Daqin Zhentiansi

On the edge of the Burning Bone Wasteland, the scorching air seemed to freeze.

The eyes of the Crying Soul Bird tribe were hidden in the shadows of twisted, withered trees, their feathers moving without wind.

The fire lizard scouts were half-submerged beneath the scorching sand, their scales opening and closing slightly with tension.

The human spies hid inside specially made concealment artifacts, the fine sweat on their foreheads instantly evaporated by the high temperature...

Countless eyes from the surrounding tribes enslaved or oppressed by the Heavenly Palace stared intently at the suddenly rising chilling aura at the entrance to the wasteland, even from a great distance.

Beneath the leaden sky, five thousand Heavenly Palace cultivators, clad in heavy black armor with ice-blue runes flowing across their armor, stood in a formidable battle formation.

They carried massive shields inscribed with the character "焚" (burn) and wielded long halberds that exhaled a chilling white aura. With each step they took, thick frost would freeze over the scorching rocks beneath their feet, creating a bizarre contrast between the blazing heat of the wasteland and the stark contrast of ice and fire.

The Deputy Commander of the Patrol Division, Venerable Hanyu, sat atop a floating war chariot bound by nine ice crystal chains, his face as cold and stern as ancient ice.

He looked down into the depths of the wasteland, his eyes filled with indifference and a hint of impatience.

The sulfurous, bloody stench that filled the air froze and fell away from him within three zhang of him, caused by an invisible chill.

"The Burning Army..." On a distant cliff, an elder of the Soul-Crying Bird tribe spoke in a hoarse voice, filled with barely suppressed fear, "The Heavenly Palace's claws that suppress the fire-elemental gods! Their 'Mysterious Ice Breaking Flame Aura' is specifically designed to counter all fire... The Qiongqi Clan has only just managed to catch their breath, I'm afraid..."

"A tenfold blood tax!" A manager of a human merchant guild wiped the cold sweat from his brow and whispered, "This is to completely drain the Burning Bone Wasteland, leaving no way out! With Han Yu personally coming, it seems the destruction of the Celestial Mirror has enraged the Heavenly Palace to the extreme..."

The scout leader of the Fire Lizard Clan hissed, his forked tongue lolling out, "Qiongqi is even more ferocious. That demonic flame... just looking at it makes my soul burn... If they are defeated, the Heavenly Palace will settle scores, and we will all be implicated... If, if they..."

He swallowed the rest of his sentence, but the faint light flickering deep in the lizard's eyes was clearly a kind of expectation in the darkness.

We hope this wildfire will burn even brighter, even if it might backfire on us.

Deep in the wilderness, all was deathly silent.

Only the suppressed aura of demonic flames, like a volcano about to erupt, silently accumulated destructive power.

Unlike the restlessness before the arrival of the Burning Army, the silence at this moment exudes a chilling, restrained energy.

It was as if some kind of will was suppressing the raging flames beneath the earth, waiting for a trigger to erupt.

Burning wasteland.

The once raging, sun-obscuring Soul-Devouring Fire Miasma has mostly dissipated, revealing a sky scorched red.

The 100,000 Qiongqi were not scattered and dormant, but rather they were arranged in some mysterious formation on the scorched earth.

Zhang Yuan stood atop a towering, rugged black rock, alongside Lie Yan and Jin Ran.

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of every Qiongqi, like the whisper of the Great Dao:
"The Purification Sutra not only incites the earth's fire to kill enemies, but also teaches how to control the fire to refine the mind. Demonic flames move with the mind, and pain is the source of power."

"Contain your overflowing flames, let them condense in your blood and bones, like subterranean fire lying dormant in the deepest abyss, ready to erupt like a volcano at the slightest thought!"

As he spoke, the 100,000 Qiongqi below roared in unison, and the crimson and dark purple demonic flames that had been bursting out of control due to the surge in power were smoothed out as if by an invisible giant hand.

The raging flames began to subside, transforming into dark light patterns that flowed slowly beneath the thick scales, resembling a lava riverbed.

Pain is still etched in their eyes, but that pain is no longer chaotic torment; instead, it is a core of power wrapped in unwavering will, ready to explode at any moment.

The temperature of the entire wasteland seemed to drop a few degrees as a result.

But beneath that silent surface, a destructive energy, even more terrifying than during the previous violent eruptions, was surging.

This forced calm is the most dangerous sign before the storm.

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When the frost of the Burning Army shattered the scorching rocks at the edge of the wasteland, the Qiongqi had completely concealed their outward-radiating demonic flames, leaving only scorched earth and deathly silence as a disguise.

Burial Flame Valley, as its name suggests, is the most violent and chaotic convergence point of the earth fire demon veins in the Burning Bone Wasteland.

Thick, dark red lava flows at the bottom of the valley, and the rugged, reddish-black rock walls on both sides are covered with twisted cracks, constantly spewing out scorching columns of smoke carrying sulfurous toxic fumes.

This place is a natural furnace, and also an excellent cemetery.

