Chapter 320: Divine Flame of the Nine Heavens
Chapter 320: Divine Flame of the Nine Heavens
Under the current circumstances, the rivers and lakes deep within the Fire Rain Marsh were formed from the essence of blazing flames. Though they contained immense fiery power, they carried the severe side effect of potent fire poison.
In contrast, the giant fire trees bore innate dao markings, capable of drawing the fiery essence from the waters while filtering out the poison, supplying Caiyun with the purest energy for her cultivation.
Additionally, the Firebirds and fire beasts harbored innate fire essence within their bodies, which Caiyun had absorbed much of during her journey.
The Fire Rain Marsh was divided into nine layers, known as the Nine Layers of the Fire Marsh. Caiyun now stood in the Fifth Layer—a dangerous zone. Further in, the Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh grew even more perilous. The Seventh Realm meant nine chances of survival and one of death, while the Eighth Realm was said to have few brave souls daring to enter. The final Ninth Layer remained shrouded in mystery, rumored to have consumed even a God King in flames, with no visitors for millennia.
At dusk, a shadowy figure emerged near the lake. Its dark green eyes locked onto the giant fire tree, casting an eerie gaze toward Caiyun—a look tinged with suspicion and cold malice.
The man wore a black robe embroidered with skulls, his face pale and ghastly. Though crimson flames raged around him, they recoiled from his chilling aura, unable to touch him.
Nightfall transformed the Fire Rain Marsh into a vivid crimson landscape, far more striking than daytime. Fire trees blazed like silver blossoms under the dark sky.
Several figures soon landed by the lake, spotting both the giant fire tree and the black-robed man.
“Bone Messenger?!”
One of the newcomers gasped, recognizing him.
The Bone Messenger let out a raspy chuckle, his demeanor demonic.
“Zhengyang Sect arrives. Confident enough to brave the Sixth Realm this time?”
His words instantly exposed the group’s origins. Though not a major force, Zhengyang Sect was an ancient lineage.
“We only came to gather fire essence from the Fifth Layer,” the leader replied hastily. “We’ll leave at once, lest we disturb you.”
The five turned to retreat.
“Stay,” the Bone Messenger crooned. “Why rush off?”
Under the fiery glow, the Zhengyang group—four men and one woman—stood revealed. The youngest was a petite woman in her early twenties, her sharp eyes darting curiously. The leader, a plain-faced man in his forties, smiled amiably, though silver flickered faintly in his eyes.
“What do you require of us, Messenger?” the leader asked respectfully.
The Bone Messenger sneered. “Since when does Lian Yunsheng of Zhengyang Sect speak so meekly? I recall you being less… accommodating.”
Lian Yunsheng stiffened. “We’re beneath your notice, Messenger.”
“Flattery won’t hide your purpose.” The Bone Messenger’s grin widened. “Here for *that* item, aren’t you?”
Lian Yunsheng hesitated. “Merely following rumors. Surely *you* have greater confidence?”
The Bone Messenger barked a laugh. “If I were certain, I’d not ask. This marsh holds more experts than just us.”
Lian Yunsheng glanced at Caiyun and laughed, “This one seems decent, though her origins remain unclear.”
Bone Messenger stated, “Some matters depend on strength, others on fate. Who can say she isn’t cultivating here precisely for that object?”
Lian Yunsheng kept nodding agreeably, maintaining his amiable demeanor.
Suddenly, a shockwave rippled through the distance, drawing the attention of both Bone Messenger and Lian Yunsheng.
“That’s… after them!”
They shot forward like lightning, vanishing beyond the horizon within moments.
On the tree branch, Caiyun opened her eyes – she’d clearly overheard every word of their conversation.
With a burst of firelight, the exploding fireball transformed her into crimson radiance streaking deeper into Fire Rain Marsh.
Ahead, shadowy figures weaved through the air as numerous experts converged toward the same destination.
Caiyun followed cautiously, soon arriving at the edge of a churning sea of flames – liquid fire stretching endlessly, centered by a volcanic island where phoenixes danced amidst erupting flames.
Twenty-three experts clustered along the fiery shore, representing six factions including Bone Messenger’s group and five members of Zhengyang Sect.
“Is that the legendary phoenix?”
“Similar but distinct. Likely an immortal dao seal containing primal powers.”
“Fools! That’s the Divine Flame of the Nine Heavens from Fire Rain Marsh’s legends. The true Creation Divine Flame resides in the Ninth Realm of the Fire Marsh after millennia of evolution – but what we see here is its ninth and final avatar that never completed transformation.”
Curious voices rose: “So that phoenix is…”
“Merely the preserved ninth avatar. The first seven avatars perished during evolution. Only the eighth succeeded, becoming the heaven-shaking Creation Divine Flame.”
Caiyun listened intently, surprised to witness this legendary phenomenon firsthand. The sea straddled Fifth Layer and Sixth Realm of the Fire Marsh boundaries, its molten waves occasionally revealing gigantic beasts.
Her Five-Color Celestial Cloud vibrated intensely as she observed the phoenix – undeniable confirmation of the divine flame’s identity.
Scanning the crowd, she recognized none of these dangerous-looking cultivators. Their mutual wariness created tense stagnation despite the obvious prize.
Five Blood Martial Realm experts made the first attempt, their forms dwarfed by thousand-foot waves that shape-shifted into fiery seabirds. Roars and cries of despair soon echoed as three perished instantly.
Caiyun recalled Fire Rain Marsh’s grim reputation – Sixth Realm had claimed countless Spirit Masters. While First through Fifth Layers posed manageable risks, Sixth Realm’s death rate surpassed even Blood Moon Wasteland’s horrors.
Within half an hour, six more tried with spirit artifact defenses. Four reached the island where the phoenix inspected them mockingly before incinerating each candidate. Eleven dead in two attempts.
Lian Yunsheng’s face darkened – two Zhengyang disciples lay ash on that cursed island. “Without special physique, approaching means death,” he muttered bitterly, watching the immortal flame’s lethal dance.