"Hmm? What's that?"
Upon reaching the deepest part of the mountain range, Ye Yunfei's gaze suddenly fixed on what lay ahead, a flicker of surprise and doubt crossing his mind.
Before him stood a volcano, its crater spewing forth torrents of magma and raging fire. And suspended in the air above that very crater was an enormous palace! It seemed to be buoyed by the erupting magma and flames, bobbing slightly up and down, appearing exceptionally divine and mysterious.
In front of the palace was a wide plaza. At the edge of this plaza, a stone staircase stretched all the way down, reaching a flat area near the base of the volcano.
"It seems this palace is the core of these sect ruins," Ye Yunfei said aloud as he observed the palace hovering over the crater.
"This palace appears to be held aloft by a large-scale spatial formation," Ye Yunfei mused after scrutinizing it for a moment, already grasping the general idea.
"Since I'm already here, I might as well go up and take a look."
Ye Yunfei moved, arriving before the stone staircase and ascending it.
A short while later, he reached the end of the staircase and stepped onto the palace plaza.
Lifting his gaze, Ye Yunfei saw that the palace's signboard bore three large, vividly and vigorously carved ancient characters: Fire Worshiping Palace!
"There's a palace here! Floating above a volcano crater!"
"Look! That kid is up there too! So it really was him who stole the treasures from those other buildings earlier!"
At this moment, a group of people rushed over from the distance, arriving before the volcano in the blink of an eye. It was none other than the Fire Cult group.
"That brat actually dared to mess with us like that! He's dead! Let's get up there!" Senior Brother Han gnashed his teeth in fury as he stepped onto the stone staircase and charged towards the plaza.
The others also hurriedly followed up the staircase onto the plaza.
"Fire Worshiping Palace! We've finally found the Fire Worshiping Palace! According to the ancient records, the Samadhi True Fire is hidden inside this palace!" the Saint Master stared at the palace signboard and exclaimed in excitement.
"Samadhi True Fire!"
Ye Yunfei's heart stirred upon hearing the Saint Master's words.
Special fires in this world were divided into Heavenly Fires and Earth Fires: nine Heavenly Fires and eight Earth Fires in total.
Ye Yunfei already possessed two special fires: the Three Crow Dark Fire and the Earth Flame Fire, both of which were Earth Fires. The Three Crow Dark Fire ranked second among Earth Fires, while the Earth Flame Fire ranked fifth.
The grade of a Heavenly Fire was much higher than that of an Earth Fire, and its power was far greater.
The Samadhi True Fire belonged to the Heavenly Fire category and ranked seventh among them!
"The Samadhi True Fire is an excellent find, far superior to the Earth Flame Fire and the Three Crow Dark Fire!" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but reveal a trace of avarice in his gaze.
While Earth Fires were precious, Heavenly Fires were even more so. Even the lowest-ranked Heavenly Fire was far better than the highest-ranked Earth Fire, let alone the Samadhi True Fire which ranked seventh among Heavenly Fires!
*If there really is a Samadhi True Fire inside this Fire Worshiping Palace, I absolutely must obtain it!* Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"You, boy! Come over here this instant! Kneel before us and confess truthfully! Did you run ahead and steal all the treasures that should have belonged to us!" At this moment, Senior Brother Han fixed his gaze on Ye Yunfei, his tone a superior, command-like rebuke.
He was a Lightning Tribulation Realm expert, a disciple of the Fire Cult, a major sect in the starry sky, and moreover, the closed-door disciple of the Fire Cult's Third Elder. When he came to the Sky Web Star Sea, his status was as noble as a sovereign on tour—lofty and privileged. Now, facing a mere Soul Formation Realm brat, his sense of superiority was overwhelming.
"I'll say this once more: if you don't want to die, don't provoke me," Ye Yunfei said coldly, sweeping a glance at Senior Brother Han.
"You're dead, brat!"
Senior Brother Han flew into a towering rage, taking a step forward. A rolling wave of energy pressure surged towards Ye Yunfei.
"Senior Brother Han…" Junior Sister Lu rushed forward hastily, wanting to say something.
"Junior Sister Lu, say no more! Today, I will definitely kill this arrogant fool!" Senior Brother Han flicked his sleeve, sending Junior Sister Lu staggering back. The difference in their strength was too great; she simply couldn't resist.
"Fine. You want death? I'll grant it to you," Ye Yunfei was also stirred to killing intent by this Senior Brother Han, his voice icy.
"Hahaha… Not only are you arrogant, boy, you're also ignorant. A mere Soul Formation Realm ant whom I can crush with a single finger dares to speak of killing me! Fine! Let's see how you intend to kill me!" Senior Brother Han laughed in extreme anger, taking step after step towards Ye Yunfei. Rolling spiritual power surged towards him like terrifying storm waves.
"This kid is laying it on too thick! I'm coming out to smack him dead with one palm!" The Giant Arm, having seen enough, sent Ye Yunfei a Sound Transmission.
However, right at that moment…
"All outsiders must die!"
Suddenly, a deep roar resounded.
Then… *Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!* …
A massive number of fire beasts continuously appeared within the plaza. There were at least several thousand of them!
At their head was one beast with a humanoid form! Its appearance resembled a human, but its body was constantly ablaze. Its two red eyes were like two dancing flames.
Among these several thousand fire beasts, over a hundred alone possessed Lightning Tribulation Realm strength. Their overall power was extremely formidable.
"Kill!"
The humanoid fire beast leader waved its hand, issuing a hoarse command.
