This was a passage forged from flames, shimmering with crimson radiance. Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er stepped in without hesitation, charging toward the depths below. Boiling magma surged like a river, and the colossal palace was enshrouded in mist, adorned with flickering scarlet symbols, resembling the legendary Central Heavenly Palace of the ancient divine realm.
Shi Hao squinted his eyes, carefully observing the grandeur before him. This was truly a magnificent divine palace—though whether he could obtain great fortune within remained uncertain. Huo Ling’er, on the other hand, was brimming with excitement, her fair cheeks flushed with exhilaration. She hopped and cheered, knowing that throughout history, the greatest achievements of the Fire Clan had all stemmed from this very place.
“Hey, fatty, keep your cool. Don’t get too carried away,” Shi Hao reminded her, though his own heart was anything but calm.
For once, Huo Ling’er didn’t snap back. Her lively eyes, rosy lips, and pearly teeth combined into an enchanting sight as she giggled, “This is incredible luck! I might even become an empress because of this.”
“Wake up, it’s not even night yet—save the dreams for later,” Shi Hao teased, waving a hand in front of her face.
“Chomp!” Huo Ling’er grabbed his hand and bit down.
“Ow! Let go, or I’ll knock out all your teeth!” Shi Hao yelped, his hand already covered in wounds.
“I was just testing if this was a dream,” Huo Ling’er laughed. “Every Fire Clan member who survived entering this Sacred Imperial Palace either became a peerless powerhouse or ascended as the Fire Emperor. Very few failed.”
“Then bite your own hand!” Shi Hao grumbled, wincing in pain.
“Biting myself hurts. Hearing you scream confirms this is real,” she said smugly, pushing his arm away to admire the majestic palace.
Shi Hao had no time to argue. He focused intently, preparing to breach the palace. They rode their treasure artifacts forward, flying through the endless sea of magma deep underground. The grand palace floated at the center of the crimson expanse, exuding an overwhelming aura of ancient power.
Yet, to their shock, no matter how far they flew, the palace remained just out of reach, as if separated by an invisible barrier.
“What’s going on?” Shi Hao frowned, realizing that a spatial formation enveloped the entire underground, preventing them from advancing.
“My father once said that only those with great destiny can approach the Sacred Imperial Palace,” Huo Ling’er said, her expression turning serious.
“And how does one prove they have such destiny?” Shi Hao asked.
Huo Ling’er frowned. “By gaining the palace’s recognition. Legend says golden Yang Fish will emerge, forming a bridge of light to carry the chosen to the palace gates.”
Shi Hao’s face fell. He had hunted and eaten countless Yang Fish—there was no way they’d help him now.
“Maybe we can lure a few and trick them into building the bridge,” he muttered, sprinkling bait into the magma.
Soon, golden specks appeared—but the moment the fish arrived, they devoured the bait and unleashed a barrage of divine runes straight at Shi Hao’s hiding spot.
“Boom!” The magma erupted, nearly collapsing the cavern.
“Dream on if you think we’ll help you enter the palace!” the fish taunted telepathically before forming a dazzling golden bridge in the distance—just to mock him.
“Infuriating!” Shi Hao growled. “I’ll eat every last one of you someday!”
The fish dispersed, their mocking laughter echoing in his mind.
“Is there no other way?” Shi Hao asked.
Huo Ling’er sighed. “There’s a legend about constructing a Rainbow Bridge by connecting the celestial runes in the void. But even kings struggle to achieve it.”
“Then we’ll force our way through!” Shi Hao declared, sitting cross-legged on his treasure artifact.
He meditated, his hands weaving intricate seals. Golden Dao Bells materialized, resonating with the stars in the void. Then, his divine energy shifted, transforming into ancient cauldrons that aligned with the celestial bodies.
“You—you’ve built a two-colored bridge?!” Huo Ling’er gasped.
Shi Hao remained silent, realizing that the divine techniques he’d mastered during his cultivation breakthroughs were the key.
“From ancient times, only the Sacred Emperor could construct a seven-colored bridge as a youth… and you’re even younger!” Huo Ling’er marveled.
“Who am I? The unrivaled genius of past and present!” Shi Hao boasted as the Rainbow Bridge solidified beneath his feet.
The Yang Fish watched in awe as the duo strode across the bridge, reaching the palace gates in mere steps.
The colossal doors swung open effortlessly, revealing a misty, boundless interior.
“Wait—don’t step in yet!” Huo Ling’er warned, her tone grave. “This threshold is a trial by fire. Only those with pure bloodline power can survive.”
Shi Hao smirked. “Go ahead. If your father favored you so much, you must be special.”
“Some comfort you are,” she grumbled before stepping forward resolutely.
“Whoosh!” Flames erupted, engulfing her. When the fire subsided, her clothes had burned away—but her flawless body remained untouched, a crimson mark glowing like a tiny Vermilion Bird on her forehead.
“I passed!” she cried joyously, dancing like an ethereal spirit, oblivious to her nudity.
Shi Hao’s eyes widened. “Uh… your clothes…”
Huo Ling’er blinked before flushing crimson. “You—you little pervert!”
“Just admiring the view,” he chuckled.
“Celebrate with me!” she declared, lunging for a hug—completely unabashed.
Shi Hao barely had time to brace himself before she tackled him in sheer exhilaration.
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