This was a desolate, charred land. Terrifying magma, releasing an intimidatingly high temperature, flowed through cracks in the ground. The air reeked with the eerie, nasal-stinging scent of sulfur.
This land was already very close to the castle at the very center of the Great Formation. An invisible barrier seemed to enclose the area from all sides, shrinking constantly and squeezing everyone inward, leaving them with no escape.
HUM.
Just then, an area of the sky above this land suddenly twisted. Two figures, one old and one young, shot out from within. They landed with two heavy THUDS, kicking up a great cloud of dust and smoke. These two figures were none other than Chen Fei and Saint Magus Melsdom, who had been transported here after taking a 'shortcut' from the dilapidated temple.
After obtaining the Octagonal Mystic Tower and the Lizhen Furnace, they naturally saw no need to remain in the temple. However, as they landed on this terrain, their expressions changed, and a hint of panic appeared on their faces.
"La-lava?"
Gazing at the searing red liquid only a few meters away, Melsdom shivered violently. Horror flashed in his eyes as he spoke, his trembling words slurred. No, this can't be happening! Why would something so terrifying suddenly appear here? It wasn't in the seal initially, but now... this...
Clearly, even with his Cultivation Level at the peak of a Fire Element Grand Mage, he didn't dare to ignore such a horrifying thing. After all, it could reach temperatures of a thousand degrees! Moreover, he was currently severely injured.
"Lava?"
Chen Fei raised his head and scanned the area. He was momentarily stunned by the slowly flowing crimson rivers of lava nearby, and a deep sense of gravity and apprehension appeared on his face. Like Melsdom, he couldn't afford to ignore the terrifying heat and power contained within those lava rivers.
However, with his current Cultivation Level, as long as he didn't fall in, he could just about handle it. The same was true for Melsdom.
"It seems that guy is really about to be resurrected," Zhen Jingkong suddenly chimed in out of the blue from within Chen Fei's sea of consciousness.
Hearing this, Chen Fei paused before his expression grew silently solemn. If this Great Formation hadn't been forcibly sealed by that powerful entity, and if Zhen Jingkong wasn't so dead set on getting revenge and settling old scores, I would never be willing to wade into these murky waters. I'm being completely forced into this. Otherwise, how could I possibly meddle in matters of this level?
"Eh?"
At that moment, Chen Fei and Melsdom's expressions flickered simultaneously. They both looked up in the same direction at the same time. Not far away, several figuresālooking extremely disheveled but still nimbleāwere rushing quickly toward them.
"Mr. Chen! Saint Magus!" As the figures finally drew closer, a familiar, joy-filled voice reached Chen Fei.
Among the group was Omado, from the Simon Family of Sweden, whom Chen Fei had met once before. The others were also experts from various major powers.
Seeing that the one calling out to him was the 'fence-sitter' Omado, Chen Fei couldn't help but curl his lip. Still, he gave a noncommittal nod and said, "Oh, it's you?" His perfunctory tone was palpable.
"...Mr. Chen, it's truly wonderful that both you and the Saint Magus are unharmed," Omado said with an awkward, fawning smile, clearly sensing the subtext in Chen Fei's words.
In the current situation, especially now that he knew the extent of Mr. Chen's power, how could he dare to feel upset or complain? After all, wasn't it my own fault for being blind and failing to recognize a great person? If I hadn't been so foolish as to choose Lorid from the Nordic Odin Shrine back then, why would Mr. Chen be so cold toward me now?
Melsdom was unaware of the little history between Omado and Chen Fei.
However, when he saw that only a few people were left, he couldn't help but frown deeply, his expression turning grim. "Why are there only a few of you left? Where are the others? Don't tell me..." He didn't finish his sentence, but it was clear everyone understood his meaning.
"We all split up to run earlier and just happened to regroup here by chance. As for the others... some are probably dead, and others are likely hiding somewhere," someone answered Melsdom's question, then gritted their teeth and asked, "Saint Magus Melsdom, I once saw Wenn Tianxiong and Wenn Yongshou chasing... chasing you. Do you know where those two Beasts are now?"
Given what had happened before, they all knew that the Wenn brothers were enemiesāand terrifying ones at that. That's why he was so desperate to know their whereabouts, to stay alert and prepare countermeasures in advance.
"Them? Mr. Chen dealt with them," Melsdom replied, first startled and then breaking into a smile.
"D-Dealt with!?"
Hearing Melsdom's words, the group couldn't help but feel their pupils contract sharply as expressions of utter disbelief and horror were written plainly on their faces. They were well aware of the strength of the Wenn brothers. If faced with them, they would have no choice but to flee, so they understood perfectly well how fearsome those two were.