"Show mercy!"
A deep, resonant voice echoed through the heavens, laced with a plea that made Lan An's brows furrow. His gaze instinctively darted to the horizon.
There, an elderly man with graying hair approached through the sky, clad in a flaming robe. His cloudy eyes and weathered skin bore the marks of time, his back slightly hunched—a clear sign of dwindling lifespan. Yet none dared underestimate him. His aura surged like an ocean, flames blazing with the unrestrained might of a Late Integration Realm expert.
"Grand… father…" Huo Li rasped weakly, his voice barely audible, clinging to a thread of life.
"Fire Mountain? Great Elder of Fire Underworld Sect?" the Elf Queen, with her vast knowledge, identified him instantly.
The crowd stirred, realization dawning. With Huo Li on the brink of death, it was only natural for Fire Mountain, the sect's Great Elder, to plead for his life. But this wasn't a challenge—it was a supplication. With Wu San Niang calmly seated, not even the entire Fire Underworld Sect could stir trouble in her presence.
Noting Fire Mountain's softened stance, Lan An didn't press further, speaking coolly.
"What does this elder want? Huo Li and I are in a life-or-death duel. You shouldn't interfere."
He wouldn't relinquish Huo Li's Great Strength Earth Flame, nor the Integration Realm soul—a priceless treasure for his cultivation. As enemies, Lan An had no reason to show mercy, especially since, without his master's protection, he'd be the one dead.
Everyone understood this logic, aware of Lan An's unyielding backing. They watched Fire Mountain's response with bated breath.
"Fire Mountain greets the esteemed seniors!" the elder said, taking a deep breath. Despite being a Late Integration Realm powerhouse, he bowed respectfully to the four figures hovering above.
Wu San Niang, Bach Vo Sinh, and the Dan Clan's Twin Ancestors—Dan Tian Xing and Dan Yan Ji—far surpassed him in strength. On Viet Dragon Star, might ruled, and though Fire Mountain was older, etiquette demanded deference.
The four nodded but remained silent, awaiting his next move. The Twin Ancestors' eyes flickered. Saving Huo Li would preserve their clan's face, but pride prevented them from begging Wu San Niang themselves.
"Headmaster Wu, your disciple's talent shakes the heavens. I, Fire Mountain, am in awe," the elder said, his aged eyes glistening with tears as he bowed deeply to Wu San Niang. "But Huo Li has paid a heavy price. I beg you to spare his life!"
Few knew Huo Li was Fire Mountain's sole grandson. His brash nature often embarrassed the elder, who never showed him favor publicly. Yet, in his heart, Huo Li was his only kin, secretly cherished. Without Fire Mountain's quiet support, how could someone as naive as Huo Li wield the Great Strength Earth Flame amidst the sect's elders?
"Grandfather…" Huo Li's heart wailed, a mix of shame and gratitude flooding him. For the first time, he saw his stern, authoritative grandfather humble himself—for him. Humiliation at his plight clashed with a newfound attachment to life, but his worsening wounds dulled his mind, teetering on oblivion.
If he could restore his Integration Realm cultivation, Huo Li could heal Lan An's damage. But under Wu San Niang's gaze and countless watching experts, he dared not.
The poignant scene moved many to sigh, yet Wu San Niang's iron will remained untouched. Her clear voice rang out, unfazed, as she addressed Fire Mountain.
"His life isn't in my hands. Why beg me?"
Fire Mountain started, then turned to Lan An without hesitation, clasping his hands. "Young Master Lan, Huo Li has paid dearly. I beg you, spare him!"
A Late Integration Realm expert, revered wherever he went, now humbled himself before a junior. It showed how much Huo Li meant to him. Nearing the end of his life, with little hope of breaking through, Fire Mountain cared for nothing but saving his grandson.
Lan An's expression remained impassive, but he asked casually, "Huo Li targeted me, believing I'm tied to the Poison Person. What's the grudge between Fire Underworld Sect and her?"
The Poison Person stirred an inexplicable urge in Lan An, a mysterious pull driving him to uncover her secrets.
Fire Mountain's face shifted, hesitating as if weighing a heavy decision. Lan An snorted, thunder and flames flickering in his hand as he approached Huo Li again.
"Wait, I'll speak!" Fire Mountain shouted hoarsely.
Lan An paused, his tone firm. "I want the exact truth."
Fire Mountain sighed, resigned, and began, "Spirit Flame City, under Fire Underworld Sect's control, was where the conflict with the Poison Person began. Our young master, a romantic sort, was captivated by a woman's alluring beauty while touring the city. He pursued her but failed, and she slipped away."
His voice grew heavy. "In his obsession, he mobilized the city to capture her, enraging her. She unleashed a tidal wave of poison, burying Spirit Flame City entirely. Only the sect's top echelons know this."
The crowd shook their heads. Fire Underworld Sect had multiple young masters, but this one's folly provoked a calamity, dooming the city. No wonder Fire Mountain hesitated—such a shameful tale tarnished the sect's reputation. Only Huo Li's dire state forced his candor.
"So, the Poison Person is a woman?" Lan An's eyes narrowed, a strange pulse stirring in his blood.
"Indeed, known only to a few of our sect's leaders," Fire Mountain said, clenching his fists, eyes shut tight.
The young master, the Sect Leader's son, was killed, igniting the sect's fury. They pursued the Poison Person relentlessly, with Huo Li tasked to the hunt. None expected her to be so elusive, leading to today's disaster.
"You've chased her so long. Surely you know her appearance?" Lan An pressed, diving to the heart of the matter.
Fire Mountain shook his head, smiling bitterly. "Spirit Flame City was consumed by poison. We only learned the cause through private channels. How could we have her likeness?"
Lan An frowned, sinking into thought. If the Poison Person was female, who could she be? Was her prior aid against Hai Ha deliberate or coincidental? What was this urge in his blood? It was baffling.
Seeing Lan An's silence, Fire Mountain feared dissatisfaction. He reached toward Huo Li, chanting an incantation. A brown, giant-shaped Great Strength Earth Flame was drawn from Huo Li's body into Fire Mountain's hand.
"Pfft!" Losing his Strange Fire on top of his injuries, Huo Li's broken body trembled, teetering on death.
Fire Mountain gritted his teeth, pulling a high-grade life-preserving pill from his storage ring and forcing it into Huo Li's mouth to sustain his breath. "Young Master Lan, this is the Great Strength Earth Flame, your spoil of victory. Please spare Huo Li!" he said, offering the flame with both hands, his sincerity palpable.
Lan An accepted it without ceremony, sighing inwardly. The Poison Person's details remained scarce, leaving him unsatisfied.
"Hand over Underworld Flame Shatters Mountains too," he said, extending his hand.
"No issue!" Fire Mountain exclaimed, relieved, producing an ancient tome adorned with intricate patterns. Without hesitation, he handed over the Fire Underworld Sect's signature technique.
Lan An nodded, accepting the book. The technique was impressive, and though he might not use it, his harem members could benefit.
"I also demand Fire Underworld Sect cease pursuing the Poison Person and end their grudge," Lan An added, aiming to neutralize a threat to her.
Fire Mountain's heart sank. He'd long clashed with the Sect Leader, and this plea was his own initiative. Saving Huo Li and leaving the sect together was his plan. Lan An's condition exceeded his authority, as the Sect Leader outranked him.
"Well?" Lan An pressed.