Without the great sea monster's harassment, Jiang Chen and his group soon arrived at the outer perimeter of the Cibi Hellfire Island. The reefs surrounding the island were all crimson, as though they too were ablaze. Across the entire island, a sea of flames stretched as far as the eye could see.
What was most remarkable was that plants actually grew on this island — and their coverage was far from sparse.
Jiang Chen knew that any plant capable of surviving on Cibi Hellfire Island had to be fire-attributed. Relying on the pure fire-attribute ley lines here, they actually thrived more vigorously than they would elsewhere.
"Brother Long, you patrol the outer waters. The interior of Cibi Hellfire Island is like a furnace. Stay in the surrounding seas and keep watch in case that great monster returns to cause trouble. How does that sound?"
Dragon Xiaoxuan considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. That beast probably wouldn't dare come back anyway."
Jiang Chen agreed. The deep-sea creatures may not have been particularly intelligent, but the fear of death was an instinct shared by all living things.
"Senior Vermilion Bird, I'll patrol the skies above the perimeter and eliminate any external disturbances. As for whatever happens within the island itself — that will be up to you to handle."
"Very well. Chen Shao, Xiao Xuan — I appreciate your efforts this time. If I successfully complete my nirvana, I will owe you both an enormous debt of gratitude!"
After the Vermilion Bird solemnly made its promise, it transformed into a streak of fire-colored light and plunged straight into the heart of Cibi Hellfire Island. The sight was like someone tossing a ball of flame into an even greater inferno.
With Jiang Chen and Dragon Xiaoxuan standing guard around the perimeter, there was absolutely no possibility of any problems from outside.
As for the Taissu White Tiger, it had not yet broken through to the Celestial rank, and it lacked the kind of protection that Jiang Chen's Ice Fire Demon Lotus could provide for one's true body. In the vicinity of Cibi Hellfire Island, it simply could not venture out.
So Jiang Chen did not summon it.
Time slipped by, day after day.
While keeping watch each day, Jiang Chen never neglected his own cultivation. Taking advantage of the unique terrain of the surrounding sea, he honed himself daily.
One day, as Jiang Chen battled amid the endless crashing waves, martial inspiration surged through him once more. Another breakthrough arrived, and he successfully stepped into the High-tier Emperor realm.
He had long felt that the final step into High-tier Emperor realm was close at hand. In this vast ocean, immersed in the endless majesty of the sea and the overwhelming power of heaven and earth, he achieved his breakthrough without any fanfare.
After the breakthrough, Jiang Chen could clearly feel that his strength had increased considerably.
Within the Emperor realm, each tier of advancement brought changes that were far more obvious and far more direct.
"High-tier Emperor realm, Peak-tier Emperor realm, Apex Emperor realm…"
Jiang Chen silently resolved that his next goal was to advance to the Peak-tier Emperor realm as quickly as possible, then leverage the power of the Di Ling Pill to charge toward the Apex Emperor realm.
Once he reached the Apex Emperor realm, the path to the Celestial rank would no longer be far away.
As for Dragon Xiaoxuan, it had found an inexplicable sense of belonging in these waters — like a king returning to his throne.
Having only just broken through to the Celestial rank, it was greeted by yet another martial epiphany. The awakening of its inherited memories pushed its cultivation forward yet another level.
"Chen Shao, coming to the Myriad Abyss Island was the right choice." These words from Dragon Xiaoxuan came straight from the heart.
For a true dragon, nothing could compare to the ocean in making one feel at home. The dragon returning to the sea — there was no greater sense of belonging.
"Brother Long, since that's the case, make the most of this time to consolidate and elevate your cultivation. If you're willing, I can leave you here in these waters. Just be cautious."
"I'll think about it."
Even though Dragon Xiaoxuan was quite proud, the thought of truly parting ways with Jiang Chen left him unwilling at heart. From the moment he had first met Jiang Chen, he had found a deep attachment to him. Deep down, he relied on Jiang Chen far more than he would ever admit.
Though his inherited memories were continuously awakening and he was growing more mature with each passing day, Jiang Chen was like a childhood friend — the kind of companion you grew up playing with, always the most familiar and warm.
He had never had the experience of standing on his own, so the idea of leaving Jiang Chen behind was something Dragon Xiaoxuan, deep in his heart, simply could not accept.
"Brother Long, since ancient times the ocean has been the home of the dragon race. You and I are partners, brothers, and comrades-in-arms. There's no reason for you to change what you want on my account. If you wish to stay here, I will support you completely."
These were Jiang Chen's honest feelings as well.
He had always nurtured Dragon Xiaoxuan with the goal of leveraging the strength of the true dragon race. But leaving Dragon Xiaoxuan in the ocean would also serve as genuine training for him — and for his future, it was unquestionably beneficial.
…
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
On this particular day, as Jiang Chen patrolled through the void, he suddenly sensed a massive fluctuation from the volcanoes and fire-attribute elemental energy of Cibi Hellfire Island.
Just as he was wondering what was happening, a violent tremor rocked the island, and in the next instant, an enormous fire pit burst into existence at its center with a thunderous roar.
Then the dharma body of the Vermilion Bird soared into the sky like a billowing column of flame, its radiance blinding, its crimson glow so intense it seared the eyes.