North of the Demon Realm's central circle lay a place no demon dared approach, for it was a landscape perpetually scarred by erupting magma, sporadically spewing flames from the earth, and rained upon by violet celestial fire descending from the sky.

This desolate expanse lacked any significant peaks, save for one, rumored to be the tallest mountain in the entire Demon Realm: Solitary Heaven Peak.

The entire mountain was shrouded in violet flames. Its rock composition was extraordinarily resilient; after enduring temperatures reaching tens of thousands of degrees from the purple fire for tens of millions of years, it showed no sign of melting.

Viewed from afar, Solitary Heaven Peak was a towering inferno, dyeing the entire heavens a deep purple. Ancient folklore claimed the Demon Realm’s sky was purple precisely because it was illuminated by this mountain’s blaze.

However, this was mere legend. After all, the Demon Realm experienced night, yet the flames atop Solitary Heaven Peak never ceased.

Because of this mountain, this region was the only part of the Demon Realm untouched by true darkness, constantly bathed in violet luminescence year-round.

Due to this mountain of fire and the surrounding molten earth, the temperature here was more than a hundred times that of other areas, with fire constantly bursting forth everywhere. Even the naturally robust bodies of the demons could not withstand such intense heat.

Yet, within this crucible lived one of the Demon Realm's most powerful races: the Violet Flame Clan.

Countless Violet Flame Demons inhabited this land that knew no night.

At this moment, beneath Solitary Heaven Peak, there was a massive cavern painstakingly excavated by hand. Calling it a mere cavern felt inappropriate; the sheer scale and the surrounding ornamentation bore no resemblance to a natural cave.

This was the palace of the Violet Flame Demon King, Hei Mingba, and the entirety of Solitary Heaven Peak served as his domain. The palace gate was that massive, fire-engulfed entrance, its periphery carved with countless demonic figures, all cloaked in violet flames.

Stepping inside, one would discover that all the cavern walls spewed forth violet fire, and even the ground constantly produced flames. There was no need for deliberate carving; these flames naturally coalesced into the world’s most exquisite patterns.

This place was a vision of a dream kingdom, provided one’s physical form could endure the temperature.

The temperature at the mere entrance exceeded one hundred thousand degrees. It grew hotter the deeper one proceeded. Eventually, even members of the Violet Flame Clan, unless they possessed substantial power, dared not venture further—let alone any other demon race. Thus, the Violet Flame Demon Palace was the place all inhabitants of the Demon Realm were most reluctant to tread.

Presently, within the Demon Palace, Hei Mingba, clad in a purple imperial robe embroidered heavily with flames, sat upon a throne crackling with violet fire.

Below him stood a man encased in fiery-red battle armor. He possessed a mane of crimson hair that stood rigidly upright, resembling a raging, burning fire. The man’s features were strikingly handsome, dangerously so.

Yes, this man was Yan Senxu, the one who had been slapped away by the phantom projection during Ye Jingyu’s Twelve Heavenly Witches Annihilation Grand Array.

Even facing the Demon Realm’s most powerful ruler, the Violet Flame Demon King, Yan Senxu maintained an indifferent expression, showing not an ounce of fear or even basic deference.

“Everything you say is true?” The Violet Flame Demon King, Hei Mingba, paid no mind to Yan Senxu’s bearing, only his eyes flickering with disbelief.

“Of course, it is true. Otherwise, do you think I would have come at this moment?” Yan Senxu replied coolly. He had just recounted everything he had experienced to Hei Mingba, especially the detailed account of the Fire Spirit Pearl being devoured.

Hei Mingba nodded. Yan Senxu was a once-in-a-millennium genius among the Flame Demon Clan, possessing the highest potential to ascend to Demon King status. His strength was already terrifyingly close to that rank. Once the Fire Spirit Pearl fully materialized and he refined it into his natal magic treasure, he would become a Demon King within three years. Logically, he should have guarded the Fire Spirit Pearl obsessively. His presence here could only mean the pearl had truly been stolen.

“I require your assistance!” Seeing Hei Mingba’s nod of comprehension, Yan Senxu dispensed with pleasantries and stated the purpose of his visit directly.

“The Fire Spirit Pearl is destroyed. Even if I help, I cannot immediately grant you the rank of Demon King!” Hei Mingba shook his head, not immediately agreeing to Yan Senxu’s plea.

“No. Although the Fire Spirit Pearl was destroyed, its power has entirely transferred to that thing. If you help me shatter him, I can seize the opportunity to absorb the Fire Spirit Pearl’s energy and achieve the Demon King rank!” Yan Senxu pressed on.

“You just said he defeated you with a single slap. That is clearly a Demon King-level entity. I am not confident I can shatter him!” Hei Mingba countered.

“Although his power is immense, he is ultimately a monster summoned by a formation. While a single strike carries the strength of a Demon King, he absolutely does not possess the depth of power a true Demon King holds. Otherwise, he would have obliterated me that day,” Yan Senxu stated calmly.

“You mean…?” Hei Mingba’s expression grew thoughtful.

“I suspect his power stems entirely from the person manipulating the Grand Array. I cannot discern his exact strength, but he absolutely cannot have reached the Demon King realm. Therefore, if you act, you will certainly be able to defeat that monster!” Yan Senxu asserted with certainty.

“Very well. Since you put it that way, I will act on your behalf this once. But remember what you promised me!” Hei Mingba conceded with a nod.

“Rest assured. The moment I become a Demon King, I will immediately marry Hei Ming Yingjie as my wife! If you don't mind, I might even take your younger daughter home as well!” Yan Senxu said plainly, his eyes devoid of emotion or even avarice.

“Heh heh. Even I cannot clearly foresee the future of that girl, Shi Xuan. You wish to marry her? Heh heh. Yan Senxu, do not overestimate yourself. Yingjie might not match you now, but Shi Xuan’s future accomplishments will surely surpass yours!” Hei Mingba did not take offense, merely chuckling dismissively.

“Hmph…” Facing Hei Mingba’s scorn, Yan Senxu let out only a cold snort.

“Hei Mingba, you bastard, come out here!” Just then, a colossal voice boomed from outside, causing the surrounding flames to surge violently.

Both Hei Mingba and Yan Senxu froze momentarily. Who dared utter Hei Mingba’s name so casually?

“Heh heh. It seems it's that little wolf. He will be the first person you kill after becoming Demon King. You don't mind stepping outside with me to see him, do you?” Hei Mingba’s face then broke into a faint smile.

“Naturally, I don’t mind!” Yan Senxu replied coldly, a surge of fighting intent erupting from his frame...

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