I cultivate the Chaos Technique

The fireballs in the sky grew increasingly violent as Zhang Yifan and the disciples of the Lingyun Sword Sect fought their way through, flying towards the distant stone tower. However, the scorching heavenly fire seemed to possess a mind of its own, relentlessly raining down from the sky, relentlessly pursuing their every step. The temperature of the flames was suffocatingly high, and the surrounding air was almost distorted by the burning heat.

"We can't shake off the Heavenly Fire at all!" Zhang Yifan frowned, his figure flashing rapidly. As the flames drew closer and closer, a sense of despair began to rise in his heart.

"Hang in there, we're almost at the stone tower!" Ling Yunfeng urged, and the group quickened their pace, now less than a hundred meters from the mysterious stone tower. However, the closer they got to the tower, the stronger the heavenly fire became, like a ferocious beast determined to break through.

Under the scorching heat, Zhang Yifan felt his spiritual energy rapidly depleting, and he experienced an unprecedented weakness. The air was as hot as knives, and with each breath, it felt as if his lungs were being burned. His sweat had long since evaporated, and his body grew heavier and heavier.

"The spiritual energy here simply can't replenish itself!" Lin Qingzhu's face was pale, her voice trembling slightly. She had never fought in such an environment before, and her body was nearing its limit. The other disciples were also deathly pale, panting heavily, and drenched in sweat. The intense heat was scorching not only their bodies but also their willpower.

"These heavenly fire attacks are too powerful; we simply can't withstand them!" Zhang Yifan gasped for breath as he quickly retreated, trying to avoid contact with the flames.

"It seems this is the trial of this level—the descent of heavenly fire." Ling Yunfeng's gaze turned solemn as he quickly analyzed, "Heavenly fire not only possesses immense destructive power, but it will also scorch our spiritual energy and soul. We must find a way to survive under the attack of heavenly fire."

"How do we find a way to survive?" Lin Qingzhu asked nervously, her face already covered in sweat.

“Look at that stone tower ahead,” Ling Yunfeng said in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on a tall tower in the distance. “That stone tower might be the key; we must get there as soon as possible.”

Following his gaze, everyone saw, indeed, a stone tower vaguely visible amidst the raging flames. The flames around the tower seemed repelled by some mysterious force. Although the details of the tower were obscured, the serene power emanating from it offered a glimmer of hope.

"Hurry!" Ling Yunfeng ordered, leading the group to fly towards the stone tower. However, before they could get close, several more flames fell from the sky, each flame seemingly sentient, relentlessly pursuing their figures.

"These flames are tracking us!" Zhang Yifan exclaimed. As the flames drew closer, his heart tightened, and he quickly activated his spiritual power, pushing his speed to the limit.

Ling Yunfeng's gaze remained calm, and his movements were extremely skillful, allowing him to remain at ease even as the flames pursued him: "Everyone, be careful, maintain formation, and don't get separated by the flames!"

The group followed closely behind Ling Yunfeng, trying their best to avoid the flames. However, the flames were moving faster and faster, and their intense heat was almost touching everyone's back.

Zhang Hai and Hu Bing were a bit slower, gradually falling to the back of the group. Their spiritual energy was severely depleted, and their speed could no longer match that of the others. Zhang Hai was panting heavily, the veins on his forehead bulging, clearly having reached his limit.

"Senior Brother Hai, we...we can't hold on any longer!" Hu Bing's voice trembled with fear, his breathing was rapid, and his legs were almost numb.

"I can't stop! Just a little longer!" Zhang Hai gritted his teeth, desperately channeling his spiritual energy to force himself to keep going. However, he knew that he had very little spiritual energy left, and every step became incredibly heavy.

"They can't hold on much longer!" Lin Qingzhu turned around, her eyes filled with anxiety. "Senior brother, we have to help them!"

"No!" Ling Yunfeng refused resolutely, his voice cold and stern. "Anyone who stops could die. Saving them is tantamount to suicide!" A hint of pain flashed in his eyes, but he knew that in this extreme environment, any lapse in concentration would be fatal.

