Chapter 279: Suppressing the Demonic Creature, Old Man Burning Heaven's Gift!
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I have something that can help that senior. If we let that black mist creature escape, who knows how many people will die—we absolutely cannot let it get away!"
Lin Fan spoke solemnly to Ying Huanhuan.
"Let's go!"
Xiao Xiao hesitated briefly, then nodded to Lin Fan, grabbed Ying Huanhuan, and led the other Dao Sect disciples into the spatial vortex.
Soon, all disciples from the various super sects had withdrawn from the battlefield.
However, a few bold rogue cultivators remained behind.
Their greedy gazes were fixed on the enormous crimson cauldron lying on the ground, eyes glinting with desire.
Lin Fan glanced at them but paid them no further mind. He looked up toward the sky, preparing to return the crimson formation token in his hand to Old Man Burning Heaven to complete the array.
"You're still here?"
A graceful voice rang out nearby as a familiar figure approached—it was Ling Qingzhu.
"You didn't leave either," Lin Fan said with a smile.
"I'm not after the cauldron," she replied calmly, her eyes flicking toward the chaotic battlefield in the sky.
"I just wanted to observe. If that thing escapes, it'll be a major disaster."
Lin Fan nodded. "Don't worry. It won't escape."
As they spoke, the eight magma gates in the sky completed their formation.
Crimson lava spread across the heavens, forming an enormous curtain of magma that poured down from above—a breathtaking sight.
RUMBLE!
In response to the formation, the black mist creature began to violently resist.
Waves of black fog surged forth, cold and corrosive, trying to erode the fiery magma.
Meanwhile, the remaining rogue cultivators tried to seize the opportunity to snatch the crimson cauldron.
But just as they approached, Old Man Burning Heaven activated the cauldron, blasting them all back.
At that moment, the previously coiled black mist suddenly exploded outward like a tidal wave, targeting the incomplete northeastern section of the formation with all its might!
The entire formation trembled under the barrage.
"Hehehe, old ghost Burning Heaven! Your Magma Fire Gate Array is missing a corner! Seems this general's escape is destined!"
A shrill, mocking voice echoed from within the black fog.
"They're focusing their attacks on the weak point," Lin Fan muttered. Then he turned to Ling Qingzhu and said, "Wait here. I'm going to help that senior."
"You sure you can handle it?"
Though Ling Qingzhu sounded calm, there was a subtle hint of concern in her voice.
"I'm sure."
Lin Fan smiled lightly, then soared into the air, drawing closer to Old Man Burning Heaven.
He flicked his wrist, summoning the crimson formation token he had obtained, and hurled it toward the red-robed elder.
"Senior, catch!"
Old Man Burning Heaven's eyes lit up with surprise when he saw the token flying his way.
"So that's where the missing gate was…"
He waved his sleeve, catching the token and placing it atop the final volcano.
At last, the ninth magma gate formed—completing the formation.
BOOM!
The moment the last gate formed, the world turned crimson.
Endless magma erupted into the sky, converging above the array to form a massive volcano floating overhead.
The terrifying pressure it released flooded the battlefield!
"Damn brat!!"
The black mist creature shrieked in rage as the overwhelming heat drove it back.
Lin Fan returned to Ling Qingzhu's side as the crimson token did its job.
He looked up at the sky with a cold gleam in his eyes.
"This time, you're not getting out."
High in the sky, Old Man Burning Heaven stared down at the black fog.
"This life of mine exists for one purpose: to seal you," he said hoarsely.
He lifted his hand—and the towering magma mountain above plunged down like a meteor, aimed straight at the black mist creature.
The dark entity struggled desperately, but it could not break free.
It was crushed beneath a blazing prison of molten light, pinned under the colossal weight of magma!
"Hmph!"
After sealing the creature, Old Man Burning Heaven turned his gaze toward the lingering rogue cultivators.
With a wave of his hand, an invisible surge of Yuan Power blasted them all into the spatial vortex.
Had he truly wanted them dead, none would have survived.
With them gone, his gaze fell on Lin Fan and Ling Qingzhu.
"Senior, now that everything's settled, we'll take our leave," Lin Fan said, clasping his hands respectfully.
"Wait."
Old Man Burning Heaven suddenly spoke.
"Thank you, young one."
Lin Fan replied, "I came across that crimson token by chance. Only when I saw the formation did I realize it was part of it."
"Besides, that thing isn't just your enemy. If it escaped, it would've endangered everyone."
"You… know what it is?"
The elder's face showed a flicker of surprise.
"I once encountered something that called itself a king," Lin Fan said calmly. "But it, too, was sealed."
"...A king?"
The old man's expression changed drastically. He appeared before Lin Fan in a flash and gripped his wrist tightly.
His deep-set eyes scanned Lin Fan, and after a long pause, he slowly released his hand.
"I didn't expect you to have obtained that sacred relic… and to carry within you a strike from a Reincarnation Stage expert."
"I inherited the legacy of the Vermilion King from the Tiangang Alliance's Vermilion Palace," Lin Fan explained.
"The Vermilion King… yes, I remember the name. Is he still alive?" the elder asked softly.
"Senior Vermilion King passed away long ago," Lin Fan said with a solemn tone.
"So many humans fell during that great war…"
Old Man Burning Heaven sighed.
"What exactly happened back then?" Lin Fan asked.
After a pause, the elder shared a brief account of the Great World War, expressing deep reverence for the Symbol Ancestor, whom he described as unmatched.
Finally, he said, "These demonic creatures will never give up. Someday, they'll return—and it'll be up to you and your generation to stop them."
Lin Fan and Ling Qingzhu exchanged glances, their expressions solemn.
"Fate brought us together," the elder continued. "And you helped me seal that creature. Soon, I will lose my sanity… so let me gift you something."
He raised his hand, and the crimson furnace—hundreds of meters wide—shrunk rapidly and dropped into his palm.
"This is the Burning Heaven Cauldron… my life's treasure. But I no longer have use for it. May it serve you in your fight against the demonic scourge."
"Thank you, senior."
Lin Fan respectfully received the cauldron—and as his hand touched the elder's…
The familiar sound echoed in his mind:
[Ding! You patted Old Man Burning Heaven. Obtained: Ancient Divine Flame Seed x1.]
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1