After safely crossing the Sha Wang River, they stepped into a land that looked as if it had been scorched red by endless flames. The ground was dry, cracked, and stained with a deep reddish hue, as though it had been baked for centuries without rest.
This was Zhuo Yuan North Corner, a rare and dangerous region that still retained its untouched nature. Unlike most well-known demon territories that had been explored countless times by Hunter Mages, this place remained largely unknown. Human footprints were scarce here, and that alone meant opportunity.
Across the country, Hunter Mages constantly swept through famous demon regions, stripping them of resources and leaving little behind. But Zhuo Yuan North Corner was different. Separated by the massive Sha Wang River, it had been naturally isolated, making it fertile ground for rare materials, spirit seeds, and undiscovered treasures that people would willingly risk their lives to obtain.
Mo Fan didn't come here for sightseeing.
He had spent a full 9 million just to confirm one thing.
The Flame Belle was here.
And not just somewhere random—
it was located in the central region of Zhuo Yuan North Corner.
From the information gathered, the entire region resembled a massive basin. At first glance, the land appeared flat, but in reality, the deeper one ventured inward, the lower the terrain became. It was like stepping into a giant furnace, with the surrounding earth forming the outer walls. The soil and rock all carried a reddish-brown tone, and at the very center, it was said that flames erupted directly from the ground.
And that wasn't an exaggeration.
Even at the outer edges, clusters of fire flickered from cracks in the earth, like scattered red seedlings burning quietly. The heat alone was enough to make breathing uncomfortable. Anyone without resistance to fire simply couldn't survive here, let alone move freely.
Even Lingling had to rely on Wolfie to travel.
This kind of place—
was a paradise for fire-type resources.
And Mo Fan had no intention of leaving early this time.
Back then, he had rushed in and out, barely scratching the surface. But now? He had time. He had strength. And more importantly, he had a clear goal.
If he didn't strip this place clean while he was here—
that wouldn't be Mo Fan.
"You guys run some errands and bury these," Lingling said, pulling out four strange conical instruments from her bag.
They looked like metallic spinning tops, compact but clearly advanced.
"Elemental detectors?" Zhang Xiaohou immediately recognized them, recalling their previous usage.
Lingling nodded. "Flame Belles prefer areas where fire element concentration is at least five times higher than normal. But if one is about to give birth, it will occupy a place containing a flame spirit seed. That way, the newborn can awaken with stronger fire affinity. So if we locate a flame spirit seed, we're close."
Her logic was sound.
Even if it wasn't entirely correct.
Mo Fan didn't interrupt. There was no need. No one truly understood how a Flame Belle was born anyway. If they did, this place wouldn't still be untouched.
The detectors were deployed quickly.
Almost immediately, the group's expressions sharpened.
Because while these devices could locate elemental concentrations—
they also acted like a signal.
A beacon.
To demons.
Lingling checked the readings quickly, then pointed in a direction. "This way. Move fast. Something's already been attracted."
They didn't hesitate.
Everyone moved to retrieve the instruments—
but Chen Ying lagged slightly behind, her movements hesitant, as if something was weighing on her mind.
Before anyone could question it—
Zhang Xiaohou suddenly pointed ahead.
"Look! That— that's not normal fire!"
Everyone turned.
In the distance, something burned.
Not a patch.
Not a flame.
But a wall.
A massive wave of fire stretched across the horizon, rising like a flaming curtain that seemed to swallow the sky itself. At first, it looked distant, like flickering heat waves. But within seconds, it expanded, devouring the horizon as it surged forward with overwhelming momentum.
Mo Fan's expression changed instantly.
"Run. Back toward the Sha River. Now."
That wasn't ordinary fire.
That was heavenly flame.
A full-scale eruption.
The heat reached them before the flames did. Dry, suffocating air swept over them, cracking lips and burning throats. The temperature spiked violently, and even breathing became difficult.
They turned to flee—
but the ground suddenly trembled.
From behind them, in the direction they were running, a thunderous rumble echoed as dust and sand exploded into the air. A massive group of creatures charged forward, their heavy footsteps shaking the earth like a stampede.
Through the dust, their forms became visible.
Massive.
Armored.
Each one built like a war beast, their bodies covered in thick reddish-brown plating hardened by constant exposure to fire. Their heads, limbs, even joints were protected by natural armor, giving them an almost indestructible appearance.
Their numbers—
were terrifying.
"What the hell are those?!" Zhao Manyan cursed, a chill running down his spine.
Lingling's eyes narrowed. "Kill Armor Beasts. War General Level. Extremely high defense. They don't travel alone— they move in herds."
"And we're in their path," Zhang Xiaohou added grimly.
Mo Fan's gaze sharpened.
"No."
He looked ahead.
Then back.
"They're not chasing us."
A beat.
"They're running."
That realization hit instantly.
The fire behind them.
The beasts in front of them.
Both—
fleeing.
"Stop talking—RUN!" Zhao Manyan shouted.
And this time—
no one hesitated.