The calm voice of the Pill Tower Ancestor echoed, causing everyone's expressions to drastically change. Eyes widened in horror as they stared at the swirling black pillar of light in the sky.
"From the Ancestor's words, does it mean that the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame 'intentionally' allowed itself to be captured by us?"
"How is that possible? It was clearly exhausted and sealed by the great formation…"
"How could a mere Heavenly Flame be so cunning? This is absolutely impossible!"
The ancient clan Dou Saint experts, who had previously battled the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, muttered in disbelief.
"It seems this is true. Otherwise, why would the Young Lord give such an order earlier? And how could someone like the Pill Tower Ancestor speak falsely?"
Gu Nanhai was shocked but believed it mostly to be true. His admiration for Gu Fei deepened.
"This can't be! No matter how powerful the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is, it shouldn't have been able to escape my Hun Clan's Great Demon Sealing Formation!"
Hun Miesheng's reaction was intense. If what the Pill Tower Ancestor said was true, then all his actions had been in vain, and his reputation would be utterly ruined.
"Gu Fei, did you already know the Demonic Flame was pretending to be captured?" Zi Yan looked at Gu Fei with a smile.
"Yes. The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame has existed here for thousands of years without anyone subduing it. This time, it was clearly stronger than before. How could it have been so easily sealed by the Hun Clan's formation?" Gu Fei nodded with a smile.
With his emotion system, even though he wasn't a transmigrator, he could still see through the demonic flame's deception.
"So, it was all in vain!" Xun'er, standing nearby, overheard their conversation and smiled bitterly. She realized that much of her sense of superiority had been an illusion, and when she acted on it, it only made her seem annoying.
"Gu Fei, I've disappointed you. I've done so many annoying things!" Tears welled in Xun'er's eyes as regret washed over her.
However, no one noticed her distress. All attention was focused on the Pill Tower Ancestor and the black pillar of light in the sky.
In the sky, the Pill Tower Ancestor remained silent in the face of most people's doubts. He simply gazed quietly at the rolling black pillar.
"If you're unwilling to show yourself, then I have no choice but to act…" His voice turned cold as he spoke again. A black thread shot out from his fingertip, and wherever it passed, the space silently dissolved, leaving a vacuum trail.
"Boom!"
Under the attack of the Pill Tower Ancestor, the black pillar of light exploded in an instant, and terrifying flames surged forth.
"Old fiend, you've ruined my plans again! Are you seeking death?" A sea of milky white flames filled the sky, and a figure took shape within the flames. It was none other than the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, clad in white robes, glaring coldly at the Pill Tower Ancestor below.
"So it really was pretending to be sealed by us…" murmured several experts, their hearts pounding in fear. "It was hoping we'd fight among ourselves over the Flame's core, weakening our forces without lifting a finger!"
"If the Pill Tower Ancestor hadn't exposed this, we might have all fallen for it today!"
Seeing this, almost everyone felt a chill in their hearts.
"Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, your violent nature shows no regard for life. If you were to enter the Central Plains, there would be untold suffering!" The Pill Tower Ancestor raised his youthful face, looking at the Demonic Flame standing in the sea of flames, and spoke slowly.
"That wretch! I accompanied him for thousands of years, yet despite all my efforts, he betrayed me and tried to seal me away. His death was nothing but karma!" The Demonic Flame retorted coldly. "As for whether I can leave today, that's not for you to decide. Even if you've advanced to a six-star Dou Saint, stopping me might be beyond your abilities!"
The Pill Tower Ancestor sighed lightly, his gaze shifting to Zi Yan, who stood not far away.
"Gu Fei, that old man seems to want me to help him deal with the Demonic Flame," Zi Yan remarked, understanding the Pill Tower Ancestor's intentions. She instinctively sought Gu Fei's opinion.
"Zi Yan, just hold back a bit when you act. Don't put yourself in danger," Gu Fei advised.
"Mm, I'll be careful!" Zi Yan nodded, then turned to the Pill Tower Ancestor, saying casually, "Old man, let's join forces. But after we subdue the demonic flame, don't even think about taking it from me, or my fists won't be polite!"
Zi Yan's words showed no respect for the elder, but no one found it surprising. After all, she was a strong cultivator on par with the Pill Tower Ancestor. In this world, power was the true measure of respect.
"Haha, if we can indeed subdue the Demonic Flame, I won't compete for it. However, subduing it won't be easy!" The Pill Tower Ancestor smiled and didn't mind Zi Yan's tone, even appreciating her straightforwardness.
With those words, the Pill Tower Ancestor stepped off his green ox and flew into the sea of flames, appearing in front of the Demonic Flame.
Zi Yan followed suit, and the two stood ready to face the Demonic Flame together.
During the time it had pretended to be captured, the Demonic Flame had sensed Zi Yan's strength. Now that she had agreed to join forces with the Pill Tower Ancestor, it felt a flicker of fear. These two were far stronger than the seven who had previously tried to capture it, and dealing with them would be a major challenge. Especially Zi Yan, whose physical strength was overwhelming; she hadn't even used her full power when she killed Elder Hun Mo and Hun Ji earlier.
"Little girl, you're from the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, aren't you? Why risk your life fighting me for these insignificant people?" The Demonic Flame tried to negotiate with Zi Yan, its tone softening for the first time. "Leave now, and I'll ensure that you and your beloved Gu Fei walk out of here safely!"
"Sure, just let Gu Fei refine you, and I'll let you go!" Zi Yan smiled, nodding.
But her words made the Demonic Flame's face darken.
"You're asking for death! Once I escape, your Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will pay dearly…"
The Demonic Flame gritted its teeth.
"You think you can?" Zi Yan scoffed, unfazed.
If the Demonic Flame dared to speak like that in front of Zi Yan's father, the old Dragon Emperor would probably smack it to death with a single slap.