Chapter 0643: The Karma Fire

As soon as they step into the realm of the Other Shore Flower, a blood-red flame erupts from within. The moment it touches their skin, it envelops the entire body, igniting a dazzling Karma Fire. This fire burns, piercing through flesh and bone, causing an agonizing heat that feels like being repeatedly cut or disemboweled. The pain is so excruciating that even a slow, drawn-out death cannot compare.

The Karma Fire relentlessly burns, sending waves of karmic energy through the body. The flames grow stronger as it consumes the body from the inside out, spreading a scorching torment that is nearly unbearable. Every inch of flesh feels as though it is being scorched by molten lava. Blood begins to evaporate, flesh tears, and bones threaten to melt under the fire's touch. This fire cannot be resisted; it follows an unspoken law, devouring everything in its path.

Yi Tianxing grits his teeth, trying to endure the excruciating pain. His soul feels as though it is burning, his consciousness teetering on the brink of collapse. The agony is so intense that it surpasses the pain of any physical wound, surpassing even the harshest of tortures. His body and mind are constantly at war, each step forward a battle against the searing heat and his own faltering will.

Behind Yi Tianxing, Jiang Ni and Song Yuting also step forward and are immediately engulfed by the Karma Fire. Song Yuting lets out a scream of agony as the flames devour her. Her mind is assaulted by bizarre and terrifying hallucinations, and the fire seems intent on shattering her will, turning her into nothing but ashes.

"Hold on," Jiang Ni rasps, trying to support her. "Once you withstand the first wave, the rest might be easier. Everyone's karmic load differs—perhaps it'll go out before it completely consumes you."

But Song Yuting is nearly overwhelmed. "Is there any way to lessen the pain?" she asks through gritted teeth. "Can't we block out the senses?"

"No," Jiang Ni replies, his voice heavy with the weight of his own suffering. "Nothing can ease the pain of Karma Fire. Even blocking your senses won't help. This fire comes from your own karma. You can't escape it. My own karmic burden is heavier than anyone's here."

Despite the unbearable pain, Yi Tianxing persists. Every step forward feels like walking through a hellish trial. His determination is unyielding, his will hardened in the crucible of past battles.

Eventually, as the fire continues to burn, the torment inexplicably stops. Song Yuting, who was on the verge of collapse, feels a sudden release—a lightness that she's never experienced before, as if a heavy burden has been lifted from her body. Her flesh becomes clear and translucent, like jade, signaling the removal of all karmic debt within her.

Jiang Ni observes her, a tremor of amazement in his voice. "The Karma Fire has burned away all your karmic debt. You're now free from it."

Yi Tianxing also feels the fire's heat dissipate. He breathes a sigh of relief, knowing that while this version of the Karma Fire was terrifying, it was only a shadow of the true, legendary flames that could even consume gods.

"That was no ordinary fire," Yi Tianxing reflects, "The Karma Fire in the Other Shore Flower is still just a fraction of its true power. In its full form, it could burn through even immortal beings. We must tread carefully."

As they move forward, Jiang Ni urges, "Quickly, we must cross the Ghost Gate before it disappears. We don't know how much time we have left."

Without hesitation, Yi Tianxing and the others gather some Other Shore Flowers, knowing they might never encounter such a rare treasure again. Once harvested, they move swiftly toward the Ghost Gate, a passage that leads out of this perilous realm.

Stepping into the Ghost Gate feels like entering another world—one that is dark and suffocating. A cold, sinister wind howls from the abyss, and the very air feels like it's freezing their souls. The deep, bottomless darkness stretches before them, accompanied by ghostly wails that send chills down their spines.

The moment they pass through, the surroundings change. The once oppressive atmosphere turns into a vast, endless cavern. Yi Tianxing stands on a platform, gazing out into an abyss so deep that it swallows all light. The darkness is so complete that even their thoughts seem to be consumed by it.

A chilling wind rises from the depths, carrying with it eerie, ghostly sounds. It's as though they have entered a realm inhabited by lost souls. Yi Tianxing furrows his brows. "This is not the desert. This place... it's like a cave, an endless void."

"Lord," Wu Shuanggui, appearing beside him, asks, "Where are we? We were supposed to emerge in the desert. Why does it feel like we're in a cave?"

Yi Tianxing looks around, his gaze sharp. "I'm not sure, but we need to stay alert. Whatever this place is, it's not a good sign."