1 The First Divine Flame of the Nine Heavens — Authentic Solar Fire

Flame Mountain resided in the Dagan Empire on the Nanli Continent.

This mountain was located in the southernmost part of this Continent. Legend had it that this mountain was sealed with heavenly fire, so it was therefore extremely hot.

On the mountain, stood the base of one of the Ten Major Sects — the Skyfire Sect.

The Skyfire Sect used to be an extremely glorious force. It had been around for thousands of years and had once produced a Profound Connection-realm expert.

In the Skyfire Sect's Laborer Courtyard, several dozen gray-clothed youths stood in an orderly manner. It was the day of the annual allocation of work in the Laborer Department. Every single youth's face was flushed red, and sweat continuously flowed down as they endured the surrounding blazing heat.

The laborers had already gone through a year of training. Although they still felt uncomfortable, they didn't directly pass out like the majority of the people did last year.

None of them dared to speak, because of the middle-aged man standing in front of them. The man was dressed in yellow robes and had a dignified appearance of over fifty years old.

The yellow robe represented his identity, meaning he was a deacon of the Skyfire Sect's Laborer Department. His surname was Huang, and he was their superior who would be in complete control of their fate.

Known as the "labor disciples", these people had been sold to the Skyfire Sect and were considered the private property of the sect. They did not have the slightest authority, and their job allocation would depend completely on the deacon's mood.

The quality of the job allocation would directly affect the future and fate of every labor disciple here.

If they were allocated to some unpopular places, they would have hard work ahead of them and never have the chance to make a name for themselves.

However, if they were allocated to dangerous places, it would truly be a fatal ending for them.

For example, the labor disciples assigned to the Firesmith Hall had to be responsible for the entire sect's Fire Gathering Spiritual Array.

A labor disciple's cultivation was weak, so it was utterly impossible for them to resist the fire poison that flowed out from the array. They usually didn't survive its corrosion for more than three years.

Therefore, whenever this time came around, the labor disciples made sure to display their "abilities".

Those that had gifts gave gifts.

Those that could beg begged.

There were even some who asked to be adopted as godchildren or sold their bodies to certain inner sect disciples.

All to avoid being assigned to those unpopular and dangerous places.

"Ye Cheng, Library."

"Lin Feng, Alchemy Hall."

…

…

Deacon Huang held the register and read out the names one by one before finally reaching Jiang Chen's name.

"Jiang Chen, Firesmith Hall."

Immediately, gazes showing pity landed on a fair and delicate young man.

This was because he had been assigned to the Firesmith Hall, the most dangerous job in the entire Laborer Courtyard.

However, the youngster's face remained expressionless, as though he had been scared silly.

Everyone thought that he couldn't take the blow, but they didn't know that this handsome young man already had his soul changed.

Jiang Chen was standing at the back. He looked at the youth in gray in front of him blankly. It was taking him a long time to accept the fact that he had transmigrated.

I didn't expect to transmigrate into a young man, let alone a labor disciple!

When other people transmigrated and reincarnated, they were either princes or chosen ones. Otherwise, they were at least powerful eunuchs or martial emperors.

However, in his case, he had been kidnapped and sold to a cultivation sect. Not only had he become a labor disciple without any human rights, he had also been assigned to the most dangerous Firesmith Hall.

The labor disciples assigned to the Firesmith Hall would, at most, live for three years!

When he thought of this, Jiang Chen immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Alright, the allocation is over. When you get a new position, you must be diligent and do things seriously. Anyone who steals or plays tricks will not be let off easily!"

Deacon Huang's tone was indifferent, making people feel a wave of coldness. He swept his gaze around, but no one dared to meet it. Finally, his gaze landed on Jiang Chen who was in the corner.

"Those assigned to the Firesmith Hall, stay behind. The rest of you, go and report first."

Following his order, the youths in the courtyard all went to their new posts to report. Very quickly, only Jiang Chen was left.

The missions in the Firesmith Hall might not be difficult, but the mortality rate was very high. Therefore, they would only send one person each time. They would only send in a new person after the current laborer died.

Deacon Huang took out a porcelain bottle from his chest pocket and poured out a fiery-red pill. "Alright, here is a Fire Avoidance Pill. It can protect you from the erosion of fire poison for a month."

Jiang Chen revealed a doubtful expression and asked, "Deacon Huang, I remember that the sect gave a bottle of Fire Avoidance Pills to the new Fire Engineering Disciple. Why do I only get one pill?"

In order to allow Firesmith Hall's disciples to last longer, the sect would give out an entire bottle of 12 Fire Avoidance Pills, a whole year's worth.

As Firesmith Hall's disciple, without enough Fire Avoidance Pills, it wouldn't be long before the fire poison attacked his heart and killed him!

Now that Deacon Huang had only given him a single pill, Jiang Chen naturally wanted to pursue the matter.

Manager Huang snorted coldly. "One bottle? You think you're worthy? Take a look at yourself. I'm being kind to even give you one. Hmph, if you dare to say another word, you won't even get one!"

Jiang Chen was considered a drudge even amongst the labor disciples. He didn't know how to pull strings or give money. Most importantly, he had even offended inner sect Senior Sister Chen!

Someone had passed the order for Deacon Huang to make Jiang Chen's life miserable.

That was why Deacon Huang dared to confiscate the rest of his Fire Avoidance Pills.

"But the rules of the sect—"

Jiang Chen persisted in arguing, but Deacon Huang waved his sleeves impatiently. A bright yellow flame then shot out and hit Jiang Chen in the chest, sending him flying.

"Ptui! Take it or leave it! You offended Senior Sister Chen, and you still want the Fire Avoidance Pills?! Dream on!"

