Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 848: Chapter 848: The Red Elder

At the exit of the Mystic Volcano, a hot and desolate scene unfolded before the eyes.

The ground around the volcano’s crater was scorched black, with faint red light glowing from the cracks, as if the earth’s veins were pulsating incessantly.

The air was filled with the smell of sulfur, and the heat waves rushing at one’s face made it difficult to breathe.

In the sky, black volcanic ash mixed with scorching smoke, covering the sky and blotting out the sun, making one feel extremely oppressed.

In this sweltering environment, an old man clad entirely in red sat motionless.

The old man’s skin seemed to be scorched by flames, showing an unnatural red color, with deep and complex wrinkles, as if baptized by countless ages.

His hair was also fiery red, resembling burning flames, gently flowing with the wind.

His beard was equally fiery red, merging with his hair, appearing exceptionally striking.

The old man’s eyes were half-closed, his eyelids trembling slightly, as if communicating with some force within.

His face was engraved with the marks of time, his cheeks sunken, yet exuding an undeniable authority and power.

He wore a simple red long robe, the fabric looking rough but sturdy, seemingly made of a special material to withstand the volcano’s high temperatures.

The old man sat cross-legged, his posture as steady as Mount Tai, as if merging with the surrounding scorching environment.

His palms gently rested on his knees, his fingertips slightly pale, revealing extreme concentration and inner strength.

Despite the unbearable heat of the air around, he seemed completely unaffected, the whole person resembling a silent statue.

His brows furrowed slightly, as if pondering something important.

Though his eyes were half-closed, a sharp gleam occasionally flashed, appearing incredibly bizarre.

His lips tightly shut, his expression stern, further giving an unfathomable feeling.

Around the volcano’s crater, occasional magma splashed out, emitting low rumbling sounds, yet the old man remained motionless, as if in this scorching hell, he was the absolute master.

His figure appeared somewhat blurred in the heat waves, yet incredibly real, giving an indescribable sense of awe.

Not far from the old man, stood a peculiar door.

This door seemed to merge with the surrounding volcanic environment, exuding a powerful flame aura, intimidating all who beheld it.

The door’s material appeared metallic, yet glowed with a scarlet light, as if fiery magma flowed within.

The door frame was engraved with intricate and mysterious flame patterns, appearing to flow slowly, like they were alive, shimmering with a metallic luster.

Each flame pattern was full of strength, interweaving into a magnificent fire painting.

The door’s surface was inlaid with several twinkling red gemstones, which, under the firelight, appeared crystal-clear, as if a flame burned inside.

Each gemstone contained extremely pure power of the Fire Element, inevitably making one feel a scorching impact.

In the center of the door, there was a huge flame mark, shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings to fly, its wings burning with raging fire. This Flame Phoenix was so lifelike, it seemed as if it could fly out from the door at any moment, bringing endless flame power.

Surrounding the mark was a circle of ancient runes, these runes glittered with golden light, emitting mysterious and powerful energy fluctuations.

When approaching this door, one could feel an intense heat wave rushing towards them, as if it was going to burn them to ashes.

The air in front of the door was thick with a strong sulfuric smell, making breathing difficult.

The power of the Fire Element emanating from the door inspired awe, as if this door was forged by the God of Flames himself, to guard this mysterious Volcano Mystic Land.

In addition, on either side of the door were tall flame pillars, these pillars burning with raging fire all over them, the flames dancing on the pillars, emitting a low rumbling sound.

The pillars were also carved with ancient flame runes, echoing the runes on the door, forming an invisible barrier of fire.

Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao escorted Wu Chang, walking along the rugged volcanic path.

As they neared the volcano’s exit, the scene before their eyes made them stop in their tracks.

The first thing that caught their eyes was that peculiar door, its flame patterns shimmering, the red gemstones emitting blazing light, and the central Flame Phoenix vivid and lifelike.

Ye Qingchen paused slightly.

He hadn’t expected the exit to be so luxurious.

Quickly, his gaze fell on the red old man beside the door. The old man’s skin, hair, and beard glowed with an unnatural red, as if his whole being was burning in flames.

Though he sat motionless there, the aura of authority emanating from him was undeniable.

Ye Qingchen’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.

This old man actually had the strength of the Eighth Layer of Martial Emperor Realm!

But, why would this old man appear here?

”Strange, who is this old man? Why is he here?” Ye Qingchen asked in a low voice, a hint of wariness in his tone.

Xue Zhao gently shook his head, calmly saying, ”I don’t know, our goal is to get through this door, everything else is not important for now.”

Xue Zhao’s eyes swiftly scanned every detail of the old man, always feeling that this old man seemed very familiar.

Ye Qingchen nodded, putting aside his doubts, his gaze returning to the peculiar door.

The red old man remained sitting there motionless, his gaze serene, seemingly indifferent to their arrival, making no move to stop them.

Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao merely spared him a glance, then no longer paid any attention. Each was silently speculating about the old man’s identity, but for now, the old man’s identity didn’t seem important.

Wu Chang, pinned between the two of them, despite being captured, also felt the powerful Fire Element power surrounding him, a trace of fear flickering deep in his heart.

Just like that, Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao, with Wu Chang in tow, continued without hesitation towards the entrance of the Volcano Mystic Land.

However, before Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao reached the entrance, the red old man, who had his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open.

His eyes were like two burning flames, sharp and scorching, instantly locking onto Ye Qingchen and his companions.

The old man stood up from the ground with exceptionally agile movements, as if in an instant, he transformed from a serene statue into a living God of Flames.

The old man’s actions were swift and strong, not like those of an elderly person. With a flick of his figure, he unceremoniously blocked in front of Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao, arms crossed over his chest, his whole body exuding a powerful flame aura.

The heat waves in the air seemed to become even more intense instantly, and the surrounding temperature soared with his movements.

”Halt!” The old man’s voice was low and authoritative, carrying an undeniable force, as if it emanated from deep within the flames, vibrating one’s eardrums.