"These worthless fools aren't even worthy of becoming my fire slaves!"
"Everyone below Dou Saint, explode for me!"
On top of the magma pillar, the cold voice of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame echoed. As his final word dropped, chaos instantly erupted in the sky.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
In that moment, more than 80% of the Dou Venerate experts in the area exploded in a bizarre manner, their bodies completely destroyed.
"What terrifying means…"
A chill surged in everyone's hearts.
"Thankfully, we had Brother Fei…"
Xun'er understood well that earlier, due to her emotional instability, the demonic flame had invaded her body. If Gu Fei hadn't acted promptly to drive it out, she might have ended up exploding just like the others.
At this moment, seeing that Gu Fei was ignoring her, Xun'er harbored no complaints. She only hoped that he wouldn't blame her and could forgive her for her reckless actions.
"Haha, now the ones left are worthy of becoming my fire slaves…"
The Demonic Flame surveyed the now considerably emptier sky, then waved his hand. Ten magma pillars shot up from the sea of magma below.
As the magma pillars burst open, ten figures clad in milky-white fire armor appeared around the Demonic Flame.
"They're all Dou Saints!"
"The strongest of them even has the power of a late-stage three-star Dou Saint!"
"And there are also several two-star Dou Saints!"
Faced with such a grand display by the Demonic Flame, everyone present was momentarily stunned. In the Central Plains, any sect that had even one Dou Saint was considered a major power. Yet here, so many of them were nothing more than slaves to the demonic flame.
"This time, my collection will be even more bountiful!"
The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame smiled with satisfaction.
"Everyone, whatever grudges we may have had before, if we want to survive, we must join forces to deal with the demonic flame…"
The Soul Hall Master first directed his gaze toward Gu Fei's group. Aside from himself, Gu Fei's strength was the greatest among those present.
Moreover, the Gu Clan had brought two four-star Dou Saints, which no other clan could compare to. If Gu Fei and Gu Nanhai refused to cooperate, things would become much more complicated.
"Although the Soul Hall is infamous, what you say makes sense. It seems this Demonic Flame has no intention of letting us leave easily…"
The elder Huo Yao from the Yan Clan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. Given the situation, cooperation was necessary.
Seeing the Yan Clan agree, the elders from the Yao, Lei, Shi, and Ling Clans also nodded after some deliberation.
"Young master, what should we do?" Gu Nanhai asked Gu Fei, noticing that Hun Miesheng was staring their way. After all, their Gu Clan and the Hun Clan were sworn enemies.
"We'll cooperate for now. However, Elder Nanhai, you just focus on protecting her. I'll deal with the demonic flame."
Gu Fei replied calmly.
Hearing this, Xun'er felt both ashamed and touched. She hadn't felt this direct care from Gu Fei in a long time.
"Understood…"
Gu Nanhai had no objections. Not only did Xun'er possess divine bloodline potential, but she was also the daughter of their clan leader. They couldn't afford any mishaps in this fiery domain.
"Young friend, for some reasons, I cannot directly face the demonic flame without being controlled again. However, I can guarantee your friend's safety!"
Xiao Chen, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. He had long wanted to repay Gu Fei for his previous kindness, and now he had the opportunity to do so.
"Alright…"
Gu Fei didn't expect much from Xiao Chen. The fact that Xiao Chen had led him to the illusionary form of the Demonic Flame was already enough.
Gu Fei wasn't one to leverage gratitude.
"Hun Miesheng, as you said, let's cooperate and deal with the Heavenly Flame…"
"But, Elder Nanhai will not be joining the fight."
Gu Fei finally turned to respond to Hun Miesheng, his attitude direct yet assertive. No one took offense to his tone, given that the Gu Clan had brought two four-star Dou Saints, even if only one fought. It was still a fair balance with the other clans.
Moreover, without Gu Fei, none of them would've had a chance to escape from the illusion created by the Demonic Flame earlier.
"Very well, young master Gu speaks with forthrightness!"
Hun Miesheng smiled slightly.
"In that case, anyone with strength above four-star Dou Saint, let's work together to eliminate the demonic flame. As for the fire slaves, we'll leave them to the others."
Hun Miesheng began gathering allies.
"Young master, be cautious when you join forces against the demonic flame. Try not to exert too much force, or you might fall prey to others' schemes."
Gu Nanhai reminded Gu Fei, concerned.
"Right, the Hun Clan is devious. Brother Fei, you must be extra careful…"
Xun'er added, her voice full of concern.
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
Gu Fei nodded, his figure swiftly darting out to confront the Demonic Flame.
Seeing this, Hun Miesheng also stepped forward, his figure flickering as he appeared within a hundred feet of the Heavenly Flame.
The other four-star Dou Saint experts also moved into position, forming a circle around the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
Seven ancient clans!
Seven four-star Dou Saints!
The sheer presence was enough to shock the world.
Everyone else instinctively retreated, knowing they had no place in this earth-shattering battle.
As the crowd withdrew, a strange smile appeared on the Demonic Flame's face. "What a nostalgic scene!"
"Demonic Flame Halberd!"
From the sea of magma, a massive, eerie white flame halberd shot out, appearing in the Demonic Flame's hand in the blink of an eye.
"I've been sealed here for thousands of years. Today, anyone who stands in my way… dies!"
With those words, the demonic flame opened its mouth, releasing a massive wave of fire hundreds of feet tall. The terrifying heat caused even Hun Miesheng and the others' expressions to change.
"Attack together!"
A vast cloud of black mist erupted from Hun Miesheng's palm, colliding with the wave of flames. However, the moment they touched, the black mist was instantly scattered.
The fire wave split into seven enormous pillars, each aimed directly at one of the seven four-star Dou Saints.
Gu Fei's expression grew serious as he thrust his palm forward to counter the terrifying attack.
The others quickly followed suit, unleashing their own techniques to counter the fiery onslaught.
"Boom! Boom!"
Explosions erupted in the sky as the seven figures were forced backward.
Elder Yao Wangui from the Yao Clan and the elders from the Shi and Ling Clans looked especially disheveled, their robes partially burned.
"Hand of Great Sorrow!"
Seizing the moment, the Demonic Flame thrust his right hand toward the magma sea below.
In an instant, a colossal magma hand, over a thousand feet wide, broke through the sea's surface.
With scorching heat, the massive hand appeared above Gu Fei and the others, ready to slam down on them.