Chapter 1006: Red Flame City

Red Flame City, located on the northwestern border of the Tianyuan Region.

Red Flame City belongs to Chiyun Province, which is situated on the border of the Tianyuan Region and serves as one of the main gateways to its interior. Consequently, during this war, it became a primary target for the five major factions. At the war's outset, armies from these five major factions swept towards Chiyun Province. However, they were met by the waiting Tianyuan Region army and suffered heavy losses. Despite this, the five major factions did not give up. With continuous support, they regrouped and launched renewed assaults. As a result, fierce battles constantly raged along Chiyun Province's border, leading to countless casualties among powerful experts and a pervasive, bloody stench.

As a strategically important city in Chiyun Province, Red Flame City was almost daily surrounded by intense battles. Within the formidable city, a massive Genesis Qi barrier enveloped the entire area. Countless intricate Genesis Runes flowed across the barrier, faintly emitting powerful and extremely dangerous Genesis Qi fluctuations. The city walls were heavily fortified, with patrol teams ceaselessly moving back and forth. From the city's high towers, sharp gazes constantly scanned the distance, detecting any sudden bursts of Genesis Qi fluctuations. The security was exceptionally stringent.

Due to the war, the once-bustling Red Flame City had become noticeably desolate. People hurried through the streets, their expressions tense and grim.

In the northern part of the city stood a tall, domed building. Outside, people bustled about, making it exceptionally lively—its popularity almost rivaled some of Red Flame City's most frequented places before the war. At its very top, three large characters, "Merit Hall," shone with a golden light.

Inside the hall, it was bustling and boisterous. From time to time, teams, some bearing the scent of blood, entered the hall. However, their appearance drew little surprise; many in the hall merely glanced at them before looking away, clearly accustomed to such sights.

These teams approached the central counter of the hall and placed a bronze mirror on it. Behind the counter, a person in a black robe took the mirror and formed a hand seal. Immediately, points of light ascended from the mirror—fragments of divine souls. When a person's divine soul was extinguished, it would dissolve into such fragments. As the fragments settled on the bronze mirror, its surface flickered, faintly forming a translucent, illusory face. This was the face of the slain individual.

"Early Heavenly Sun Stage... one hundred merit points," the black-robed person identified. Then, they carefully took out a jade seal and gently pressed it onto the bronze mirror. A streak of light immediately entered the mirror, and faintly, a fleeting number "420" could be seen on its surface. The owner of the bronze mirror then contentedly retrieved it.

"Come on, brothers, let's go have a couple of drinks and relax," he said with a laugh, leading his team directly to another area of the hall—the resting zone. Many teams who had just returned from missions were recuperating there, loudly conversing and exchanging information.

In the resting zone, at a corner table, Ye Bingling, Yi Qiushui, Mu Liu, and others sat together.

"Today, I received news from my grandfather," Yi Qiushui said slowly, her expression a little downcast. "Dozens more Divine Dwelling experts from the Four Pavilions have fallen."

Hearing this, Ye Bingling, Mu Liu, and the others clenched their fists, then picked up their wine cups, drinking them in one gulp, their faces filled with sorrow.

"The damned Red Cloud Sword Sect and Three Mountains Alliance! Had we known, we should have wiped them out from Hunyuan Heaven long ago!" Ye Bingling exclaimed, her beautiful face etched with frost, and killing intent rising in her eyes.

The Four Pavilions' members were considered the elite among the Tianyuan Region's Divine Dwelling experts. They bore significant responsibilities in this war, and the cost was daily casualties, some of whom were personally known to Yi Qiushui and Ye Bingling. Only then did they truly grasp the brutality of war. The others remained silent, but the murderous intent in their eyes was unconcealed.

At the same time, elsewhere in the resting zone, numerous curses and angry shouts erupted, mostly directed at factions like the Three Mountains Alliance. Some individuals were even weeping bitterly, clutching their wine gourds, likely mourning family or friends who had perished in the war.

"Hmph, while we're fighting for our lives here, that 'Young Grand Elder' is lucky enough to openly use seclusion as an excuse to avoid the war!" an angry voice suddenly declared amidst the noisy chaos.

"Exactly! Grand Elders Zhuan Zhu and Xi Jing, though also direct disciples of the Grand Ancestor, once accompanied him through countless brutal battles, earning immense military merits that ultimately secured the Tianyuan Region's current territory. But now, this 'Young Grand Elder' claims to be in seclusion and hasn't been heard from in over three months! Hmph, even Zhao Mu Shen and the others have completed their breakthroughs; could he still not be done?"

"I think he's just afraid to participate in this war, worried something might happen to him!"

"Heh, how can his status be compared to ours? If anything happened to him, who would be held responsible?" A sarcastic voice scoffed, followed by others, filled with indignation, jealousy, and resentment.

"Hmph, it's debatable whether his status is even real. Perhaps Grand Elder Xi Jing deliberately had him feign it to appease the public. What kind of being is Grand Ancestor Cang Yuan? How could he possibly take an interest in someone like him?"

This was followed by a chorus of mocking laughter.

Hearing these remarks, Yi Qiushui, seated in the corner, immediately turned pale with fury, gritting her teeth. "These Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators are getting more and more out of hand!" She had naturally heard some of these rumors recently but hadn't paid them much mind. However, it seemed these rumors were escalating, and combined with the immense pressure these individuals faced in the war—living on the edge of death—they had become incredibly reckless with their words.

She stood up and walked directly, with a cold expression, towards the group of Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators who were laughing. "Dare you publicly disparage a Grand Elder?!" she demanded coldly.

The Heavenly Sun Stage experts turned to look at Yi Qiushui, recognizing her. However, they did not dare to verbally abuse her, knowing that Yi Qiushui's grandfather, Elder Yi Qianji, was currently guarding the city. They all shrank back.

Just then, a laugh came from nearby. "Miss Qiushui," a voice said, "everyone here is risking their lives daily. Who knows if we'll even be able to sit here tomorrow? So, saying a few words isn't really a transgression, is it?"

Yi Qiushui looked over and saw several experts from the Heaven Spirit Sect seated nearby. The one in the center was Li Qingyue, who had previously served as the Chief Pavilion Master for the last generation. Hearing this, the others' expressions turned grim, and then their tempers flared up. They turned back, scoffing loudly, and resumed their previous conversation. Li Qingyue's words resonated with them: if they might not survive until tomorrow, who cared about offending someone?

Seeing that she was completely ignored, Yi Qiushui clenched her fists in anger, her hands trembling slightly.

However, amidst the noisy commotion, a tall, slender, and young figure slowly walked in through the entrance of the Merit Hall. As the figure appeared inside the Merit Hall, the clamor within almost instantly ceased. Numerous gazes, filled with an inexplicable mix of emotions, were cast upon the young yet familiar face of the newcomer. Even the laughing Heavenly Sun Stage cultivators in the resting zone stopped, their expressions varying.

For the figure who had just entered the Merit Hall was precisely the target of their mockery... Zhou Yuan, who was now mockingly referred to as the "Young Grand Elder" in the Tianyuan Region.