"The mist here seems strange. We should leave this area first."
Seeing Gu Nanhai still shaken, Gu Fei forced a wry smile. Even he had nearly fallen victim to the illusion just moments ago.
Fortunately, Gu Fei possessed a formidable Heavenly Flame within him, and with his emotional value system, he could immediately tell that the appearances of Cai Lin and the three members of the Hun Clan were fake. They had no emotional responses, which was a dead giveaway.
"Where is everyone else?" Gu Nanhai frowned. This space created by the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was exceedingly dangerous, filled with life-threatening traps. Even a Dou Saint could face peril at every turn.
"This is likely part of the demonic flame's plan," Gu Fei responded. "Many people have been separated upon entering, though not completely cut off. Let's go."
Gu Fei glanced at the people still trapped in their illusions but quickly flew off with Gu Nanhai, heading toward the edge of the mist. He had no connection with most of these people, and he wasn't going to risk himself saving them. They were here for the Demonic Flame, knowing full well the dangers involved. If they were reckless enough to come here, they'd have to face the consequences of their own greed.
Soon, Gu Fei and Gu Nanhai sped through the mist and exited its boundaries.
"Gu Fei!"
"Young Master Gu, I knew you'd be able to break free from the illusions..."
Hearing the voices of Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi, Gu Fei looked up. Ahead, a massive platform hovered in the air, and at the end of the platform stood a large white gate. The three members of the Yan Clan, having their own Heavenly Flames, had also escaped the illusions.
Ding! Huo Xuan is feeling joy. Emotional value increased…
Ding! Huo Zhi is feeling joy. Emotional value increased…
Through the emotional feedback, Gu Fei instantly confirmed that these three were real, not illusions. He and Gu Nanhai flew over to meet them. Since the joy they felt upon seeing him was genuine, Gu Fei treated them politely in return.
"It seems that the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame has already mastered the Nightmare Heavenly Fog. Over the past thousand years, it's grown even stronger," remarked Elder Huo Yao of the Yan Clan with a sigh.
The Nightmare Heavenly Fog was originally the exclusive technique of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint, and many of the ancient clans had heard tales of it. It was said that the Demon Saint once cast this technique over an entire city, causing the inhabitants to live out hundreds of years in what felt like reality, only to awaken and realize it had all been an illusion.
"It's likely that the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is even stronger now than it was a thousand years ago," Gu Nanhai nodded in agreement.
"Our ancestors said that by following the path beyond the giant gate, one would eventually find the Demonic Flame. We'll need to fight our way through," Huo Yao pointed to the large gate behind him, inviting Gu Fei and the others to join him.
"Indeed. The traps left behind by the Demon Saint hadn't yet fully activated, so the Demonic Flame controls this space for now. Until we face its true form, we must abide by its rules," Gu Nanhai said with a calm smile. He was about to continue speaking when the surrounding space began to ripple violently. A terrifying heat spread from all directions.
"Everyone, be on guard!" Gu Fei furrowed his brow.
"Boom! Boom!"
As the space twisted more and more, cracks began to appear. From these fissures, massive waves of milky-white flames surged out. Soon after, human figures shrouded in the flames started pouring out in waves.
These figures, cloaked in white flames, gripped flaming spears, and their emotionless eyes locked onto Gu Fei and his group.
"Fire slaves!" The group, all part of ancient clans, immediately recognized these beings. These were strong individuals who had been refined by the Demonic Flame and turned into puppets.
"Roar!"
The countless flaming figures let out a thunderous roar before surging forward in an overwhelming wave toward Gu Fei and the others. The sheer magnitude of the attack was overwhelming.
However, the group was comprised of powerful Dou Saints, including Gu Fei, Gu Nanhai, and Elder Huo Yao- three four-star Dou Saints. Their combined might swiftly tore through the ranks of the fire slaves, who seemed unable to put up much resistance.
Yet, no matter how fiercely Gu Fei and his companions fought, more fire slaves continued to pour out from the cracks, seemingly endless.
"No matter how many we kill, they just keep coming! We need to push through!" Gu Nanhai shouted.
The others nodded in agreement. With a coordinated attack, they blasted through the fire slave horde and smashed into the giant gate.
"Boom!"
With their combined strength, the gate exploded into pieces.
"According to our ancestors, the true body of the Demonic Flame lies at the end of this hall!" Gu Nanhai exclaimed.
Gu Fei didn't stop him. It seemed that only by reaching the final illusion of the Demonic Flame Palace would the remnant soul of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint within his brow react.
After breaking through the next hall, the group found themselves in an enormous plaza, thousands of meters wide, filled with dense rows of flaming figures standing motionless.
Though silent, these figures radiated an overwhelming aura. Their combined presence formed what felt like a massive flaming dragon, hovering above them with terrifying killing intent.
Gu Fei's group had already fought through three similar halls. But the deeper they went, the stronger the fire slaves became. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that each of these fire slaves had the strength of at least a Dou Venerate.
One Dou Venerate was nothing in front of them, but with tens of thousands of them, even a Dou Saint would struggle.
Moreover, the energy of the realm was infused with traces of the demonic flame, making it dangerous for anyone to absorb. As their Dou Qi was depleted without the ability to replenish it, even the Dou Saints couldn't endure forever.
"If this keeps up, we'll all be worn down to death!" Huo Xuan panted. The relentless battle was taking its toll, especially on him and Huo Zhi, who only had half-Saint-level strength. Their Dou Qi reserves were rapidly depleting under the intense combat.