Chapter 391 The Crimson Flame Mountain Range

Zhang Er Gou fled with all his might, with Li Kong Cai and Yuan Yue hot on his heels, showing no intention of letting him go. On their pursuit, Li Kong Cai learned why Yuan Yue had come to his aid. The recent events at Liu Hai Sect had not escaped the sect leader Liu Xun's notice. Upon discovering that the prodigious disciple Zhang Er Gou from Piao Miao Sect had appeared within Liu Hai Sect's territory, Liu Xun desperately wished he could capture Zhang Er Gou himself. He wanted to interrogate him about the inheritance he had obtained in the secret realm. However, as the sect leader, Liu Xun had to consider his reputation. If it became known that he, a sect leader, had stooped to capture a junior, he would be ridiculed by his peers. Yet, Liu Xun wouldn't easily let Zhang Er Gou escape. He had tacitly approved when Li Kong Cai prepared to seek revenge. To his dismay, Li Kong Cai's performance was disappointing. Not only had he failed to subdue Zhang Er Gou in a short time, but he had also attracted a large crowd of onlookers. Although this was within Liu Hai Sect's domain, cultivators from other sects often trained here. If this incident spread, it would be a significant blow to Liu Hai Sect's reputation. To apprehend Zhang Er Gou quickly and preserve Liu Hai Sect's dignity, Liu Xun specifically dispatched Yuan Yue to assist Li Kong Cai. When Li Kong Cai heard that the sect leader had forbidden him from killing Zhang Er Gou for the time being, his face contorted. Cultivators, due to their cultivation, had a lower chance of conceiving as they aged. Li Kuai was Li Kong Cai's only son, his beloved. Now, being unable to personally avenge his son, Li Kong Cai felt incredibly frustrated. "Don't worry, the sect leader said that once we extract the secret of the secret realm from that brat, you can do whatever you want with him." Seeing Li Kong Cai's distress, Yuan Yue quickly tried to comfort him. Hearing Yuan Yue's words, Li Kong Cai's expression softened slightly. The two of them continued to pursue Zhang Er Gou at full speed. "Not good, that brat seems to be fleeing towards the Crimson Flame Mountain Range." After crossing another mountain range, Li Kong Cai and Yuan Yue's expressions turned grim. The Crimson Flame Mountain Range was a notoriously famous mountain range nearby. Legend had it that ten thousand years ago, a divine fire descended from the heavens and ignited this mountain range. Since then, regardless of the season, the fires in this mountain range had never been extinguished. Even after more than ten thousand years, the flames still burned fiercely. Because the burning flames were crimson, people also called this mountain range the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. No person or beast had ever dared to approach within ten li of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. Those who got within ten li, no matter how high their cultivation, would be incinerated into nothingness by the scorching flames of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. Seeing Zhang Er Gou's escape route leading towards the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, Yuan Yue grew anxious. However, Li Kong Cai felt a secret delight. "Heh heh, brat, you truly walk into hell when heaven offers you a way out. Now you'll be roasted to ashes without me lifting a finger." He showed no outward emotion, instead appearing as anxious as Yuan Yue. "Junior Brother, what shall we do? If that brat directly enters the Crimson Flame Mountain Range and is burned to ashes by its flames, the sect leader's mission will be unfulfilled." "Senior Brother is right, we must speed up our pursuit and intercept him before he enters the Crimson Flame Mountain Range." With that, the two of them increased their speed. Zhang Er Gou was unaware of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. He was simply choosing a more secluded path to flee, aiming to avoid any blockades. However, Liu Ya Xuan soon sensed something was amiss. "Brother Er Gou, we can't run any further." Zhang Er Gou paused, but continued his desperate flight. "Why?" Seeing that Zhang Er Gou was not listening to her and was still running forward, Liu Ya Xuan became anxious. If her eyes did not deceive her, the path ahead was likely the legendary Crimson Flame Mountain Range. It was said that no one who entered there had ever come out alive. Her face turned pale, and her voice became much more urgent. "Brother Er Gou, that seems to be the Crimson Flame Mountain Range ahead." "Crimson Flame Mountain Range? What is that?" Zhang Er Gou asked, puzzled. He had never heard of such a place. "Legend has it that no one can approach within ten li of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. If you do, you'll be roasted into nothingness." Liu Ya Xuan said this with utmost seriousness, her expression turning solemn as if to convince Zhang Er Gou. "There's such a thing?" Zhang Er Gou's footsteps faltered, nearly causing him to tumble. Liu Ya Xuan's words had a profound impact on him. If he blindly charged within ten li of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, wouldn't he be roasted to death in an instant? What would be the point of escaping then? But ahead lay the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, and behind him were the late Nascent Soul cultivators Li Kong Cai and Yuan Yue, relentlessly pursuing him. Zhang Er Gou was suddenly in a dilemma. Liu Ya Xuan then recounted the legends of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range to Zhang Er Gou. When he heard that many powerful cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage had entered the Crimson Flame Mountain Range and never returned, Zhang Er Gou's expression became even more solemn. However, at this moment, he had no other choice. There was only one path ahead, and the two behind him wished to tear him to pieces. If he had to make a choice, perhaps the Crimson Flame Mountain Range offered a sliver of hope. Legends were just legends, after all. Moreover, the closer he got to the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, the more Zhang Er Gou felt something drawing him in. The spiritual fire within him seemed to stir. To verify if this was an illusion, Zhang Er Gou led Liu Ya Xuan a bit further forward. As he expected, the spiritual fire within him became even more active. To his surprise, he felt no discomfort; instead, approaching the Crimson Flame Mountain Range made him feel somewhat at ease. Liu Ya Xuan's face was already ashen. Seeing Zhang Er Gou disregard her advice and insist on approaching the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, she seemed to have resigned herself to their fate. "Well, since Brother Liu Yue and the others have already gone, I'll go find them," she thought. "To die alongside such a handsome and powerful Brother Er Gou is quite fortunate." Zhang Er Gou, oblivious to Liu Ya Xuan's changing emotions, was now immersed in the guidance from his spiritual fire. The spiritual fire within him felt as if it had found its kin, becoming increasingly active. In fact, as Zhang Er Gou's pace slowed, it even actively guided him forward. "Not good, that brat has actually entered the Crimson Flame Mountain Range!" Li Kong Cai and Yuan Yue stopped twenty li away from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. Their expressions were a mixture of emotions as they saw Zhang Er Gou enter within ten li of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range.