Free Web NovelChapter 68: Chapter 68: Burning Grassland
The Burning Grassland was exactly what its name promised.
When Qin Yuheng’s team entered Floor 6, heat struck them like an opening furnace.
The sky was orange-red. The sun hung low and swollen above the horizon, even though the mission had just begun. Endless grass stretched in every direction, but the grass was not green. It was golden, red, and black, with flames flickering along the tips like living embers.
The air shimmered.
Every breath felt dry.
The mission panel appeared.
[Floor 6: Burning Grassland]
[Main Mission]
Cross the Burning Grassland and reach the Stonefire Boundary within 18 hours.
[Side Missions]
1. Collect 10 Flame Grass Seeds.
2. Defeat 20 Burning Grassland beasts.
3. Keep heat exhaustion below dangerous level.
[Warning]
Fire density increases during solar flare periods.
[Current Heat Exhaustion]
Qin Yuheng: 3%
Qin Yuchen: 5%
Qin Lian: 5%
Qin Mo: 7%
Qin Mo stared at his number.
"Why am I highest already?"
Qin Lian said, "You complain with your whole body."
Qin Yuheng distributed enhanced fire-resistance pills.
[B Grade Flame Cooling Pill]
They had evolved from D Grade Fire Resistance Pills purchased earlier. After consumption, a cool layer spread through their bodies.
The heat exhaustion numbers slowed.
Qin Yuheng also gave each person a B Grade Heat Shield Talisman.
"Use if heat rises above forty percent or during solar flare."
Qin Yuchen looked across the grassland.
"No clear path."
Qin Lian crouched and touched the grass carefully.
"Some areas burn hotter. Tracks to the northeast."
Qin Mo activated an Earth Pulse Warning Stone modified with fire-detection powder.
"Ground heat is lower northeast. Higher south."
"Northeast," Qin Yuheng said.
They moved.
The Burning Grassland tested endurance immediately. The flames did not always burn skin directly, but they drained moisture and stamina. The ground cracked underfoot. Hot wind carried sparks. Occasionally, flame bursts erupted from patches of red grass.
After thirty minutes, they found the first Flame Grass Seeds inside a cluster of bright red stalks.
The seeds were small, glowing orange.
[D Grade Flame Grass Seed]
[Effect: Fire attribute material, alchemy ingredient, heat resistance training resource.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
They collected three.
The first beast attack came soon after.
A group of flaming fox-like creatures burst from the grass.
[Ember Fox]
[Level: 15]
[Type: Fire beast]
[Traits: Fast, group harassment, flame bite]
They were fast.
Faster than Blood Moon Wolves but weaker individually.
Qin Lian handled them well, her improved agility allowing her to match their movements. Qin Yuchen predicted their feints. Qin Mo used small earth-metal formations, less effective in fire terrain but still useful. Qin Yuheng used controlled thunder strikes to end fights quickly.
The Ember Foxes dropped Ember Fur and Flame Cores.
The side mission updated.
[Burning Grassland beasts defeated: 6 / 20]
Heat exhaustion rose slowly.
Qin Mo: 13%
He looked personally offended.
At the second hour, the first solar flare occurred.
The swollen sun pulsed.
The entire grassland brightened.
Flames rose from knee height to waist height.
[Warning: Solar Flare Period]
[Fire density increased for 20 minutes.]
Qin Yuheng immediately ordered shelter.
They found a cluster of black stones and used Heat Shield Talismans. Qin Mo placed a temporary cooling formation using Water-Silence Cores and fire-resistant powder.
The combination worked.
Heat exhaustion rose, but not dangerously.
During the flare, however, larger beasts moved.
A heavy shape appeared beyond the flames.
A bull-like creature with burning horns and stone-like skin.
[Flame Horn Bull]
[Level: 17]
[Type: Fire charge beast]
Not the boss, but dangerous.
It charged their shelter.
Qin Yuheng stepped out.
War Thunder Advance.
This was the first time he used the Blood Thunder Emperor Battle Step’s first form in a real floor.
Instead of dodging away, he advanced into pressure.
His body moved forward with heavy stability, thunder reinforcing each step. When the Flame Horn Bull charged, Qin Yuheng shifted slightly and struck its horn base with his sword.
The impact was fierce.
But he did not lose balance.
Qin Yuchen attacked the leg joint. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Qin Lian struck the eye.
Qin Mo activated a ground spike formation beneath its hooves.
The bull crashed down.
Qin Yuheng pierced its flame core.
The battle ended just as the solar flare faded.
[Flame Horn Bull defeated.]
[Flame Horn Core acquired.]
[Flame Grass Seed x2 acquired.]
Qin Mo looked at Qin Yuheng.
"That new step looked aggressive."
"Yes."
"Should I worry?"
"Yes."
"Honesty is not always kind."
They continued crossing.
At the sixth hour, they had collected ten Flame Grass Seeds and defeated twenty beasts.
Side missions completed.
But the main path remained long. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
The Stonefire Boundary was visible now—a line of black-red cliffs on the horizon.
Between them and the boundary stood a wide burned plain.
At its center grazed a massive rhinoceros-like beast with a horn of living flame.
The panel appeared.
[Flame Horn Rhino]
[Level: 22]
[Floor Boss]
[Optional]
[Danger: Very High]
Qin Mo immediately said, "Optional."
Qin Yuheng looked at the route.
The boss stood near the shortest path.
They could detour, but that would take hours and increase heat exhaustion.
The Tower had placed a choice.
Time and heat.
Or boss battle.
Qin Yuheng looked at the team.
"We rest first. Then decide."
Qin Mo whispered, "Optional should mean no."
But his voice lacked conviction.
Because everyone could see the truth.
The Burning Grassland was asking whether they dared cross through fire.
