Outside the Lei Feng Realm, there were many, many universes. Previously, Wan Lei had the good fortune to witness them firsthand, those densely packed cosmic planes.
Both Gouzi and Xian Zun had mentioned that in the endless universe, the closest to the Lei Feng Realm was a high-level plane called the Wan Huo Plane.
As the name suggested, the Wan Huo Plane was a plane primarily composed of fire elements, but this universe's cosmic standing was countless times higher than that of the Great Jin World.
If nothing else, the Wan Huo Forbidden Zone at the center of the universe was something no ordinary universe could possess.
The Wan Huo Forbidden Zone was the true core of the Wan Huo Plane. Although called a forbidden zone, it was tens of star systems in size, far exceeding the Lei Xing Sea of the Lei Feng Realm.
The Wan Huo Forbidden Zone was heavily guarded by the Four Great Empires. One reason was to protect the Wan Huo Origin within, and the other was to monopolize it. Ordinary cultivators who wished to cultivate in the forbidden zone had to pay a fee.
Star Luo Empire, Wu Yan Empire, Nan Xi Empire, and Bei Dou Empire.
These were the four great empires ruling the Wan Huo Plane.
Today, the four emperors were gathered at the very core of the Wan Huo Forbidden Zone.
"Fifty thousand years have passed, and the origin of the Wan Huo Forbidden Zone has finally been restored."
The Wu Yan Emperor smiled as he looked at a ball of fire exuding boundless mystery before him, his tone filled with unconcealable relief.
"Indeed. Ever since our Wan Huo Origin was plundered by that madwoman fifty thousand years ago, the cultivation of us four has not advanced an inch. Now that the Wan Huo Origin is finally restored, we four can finally cultivate properly and strive to reach new heights."
The Star Luo Emperor also smiled.
"Madwoman? You dare call Huo Xian Zun that, aren't you afraid she'll come and swat you away? Don't forget, Huo Xian Zun is the embodiment of all fire elemental energy in the world; all fire elements are her will. Perhaps she's in one of the flames beside us right now, listening to you speak."
The Nan Xi Emperor, though saying this, did not appear particularly nervous.
"Oh, come on. Do Xian Zuns have that much free time to hide next to you and eavesdrop on your conversations every day? Get real.
Besides, Huo Xian Zun is known for her bad temper, but the Xian Zuns are generally broad-minded. How could they come and kill us just because we're gossiping about them behind their backs? Do you think Xian Zuns have a petty mind like yours?"
The Star Luo Emperor's expression was somewhat displeased. Every time the four emperors gathered, Qing Xing Luo was the target of mockery and amusement for the other three.
The four empires used to fight each other. After the incident fifty thousand years ago, they stopped fighting and instead united against the demon race. They could only bicker among themselves for amusement.
"Huo Xian Zun won't punish you for this, but what if Shui Xian Zun finds out you called his wife a madwoman behind her back? Won't he come and split you in half with a palm strike?"
The Bei Dou Emperor pointed at the Star Luo Emperor's nose and roared with laughter.
There was a reason why the Star Luo Emperor was ridiculed.
Fifty thousand years ago, the four emperors were also happily absorbing the Wan Huo Origin to cultivate in this very place.
Suddenly, six individuals from who knew where appeared. They first kidnapped the Star Luo Emperor's son, then a group of generals. Later, with a mere cultivation of the Limitless Realm, they pinned down the Star Luo Emperor, a Golden Immortal realm expert, and then beat up the other three Golden Immortal realm emperors—Wu Yan, Nan Xi, and Bei Dou—one by one. They even forced the four of them to fight each other.
In the end, the Four Great Emperors bowed their heads in defeat, as they were truly no match. After paying an enormous amount of spirit stones and treasures as ransom, they managed to buy back their lives.
Then, the most beautiful woman in this notorious criminal gang, which specialized in kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and brawling, absorbed all the Wan Huo Origin they had painstakingly accumulated over countless millennia, which they themselves only used sparingly.
It was as if they had scraped the ground bare.
Later, after more than a thousand years passed, five of those kidnappers became Xian Zuns, and one became a Ghost Emperor. They no longer harbored any resentment. Instead, they fully cooperated, sending troops and resources to fight against the demon race.
However, because the Star Luo Emperor had suffered the most abuse back then, he was always the target of group mockery during the gatherings of the four emperors.
"Hmph, after they absorbed our Wan Huo Origin, Huo Xian Zun became a Xian Zun herself with inexhaustible energy, yet she didn't help us restore our Wan Huo Origin and made us wait for fifty thousand years.
Although we've fought against the demon race all these years and made considerable contributions, receiving many rewards, that's one thing, and this is another. They took our things back then, and they should return them."
Whenever that incident was brought up, the Star Luo Emperor was full of complaints.
The Wu Yan Emperor smiled and was about to mock Xing Luo further when the Wan Huo Origin before them suddenly began to vibrate violently.
"What's happening?"
"Someone is channeling our Wan Huo Origin."
"It's from one of our plane's affiliated small worlds, the Sacred Fire Continent."
Upon hearing this, the Star Luo Emperor coldly snorted,
"Hmph, that insignificant small world dares to covet our Wan Huo Origin? Death wish!"
What a joke! We waited for fifty thousand years, and you expect to snatch it?
"Wait a moment."
The Nan Xi Emperor stopped the enraged Star Luo Emperor and gazed through the void.
"Huo Xian Zun is also below, watching the person channeling the Wan Huo Origin."
"It's… it's her again?"
The Star Luo Emperor's imposing aura immediately deflated.
At the same time, he felt a touch of grievance.
"Great one, stop hogging the resources from just our Wan Huo Plane."
"Xing Luo, the madwoman you mentioned is here. Go and scold her."
"Xing Luo, weren't you indignant just now? Go and demand repayment."
"Xing Luo, aren't you feeling wronged? Don't you want revenge for being beaten back then? Xian Zun has rarely appeared, why aren't you making a move?"
"..." The Star Luo Emperor.
"Xing Luo, what are you doing?"
"Ah? I'm channeling the Wan Huo Origin to the lower realm. Look at that young man, he's channeling it with great difficulty. I'll help him. We should help and mentor young people more; perhaps they'll become mighty figures in the future."
"Damn it, you beat me to it!"
"The Wan Huo Origin belongs to all of us, not just you, Qing Xing Luo. You're using everyone's resources to curry favor without bringing us along!"
At this moment, no one cared about the Wan Huo Origin that had only been restored after fifty thousand years. They all poured their efforts downwards, fearing that their slow actions might displease the Xian Zun.
Han Xiaoyu's captivating eyes glanced upwards, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of her eyes.
As the embodiment of all fire elements, how could she not feel the speed of the Wan Huo Origin being channeled increasing?
Watching the Wan Huo Origin madly enter the fire dragon formed by Zi Mo Hong Chen, Han Xiaoyu asked without turning her head,
"How are they?"