Chapter 161: The Fire Domain
The Ji Family was hunting Ye Fan, all for the sake of the Grand Void Art. But the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang and Hua Yunfei had also joined the pursuit—this was hardly a good omen. Soon, he also spotted Li Youyou, the most outstanding disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, trailing him like ethereal mist. At the same time, he saw over a dozen familiar figures, all young talents he had encountered last time at Grand Mystery. Moreover, many unfamiliar faces appeared from afar, chasing after him.
Now the trouble was immense. The Ji Family wanted to reclaim the Grand Void Art, while other forces harbored ulterior motives, eager to snatch a piece of the pie. Ye Fan felt the road ahead was uncertain, life and death unpredictable—it would be extremely difficult to shake these people off.
“Little Brother Ye, come with me. In this region, only my Yaoguang Holy Land can protect you completely,” the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang transmitted again, her voice soft and seductive, carrying a hint of allure.
Ye Fan was tempted to go wild—to throw himself into Yaoguang Holy Land and publicly reveal the Grand Void Art, sparking conflict between two major powers. But doing so would undoubtedly be like a moth diving into a flame. His current situation was precarious; everyone saw him as a piece of succulent meat.
Just as he was distracted, the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang’s feet glowed with light, each step blooming a golden lotus. Like a slender willow in the wind, she swayed her immortal body and instantly caught up.
Ye Fan’s eyes widened as he pushed his speed to the limit. This saintly maiden, with her breathtaking beauty, was far too extraordinary—she had nearly surpassed him.
A heavenly laugh echoed as the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang extended her jade arm. Her slender, water-onion-like fingers seemed to possess a strange magic, reaching from afar toward Ye Fan’s back.
Though hundreds of meters apart, Ye Fan felt a fragrant breeze. That hand seemed about to press against his spine, as if he could already sense its softness. Breaking out in a cold sweat, he shouted, “Holy Maiden of Yaoguang, how old are you?”
Everyone was stunned, confused. The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang paused in surprise, then chuckled, “You little rascal.”
Ye Fan’s only goal was to distract her, dodging the danger. He shook off that soft jade hand and kept accelerating.
Blue robes fluttering, Hua Yunfei also caught up, transmitting, “Junior Brother Ye, as a disciple of Clumsy Peak, we both hail from Grand Mystery. Return to the sect with me.” Misty clouds swirled as Li Youyou of the Xiaoyao Sect followed closely, never falling behind. “Ye, you little thief! Who can save you today?” Ji Hui’s face was ashen as she closed the distance rapidly.
Falling into anyone’s hands was one thing, but never into that old hag’s—otherwise, Ye Fan wouldn’t even die easily. He wouldn’t close his eyes without enduring every torment in the world. “Hehehe… Little Leaf, don’t run. Sister won’t hurt you,” Ji Biyue giggled. The five-colored lightning beneath her feet flashed, closing a huge gap in an instant.
Ye Fan’s heart tightened. The young experts chasing him had all cultivated to the third secret realm, no less than renowned elders.
Looking back, aside from a few Ji Family elders, all were young talents: Hua Yunfei, Li Youyou, Ji Biyue, the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang…
Now, nearly twenty cultivators were pursuing him, impossible to shake. He recognized half of them; the rest were strangers. “Little Leaf, let sister cherish you…” Ji Biyue’s eyes were like water, her figure sexy and curves alluring. “Everyone behind me, do you all want to become dried meat? If you keep chasing, even if you watch me turn to ash, you won’t escape yourselves,” Ye Fan shouted back.
“Little Leaf, sister really can’t bear to see you roasted. Come back, and I’ll secretly clear a path for you. I’m not as heartless as Aunt Ji Hui—I won’t kill you,” Ji Biyue transmitted secretly, her gaze captivating.
After running several more li, the flame color changed again, from pale blue to milky white, flowing like liquid milk, hazy and blurry. Ye Fan felt parched; if this continued, he’d truly be roasted.
Here, the terrain was no longer flat. Many boulders and vast stone forests appeared, aiding his escape as he could occasionally hide. “Don’t go further. This fire domain is where experts refine artifacts. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. You might be burned to ashes,” Hua Yunfei transmitted.
Ye Fan ignored him and charged ahead. After several more li, a fourth color of flame appeared—black and shimmering like ghost fire, terrifyingly dark, burning silently.
Strangely, the stone forest ahead grew denser. Though the temperature could melt rocks, the stones weren’t destroyed.
The moment Ye Fan stepped into the black flames, he felt his skin split. This ghost fire was extremely terrifying, sending a chill through his heart.
If not for his incredibly tough physical body, he’d be in real danger. Even so, his whole body burned with pain.
