Chapter 676 - 534: Refinement of the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire

Master Yuxiao dove down to explore, while Ji An and his companion began to chat idly.

"Senior Brother, how confident are you in your hypothesis?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s eyes shimmered with recollection as he said:

"I examined the Treasure Pavilion’s records and carefully compared them to the spiritual objects frequently ejected from Red Flame Peak. I believe there’s more than a fifty percent chance that there is an exhausted spiritual vein beneath the earth."

This probability was not low; it was worth the risk.

Ji An scratched his head, excitement evident in his voice as he spoke:

"If there really is an exhausted spiritual vein deep within the earth, what would it have left behind?"

An exhausted Tier Three spiritual vein might hold countless treasures, and if the sect became wealthier, everyone’s life would improve.

"You’ve looked into it already, haven’t you, Junior Brother? There would likely be many spiritual objects of the Fire and Metal Elements, but the chances of finding Spirit Stones are quite low."

Daoist Master Zhengyang sighed, noting that Spirit Stone veins would be eroded by magma, making them virtually impossible to preserve.

Ji An laughed, "If we could acquire a batch of Tier Three spiritual objects, the sect’s Secret Vault would be greatly replenished."

"Haha, then we’d have the capital to buy more medicinal ingredients, giving you more opportunities to practice your hand at alchemy."

The two chatted happily, as if they had already discovered the exhausted spiritual vein.

Half an hour passed, and Daoist Master Zhengyang became a bit nervous. He stood up and began to pace back and forth.

After another two quarters of an hour, Master Yuxiao’s figure was still nowhere to be seen.

The speed of his pacing increased, occasionally stopping to stare at the searing magma lake, his eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Ji An advised, "Senior Brother, please stop pacing, it’s making my eyes dizzy.

Senior Brother Yuxiao must have found something, otherwise he wouldn’t be delayed for so long."

No cultivator would gamble with their life, so he wasn’t overly worried.

The reason for the delay might be the numerous forked paths within the underground channel, which would significantly affect exploration efficiency.

Daoist Master Zhengyang didn’t respond. His concern made him restless, and he was also worried because if his junior faced danger, there would be no way to rescue him.

The two resumed their idle chat, but their eyes were glued to the lake surface.

Two quarters of an hour later, a section of the lake’s magma suddenly parted, and Master Yuxiao emerged, flying out.

A bright smile adorned his face, and he clutched a fist-sized Fire Crystal in his hand.

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s previously serious expression immediately relaxed as he laughed heartily, "Looks like you bring good news."

Master Yuxiao landed beside them, nodding and then shaking his head:

"One piece of good news and one piece of bad news, which would you like to hear first?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang sharply reproached, "Don’t be so trivial, just tell us straight!"

"The good news is that there is indeed an exhausted spiritual vein, but the bad news is that obtaining spiritual objects from it will be very difficult."

Master Yuxiao detailed the situation within the channel. It wasn’t very complicated, but it was very deep.

The power of a Tier Three Middle Grade Fireproof Bead was insufficient to delve deeper, otherwise, the bead could suffer varying degrees of damage.

Daoist Master Zhengyang reached out, "Give me the Fireproof Bead; I need to see for myself."

Master Yuxiao handed over the Fireproof Bead along with a black jade bottle containing Stone Milk, "Wait a moment, I’ll draw a simple map for you to see, it might save some time."

He retrieved a Blank Jade Slip, recorded the information, and handed it over, saying, "I used five drops of Stone Milk, wasting some while finding the path.

When the dark red patterns on the Fireproof Bead’s protective shield begin to flicker, it means the external environment poses a threat to the Tier Three Middle Grade Fireproof Bead.

At that moment, we must make plans."

Daoist Master Zhengyang placed the Jade Slip against his forehead, carefully reviewing it, then said, "Await my good news."

He summoned his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Profound Yellow Tower. The small tower spun above his head, casting down a thousand auspicious rays to protect his entire body, after which he controlled the Fireproof Bead and swiftly descended.

Half an hour later, Daoist Master Zhengyang emerged from the magma lake and came ashore, saying, "The exhausted spiritual vein is located deeper underground, making extraction very difficult.

Moreover, I attempted to delve further when the Fireproof Bead issued a warning, and found that continuing downward taxed my magical power greatly.

I think it necessary to have a Tier Three Upper Grade Magical Treasure refined, so we can plunge deeper and retrieve more spiritual objects."

Master Yuxiao nodded, "I agree.

However, the materials needed to refine a Tier Three Upper Grade Magical Treasure must be provided by us, and it can’t be done in a short time."

The materials for a Tier Three Upper Grade item are not currently available within the sect.

Daoist Master Zhengyang stored away the Fireproof Bead, smiling, "When the Merchant Flying Ship arrives, we’ll make a big trade with the Middle Continent cultivators. As long as we can pay the price, acquiring the materials won’t be difficult."

...

The discovery of an exhausted spiritual vein at Red Flame Peak did not affect everyone’s daily lives, as this matter only circulated among the sect’s Golden Core Cultivators.

Due to the hazardous environment, Daoist Master Zhengyang abandoned the plan to use the Fireproof Bead to collect spiritual objects.

The main issue is the lack of stone milk in hand, which makes it impossible to search in the depths of the lava for an extended period.

