Chapter 1138: Purple Fire Abyss

Deep within the Fire Dragon Mountain Range, a towering peak spewed crimson flames, its surface barren and scorched by rolling heatwaves. At its summit, a crimson fissure, over a hundred zhang long, periodically erupted with more crimson flames, radiating astonishing heat.

Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng flew in from the distant horizon. Soon after, they halted above the fiery peak, their expressions solemn.

"This is one of the entrances; we must proceed with caution," Wang Mingren warned solemnly. Ximen Feng conjured a red orb, which circled them before transforming into a pale red light barrier, shielding them both.

Enveloped by the red light barrier, the two flew towards the crimson fissure that continuously belched flames. Even through the barrier, Wang Mingren could feel the intense heat.

The environment suddenly shifted, and Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng found themselves on a vast, endless crimson plain. The soil beneath their feet was a deep reddish-brown, and the sky above was a clear blue.

Simultaneously, they released their spiritual senses to check for demonic beasts or other cultivators in the vicinity. Fortunately, there were none.

"There might be anti-flight restrictions. We should try not to fly," Ximen Feng suggested, summoning a completely crimson spirit horse with a foot-long red horn on its head. This was an Actinic Steed, known for its swiftness, making it ideal for overland travel.

Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng mounted the Actinic Steeds and rode eastward. The steeds were incredibly fast, and the wind whistled past their ears.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from high above. Dozens of gigantic, water-vat-sized fireballs plummeted from the sky like a meteor shower, hurtling directly towards Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng.

"Oh no, we've hit a restriction!" Wang Mingren's expression changed, and he quickly turned their mounts around, heading back the way they came. Ximen Feng conjured a small red umbrella, which floated above their heads.

Boom! Over a dozen massive fireballs struck the red umbrella one after another. Like mud dissolving into the sea, the fireballs vanished, leaving the red umbrella completely unharmed.

Soon, Wang Mingren returned to their original position. The giant fireballs were gone, as if they had never appeared.

"How strange. The map didn't show any restrictions here. No wonder the Purple Fire Abyss is considered a dangerous place. And this is just an ordinary restriction; encountering a powerful one would be truly troublesome." Wang Mingren pondered for a moment, then said, "Since this path won't work, we'll have to choose another direction."

The Actinic Steeds turned around and galloped westward.

Half a day later, they emerged outside a narrow valley flanked by steep cliffs, with a winding, uneven path. The rock walls and soil were all a peculiar reddish-brown. Scattered throughout the valley were numerous black stones, and no vegetation grew, giving it a desolate appearance.

Wang Mingren released a small dog-like puppet beast to go ahead. The puppet entered the valley, and nothing seemed amiss. Wang Mingren followed on his Actinic Steed. Ximen Feng released her spiritual sense to remain vigilant against any sudden attacks from demonic insects.

Upon entering the valley, they noticed that the stone walls on both sides were pitted and uneven, as if something had gnawed on them.

"Husband, be careful of the walls on both sides," Ximen Feng suddenly warned.

No sooner had she spoken than thousands of black ants swarmed out of the stone walls, rushing towards Wang Mingren and the puppet beast.

Wang Mingren was prepared. He conjured a palm-sized crimson gourd and infused it with a spell. The gourd glowed brightly and instantly expanded. A vast wave of crimson flames surged out, enveloping the attacking black ants.

Roar! The crimson flames engulfed all the black ants, but surprisingly, the ants quickly flew out of the fire, seemingly unharmed and unafraid of the flames.

Wang Mingren frowned slightly. He opened his mouth, and a palm-sized crimson-gold firebird flew out. It blurred, then transformed into a ten-foot-tall crimson-gold firebird, swooping towards the incoming black ants. The moment a black ant was touched by the crimson-gold firebird, it vanished without a trace.

Ximen Feng conjured a palm-sized red jade bottle. Countless crimson mists poured out, swirling and transforming into a ten-foot-tall crimson peacock, which lunged at the black ants. The crimson peacock opened its beak and swallowed the black ants one by one.

Before long, the black ants had either vanished into thin air or been devoured by the crimson peacock.

After dispatching the black demonic ants, Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng continued their journey.

Less than fifteen minutes later, they exited the gorge, and an endless crimson forest stretched out before them.

Wang Mingren took out his map and examined it carefully. According to their intended route, they could either go directly through the dense forest or bypass it. Bypassing it would mean a much longer journey. Wang Changjie's Seven Fiend Toxin had not yet flared up, and he could still resist it. However, if the toxin activated, Wang Changjie might not survive.

For the sake of their son's life, Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng decided not to go around. They entered the crimson forest, with the dog-like puppet beast leading the way. Taking a detour didn't guarantee safety, as restrictions appeared periodically.

In a certain colossal valley, a vast expanse of purple flowers, taller than a person, grew outside. A large blanket of purple mist enveloped the valley itself.

Suddenly, a massive roar echoed from within the valley, and the ground trembled slightly. Two streaks of light, one yellow and one red, shot out from the colossal valley at incredible speed.

A bizarre, piercing shriek suddenly rang out, and the two streaks of light immediately slowed. As the light faded, a portly man in yellow robes was revealed, his face covered in pockmarks and his eyes wide with terror. It was Huang Fugui. Beside him stood a ten-foot-tall red-armored warrior. The warrior's armor glinted with a metallic sheen under the sun, clearly indicating it was a puppet beast.

A fierce gust of wind swept by, and a twenty-foot-long golden giant scorpion suddenly appeared above them.

The golden giant scorpion had six pairs of thin red wings on its back and eerie purple eyes, giving it a terrifying and ferocious appearance.

The moment the golden giant scorpion appeared, its tail blurred, instantly transforming into a vast web of golden threads. They struck the red-armored warrior, producing a series of dull clangs. The warrior's surface remained completely intact, without the slightest scratch.

Simultaneously, the golden giant scorpion opened its massive mouth, and over a dozen thick golden bolts shot out like lightning, streaking towards Huang Fugui.

Huang Fugui reacted quickly. His body glowed blue, and a shimmering blue battle armor materialized, protecting his entire being. Over a dozen thick golden lightning bolts struck Huang Fugui. He let out a painful shriek, feeling his body go numb, followed by an unbearable surge of pain.

Failing to land a decisive blow, the golden giant scorpion attempted to use another ability. The red-armored warrior opened its mouth, and a crimson light shot out, transforming into a ten-foot-long crimson flying sword. It struck the golden giant scorpion with a dull clang. The golden giant scorpion's surface remained unharmed. The crimson flying sword then abruptly transformed into a large, shimmering red net, instantly ensnaring the golden giant scorpion.

A gigantic yellow hand, over ten zhang in size, suddenly appeared above the golden giant scorpion and swiftly slammed down. Boom! The golden giant scorpion was struck by the yellow hand and fell to the ground. Seizing this opportunity, Huang Fugui and the red-armored warrior transformed into two streaks of light and broke through the air, disappearing into the sky in less than three breaths.

The golden giant scorpion moved its pincers, tearing the red net to shreds. After a burst of fury, it flew back into the colossal valley.