Chapter 1 You Have No Sin

"Senior fellow apprentice!"

Mu Zishuo, Xiaoqing, and Baishuize, who had been anxious in the Ten Thousand Li Grand Formation and hated themselves for being unable to help Ji Ning, all changed expression drastically.

They could all tell—that was spatial teleportation!

"I can no longer sense my master's location," Xiaoqing said anxiously. "I don't even have a vague sense of direction. My master has left the Grand Xia world and gone to an extremely distant place."

"I can't sense him either," Baishuize said, also focusing intently.

"It's all because of me, because I'm useless. I shouldn't have been so eager for revenge, I shouldn't have." Mu Zishuo was filled with regret. Back then, Ji Ning had rescued him and Yu Xia's souls from the Donglin Mountains, but later, when the Shao Yan clan's Celestial Immortal ambushed Ji Ning, Yu Xia's soul had been completely obliterated.

Though he harbored immense hatred for the Shao Yan clan, Mu Zishuo also had some resentment toward Ji Ning.

But Ji Ning's kindness, along with their bond of life and death, made him bury that resentment deep in his heart.

But at this moment—

When the Karmic Fire descended, and the young man beneath it writhed in pain, Mu Zishuo felt unbearably guilty: "If I hadn't kept insisting on revenge, senior fellow apprentice wouldn't have been so hasty. He would have waited, grown stronger, and then annihilated the Shao Yan clan completely. It's all because I was impatient."

"Enough," Baishuize said in a low voice. "The Celestial Immortals of the Shao Yan clan are already flying over. We need to leave now. Xiaoqing, use Greater Teleportation."

"Alright."

Xiaoqing suppressed her grief and pain, waved her hand to temporarily store Baishuize and Mu Zishuo, and then executed Greater Teleportation.

Whoosh!

They vanished into thin air and returned to Mount Yan.

…

The seven Celestial Immortals of the Shao Yan clan high in the sky were indeed heading toward the Ten Thousand Li Grand Formation. They merely teleported through the void and arrived outside the formation. But just as they arrived, Xiaoqing, Baishuize, and Mu Zishuo had already left. Xiaoqing and the others knew they were no match for these Celestial Immortals; they were too weak. All they could do now was bury their hatred deep in their hearts. If Ji Ning truly died, they would have to train bitterly and, in the future, avenge him.

"They fled quickly," Xuanji Celestial Immortal said coldly.

"They were weak to begin with, only daring to come here because of Ji Ning. Now that Ji Ning is dead, of course they run," Heiyu Celestial Immortal said coldly.

Chixin shook his head and said, "Heiyu, Ji Ning isn't dead yet."

"With Karmic Fire descending and such heavy tribulation, I don't believe he won't die," Heiyu Celestial Immortal said. "Besides, our master used the Town Realm Tower and sent Ji Ning to some deadly places in the void outside the Three Realms. Some of those places can kill even True Immortals and Heavenly Gods, let alone this kid who hasn't even passed his tribulation."

The horned, golden-robed man turned to look at the agonized Fufeng Old Demon in the distance and said, "If Fufeng can survive the Karmic Fire tribulation, I will personally send him to the Ten Kings of Hell. When he is reborn in the future, he must return to our Shao Yan clan, and we will nurture him heavily."

"Mm."

"Of course."

Everyone present nodded.

No kidding.

If one could survive the Karmic Fire, they would undergo a transformative change, and their Dao-heart would become incredibly formidable. Although reincarnation would obscure their past wisdom, such a soul would still achieve great things after rebirth. Once they awakened their past-life memories, their chances of passing the tribulation would be very high.

"It all depends on whether he can survive the Karmic Fire," the horned, golden-robed man said with emotion. "Everyone who survives the Karmic Fire is extraordinary. Among Celestial Immortals, they are first-rate existences."

Among Celestial Immortals, only a very few could withstand it!

