Chapter Eighty-One: The Mysterious Realm of Fire (Part One)

Descendants of the Flame Domain? Ji Mo raised her delicate brows slightly—could it be that these two had misunderstood something? With suspicion in her gaze, she looked toward Bai Ze and Geng Xiao.

Seeing her reaction, Bai Ze assumed Ji Mo did not believe him and hurried to explain further: “Young lady, we truly didn’t mean to hurt you. Both he and I come from the Ten Great Cultivation Realms and have only recently entered the Flame Domain. When we encountered you, we only wanted to ask you for directions, but that warlike fellow Geng Xiao charged out and interrupted, and before we knew it, we ended up fighting. You were caught in the crossfire, and we sincerely apologize—please forgive us.”

The Flame Domain—oh, right, this vast red desert was called the Flame Domain. The Ten Directions Cultivation World—Ji Mo vaguely recalled Ao Feng mentioning it once, but what was the connection between these things? She found herself lost amid the conversation, unsure how to respond, and simply stared blankly at Bai Ze. Bai Ze, feeling awkward under her gaze, thought she was still angry over being injured. Yet it was Geng Xiao, who had been watching coldly from the side, who suddenly spoke up: “You’re not from the Flame Clan, are you?”

“What? She’s not from the Flame Clan? How do you know? If she isn’t, how could she appear in the Flame Domain?” Bai Ze was stunned, turning to Geng Xiao in astonishment. Clearly, Bai Ze’s mind was stuck in a rut—upon hearing Geng Xiao’s words, he simply couldn’t process it.

“How foolish. I wonder how you’re considered the number one Foundation Condensation disciple of the Present Generation in the Dao-Seeking Sect. First, if she were of the Flame Clan, this Red Desert would be her home turf. When we started fighting, no matter how low her cultivation, her innate racial gift would have allowed her to immediately sink into the sands and avoid the impact, not stand there like a fool and get blasted away.

“Second, haven’t you noticed her face has been blank with confusion this whole time you’ve been talking? I think she’s not only not of the Flame Clan, but she may not even be from the Ten Directions Cultivation World. She seems utterly ignorant of the Flame Domain.” Geng Xiao’s examining gaze fell upon Ji Mo, and in his icy tone, a hint of murderous intent crept in without warning.

Ji Mo felt a chill run through her heart. This Geng Xiao was definitely not some benevolent soul. His mind was sharp, his reasoning meticulous, and his heart just as ruthless. She had already sensed a trace of killing intent in his words. Her thoughts raced, and she sneered coldly, looking back at Geng Xiao with frosty eyes. “What, are you planning to silence me now?”

Geng Xiao narrowed his eyes, uncertain whether Ji Mo’s composure was genuine or merely bravado. Bai Ze looked from one to the other, trying to ease the tension with a laugh. “Alright now, enough arguing, you two. Young lady, we truly did not mean you harm, and now that you’re all right, how about I offer you my formal apology, and we all put this matter behind us?”

Bai Ze, though rough in appearance, was shrewd within. Just because he looked like a brute didn’t mean he was brainless. Ji Mo’s origins were a mystery, and in the Flame Domain, all manner of strange people and events occurred. Since he had no quarrel with Ji Mo, there was no need to offend someone whose background was so unclear.

“Your apology—but what about him? If I’m not mistaken, it was he who started your fight in the first place, wasn’t it?” Ji Mo’s gaze remained fixed on Geng Xiao, her expression icy.

“If you don’t want to die, then get out of my sight.” Geng Xiao’s arrogance was immense. Knowing now Ji Mo was not of the Flame Clan, there was no way he would apologize.

Ji Mo’s heart burned with anger, and for the first time she found herself resenting her own lack of strength. If her skills were on par with his, she’d have already beaten this arrogant man half to death for his insolence. But as things stood, they simply weren’t on the same level. She gave him a long, deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

“Wait—young lady, don’t go just yet!” But as Ji Mo had barely taken a step, Bai Ze moved to block her path.

“What do you want?” Ji Mo looked at him coldly. Because of Geng Xiao, she had no fondness for this dark-faced giant either. These so-called cultivators from the Ten Directions World—all of them seemed arrogant, holding no regard for the lives of others.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand, young lady. My name is Bai Ze—may I ask yours? In this forsaken place, it’s rare to meet anyone. Since fate has brought us together, why not travel together?” Bai Ze cleared his throat as he spoke.

“I don’t know you two, and you can’t go a moment without fighting. If I stick around, I’d have a death wish,” Ji Mo replied, unmoved. Such unsolicited friendliness always carried hidden motives—who knew what he really wanted?

