C20 Scarlet Flame Lion

The following day, Ye Lan dragged himself out of bed with a long yawn.

On the previous night, he had been called into the study room to talk with his father until three in the morning.

As for what they were talking about...

Ye Zhenqun was asking Ye Lan about his sudden surge in strength. He wanted to know just how on earth Ye Lan's cultivation soared to the peak of the seventh stage of the Body Tempering Realm in such a short time. Furthermore, he was curious about whether Ye Lan really knew how to refine pills or not.

Answering his questions, Ye Lan made up a whole story and feigned stupidity.

After all, his situation was far too troublesome to explain. He couldn't possibly tell his father about his reincarnation either, right?

"The weather isn't half-bad, certainly a good day to enter Sky Peak Valley."

After taking a refreshing shower, Ye Lan raised his head and stared into the bright blue sky as the corner of Ye Lan's mouth lifted into a smile.

With that, he left the Ye Family and headed straight towards the Sky Peak Valley without taking any detours.

Sky Peak Valley.

A valley infamous for its dangers in the outskirts of Lucid Aqua Town.

Occupying a vast area of land, the valley was filled with countless generations of trees and greenery, overgrown with spiritual herbs. As such, it existed as a precious land that attracted the attention of many large families and other influential groups in Lucid Aqua Town.

Both opportunities and dangers coexisted within this Sky Peak Valley. If one took a wrong or careless step, they would end up facing death's door in the next instant.

Some things to look out for include the man-eating plants and various species of Demonic Beast in the mysterious glades.

Similar to humans, the Demonic Beasts in the Martial God Continent were also blessed with the knowledge of cultivation. As such, they possessed strength on par with human cultivators.

In the continent, these Demonic Beasts are also separated into nine different ranks: the Wild Beast, Spirit Beast, Dark Beast, Mortal Beast, Heavenly Beast, King Beast, Emperor Beast, Immortal Beast, and Divine Beast. Each rank corresponding to the realms of the human cultivators.

Similarly, within each of those ranks included nine other levels.

In the midst of Sky Peak Valley, various Demonic Beasts roam the lands freely, including quite a few peak ninth-level Spirit Beasts. On the other hand, many human cultivators from Lucid Aqua Town explore the valley around the year, placing their own lives at risk in search of medicinal herbs.

As many cultivators meet their ends in Sky Peak Valley, the location quickly became known as Death's Valley.

"There's quite a lot of people here!"

As soon as he arrived at the entrance of Sky Peak Valley, Ye Lan was in awe of how many cultivators had come from Lucid Aqua Town, making preparations to enter the valley.

Judging from their clothing, most of those cultivators came from the great families of Lucid Aqua Town. They were most likely sent by their respective families either to gather medicinal herbs or hunt down Demonic Beasts. Perhaps some even came here to capture Demonic Beasts.

"The Qin Family?"

Sweeping his gaze across the bustling crowd, Ye Lan's eyes landed on the group of Qin Family cultivators. They were currently lined up, double-checking the conditions of their weapons and other items in their bags.

It seemed that they were soon about to enter Sky Peak Valley.

Aside from their group, the other cultivators who finished their preparations quickly rushed into the valley, ready to gather medicinal herbs and hunt down Demonic Beasts for their materials.

With that, Ye Lan also took his first step into Sky Peak Valley.

*Roar!*

Upon his entrance, a fierce roar reverberated in the air and echoed through the valley, signaling the start of his dangerous adventure.

The roars were quickly followed by the intimidating presence and aura of the Demonic Beasts.

"The Extreme Flame Land of Sky Peak Valley.... If I recall correctly, it should be located in the southern part of the valley.

Activating Flashing Shadow Steps, Ye Lan's figure vanished into thin air. In a single breath, he jolted up an ancient tree that was over a hundred meters tall and stood at the peak. He then analyzed the area and looked towards the south of Sky Peak Valley.

"Hmm? That is…"

With a sweep of his vision at his altitude, Ye Lan noticed that the group of Qin Family cultivators was also advancing towards the southern part of Sky Peak Valley.

Though they encountered many Demonic Beasts along the way, a few of the experts among them quickly slaughtered their way past those beasts, creating a safe path for the other members.

With a single look at the composition of their expedition, Ye Lan could tell that some of them were around the first or second stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.

On the other hand, the rest of them were mostly at the fifth to seventh stage of the Body Tempering Realm.

"Those bastards from the Qin Family better not have the same goal as me. I swear... if they're also after the Fire Lotus Herb in the Extreme Flame Land...."

Ye Lan squinted his gaze as a cold glint flashed within.

He needed the Fire Lotus Herb in order to refine the Yang Fire Pill to dissipate the dark aura in Yin Shaoge's dantian. So, how could he possibly let the Qin Family get their hand on it first?

With that, he pushed off the tip of his feet and dashed forward while concealing his presence. Quietly following the Qin Family Herb Collecting Team from behind, he first wanted to probe the situation before taking action.

"Mr. Lin, if I may ask, how much longer will it take before we arrive at the Extreme Flame Land?"

