“To achieve true Perfected Mastery, one must comprehend the ‘Dao of Nature.’ Master, how do you believe I should proceed?”
Lu Xuan blinked, slightly taken aback. He racked his brain, wondering how to explain it. True Perfected Mastery, as he understood it, meant glimpsing the ultimate ‘Dao,’ a state where ‘Dao Follows Nature.’ But how could “Nature” be summed up in a few words? Though the System had already granted him Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire, articulating the underlying principles was no easy feat. It was akin to the ancient saying, “The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao!” Lu Xuan, meanwhile, was busy frying a spirit chicken cutlet, casually pondering how to enlighten Ji Fuyao.
Seeing Lu Xuan remain silent, Ji Fuyao’s gaze drifted to his movements. Lu Xuan’s hands moved with effortless grace, seemingly embodying the ‘Dao of Nature’ in every subtle gesture. Suddenly, a jolt ran through Ji Fuyao. Ah! Master is teaching by example! she realized. A moment later, Ji Fuyao spoke softly, “Master, thank you for your guidance. I understand.” Lu Xuan froze. Huh? I didn’t even say anything. How on earth had Ji Fuyao grasped it? But by then, Ji Fuyao was already deep in a state of ‘enlightenment.’
In Ji Fuyao’s eyes, Lu Xuan’s earlier fluid movements had perfectly captured the ‘Dao of Nature.’ Instantly, a terrifying Spirit Fire erupted from her body. It shifted, vibrant and alive—at times scorching hot, like a soaring dragon breathing fire to forge the heavens, and at others, dim, flickering like a candle about to die. Under Ji Fuyao’s control, this Spirit Fire began to evolve into an ethereal state. An incense stick burned down. Ji Fuyao remained absorbed in her ‘enlightenment.’ Two incense sticks...
Several hours later, Ji Fuyao’s aura finally settled, returning to a state of profound “Nature.” The power of her Spirit Fire took on a mystical quality, seemingly merging with the small world of the thatched cottage, yet its true might was boundless.
Lu Xuan was genuinely surprised. Ji Fuyao had comprehended something extraordinary! Her Spirit Fire now integrated with the very essence of this small world, yet within that natural flow, a deadly power lay hidden. Any slightest disturbance could trigger a cataclysmic eruption of that Spirit Fire! This was the ‘Dao of Nature’ Ji Fuyao had enlightened to! A moment later, Ji Fuyao slowly opened her eyes. Her slender hand extended, and the Spirit Fire within it continuously shrank until it condensed into a tiny, contained flame in her palm. She looked at Lu Xuan, a tremble of excitement in her voice. “Master, I know which path to take now! The power of Spirit Fire, when attuned to nature, appears effortless, yet it can draw upon the might of heaven and earth to unleash terrifying strength! This is just the nascent stage of my understanding. If I can perfect this ‘enlightenment’ in the future, I will far surpass my previous life! To think, in my past life, although I ‘Attained Emperor’ through the Path of Spirit Fire, I was too rushed, too lacking in true comprehension. This life, under Master’s guidance, I have already gone far beyond my former self.”
Just then, the System’s voice echoed in Lu Xuan’s ear. “Ding! Synchronizing eldest disciple Ji Fuyao’s Spirit Fire ‘enlightenment’!” Instantly, a vast surge of Spirit Fire comprehension flooded Lu Xuan’s mind. Lu Xuan was stunned. Ji Fuyao had truly found her future ‘Dao’ for ‘Attaining Emperor’—aligning with heaven and earth, returning to nature, and harnessing its power to unleash the ultimate destructive force! With this, Lu Xuan took a massive step towards Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire! The gains were immense! A moment later, Lu Xuan composed himself, smiling at Ji Fuyao. “Fuyao, you did well this time.” Ji Fuyao’s cheeks flushed faintly. “If not for Master teaching by example, I would never have comprehended it. I have found my ‘Dao’ for ‘Attaining Emperor’ in this life!” Lu Xuan nodded. “Excellent! Truly excellent! But now, let’s eat.” He casually reheated the Spirit Chicken Family Bucket.
