Heavenflame Ridge — Magma Basin
A few minutes passed in silence, broken only by the soft crackle of magma in the distance.
Suddenly, Gao Tian jolted upright with a gasp, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"Am I dead?!"
His heart raced, sweat beading on his forehead. But before he could gather his thoughts, a face appeared in front of him.
Shu Yu.
She stared down at him, her expression unreadable as ever.
Gao Tian screamed in surprise, flinching back.
"Ahhhhh!"
Realizing who it was, he quickly settled down and clutched his chest.
"That scared me…"
Shu Yu didn't blink. Her voice was flat.
"You are weak. You've been unconscious three times since we entered Heavenflame Ridge."
A flush of embarrassment crept up Gao Tian's cheeks. He turned his head aside, avoiding her gaze.
"Oh… ah, that's because I fought beasts way above my level," he muttered under his breath.
Seriously, can't she acknowledge that I took down a Rank 3 beast while being at Qi Refining? And she just stood there watching...
From the side, the small Ruler Dog beast looked up and let out a soft, mocking chortle. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
Gao Tian noticed it and narrowed his gaze.
You little bastard dog. Just you wait. One day I'll make you cry instead.
Shu Yu stood and brushed off her robe. Her sword gleamed faintly under the magma's glow.
"Let's go," she said plainly. "We still need to open the gate."
Gao Tian stood as well, patting the dust from his tattered clothes. His eyes drifted toward the crimson-red gate, its surface covered in ancient markings and surrounded by old bloodstains.
Shu Yu walked toward the tiger beast's corpse. The Ruler Dog nestled in her arms as she approached the body. With one smooth motion, she gripped the hilt of her sword and pulled it free from the beast's neck.
The moment the blade left its resting place, the tiger's corpse began to glow faintly.
A single drop of dark crimson blood lifted into the air.
Gao Tian's eyes widened. The Ruler Dog stopped its snickering and tilted its head. Shu Yu silently watched as the drop floated gently through the still air toward the sealed gate.
The blood hovered in front of the gate for a moment, then slowly sank into it.
The runes on the surface of the gate shimmered to life, pulsing with red light.
With a heavy rumble, the gate began to open.
Stone scraped against stone, ancient mechanisms grinding for the first time in perhaps centuries.
While staring at the massive gate ahead, Gao Tian calmly stored the tiger beast's corpse into his spiritual ring without a second glance.
Shu Yu walked forward, her steps slow and measured, the Ruler Dog cradled against her like a silent sentinel.
Gao Tian followed closely behind, eyes fixed on the widening entrance.
The air that flowed from beyond the gate was hot, thick, and ancient.
They stood before the massive gate, its crimson surface glowing faintly with residual energy from the drop of blood that had activated it. A quiet, oppressive air lingered around them, heavy with secrets and danger.
Gao Tian swallowed nervously, glancing at Shu Yu beside him. "Ah… can't we go home instead of going inside?"
Shu Yu turned her face slightly, her cold gaze meeting his without emotion. "Why? I thought you loved to fight."
"I do," Gao Tian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I'm only in the Qi Refining realm, and you want me to fight Rank 3 beasts. Are you trying to kill me?"
Shu Yu ignored the sarcasm and shifted her gaze back to the gate. Without a word, she stepped forward.
Gao Tian sighed and followed her. "I swear, one day you'll be the death of me…"
As they crossed the threshold, the scene beyond was not what Gao Tian had expected.
Heavenflame Ridge — The Core Crater
A sprawling underground world unfolded before them. The ceiling above resembled a dome carved of black rock, glowing veins of lava streaking across its surface. And in the center—standing solemn and imposing—was a massive palace built from blood-red stones. Jagged towers rose high above its main structure, and the air around it shimmered with intense spiritual heat.
A long staircase led downward to the base of the palace, where twin fire jade gates loomed. The stone beneath their feet gave off faint warmth with each step they took.
Gao Tian's mouth hung open. "What the hell is this…? Why is there a palace here in Heavenflame Ridge? Is it the core crater"
Shu Yu gave a slight nod, her calm voice cutting through his disbelief. "Strange, but… this place looks good."
Gao Tian stared at her in disbelief.
She really said that? Looks good? This place is hotter than the outer realms of the Fire Hell, and there's a creepy blood palace underground—and she thinks it looks good?
