My Misfortune Crushed Instances-Chapter 228: Flame King

Li Rui knew that the trigger condition for this hidden task must be obtaining the key given by the Peach Blossom Madame, which is why others didn't have it.

However, he also harbored the same doubt. Beyond the Armor Removal Ridge lies a sea of fire, towering walls of flames, resembling a maze and accompanied by a persistent damage negative status.

This was completely unlike the former Immortal Grave. Originally, this place should have been relics where Flame Spirits lived, with heated air but no open flames, and the foothills should be stone-built totems, not a burning sea of fire.

Secret Realm agents need to traverse this area, reach the other side, and successfully escape to complete the main quest.

Of course, during the journey, they will certainly encounter monsters here, descendants left behind by the Lava Ancestor, who have continuously inherited by relying on the fire-element Spiritual Qi descended by Community Thunder.

Back then, the Peach Blossom Madame slew the Lava Ancestor but was severely injured, and with the place being utterly destroyed, she relocated to the current Peach Blossom Spring, completely severing ties with this area.

Something must have happened now, causing the flames to blaze once more.

Li Rui descended the mountain along the direction where the phantom disappeared, avoiding the flowing fire along the way, arriving before the burning ruins, yet before probing deeper, a horde of monsters appeared.

Among them were creatures native to this place and those summoned by triggering random events.

He grabbed his weapon and began to fight.

Another round of clashing sounds followed, and the attacking monsters were exterminated, raising Li Rui to level 36.

Entering the flame maze, the phantom appeared once more:

"We're doomed, Sister Yu, the enemy's strength here is too high; without the Burning status, it can be manageable, but with this thing, how can we find our way?"

Although Duan Ling was the strongest, Yu Xin was assertive, both in voice and age, gradually becoming the central pillar.

"Nobody panic, at worst, we fail the level, what's the big deal."

She loudly reassured everyone, "Don't panic, explore steadily according to formation."

Li Rui couldn't help but nod along, quite admiring this sturdy woman as it's crucial at this moment to keep everyone uplifted; as the saying goes, surrender means losing half, maintaining confidence is key to passing.

He continued walking in the direction the phantom disappeared.

This place is called a maze, but it can't completely be considered intentionally designed as a winding maze.

It's just that the flames obstruct the vision, coupled with Flame Spirits wandering and easy distraction from battles that can lead to losing direction.

However, Li Rui was not affected; every enemy that appeared, he killed one if seen alone, killed two if seen together, fighting while draining energy, not only gaining experience but always keeping in peak state, rendering the Burning status harmless.

"Ten-star Secret Realm, just this."

Li Rui carried the umbrella while searching for the next phantom, muttering casually. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Actually, such thinking was unreasonable; he simply hadn't realized that under the influence of the admin coat and unlucky constitution, he was becoming increasingly powerful.

He explored while slaying, a new image appeared upfront, where he hurriedly sprinted towards.

"Huff, huff, huff."

Duan Ling panted heavily, seemingly just having gone through a fierce battle; normally, given this team's setup, they shouldn't be in such dire straits, but a permanent negative status was taxing, even for the rare profession Curse Master like him.

Others were in worse condition, some having already begun gulping Temperature-Reduction Potions, clearly unable to withstand anymore.

Li Rui felt tense as if watching a movie, empathizing with the protagonist.

Yet nothing special happened so far; even if these people perished here, they wouldn't fail to awaken from the real world.

Li Rui continued spectating when a sudden change occurred.

The entire flame area ahead started swirling and transforming, encircling a totem too large for multiple people to embrace.

"Prepare for battle!"

At this moment, time and space seemed to overlap, as Yu Xin and Duan Ling also gazed in the same direction, starting to buff themselves.

[Main Quest Update: Escort the Fire Flame King.]

[Quest Objective: Eliminate the enemies, continue progressing.]

[Quest Rewards: EXP +450000, Free Attribute Points +9, Rare Reinforcement Material x3, Random Reinforcement Material x6, Temperature-Reduction Potion x3.]

Upon seeing the rewards, Li Rui knew trouble was brewing; with the team's current state up against this at least mini-boss level Fire Flame King, they could handle it if prepared, but encountering it suddenly might not end well.

As predicted, Yu Xin understood what Li Rui could deduce and promptly issued a command.

"Retreat and pull back!"

Though bosses appearing in the main quest must be engaged, presently, direct obliteration holds no hope; delaying for a potential turnaround is crucial.

Li Rui contemplated; he's currently in top condition, but staying to fight would require time; by then, the phantoms might run far away, making them hard to find again in the maze.

Thus, he decided and turned to follow the phantoms' direction and began to run.

The Fire Flame King's figure was like a twisted whirlwind, burning fiercely as well, its body anchored to that steadfast black stone totem, appearing now and then amidst the flames.

At the top of the flames was an obvious head-shaped thing, which Li Rui vaguely sensed resembled a helmeted warrior.

"Catch him, burn him."

Flame Spirits and Forest Spirits are the same; once possessing intelligence, they can use language, although Flame Spirits don't interact with the Human Race, speaking with an odd call.

Li Rui couldn't understand, but the Secret Realm system thoughtfully translated.

He paid no mind to the threat from behind, just saw the Fire Flame King summoning more Flame Spirits to chase, since this is their territory.

"Oh my, this is too much!"

The little chubby kid with scouting abilities shouted while running.

Yu Xin furrowed her brow: "Watch your positions, get ready to counterattack!"

"I'm ready!" Duan Ling responded first.

Either way, this team, being selected into the Secret Realm battlefield elite, could easily handle a mini-boss even in a ten-star Secret Realm, despite the negative status.

Their retreat was merely a stopgap measure against ambush disadvantages; throughout the withdrawal, they effectively set up their formation.

This was the result of training!

Li Rui just praised their coordination in his heart and then suddenly sensed a crisis, subsequently receiving new notifications.

[Main Quest Update: Black Flame King.]

[Main Quest Update: Train Flame King.]

The flames on both sides began to swirl again, unleashing two more Flame Kings.

"....."

Li Rui empathized with Duan Ling and the others; from their brief stupefaction followed by frantic sprinting, they must have encountered the same situation.