Ji Fuyao said apologetically, “Master, I’m so sorry, I made you wait.” Lu Xuan simply smiled. “No worries.” Soon, Lu Xuan brought out the Spirit Chicken Family Bucket and placed it on the stone table. It was Ji Fuyao’s first time trying it. “Master, this is delicious!” she exclaimed. “It’s so fragrant! I want to learn how to make it too!” Her delicate lips were stained with oil, making her exquisite face even more alluring. Lu Xuan couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances. Ji Fuyao’s cheeks flushed, and she touched her face. “Master, is there something on my face?” Lu Xuan chuckled faintly. “Nothing at all.” Before long, Lu Xuan and Ji Fuyao finished their meal, thoroughly satisfied. Now, following Lu Xuan, she no longer shunned eating. On the contrary, she felt there were many delicious things yet to be discovered! After eating, Lu Xuan reclined outside the thatched cottage to rest, while Ji Fuyao busied herself washing dishes inside.
“Oh, right, Fuyao,” Lu Xuan said. “Come to my cave dwelling tomorrow. I have a few gifts for you.” The System was about to dole out its rewards tomorrow. It was high time to replenish Ji Fuyao’s treasury and accelerate her cultivation! Ji Fuyao’s body trembled at his words. “Yes, Master,” she replied. Was Master going to give her more treasures? Finally! To be honest, Master had given her Junior Brother Ye Chen so many supreme treasures recently—far more than she had received. A tiny flicker of envy had begun to stir in her heart. Ji Fuyao couldn’t help but speculate. What would Master bestow upon her tomorrow? She felt a small thrill of anticipation!
A while later, Ji Fuyao finished tidying the thatched cottage and told Lu Xuan, “Master, I’ll return to cultivate now. My ‘enlightenment’ just now was merely a nascent stage; I need to meticulously ponder it further.” Lu Xuan nodded. “Very well.” Ji Fuyao drifted away gracefully. Watching her retreating figure, Lu Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. My disciples are far too diligent! With such heaven-defying talent, they still work this hard. How can any other geniuses or prodigies in the Southern Wilds even compete?
Meanwhile, Ji Fuyao returned to her cave dwelling, settling into a cross-legged position. Her fiery-red robes draped around her, accentuating her graceful figure. As her slender hands prepared for cultivation, the Transmission Jade Slip in her Transmission Ring suddenly vibrated. Ji Fuyao channeled spiritual energy into it. Qing Yan’s voice, the Dragon Guard Commander of the Fuyao Dynasty, echoed forth. “Empress, we have arrived in Cangzhou and proceeded to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s headquarters.” “What’s the situation?” Ji Fuyao inquired. Qing Yan’s voice was tinged with anger. “Those scoundrels have turned their backs on us! I presented your token, yet they refuse to acknowledge it, insisting you appear in person!” At this, Wang Man’s cold voice cut in. “Empress, I propose we dispatch the Dragon Guards and the Ye Family to directly obliterate the Drunken Immortal Pavilion! Such ungrateful traitors do not deserve to exist!”
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes narrowed, a profound light flickering within them. “In that case, it seems I must travel to Cangzhou myself.” Wang Man voiced a concern. “Empress, I worry that even if you appear in person, they might still refuse to submit.” A hint of irritation crossed Ji Fuyao’s face. “Then the Drunken Immortal Pavilion will cease to have a reason to exist.” “Empress, what are our current orders?” Wang Man asked. Ji Fuyao replied calmly, “Return to the Blackflame Mountain Range for now.” Qing Yan and the others immediately responded, “Understood! We shall await your arrival in the Blackflame Mountain Range, Empress!” Ji Fuyao nodded. “Good.”
