A rain of fire poured down, sprinkling ceaselessly; boundless magma flowed turbulently. Red-hot stones scattered atop the magma radiated astonishing heat, while bolts of lightning snaked through the sky like giant dragons, occasionally striking down to shatter massive, fiery-red rocks. Fire, lightning, and magma were the immutable essence of this realm, unchanging since the dawn of time.

Huo Feng, Xiao Han, Yin Ji, Tu Tie, Tian Lie, and Mo Cui—a group of six—paced slowly and with difficulty across the enormous flaming stones.

The five-colored flames reappeared around Huo Feng, tightly enveloping her body. The celestial rain of fire seemed to merge into these flames, becoming an extension of her very being.

Xiao Han had become a humanoid ice sculpture, her small frame entirely encased in pure, brilliant ice. Yet, within the ice, she could still move forward, step by measured step. When the fire rain descended, it merely struck the ice, leaving tiny embers that quickly vanished as the ice regenerated under Xiao Han’s restorative power.

Yin Ji supported a strange, dense umbrella formed from piled-up white bones upon his head, using it to ward off the falling fire rain. Beneath his feet, concentrated yin spirits gathered, neutralizing the scorching heat rising from the stones.

Jiu Nan was clad in silver-white leather armor that covered him from head to toe. This armor, forged from an unknown material, seemed immune to both the fire rain and the intense heat below, allowing him to advance with ease.

Tu Tie was encircled by seven-colored halos that enveloped his entire body. Even beneath his feet, two small rings of light manifested, protecting him from being seared by the fire rain and the stones.

Tian Lie was the most distinct; he had transformed into a Rock Giant. His body was now entirely composed of grayish-brown stone, his only discernible human features being his two intensely flickering, mobile eyes. Through this peculiar transformation, Tian Lie also proceeded effortlessly, untouched by the celestial fire or the iron-hot stones rising from the lava. This group of six, each utilizing their unique methods, advanced ahead, albeit slowly.

The location where Ji Changkong’s group stood was the only earthy-yellow stone among them—the sole platform untouched by the high temperatures and immune to the invading fire rain.

All around them, fire rained down endlessly, and the ground churned with flowing magma and fire-red stones heated as if they were branding irons. Clearly, the stone beneath their feet was their only sanctuary.

“From here, you only need to move forward, but you must be ready to counter the fire rain and the lava flow, and also watch out for the bombardment of heavenly lightning. The good news is that you can turn back midway; if you feel uncertain, you can retreat. However, you must calculate correctly; if your power fails during the retreat, it will only lead to a dead end.”

Leo of the Three-Eyed Tribe, quite helpful, lowered his voice to explain the situation. He added, “Whatever power you use, as long as it resists the onslaught of fire rain and magma is sufficient. On my previous attempt, my power faltered midway, forcing me to retreat back here.”

The people who had already progressed had been here before. Only Ji Changkong and Hong Mandun were experiencing this for the first time, completely unaware of the dangers. Hearing Leo’s explanation, the two were inwardly shocked. “Thank you,” Ji Changkong said with a smile, offering a sincere acknowledgment.

Earlier, seeing Leo with Tit of the Na Haler tribe, Ji Changkong had assumed they were allied, subconsciously viewing Leo as an enemy. It was only because Leo had proactively sought him out below to discuss footing and offered to owe him a favor that he engaged with Leo at all. Now, he felt fortunate he had offered that initial timely warning; otherwise, on the fourth level, he might have rushed blindly into a crying, devastated shop in the street like the others.

“You’re welcome. I owe you one,” Leo replied, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

“You two had best stay put and behave yourselves. From this point forward, there will be no more tricks to rely on,” at that moment, the young man who had previously argued with Ji Changkong sneered coldly. “Tuohai, do you think you can make it through?” Leo glanced back at the youth, his tone neither warm nor cold.

“Surviving depends not only on strength but also on a bit of luck,” the youth Leo called ‘Tuohai’ said, pointing to the thick lightning bolts circling overhead. “If it decides not to show respect, even the best luck is useless!”

After a pause, Tuohai looked at Ji Changkong with a chilling gaze. “Of course, for someone like him—a Ninth Palace Celestial Master—even good luck is worthless!”

At these words, Leo fell silent. After a moment of hesitation, he advised Ji Changkong, “In this sea of fire, you expend your power every second. If you aren’t confident, it’s best to turn back early. Given your cultivation level… the chances are indeed slim. His words, though unpleasant, are the truth.” Leo clearly meant well for him. Ji Changkong nodded, smiling. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder. I will consider it carefully.” “I hope you have good luck.” Tuohai glanced at him, a flash of cold malice crossing his eyes, before being the first to step off the stone.