Deacon Huang did not even look at Jiang Chen — who was now lying on the ground. He flicked the pill in his hand all the way to Jiang Chen's body and left without looking back.

If not for the fact that Deacon Huang was afraid that Jiang Chen would die too quickly and attract attention, he would not have spared even a single pill for him.

"Strength! It's all because I'm too weak! If I had extraordinary talent and strength, they would never dare to treat me like this!"

Jiang Chen endured the searing pain coming from his chest, picked up the Fire Avoidance Pill that was covered in dust, and staggered out of the Laborer Courtyard.

"Oh, isn't that Jiang Chen? Why is he looking like a stray dog?"

"That's right. After all, young masters from big families are different from us. Maybe they like to roll around in the dirt?!"

As soon as he walked out of the courtyard, Jiang Chen heard two ear-piercing voices mocking him.

Jiang Chen looked in the direction of the voices and saw two youths leaning against the wall, gloating and ridiculing him from the entrance of the courtyard.

They were Zhang Long and Li Yuan. Both of them were quite talented and had managed to have good relations with a senior brother from the outer sect. As a result, they acted like tyrants in the Laborer Courtyard.

Jiang Chen had originally come from a large clan and naturally exuded an air of arrogance. He had a few conflicts with these two people, but due to certain reasons, they had not dared to actually mess with Jiang Chen.

However, at this moment, Jiang Chen had been assigned to the Firesmith Hall!

Jiang Chen no longer had anyone to back him up.

Zhang Long shouted, "Stop! Who said you could leave?!"

Then, the two of them blocked Jiang Chen's path.

Jiang Chen's expression darkened. He then said in a low voice, "If you don't want to enter the Law Enforcement Hall, get out of my way!"

Disciples of the same sect, even labor disciples, were forbidden from fighting in private. If caught, they would definitely go to the Law Enforcement Hall. No matter who was right or wrong, both sides would be severely punished.

Jiang Chen's expression was solemn, and his tone was firm, as if he was prepared to make a move at any time. No one doubted that he would do this!

"Hmph! Let's go! What a madman! He deserves to be assigned to the Firesmith Hall!"

Zhang Long and Li Yuan were only trying to humiliate Jiang Chen. They didn't expect him to be so determined to take on a fight.

Jiang Chen was destined to die. Why should they be punished by the Law Enforcement Hall for a person who was destined to die?

"Hmph, how are you supposed to bully when you're so timid?!"

Jiang Chen sneered and then walked towards Firesmith Hall.

The Firesmith Hall was located at the edge of the Myriad Flames Cave. The environment there was horrible, and the scorching heat was even more unbearable. The omnipresent fire poison would also constantly corrode a person's body.

Without the Fire Avoidance Pill, ordinary people simply could not survive there!

Jiang Chen soon arrived at the Firesmith Hall and immediately felt the blistering heat. Threads of scorching fire poison continuously attacked his body.

After only a while, Jiang Chen felt nauseous.

He was about to take out the Fire Avoidance Pill and consume it when a mechanical voice rang in his ears.

[Detected that Host's current location has met the requirements for a sign-in…]

[System activating…]

[System successfully activated.]

[Does Host wish to continue with the sign-in…?]

Jiang Chen was stunned.

System?

Sign in to the system?

In his previous life, Jiang Chen was a Supreme VIP of Qidian and had read countless web novels there. How could he possibly not know what a system was?

The system was essential for transmigrators to make a comeback, counterattack, and show off.

"Sign in here? You can sign in anywhere?"

Jiang Chen thought to himself that if he could sign in anywhere, he would immediately escape down the mountain. This damned labor disciple could then do whatever he wanted.

[You can sign in wherever spiritual essence gathers in the world. The more spiritual essence there is, the better the reward.]

[Note: You are only allowed to sign in once a day.]

[Note: As long as your spiritual essence is not depleted, you are allowed to sign in multiple times.]

[Sidenote: Currently signed in to the bound location — Flame Mountain. Three hundred years remaining.]

Jiang Chen was in a daze as the mechanical voice fell.

He was tied to Flame Mountain!

Jiang Chen's expression was a little unsightly. He had originally planned to find an opportunity to escape from the Skyfire Sect, and then simply hide among the famed mountains and great rivers, and sign in there quietly.

However, the system was now tied to Flame Mountain!

Flame Mountain was huge, and apart from the Skyfire Sect, it was filled with spirit demons and demon beasts everywhere. It was no place for ordinary people!

Besides, how could there be more spiritual essence anywhere else in the entire Flame Mountain other than in the Skyfire Sect?!

"Alright, it looks like I can't leave the Skyfire Sect for the time being."

"System, sign in here!"

Jiang Chen took a deep breath and made his decision on the spot.

[Ding. The first time you sign in, you will receive a critical reward. You are guaranteed to receive a five-star or higher reward.]

[Congratulations, you have signed in successfully at Firesmith Hall and have obtained the seven-star mythical Authentic Solar Fire.]

Boom!

The moment the system's voice rang, Jiang Chen felt a majestic and terrifying power erupt from his body like a scorching sun.

It happened at the exact moment Jiang Chen obtained the Authentic Solar Fire.

Boom!!!

At this moment, above the Skyfire Hall of the Skyfire Sect, a huge golden flame that was like a second sun appeared and hung high in the sky.

Numerous golden flaming dragons revolved around this fire in the sky as golden runes circulated within it. A Three-Legged Golden Crow full of spiritual energy even began to faintly materialize.

Countless fire-attribute spiritual energies scattered down as they emitted golden light.

This golden light spread out and illuminated the entire Skyfire Sect in a manner that made it seem like it contained much of the world's wisdom.