The moment Qin Chen stepped through the portal, the world around him shifted.
The chaotic, raging inferno of the Crimson Hellstorm Domain was gone.
In its place—
A colossal palace of fire.
The walls were carved from obsidian and molten gold, their surfaces shifting like liquid flame. Towering pillars of eternal fire stretched toward a distant ceiling, pulsing with power.
The entire chamber felt alive, as though the very flames that built it carried the whispers of an ancient will.
This place wasn't just a ruin.
It was a temple.
A sanctuary built by someone—or something—far beyond ordinary cultivators.
Qin Chen's golden eyes flickered as he stepped forward, his Fire Sovereign Dao Body resonating with the surrounding flames.
There was no resistance.
No rejection.
Only… recognition.
As if this realm had been waiting for him.
As Qin Chen's gaze swept across the palace, his sharp senses locked onto something unusual.
Or rather—someone.
At the far end of the chamber, resting within a pristine crystal formation, was a woman.
She lay unconscious, her robes tattered, yet strangely noble.
Her long crimson hair cascaded like flowing fire, and even in her dormant state, there was something otherworldly about her presence.
Her aura…
Even though it was completely sealed, Qin Chen felt it.
It was faint, yet undeniable.
She wasn't ordinary.
His Fire Sovereign Dao Body reacted subtly, as though sensing something familiar—something connected to the ancient past.
Qin Chen's brows furrowed.
She might just be the Core disciple that had disappeared.
"Who is she?"
And then—
The temperature plummeted.
An overwhelming aura crashed down upon him.
His entire body froze in place.
A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber, shaking the very foundation of the palace.
"Another one has arrived."
Qin Chen's instincts screamed.
His muscles tensed.
His breath turned shallow.
And for the first time in a long time—he felt truly small.
Slowly, he turned his gaze.
And there—at the far end of the chamber, resting upon a massive throne of obsidian and flame, was a creature of incomprehensible might.
It was massive.
A dragon? No… something more.
Its scarlet-scaled body shimmered with divine flame patterns, ancient runes flickering across its form. Golden eyes peered down at him, their depths vast as the heavens.
It wasn't just powerful.
It was something beyond human understanding.
Ding!
[System Warning!]
Detected Entity: Infernal Abyss Beast – Soul Formation Realm
-A primeval beast from the era of the Fire Sovereign.
-Once served a cultivator of unimaginable strength.
-Possesses intelligence equal to a top-tier cultivator.
-Disposition: Watching. Evaluating. Not Hostile… Yet.
Qin Chen's heart pounded.
A Soul Formation beast.
Even in the Azure Sky Sect, the most powerful elders had only reached Nascent Soul Realm.
A Soul Formation cultivator… was a walking calamity.
A single thought from them could wipe out an entire sect.
And yet—this creature wasn't attacking.
It was… studying him.
The Infernal Abyss Beast lowered its massive head, its golden eyes scanning Qin Chen with interest.
"I see… You are not the one I expected."
Qin Chen remained still, keeping his composure.
He was beginning to understand.
This wasn't a random ruin.
This wasn't just some fire-related secret realm.
This place belonged to someone.
Someone from the ancient past.
Qin Chen narrowed his eyes.
"Who built this place?"
The beast's gaze flickered.
"You misunderstand. This palace does not belong to the Fire Sovereign."
Qin Chen's eyes sharpened.
Not the Fire Sovereign?
Then…
"I was once the companion of an ancient cultivator," the beast continued, its voice carrying the weight of time itself.
"One who stood alongside the Fire Sovereign—but was not him."
"They built this place together, and left it for me to watch over."
Qin Chen's golden flames pulsed.
This wasn't the Fire Sovereign's inheritance.
This was something else entirely.
A place built by someone powerful enough to stand beside the Fire Sovereign.
Someone forgotten by time.
The Infernal Abyss Beast leaned forward, its aura pressing down upon Qin Chen.
"I have remained here for countless years," it rumbled.
"Waiting."
"Waiting for one who could claim what was left behind."
It exhaled, flames dancing around its massive form.
"You, who possess the Fire Sovereign Dao Body… might be that person."
Qin Chen's lips curled into a smirk.
He had expected an inheritance of techniques or treasures.
But this?
This was an ancient legacy waiting to be uncovered.
A chance to inherit the secrets of a long-forgotten powerhouse.
And he wasn't going to let it slip away.
The Infernal Abyss Beast's golden eyes burned with intent.
"I will not stop you from stepping forward."
"But if you wish to inherit what lies beyond…"
The flames in the chamber roared, forming intricate symbols in the air.
"Then prove yourself."
A wave of overwhelming pressure descended upon Qin Chen.
This wasn't just a test of strength.
This was a trial of fire.
A trial meant for someone who could walk the path of the strongest flame cultivators in history.
Qin Chen's golden eyes flared with excitement.
If the beast thought he would hesitate—
It had no idea who it was dealing with.
He took a step forward, flames igniting around him.
"Fine."
His aura surged, his Fire Sovereign Dao Body reacting to the power in the air.
"I'll show you why I'm the rightful heir to this legacy."