gradually deepened, “the Hun Clan’s actions are becoming more frequent, and their appetite is growing. The matters of the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan are probably not the end. The Yan Clan possesses the Red Lotus Karma Fire, one of the most potent flames between Heaven and Earth. Will the Hun Clan not covet it? If they can set up formations outside the gates today, they can plant seeds of disaster inside the gates tomorrow. The Alliance is about turning a easily broken wooden door into an iron fortress with mutually supporting corners. My Ruins Hall’s mountain gate is already locked in an eternal struggle with the Hall of Souls. This is our pledge of allegiance, and our determination.”

Yan Jin tapped the armrest made of Flame Crystal Marrow with his finger, producing a dull thudding sound. Li Ao’s words were clear and logical, striking at the core. He admitted the Ruins Hall’s shortcomings while highlighting its unique value and resolute stance, and he pointed out the Yan Clan’s potential crisis. Especially the final reminder about the Red Lotus Karma Fire being coveted made the tension in his heart tighten. The Red Lotus Karma Fire was the Yan Clan’s Foundation, and its loss was unacceptable.

“Hall Master Li speaks wisely.” Yan Jin slowly began, “I have weighed the pros and cons of the Alliance in my heart. However, empty words are no proof. Hall Master Li mentioned earlier that there was also an ancient text regarding our clan’s Red Lotus Karma Fire to be gifted?”

Gu Xun'er timely produced the scroll, which was neither metal nor jade and glowed with a faint red light, presenting it with both hands: “This is a partial rubbing of an ancient record collected by the Gu Clan concerning an abnormal riot and suppression process of the Red Lotus Karma Fire during the ancient era. My father instructed Xun'er to personally hand it to Clan Chief Yan Jin. Perhaps it may be helpful for your esteemed clan in comprehending and mastering the Red Lotus Karma Fire.”

An Elder stepped forward, respectfully took the scroll, and presented it to Yan Jin.

Yan Jin unrolled the scroll and, after only a moment of reading, his expression subtly changed. The text on the scroll was ancient and obscure, but it was accompanied by simple energy circulation diagrams and incomplete formation patterns of suppression arrays. The descriptions of the signs of the Red Lotus Karma Fire's past riots, the nodes of energy loss of control, and the method of regulating the exotic energies induced by the ancestors during attempted suppression... Although incomplete, and many specific secret methods were lost to time, the underlying concepts and the description of certain deep-seated characteristics of the Red Lotus Karma Fire gave him a sudden sense of enlightenment. Many long-standing confusions seemed to show a glimmer of resolution!

This ancient text, for the Yan Clan, was even more valuable than an Advanced Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique! Because it pointed directly to the fundamental Origin!

Yan Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He closed the scroll and looked at Gu Xun'er, his gaze much softer: “Please thank Clan Chief Gu Yuan on my behalf for this generous gift! This item is crucial to my clan.”

He looked at Li Ao again, his tone already different: “Hall Master Li, I have seen your sincerity. Regarding the Alliance, the Yan Clan agrees to join in principle. However, the specific regulations and details still need to be discussed in detail with the Gu Clan, the Medicine Clan, and the Ruins Hall to establish a covenant.”

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the hall visibly relaxed. Many Elders who favored the Alliance smiled, and Huo Xuan clenched his fists, appearing excited. However, a few Elders frowned slightly, seemingly still harboring concerns.

Just then, a soft voice sounded: “Clan Chief, Elders, Hall Master Li, Miss Xuner.” Huo Zhi stood up from the back row, curtsied slightly, her face showing a well-judged mix of admiration and contemplation. “The prospect of the Alliance is truly a blessing for our clan, and Zhi'er is also encouraged. However, Zhi'er has one thing she doesn't understand and wishes to ask Hall Master Li.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on her.

Huo Zhi raised her head, looking at Li Ao with clear eyes: “Hall Master Li just mentioned that your Dao of Guixu specializes in 'termination' and 'erasure' and can counter the Hun Clan’s mysterious methods. Zhi'er boldly asks the Hall Master: when facing our clan’s Red Lotus Karma Fire—an Origin Flame that is supremely Yang, supremely rigid, and burns all things—will your Power of Gui Xu 'terminate' it, or... will it be 'burned out' by it?”

Her question sounded innocent, as if discussing the Dao of cultivation, but it was extremely sensitive and pointed! It directly involved a comparison of the essence of their powers, implicitly questioning the effectiveness of Li Ao’s Dao when facing the Yan Clan’s strongest power. If he answered poorly, it could shake the trust some Yan Clan members had in Li Ao's strength, or even trigger unnecessary philosophical conflicts.

Elder Yan Sha frowned, feeling Huo Zhi’s question was reckless, but since it involved the Red Lotus Karma Fire, he couldn't directly scold her. A sharp glint flashed in Yan Jin’s eyes, but he did not stop her; he also wanted to hear Li Ao’s response.

Li Ao looked at Huo Zhi. This woman, who had always seemed gentle and quiet, now posed a question like a poisoned soft sword. His expression remained unchanged, and he calmly said: “Miss Huo Zhi, that is a very interesting question.”

He raised his hands, palms upward. A wisp of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame’s pure white fire appeared in his left hand, while a strand of gray, deep Guixu Qi, seemingly capable of swallowing everything, rose in his right hand.