At the valley entrance, the massive body of the Ember Clan Chief convulsed and twitched violently. The dark red demonic flames on his body, like enraged venomous snakes, surged and exploded uncontrollably, each explosion leaving deep pits in the scorching rocks and emitting a piercing "sizzle" sound, while billowing black smoke rose and spread.

Its amber eyes were now filled with indescribable "pain" and violent "struggle". The whites of its eyes were bloodshot, and its pupils sometimes dilated and became unfocused, and sometimes shrank to the point of being as tight as needles. Its breath was extremely violent and chaotic, as if there was a volcano about to erupt inside its body tearing at its soul.

"Ugh—! No…stop! This wicked fire…devours my soul—!"

It violently shook its head, letting out a shrill howl like a wounded beast, its huge claws digging deep into the ground, sending rocks flying, its voice hoarse and trembling, carrying a clear, almost collapsing plea for mercy.

"Get out...get out! Leave...my territory! I...I can't hold on much longer...spare...spare me..."

"Roar—! Lackeys of the Heavenly Palace! If you dare... dare to take another step forward... I... I will tear you to pieces! I will burn your blood dry! I will incinerate your souls! I will ensure that you... will never be reincarnated—!!!"

The threat was filled with brutal killing intent, yet it was intermittent due to the backlash from the uncontrolled demonic flames, appearing fierce on the surface but weak on the inside, and wildly unpredictable.

It let out a low, threatening roar, twisted with pain, at the Burning Army slowly advancing into the valley, attempting to "drive away" these invaders.

The Venerable Cold Prison stood atop the chariot, his eyes filled with coldness.

In his eyes, the Qiongqi chieftain's "out-of-control and manic" state, his incoherent speech, and his constant shifting between humble pleas for mercy and insane threats, was nothing more than a cornered beast, driven to the brink of mental collapse, making its final, futile struggle.

The command flag in his hand twitched slightly.

The five thousand Burning Army soldiers marched in perfect unison, their Xuanbing Breaking Flame Qi forming a dark blue light curtain that forcefully suppressed the scorching heat in the valley.

Like a giant frost python, it resolutely and ruthlessly strangled the "out-of-control" embers within the valley.

"A cornered beast's struggle is nothing but a laughingstock. Capture this scoundrel, and the blood tax will be doubled, leaving not a blade of grass behind!" Han Yu's voice, like a bone-chilling wind, echoed through the valley.

As the bugle sounded, the Burning Army's formation suddenly accelerated.

The vanguard warriors, shielded by icy armor, cleaved through the surging heat. The main force of the central army, with their long halberds forming a forest, unleashed a continuous barrage of icy energy, like a giant ice plow, brutally crushing the scorched wasteland.

The rear guard was positioned to keep watch on both flanks.

They plunged into the narrow, eagle-beak-like entrance to the Burial Flame Valley without any hesitation.

The scene inside the valley further "confirmed" the scouts' intelligence.

On both sides are towering, twisted, and cracked dark red rock walls, as if they could collapse at any moment.

At the bottom of the valley, thick, dark red lava flowed slowly, emitting suffocating heat and poisonous fumes.

The figure of Qiongqi clan chief Jinran was on a magma island in the center of the valley.

Its body was surrounded by flickering demonic flames, and it let out painful roars. Several old and weak Qiongqi surrounded it, making it seem isolated, helpless, and panicked.

"Target confirmed! Accelerate the encirclement!" Han Yu's eyes flashed with cold light as he waved his hand to give the order.

Seeing their target within reach and "panicked," the Burning Army, eager for victory, inevitably stretched their formation as they accelerated their advance.

The vanguard had reached the heart of the valley, the main force of the central army had fully entered the canyon, and the rear guard had just poured into the valley entrance.

At this moment, the towering and twisted rock walls on both sides, like the fangs of a giant beast closing in, completely cut off the main force's connection with the valley entrance, forming a natural and enormous death trap!

Just as the main force of the Burning Army had fully entered the heart of Burial Flame Valley, their formation stretched out, and their connection to the valley entrance severed by the towering, twisted rock walls on either side—

On the high ground outside the valley, in Lieyan's dark golden pupils, the golden-red Zhu Yan holy mark suddenly lit up!

"Now! The World-Burning Demon Realm—Open!"

It roared to the sky, its voice shaking the heavens!

"Roar—!!!"

In response, the earth-shattering roar of 30,000 Qiongqi beasts echoed from the surrounding mountains of Burial Flame Valley!
The roar contained no more pain or confusion, only the overwhelming hatred suppressed for three hundred years and the determination to kill to the death!
Thirty thousand figures, regardless of age or strength, simultaneously activated the "Purifying the World and Burning Demons Scripture" with all their might!
Their bodies, some deep red, some dark purple, and some already beginning to turn dark gold, erupted with demonic flames!
No longer a scattered frenzy, but guided by a unified will, it transformed into thirty thousand violent pillars of fire, fiercely pounding the earth beneath their feet!
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The entire Burial Flame Valley seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand!