No sooner had he finished speaking than an even more intense burst of flames erupted from the sky, as if the entire sky were ablaze. Countless flames rained down from the sky like meteors, catching Zhang Hai and Hu Bing off guard and striking them directly with two scorching flames.

"what--!"

Zhang Hai let out a painful scream as his entire body was engulfed in flames. His protective spiritual power collapsed instantly under the impact of the flames, and the raging fire directly burned his skin, producing a piercing crackling sound.

"Zhang Hai!" Lin Qingzhu cried out in alarm, rushing to his aid, but the oppressive force of the heavenly fire was too strong, preventing her from getting close. The scorching heat wave hit her face, burning her cheeks.

Zhang Yifan turned his head and saw Zhang Hai lying on the ground, writhing in pain. His spiritual power was exhausted, and he could no longer resist the onslaught of the heavenly fire. His arms were as black as burning charcoal, and his whole body was engulfed in flames. The sight of him in such agony caused Zhang Yifan excruciating pain.

"Senior brother, save me—!" Hu Bing's voice was filled with despair as he struggled to escape the sea of ​​fire, but each movement brought more pain. His body was cracked from the burns, and his eyes were filled with the desire to survive, but he no longer had the strength to run away.

Seeing this, Ling Yunfeng's face showed a pained expression. He gripped his longsword tightly, his eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow: "Zhang Hai, Hu Bing... we... can't save you..."

The power of the heavenly fire was simply too great; anyone who approached was instantly incinerated. Zhang Hai and Hu Bing's life force rapidly dissipated in the flames. Zhang Hai's final struggles gradually ceased, and Hu Bing's cries for help were swallowed by the intense fire. In the end, the two turned into ashes in the sea of ​​fire, disappearing without a trace.

"Let's go!" Ling Yunfeng gritted his teeth, suppressing his grief, and led the remaining disciples to continue their charge towards the stone tower. He knew that if they delayed even a moment longer, they would all follow in the footsteps of Zhang Hai and Hu Bing. Each person's steps grew heavier, but at this moment, no one dared to stop.

Zhang Yifan felt a heavy weight in his heart as he gazed at his two fellow disciples engulfed in the heavenly fire, his soul filled with endless pain and self-reproach. He understood that this was no one's fault; it was merely the Heavenly Annihilation Tower's merciless test. But he also knew that only by surviving could they fulfill their mission.

"Quick! The stone tower is right in front of us!" Ling Yunfeng's voice carried a hint of urgency, as if he was grasping at this sliver of hope.

Finally, the group reached the foot of the stone tower, where its light enveloped them, momentarily halting the heavenly fire's attack. However, the lives lost could never be recovered.

Zhang Yifan stood beneath the stone tower, his eyes vacant as he stared at the sky, his heart feeling utterly empty. He knew this loss wouldn't be the last; the Heavenly Tower would relentlessly pursue them until they were all utterly defeated.

"The Heavenly Fire Trial is over."

When that deep voice rang out, Zhang Yifan and the others felt no joy whatsoever. In this trial, they had not only lost two fellow disciples, but had also deeply felt the cruelty of the Heavenly Annihilation Tower. The light from the stone tower was faint and cold, as if silently watching their helplessness and sorrow.

"Does every challenge come at the cost of one's life...?" Lin Qingzhu murmured softly, tears welling in her eyes. Her voice was soft, but every word pierced the hearts of everyone present like needles.

Zhang Yifan took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions. He stepped forward and gently patted Lin Qingzhu's shoulder: "Don't be afraid, we will definitely pass all the trials."

However, even he himself couldn't be sure how much of that statement was true.

As the portal to the sixth level appeared, Zhang Yifan took one last look at the spot where Zhang Hai and Hu Bing had disappeared, his sorrow and anger buried deep within him. He knew that the trials to come would only become more difficult, and they had to keep going.

"Don't let your guard down, the trials ahead will be even more difficult," Ling Yunfeng said in a deep voice, leading everyone into the teleportation portal. His figure looked somewhat tired, but he remained upright, as if no storm could bring him down.