In the Land of Molten Lava, surging waves of crimson flame roiled endlessly. Xiao Yan stood with arms crossed over his chest, gazing at the numerous strange creatures surrounding him. A faint smile played on his lips as he murmured, “Since there are guardians here, I wonder what it is exactly they are protecting?”
“Human! Leave immediately or face death!” two towering figures clad in bone-white flames snarled. Their eyes were cold and lifeless; their speech halting and unnatural as they glared murderously at Xiao Yan.
With those words, the rest of the fire lizards around him brimmed with savage menace, scales along their bodies darkening to a menacing blackish red.
Xiao Yan remained unruffled. The killing intent in the air did not unsettle him one bit—unlike how he would have been utterly horrified in his youth at such a perilous scene. Now though… two Half-Saint level beings and an assortment of weaker creatures could never intimidate him even slightly.
“Today, I will make it to the bottom of this lava no matter what!” Xiao Yan laughed softly. Without shifting from where he stood, an immense soul fluctuation erupted like lightning from his brow, racing outward into the molten depths.
*Zzzt! Zzzt!*
The waves surged violently with the spreading ripples, a distant buzzing sound echoing forth. All around, the fire lizard tribe was suddenly seized by tremors emanating from deep within their souls—an awe-inspiring, terrifying pressure descended upon them from the essence of their own spirits!
Moments later—Formation breaking spectacle—
At this shocking sight, the two pale fire lizards stiffened, their expressions hardening—but before either could unleash a roar of fury, the very magma between them erupted violently. An indescribable force burst across their forms, crashing against their bodies with overwhelming power.
*BOOM!*
Towering waves thousands of feet high crashed outward as both white fire lizards were hurled away mid-air by sheer impact, spitting out streams of blood, their once defiant eyes now filled with stark terror as they beheld Xiao Yan.
“Back off!”
Snarling, Xiao Yan’s piercing voice rang like thunder, layered beneath it, vast fluctuations in soul energy exploded outward relentlessly through the lava sea for ten thousand feet around, sending smaller waves cascading everywhere in its wake.
*CRAASHHH!*
Sonic shockwaves tore across the magma sea, knocking each surrounding fire-lizard back effortlessly without exception, yet surprisingly enough—Xiao Yan’s touch was precise: none of the enemies perished. He knew little of these realms, and great slaughters often brought unforeseen calamities. Whatever lay buried below may indeed have been sealed by the last Sovereign Emperor left behind during the days when the land still bore true combat energies.
Despite all uncertainties, caution served best.
The entire base of this magma domain had been upturned in his advance, and now the formerly ferocious fire-lizards looked on from afar with horror etched on their faces at that lone figure which seemed akin to an ancient god or demon—a soul pressure so immense it reduced the fiercest minds to quaking wrecks.
“You shall suffer divine wrath for trespassing into the Sanctum of Gods!” spat the bloodied leader, forcing down the iron-rich bitterness flooding his mouth, his scream hoarse and shrill.
Such feeble warnings only widened Xiao Yan’s smile—he felt even more certain that something significant indeed lay hidden beneath the searing sea.
This ‘sacred ground’ spoken of by the creatures might very well be the palace tomb of Tu She Ancient Supreme—the notion caused a flicker of fiery desire deep within Xiao Yan’s gaze. Lingering momentarily at the ominously glowing chasm of darkness ahead—where untold terrors waited beyond—he whispered to himself:
“I hope I haven’t guessed wrong…”
He muttered, his body a streak of blazing light shooting toward the unfathomable magma pit like lightning.
Watching him vanish deeper, hesitation gripped the ranks of the fire lizards, but after deliberation, none attempted pursuit—previous events had convinced them clearly—if Xiao Yan had shown mercy just then, they surely wouldn’t have escaped annihilation intact.
“Foolish human—dying young.”
Glancing sidelong at one another, the two pale fire lizards sneered bitterly, fading their massive shapes into the liquid magma, retreating silently into the shadows beyond the battlefield, vanishing swiftly.
Free of resistance, Xiao Yan poured further momentum into descent.
Yet somehow, despite accelerating relentlessly, the base of the lava sea always seemed impossibly distant—the pathway ahead ever warped and distorted under swirling infernal currents. Xiao Yan furrowed his brows briefly but pressed on undeterred—this lava ocean stretched far deeper than he’d imagined.
This feat was beyond ordinary capabilities—even surpassing human limits, suggesting such construction was perhaps only possible by beings who once ascended beyond worldly laws…
“Hmph! You’re not telling me you truly go forever?”
Muttering coolly, Xiao Yan surged downward like a falling meteorite carving a path of pure void behind it—molten rock itself crumbling apart under sheer pressure alone.