Amongst the Qin Family Herb Collecting Team, one of the experts of the Qin Family looked towards a young man around the age of 23 and asked with his utmost respect.

The reason why the expert spoke in such a respectful manner was that the young man in front of him was the disciple of the alchemist of the Qin Family, Lin Yu, albeit only being at the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm.

Since his master was the alchemist of the Qin Family, Lin Yu naturally rose up to a respectable position. Afraid of indirectly offending his master, the other experts had no choice but to listen to his orders.

"We should arrive in an hour."

Lin Yu replied.

The Extreme Flame Land of Sky Peak Valley was a place told to him by his master.

The reason why he led the experts of the Qin Family to such a place was to complete the mission assigned by his master — to harvest the Fire Lotus Herb.

Hearing his words, the experts did not ask any more questions and continued to make way from the other members of the team.

An hour later, they finally arrived at a large ravine.

The ravine stretched countless miles in both directions and looked to be at least a whole kilometer wide.

A scorching steam was continuously emitted from the depths of the ravine.

The rocks on both sides of the ravine were charred black as not a single blade of grass lived within the radius of ten miles. The barren land only raised red flags as no signs of life existed within.

This danger zone was precisly the Extreme Flame Land of Sky Peak Valley.

"Make sure to search the area thoroughly. The Fire Lotus Herb should be somewhere here."

Upon their arrival at the Extreme Flame Land, Lin Yu gave the order decisively.

Immediately, the Herb Collecting Team split up into several groups and started searching through the vicinity of the Extreme Flame Land for the whereabouts of the Fire Lotus Herb.

"As expected, they're here for the Fire Lotus Herb. I must not let them find it first!"

Having remained hidden in the dark all this time, Ye Lan muttered to himself after confirming that the Qin Family really was here for the Fire Lotus Herb.

With a flash of his figure, he too began his search for the Fire Lotus Herb.

After dashing around the place for a long while, Ye Lan caught sight of a stalk of fiery red herb, shaped like a lotus, hanging on the cliff of the large ravine. It emitted brilliant rays as waves of fragrance lingered around the area.

That stalk of herb was the exact Fire Lotus Herb that he was after.

At that instant, he activated Flashing Shadow Steps once again and darted his way down towards the cliff.

"Hmm? It's the Scarlet Flame Lion!"

As soon as he arrived at the location of the Fire Lotus Herb, Ye Lan swept his gaze across the area and noticed a gigantic Demonic Beast in the midst of its slumber next to the Fire Lotus Herb.

The Scarlet Flame Lion's body — three meters long and one meter tall — was enveloped in scarlet flames all around.

"How interesting. To think that a Scarlet Flame Lion is guarding the Fire Lotus Herb."

Ye Lan revealed the slight smile as he understood the Scarlet Flame Lion's intentions for guarding the herb. It was waiting for the Fire Lotus Herb to fully mature before consuming it to raise its cultivation.

Even so, Ye Lan's resolve did not deter whatsoever as he swaggered towards the Fire Lotus Herb, not afraid of waking up the Red Flame Lion that possessed a much higher cultivation level than him.

After all, he already had all sorts of methods at his disposal to suppress that mere lion.

As such, he reached out his hand towards the Fire Lotus herb.

*Roar!*

But before he could harvest the Fire Lotus Herb, the Scarlet Flame Lion suddenly woke up from its deep slumber.

With a fierce roar, the lion glared menacingly at Ye Lan with his pair of vicious eyes.

"You should have continued sleeping obediently!"

Ye Lan gazed back at the Scarlet Flame Lion with a playful smile.

At that moment, he activated his Eye of Crimson.

As his eyes turned blood-red, it suddenly emitted a strange, charm-like aura.

Upon meeting Ye Lan's blood-red eyes, the Scarlet Flame Lion's ferocity quickly dissipated. Its vicious eyes soon turned empty, as if its soul had been sucked out of its body.

"Sit down!"

Ye Lan exclaimed.

Upon his commands, the Scarlet Flame Lion immediately sat down obediently like a dog.

Not only could Ye Lan's Eye of Crimson allow him to see through his enemy's movements, but it also allowed him to control Demonic Beasts.

Of course, this ability had its limits as it could not control human cultivators.

Furthermore, it only worked on the Demonic Beasts no more than five stages above his current cultivation level.

Once the Demonic Beast's stregth surpassed his cultivation by five stages, even he would not be able to control it using his Eye of Crimson.

With the help of his Eye of Crimson, Ye Lan could control the Scarlet Flame Lion with ease.

Just as he was about to take his leave, numerous figures suddenly descended onto the cliff and surrounded Ye Lan. It was precisely the Qin Family Herb Collecting Team led by Lin Yu.

Having heard the previous loud commotion in the vicinity, they quickly dashed towards the source of the noise. Upon their arrival, Ye Lan had just coincidentally plucked out the Fire Lotus Herb.

"Hand over the Fire Lotus Herb now, or you will suffer a graveless death!"

Lin Yu glared at Ye Lan and threatened with a cold expression.