*Roar! Roar!* …
The dense mass of fire beasts surged forward like a red tide, charging murderously towards Ye Yunfei and the members of the Fire Cult.
"Be careful! Everyone, bring out your treasures and stick together! Form the Blazing Fire Formation!" The Saint Master's expression changed drastically.
Immediately, the Fire Cult disciples huddled together, standing back-to-back in a circle to form a single Formation. Each of them summoned their magical treasures, unleashing a variety of techniques and martial skills to battle the fire beasts fiercely.
The treasures used by these Fire Cult disciples were all superior-grade Innate Treasures.
However, the number of fire beasts was simply too overwhelming. Moreover, over a hundred of them had Lightning Tribulation Realm strength. Very quickly, these Fire Cult disciples began to struggle to hold their ground.
Ye Yunfei shifted his posture, executing the Nine Funereal Heavens Borrowing Fist to engage several fire beasts at the Sea Dividing Realm.
Perhaps because Ye Yunfei's displayed strength was too weak, the other fire beasts seemed to largely ignore him, rushing straight past him to surround and attack the Fire Cult disciples instead.
"Let's retreat for now! There are too many of these beasts!" the Saint Master shouted.
Just then…
The humanoid fire beast moved, charging towards the Fire Cult disciples with staggering speed.
*Puff! Puff!*
With two successive palm strikes, the humanoid fire beast shattered the heads of two Fire Cult disciples, spraying brain matter.
After these lethal blows, the humanoid beast retreated as fast as lightning, standing in the distance.
"Retreat!" the Saint Master yelled.
*Whoosh!*
At that moment, the humanoid fire beast moved again, charging towards the Fire Cult disciples at a shocking speed.
"Ah!" Junior Sister Lu let out a sharp scream.
Because this time, the humanoid beast was clearly targeting her!
"Junior Sister Lu, don't be afraid! I'll help you!" the Fire Cult disciple closest to Junior Sister Lu shouted, stepping forward to shield her. This disciple was a Lightning Tribulation Realm expert!
However, the very next moment…
*Puff!*
The humanoid fire beast struck with a palm. The ferocious palm force immediately caved in the disciple's chest, killing him on the spot.
Moreover, the humanoid beast wouldn't let up. It swiftly charged towards Junior Sister Lu, as if it wouldn't rest until it had killed her.
Seeing this, Senior Brother Han's face contorted sharply. Ultimately, facing the terrifying, oppressive killing intent radiating from the humanoid beast, he did not charge over to help.
The other surrounding Fire Cult disciples had witnessed this monstrous being killing a Lightning Tribulation Realm expert with a single palm. None of them dared to go to her rescue.
"Am I going to die?" At that moment, Junior Sister Lu was utterly despaired. "I have absolutely no ability to resist this creature," she murmured to herself.
Right then…
"Don't worry. You're not going to die." With a *whoosh*, a figure appeared beside Junior Sister Lu, speaking softly.
"It's you?!"
Junior Sister Lu saw clearly that this person who had suddenly arrived was none other than Ye Yunfei.
*BOOM…*
The Vermilion Bird shot out, intercepting the oncoming humanoid fire beast.
*Boom! Boom!* …
The two beasts clashed fiercely, neither side gaining the upper hand.
"What is that?"
Watching the majestic Vermilion Bird, the Fire Cult disciples were all dumbstruck.
"Would you like to go inside and take a look?" Ye Yunfei asked Junior Sister Lu.
"Go inside… and take a look?" Junior Sister Lu was momentarily stunned.
"Yes. If you want to go, then follow me."
Ye Yunfei nodded and began walking towards the Fire Worshiping Palace.
Junior Sister Lu hesitated for a second, then gritted her teeth and followed him. For some reason unknown even to her, she actually felt a sense of trust towards Ye Yunfei at that moment, as if following this young man would guarantee her safety.
"Those who dare to trespass into the Fire Worshiping Palace shall die!"
The humanoid fire beast roared, wanting to charge over and stop Ye Yunfei. But the Vermilion Bird fought with growing valor, preventing the humanoid beast from getting through.
"Kill! Kill them all!"
A raspy roar came from the humanoid fire beast's mouth.
*Roar! Roar!* …
The several thousand fire beasts launched a second, frenzied attack.
*Senior, I'll have to trouble you to come out and lend a hand,* Ye Yunfei sent a Sound Transmission to the Giant Arm.
"Fine."
The Giant Arm agreed.
The next moment…
*Rumble…*
The Giant Arm appeared, emanating an awe-inspiring energy pressure of immense proportions. The surrounding fire beasts were thrown flying one after another.
"What kind of monster is that?!"
The Fire Cult disciples all stared dumbly.
Junior Sister Lu stood beside Ye Yunfei, her heart trembling with fear as she sensed the terrifying energy pressure radiating from the Giant Arm.
"Senior, please clear the way. We're heading into the palace," Ye Yunfei said.
"Alright."
The Giant Arm responded and then quickly advanced towards the Fire Worshiping Palace. Wherever it passed, fire beasts were smashed to pieces.
Ye Yunfei swiftly followed the Giant Arm while picking up the Flame Crystals dropped by the shattered fire beasts.
Junior Sister Lu followed closely behind Ye Yunfei.
In just a few moments, the Giant Arm, Ye Yunfei, and Junior Sister Lu arrived in front of the Fire Worshiping Palace's main gate.
"Let's go in."
Ye Yunfei didn't hesitate in the slightest. He and the Giant Arm directly walked inside. Junior Sister Lu followed suit.
"Not good! That kid's entering the Fire Worshiping Palace!"
The members of the Fire Cult all cried out in shock.