Tuohai suddenly produced a piece of clear, icy jade. The jade emanated a cold, luminous aura that enveloped his entire body.

These auras seemed capable of resisting the fire rain and magma. Whenever a drop of fire rain touched the radiance emanating from the jade, it instantly dissolved into faint red smoke, splashing harmlessly away from him. “Heavenly Sea Ice Heart! No wonder you were so confident!” Leo exclaimed in surprise.

“I spent ten years in the depths of the Heavenly Sea searching for this Heavenly Sea Ice Heart, just so it could be useful today!” Tuohai laughed proudly from over there, clutching the Heavenly Sea Ice Heart as he strode forward, never looking back at the others.

Leo snorted, and his third eye finally opened. Wonderful ripples pulsed out from his body. From a distance, Leo appeared to be at the center of a water current, his body distorted unrealistically by the undulating waves.

Leo stepped down from the stone immediately after Tuohai. The waves emanating from him actually pushed the celestial fire rain aside; not a single drop managed to land on him.

After Tuohai and Leo descended, the remaining four individuals each activated their methods and entered the magma, moving with difficulty across the stones glowing like branding irons. These four included one who remained near Yin Ji, while the other three followed Tian Lie, Tu Tie, and Jiu Nan, respectively—all beings of deep cultivation and formidable strength.

A bald, middle-aged man, having manifested a cyan protective barrier around himself, walked forward perhaps fifty paces when a thick bolt of lightning suddenly struck from above.

His cyan barrier, already corroded by the fire rain, shattered instantly under the massive lightning strike, and the colossal, dragon-like flash of electricity entirely engulfed his body.

One second later, the bald middle-aged man twitched violently, foamed at the mouth, and expired. His life imprint was completely pulverized by the lightning, and his body slowly sank into the magma, vanishing in an instant. “Leo, what’s on the next level?” Hong Mandun suddenly shouted from a distance toward Leo. “I’ve never been to the next level, but I’ve heard that the next level contains condensed Essence of Life,” Leo called back remotely, continuing to advance cautiously. “Essence of Life! And condensed!” Hong Mandun’s eyes lit up. Suddenly, he declared, “It’s worth the risk to try!”

Ji Changkong was astonished. He knew that the Essence of Life was a necessary cultivation material for those reaching the Ten Directions Celestial Realm, just as Star Essence was vital for the Ninth Palace Celestial Masters. An Essence of Life forms in only one living star out of millions, illustrating just how precious it was.

With the Essence of Life upstairs, Hong Mandun’s cultivation could advance significantly. Under this temptation, he finally couldn’t resist the urge to venture forth.

“Kid, I have to go up, but you don’t necessarily have to take the risk. If I’m fortunate enough to reach the next level, I’ll share what I gain with you; you don’t need to follow,” Hong Mandun looked at him sincerely.

“Are you confident you can make it?” Ji Changkong frowned.

“I haven’t tried, but I want to see. If it’s impossible, I’ll retreat,” Hong Mandun paused, then forced a bitter smile. “Then I want to try too,” Ji Changkong smiled. “You’re only at the Ninth Palace Celestial Realm; you—you really intend to try?” Hong Mandun looked genuinely surprised.

Ji Changkong offered no reply; he simply dashed onto a searing-red stone and stood firm amidst the falling fire rain, allowing it to strike his body. At this moment, his entire form glowed crimson; the Five Elements Fire Yuan Power, spurred by the Vermilion Bird's blood within him, flowed rapidly through every cell of his body!

The rain of fire descending from the sky seemed to pour into a sea of fire, vanishing entirely within his body.

His bare feet rested on the red-hot stone; the soles of his feet glowed red, merging with the rock, seemingly unaffected by its intense heat.

The Vermilion Bird’s blood boiled. As drops of fire rain struck him, not only did he feel no burning pain, but he could also absorb an extraordinary Fire-Flame power from the rain itself.

The Sacred Beast Vermilion Bird is known as the Spirit of Flame. Once the Vermilion Bird’s blood took effect within him, this land of fire would not hinder his progress; instead, it would allow him to continuously absorb the local Fire-Flame energy, leading to a further sublimation of his physical body and soul!

“You! You!” Hong Mandun watched him, utterly dumbfounded and disbelieving.

Grinning at Hong Mandun, Ji Changkong said, “Perhaps it’s a better idea for you to stay here. If I gain anything on the next level, I’ll remember to leave some for you. Well, if you’re not confident, don’t take the risk.”

As he spoke, Ji Changkong strolled through the falling fire rain and the sea of molten rock with an easy grace, appearing to be the most relaxed among the entire group.

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