“No, no, he and I are not companions. If he hadn’t kept pestering me for a fight, you wouldn’t have been hurt. He can go fight whoever he wants—I won’t play along anymore. Young lady, are you familiar with this region?” Bai Ze waved his hand, all the while taking the opportunity to disparage Geng Xiao.

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed—I’m not,” Ji Mo said coolly.

“Not familiar? Then you truly aren’t a Flame Clan disciple?” Bai Ze’s eyes flickered. Ji Mo looked away, refusing to answer.

“If you’re not of the Flame Clan, then you must be from the Ten Directions Cultivation World. But it’s been hundreds of thousands of years since a cultivator below Foundation Condensation has entered the Flame Domain from the Ten Directions World. Perhaps your elders have great confidence in you, sending you here specially to participate in the Flame Clan’s arena tournament?” Bai Ze seemed unconcerned by her lack of answer and continued speculating aloud.

As for Geng Xiao’s suggestion that Ji Mo was neither of the Flame Clan nor the Ten Directions World, Bai Ze had already dismissed it. If she wasn’t from either, how could she have entered the Flame Domain at all?

“Why are you so interested in me?” Ji Mo did not answer directly. She frowned slightly at Bai Ze, truly unable to guess his intentions.

“Haha, curiosity is human nature. I’ve heard countless tales of the Flame Domain, but this is my first time inside. For a mere Qi Refining cultivator to appear here is truly odd—if not you, then who should I be curious about?” Bai Ze laughed heartily, not at all embarrassed by Ji Mo’s impatience, his attitude perfectly natural.

Despite his intimidating appearance, he possessed a thoroughly gossipy heart—one couldn’t help but be both amused and exasperated. Ji Mo turned her gaze and replied, “I’m not a local, but was tricked by one of my elders and thrown here by an old man. As that iceberg over there said, I know nothing of the Flame Domain.”

As she spoke, her eyes darted to Geng Xiao. Bai Ze was inwardly startled but outwardly enthusiastic. “Is that so? So I was right—were your elders forcing you to participate in the Flame Clan’s tournament?” Not far away, Geng Xiao’s ears perked up, clearly interested in her answer.

“I’m not sure. That old man never told me what I was supposed to do—just said that if I didn’t complete the task, I shouldn’t bother coming back. But I don’t even know what the task is,” Ji Mo replied. This wasn’t exactly a lie; Ao Feng had indeed given her no hints when he threw her in.

“But, but in the Flame Domain, aside from natives, it’s been hundreds of thousands of years since any Qi Refining disciple from the Ten Directions entered. Just how much do your elders hate you?” Bai Ze was stunned that things were as he had guessed, gaping in disbelief.

“Who knows? Maybe that old man just can’t stand me and wanted to make trouble for me. It’s not the first time he’s pulled something like this, and he never holds back,” Ji Mo said with a pout. Her opinion of Ao Feng, that wretched divine beast, was at an all-time low—she called him “old man” at every turn, with no sign of respect.

“Ahem, I imagine your elder just wants you to toughen up. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given you such a powerful protective robe,” Bai Ze coughed, not daring to criticize someone else’s teacher in front of Ji Mo, instead offering a few words of comfort. As for her lack of respect, he couldn’t blame her—if his own elders had treated him like this, he would have cursed even more harshly!

As if! That wretched Ao Feng—she’d once praised his temper, but who’d have guessed he was so black-hearted? Last time in Moon City, she’d barely survived his schemes. Now, the Flame Domain seemed even more troublesome than Moon City. Ji Mo had no intention of accepting Bai Ze’s consolation.

“Come, come, since our acquaintance began with a fight, it’s fate that we meet here. Allow me to introduce myself—my name is Bai Ze. And you, young lady?”

“Ji Mo.” Ji Mo was not ungrateful by nature. She had intended to leave because Geng Xiao was impossible to deal with, but now, seeing Bai Ze’s interest, she was glad to glean information about the Flame Domain from him—she would need it to plan how to complete her task.

“Your surname is Ji?” The ice-cold Geng Xiao’s eyes suddenly flashed with a strange light as he looked at her.

“What, do you know someone surnamed Ji?” Bai Ze interjected before Ji Mo could answer, his curiosity piqued.

“Not exactly. When I first arrived, I encountered a Foundation Condensation cultivator from the Mu Chen Cultivation Realm. We fought, and I nearly died at his hands. Later, I learned he was a disciple of the royal Ji clan of Mu Chen. So, you’re surnamed Ji as well?” Geng Xiao’s gaze was icy as it bore into Ji Mo.

(To be continued...)