"We're going in now."
Ye Yunfei spoke, then stepped through the entrance into the Fire Realm.
In the next instant, Ye Yunfei found himself standing in a world of fire everywhere he looked.
As far as the eye could see, there was fire!
Vast seas of flames were burning fiercely across the ground, while other seas of fire hung suspended, burning high in the sky.
Throughout the surrounding space, countless clusters of fire, large and small, drifted and floated.
Rumble…
The moment Ye Yunfei entered this world, a vast amount of the flames in the surrounding space reacted, howling and surging towards him, releasing astonishing Fire Energy as if intent on setting his body alight.
Hum…
A Pale Blue Treasure Pearl hovered before Ye Yunfei, exuding bone-piercing cold. It instantly created swirls of white snowflakes that gathered around Ye Yunfei's body, forming a protective layer.
The howling flames were repelled by this icy, snowy energy.
Bing Laozu had gifted Ye Yunfei two magical treasures of ice and snow energy. This Pale Blue Treasure Pearl was one of them, containing potent icy power that could be released to counter Fire Energy.
Although the flames currently around Ye Yunfei possessed powerful Fire Energy, according to the principles of the Five Elements, water suppresses fire. Thus, the moment this Pale Blue Treasure Pearl appeared, it helped Ye Yunfei repel those flames.
"The treasure Bing Laozu gifted you is indeed useful," Hun Lao said with a smile.
"Bing Laozu is a revered elder of the Snow Ice Race and a Demigod. Of course, the treasure he offered would be potent," Ye Yunfei replied, also smiling.
Next, Ye Yunfei began to traverse this world.
Flames were everywhere. Even every inch of space seemed filled with flickering fire.
Protected by the Pale Blue Treasure Pearl, Ye Yunfei journeyed through the Fire Realm.
"This world is immensely vast."
Not long after, Ye Yunfei discovered that the Fire Realm was a world of colossal scale.
"Where should I go to find that fire dragon?"
Ye Yunfei projected his Soul Power far outwards, searching for the fire dragon Bing Laozu had mentioned, but found nothing.
"Have a little patience. According to Bing Laozu, that fire dragon is extremely well-hidden. Many powerful experts who cultivate fire-based techniques have entered the Fire Realm seeking it and failed. You've only just arrived; how could you discover it immediately?" Hun Lao remarked.
"True enough.
We'll take it slow."
Ye Yunfei said with a note of resignation.
From then on, Ye Yunfei roamed throughout the Fire Realm, passing through one vast sea of flames after another.
Protected by that Pale Blue Treasure Pearl, and given that the quality of his fleshly body had now reached an exceedingly high level, Ye Yunfei didn't fear the flames in the surrounding space in the slightest.
"Hmm?
There seem to be living beings ahead!"
Suddenly, Hun Lao exclaimed in a surprised tone.
Roar…
Before Ye Yunfei could respond, a fierce beast's roar sounded. Then, a tall Fire Wolf appeared, its entire body ablaze. It seemed this Fire Wolf was actually composed of flames. Its scarlet beastly eyes fixed on Ye Yunfei, and it lunged in a flying pounce, its burning wolf body leaping into the air to attack.
Ye Yunfei sensed the Fire Wolf's aura. He neither dodged nor evaded. His right hand clenched into a fist, ready to resolve it with a single punch.
However, right at that moment—
*Whoosh!*
An iron arrow tore through space, shooting forth with astonishing speed. Just as the Fire Wolf pounced before Ye Yunfei, the arrow pierced straight through its head. The arrowhead protruded from the wolf's skull, its residual force unspent, dragging the wolf's head as it continued to shoot towards Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei's expression darkened. He released a wave of immortal energy that slammed into the Fire Wolf before him, directly shattering it into pieces. Simultaneously, the iron arrow was also knocked flying backward, landing with a thud on the fiery crimson ground some distance away, which continually spewed flames.
"Be careful. The newcomer might not be friendly," Hun Lao warned Ye Yunfei.
"It's fine. Even if a Demigod comes, we can still retreat with ease," Ye Yunfei replied.
With Ye Yunfei's current strength, he didn't need to fear anyone except for unfathomably powerful Perfected Demigods like the Master of Xiaoliang Temple.
"Young man, who are you? Why did you shatter my prey and knock my arrow away? That's rather impolite."
A middle-aged man in a red robe slowly emerged from the sea of flames in the distance, his gaze piercing as he looked at Ye Yunfei.
In his hand, he held a bow. Clearly, he was the one who shot that arrow.
"I did it. And what can you do about it?"
Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but give a faint, indifferent smile.
Of course, Ye Yunfei understood that the other party was deliberately probing him. Faced with such provocation, Ye Yunfei had no intention of wasting words.
"Young man, you're rather arrogant. Speak, who are you really?"
The middle-aged man's gaze sharpened further. He scrutinized Ye Yunfei up and down as he posed the question.
Seeing Ye Yunfei's utterly unconcerned attitude, he worried that Ye Yunfei might have a formidable background.
"My origins are none of your business. You'd best not provoke me. Otherwise, bear the consequences yourself."
Ye Yunfei left these words, turned, and began walking away. He had no intention of wasting time with this middle-aged man.
"Kid, stop right there! I am from the Source Fire Sect of the Zhongheng World Cluster! Your attitude seems to be looking down on our Source Fire Sect!
Let me tell you, kid, our Source Fire Sect cultivates fire-attribute energy and laws. Entering this Fire Realm is like stepping onto our Source Fire Sect's turf! You'd better show some respect!"
The middle-aged man declared sternly.
"Source Fire Sect… a force dedicated to cultivating fire-attribute energy and laws…
No wonder they'd appear in this Fire Realm," Ye Yunfei thought to himself. However, he didn't stop walking. Instead, he strode purposefully in another direction.
For Ye Yunfei, the most urgent matter now was to quickly find the fire dragon described by Bing Laozu, subdue it, and use it to cultivate the second layer of the Nine-Yang Ancient Scripture.
After the first layer of the Nine-Yang Ancient Scripture fused with the Sun Heaven Flame, its power increased tremendously. Ye Yunfei had developed a tremendous interest in this technique and eagerly wanted to advance it.
"Kid, you're too insolent!
Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"
Seeing that Ye Yunfei actually ignored him, the red-robed middle-aged man flew into a rage.
He raised his bow and, in rapid succession, shot five long arrows. They whistled through the air as they shot towards Ye Yunfei.
"Kid, that blue treasure pearl of yours is surely an exceptional treasure. Now, it belongs to me."
The red-robed middle-aged man stared greedily at the Pale Blue Treasure Pearl hovering above Ye Yunfei's head.
"So, this fellow has taken a fancy to your treasure," Hun Lao remarked, understanding now why this middle-aged man had emerged to trouble Ye Yunfei.
*Whoosh whoosh...*
Five long arrows whistled past, seemingly piercing straight through Ye Yunfei's body.
"Hahaha…
Kid, I thought you were something… Turns out you're nothing…
Not good! That was just an afterimage!"
Seeing the five arrows simultaneously hit Ye Yunfei, the red-robed middle-aged man couldn't help but laugh. But in the next instant, he sensed something was wrong. He realized the five arrows had only struck an afterimage Ye Yunfei left behind.