"A Heaven and Earth Strange Fire!" Ji Fuyao's star-like eyes widened, unable to conceal her profound shock. This wasn't Ye Chen's mere seed of strange fire; this was a fully realized, peak-state Heaven and Earth Strange Fire! Even sealed by countless spiritual runes, she felt a primal dread. The palm-sized flame pulsed with blood-red light, containing a terrifying, scorching power. If unleashed, it could incinerate even a One-star Great Emperor! This fire was utterly savage, capable of burning the heavens, boiling the seas, and refining the void itself. If this artifact appeared in the Southern Wilds, it would undoubtedly trigger a bloody, chaotic scramble.
Lu Xuan chuckled. "Fuyao, this is your little present: the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame. Go on, take it and refine it." He casually handed her a Spirit Art.
Ji Fuyao accepted the Heaven and Earth Strange Fire, her heart pounding with awe. Her voice trembled slightly. "Thank you, Master!"
Lu Xuan smiled. "The Eight Desolation Extinction Flame has several layers of seals. With your current strength, you can't unlock them all yet. Just be careful."
Ji Fuyao bowed respectfully. "I understand, Master."
She quickly retreated to her cave dwelling, a crimson blur. Inside, she immediately set up numerous seals and restrictions. Sitting cross-legged, her fiery red dress flowed around her perfect curves as she prepared to refine the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame.
She was secretly astonished. Her Master had previously given her the Dao of Fire Principle, laying the foundation for her future Great Emperor attainment. Now, he gifted her a peak-state Heaven and Earth Strange Fire! Once refined, her strength would skyrocket. Combined with the Heaven-Rending Emperor Weapon she already possessed, her combat power would easily crush a Quasi-Emperor, even if she couldn't fully unleash the flame's power. She was only a Six-star Profound Saint!
Her star-like eyes shone with emotion. Master was too good to her! Yet, he was utterly detached, asking for nothing but for her and Ye Chen to cook. She had secretly observed him: whenever she achieved a breakthrough or gained an insight, Master seemed incredibly pleased! It seems Master is simply immersed in the pure joy of teaching disciples! She had no way to repay him but to cultivate diligently.
Collecting her thoughts, Ji Fuyao circulated the Spirit Art Lu Xuan had given her and began refining the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame. Instantly, the seals on the Strange Fire began to unlock. A terrifying spiritual fire surged out, rapidly spreading. Her cave dwelling was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire. The spiritual flames pierced through the dwelling's seals and shot toward the sky with overwhelming momentum! The aura of the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame surged outward, radiating from Azure Mystery Peak across the land.
Ji Fuyao's delicate hands constantly shifted the Spirit Art. The power of her Heaven-Burning Saint Body, the Heaven-Burning Art, and the Grand Dao Scripture all circulated simultaneously. The three powers flowed, and her body became a roaring furnace, the spiritual fire sounding like a tsunami.
Boom!
The entire Azure Mystery Peak ignited with spiritual fire, illuminating the void like a colossal sun. The fire poured down in a mighty torrent.
Ji Fuyao's body trembled violently, drenched in sweat, revealing her exquisite figure. Refining a Heaven and Earth Strange Fire was both a great opportunity and a great tribulation. The Eight Desolation Extinction Flame was an Emperor-tier wonder; how could a mere Profound Saint subdue it so easily? She had to crush its will and refine it!
She bit her lip until it was pale. Her beautiful face was slick with sweat, her long hair floating in the heat. She was undergoing an unprecedented baptism: not only her skin but her bones and meridians were engulfed in flames!
Suddenly, a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon appeared over Azure Mystery Peak, resembling a massive, crimson mushroom cloud.
The phenomenon instantly alarmed the other spiritual peaks. The Sect Master, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor, and the Tianxing Old Ancestor were all startled. Countless divine senses swept toward Azure Mystery Peak.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor was visibly shaken. "That is a Heaven and Earth Strange Fire! Fuyao is refining a Heaven and Earth Strange Fire!"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor looked equally astonished. "The Daoist friend behind Fuyao is truly generous! To hand over a peak-state Eight Desolation Extinction Flame for her to refine directly!"
The Sect Master's face twitched. "That senior's actions are too heaven-defying! He has already given Fuyao and Ye Chen so many supreme treasures and heaven-defying cultivation techniques!"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor sighed. "Indeed!" He waved his sleeve, instantly extinguishing the sea of spiritual fire surrounding Azure Mystery Peak.
The spiritual fire on Azure Mystery Peak intensified, surging like a tidal wave and seemingly capable of refining the void itself. Space warped, and the sky trembled. The Sect Master looked toward Lu Xuan's cave dwelling, his face black with frustration. "Lu Xuan, he's still lying down!"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor laughed heartily. "Don't mind that boy! Look at Fuyao's body—three powers are interwoven: the power of the Grand Dao Scripture, the power of her Emperor-tier technique, and the power of the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame... Wait, I sense the power of the Dao of Fire Principle."
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor frowned. "What? The Dao of Fire Principle?" He immediately investigated closely. Moments later, his eyes shone with shock. "Fuyao merged with the Dao of Fire Principle long ago, but it hadn't manifested until now. If she wasn't refining the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame today, the power of the Dao of Fire Principle would never have appeared."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor sighed deeply. "Since she has merged with the Dao of Fire Principle, Fuyao is destined to attain the Great Emperor realm!"
