Published at 25th of July 2025 10:12 am

Chapter 506 Origin Fire Trapping Array

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An intense flame aura flooded the chamber and pressed down on everything. Even Nie Li felt its heavy, inescapable suppression.

"This flame energy is helping to restore my cultivation!" Yu Yan appeared beside him, surprise filling her tone.

She reached out and touched the stone wall—instantly, terrifying flames surged along her arm and into her body. Her long hair danced wildly, and her crystalline skin shimmered with radiant scarlet light, mesmerizing and divine.

"Nie Li, I can feel my power awakening!" she exclaimed, spinning toward him with eyes that sparkled in delight. Someone had designed this place just for her.

But as she turned, the sudden motion caused her clothing to shift. For a brief instant, exposed skin flashed before Nie Li's eyes.

His expression froze. Blood sprayed from his nose, and he quickly pinched it shut.

"Big Sister Yu Yan, can you pay more attention to your image?" he muttered.

"What?!" Yu Yan's face flushed bright red. She hurriedly adjusted her robe, flustered and embarrassed.

"Nie Li! Where were you even looking?!"

Her flustered expression was unexpectedly charming, more like that of a lively, radiant young woman.

Nie Li was left speechless. She had the wardrobe malfunction, and now he was the one being scolded?

Still, he dared not voice that thought. If he did, she would probably smash his head in.

Scratching the back of his head, he gave a sheepish grin. "Big Sister Yu Yan, we're still in the outer region of the Divine Flame Pool. If you want to cultivate properly, we'll have to venture deeper inside."

"Right, let's go in quickly!" Yu Yan replied, clearly eager.

She darted back into Nie Li's collar, her cheeks still flushed with lingering embarrassment.

Nie Li shook off his wandering thoughts and carried the tray forward. Moments later, he entered a massive cavern that loomed before him.

The cave towered over a hundred meters high. Molten crimson runes crawled along the walls, converging at intersections where crimson-gold crystals pulsed with light.

Someone had precisely arranged these crystals with clear intent. These crystals formed an intricate formation that pulsed with alternating waves of light—an immense array surging with heat and energy.

At the center of the cavern spun a crimson vortex, leading into an unknown void. Fiery energy spilled out with every slow rotation.

"That flaming vortex must be the Divine Flame Pool," Nie Li murmured as he observed it closely.

Several barriers of overflowing energy hovered above the vortex. They sealed the Divine Flame Pool tightly.

Roughly thirty meters from the vortex stood a stone platform, upon which rested a throne of molten crimson. A terrifying figure sat upon it, his aura radiating like a furnace and sweeping through the cave in cyclonic waves.

Each breath he took caused tongues of flame to drift in and out of his nostrils.

"Hierarch Blacknether?! This is bad," Nie Li muttered, his pupils shrinking at the sight of the man on the throne.

He had initially believed he could easily enter the Divine Flame Pool once he got inside the cavern. Now, not only did he have to bypass the barriers around the vortex, but Hierarch Blacknether himself was standing guard.

The man was infamous for his temper and power. A Martial Ancestor Realm expert of the Demon God Sect, he had nearly noticed Nie Li back at the Void Illusionary Divine Palace. With him here, sneaking past undetected would be next to impossible.

"What do I do now?" Nie Li's thoughts raced.

Yu Yan had somewhat recovered her strength. She might be able to hold off Hierarch Blacknether, but if someone exposed his identity, she wouldn't be able to escape.

"Brat, who are you?!" A sudden roar snapped Nie Li out of his thoughts.

Several cultivators from the Fire Spiritual Hall noticed him below the platform. Their powerful auras confirmed they were all experts in the Heavenly Axis Rank and Dao of Dragon Realms.

The speaker had a burly build and broad shoulders.

"I'm here to deliver the Fire Spiritual Crystals," Nie Li responded quickly, bowing as he flew over with the tray in hand.

"Then don't just stand there! Get over here!" the man barked, snatching the tray from Nie Li.

Turning toward the throne, his tone instantly became respectful. "Milord, we've delivered the Fire Spiritual Crystals."

"Mmm." Hierarch Blacknether's eyes snapped open. He inhaled visibly surging flames with each breath. His eyes flickered with flame, and arcs of lightning crackled in the air around him.

A tremendous pressure swept out across the chamber, suppressing everyone present.

Nie Li tensed. Hierarch Blacknether was even stronger than he had been during their encounter at the Void Illusionary Divine Palace.

The Hierarch swept his gaze over the tray, brushed his consciousness across the crystals, and nodded. "Replenish the Fire Spiritual Crystals immediately. Many geniuses are cultivating in the Divine Flame Pool at this moment. You must keep the surging energy under control. If the Origin Fire Trapping Array fails and the energy leaks out, the entire Fire Spiritual Hall will be doomed."

"Understood!" the burly man replied with a deep bow. He turned to the others and waved his hand. "You lot, follow me and replenish the Fire Spiritual Crystals!"