The earth groaned in agony, unable to bear the weight any longer, and trembled violently, cracking and crumbling!
The viscous, dark red magma at the bottom of the valley seemed to come alive, instantly boiling, surging up, and transforming into towering waves!
The numerous cracks in the rock walls on both sides suddenly widened.

The accumulated toxic flames and foul, malevolent energy of the earth, which had been stored up for millennia, seemed to have found an outlet, transforming into billions of raging fire dragons and venomous pythons that surged forth from all directions and from the depths of the earth, pouring into the Burning Army in the center of the valley!

The demonic flames stirred up by the thirty thousand Qiongqi acted as a fuse, completely igniting and guiding the terrifying earth vein demonic energy accumulated in the Burial Flame Valley!
A vast domain, composed of pure demonic flames, earth fire poison, and the hatred of the Qiongqi, instantly took shape, enveloping the entire valley—the World-Burning Demon Realm!
The azure-blue Xuanbing Piyan Gang light barrier emitted a teeth-grinding "hissing" sound the moment it came into contact with this Burning World Demon Realm!

The Xuanbing power, which was said to be able to counter all fire, was now like encountering its nemesis!
The Purifying Demon Flame is no ordinary fire!

It uses pain as fuel and hatred as a catalyst, combining the poison of the abyss's erosion with the power of the Zhu Yan's burning evil into one. Its essence has long transcended the simple conflict between ice and fire!
The Xuanbing Qi only held for less than a breath before melting and vaporizing at a speed visible to the naked eye, just like thin snow under the scorching sun!
"Not good! This fire... is strange! Form an array! Defend with all your might!" Venerable Hanyu's expression changed drastically. He roared sharply, and his body erupted with a bone-chilling cold domain in an attempt to stabilize the situation.

However, it was too late!

Without the protection of the Xuanbing Gangqi, the Burning Army soldiers were instantly exposed to the terrifying power of the Burning World Demon Realm.

"what--!"

"Inner demons! No—!"

The piercing screams instantly replaced the orderly shouts of the troops.

Dark red, deep purple, and viscous, toxic demonic flames, like maggots clinging to bones, ignored physical defenses and directly burrowed into the bodies of the Burning Army soldiers through their pores, orifices, and even through their weapons and armor!
The demonic flames entered the body, but did not immediately burn the physical body; instead, they rushed straight to the soul!

For three hundred years, the Qiongqi clan had endured all the excruciating pain, boundless despair, and resentment that burned their hearts and bones. Like the most potent poison, it was engulfed by demonic flames and instantly ignited all the negative emotions deep within the hearts of these Heavenly Palace elites, including fear, greed, and violence!
The inner demons retaliate, raging fiercely from within!

Countless soldiers of the Burning Army had their eyes turn bloodshot instantly. Some clutched their heads and roared madly, some swung their weapons at their comrades, and some twisted and swelled uncontrollably, their bodies igniting with strange flames from the inside out, quickly turning into charcoal amidst painful screams!
The entire Burning Army formation was instantly engulfed in a self-immolating inferno!

A squad leader wielding a giant shield watched helplessly as the ice shield rapidly melted under the licking of dark purple demonic flames. He tried to retreat in terror, but the lava beneath his feet had already wrapped around his legs like a living thing.

The demonic flames seeped into the gaps in the melting armor. "Ah—!" With a shrill scream, dark red flames spewed from his pores, instantly transforming him into a charred and twisted humanoid torch. His shield crashed into the lava.

The central army's halberd formation was instantly thrown into chaos.

A young soldier watched as his comrade's eyes suddenly turned bloodshot. He went berserk and plunged his halberd into another comrade's chest, screaming the name of his enemy incomprehensible words.

He himself felt an indescribable violence and fear explode from the bottom of his heart, as if countless despair and resentment accumulated by Qiongqi over three hundred years were screaming in his mind.

He tried to use the Frost Heart Technique to resist, but was horrified to find that the flow of magical power only attracted more demonic flames!
"Inner demons! No—!"

He futilely pounded on his smoking chest, finally collapsing to his knees in extreme pain, his body bursting into eerie flames from the inside out.

The rear guard at the valley entrance witnessed the hellish scene ahead and were terrified.

Terrified screams replaced the commands.

"Run!"

"It's a trap! The devil! They are the devils!"

The soldiers abandoned their armor and rushed frantically toward the narrow valley entrance, pushing and trampling each other.

A soldier, trying to maintain order, brandished his halberd and roared, "No retreat! Form ranks..."

Before he could finish speaking, a deep red venomous fire python spewed out from a crack in the rock wall and instantly engulfed him, leaving only half of the charred halberd handle.

The rout spiraled completely out of control, and the valley entrance was instantly piled high with corpses killed by trampling and burning by demonic flames, blocking the only escape route.

Within a few breaths, the entire Burning Army formation was engulfed in a purgatory of fire, with people burning themselves, killing each other, and fleeing in disarray!

The various races watching from afar were utterly stunned by this sudden and overwhelming scene of destruction. (End of Chapter)