Chapter 3

Outside the Heavenly Fire Abyss.

Luo Yong’s face was full of sorrow, “Elder Five, I have failed to live up to your trust and was unable to bring Luo Guan back.”

Elder Five’s expression changed, “What happened?”

Luo Yong said, “After entering the Heavenly Fire Abyss, I failed to condense my bones for a long time, so I followed Luo Guan.” He recalled the figure that had thrown the water bag into the lava not long ago, his voice trembling, “Luo Guan continued downward, entering the middle of the Heavenly Fire Abyss, where the high temperature was unbearable for ordinary people, so I had to stop.”

“A few people with strong wills continued forward for a while but soon collapsed and gave up, not daring to go any further… Only Luo Guan, when I shouted for him to come back, he waved goodbye to me, drank a few sips of water, poured the rest on himself, and without looking back, continued downward alone until he disappeared from my sight!”

Everyone was moved.

Elder Five took a deep breath, “This kid, he’s of the Luo family! We’ll keep waiting; I’ll wait for him to come back!”

…

The black mist suppressed, acting like an insulating layer to protect Luo Guan, but as he continued downward, the high temperature in the air became increasingly terrifying. His flesh was completely carbonized, the blackness representing unimaginable pain, especially his internal organs, which had suffered fatal damage!

Luo Guan moved slower and slower, swaying as if he would fall at any moment, shattering into pieces.

The Black Turtle realized it had made a mistake; its aura could indeed force out the curse, but to completely remove it, Luo Guan had to reach the bottom of the Heavenly Fire Abyss.

This was impossible!

Glancing at Luo Guan, whose life force was weakening, the Black Turtle sighed, “All this effort was in vain. I’ll wash up and go to sleep.”

It closed its eyes and sank into the lava, the extraction of the rules making the Black Turtle extremely tired, and it soon fell asleep.

After a sweet sleep, the Black Turtle woke up the next day.

“A bit overslept… That kid is probably ashes by now!”

The Black Turtle emerged from the lava and looked up, seeing an empty space with no sign of anyone.

Indeed, not even a trace remained!

At that moment, it caught a glimpse of a black shadow.

“Cough, cough…”

Damn, choked again!

It saw Luo Guan, a hundred meters away at the bottom of the Heavenly Fire Abyss, moving with great difficulty. His life force was almost gone, like a piece of charred wood barely standing.

The Black Turtle’s eyes narrowed, “This kid is a tough one!”

“If he survives, I’ll give him some opportunities. A reserve piece might come in handy.”

Ninety meters.

Eighty meters.

…

Twenty meters.

Ten meters.

…

Snap—

Luo Guan’s foot finally landed on the bottom of the Heavenly Fire Abyss.

The last hundred meters took him half a day.

Though expected, the Black Turtle was momentarily stunned; the kid had actually succeeded!

No, I need to stay calm, keep my composure.

With a light cough, the Black Turtle was about to appear in a savior-like manner when it saw the suppressed black mist suddenly churn.

A pair of eyes appeared, coldly locking onto Qin Yu, ready to erase him from existence!

“Ridiculous!”

The Black Turtle was thoroughly enraged.

Its first subordinate, not even officially part of its group, was killed. How could it face the world if this got out?

Unacceptable!

Buzz—

The patterns on the turtle shell suddenly lit up, pure and majestic golden light spreading everywhere, colliding heavily with the eyes in the black mist.

Boom—

The black mist shattered, and the eyes disappeared!

The Black Turtle screamed as it was flung away, its shell cracking and golden blood flowing out, slamming Luo Guan and shattering his carbonized skin, revealing red flesh.

“Terrible! It will take at least seven or eight years to recover.”

The Black Turtle looked worried.

“The blood of Lord Gui is a precious treasure; it can’t be wasted.”

“Kid, you’re in luck!”

Shaking the golden blood onto Luo Guan, the Black Turtle inevitably also got some of Luo Guan’s blood on itself, but it didn’t notice that the cracks in its shell were slowly absorbing it!