But the strength of one's Dao-heart was hard to gauge. Even someone at the level of 'Chixin Celestial Immortal' wouldn't dare claim they could definitely survive the Karmic Fire! So Celestial Immortals were generally very cautious. Only when forced would they fall into the predicament of being entangled by Karmic Fire. The descent of Karmic Fire was terrifying, but once one survived it, their strength would usually increase!

Within the Three Realms, those who could survive the Karmic Fire were truly remarkable.

For instance, Ji Ning's senior fellow apprentice 'Silvermoon Heavenly God' was entangled by Karmic Fire, but Silvermoon Heavenly God didn't care at all. That was what it meant to be a truly formidable great demon.

…

Grand Xia world, West Sea, outpost of the No-Limits Alliance.

On the huge mirror, the battle in the Chenyu Mountains was displayed. Over nine hundred demonic cultivators fled wildly under the Butcher God's pursuit. Ji Ning suddenly struck with unexpected strength, killing two Celestial Immortals in one blow. Then the Shao Yan clan's Sanxian, Fufeng Old Demon, made a suicidal attack, causing Karmic Fire to descend. Ji Ning was trapped in the Karmic Fire and then teleported outside the Three Realms by the Town Realm Tower…

"Brilliant, truly brilliant," Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal watched with admiration. "This Fufeng is ruthless and decisive enough. He made a decision in such a short time, and he sacrificed his own clansmen—ten billion of them—just like that. His heart is truly ruthless, with the style of a great demon."

"You praise him? Such a despicable little man, and you praise him?" Zicao frowned.

"Little girl Zicao, that's where you're wrong. You may have become a Celestial Immortal, but when it comes to Dao-heart, you're probably not as good as this Fufeng," Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal shook his head. "As for scheming, you're far inferior to him. That's why the sect leader never lets you truly command a region. You need far more experience."

"I'm not as good as him?" Zicao was furious.

"How many setbacks have you experienced?" Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal shook his head. "Although we are Celestial Immortals and look down on Sanxians, it's true that ninety-nine percent of Sanxians are not worth caring about. But among the countless Sanxians, there are some who have lived for over a million years. These Sanxians, having endured the Three Tribulations and Nine Calamities and the invasion of heart demons time and again, have incredibly strong Dao-hearts. You became a Celestial Immortal early on. Although you've lived longer than them, how many tribulations have you faced? Even if your talent and comprehension are higher than theirs, you've faced too few tribulations. Your Dao-heart may not necessarily be stronger than theirs. Look, under the descent of Karmic Fire, he can even stay clear-headed and talk to the Shao Yan clan's Celestial Immortals. Dare you say you could do that?"

Zicao was taken aback.

Under the descent of Karmic Fire, even a prodigy like Ji Ning could only maintain a shred of rationality. But Fufeng Old Demon could speak clearly, which showed he was far stronger.

"Ten billion mortals—if it can kill a peerless prodigy like Ji Ning, it's worth it," Zicao suddenly said. "Old man, tell me, can we use such a method against Celestial Immortals?"

"Are you looking for death?" Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal shook his head. "Once you give the order, you, as the instigator, will also bear great sin. If ten billion mortals die, at best you'll be entangled by hundreds of zhang of sin-blood light; at worst, Karmic Fire will descend directly on you. As for the executor you send, they will definitely suffer Karmic Fire. This is essentially a suicidal method."

"Moreover, among Celestial Immortals, the more ordinary ones might not survive the Karmic Fire. But the truly powerful Celestial Immortals can generally withstand it. As for True Immortals and Heavenly Gods, they are already strong figures in the Three Realms and can all survive the Karmic Fire. Dao Ancestors go without saying," Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal said with emotion. "So such methods are really not worth it."

"Alright, Ji Ning is entangled by Karmic Fire and has been sent by Shaoyan Chou to a deadly place in the void outside the Three Realms. There's nothing for me to do here. I'll take my leave." Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal stood up, carrying a jug of immortal brew, and walked away casually.

"Old man, this time doesn't count. You still owe me two," Zicao called out.

"Don't worry, I'm not as shameless as you." Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal's voice echoed in the hall, but he was already gone.