A moment later, Ji Fuyao put away the Transmission Jade Slip, a murderous glint in her eyes. During the war three millennia ago, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, one of her three main factions, had taken nearly all of the Fuyao Dynasty’s cultivation resources when they retreated. This was an entire dynasty’s wealth! And now they dared to betray the Fuyao Dynasty? How could she possibly tolerate it?! However, three millennia was a long time; there might have been unforeseen changes. Whether the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had truly turned traitor could not be easily concluded. Ji Fuyao decided to make a personal trip to Cangzhou, to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. With this thought, she murmured, “I’ll have to leave Master for a while again. This time, it might be for longer.” Then, she composed herself and began to cultivate!
The next day, Lu Xuan woke up naturally, feeling refreshed. He stretched languidly on his Profound Ice Bed, a pleasant mood washing over him. The System’s voice chimed in right on cue. “Ding! Synchronizing host’s eldest disciple Ji Fuyao’s Spirit Fire ‘enlightenment’!” “Ding! Synchronizing host’s second disciple Ye Chen’s alchemy comprehension!” Soon, a torrent of comprehension flooded into his mind, as if a vast amount of knowledge was being forcibly inserted. It was an odd sensation, yet incredibly invigorating. Then, the System’s voice appeared again. “Ding! Congratulations to host for completing the eldest disciple’s limited-time cultivation quest!” “Ding! Congratulations to host for acquiring a massive cultivation foundation!” “Ding! Congratulations to host for acquiring the six-star Emperor-tier Spirit Spear, ‘Sky Splitter’!” “Ding! Congratulations to host for acquiring the Dao of Fire!” “Ding! Congratulations to host for acquiring ten million top-grade Spirit Stones!” As the voice fell, “BOOM!” An incomparably pure surge of spiritual energy rushed into Lu Xuan’s body, impacting his insides like a mighty river. A tingling sensation, like lightning, coursed through his entire being. Lu Xuan trembled slightly. His cultivation was soaring! He directly broke through a minor realm! He had stepped into the Eighth-stage Profound Venerate Realm!
Next, Lu Xuan began to examine his System rewards. With a thought, the six-star Emperor Weapon, the long spear ‘Sky Splitter,’ appeared in his hand. This was a fire-attribute Emperor Weapon! “Hiss!” Although the Emperor Weapon was currently sealed, a searing, violent power surged from it. As Lu Xuan’s hand rested on the spear, tendrils of Spirit Fire flickered, coiling around the shaft like lightning. Lu Xuan could sense the incomparably terrifying Willpower contained within this long spear! The Path of Spirit Fire was fundamentally geared towards slaughter! And this spear, ‘Sky Splitter,’ pulsed with a dreadful Emperor’s might, its killing intent and battle will surging boundlessly, its prestige reaching the heavens! Lu Xuan couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a spear! What a spear!” A moment later, he put away the Emperor Weapon ‘Sky Splitter’ and took out the Dao of Fire for observation. This Dao of Fire was currently sealed, appearing as a palm-sized block. Yet, one could still feel the terrifying power contained within it, as if once the seal was broken, it could instantly incinerate the heavens, boil the seas, refine the cosmos, and illuminate all realms! The Dao of Fire contained an exceptionally rich “Dao and Essence”—not a mere trace or an incomplete fragment, but a profoundly complete form. Within its seal, the Dao of Fire continuously morphed into various mysterious shapes: sometimes condensing into a fiery abyss, sometimes transforming into a colossal sun, and at other times, manifesting as a blazing fire-vein.
Lu Xuan was inwardly startled. “What happens if someone fuses with this Dao of Fire?” The System explained, “Once someone fuses with the Dao of Fire, it signifies a guaranteed future of ‘Attaining Emperor’!” Lu Xuan was astonished. Guaranteed ‘Attaining Emperor’?! The System continued, “The so-called Emperor Realm is when one’s ‘Dao’ is mutually verified with Heaven and Earth! The Dao of Fire can be considered a ‘Dao’ that has already been acknowledged by Heaven and Earth.” Lu Xuan blinked. In other words, this Dao of Fire is the official, Heaven-approved ‘Dao’. Fusing with it is a direct pass to becoming a Great Emperor! That’s just too heaven-defying!