Then, fixing Nie Li with a cold stare, he added, "You too!"

The group soared into the sky, hovering above the Divine Flame Pool. At the burly man's command, the Fire Spiritual Crystals scattered out, each flying into the hands of a cultivator. Even Nie Li received over a dozen crystals.

Each Fire Spiritual Crystal radiated intense heat and pulsed with a unique spatial energy.

"Everyone, check your node in the array!" the man barked. "If you find a crystal that's nearly depleted, replace it immediately. We must keep the array running smoothly at all times!"

Nie Li blended into the group and began ascending toward the cavern's ceiling.

"Nie Li, what now?" Yu Yan's voice echoed in his mind, hidden safely in his collar.

Nie Li cast a casual glance around, feigning interest in the array while sending his mental reply. "Looks like we'll have to force our way in."

"Force our way in?" Yu Yan exclaimed in surprise.

Nie Li gave a slight nod. "But first, I need to find a way to crack that barrier."

Yu Yan lowered her head, frowning. "But that barrier isn't ordinary. Even someone at the Martial Ancestor Realm would struggle to break it in a short time, not to mention Hierarch Blacknether is watching closely."

Nie Li's gaze swept across the cavern, watching how the others inspected and replaced the depleted Fire Spiritual Crystals. Then, his eyes fell on the Origin Fire Trapping Array.

After a brief pause, he murmured mentally, "Actually, there's a way."

"What way?" Yu Yan asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"We can use the Origin Fire Trapping Array," Nie Li replied. He floated upward, holding a Fire Spiritual Crystal in one hand as he reached out and placed it against the spiritual array.

His fingers brushed across the glowing runes. They flickered in response as he began making subtle adjustments.

"This is...?" Yu Yan asked, sensing something unusual.

"This array suppresses the Divine Flame Pool's energy," Nie Li explained while his fingers danced across the runes. "Without it, the Divine Flame Pool's energy would flood the cavern, turning the Fire Spiritual Hall into scorched earth. I'm tweaking it now, turning it into a key to open the barrier instead."

Yu Yan's eyes lit up with admiration. Even she hadn't realized the complexity of this array. Nie Li's vast knowledge captivated her.

But just as Nie Li continued making his adjustments, Hierarch Blacknether opened his eyes and stared toward the fiery vortex.

"The sect master's been in seclusion for years and doesn't care about internal matters. Feng Yu is now giving the orders, and I have to obey her? What a joke," Hierarch Blacknether snorted, eyes narrowing as arcs of lightning danced in the air around him.

"This unusual fluctuation in the Divine Flame Pool's opening... could it be the legendary treasure is about to emerge? If Li Huo obtains it, the Fire Spiritual Hall will dominate the Demon God Sect. Let's see if Feng Yu still dares to act arrogant after that."

His gaze swept toward the cultivators replenishing the crystals, then suddenly came to a stop.

"Hmm?"

He frowned, his eyes locking onto Nie Li. Though others might overlook it, he could see that Nie Li was tampering with the array while swapping the crystals.

"You there! What are you doing?!" Hierarch Blacknether's voice thundered across the chamber as he stood, releasing an overwhelming aura at the Martial Ancestor Realm. It crashed through the cave like a tidal wave, locking directly onto Nie Li.

Everyone froze, their attention instantly drawn.

Nie Li's heart tightened. Hierarch Blacknether had spotted him, but he didn't panic. He had prepared for this.

With a swift motion, he tossed the remaining Fire Spiritual Crystals into the air. The crystals, imbued with spirituality, embedded themselves along the cavern walls, lighting up the array, which blazed with terrifying brilliance.

"You dare cause trouble under my nose? You're courting death!" Hierarch Blacknether roared.

A monstrous pressure crashed through the chamber, choking the air.

Nie Li bore the brunt of it.

"Run!" he growled, erupting with power as he resisted the suppression and dashed toward the barrier above the Divine Flame Pool.

Hierarch Blacknether snorted coldly. "Trying to run from me? You're courting death."

He raised his palm and struck—space warped violently as the blow shot toward Nie Li in an instant.

"Nie Li, I'll block it for you—" Yu Yan cried, ready to leap from his collar.

"No need. You've concealed yourself well. Don't expose yourself. Leave it to me," Nie Li quickly interrupted.

He raised his arms across his chest and braced for the impact.

The strike slammed into him.

Nie Li's robes tore apart as searing pain ripped through his body. He flew back like a ragdoll, bones nearly shattering under the force.

The power of a Martial Ancestor Realm expert was simply overwhelming.

Hierarch Blacknether's eyes narrowed in shock. "Hmm? What race are you? You withstood my strike?"

Even though it had been a casual attack, it wasn't something most could survive. But his surprise was short-lived. His expression turned cold as he reached out again, his palm surging with terrifying power.

To him, Nie Li was merely a petty disciple, one who wouldn't escape his grasp.

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