“What’s happening? Lord Gui is uneasy; could those pests have a hidden move?”

The Black Turtle looked around cautiously, but there was nothing except the familiar sulfur smell.

Suddenly, it sensed something.

“Ah!”

“This is impossible, absolutely impossible!”

“What kind of existence am I, to be bound by a mere novice?”

The Black Turtle tried to escape from Luo Guan, but the increasing suction force held it firmly.

A flash of golden light, and the Black Turtle disappeared!

…

Rumble—

The moment the Black Turtle disappeared, the Heavenly Fire Abyss underwent a sudden change.

The lava roared and churned, the earth shook, and screams filled the air.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Several imperial cultivators flew to the Heavenly Fire Abyss, sensing the flow of energy below, their faces changing drastically.

“Hurry! The Heavenly Fire Abyss is about to close; anyone who doesn’t want to die should get out quickly!”

Everyone panicked.

In previous years, the Heavenly Fire Abyss would remain open for at least a month, and there would be signs before it closed. This time, it was so sudden!

“Run, the Heavenly Fire Abyss is closing!”

“There’s no escape; it’s a dead end!”

“Wait for me!”

Everyone desperately fled.

Half an hour later, with a loud boom, the Heavenly Fire Abyss sank into the ground.

Everywhere, people were gasping for breath, their faces filled with fear.

At the Luo family’s base.

Elder Five kept sending people to search, but none of those who returned had seen Luo Guan.

“Search, keep searching!”

“I don’t believe he’s dead here!”

Roaring, Elder Five strode toward the surrounded imperial cultivators, “Sir, my nephew hasn’t returned; the imperial court must save him!”

The sudden closure of the Heavenly Fire Abyss brought countless troubles, and the imperial cultivators looked grim, “The Heavenly Fire Abyss is sealed; those who didn’t come out are as good as dead. What do you mean by saving? Move aside, I have other matters to handle!”

Elder Five’s heart sank to the bottom!

An hour later, various groups left one after another.

The atmosphere at the Luo family’s base was heavy.

Twelve young members entered the Heavenly Fire Abyss, six of them condensed their bones, a fifty percent success rate that was quite surprising.

But now, only eleven had returned.

Elder Five’s loud voice had a hint of heaviness, “Let’s go home!”

As they left the Heavenly Fire Abyss, the Luo family members all recalled the determined back of Luo Guan as he walked away that day.

Unfortunately, the young man who had risked his life to change his fate ultimately failed to do so!

…

Crack—

Crack—

The cracking sounds continued as the carbonized outer layer of Luo Guan’s body fell off, revealing smooth, jade-like skin.

Suddenly, his fingers moved, and he abruptly rolled over, “I… I’m still alive…”

Looking down at his hands, the thick calluses from years of lifting stone blocks were gone, his hands as soft as newly peeled eggs, but his seemingly delicate fingers hid explosive strength!

Luo Guan’s expression suddenly froze as he felt the continuous warmth in his chest and abdomen.

“Heavenly Bone!”

Overjoyed yet disbelieving, Luo Guan confirmed it wasn’t an illusion.

“Father, Father!”

“Your son hasn’t let you down; I’ve successfully condensed my bones!”

“Ahhh!”

With a loud roar, all his grievances and frustrations were released.

After a long time, Luo Guan’s emotions calmed down.

“How did I condense my bones?”

“Where am I?”

The darkness above, the lava lake not far away, illuminated the surrounding space.

Facing the unfamiliar environment, Luo Guan was on guard when a weak voice suddenly spoke, “This is Lord Gui’s home!”

Luo Guan growled, “Who’s there?”

The voice was full of sorrow, “Lord Gui’s glorious reputation, to be ruined by a novice who knows nothing about cultivation, truly a twist of fate.”

“The Heavenly Bone has condensed; open your eyes!”

Boom—

Luo Guan’s mind was shaken, and he entered an inner observation state—seeing a vast expanse, a giant turtle carrying a white jade pillar, reaching into the clouds!