He groaned under his breath and followed as Shu Yu descended the staircase, step by steady step. When they reached the bottom, the two stood before the gates made of crimson fire jade, gleaming like a burning sun, hot to the touch and alive with sealed energy.
Without hesitation, Shu Yu approached.
As she neared, the gates opened slowly on their own, the ancient mechanisms groaning, firelight spilling into the hall beyond.
She stepped inside. Gao Tian grit his teeth and hurried after her.
The vast hall beyond was otherworldly.
Dozens of thrones lined both sides of the grand corridor, each carved from flame-forged stone, worn and ancient. A thick tension filled the room. At the far end, a raised dais held a towering throne more majestic than the rest—etched with golden flame motifs, wrapped in vines of glowing emberstone.
On that throne sat a woman.
She appeared human at first glance, draped in a robe of silk and fire. But atop her head, sharp fox ears twitched slightly. Her eyes were closed.
Shu Yu and Gao Tian froze.
A faint breeze stirred the embers along the floor.
Then, slowly, the woman opened her eyes.
It was the same gaze that had pierced Gao Tian's consciousness days ago, back when he first entered Heavenflame Ridge.
Golden, luminous, ancient.
Shu Yu narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone as flat as ever. "Is she the final beast? She feels like… a Rank 4 Mid-Tier."
Gao Tian stared at the woman on the throne.
"Hey," he whispered sharply. "I am not fighting that beast. She'll kill me with a flick of her finger."
Please don't ask me to fight her. Please don't…
Shu Yu's next words made him wince.
"You have to protect me. Don't forget our one-year protection contract."
Gao Tian nearly choked on his breath. His fists trembled, not from fear, but frustration.
He took a long, calming breath and let his head fall forward.
"…Ah, fine."
The woman on the throne watched silently as they approached, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips.
Gao Tian stepped forward cautiously, each step echoing through the grand hall of fire and stone.
I'm going to die now, he thought grimly, his eyes fixed on the fox-eared woman seated upon the central throne. He cleared his throat and raised his voice with false bravado.
"Hey, you beast! Do you want to fight?"
The fox woman stood gracefully, her long sleeves fluttering like drifting flames. Her golden eyes shimmered under the palace's fiery glow.
"No," she said with a soft smile, "I'm a good fox. I don't like killing people."
Gao Tian blinked in disbelief. Then joy slowly spread across his face. He turned toward Shu Yu, waving a hand with triumph.
"Hey! I don't have to fight her after all!"
Shu Yu, ever expressionless, kept her gaze locked on the woman. There was no sign of relief in her demeanor—only suspicion.
Her tone was sharp as she spoke. "Where is the Heart of Crimson Essence?"
The fox woman tilted her head apologetically, her ears twitching slightly.
"Oh, sorry for saying this, but… it's just a rumor. The Heart of Crimson Essence isn't really hidden in this place."
A moment of silence hung in the air.
Gao Tian's jaw dropped.
"What? We went through all that—fought beasts, nearly died—for nothing?!"
Shu Yu let out a light sigh, her tone dry.
"I suppose we've only been wasting time."
But the fox woman waved her hand lightly and stepped down from the throne.
"Now, now, who said you get nothing just because the legend was a little exaggerated?"
She smiled playfully.
"You came all the way here. Shouldn't there be a reward?"
Gao Tian narrowed his eyes. "So what, are you going to give us a pat on the back? Or maybe some tea?"
The fox woman's expression turned serious.
"My name is Cai Xian. I've been observing you both from the moment you entered Heavenflame Ridge. Your courage and persistence have earned you something far more valuable."
She extended her hand. With a faint shimmer, six bright crimson fruits appeared, floating mid-air, glowing with radiant flame energy.
"The reward for reaching this place," she said, "is six pieces of Heavenly Flame Fruit."
Gao Tian stumbled back a step, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Heavenly Flame Fruits? Don't joke! Those are legendary! Even the trees that bear them are impossibly rare!"
Cai Xian crossed her arms, her smile mischievous.
"Hey, hey… You think I'm lying?"
The radiant fruits hovered gently, their scent warm and intoxicating, sending waves of pure fire essence into the air.
Shu Yu's eyes flickered, though her face remained impassive. Gao Tian, meanwhile, stared as if he were watching a miracle unfold before him.
Cai Xian leaned forward, her voice smooth and steady.
"You've earned them. Whether you realize it or not."
Gao Tian looked at Shu Yu, then back at the fox woman.
"…Alright. Maybe this trip wasn't a waste after all."