[14 Days Remaining Until the Blood Moon Calamity]
Chen Nian promised Ye Hongling he would accompany her to the Flaming Abyss, for only there could he obtain a high-tier skill scroll.
It was a surefire way to dramatically boost his power!
The Flaming Abyss was a place every fire elementalist must visit.
Succeeding in its trials not only boosted one's level but also permanently enhanced attribute growth, and could even awaken rare, powerful fire skills.
Ye Hongling chose to force her way into the Flaming Abyss at this moment precisely to grow stronger before the true "Catastrophe" arrived.
"The Flaming Abyss was discovered within a sea mountain volcano. We'll take a helicopter there."
"Meet at Linhai City Airport tomorrow afternoon. Any issues?"
Chen Nian replied: "Got it. I'll try to make it."
Ye Hongling: "Stop pretending, big bro. You're already in Linhai City! I'm actually doing you a favor here~"
Chen Nian: "...."
The next day.
Chen Nian changed into a black jacket he never wore, donning a black mask and cap for full concealment.
Leaving home, he even activated "Shadow Concealment" until reaching the airport restroom, where he removed the cloak before heading out to meet Ye Hongling.
Airport.
Ye Hongling was undeniably the most dazzling sight.
Sunglasses framed her face, burgundy hair cascading over a crimson gown—a fiery peony in full bloom. Her blood-red lips shimmered with allure, and her snow-white skin was flawless as a masterpiece.
Her mere presence sent shockwaves through the crowd!
"Holy shit... Look at that woman. She's breathtaking..."
"That's Ye Hongling! You don't recognize her? She's the beloved daughter of our General Ye!"
"Never thought I'd see her in person. Can we get inside the airport? I wanna rush in and catch a glimpse!"
"Forget it, bro. Every entrance is guarded by armed officers. No unauthorized personnel allowed."
"What a shame!"
Countless people pressed their faces against the glass of the airport waiting hall, watching from afar.
Beside the helicopter, besides Ye Hongling, stood six other extraordinary individuals—all fire-elementalists who had rushed here from across the country.
Ye Hongling had paid a hefty price and leveraged her connections to bring them all together.
"Miss Ye, it's already two in the afternoon. Are we still not all here?"
"No rush. There's one more."
"Who the hell is so arrogant they'd keep us and Miss Ye waiting like this? Tired of living?" snapped a hothead.
"Heh."
Ye Hongling pressed her lips together in a smile, saying nothing.
If she told them the truth, they'd likely shit themselves on the spot.
Just then, Chen Nian finally entered the airport.
"Look, he's here."
"Damn it, why's he strolling in like that? Can't he run over?"
"Looks like a kid who hasn't even grown any hair yet. We'll teach him a lesson when he gets here!"
"Forget it. Miss Ye invited him. Let's give her some face."
Chen Nian finally caught up with the group.
Ever since he appeared, Ye Hongling's gaze had been fixed on him, never wavering once.
She even took off her sunglasses and hung them on her head, a playful smile curling her lips like some kind of creepy chick.
"Hey, buddy, how about you introduce yourself? You've kept us waiting long enough."
Chen Nian glanced at the group. "No need for introductions."
"No way! We're all big names in this line of work. How else are we supposed to gauge your skills?"
"Enough already!"
Ye Hongling clapped her hands. "Let's board the plane. We're running out of time."
"As Miss Ye says."
"Miss Ye first!"
The group let Ye Hongling board first, their intentions crystal clear: to sit next to her.
Who wouldn't want to cozy up to a rich woman this stunning, fit, and powerful?
Just rubbing arms or thighs against hers? That's bragging rights for life!
After Ye Hongling took her window seat, the others scrambled to board.
"Get the hell out of the way! Miss Ye, may I sit beside you?"
The speaker was Chu Xiang, a wealthy second-generation playboy and a gifted Flame Knight—arguably the strongest among them.
Ye Hongling smiled.
"Do you think you're worthy?"
"Uh..."
Chu Xiang's face froze, and he sat down awkwardly on the side.
After everyone had taken their seats, the spot next to Ye Hongling remained empty. Chen Nian was the last to board.
His first instinct was to head to the back and sit in the last row.
"Where are you going? Over here!"
Everyone: ???
"I'm the boss now. Don't you listen to the boss?"
Everyone: ???
And so, under the stunned and bewildered gazes of the others, Chen Nian was forcibly dragged over and seated beside Ye Hongling.
"Wait, Miss Ye, he..."
"Holy shit..."
Chu Xiang, in particular, looked like he'd swallowed something foul.
He himself wasn't worthy, fine. No one present was worthy, but he never imagined this kid would end up getting the advantage!
The helicopter started up.
Chen Nian could feel a head resting on his shoulder, and an arm had slipped around his waist without a word.
"Could you stop touching me?"
"Huh? It's too noisy! I can't hear you!"
Ye Hongling's lips curved into a captivating smile. Her auburn hair whipped wildly in the wind, flapping against Chen Nian's face.
He sighed inwardly. Never imagined he'd be the one getting groped...
Two hours later, the group reached their destination.
A volcanic island.
Surrounded by endless, boundless ocean.
"This volcano appeared after the game merged with reality. Some people explored it a while back."
"The Flaming Abyss lies deep within the volcano."
Ye Hongling offered a brief explanation before leading the group forward, into the crater.
Rolling waves of heat washed over them, the air temperature surging suddenly!
Fortunately, none of them were pushovers. This heat was nothing to them. As they delved deeper into the volcano, they finally discovered an entrance amidst the churning magma.
A crimson chaotic portal stood before them.
"Enter."
Ye Hongling stepped into the Flaming Abyss first, the others following closely behind, excitement evident on their faces.
Chen Nian followed suit.
A crimson expanse unfolded before them, a heat ten times more intense than before assaulting their senses. Thick, rolling black clouds shrouded the sky, lightning occasionally cracking across distant mountain ranges. Collapsed structures and crumbling ruins littered the surroundings.
At the very center of the expanse stood a crimson pillar of light—Ye Hongling's objective.
A commanding voice echoed.
[Challenger enters the trial pillar to receive the Flame Legacy.]
Ye Hongling's expression turned grave. "I'm about to enter the pillar of light. Monsters will relentlessly attack from all sides. Your job is to protect me until the trial is over. Got it?"
"Understood!"
"Miss Ye, rest assured. We'll shield you completely. Heh heh!"
They were all brimming with confidence, unaware that a life-or-death struggle was about to unfold...