Chapter 395: Flowing Fire Rises from the Abyss Bottom

Although Lanlin Prefecture is located in a remote area, its natural landscape is quite peculiar.

Stone pillar-like mountain peaks hang in mid-air, standing like a forest of a thousand needles.

The deep valley beneath the floating mountains is a terrifying forbidden zone composed entirely of black ash. Even while flying at a height of ten thousand zhang, Li Fan can still feel the heart-palpitating aura that occasionally wafts up from below.

Huangfu Song stands on the crossing dust boat, surveying the scenery below, and his expression cannot help but change slightly: "Truly a remote, desolate place."

"Compared to this godforsaken place, the Ten Thousand Mile Flame Scorched Beach we saw earlier cannot even be considered dangerous."

Hearing this, Li Fan also looks toward the bottom of the deep valley.

In the ocean formed by pitch-black ash, one can still see scattered specks of unextinguished, dark-colored flames.

From time to time, a gentle breeze blows, whipping up a wisp of pitch-black from the ocean of ash, causing it to swirl and rise, striking the crossing dust boat where Li Fan is located.

The light, weightless ash causes violent shaking the moment it collides with the crossing dust boat's protective barrier.

As if having received a tremendous impact, a small hole appears on the crimson light layer.

Then, ripples are stirred up, one after another, spreading outwards.

Even though only a sliver of his consciousness is controlling his body, Li Fan is still startled by this scene before him.

He cannot help but ask: "What on earth is this black ash?!"

Huangfu Song first maneuvers the crossing dust boat to fly higher, avoiding the ash kicked up from the deep valley, and then explains: "This is the residue left after the 'Ember Silence Flowing Fire' burned. All life energy has vanished, leaving only the power of extinction that lingers and refuses to disperse."

"It is extremely sinister; it is best to avoid it as much as possible."

Before the words even fade, the crossing dust boat speeds up, racing toward the central region of Lanlin Prefecture.

Looking at the seemingly endless black world of extinction below, Huangfu Song says with some emotion: "Fortunately, back then, we used tens of thousands of mountain peaks as an array to contain the 'Ember Silence Flowing Fire' within this Lanlin Prefecture. Otherwise, the surrounding regions would likely have suffered the same fate."

"'Ember Silence Flowing Fire'?" The aura permeating from the black ash makes the near-death Li Fan feel increasingly uncomfortable, and he frowns, pondering to himself.

He seems to have seen this name somewhere before.

The hua dao stone in his Sea of Consciousness flickers with light, and a moment later, fragments of text he had once read suddenly surface.

"Cangwu Province, four rivers and twenty-eight mountains.

In a certain year and month, they vanished without a trace overnight, leaving only a bottomless abyss.

A wonder of the earth, the Cangwu Landscape Map, emerged from this."

…

"In the ninth year after the mountains and waters of Cangwu Province disappeared, black, flowing water-like flames gushed out from the bottom of the abyss."

"The vicious flames raged, impossible to extinguish. People at the time called it 'Ember Silence Flowing Fire'."

Li Fan then asks: "Is it that black fire which escaped from the Cangwu Abyss?"

Huangfu Song is slightly taken aback, then squints his eyes, seemingly recalling something.

After a long while, he nods: "Correct. After the Ember Silence Flowing Fire appeared from the Cangwu Abyss, it began to spread to the surrounding areas."

"Several consecutive provinces suffered. It was only near this Lanlin Prefecture that it was finally contained."

Li Fan is suddenly somewhat horrified.

Cangwu Province is in the southwest corner of the Xuanhuang World, while Lanlin Prefecture is roughly in the due south.

The range over which this Ember Silence Flowing Fire raged is likely quite vast.

"Little Friend, do not worry; ever since that time, this Ember Silence Flowing Fire has never appeared again."

"As for what caused this disaster, which could be called world-ending, it remains an unsolved case to this day."

"At first, the Alliance even thought it was the work of the Five Old Men Association. However, after on-site investigations, this was denied."

