Undisguised disdain.
A dog that even its master disdains is meaningless alive.
Young Master Huo gave no face at all to the group of enshrined elders behind him: "You cowards, rushing forward for benefits and retreating from danger, only calling for help when facing strong enemies. Tell me yourselves, in what way are you worthy of my respect, Huo Jin?"
Huo Jin knew better than anyone what kind of people were behind him.
These individuals were merely seeking the protection of the Boundless Fire Domain, allowing them to act with arrogance.
Coincidentally, the Boundless Fire Domain also needed some obedient dogs to carry out unsavory tasks, hence their usefulness.
Huo Jin continued, "And look at what the other enshrined elders are doing? Cultivating in secret realms, guarding the Boundless Fire Domain, eliminating powerful enemies. And what about you? You can only guard this passage, hehe..."
Guarding the passage could indeed yield some minor benefits and petty gains, with opportunities to skim some oil and water each time.
However, such small gains were merely a scattering of garbage from between the fingers for the people of the Boundless Fire Domain.
Garbage, yet these people treated it as a treasure.
The admonishing words shamed several of the enshrined elders, making their faces blush and their heads want to sink into their crotches.
"Forget it."
Young Master Huo decided not to continue. "Waste is waste. No matter how much you say, it's useless."
Then, he clasped his fists towards Chen Fan, "Esteemed Mr. Han Ye, as the sole young master of the Boundless Fire Domain, I sincerely invite you to join us. Whatever you desire, as long as you name your price, the Boundless Fire Domain can afford it."
Huo Jin's confidence surprised Chen Fan.
Judging by the young master's changes in demeanor and his performance, he was no ordinary person.
Unfortunately, Chen Fan remained unmoved and smiled, "Young Master is jesting. Han Ye prefers a life of freedom and is unwilling to submit to others. If you need anything, you can find me. As for other matters, let's forget it."
"Alas."
He was still rejected.
Though he hadn't held high expectations originally.
But being rejected was never a pleasant experience.
Fortunately, Huo Jin had a good temperament. He smiled and said, "If that is the case, then I shall trouble Senior Han Ye from now on. I will escort you out of the Boundless Fire Domain."
"Alright."
This time, Chen Fan did not refuse.
Beyond the plaza, stone slab roads spread out like a spiderweb, leading in all directions, with flames burning beneath the web.
Huo Jin explained, "The Boundless Fire Domain was created by our ancestors who summoned the Nine Heavens Divine Fire with supreme magical power and sealed it with a grand formation. You absolutely must not fall in, or even your soul will be burned to nothingness by the Nine Heavens Divine Fire. Even the Heavenly Emperor could not save you."
Nine Heavens Divine Fire.
No wonder I felt a palpitation.
After hearing Huo Jin's explanation, Chen Fan's understanding of this faction's power deepened further.
The Boundless Fire Domain was vast. Although they were walking, each step covered more than a hundred meters.
Even so, it took them three hours to reach the edge of the Boundless Fire Domain.
"Young Master Huo Jin."
Just before leaving, Chen Fan suddenly spoke, "The experts in the Boundless Fire Domain are truly numerous."
As he spoke, his gaze subtly shifted towards a certain direction.
Before Huo Jin could reply, Chen Fan took a step out of the Boundless Fire Domain, "Young Master Huo, we shall meet again."
"Farewell."
They parted ways.
"Buzz."
The moment Chen Fan stepped out of the Boundless Fire Domain, a figure appeared beside him.
Huo Jin hurriedly asked, "Father, why do you place such importance on Han Ye? Our Boundless Fire Domain does not seem to be lacking in one more enshrined elder, does it?"
The figure was enveloped in flames, his appearance obscured, standing like a god of fire.
A voice emanated from within the flames, "My son, your vision is still not sharp enough; you cannot see the essence of things. This Han Ye is no ordinary person, and moreover... he has already discovered me?"
"Hmm?"
Recalling Chen Fan's sudden remark and his glance in a certain direction, Huo Jin pondered.
Indeed, Huo Jin was surprised, "Is he really that strong?"
"Very strong."
The Fire God nodded. "This person has a solid foundation, and more importantly, I felt a trace of danger from him."
Huo Jin was even more shocked.
Even his father could sense danger. He was somewhat stunned. Was this Han Ye truly that powerful?
"Forget it."
The Fire God smiled indifferently. "This person likely possesses a treasure. My son, remember, unless absolutely necessary, never make an enemy of him. It is best to maintain a friendly relationship."
"Yes."
Huo Jin heeded his father's advice.
Then, as if recalling something, he asked, "Father, have those fellows who came from the wasteland been captured?"
"No."
The Fire God sighed. "I didn't expect that after so many years, a passage would still exist. And this time, quite a few people have ascended. Two have already appeared."
"Another one found?"
"Yes, but unfortunately, not in the East Continent."
"That is indeed a pity," Huo Jin sighed.
"Buzz."
Flames surged, and Huo Jin's father disappeared.
Huo Jin glanced once more in the direction Chen Fan had left, shaking his head.
...
As Chen Fan walked out of the Boundless Fire Domain, he immediately felt a refreshing coolness wash over him.
It was too hot inside the Boundless Fire Domain, with extremely high temperatures. One had to suppress it with spiritual energy, or be roasted dry.
Apart from fire-attribute experts, it was indeed not a pleasant experience for others here.
He looked back at the vast, burning mountain range.
His gaze seemed to fall upon that dazzling ball of light again.
He had indeed discovered that person.
When he killed the first enshrined elder, that ball of light had appeared. It remained until he left, but never made a move.
"What's going on?"
Threatening with its presence, but not acting?
Never mind, he wouldn't dwell on it.
His primary objective: Freedom City.
As for the others who ascended with him, they had all fought their way out of rivers of blood and mountains of corpses; they wouldn't die so easily.
If they died, it would be due to their misfortune.
"Boom."
Chen Fan soared into the sky, searching for signs of human presence.
He still didn't know where Freedom City was, only that it was in the Eastern Region.
As he ascended, the surrounding spiritual energy poured into him like a torrent, being plundered to replenish his consumption over the past few days.
Simultaneously, his divine sense surged outwards, covering the heavens and earth, searching for any trace of life.
The Immortal Realm was vast, and not only vast, but the pressure was also greater.
His divine sense, which could previously scan tens of thousands of miles, could now only extend a thousand miles here, a tenfold reduction.
This indicated that this world was more complete and its rules more refined.
"Whoosh."
His figure sliced through the sky.
Finally, he saw signs of human presence.
Below, a violent fluctuation of spiritual energy could be faintly sensed, indicating that people were engaged in combat.
Hmm, around the Divine level. He could go and ask for directions.
His figure descended from the sky, landing on a wide road.
"Boom."
On the road, a group of black-clothed figures was pursuing a blindfolded man.
The blindfolded man held an infant in his arms, fighting the dozens of black-clothed attackers with one hand.
Chen Fan's arrival did not interrupt the momentum of the encirclement and suppression.
"Kill."
A powerful sword technique was unleashed, directly inflicting a severe injury on the blindfolded man, severing his sword-wielding hand. He narrowly dodged another incoming sword strike.