"This Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is treating us like mere playthings..." Gu Fei's response was remarkably calm as he glanced up at the dome of the grand hall.
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned slightly. Being toyed with by a Heavenly Flame was hard to accept.
"Let's keep moving!" Gu Fei waved his hand and proceeded forward.
The group continued their advance, obliterating the army of flame slaves in the grand hall with ease. Moments later, they all transformed into streaks of light, flashing forward and shattering the massive doors at the hall's end before pressing on.
The subsequent events felt monotonous, like a repetitive challenge. The pattern in every hall was the same: hordes of flame slaves. As they progressed, more half-saint-level flame slaves appeared, rendering the younger members like Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi nearly useless.
At this point, Gu Nanhai finally understood why Gu Fei had not allowed other young members of the clan to come train in this place. Without reaching the Dou Saint level, one would either be cannon fodder or a burden.
*Bang!*
Another massive door shattered under Gu Fei's indifferent palm, sending debris flying. Once again, they were confronted by a grand hall.
"It seems we've reached Xiao Chen..." Gu Fei murmured as he scanned the room.
The others were surprised because they noticed that this hall contained far fewer flame slaves. In the center of the vast hall stood only one thin, withered figure.
"A Four-Star Dou Saint!"
Sensing the aura of that figure, both Gu Nanhai and Elder Huo Yao's faces became grave. Although they were also Four-Star Dou Saints, this figure seemed even stronger than they were.
"Is this another flame slave?" Huo Xuan asked, wide-eyed in shock.
How terrifying was the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame to turn a Four-Star Dou Saint into a mere flame slave?
"No matter how strong it is, we have to defeat it to move forward," Gu Nanhai and Huo Yao's fighting spirit surged.
As soon as the group stepped into the hall, the figure slowly opened its eyes. Clad in the simplest of clothes, his face was expressionless, his eyes cold as eternal ice. Suddenly, the ground shook heavily as the withered figure clenched the air before him, and a massive, blood-red axe, several feet long and grotesque in appearance, materialized.
In contrast to his frail body, the oversized axe made the figure look somewhat comical. Yet, everyone present could feel the terrifying power hidden within that frail body.
"This person is strong! And strangely familiar... like someone I've heard of before!" Gu Nanhai furrowed his brows as he contemplated.
With no further words, the three of them- Gu Fei, Gu Nanhai, and Huo Yao- charged at the figure, engaging in a fierce battle. Sparks flew across the expansive hall as their lightning-fast movements clashed with blinding intensity.
Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi retreated, knowing that they would only be a burden.
Although the withered man wielding the blood-red axe was formidable, he couldn't withstand the combined assault of the three. Gradually, he was forced back.
During the battle, Gu Nanhai realized how terrifying Gu Fei's strength truly was. Against this flame slave, Gu Fei was the only one who could truly suppress it.
"Roar!"
After being pushed back once more, the flame slave's previously emotionless eyes suddenly lit up with a crazed heat. From his throat came a low growl, and a bright light shot out from his forehead. Within the light, a rune appeared, floating in the air. At the same time, his aura surged dramatically.
"That... that looks like the Xiao Clan's ancestral mark!" Gu Nanhai and Huo Yao exclaimed in astonishment.
*Boom!*
With his power rising, the withered man swung his massive axe. The force of the strike was overwhelming, and even when Gu Nanhai and Huo Yao joined forces to block it, they were still pushed back.
"Step back!" Gu Fei stepped forward, placing himself between the two and the flame slave, now facing it alone.
"Blood Axe Xiao Chen, do you really wish to remain a mere flame slave forever?" Gu Fei's voice boomed, enhanced by his soul power.
At these words, the cold, emotionless face of the withered man finally showed a trace of movement.
"The Xiao Clan..."
Hearing that name, a ripple of emotion passed through his otherwise indifferent eyes.
"Who... am I?" The withered man's eyes revealed a hint of confusion.
"So, this is Xiao Chen..." Gu Nanhai and the others were stunned.
"I've only read about that blood-red axe in ancient records. The Xiao Clan once had a peerless genius who wielded a massive blood axe. His name was Xiao Chen!" Those from the ancient clans were shocked, recognizing the long-lost legend.