"Haha, the kid is actually seeking his own death, saving us the trouble!"

"The idiot will definitely die a gruesome death when burned by the fire!"

"Haha, I'm going to take a photo and share it on social media with the caption 'The Fool Who Invited His Own Firey Demise.'

Listening to the jeers behind him, Lin Chen's lips slightly curled upwards. Those people only knew how to mock others, not realizing that stepping into the fire required not just extraordinary courage but also the heart of a strong man.

Lin Chen walked steadily into the fire, each step firm, his gaze resolute.

Father, Xiao Wen, wait for me. I will become stronger. No matter what dark alliance or nonsense Kunlun, I will slay anyone who stands in my way, be it man or Buddha.

The moment Lin Chen walked into the fire, a transparent light enveloped him.

Despite that, a severe pain surged through Lin Chen's mind, like thousands of ants biting, causing indescribable agony.

"Mmph!" Lin Chen grunted, each step seemingly requiring all of his strength.

Behind him, a silent shock registered on the faces of the Bai family's martial artists as they watched the scene unfold before them.

How is this possible? Although Lin Chen's face was pained, his body was completely unharmed. This was unscientific!

What kind of courage did this man possess to step into the fire sea without hesitation?

One step, two steps, three steps...

Every Bai family martial artist's eyes displayed utter disbelief. They knew the bizarre purple flames could cause burns from a hundred meters away; how could anyone endure stepping directly into them?

"Burn him, burn him!"

Bai Yu inwardly shouted, eyes filled with fervor. As long as Lin Chen was burned to death, his mission would be complete, and he would receive a substantial reward.

However, to everyone's astonishment, Lin Chen walked steadily through the fire sea without the agonizing screams or the gruesome fate of being burned alive.

The crowd watched dumbfounded as the determined figure vanished into the flames.

Gulp!

Bai Yu swallowed hard and then let out a roar.

"Impossible, this can't be possible!"

The Bai family's martial artists, equally stunned, stared at the sea of fire.

"You go try it." Bai Yu glanced at one of the martial artists next to him.

"Young Master Bai, I... I can't," the martial artist stammered, his face pale as he looked at the fire.

A fierce glint flashed in Bai Yu's eyes as he suddenly grabbed the martial artist by the collar and threw him into the fire!

"Aah!"

Accompanied by a scream, the martial artist was instantly burned to ashes by the purple flames.

The Bai family martial artists all looked disturbed, their faces also showing surprised expressions.

The fire was real, but why was Lin Chen unharmed?

Bai Yu's expression darkened, and a cold light surged in his eyes: "Block the cave entrance. Once he comes out, spare no expense to kill him."

Lin Chen was too odd. Bai Yu knew that, having now made an enemy of him, if Lin Chen grew stronger, he would pose a grave threat to his elder brother and their Bai family.

At this moment, Lin Chen had already entered a cave, and the surrounding flames finally dissipated.

Having just entered the cave, Lin Chen collapsed on the ground with a thud.

The flames had tormented his soul just moments ago; the heart-wrenching pain nearly made him faint multiple times. If it were not for his resolute will and the protection of the human energy system, he might have already perished in the fire.

After an unknown length of time, Lin Chen finally woke from his unconscious state.

Unknowingly, he had advanced in level. Sensing the boundless Qi Sea within him, Lin Chen felt a surge of joy.

The scene within the cave struck Lin Chen with awe: in front of him was a surging lava, and the hot air waves hit him head-on.

In the middle of the lava was a massive rock, and atop that rock, there was a heart enveloped by flames.

"What is that?" Lin Chen asked curiously.

"That is the Heart of Flames," the human energy system replied.

"The Heart of Flame?" Lin Chen was taken aback.

"This is indeed a treasure. The spiritual energy of fire, refined over hundreds of millions of years. If you can assimilate the Heart of Flame, the fire spirit within you will gain consciousness. Given time, it will become a great aid on your path to success."

Lin Chen glanced at the scorching magma, then at the Heart of Flame floating in the center of it.

"Big brother, are you joking? There's nothing but magma below. How am I supposed to get there?" Lin Chen said helplessly.

I will pave a path for you, but this time, you must endure the scorching of the soul as well as the searing of the flesh.

"What!" Lin Chen's face suddenly changed.

The scorching of the soul alone had already made him feel worse than dead, and now the flesh too...!

"Scared now?" The Human Qi System said mockingly.

"Scared! I'm not scared of Kunlun or the Dark Alliance, what's a bit of pain?" Lin Chen said coldly.

"Good, then take a moment to prepare. Remember, once you start on this path, there's no turning back. You will have to endure pain that most people can't withstand. If you make it through, you will undoubtedly become a great warrior. If you don't, you will turn into a wisp of dust here."

"Alright." Lin Chen took a deep breath, sat down on the lava, and began to meditate with his eyes slightly closed.

An hour later, Lin Chen opened his eyes, his gaze steadfast, as he looked at the Heart of Flame: "I'm ready."

No sooner had Lin Chen spoken than a bridge of light appeared over the magma.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Chen stepped onto it.

"Sizzle!"

Excruciating pain shot through the soles of his feet.

Lin Chen clenched his teeth and took a second step!

"Ah!"

In an instant, Lin Chen felt his whole body enveloped by flames.

His skin instantly split open, and his entire body turned a horrific, glowing red.

"I can't fall. I must keep going forward!"

Lin Chen gritted his teeth and continued to walk toward the center of the magma.

The fierce flames scorched every inch of Lin Chen's skin, supported solely by his spiritual power.

He knew that if his spiritual power collapsed, he would be consumed by the flames.

On the bridge of light, a figure staggered forward, surrounded by flames, step by step.

Twenty meters, ten meters, five meters...

Lin Chen's consciousness was beginning to blur, his body nearing its limit.

"Is this it? Am I going to disintegrate into ash here?"

Lin Chen's steps suddenly halted, and he collapsed onto the bridge of light, his body fracturing with cracks.

"Lin Chen, I'm waiting for you at Kunlun!"

"Lin Chen, have you forgotten our promise?"

A radiant figure appeared before Lin Chen, awakening his fading divine sense.

"Xiaowen!"

A roar echoed through the empty cavern.

His body was on fire, but the look in his eyes was incredibly resolute.

"Xiaowen, I haven't forgotten our promise!"

"I will reach the summit of Kunlun!"

"So I can't fall here!"

Lin Chen got back to his feet, his steps firm, and headed toward the center of the magma. His hands, now charred and blurry from the burns, slowly reached toward the Heart of Flame!