The sea of spiritual fire in the void illuminated the heavens, threatening to refine the very fabric of space. Blood-red divine light surged, and the immense momentum gradually coalesced into a unique 'Dao and Momentum' belonging solely to Ji Fuyao.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor declared, "Let's go to Azure Mystery Peak together and pay our respects to that Daoist friend."
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor nodded. Several divine rainbows instantly shot toward Azure Mystery Peak.
A few breaths later, the Tianxing Old Ancestor, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor, and the Sect Master entered Lu Xuan's cave dwelling.
The Sect Master cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem... Lu Xuan!"
Lu Xuan slowly rose from his profound ice bed. "Old Ancestors, you've arrived."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor immediately spotted Lu Xuan's various 'masterpieces' on the wooden table. "The Jiang Taigong Electric Fishing Diagram!" "Lin Daiyu Uprooting the Willow!"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor burst into booming laughter. "Hahaha! This boy is truly an eccentric!" He flipped through the papers and then saw Lu Xuan's latest work: "The day I return to the Southern Wilds to rally my old troops, a hundred thousand banners will sever the Heavenly Net! Slaughtering a million Heavenly Net soldiers, the blood on my sword will still be fresh!"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor froze, then exclaimed. "What a poem! What a poem!" The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master also crowded around. Everyone felt a deep shock in their hearts. Overbearing! Too overbearing!
The Sect Master asked, "Lu Xuan, did you write this?"
Lu Xuan replied coolly, "Indeed. Do you have any guidance for me?"
The Sect Master nearly roared internally, wanting to kick Lu Xuan right there. He's putting on airs again!
The Tianxing Old Ancestor stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "This young Lu Xuan is not entirely worthless, after all. Right, Lu Xuan, please summon that senior for us."
Lu Xuan said, "No need to call. I am he."
Instantly, the Tianxing Old Ancestor's face shifted into one of profound respect. "Daoist friend!"
The Sect Master froze, slack-jawed. "Huh?"
The Tianxing Old Ancestor smiled knowingly. "Does the Daoist friend still prefer not to reveal your true form? Are you once again using Lu Xuan's body to speak with us?"
Lu Xuan let out a long, faint sigh. "I am right here, yet you choose to be blind."
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor swept his divine sense around, finding no trace of any other powerful aura. Seeing this, the Sect Master and the others grew even more deferential.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor asked, "Daoist friend, your cultivation is clearly far above ours. Since you wish to remain hidden, we will not press the matter."
Lu Xuan chuckled. "You cannot see the true face of the mountain, because you are standing within it."
The moment the words left his mouth, the Tianxing Old Ancestor and the others began to ponder. They felt that this single line contained infinite, profound mysteries. If they could only comprehend it, they would surely understand the true identity of the Daoist friend! Alas, after long contemplation, the Tianxing Old Ancestor and the Cangxuan Old Ancestor remained utterly confused. What exactly did it mean?
The Tianxing Old Ancestor slapped his forehead. "Forget it, forget it! Why waste energy thinking? Since the Daoist friend can produce a wonder like the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame for Fuyao, our Grand Dao Sect fully acknowledges your status!"
Lu Xuan simply said, "Good."
The Tianxing Old Ancestor smiled. "Since we haven't seen your true self, we will take our leave. We trust that with you presiding, Fuyao will have no trouble refining this Heaven and Earth Strange Fire."
Lu Xuan nodded.
The Sect Master glanced back at Lu Xuan several times. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was fundamentally wrong.
Meanwhile, Ji Fuyao had reached the critical moment in refining the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame. Her meridians, blood, and soul were all burning! Images flashed before her eyes: the destruction of the Fuyao Dynasty, her reincarnation, and taking Lu Xuan as her Master... When Lu Xuan's figure appeared, a supreme Persistent Thought erupted in her heart. She bit her delicate lip. "Master, I will never let you down!" This overwhelming Willpower began to crush the will of the Eight Desolation Extinction Flame.
One hour!
Half a day!
Three days later!
Ji Fuyao slowly opened her eyes. The Eight Desolation Extinction Flame floated quietly before her, its savage aura completely internalized. A faint smile touched her lips. "Master, I succeeded!" Instantly, the immense power of the Heaven and Earth Strange Fire caused her cultivation to surge by two stars, propelling her directly to Eight-star Profound Saint! Ji Fuyao's star-like eyes gleamed. "The gains this time are immense!" She immediately began consolidating her realm.
Lu Xuan put away the Five-star Great Emperor Experience Card, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Not bad."
Just then, the System's voice chimed.
[Ding! Host's eldest disciple's cultivation has broken through! Beginning cultivation synchronization!]
A massive, surging river of cultivation essence poured into his body, like a great river. Lu Xuan felt a blissful numbness, an unparalleled comfort. He instantly advanced from Four-star Profound Saint to Five-star Profound Saint!
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, his mood soaring. "See? I knew it! I definitely need to give my disciples more goodies!"
***
Meanwhile, at the Heavenly Net Hall branch in Yunzhou.
Inside a grand hall, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Elders sat stiffly, facing Luo Yunyang and the Great Emperors from ten nearby state branches. The air was thick with murderous intent.
The Thirteenth Elder spoke in a cold voice. "I have retrieved a corner of a Supreme Great Emperor formation pattern from the headquarters. When the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm opens, we will use it to teleport Mu Yunhai, Ye Chen, and the others to a remote location, where we can separate and eliminate them!"