Moreover, the stone milk, capable of quickly replenishing the magical power of a Golden Core Daoist Master, is considered a Tier Three level spiritual object. If the resources collected are not high-tier, it could lead to costs outweighing the benefits, which would be awkward.

Three months quickly passed, and by evening, it was Ji An’s turn to perform magic on the Spirit Field.

He opened the Mimic Array, passed through the tunnel to the Lava Cave, and saw the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire flashing brilliance on the lotus seedpod.

The lotus seedpod looked as if it was cast in gold, shimmering with golden light under the dance of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire.

Ji An was momentarily stunned. Then, overwhelming joy surged in his heart: the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire had matured!

After a moment of excitement, his heart calmed down, and he continued to cast the magic technique...

The next morning at 7:00 AM, Ji An came to the Lava Cave again. He carefully took the lotus seedpod, first teleporting to Ningcui Cliff, and then to Sunrise Peak.

When he walked into the Wuji Hall holding the lotus seedpod, Daoist Master Zhengyang was absolutely astonished.

"Senior Brother, as you can see, the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire has matured. Next, I will divide the fire seed into three parts and refine one part.

After division, the fire seed is difficult to preserve for long, so I ask you to quickly confirm the other two recipients."

"Understood. The Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire is more suitable for alchemists, and I’m inclined to give the fire seed to Han Yan.

Additionally, the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire can increase the chance of Core Formation. Han Yan will have more confidence in breaking through the Golden Core when she obtains it.

I haven’t decided who will get the other fire seed yet, but I’ll think about it carefully in the coming days."

"When do you plan to give it to Han Yan?"

"It’s not the right time yet."

Daoist Master Zhengyang shook his head and explained:

"Once the fire seed of the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire is refined by a cultivator, it will root in the cultivator’s dantian, connecting with the bloodline and sharing life and death.

In such a case, if the cultivator dies, we lose a fire seed.

I have high hopes for Han Yan, but I won’t give the Dao Seed to her until she reaches the Chao Origin Realm of Five Qi."

In case of any accidents, the sunk cost is too high. He must ensure that the alchemist who receives the fire seed can break through to the Great Realm, thereby serving the sect for a longer time.

He paused and asked:

"How long can the fire seed be preserved at most?"

"Ordinary preservation methods can only last four to five decades. If preserved with high-tier spirit plants, it may last for nearly two hundred years."

"What spirit plant do you think is best for preservation?"

"Preservation with the wood heart of top-grade Azure Dragon Wood is ideal."

Daoist Master Zhengyang said in a serious tone:

"Go with what you said."

It’s not the time to consider costs; naturally, better materials should be used to preserve the fire seed.

With the matter settled, Ji An began employing a secret technique to refine the fire seed.

The more than three-inch tall spirit flame, as thick as a child’s small arm, continuously collapsed inward and shrank.

After an hour passed, Ji An exhaled a long breath. At this moment, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire had already transformed into three yellow soybean-sized solid substances.

These substances were blue, red, and white, just like the original Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire.

"Great merit accomplished."

Ji An took out a piece of top-grade Azure Dragon Wood, hollowed out the wood heart, and began inscribing dharma prohibitions for sacrificial refinement.

Two quarters of an hour later, the wood heart had shrunk to a half-foot-high cylindrical shape. He split the cylinder along the central line, chiseled a finger-sized hole in the very middle, placed one fire seed inside, and closed the cylinder together.

He bound the cylinder with gold threads and affixed a Tier Two Upper Grade Sealing Spirit Talisman.

Ji An rested for a moment, then took out another section of top-grade Azure Dragon Wood and repeated the process, finally sealing the fire seed inside.

Daoist Master Zhengyang thoughtfully brought a pot of Spirit Tea and said:

"This is the Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea you sent over. Have a cup of tea and relax."

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Ji An began drinking tea. The previous operation had left his spirit soul somewhat fatigued.

He took out the Soul Nourishing Pendant hanging around his neck, adjusted the array’s power to its maximum to release more spirit-soul-nourishing substances.

After a pot of tea, Ji An felt he had recovered.

"Senior Brother, please guard me. I am going to start refining the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire."

"Junior Brother, feel free to act in the hall. I will go out and seal the hall, ensuring nothing disturbs you."

Daoist Master Zhengyang exited the hall, forming seals to activate the dharma prohibition.

Ji An enveloped the fire seed with magical power and swallowed it, then introspected his body, using his Divine Sense to control the fire seed into the Fire Element Divine Mansion for refining.

The soybean-sized fire seed became increasingly smaller, eventually shrinking to the size of a sesame seed.

He once again used Divine Sense to maneuver the fire seed, guiding it along a specific route into the dantian.

The fire seed descended, floating beside the Primordial Life Fire. Only at this step did Ji An feel relieved.

The next thing to do was to rekindle the spiritual properties preserved within the fire seed using the Primordial Life Fire, then cultivate the fire seed to grow, ultimately forming the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire unique to the cultivator.

This is a slow process, but Ji An wasn’t worried; he controlled the fire seed to bathe in the Primordial Life Fire and quietly waited.

The Primordial Life Fire is the Fire of Life, and this is also a cleansing process, capable of bestowing the spiritual glow imprinted with Ji An’s mark onto the fire seed.

Although the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire appeared gentle, its nature was particularly domineering. Without this cleansing process, a cultivator could be incinerated by the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire.

When the fire seed once again ignites with tri-colored spiritual flames, it signifies merit perfection.