Chapter 13: Battle in the Blazing Rift

Deep within the Blazing Rift, waves of scorching heat rolled out from the volcanic crater, carrying the pungent scent of sulfur and the searing aura of spirit flames. Lin Jin, Su Yao, and Duan Hao stood before a crumbling stone hall, their feet planted on the cracked, crimson rock. Jagged lava vines crept along the rugged cliff walls, their fiery edges glowing faintly, as if ready to ignite at any moment.

Despite its ruined state, the hall's ceiling was embedded with several dark-red spirit crystals, casting a dim radiance that illuminated the central altar. Suspended above it was a fist-sized Origin Flame Crystal, its surface pulsing with golden-red flame patterns, like the beating heart of an ancient beast. With each pulse, it released visible waves of spirit fire, exuding an archaic and oppressive aura.

Lin Jin's eyes locked onto it as a strange hunger stirred deep within him. The Netherflame Devouring Art in his body reacted instinctively. He muttered, "So this is the Origin Flame Crystal?"

"Exactly!" The voice of the Flame Ancestor rang in his mind, brimming with excitement. "Forged by the Ancient Flame Emperor during the Blaze War, this crystal contains refined primordial fire. With it, you could break through to the Flame Master rank—or even reach the Flame Spirit Realm! Take it, now!"

Su Yao stepped closer, her large, bright eyes widening in awe. "It's beautiful… This thing is worth a hundred Flameheart Herbs! We hit the jackpot!" She reached out toward it, but Lin Jin quickly grabbed her wrist.

"Careful!" His voice was low and firm. "There are traces of an enchantment here. Don't be reckless."

His gaze swept the altar's base, spotting faint, flame-imbued runes etched into the stone. Though worn, they still radiated a lingering protective energy.

Duan Hao, resting his massive broadsword on his shoulder, snorted impatiently. "A barrier? So what? One good swing and it's gone! Watch me—"

Before he could act, a chilling voice cut through the heated air.

"Leave the crystal. You can keep your lives."

The words carried a blade-like sharpness, laced with killing intent.

A dozen shadowy figures leaped down from the volcanic ridge, landing soundlessly. Their leader, a middle-aged man clad in dark-red battle armor, wielded a three-foot-long flame spear, its tip flickering with crimson fire. His aura radiated overwhelming pressure—Flame Master, third rank. Behind him, nine masked warriors in black robes fanned out, gripping curved blades and longswords. Their strength ranged from Initial Flame Tier Eight to Nine, and their eyes gleamed with unmasked malice.

Lin Jin's pupils contracted. "Skyflame Pavilion!"

His grip tightened around his wooden staff as the Netherflame Devouring Art surged. Wisps of violet fire flickered to life in his palm. The last time he had encountered these people, they had set an ambush—this time, they were after the Origin Flame Crystal.

Su Yao's sword gleamed with an eerie azure flame as she raised it before her chest. A glint of cold determination flashed in her eyes. "Them again? Trying to rob us? Over my dead body!"

Her Azure Luan Flame Technique activated, sending an elegant yet deadly glow down her blade.

Duan Hao took a step forward, hoisting his massive sword. His grin was feral. "Skyflame Pavilion? I've been itching to cut you lot down! Bring it on!"

His Blazing Earthsplitter charged with roaring crimson flames, its energy crackling in the suffocating heat.

The armored leader smirked, raising his spear. "Enough talk." He lunged, thrusting his spear toward Lin Jin's chest. "Hand over the map and the crystal, or die."

The strike tore through the air like a comet, searing a blackened scar into the volcanic rock.

"Flame Step!"

Lin Jin's body flickered, his form vanishing in a burst of violet fire. He barely dodged the lethal thrust, pivoting mid-air before countering with a staff strike. A blast of Netherflame shot forth, colliding with the spear's fire. A violent explosion erupted—purple flames devouring parts of the red blaze, yet the raw power of the Flame Master's attack sent Lin Jin staggering back three steps, blood seeping from his lips.

"Third-rank Flame Master… Strong!" Lin Jin clenched his fists, but his gaze burned with determination. His strength was only Initial Flame Tier Five, far below his opponent's, but the devouring nature of his Netherflame prevented him from being utterly crushed.

Su Yao let out a sharp cry, her figure darting like a dancing azure luan. Her sword weaved through the air, sending three intertwining streaks of Azure Spirit Blades slashing toward the enemy leader. Each strike seemed delicate yet carried a hidden, lethal force.

The armored man twisted his spear, unleashing a burst of flames that shattered two of the incoming strikes—but the last one grazed his arm, leaving a scorched cut on his gauntlet.

"You little brat!" His expression darkened. He spun toward Su Yao, spear thrusting forward.

But Duan Hao was faster.

With a deafening roar, he swung his broadsword, unleashing a devastating Blazing Earthsplitter. A massive crimson arc tore through the battlefield, carving a deep fissure into the volcanic rock.

"Hah! Try blocking this!"

The enemy leader sneered. "Petty tricks!"

He swung his spear horizontally, conjuring a tidal wave of flame that clashed with the incoming blade arc. A deafening explosion followed. The shockwave sent both men skidding backward, Duan Hao's hands trembling from the impact. Yet, instead of faltering, he laughed wildly. "Now that's a fight!"

Meanwhile, the nine black-robed assassins sprang into action.

Three targeted Lin Jin. Their curved blades slashed in deadly arcs.

Lin Jin's Flame Step flickered again—he sidestepped the first strike, parried the second with his staff, and retaliated with a pinpoint Netherflame Pierce. The violet flame-tipped strike bypassed one assassin's defense, stabbing straight through his throat.

Blood splattered. The second assassin barely had time to react before Lin Jin's next blow sent him crashing into the stone wall, lifeless.

Su Yao found herself encircled by four opponents. Yet her swordsmanship was as fluid as flowing water. The Azure Luan Flame surged, forming a cyclone of spirit energy around her. With a sharp cry, she lunged—her blade piercing one foe's abdomen, azure flames consuming him from within.

Duan Hao, locked in a fierce melee with two assassins, showed no sign of yielding. His raw power was monstrous—each swing of his broadsword shattered the ground. One enemy took a direct hit, his shoulder blade crushed; the second tried to counter, only to have his blade caught barehanded. With a single ruthless strike, Duan Hao cut him down.

The battlefield was painted with fire and blood.

The armored leader's fury boiled over. "Enough!"

His spear erupted in a blaze, forming a Flaming Tiger that roared toward the trio. The beast stood over twenty feet tall, exuding suffocating heat as it pounced.

"Watch out!"

Lin Jin gritted his teeth. He pushed Su Yao aside and faced the attack head-on. The Netherflame Devouring Art flared to its limit, forming a swirling vortex of violet fire. The flames clashed, consuming half the tiger's form before the remaining energy blasted him backward. He slammed into a stone pillar, coughing up blood.

"Lin Jin!" Su Yao rushed to his side, her sword ready, azure flames forming a protective wall.

Duan Hao bellowed and swung his blade once more, forcing the enemy leader to retreat.

"Tch. This isn't over." The armored man scowled. With a wave of his hand, he and the remaining assassins vanished into the fiery haze.

Lin Jin steadied himself, wiped the blood from his lips, and stepped toward the altar. The Netherflame flickered across his palm as he touched the barrier. The protective runes flickered, then dissolved.

The Origin Flame Crystal was his.

As he gripped it, he whispered under his breath:

"Skyflame Pavilion… You'll pay for this."