Chapter 7: Harboring Resentment
No one except Fang Zhiyi had anticipated the scene unfolding before them.
Fang Zhiyi was no saint; her secret leak of the heavenly secrets to the War God Hall was solely because that place held a uniquely special significance for her.
The world of cultivation was inherently ruthless—a relentless struggle for survival where friends could become foes in an instant. For resources, even blood relatives might fight to the death; for opportunities, patricide and betrayal of one’s master were commonplace and rarely condemned. It seemed that only strength granted pardon for any deed.
Fang Zhiyi held no interest in the life or death of others. She watched the chaos with cold detachment, offering no intervention.
Even the Nascent Soul cultivator who had sealed the volcano did not expect the mountain to erupt so suddenly, let alone the others.
As he struggled to break free from the boiling lava, a fire beast deep within the volcano lunged at him.
It was not the lead fire beast that attacked, and none took it seriously.
After all, a Nascent Soul cultivator was already considered powerful in the cultivation world. Yet in the blink of an eye, they realized how gravely mistaken they were.
The fire beast swiped its claws at the cultivator’s face. Having just endured the volcanic eruption, the cultivator was prepared. He seized his magical weapon and engaged the beast in fierce combat, exchanging blows in a brutal back-and-forth.
Meanwhile, the situation at each volcanic crater was dire. Despite the Nascent Soul cultivator’s sealing efforts, the volcano still erupted. Fearful of a recurrence, none dared to leave.
Most underestimated the fire beasts, confident in the cultivator’s victory. But soon, their misconception was laid bare.
After a fierce battle, the Nascent Soul cultivator fell to the fire beast.
Recognizing his defeat, he fled without hesitation when the beast tossed him aside.
Fortunately, the fire beast did not pursue him but instead turned toward other sealed volcanic craters, intent on destroying their seals.
Feng Luan witnessed all this but, after a moment’s hesitation, chose the same path as Fang Zhiyi.
The fallen Nascent Soul cultivator was not one of the War God Hall; in the cultivation world, blood stains every practitioner’s hands.
They cared little for the deaths of others.
The situation was clearly beyond the control of these Nascent Soul cultivators. Feng Luan understood that their only option was to heed Fang Zhiyi’s advice and leave the Fireburn Kingdom.
This was no place to linger.
The Fireburn Kingdom was a third-tier cultivation nation bordering the Xuanwu Kingdom, also third-tier.
Compared to Fireburn, Xuanwu boasted many more sects, making sect rivalries far more complex.
Relocating to Xuanwu was undoubtedly the best choice for the people of Fireburn.
Feng Luan harbored no secrets; at times like this, only by uniting could the people of Fireburn hope to find a place in Xuanwu.
Though sects often battled among themselves, when facing outsiders, the sects of Xuanwu might unite against a common enemy.
Thus, the more people, the better.
The muddier the waters, the greater the advantage for the War God Hall.
Seeing Feng Luan finally decide, Fang Zhiyi exhaled in relief.
Yet, in this brief span, the situation with the volcano and fire beasts spiraled further out of control.
Though the nationwide evacuation was urgent, fire beasts had already emerged.
They targeted cultivators without discrimination—man or woman, novice or master—seeking only to kill.
Cultivation was arduous, and mortals feared death, a hurdle few could overcome. But fire beasts knew no fear; their purpose was clear, and they embraced any sacrifice.
Ultimately, the Fireburn Kingdom chose twenty thousand cultivators to hold the rear, but before them lay a hundred thousand fire beasts.
Among them was Wang Lin.
This was not due to Fang Zhiyi’s cruelty; by calculation, she knew this was no great calamity for Wang Lin—his fate would not end in the hands of these beasts.
For Wang Lin, facing such formidable foes was an opportunity to enhance his strength.
Standing atop the carriage, Fang Zhiyi glanced back to see the rear guard cultivators encircled by a sea of fire beasts.
She had witnessed the earlier scene: even Nascent Soul cultivators were no match for these beasts, driven to retreat in disorder. The young cultivators now holding the rear were even more vulnerable.
The gravity of the crisis was clear to the four great sects of the Fireburn Kingdom.
Most of those assigned to the rear were young cultivators, lacking powerful backing, driven only by a pure desire for strength.
Such innocence, yet they were being sent to their deaths—an almost tragic irony.
But this was beyond Fang Zhiyi’s influence.
Feng Luan sensed her thoughts. With a heavy sigh, she approached Fang Zhiyi and said, “Zhiyi, don’t mind what others say. This matter is not yours. The lives of those people have nothing to do with us.”
Indeed, as the sole Grandmaster of the Deity Transformation Realm in a third-tier cultivation nation, Fang Zhiyi was revered by all as a living deity.
Upon learning of the fire beasts’ terror, some came to the War God Hall, hoping Fang Zhiyi would intervene.
Their reasoning was simple: if a Grandmaster of Deity Transformation stepped forth, victory would be assured without a fight. Yet...
People were always like this—when their interests were threatened, they sought ways to slander others.
In their eyes, the erupting volcano and the looming fire beasts seemed insignificant compared to the true culprit—the unwillingness of Fang Zhiyi to lend aid.
No surprise, Fang Zhiyi became the target of widespread resentment.
Once exalted to great heights, her fall was equally devastating.
Though none dared confront her openly, their hidden grudges were easy to read.
Fang Zhiyi sighed deeply and said, “In this world, some forsake all means to achieve their ends, while others risk their lives for others. Both deserve our respect.”
As she spoke, a young girl, barely past Foundation Establishment stage, charged at the fire beasts with reckless abandon, showing no hesitation.