***Outside the colonnaded entrance, Vermilion Demon Lord kept his voice just above the wind. "Jared, the power you revealed earlier will draw sharper eyes. Malevolent Path Hall in particular-""It's okay. Let them come," Jared replied calmly. "It's only a matter of time before they track me down anyway. Showing a fraction of what I can do scares off bottom- feeders and saves us needless skirmishes. Besides, Earthfire Pavilion is curious about me now. That curiosity could turn into protection if we play our cards right."Vermilion Demon Lord mulled the logic, then offered a brief nod, scarlet hair stirring in the dusk. The pair returned to their inn, spending the rest of the evening sharpening blades, minds, and resolve for the journey through Flame Gorge at dawn.Unbeknownst to them, word of the afternoon's spectacle raced along every information channel in Crimson Flame City. By nightfall, each major faction— Malevolent Path Hall included-spoke of a young, enigmatic cultivator who crushed a Level Seven Combat Puppet with bare hands."He shattered a Level Seven Combat Puppet's Flame Dragon Slash with just his bare hands?"Bennett Bloodwyn listened to the report, crimson eyes gleaming like coals. "No wonder Darkwind Gorge fell. That boy truly does have some skill.""Elder Bloodwyn, shall we strike now?" a subordinate asked.Bennett shook his head. "No. There's no hurry. He's currently a guard on one of Earthfire Pavilion's missions. If we launch a blatant attack, we'd only offend Earthfire Pavilion. Let's wait until he leaves the city and steps into Flame Gorge-chaos is our ally there. Tell Barnaby to head there first and set the Myriad Ghost Devouring Grand Array along the outer rim. This time, I will take action personally. Jared Chance will not escape again!""Understood!"In the hollows of that lair, murderous intent gathered like frost, invisible yet bitterly real.Meanwhile, in a rented room above a quiet tavern, Jared sat cross-legged, eyes closed, steadying his breath. Each inhale drew in fiery essence; each exhale forged calm into steel for tomorrow's march through Flame Gorge.At first light the next morning, beyond Crimson Flame City's southern gate, Jared and Vermilion Demon Lord arrived punctually at the rendezvous point.More than twenty figures had already gathered beneath the smoldering dusk, their murmurs swallowed by the wind that rolled off the distant lava fields. Ten were newly hired guards-blades gleaming, eyes alert—while the rest wore the deep-crimson tokens of Earthfire Pavilion: disciples and enforcers standing in disciplined rows.noveldramaAhead of the gathering, three sumptuous carriages waited in silence. Each carriage was yoked to four Crimson Flame Steeds whose burning hooves cast restless sparks across the baked roadway.Resembling stallions yet bred from fire, the Level Three spirit beasts boasted hide the color of molten iron and an endurance few could match, making them the preferred mounts for exhausting treks through the searing Blaze Region.Shortly after sunrise, a figure in ember-red robes glided through the main gate, snow-white hair framing a face as unlined as a child's, disciples crowding in formation behind him.Warm benevolence softened his smile, yet every slow blink released a needle-bright spark that hinted at power pooled deep as an ocean-Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Eight.He supported himself with a crimson-jade staff, its head holding a fist-sized fiery-red gemstone. The stone burned, but its heat felt more like sunlight on skin than an open flame."Greetings, Elder Flameheart!" the Earthfire Pavilion disciples shouted together, bows crisp and perfectly timed.The hired guards, more rough than refined, scrambled into clumsy imitations of the salute.After all, the elder before them was one of Earthfire Pavilion's three legendary alchemy masters."Stand easy," Ferdinand Flameheart said, his voice spreading like warm coals beneath a winter cloak. "Our mission is to gather Flame Spirit Herbs inside Flame Gorge, so 4 be counting on everyone to escort us there. That said, I have to remind everyone that deep within the gorge lars a Flame Dragon temper fierce strength equal to a Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Nine cultivator. Our goal is to quickly gather enough Flame Spirit Herbs and withdraw before the Flame Dragon notices us. Therefore, speed and safety are our top priorities. Avoid direct confrontation with the Flame Dragon whenever possible. Do you all understand?""Understood!" The response cracked in perfect harmony, echoing against the red- stone walls."Good. Let's move out."With that, Ferdinand stepped into the center carriage, scarlet curtains dropping behind him with a muted hiss of silk.Out on the wide road beyond Crimson Flame City, the convoy rolled forward. Crimson Flame Steeds struck the dust, each hoof igniting brief tongues of orange fire that left no ash behind.Some guards rode horseback beside the carriages, others hovered on flight devices just above the ground, scanning every ridge and ravine for trouble.Meanwhile, Jared and Vermilion Demon Lord chose to travel by flying, giving them a wider field of vision and allowing them to respond to sudden situations at any moment.Gliding on steady currents, Jared let the region's dense fire-type spiritual energy flow through him. Inside, his chaotic celestial energy adjusted, absorbing fing the raw heat until it felt almost cleansing 'Half an hour later, the procession entered rust-colored hills.The temperature climbed sharply, and a faint tang of sulfur drifted in every breath.At that moment, a carved window on the lead carriage creaked open.A girl of perhaps seventeen leaned out. Her skin was milk over moonlight; her brows curved like brushstrokes; and her eyes-bright as twin flames-held both mischief and curiosity.Hair piled high, secured by a single crimson-jade pin, she wore a flowing fire-red gown embroidered with golden three-legged sun-birds that seemed ready to leap from the cloth.Youth could not hide the innate grace that clung to her like perfume, a quiet authority impossible to ignore.Her gaze wandered over the escort until it caught Jared gliding above the column.When their eyes met, Jared saw unmasked wonder in her burning irises, as though she had stumbled upon a fascinating new toy.He blinked, offered a courteous nod, then turned his eyes back to the horizon,heartbeat just a shade quicker beneath his calm exterior.Yet the instant their eyes brushed against each other—a spark that lasted no longer than a heartbeat the hush of the camp broke heads turned as though a silent bell had tolled, summoning every curious gaze.