Zicao looked at the scene of the Chenyu Mountains reflected on the mirror and murmured, "So he was sent to a deadly place just like that. I haven't even made a move yet. But not needing to make a move is a good thing."

…

Inside that tower.

The seven Celestial Immortals, including the Shao Yan Ancestor, were all gathered there. Not far away was Fufeng Old Demon, sitting cross-legged. His body trembled slightly, and the Karmic Fire around him had gradually become ethereal, indicating that the Karmic Fire tribulation was nearing its end.

"It's already the seventh day, and Fufeng is still holding on," Xuanji Celestial Immortal said, his narrow eyes full of anticipation.

"The closer to the end, the more dangerous it is. The seventh day is also the last day. If he gets through it, he lives. If not…" The Shao Yan Ancestor shook his head solemnly. Suddenly his expression changed as he stared at Fufeng Old Demon.

Fufeng Old Demon's aura began to weaken gradually.

The aura of his soul was fading.

"What's happening?"

"Why is his aura weakening?"

Everyone was worried.

They knew very little about Karmic Fire, only that the tribulation lasted seven days, with the later stages being more terrifying. Once one survived the seven days, the Karmic Fire would turn ethereal, visible only through divine sense or heart sense, not to the naked eye. But although invisible, the endless burning pain of being entangled by Karmic Fire felt like being in hell forever.

"It's his heart. His heart is weakening," the Shao Yan Ancestor said. "When the heart weakens, the aura naturally weakens. Once the heart dies, the soul is instantly burned to death. That's the terror of Karmic Fire! The pain when Karmic Fire first descends is just a brute force assault. Many with strong Dao-hearts can endure it. A softer approach might also be endured, but once it gradually infiltrates… various methods infiltrate, causing the sufferer's heart to die gradually, as if committing suicide voluntarily!"

Fufeng Old Demon's aura grew weaker and weaker.

The seven Celestial Immortals watched nervously.

Another three hours passed.

The aura completely vanished.

"Boom!"

After the aura vanished and was undetectable for just a few breaths, it suddenly surged upward. Fufeng Old Demon opened his eyes.

"I survived," Fufeng Old Demon said in a low voice. "Such terrifying Karmic Fire, far more dreadful than the Three Tribulations and Nine Calamities of a million years. I actually survived. I never want to experience it again, never again." There was deep sorrow in his eyes.

"Fufeng." The Shao Yan Ancestor called out.

Fufeng snapped back to reality.

"Ancestor," Fufeng said hurriedly. "All you ancestors, Fufeng sent my ten billion clansmen to their deaths. My sin…"

"Enough, you have no sin. On the contrary, you have great merit," the Shao Yan Ancestor laughed heartily. "Ten billion mortals are nothing. We can move tens of billions from our other two lairs, and in a few decades, they'll multiply again. This time, dealing with Ji Ning was thanks to you. You disregarded yourself, willing to endure Karmic Fire yourself, and made that strike. Your contribution is immense."

Fufeng Old Demon said solemnly, "Ancestor, my sin is now too great, and the Three Realms are in turmoil. If I live, it will only bring great trouble to the Shao Yan clan. I plan to die and go to the Netherworld."

"Mm," the Shao Yan Ancestor nodded. "That's fine. You are now entangled by sin. After death, you will be punished in the boundless purgatory with endless torment. When you can be reborn in the future, I will surely guide you back to the Shao Yan clan. If it were the old Netherworld, there might be some trouble, but now that the Redlight Dao Ancestor has rebuilt the small cycle of reincarnation, the Ten Kings of Hell of the small cycle all have to give me some face. I can arrange everything for you."

"Yes," Fufeng Old Demon said respectfully. "Then disciple will take his leave."

Fufeng Old Demon did not hesitate.

Whoosh!

A golden lotus primordial spirit voluntarily dispersed, and a human-shaped soul, surrounded by Karmic Fire, flew directly toward the small cycle of reincarnation.

"Swoosh." The Shao Yan Ancestor immediately went to the small cycle of reincarnation as well.