Fo Fo Village – Outskirts
The gentle morning sun bathed the landscape in golden light. Fields of wildflowers danced with the wind, stretching far into the horizon. Birds chirped sweet melodies among blossoming trees, and clear streams sparkled as they meandered through the hills.
Gao Tian and Shu Yu walked side by side along a stone path just outside Fo Fo Village, a quiet settlement nestled at the base of a small mountain range. It was a peaceful place untouched by the chaos of the cultivation world.
Gao Tian wore a white robe with black lining, his expression calm and focused. Beside him, Shu Yu walked in her red robes covered with a black outer cloak, her usual expressionless face softened ever so slightly by the beauty surrounding them.
As they passed a bamboo grove swaying gently with the breeze, Gao Tian looked around.
"This place is peaceful," he said quietly. "It almost makes you forget how dangerous the world can be."
Shu Yu nodded slowly.
"Fo Fo Village… I've heard of it. A place where even Foundation Establishment cultivators choose to retire."
They paused near a ridge where the land opened up into a panoramic view of the valley below. Rolling hills, thick forests, and distant mountains framed the scene. In the far distance, dark clouds coiled over a faintly glowing crimson peak—Heavenflame Ridge.
Gao Tian pointed toward the peak.
"That's our destination."
Shu Yu's gaze followed his finger.
"So that's Heavenflame Ridge. I can sense the fire essence even from here. The environment will be harsh."
Gao Tian smiled lightly.
"Good. I need the harshness. I'm still far too weak."
A farmer passing by with a cart full of herbs waved kindly at them. Gao Tian nodded in return, and Shu Yu gave a very subtle bow.
After a short walk, they stopped at a quiet inn at the edge of the village. The innkeeper, an old cultivator in the Qi Refining realm, welcomed them kindly and gave them a simple but comfortable room to rest for the night.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the mountains and the stars emerged in a sea of indigo, Gao Tian sat on the inn's rooftop, legs crossed, meditating. Shu Yu sat beside him, silent as always, watching the stars.
The breeze was cool, the air filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers.
"Tomorrow," Gao Tian said softly, eyes still closed, "we head into the flames."
Shu Yu turned her head slightly to him.
"I'll be with you."
Gao Tian opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"I know."
The Next Morning – Fo Fo Village Outskirts
The village was just waking as Gao Tian and Shu Yu left the quiet inn. Morning mist lingered along the ground, and faint embers of sunlight flickered through the trees. The air was calm, but the pressure of their destination could already be felt.
Ahead lay the twisting trail leading up to Heavenflame Ridge, a place known for its violent fire qi storms, mutated flame beasts, and the legendary Heart of Crimson Essence, a rumored treasure formed by millennia of fire cultivation energy.
Gao Tian wore his white-and-black robes, with his spirit ring fastened tightly on his finger. Shu Yu followed quietly in her red-and-black garb, her black cloak flowing gently behind her.
They crossed the last wooden bridge out of Fo Fo Village. The peaceful scenery behind them faded as the terrain grew harsher—dry rock, scorched trees, and volcanic cliffs stretched endlessly ahead.
---
At the Base of Heavenflame Ridge
The air was different here. The spiritual energy was thick and heavy, infused with flames. Even Shu Yu furrowed her brows slightly as they climbed the first stone steps carved into the mountainside.
Fwoooosh!
Suddenly, a wave of heat blasted down the cliffside, warping the air. A firestorm had passed moments ago.
Gao Tian narrowed his eyes.
"This place is no joke."
Shu Yu nodded, her voice calm.
"Stay close. The fire qi is chaotic, but I can suppress it with my own cultivation."
As they advanced deeper into the Ridge, the environment turned harsher—cracks in the ground spewed molten heat, and fire element beasts could be seen from afar. A few Flame-Eyed Hounds and Scorchback Lizards roamed the cliffs, sensing their approach but keeping their distance, wary of Shu Yu's aura.
They paused in a cave hollowed out by lava flow centuries ago. Gao Tian sat on a flat stone and pulled out a scroll from his ring, unrolling it to reveal a map of Heavenflame Ridge.