***CRAKSHH! CRASH!***
Like an invincible spear slicing past everything obstructive, the deeper he went, gradually the hues of molten rock altered subtly—from fierce crimson to burning jet-black.
But with each step, heat began seeping strangely inward—not just any heat, this time—it resisted even the purifying flames of the Demonic Borer Lotus. Though potent beyond belief, even *those flames* required extra effort to neutralize it fully.
Observant and wary, Xiao Yan’s vigilance heightened. Yet, moments later, intuition flared warning in his mind—and instinctively he halted abruptly mid-motion.
***BAMM!!***
His sudden stasis created a shockwave bursting radially outward in every direction, shattering the thickening black-red waves outward like shattered glass. Yet, his stare didn’t waver—he focused forward…
Here ended his perception of lava… and yet nothing lay before his eyes except endless molten depths.
Frowning slightly, Xiao Yan raised his palm slowly; the eerie violet glow of Demonic Lotus Flame flickered to life upon it. With care, he touched gently at the seemingly solidified mass directly ahead—
***BUUURRR!***
Instead of resisting, the fluid-like lava shimmered like water disturbed. Simultaneously, his hand vanished right into the illusionary barrier—as if pierced cleanly into a rift between layers of reality!
“There’s hidden space within these flames…”
Breath held in stunned realization, Xiao Yan took in the discovery. Creating space was within his own mastery now, but forming such a boundary in a volatile magma core? Even legends like Hun Tian Di or Gu Yuan faced obstacles attempting similar feats…
“True marvel, Ancient Supreme Emperor!”
Grinning faintly, Xiao Yan calmed his pounding heart. Across millennia—who else could perform wonders like this except the singular Supreme Combat Deity? Now Xiao Yan stood about eighty percent confident—within lay the sanctuary of Tushe’s Forgotten Emperor’s abode.
Eyes ablaze with fervor, Xiao Yan barely hesitated before stepping resolutely forward into the concealed spatial gateway nestled deep inside molten abyss.
*Ssshh!*
The moment Xiao Yan’s entire frame passed beyond threshold, ambient lava sounds ceased entirely—as abruptly as if smothered under weightless silence.
Before his widening gaze, the landscape morphed into infinite blackness—a realm boundless, hollow and ancient with forgotten age. Dust of epochs long erased floated heavily in the air. Xiao Yan’s eyes roamed cautiously across emptiness, scanning… finding nothing unusual anywhere. He tread carefully, senses alert as he proceeded deeper.
Flying amidst the voided expanse, Xiao Yan slowed his pace several minutes later when his gaze fell fixedly upon the distant horizon.
There—a luminous speck hovered faintly visible in the endless gloom.
After slight hesitation, Xiao Yan dove forward again, drawing near. Gradually details sharpened into clarity. What awaited him?
A colossal stone gate. Towering across countless tens of thousands of feet in height. Silent. Eternal. As old as time itself.
Ancient power oozed from its form, radiating across the silent cosmos like breath of some immortal deity watching slumberously.
Before it lay a grand plaza, similarly immense. Yet standing remote outside the gate, Xiao Yan remained unmoving, mesmerized by this inexplicable vision amid darkness—momentarily robbed of voice or motion.
So insignificant was he before this monumental monolith—as small as ant against eternity.
An unconscious reverence welled within his being until reason reminded instincts: *just one gate,* yet enough to nearly steal his resolve… Truly, *this place* was dangerous beyond comprehension.
Tracing eyes along carvings lining the arch, finally resting upon symbols atop—his pupils contracted instantly at first glimpse—heart thumping rapidly within.
“Emperor’s Final Dwelling!”
Plain yet commanding strokes burned onto surface; simplicity cloaked unspeakable might, dominating heavens and earth alike in timeless regal presence.
“At last… Found you.”
Smile stretching wider across lips, Xiao Yan allowed the warmth of triumph to bloom.
But not long held, a cold chill prickled up his spine unexpectedly.
As if unseen *eyes* watched him from nowhere specific yet unmistakably real. The sensation turned Xiao Yan’s countenance deadly serious. He searched the void with keen eyes—but saw *nothing*. Moments passed. Then, with subtle movement narrowing suspicion, Xiao Yan lowered gaze sharply downward, finger snapping upward with fire igniting—blazing column piercing skyward!
Flame blossomed beautifully against darkness.
Yet even as fire illuminated the void around, Xiao Yan froze rigid, pupils wide, pulse drumming violently in utter disbelief.
Gazing unblinkingly into empty space below…
Every fiber of flesh recoiled involuntarily.
Was that… *What he thought it was…?*
Across eternal silence—only Xiao Yan’s breathing sounded unnaturally loud…
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