I'll Quit Being a God

Chapter 477: Flames of the Abyss

Amidst the fleeting gleam, the smile on the blind man's face was gentle, while Ban Qi displayed profound reverence.

If someone unaware of the situation were to see this, they would only perceive a harmonious and joyful gathering of individuals.

The white dragon girl gave a disdainful hum, demonstrating a significant sense of pride in her superiority over this ignorant rustic.

She was well aware that her Master's speed of escape far surpassed that of Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow. At present, he was still holding something back. If he were to truly unleash it, he could undoubtedly frighten this Ban Qi into utter foolishness.

However, even just the current speed of his escape left Ban Qi utterly astonished.

Especially as this speed of escape continued southward without pause, swiftly flying beyond the borders of Fire Pass Country, and into the vast expanse of the South Sea.

Such terrifying speed of escape, and yet it can be sustained… One should understand that the art of Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow has already pushed the limits of balancing speed and spiritual energy consumption.

There are indeed escape speeds in the world that are faster than Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow, but most of them deplete one's spiritual energy in an instant or require exorbitant costs, making them impossible to sustain for long periods of time.

However, even the escape light of Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow cannot achieve continuous flight without rest.

However, the escape light of this blind man before his eyes is so much faster than Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow, effortlessly flying out of the Fire Pass Country as if it were nothing to him.

Either this blind man possesses profound foundations and enduring internal energy, or his escape light is not only faster than Floating Light and Fleeting Shadow but also consumes less spiritual energy.

Both possibilities, regardless of which one, are daunting.

Ban Qi's expression revealed a hint of fear.

Originally, he was intending to bring this mysterious blind man back and seek the assistance of senior cultivators. Although he was not a match for this blind man, there were fellow cultivators present among the senior peers.

However, Ban Qi is now in a state of panic.

This blind man is so terrifying. If even those senior cultivators are not his match, then wouldn't it be a calamity for everyone if he leads the blind man over there now?

The beam of light swiftly traversed the expanse of the South Sea, crossing one vast sea area after another.

In the past, Lu Heng, who used to require flying for almost a month's distance, has now covered the same in less than an hour, bringing with him, the white dragon girl, and the cultivator who goes by the name of Ban Qi, arrived above the airspace of the Fire Hating Country.

Amidst the beam of light, Ban Qi caught sight of the vast expanse of the Fire Hating Country appearing before his eyes, causing a subtle tightening sensation in his heart.

However, he was unwilling to sacrifice himself to protect his fellow cultivators. After all, among that group of companions, there were senior cultivators. Even if this blind man was terrifying, as long as everyone united and worked together, perhaps…

Ban Qi consoled himself in this manner.

Soon, the Lava Mountain Range appeared within their field of vision.

When Lu Heng arrived here in the past, it was to rescue Huo Feng, who had been captured by the Erba God Man.

At that time, Lu Heng had not even opened the heaven door, he was incredibly weak, relying solely on the Heavenly Thunder Sword to hold the line. Huo Feng, on the other hand, was even worse off, with a shattered Dao heart and no foundation to rely on.

However, now that four thousand years have passed, both of them have undergone significant changes compared to the past.

If Huo Feng were to encounter the Erba God Man again, it is likely that a single glance from him would render those sixteen little monsters completely motionless…

In his heart, marveling at the ever-changing nature of the world, Lu Heng smiled and looked towards Ban Qi by his side, saying, "Friend, where might your mountain gate be? Once we have arrived here, I must rely on you to guide the way."

Ban Qi swallowed his saliva, forcing himself to let go of the worries and tension in his heart. A smile appeared on his face as he said, "Naturally, please follow me, senior."

Saying this, Ban Qi flew directly towards the center of the lava mountain range.

There, amidst the pitch-black and scorching mountains, lies a vast expanse of lava lake.

The rolling in the lake is not flowing water, but rather scorching and terrifying molten lava. The eerie crimson hue reflects upon half of the sky, amidst the frightening heat, devoid of any trace of vitality.

This is already the core region of the lava mountain range, an absolute forbidden zone for life. Even accomplished cultivators would find it difficult to control the boiling spiritual energy permeating the air.

Due to the extreme temperature here, even the ubiquitous spiritual energy in the air is affected, constantly burning and forming invisible flames of spiritual energy.

Such intangible flames are soul-devouring, rendering cultivators below the innate level completely incapable of setting foot. The moment they enter, they are reduced to ashes by the scorching flames.

Even if cultivators at the innate realm were to come to this place, not everyone could remain as indifferent as Lu Heng.

For example, the cultivator standing before us, who goes by the name Ban Qi, was sweating profusely, constantly channeling his spiritual power to contend with the intangible flames that had the power to incinerate everything in the air. His state was exceedingly disheveled.

The white dragon girl by Lu Heng's side remains completely unaffected, as she keenly observes the invisible flames surrounding them and remarks, "Your sect's hidden gate is located in such an extraordinary place? It is truly remarkable! How can one possibly reside in such an environment? Are all the members of your sect at the innate realm?"

Ban Qi, drenched in sweat, struggled to walk upon the lava lake, seemingly oblivious to the girl's inquiry.

After reaching a certain spot in the magma, he took a deep breath and then pulled out a palm-sized red command flag.

"Open!"

With a decree, Ban Qi threw the red command flag from his hand.

But behold, the ceaseless rolling and unyielding lava began to separate on either side, from within the surging magma, a narrow path emerged, allowing only one person to pass through.

Upon witnessing the opening of the lava lake, Ban Qi leaped directly into the aforementioned path and ventured inward.

Upon witnessing this scene, the white dragon maiden became instantly perturbed and exclaimed, "Hey!"

After calling out, she discovered that Ban Qi had disappeared, and quickly turned to Lu Heng, saying, "Master! This rascal has fled!"

Lu Heng chuckled and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as we have arrived."

With that, Lu Heng proceeded with confident strides into the pathway carved within the parted lava lake.

In the continuously extending red staircase, the burning of magical flame is not as intense as that in the outside world. Even without the protection of Lu Heng, the white dragon girl should be able to easily enter.

Meanwhile, on either side of them, the churning magma formed horrifying walls of crimson, creating immense red barriers along the descending staircase, causing an inexplicable sense of oppression in those who beheld them.

As for the cultivator who goes by the name of Ban Qi, he has already disappeared from sight.

The white dragon girl followed closely behind Lu Heng, anxiously observing her surroundings, and said, "M-master… Master, there won't be any terrifying creatures in here, will there? I feel quite apprehensive…"

The sudden emergence of concern from the white dragon girl caused a faint sense of astonishment to bewilder Lu Heng.

He couldn't help but cast a glance at the maiden.

Truly befitting of the Dragon Emperor, even though she has lost her cultivation and spiritual perception, she remains extraordinary, able to discern the remarkable aura of this place.

Lu Heng chuckled and said, "Indeed, there is indeed a creature inside. If I'm not mistaken, it might be the rumored Ancient Divine Beast Wudou."

"It is rumored that it has been residing in Fire Hating Country for generations, but unexpectedly, it actually lives in this lava lake. If we continue walking downwards, we should be able to reach Wudou's lair."