"There are three major zones: the outer cliffs, the magma basin, and the core crater," he explained.
Shu Yu studied the map briefly.
"And the Heart of Crimson Essence?"
Gao Tian pointed to the center.
"Right in the crater. It's said to be guarded by a beast born of pure flame. But I need that heart—if I refine it, I can push my Eternity Dao Mantra for breakthrough."
Shu Yu tilted her head slightly.
"Risky, but worth it."
He smiled.
"Just the way I like it."
The fire qi grew denser. Gao Tian began circulating the Eternity Dao Mantra, causing the red orbs behind him to hum quietly with power. Shu Yu raised a pale hand, forming a transparent barrier of spiritual energy to block a sudden fire burst from a vent nearby.
They were being watched. Somewhere above, two glowing eyes flickered through the flames. A beast, massive and made of lava, crouched silently on a cliff.
Heavenflame Ridge – Outer Edge
A deep roar echoed across the charred landscape.
BOOM.
A burst of spiritual energy surged outward from a nearby rock outcrop, sending dust and ember swirling. Gao Tian stood at the center, steam rising from his body, eyes glowing faintly with power.
Shu Yu, standing a few paces away, watched calmly, her face as expressionless as ever.
"You broke through," she said plainly.
Gao Tian smiled as he turned to face her. "Yeah."
Behind him, one of the ten red orbs circling his back had begun to glow. The golden hue that once covered only two percent of its surface now shimmered at three percent.
"I'm at Qi Refining – Sixth Layer now," he declared.
Shu Yu's gaze flickered, subtle but sharp. "What's your combat strength?"
Gao Tian rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "Hmm… I think I can take on someone at Foundation Establishment – Fifth Layer without much trouble."
She remained silent, but internally, her thoughts stirred.
Qi Refining? Defeating Foundation Establishment cultivators?
Is he even human…?
Gao Tian stood, dusted off his robes, and glanced around. "Oh, so you set a barrier while I was cultivating."
Shu Yu turned, deactivating the transparent layer of spiritual energy with a flick of her hand. "Yes. In case someone attacked during your breakthrough."
Without another word, she began walking deeper into the ridge. Gao Tian followed, the ground crunching beneath their feet as the air grew heavier with fire-imbued qi.
A furious roar ripped through the scorched mountain path to their left. The rocks trembled as a massive beast leapt out from the cliffside—its fur ablaze, claws glowing red-hot.
A Second-Rank High-Tier Flame Wolf.
Before Shu Yu could react, the beast opened its maw and spewed a wave of fire directly at them.
Shu Yu didn't flinch.
But Gao Tian moved instantly.
He stepped in front of her, left hand raised. Spiritual light surged.
BOOM!
A radiant spiritual barrier manifested in front of him. The flames crashed into it like a tidal wave against a stone wall. The shield trembled, but it held firm.
Gao Tian gritted his teeth, glaring at the Flame Wolf.
"Second-Rank High-Tier... Hah, this one won't go down easy."
From behind him, Shu Yu spoke calmly, "Do you need help?"
He shook his head. "No. I'll handle it."
The Flame Wolf landed with a heavy thud, snarling, its breath searing hot. Then it raised its head and let out a long howl.
Shu Yu narrowed her eyes. "He's calling for others."
"Tch." Gao Tian dashed forward. "Then I'll kill him before backup arrives!"
As he charged, blue energy surged across Gao Tian's right arm, wild and chaotic. His sleeve shredded under the force of it, revealing a glowing mark trailing from his wrist to elbow.
"Dynamic Palm!"
With a leap, Gao Tian brought his palm down like a crashing meteor. The beast, sensing danger, instinctively jumped back.
BOOM!
The palm struck the ground instead, shattering the rocky terrain and sending a shockwave rippling outward. Dust exploded into the air as embers lit the cracks in the stone.
The Flame Wolf growled, circling cautiously now, no longer so confident.
Shu Yu stood behind, unmoving. Though her face remained stoic, her thoughts whispered:
He really doesn't fight like someone in Qi Refining... just what kind of monster is he becoming?