Chapter 393: The Abyss Sparks a Flowing Fire

Although Lanlin Prefecture is located in a remote area, its natural landscape is quite peculiar. Stone pillar-like peaks hang in mid-air, like thousands of needles standing tall.

The deep valley beneath the floating mountains is a terrifying forbidden zone made entirely of black ashes. Even flying tens of thousands of feet above, Li Fan could still feel the unsettling aura emanating from below at times.

Standing on the Dust-Crossing Boat, Huangfu Song observed the scenery below, his expression subtly changing. "This is truly a desolate place," he murmured. "Compared to this dreadful place, the Ten-Thousand-Mile Blazing Beach we saw earlier doesn't seem so treacherous."

Hearing this, Li Fan also looked towards the bottom of the deep valley. In the ocean of black ashes, faint, unextinguished dark flames could still be seen here and there. From time to time, a gentle breeze swept through, lifting wisps of black ash from the ash ocean. These wisps swirled, floated upwards, and collided with Li Fan's Dust-Crossing Boat.

The ashes, though seemingly weightless, caused a violent tremor when they struck the Dust-Crossing Boat's protective shield. As if hit by a powerful impact, a small hole appeared in the crimson light barrier. This then created ripples that spread outwards in circles. Even with only a fraction of his mind controlling his body, Li Fan was astonished by the sight. He couldn't help but ask, "What in the world are these black ashes?!"

Huangfu Song first maneuvered the Dust-Crossing Boat to fly higher, avoiding the ashes rising from the deep valley, before explaining, "These are the remnants after the Ashen Desolation Flame's combustion. All signs of life have vanished, leaving behind only scattered, persistent destructive power."

"They're quite sinister; it's best to avoid them as much as possible."

Before he finished speaking, the Dust-Crossing Boat accelerated, speeding towards the central area of Lanlin Prefecture. Gazing at the seemingly endless world of black desolation below, Huangfu Song remarked with a hint of emotion, "Fortunately, tens of thousands of mountain peaks were used as a formation back then to contain the Ashen Desolation Flame within Lanlin Prefecture. Otherwise, the surrounding regions would likely have suffered the same fate."

"The Ashen Desolation Flame?" The pervasive aura of black ashes made the already frail Li Fan feel increasingly uncomfortable. He frowned, deep in thought. He seemed to have seen that name somewhere before. The Dao Transformation Stone in his sea of consciousness flickered with light. Moments later, fragments of text he had once read instantly surfaced:

"Cangwu Prefecture, four rivers and twenty-eight mountains. One night, in a certain year and month, they vanished without a trace, leaving only a bottomless abyss. The unique earthly artifact, the Cangwu Landscape Map, originated from this."

"Nine years after the disappearance of Cangwu Prefecture's landscape, black, liquid-like flames erupted from the bottom of the abyss. The fierce flames raged uncontrollably. People at the time called it the Ashen Desolation Flame."

Li Fan then asked, "Is that the black flame that emerged from the Abyss of Cangwu?"

Huangfu Song paused slightly, then narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. After a long moment, he finally nodded. "That's right. After the Ashen Desolation Flame appeared from the Abyss of Cangwu, it spread outwards."

"Several prefectures suffered consecutively. It was only near Lanlin Prefecture that it was finally contained."

Li Fan was immediately somewhat appalled. Cangwu Prefecture is in the southwest corner of the Xuanhuang Realm, while Lanlin Prefecture is roughly in the due south. The range of the Ashen Desolation Flame's rampage was probably quite extensive.

"Young friend, there's no need to worry. The Ashen Desolation Flame hasn't reappeared since that incident."

"The cause of that near-apocalyptic disaster remains an unsolved mystery to this day."

"Initially, the Alliance believed it was the work of the Five Elders Council. However, after on-site investigations, that theory was disproven."

"It was a true act of heaven and earth, likely beyond the capabilities of any cultivator."

Huangfu Song shared his observations and experiences with Li Fan, chatting lightheartedly. In less than half a day, they reached their destination.

"Before we inspect the Spirit-Locking Formation, let's first visit the head official of Lanlin Prefecture who resides here," Huangfu Song said to Li Fan, pointing to a needle-like mountain piercing through the clouds ahead. "This senior was originally a cultivator from our Tianyu Prefecture and has often looked out for me in the past. Now that we're here, we must not neglect our etiquette."

Li Fan's thoughts churned, and he quickly guessed who the senior Huangfu Song was referring to. "Are you referring to Senior Guan Xingxiu, the former Commander of the Garrison Department in Tianyu Prefecture?"

Huangfu Song nodded with a smile, then put away the Dust-Crossing Boat and led the group as they flew towards a small courtyard at the summit of the mountain.

From a distance, a voice reached their ears: "We're all old acquaintances, why be so formal? Come in, I won't personally greet you, young man!"

"In that case, thank you, senior!" Huangfu Song's face broke into a smile, and he responded repeatedly. Gesturing for the other cultivators to wait at the entrance, Huangfu Song took only Li Fan into the courtyard.

The courtyard was quite simple, with only a single green pine standing alone. Beneath the pine, a middle-aged cultivator was leisurely reclining on a long chair, gently swaying. He held a cattail leaf fan, fanning himself occasionally.

"It's been many days, senior, but your demeanor remains as it was!" Huangfu Song bowed in greeting.

Li Fan followed suit, saying, "Greetings, Senior Guan!"

"You're Li Fan, aren't you? I've heard about your affairs." Guan Xingxiu eyed Li Fan, a playful expression on his face. "Your determination is far stronger than mine."

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he replied in a muffled tone, "Haha, senior, you flatter me."

Huangfu Song chimed in, "Although Young Friend Li Fan is very diligent, he still falls short compared to you, senior. Who among the cultivators of Tianyu Prefecture doesn't know..."

He was cut off by Guan Xingxiu before he could finish. "Boy, a true hero doesn't boast of past glories. I'm down on my luck now, yet you come here to recount my past deeds. What are your intentions?" Guan Xingxiu's gaze lingered on Huangfu Song, his expression one of displeasure.

Huangfu Song hadn't expected his flattery to backfire, and he said awkwardly, "Senior, you know me. Even if I had the courage, I wouldn't dare oppose you."

Guan Xingxiu let out a cold snort, but his expression returned to normal. He said with a lack of enthusiasm, "You're truly uninteresting, young man."

"Alright, I've been here for a long time without seeing any old acquaintances. It's good that you came to visit. I understand your intentions. Go ahead and do what you need to do with confidence."

"With me here, Lanlin Prefecture, this small corner of the world, won't be turned upside down."

With that, Guan Xingxiu gently waved the cattail leaf fan in his hand, and a small golden sword suddenly appeared, flying into Huangfu Song's grasp. "It's been a long time since I've shown myself in front of others. I'd like to see if anyone truly dares to test the sharpness of my sword."

Huangfu Song was overjoyed and quickly said, "Many thanks, senior!"

"Oh, right..." Putting away the golden flying sword, Huangfu Song was about to say something more. But Guan Xingxiu stopped him.

"I have seriously considered Fellow Daoist Ji's suggestion. However, I am only a Soul Transformation cultivator now, and I wouldn't be much help if I went."

"Furthermore, my former superior has passed away, and the position of Chief Commander has been settled."

"I have no desire to contend for anything anymore."

"You two should go now!"

With that, Guan Xingxiu waved the cattail leaf fan in his hand. After a gust of wind, Li Fan and Huangfu Song found themselves outside the small courtyard.