"That was the true might of heaven and earth, which I fear is beyond what any Cultivator can achieve."

As they chat, Huangfu Song shares his knowledge with Li Fan.

Less than half a day later, they reach their destination.

"Before we inspect the Lock Spirit Array, you and I shall first pay a visit to the person in charge of Lanlin Prefecture who resides here."

"This Senior was originally a Cultivator from our Tian Yu State, and in the past, they took good care of me. Now that I am here, I cannot neglect the proper courtesies."

Pointing to a needle-like mountain peak ahead that pierces the clouds, Huangfu Song says to Li Fan.

Li Fan's thoughts turn, and he immediately guesses who the Senior Huangfu Song is referring to.

"Are you referring to the former Commander of the Tian Yu State Garrison Academy, Senior Commander Guan Xingxiu?"

Huangfu Song nods with a smile, then puts away the crossing dust boat and leads everyone, flying toward a small courtyard at the top of the mountain peak.

"We are all acquaintances, why be so formal? Come in, I won't personally welcome you brat!"

From afar, a voice reaches everyone's ears.

"In that case, I thank you, Senior!" A smile appears on Huangfu Song's face, and he replies repeatedly.

Signaling the other Cultivators to wait at the entrance, the fatty takes only Li Fan and walks into the courtyard.

The courtyard is quite simple, with only a single green pine standing alone.

Under the pine tree, a middle-aged Cultivator is lying leisurely on a long chair, rocking slightly.

Holding a cattail leaf fan, he fans himself from time to time.

"It has been many days, Senior, your demeanor remains the same!" Huangfu Song bows and salutes.

Li Fan also follows suit and says: "Greetings, Commander Guan Xingxiu!"

"You are called Li Fan, right? I have heard of your affairs." Commander Guan Xingxiu eyes Li Fan, a playful look on his face. "That drive of yours is much stronger than mine."

Li Fan's heart skips a beat, and he replies in a muffled voice: "Hehe, Senior is too kind with the praise."

Huangfu Song also chimes in at this moment: "Although Little Friend Li Fan is desperate, compared to you, Senior, he is still a notch behind. Which Cultivator in Tian Yu State does not know…"

Before he can finish speaking, he is interrupted by Commander Guan Xingxiu.

"Brat, a hero should not boast of past glory. I have fallen to this state, yet you insist on coming to my door to recount my past deeds; what is your intention?" Commander Guan Xingxiu's gaze wanders over Huangfu Song, a look of displeasure appearing on his face.

Huangfu Song did not expect to suck up only to kick a horse's leg, and he says sheepishly: "Senior, you know me."

"Even if you lent me the courage, I would not dare to go against you."

Commander Guan Xingxiu snorts coldly, but his expression returns to normal.

He says with a lack of interest: "You brat are truly boring."

"Enough, I have been here, not seeing old friends for a long time. That you could come to visit is not bad."

"I already know what you mean; go ahead and do it boldly."

"With me here, this little territory of Lanlin Prefecture cannot turn upside down."

After speaking, Commander Guan Xingxiu gently fans his cattail leaf fan, and a small golden sword suddenly appears, flying into Huangfu Song's hand.

"It just so happens I haven't appeared before everyone for a long time; I would like to see if there is really anyone who wants to test whether my sword is sharp."

Huangfu Song is overjoyed and quickly says: "Many thanks, Senior!"

"Right…" Putting away the golden Flying Sword, Huangfu Song still wants to say something.

But he is stopped by Commander Guan Xingxiu.

"I have already seriously considered Fellow Daoist Ji's opinion. However, I am now only a Soul Transformation Cultivator, and even if I went, I could not help much."

"Furthermore, my former leader has passed away, and the position of Commander-in-Chief has been settled."

"I have no intention of competing for anything anymore."

"You may go now!"

After speaking, Commander Guan Xingxiu fans his cattail leaf fan.

After a gust of wind, Li Fan and Huangfu Song have already been sent outside the small courtyard.