While the elder was still speaking, the sea of fire suddenly grew restless again.
Waves of blazing flames surged toward Xu Zimo and the God Emperor.
The God Emperor waved his right hand, forming a spirit barrier around them that kept the flames out.
“Someone is controlling this place,” Xu Zimo said.
He looked toward the depths of the fire. Just moments ago, when the flames surged, it felt like a pair of eyes was watching them.
“Let’s go in and take a look,” Xu Zimo said.
The God Emperor nodded and casually waved his hand, forming another barrier to shield the elders of the Vast Immortal Sacred Ground.
“If the two of you ever visit our Vast Immortal Sacred Ground, I will be forever grateful,” one elder said gratefully.
As the group was escorted away, Xu Zimo muttered, “We might need them again someday.”
“I can feel a terrifying presence,” the God Emperor said.
Xu Zimo nodded. Right after they rescued the others, he had felt it too, an ominous presence, like a warning.
But it didn’t act out, likely because of the God Emperor’s power.
“Let’s go find out what it is. I want to know what kind of existence is hiding here,” Xu Zimo said.
As the two moved forward, the firestorm became even more violent.
But all the incoming flames were blocked by the God Emperor’s barrier.
The raging flames stirred the sky, burning fiercely, filling the space with chaos and turbulence.
“Stop right there,” a vast voice echoed from above as they continued walking.
It boomed like thunder in their ears, and the sea of fire became even more intense.
“Who are you?” the God Emperor asked, his tone serious.
“Just a recluse. We don’t need to interfere with each other, don’t disturb my secluded life,” the voice replied calmly.
“But you just tried to kill us,” Xu Zimo said.
“You trespassed into my domain. It was just a warning,” the voice replied.
“Since we’re here, we might as well meet you. I want to know what kind of being you are,” Xu Zimo smiled.
The two of them kept walking forward, and the voice went silent. But the fire grew even more violent, clearly trying to stop them.
At the end of the firestorm, Xu Zimo finally saw what lay ahead.
It was a massive cliff, towering high above. From the top of the cliff, a fiery waterfall poured down like molten lava.
This wasn’t water, it was the same lava river Xu Zimo had seen earlier.
This seemed to be the source of the entire fire-filled space.
What shocked them most was the man standing at the base of the waterfall, directly within the stream of lava.
The lava fell from hundreds of meters above, pouring onto him and flowing down his body into the sea of fire.
The man’s arms and legs were bound by iron chains, locking him in place.
He wore no clothing, and his long hair was messy, hanging in all directions.
He looked extremely weak, barely clinging to life.
Despite his condition, Xu Zimo could still sense the immense power within him. If this man were at full strength, he might not be weaker than the God Emperor.
This was hard to believe, after all, the God Emperor was already the strongest being on the continent.
There shouldn’t be anyone else on this level.
“You’ve come,” the man said calmly.
“To think someone like you still exists in the world,” the God Emperor said in amazement.
“You’re the same,” the man replied.
“You don’t belong in this world. It’s too limited for someone like you. There’s a bigger world out there, waiting for you.”
“I know. I just ended up here by chance,” the God Emperor replied. “Let’s talk about you.”
“There’s nothing worth talking about,” the man said with a smile.
“Who are you, really?” the God Emperor asked.
“Just a dying man who lost his way,” the man replied. “You’re the first people to reach this place in tens of thousands of years.”
“Let’s talk. Maybe we can help get you out,” Xu Zimo said.
“It’s no use. I’m already doomed. What binds me isn’t these chains, it’s a poison called Myriad-Flower Love Toxin,” the man said bitterly.
“We could help find an antidote,” the God Emperor offered.
“The antidote is with the Fairy of Myriad Flowers. How would you get it?” the man shook his head.
“Who is the Fairy of Myriad Flowers?” Xu Zimo asked, surprised. He looked at the God Emperor, they had never heard of her before.
The God Emperor also shook his head slightly. Normally, they knew of any powerful figure on the continent, at least by name.
But neither of them knew this woman.
“She’s in the Outer Heavens. One day, when you go there, you’ll understand,” the man said with a faint smile.
“You’re from the Outer Heavens too?” Xu Zimo realized immediately.
Outer Heavens, a far bigger and vastly more powerful world, full of supreme beings and infinite wonders.
It was the place everyone on the Primordial Heartlands dreamed of reaching.
The man just smiled silently. He coughed a few times and spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Can you tell us anything about the Outer Heavens?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You’ll know when you get there,” the man shook his head. “But first, he may have the strength to reach it, but you might not. Not everyone can enter that world.”
“So you're looking down on me. Doesn’t matter though. No point talking to a dying man,” Xu Zimo said with a shrug, then turned to the God Emperor. “Let’s go. I thought he might have some final wish we could fulfill in Outer Heavens, but looks like he’s ready to die without regrets.”
The man’s expression shifted slightly.
As the two turned to leave, he finally called out.
“Fine. You win. Wait a moment.”
“What? Changed your mind?” Xu Zimo turned back and asked.
“You’re right. There are still many things I’m not willing to let go of,” the man said. “If you’re willing to make a deal, then let’s talk.”
He had been trapped here for tens of thousands of years. The poison inside him was nearly beyond control.
He didn’t know if anyone else would ever reach this place again.
Most people would die before even getting close.
“What do you want to trade?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Before we talk about that, you should take care of your own problem first,” the man said with a grin.
Just as he spoke, the sea of fire in the distance was suddenly torn open.