Btth heavenly flame system

Chapter 3: The Inferno Abyss

The Forbidden Mountain Range loomed before Xiao Yan, its jagged peaks now fully bathed in the dim light of the rising moon. The eerie howls of nocturnal creatures echoed through the vast expanse, but Xiao Yan remained undeterred. His heart still pounded from the battle with the desert wolves, yet the fire within him—the fragment of the Heavenly Flame—had awakened a new sense of purpose.

The system's words reverberated in his mind.

"Ding! Trial location confirmed. Proceed to the Inferno Abyss for the second trial. Caution: the environment is extremely hostile. The deeper you go, the more intense the flames will become."

Xiao Yan nodded resolutely, his eyes scanning the area ahead. He was at the base of the mountains now, and the entrance to the Inferno Abyss was hidden somewhere within. He didn't know exactly where it was, but he could feel the pull of the Heavenly Flame, faint yet unmistakable, guiding him forward. The trial ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet comprehend, but there was no turning back now.

The ground beneath him grew uneven as he ascended a narrow pass. Each step brought him closer to the heart of the Forbidden Mountain Range, and the heat in the air grew more oppressive. Soon, the scent of sulfur and burning rock filled his nostrils, and Xiao Yan realized the very earth was infused with intense fire energy. This was only a preview of what lay ahead.

As the moon continued its journey across the sky, Xiao Yan found the entrance to the Inferno Abyss—a massive chasm carved into the mountainside, with molten lava bubbling at its edges. A river of fire flowed through the abyss, and from deep within, an infernal light radiated, casting a fiery glow over everything.

"Warning: The Inferno Abyss is a trial of endurance. To succeed, you must brave the flames and survive the harshest of conditions. Time limit: 72 hours."

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of heat radiating from the chasm. It was as if the very air was alive, alive with the power of a thousand burning suns. His previous battle had only been a taste of what he would face here. The system hadn't exaggerated the danger—it was real. This place could easily claim the lives of even the strongest cultivators.

But Xiao Yan wasn't afraid.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, descending into the Inferno Abyss.

The descent into the abyss was unlike anything Xiao Yan had ever experienced. The temperature continued to rise, sweat dripping down his brow as he pushed on. The very air seemed to burn, searing his lungs with each breath. His skin tingled, and despite the faint power of the Heavenly Flame circulating within him, he could feel his strength being tested at every step.

As he ventured deeper, the walls of the chasm seemed to close in on him. Fire licked at the rocks, and molten rivers slithered along the edges of the narrow path. The heat was unbearable, yet it was a constant reminder of what he had come to do.

Suddenly, a loud, guttural roar echoed through the cavern, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. Xiao Yan's heart quickened, his body instinctively tensing. From the shadows emerged a massive creature—an enormous fire golem, its body made entirely of molten rock and lava, with glowing cracks where its fiery core pulsed. The golem's eyes glowed like twin suns as it lumbered toward Xiao Yan, its immense form shaking the ground beneath his feet.

The system's voice rang in his mind.

"Warning: Inferno Golem, Level 35. A guardian of the Inferno Abyss. Defeat it to proceed."

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as the golem raised one massive, lava-encrusted fist, ready to strike. Level 35? It was far beyond his current abilities, but he had no choice. He had to find a way to defeat it if he wanted to survive this trial.

Without hesitation, Xiao Yan sprinted forward, his body moving with surprising agility despite the intense heat. The Inferno Golem swung its fiery fist toward him, but Xiao Yan ducked under the attack, rolling to the side just in time. The ground where the fist had struck shattered, sending a shockwave through the cavern that nearly knocked him off his feet.

Xiao Yan's heart raced as he quickly assessed the situation. The golem's attacks were slow but incredibly powerful, and its body was a moving furnace. He couldn't afford to get hit, but he also couldn't keep dodging forever. He needed to find a weakness.

Think, Xiao Yan. Think.

Then it came to him—the cracks in the golem's body. They were its weakest points, where the molten rock seemed less stable. If he could target those spots, he might have a chance.

Summoning every ounce of energy he had left, Xiao Yan focused on the faint remnants of Dou Qi still locked within his body. He didn't have access to his full power, but he was determined to make it work. His hands began to glow faintly as he tapped into the Heavenly Flame fragment within him.

"Heavenly Flame Surge!"

The flame in his palm flickered to life once more, but this time, it was different. The fire wasn't just a protective barrier—it was a force of destruction, searing with energy. Xiao Yan surged forward, his speed increased by the energy he had unleashed. He aimed directly at the golem's left shoulder, where a deep crack pulsed with light.

With a fierce roar, Xiao Yan thrust his palm into the crack. The flame in his hand exploded outward, igniting the molten core inside the golem's body. The creature howled in pain as the flames spread, consuming it from the inside out. Its body began to disintegrate, the molten rock turning to ash as the fiery essence that had powered it was destroyed.

In a final, blinding eruption, the golem collapsed into a heap of charred rubble, leaving behind only smoldering remains.

"Ding! Inferno Golem defeated. Trial progress: 30%."

Xiao Yan staggered back, his body drenched in sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The fire from the battle had drained him more than he had anticipated, but he had succeeded. He had defeated the Inferno Golem and taken another step closer to unlocking the full potential of the Heavenly Flame.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and took a deep, steadying breath. This is only the beginning.

The path ahead was treacherous, but Xiao Yan could feel the power within him growing stronger. The Heavenly Flame was within his reach, and he wouldn't stop until he had it.

With renewed determination, he continued deeper into the Abyss, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

To be continued…