Behind him, Ji Hui and the others hesitated. Li Youyou and the rest weren’t as physically strong as Ye Fan, but their profound divine power allowed them to resist with their cultivation. “Swoosh”
The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang rushed into the ghost fire. Her crystalline body shimmered with light, each step blooming a golden lotus. Her movement technique was graceful beyond compare—lotuses blossomed beneath her feet, her entire form swaying elegantly, supremely beautiful. “Little Brother Ye, don’t be stubborn. You have no way out now. Come with me—Yaoguang is your only choice.”
The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang’s skin was like jade, her white dress striking against the black flames. Her translucent surface flowed with luster as she chuckled, “You can’t escape. Even senior experts would frown here.” “Can the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang marry?” Ye Fan teased. “If I could become Yaoguang’s son-in-law, I’d go with you.”
“If you can defeat the Saint Lord, it’s not impossible,” the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang laughed, unangered. Her immortal form was flawless, her jade face carrying a seductive smile. “With your physique, why fear not rising? Come with me quickly.”
Ye Ran ran through the stone forest as the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang, with golden lotuses underfoot, followed swiftly. Like a spring breeze or a swaying willow, she was supremely graceful—like a fairy dancing.
Behind, the others hesitated a moment before stepping into the black ghost fire, chasing Ye Fan.
According to records, there were nine layers of flames here. The fourth was already dangerous; they didn’t want to risk further, but had no choice.
Ahead, golden flames flickered. Ye Fan felt uneasy. The black flames were already unbearable; if he entered the fifth layer, he feared being completely scorched.
Even the Primordial Saint Body might not withstand it. Indeed, even the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang avoided the golden flames, carefully skirting the edges to pursue.
“Little Brother Ye, you have no chance. If you don’t come with me, you’ll truly turn to ashes,” the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang sweetly said, extending her slender hand toward him.
“Holy Maiden of Yaoguang, I’ll come propose later. You may return now.” Ye Fan gritted his teeth and charged into the golden flames.
In that instant, he felt even the Saint Body couldn’t endure. His skin risked cracking, as if about to ignite. He felt he’d turn to ash. Divine power couldn’t block it; his precious body couldn’t hold out!
Terrified, Ye Fan quickly took out the Jade Purification Vase and poured it into his mouth. The divine spring entered his body, and the terrifying sensation of turning to ash subsided slightly.
But his situation remained dire. The divine spring was limited, unable to sustain him long. His physical body couldn’t hold out; he’d eventually ignite and turn to dust. Outside, everyone showed disbelief—Ye Fan hadn’t melted; he’d held on.
All were sustaining themselves with deep cultivation. They could see Ye Fan was relying on his powerful physique, which was astonishing.
Ji Hui and a few elders gathered, made a decision, and sneered as they advanced. Together, they sacrificed a piece of jade-green leaf, slashing it toward Ye Fan in the golden flames.
Ye Fan was unbearably hot, feeling as if his bones were breaking. His movements were sluggish. Though he dodged, the jade-green leaf still tore through the void beside him. Ye Fan vanished with a swoosh, disappearing into the void. The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang showed surprise. “An artifact inscribed with the Grand Void Art!” “Correct!” Ji Hui nodded. “Pity, it only moves forward. Otherwise, we could catch him.” Another Ji Family elder stroked his beard. “It’ll let him travel several li, landing in the sixth fire layer. Even we would turn to ash entering there. He’s doomed.” “The sixth fire layer is called Purple Qi from the East. Great figures refine artifacts there. He has no hope of survival,” Ji Biyue said.
“Let’s go. We can’t last long in this fourth-layer black ghost fire either.” Ji Hui led the way out. “Pity, a shame.” Others shook their heads and quickly withdrew.
“I don’t think he’ll die so easily…” The Holy Maiden of Yaoguang, with her peerless beauty, showed a strange expression. She lingered at the edge of the golden flames for a long time, only leaving when no sound came from within. “What a pity,” she murmured. Hua Yunfei also waited a moment, listening intently. The fire domain was utterly silent, then he turned and left. In the blink of an eye, the fourth-layer ghost fire domain fell completely quiet.
Outside the fire domain, Ji Hui immediately ordered Ji Family cultivators to guard the area. She wanted no accidents and even considered summoning a major figure from the family to explore the sixth fire layer.
The sixth fire layer, Purple Qi from the East, didn’t burn like ordinary flames. Instead, it flowed like purple mist, hazy and indistinct.
The jade-green leaf was a forbidden artifact. It tore through the void, manifesting the complete Grand Void Art, crossing several li of space. It bypassed the golden flame region and was about to break directly into the purple flames. The moment Ye Fan crossed the void, he knew something was terribly wrong!
He quickly sacrificed the Grand Luo Heavenly Net to protect his body, then gripped the Jade Purification Vase, ready to pour it over himself at any moment. The place where great figures refined artifacts was no place for him to survive!
The void split open. In an instant, only a wisp of purple qi surged in, but Ye Fan still felt his entire body about to shatter. At the same time, he sensed the Mother Qi of All Things becoming active.