As he sank into the crimson fire, Su Chen felt only a cool sensation, with no trace of burning. Wisps of Energy gradually seeped into his Spirit Body.

But the next moment, the crimson fire vanished. Su Chen’s eyes flew open to find he was already back in his physical body, surrounded by a world of Crimson.

An incomparably scorching heat enveloped him. The crimson fire had followed him here.

In the next instant, the crimson flame completely engulfed him.

This was no ordinary burning. The flame was like a living creature with its own will, brutally forcing its way through his pores, mouth, nose, and even his eyes and ears, burrowing into the deepest parts of his body.

An unimaginable pain erupted from every corner of his body at once, as if molten iron was being forcibly poured into the hollow of his bones.

Every one of his major tendons trembled on the verge of snapping. His organs felt like they had been tossed into a furnace, convulsing in the intense heat.

’What the hell...’ Su Chen’s pupils constricted. He could barely remain standing as his body, now completely beyond his control, descended into a state of frenzied agitation.

At the same time, he could clearly feel something being drawn out from his physical body and his Spirit Body. Initially, these elements were as distinct and mutually repellant as oil and water.

But soon, under the influence of the crimson fire, they were forced to mix and churn, emitting a dull roar like that of a forge.

His muscles spasmed and twitched uncontrollably. The veins beneath his skin bulged, looking as if they might burst at any moment.

Amidst the excruciating pain, his body began to change. His skin gradually became translucent, so clear that his blood vessels and bones were visible through it.

A vibrant vitality erupted from deep within him, and a panel slowly materialized—

[Scholar, Wise Man, Saint, Power User, and Spiritualist fusion successful. The Holy Profession, Purifier, has been born!]

[Acquired Professional Ability - Purity Body: Increases profession development efficiency by 500%.]

[Acquired Professional Ability - Pure Heart: For each special profession undertaken, development efficiency increases by 10%.]

...

"These things... they’re a real handful..."

Outside the mountain, Fan Zhao gritted his teeth, the billowing purple flames around him flickering violently.

He wasn’t afraid of a one-on-one fight, but one-against-three was extremely tricky. These three creatures had excellent coordination, their advances and retreats perfectly timed.

But suddenly, he saw the three Netherworld Creatures before him freeze. They exchanged a look, then transformed into three streaks of light and shot off in different directions.

’They ran?’ he thought, surprised. But he immediately understood and looked off into the distance.

Sure enough, the intense Energy fluctuations in the distance were fading, and a streak of light was rapidly approaching. It was Lan Yunting.

"Master..." Fan Zhao sighed in relief. "Is that creature dead?"

"No." Lan Yunting shook his head. "That creature is not simple. It’s on the verge of a further transformation, and its power is already substantial. I could only force it to retreat."

"A further transformation?" Fan Zhao’s expression shifted. "That would put it at the level of a Deceitful God."

Even a Little Deceitful God was a terrifying prospect.

"I am in your debt this time, Master," Fan Zhao said.

Possessing a Holy Profession versus not were two entirely different things. The gap in strength and status was immense.

"Think nothing of it." Lan Yunting waved a hand. "Is the Divine Blood ready?"

"It’s all prepared," Fan Zhao nodded.

"Let’s inform the others first, and then I will escort you." Lan Yunting’s gaze fell, piercing through the mist to where Qin Tianlin and the others were. His brow furrowed. He had a faint feeling that something was wrong.

The atmosphere was tense. Lan Hao was standing behind Steward Feng, and Qin Tianlin looked furious.

"I’ve said everything I can. The facts are what they are. Senior Brother Tianlin, I’m also heartbroken that Senior Brother Meng is dead. What kind of explanation are you trying to force out of me?"

Lan Hao stood behind Steward Feng, a look of helplessness on his face. Qin Tianlin’s gaze was frigid.

Lan Hao continued, "Surely you don’t think *I* killed Senior Brother Meng, do you?"

There was a sarcastic edge to Lan Hao’s voice. If Meng Shiyu hadn’t dragged him along to ask about Su Chen, he wouldn’t have been targeted by those Black Tuo Followers who had suddenly appeared.

Now, not only had something been done to his body and he’d been turned into a mole, but this Qin Tianlin was also hounding him. He was starting to get angry himself.

"Whether it’s true or not, you know in your heart," Qin Tianlin said, his fury growing as he watched Lan Hao’s defiant posture.

This Lan Hao had never dared to talk back to him before, but now he was being openly sarcastic.

Just as Lan Hao was about to speak, a subtle change flickered in Steward Feng’s eyes.

"What is going on here?"

At some point, Lan Yunting had landed among the group.

Lan Hao felt a wave of relief. Qin Tianlin composed his expression, snorting coldly to himself.

Fan Zhao landed right after him, frowning. "Tianlin, what is all this? Can’t you discuss things calmly?"

His tone was mildly reproachful. After all, Lan Yunting had just done him a great service, and it wouldn’t do for Qin Tianlin to be seen bullying his junior right in front of him.

Qin Tianlin took a deep breath and said in a cold voice, "Master Fan, Junior Brother Meng is dead."

Fan Zhao froze. "Shiyu... is dead!"

"How is that possible?"

The thought seemed absurd, almost laughable. It had only been a short while. How could Meng Shiyu possibly be dead?

"What exactly happened?" Desperate for an answer, his gaze swept across the group and finally landed on Steward Feng.

Steward Feng felt a weight settle on him, and a bone-chilling cold seeped into his Spirit Body.

’What does this have to do with me?’ Steward Feng raged internally, but on the outside, he could only manage a bitter smile as he hurriedly explained:

"Meng Shiyu and Lan Hao went to gather resources and wandered a bit too far. They were attacked by Netherworld Creatures. Meng Shiyu, in a noble act, fought to the death to save Lan Hao."

After his brief explanation, Fan Zhao’s expression darkened. His gaze bypassed Steward Feng and landed squarely on Lan Hao.