Volume One: The Lord of the Infernal World Chapter 86: The City of Fire Elements—Huoche Valley

Upon entering Helm Valley, Kebas felt as though he were stepping into another realm. The valley, once known for its grand constructions, had become a canyon of flames; every structure overturned, fire raging ceaselessly above. Fire elementals roamed Helm Valley in corps-sized groups of four thousand, drifting restlessly within the scorched ruins.

As soon as Kebas approached, the fire elementals surrounded him at once, like bored souls suddenly stumbling upon entertainment. Kebas, seeing their eagerness, immediately declared, “I am a hero under Lord Gu Qi, and I have come seeking Stoneheart.” Hearing this, the fire elementals halted and regarded Kebas with brief scrutiny, then withdrew, their expressions clearly implying he could have taken his time.

Once they retreated, Kebas finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though the fire elementals were not high in rank, their sheer numbers were overwhelming. Had they all rushed him, not only would Kebas have been doomed, but even Brufid with his nine-headed serpent would have been roasted alive.

Just as Kebas considered retreating, Stoneheart emerged from the molten lava. He strode to Kebas, sizing him up before saying, “Yes, I see it—you are indeed one of Lord Gu Qi’s heroes. What brings you here?”

Stoneheart’s impression that Kebas seemed out of place made Kebas uneasy. “My lord sent me to deliver a City Heart. This City Heart was specially crafted by him for you and Helm Valley’s transformation.”

Stoneheart was surprised—Chen Gu still remembered him. He quickly replied, “I am deeply grateful to my lord.”

Kebas then produced the City Heart, which looked like a blazing fireball and immediately drew every fire elemental’s gaze. “A City Heart attuned to flame,” Stoneheart observed at once. He recognized its attribute and understood it was tailored for him by Chen Gu.

Excitement overtook Stoneheart. “I will build a new city for our lord and guard this place well.” Raising the City Heart high, he proclaimed, “Fire elementals, we have a City Heart! Soon, we will have a new city!”

All eyes turned to the City Heart in Stoneheart’s hand, and the fire elementals grew restless with anticipation. They understood this City Heart was attuned to fire, not to the previous elven attributes of Helm Valley. It meant the city would be built for fire elementals—a home granted to them.

After displaying the City Heart, Stoneheart carried it toward the volcano’s mouth. In truth, the best spot in Helm Valley had been the old council hall, but Stoneheart believed situating the council hall at the volcano’s mouth was the most fitting choice for the fire elementals.

He walked to the crater, City Heart in hand, and leapt down with it. Kebas had initially wanted to watch, but the temperature was unbearable—even had he followed, he could not descend. He could only watch Stoneheart enter the crater, and soon the altar of fire at the volcano’s rim sank into the lava.

Immediately, the volcano erupted—massive torrents of magma poured from the heavens, landing in the already burning valley. Amidst the flames, houses of magma rose from the ground. As the magma cooled, these buildings took shape.

Within the city, the magma pooled into a basin, with many structures built directly upon it. At the very center, on a platform where the volcano’s mouth had been, stood a building of ancient Roman style—yet unlike the white marble of the Holy City, this one was constructed from glowing red stone.

Stoneheart emerged from within and announced loudly, “From now on, this city shall be named Fire Chronicle Valley. All fire elementals may now call themselves residents of Fire Chronicle Valley.”

The fire elementals, delighted, began to scatter throughout the city. Their formations dissolved, replaced by the lively demeanor of citizens—their attitudes transformed at once.

With everything settled, Stoneheart called, “Priority is to build the tavern. Everyone, go mine and gather materials; today we will build the tavern.”

After issuing these orders, Stoneheart approached Kebas. “Sorry to keep you waiting. The tavern will take twelve hours to build. Why not rest here, and once the new hero emerges, take him with you as you leave?”

“No need—I have to catch up with my lord. Is there anything you wish me to tell him?” Kebas replied.

“Not at the moment. But if you meet him, please ask him to grant a flag to Fire Chronicle Valley.”

“Understood,” Kebas answered, recognizing Stoneheart’s request. Granting a flag to a city meant acknowledging its status—a reasonable ask, so Kebas readily agreed.

There was no need to wait for the tavern’s completion or the emergence of the first hero. Remembering his duty to find Chen Gu, Kebas nodded to Stoneheart and prepared to depart.

Stoneheart saw him off, escorting him out of the city. At that moment, as Stoneheart placed the City Heart in its new home, Chen Gu—busily handling affairs in his carriage—received the news. Not only did he learn of Fire Chronicle Valley’s new attributes, but his territory information had changed as well.

[Territory Name: None
Main City: Vineglow (Level 1, Mobile Base), Emerald Forest (Level 1, Emerald Kingdom)
Subcities: Silverpine Valley (Level 3, Elven Dominion), Fire Chronicle Valley (Level 1, Elemental City), Crow Nest City (Level 6, Elven Dominion)
Resources: 11,716 gold coins, 71 stone, 82 wood, 47 metal, 124 food, 3 mercury, 4 crystal, 6 gems, 2 sulfur
Wilderness Camps: Wolf Mountain (Level 1), Wolf Mountain (Level 1), Fire Raven Farm (Level 1)
Wilderness Resource Points: None
Roads: 1
Outposts: 1
Safe Zone: 0.12%]

Glancing at the changes in his territory, Chen Gu was somewhat surprised. His mobile base, Vineglow, had become the main city. Thinking it over, he realized this was quite reasonable—Vineglow was entirely under his control, and more importantly, Chen Gu himself resided there. In the Lord’s World, everything revolved around the lord. Since Chen Gu was on Vineglow, even as a mobile base, it was now the main city.