MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 191
Day 153 of the Black Mist Calendar
Chaos reigned in Flame City.
The news of the Flame Clan ruins' discovery had spread like wildfire, reaching even the secluded tribes deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains. On this day, the presence of a suspected Spirit Realm expert was detected at the ruins' entrance, a clear indication that the news was far-reaching and its influence steadily growing.
Lu Ming, oblivious to the outside world, spent the entire day cultivating within the sanctuary of his void space, undisturbed by the escalating turmoil.
Day 155 of the Black Mist Calendar
Someone ventured beyond Flame City and stumbled upon Spirit Realm herbs in the forest, a rare find in the outside world.
The news spread like wildfire, causing a sensation among the explorers.
It also served as a stark reminder that while Flame City held many opportunities, the surrounding forest shouldn't be underestimated.
This realization slightly eased the tensions within the city.
Day 158 of the Black Mist Calendar
Conflict erupted once again in Flame City, this time between the Divine Dao Gang and the Black Feather Clan.
Meijixi, the leader of the Divine Dao Gang, had somehow secured the aid of a Level One Spirit Realm expert. This new ally clashed with Apelo, leading to further losses for the already dwindling Black Feather Clan.
That night, Apelo's enraged howls echoed through parts of the city. "I swear I will not rest until I have my revenge!"
Treasures bred conflict.
Conflict bred grudges.
Grudges bred endless trouble – this was the root of Lu Ming's aversion to risky ventures.
But as the saying went, people died for wealth, and birds died for food.
This was simply the way of the world.
Day 161 of the Black Mist Calendar
A Spirit Realm battle erupted once again in Flame City.
Rough estimates suggested at least four Spirit Realm experts were involved, one of them even at the third level of the Spirit Realm!
The presence of such powerful individuals further intensified the conflicts within Flame City, prompting many weaker explorers to flee the city and seek their fortunes in the surrounding forest.
Day 165 of the Black Mist Calendar
Meijixi, coveting the profits of the burgeoning business district outside Flame City, led the Divine Dao Gang in an attempt to seize control. However, an unidentified Spirit Realm expert intervened, issuing a stern warning to Meijixi.
From that day on, the business district became the publicly recognized safe zone within the Flame Clan ruins.
Anyone seeking to settle scores or disobey the district's rules would face the wrath of a Spirit Realm expert.
This incident even caught Lu Ming's attention. After Fala investigated, she confirmed the identity of the mysterious protector – the chief of a small clan called the Rao Clan, hailing from the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Day 171 of the Black Mist Calendar
Flame City descended into further chaos.
Nearly ten Spirit Realm experts breached the inner city gates, triggering a fierce battle within. Rumors circulated that an Origin Realm Origin Power Skill had appeared, intensifying the conflict among various factions.
Three Spirit Realm experts had already perished in the struggle, and Apelo was gravely injured.
Day 178 of the Black Mist Calendar
The Rao Clan began publicly selling hand-drawn maps of Flame City.
According to these maps, the city was divided into three distinct sections: the Imperial City District, the Inner City District, and the Outer City District.
The Outer City District had already yielded Spirit Realm Origin Power Skills, while the Inner City District had revealed even more powerful Origin Realm skills. The Imperial City District, however, remained untouched, fueling speculation that it might harbor Ancient Realm Origin Power Skills.
This revelation further elevated the allure of the Flame Clan ruins.
At the same time, a tantalizing piece of information began to circulate.
The Flame Clan, once a prominent power, had sided with the wrong faction during a major calamity, resulting in the annihilation of their seven gods.
The surviving members of the Flame Clan had retreated into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, vanishing without a trace.
Records found within Flame City suggested that these ruins were the Flame Clan's final refuge, containing a wealth of their legacy.
Treasures, Ancient Realm Origin Power Skills, divine medicines, and more awaited discovery within.
Furthermore...
One of the seven fallen gods of the Flame Clan was rumored to have left behind their remains and inheritance within the ruins.
The prospect of a divine inheritance and the physical remains of a deity sent the reputation of the Flame Clan ruins soaring to unprecedented heights.
Explorers flocked to the area in droves.
It was estimated that over a million intelligent beings now resided within the Flame Clan ruins.
And more continued to arrive every day.
Day 180 of the Black Mist Calendar
A Spirit Realm expert discovered a weakness in the barriers protecting the Imperial City District and issued a call to arms, inviting others to join him in breaching the defenses.
As for how the treasures within would be divided, that would depend on their individual strengths.
Rumors suggested that it might take less than twenty days for the gates of the Imperial City District to swing open for all.
And within those gates lay the promise of divine inheritance.
Meanwhile...
Jing Yi and his followers, having navigated the treacherous forest, finally reached the edge of the ruins.
No matter how vast and boundless this ruin was, or whether it was crafted by Ancient Realm experts or deities themselves, it still had a boundary.
On one side of this boundary lay the square with the entrance to the ruins.
The border opposite the entrance to the ruins lay beneath Jing Yi's feet.
With over ten subordinates and Jing Cong in tow, Jing Yi gazed ahead.
Before them swirled an endless void storm!
The colorful, dazzling spectacle was mesmerizing, but anyone with a modicum of common sense knew that stepping into it meant certain death - torn to shreds by the terrifying spatial turbulence.
Jing Yi lingered in this perilous place for a long while until Jing Cong's voice broke the silence.
"Father... I don't understand..."
He truly couldn't grasp his father's train of thought.
Whether it was the "Zombie Transformation Plan" that had clearly deceived him earlier, or the current events within the Flame Clan ruins, Jing Cong was utterly bewildered.
Hearing his son's words, Jing Yi turned around and smiled enigmatically.
"You don't understand?"
"Yes, Father, I don't..."
"In truth, you don't need to understand."
As soon as Jing Yi finished speaking, he reached out and, in one swift motion, pierced through Jing Cong's chest, ripping out his still-beating heart!
This shocking act of patricide left everyone present stunned, except for Jing Yi himself.
He flicked his finger, sending Jing Cong's heart flying into the void storm.
Then, he turned to face his subordinates.
"You were all carefully selected by me," he said with a chilling smile. "I don't know if you've noticed, but you all share a common trait."
Those who were slow to react remained in a daze. The quicker ones had already turned to flee from Jing Yi.
But Jing Yi, a Level Nine Physique Realm expert, was an unstoppable force among them.
His figure flickered, and one by one, he tore out their hearts.
After killing everyone and casting their hearts into the void storm, Jing Yi muttered to himself, answering the question he had posed earlier.
"Your clans were once the great enemies of the Flame Clan!"
Faint flame-shaped patterns emerged on Jing Yi's forehead.
He raised his hands high, his voice a fervent plea to the turbulent void.
"With the blood of our clan!"
"With the blood of our enemies!"
"With the blood of countless clans!"
"For the sacrifice!"
"Your descendant invokes your divine name!"
"The Flame Clan's God Jing!"
He knelt on the ground, his gaze filled with fanaticism.
In the distant void, a dilapidated palace, defying the raging spatial currents, slowly approached, finally coming to rest before Jing Yi.