“The Red Lotus Karma Fire is supremely Yang and supremely rigid. It burns sin and punishes evil. It is the extreme combustion and purification of the power of 'existence,' representing the 'destruction' aspect within creation and destruction, tending to 'incinerate' all things into more fundamental energy or nothingness.”

“The Purification Lotus Demon Flame, purification and nightmare, leans more towards 'transformation' and 'evolution,' purifying Impurities and evolving illusions, existing between existence and nothingness.”

“And the Dao of Guixu...” The wisp of gray Qi in Li Ao’s right hand gently swayed. “It is not simple 'destruction' or 'devouring.' It is closer to 'erasure on the level of rules,' causing things to revert from the state of 'existence' back to the primitive state of 'never having existed' or 'termination of existence.' It targets the very concept of 'existence' itself.”

He slowly brought his hands closer, allowing the white flame and the gray Qi to approach each other, but not touch: “Fire requires combustible material to burn; it requires 'existence' as fuel. The Power of Gui Xu, however, can erase the attribute of 'combustibility,' or erase the existential basis of the 'fuel.' It is not a matter of which is stronger or weaker, but different levels. The Red Lotus Karma Fire incinerates all things, overwhelmingly tyrannical; the Power of Gui Xu erases existence, silent in its extinction. When discussing overt destructive power, the Red Lotus Karma Fire might be superior; but when discussing the erosion and termination of rules and the fundamental Origin of existence, the Dao of Guixu takes a different path.”

He looked at Huo Zhi, his gaze profound: “Therefore, there is no question of who terminates whom, or who burns whom. Among the Three Thousand Great Daos, each has its own path. What is needed to fight the Hun Clan is precisely the complementarity and Fusion of different paths and different powers, not a contest of singular strength. The Hun Clan’s Void Swallowing Flame follows the path of devouring, annihilation, and returning to nothingness, which is different from the fierce and tyrannical path of the Red Lotus Karma Fire and the purifying and evolving path of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, and also distinct from the 'erasure' of Guixu. Precisely because they are different, we need to combine our forces to respond.”

This explanation was profound yet easy to understand. It elevated the Red Lotus Karma Fire, clarified the uniqueness and indispensability of the Dao of Guixu, and highlighted that the core significance of the Alliance lay in “complementarity.” It not only answered Huo Zhi’s question but also reinforced the necessity of the Alliance.

Many Elders in the hall nodded slightly, showing looks of realization and approval. Even those who still harbored doubts about Li Ao had to admit that this insight was penetrating and grand in scope.

A trace of extremely subtle coldness flashed in the depths of Huo Zhi’s eyes, but on her face, she displayed the look of someone enlightened and admiring, bowing slightly: “Thank you, Hall Master Li, for dispelling my confusion. Zhi'er understands. The Hall Master’s insight is extraordinary and truly admirable.” She obediently sat back down and said no more.

Yan Jin looked deeply at Li Ao, clapped his hands, and praised: “What a brilliant 'Among the Three Thousand Great Daos, each has its own path'! Hall Master Li’s understanding of the essence of power is eye-opening. The matter of the Alliance is thus settled! I will now ask the Elders, along with Elder Gu Hai and Miss Xuner, to proceed with discussing the details. Hall Master Li, I am very interested in your Dao of Guixu and the Purification Lotus Demon Flame. I wonder if we could move to the Quiet Room in the rear hall for a private Discussion of Flames?”

This was clearly an attempt to engage in deeper exchange, and also an opportunity to further confirm Li Ao's strength and sincerity.

Li Ao naturally agreed: “That is exactly what I desire, I dared not ask.”

Yan Jin stood up and addressed the crowd: “The rest of you continue the discussion. Huo Xuan, you come too.” He deliberately called Huo Xuan, clearly intending to nurture him.

Li Ao nodded to Gu Xun'er and the others, signaling them to relax, and then followed Yan Jin and Huo Xuan toward the rear hall.

Watching the backs of the three leaving, a cold glint flashed and vanished in Huo Zhi’s lowered eyes. The fingers in her sleeve quietly formed a strange Hand Seal, and a trace of Soul Power fluctuation, so faint it was almost imperceptible, mixed with the vast fire attribute energy of the Yan Shen Hall and silently transmitted outwards.

Outside the Yan Realm, in a twisted spatial shadow, a black figure received the message and let out a silent, cold laugh.

“Step one, the intent to form an Alliance has been decided... then let's begin step two... Let this fire burn brighter, and ideally... burn everyone inside...”

Inside the Quiet Room, Yan Jin waved his hand to set up a Sound Isolation Barrier, and looked at Li Ao with fervent eyes: “Hall Master Li, there is no one else here. We don't need to be polite. You possess the Purification Lotus Demon Flame and Cultivate the Dao of Guixu, so your understanding of 'fire' and 'extinction' far surpasses ordinary people. My Red Lotus Karma Fire has shown signs of agitation and instability in recent years. Although I suppress it through sheer cultivation, it is not a long-term solution. Observing your earlier guidance to Elder Yan Sha, you seem to have unique insights into the backlash of fire attributes. I wonder if you could... enlighten me?”

He actually voiced his hidden worry directly! This was both a show of sincerity and the final test. If Li Ao could truly help him resolve the hidden danger of the Red Lotus Karma Fire, the bond between the Yan Clan and Li Ao would become completely seamless.

Upon hearing this, Li Ao’s expression also grew solemn. He knew that the real test was only just beginning.