There were three-meter long, x-ray Fire Fish. There were thick-armored Fire Tortoises. There were slender-tailed Fire Lizards. There were Fire Crocodiles with enormous builds and dense rows of sharp teeth. Each species of wild beast was soaking in the lava. All of them possessed carapaces that were difficult to pierce with weapons and they all had the ability to spew flames. Even their weak points were usually hidden, or they were so minuscule that it was hard to see clearly. Even when the weak points were located, they were hard to strike.
Under Gongyi Tianheng’s requirements, the numerous Gongyi Clan children attacked and slew these wild beasts along the way. From grade two to grade three, they needed to form groups of twos and threes. With a period of support, they were barely able to survive under the onslaught of a grade four wild beast.
Gradually, the murderous eyes of the numerous children turned red. From time to time, they took Rejuvenation Pills to let their battered bodies recover. But even though it was like this, the depletion of their physical strength and true qi was huge. They had no choice but to regulate their breathing for long durations. At the same time, they accumulated a lot of experience amid this slaughter. They were drenched with killing intent and their willpower was honed!
Gongyi Tianyang undoubtedly had the best performance.
Perhaps it was because his eldest brother was in front. In order to not lower his eldest brother’s prestige, he placed himself under strict requirements at all times. Moreover, his aptitudes were originally superior to those among the next generation. There were also the medicinal pills that Tianheng had previously left behind to lay his foundations. Thus, his current accomplishments were to be expected.
Consequently, Tianyang didn’t feel that he himself was that powerful. He just had to think of his eldest brother’s performances during past tribulations as well as the stunning results afterwards, and then he would feel that he was greatly lacking. He needed to work even harder to be able to get the chance to follow in his eldest brother’s footsteps!
Gu Zuo sat on the grade six wild rhino. From time to time, he would jump off to gather certain parts of wild beasts that were medicinal or dietary ingredients. Because he obtained these profits, he was also quite attentive toward the Gongyi Clan’s children. For example, if they did their best to attack a wild beast, but were about to lose their lives, he would promptly release a Silver Needle to kill that wild beast and rescue those children. Because the Silver Needles were silent and undetectable, those children never discovered that these matters were Gu Zuo’s doing. They only thought that it was Tianheng responding, and gratefulness to him bloomed in their hearts.
Gu Zuo was so happy that Gongyi Tianheng naturally covered for him.
In this way, a group of people traversed through the lava pools. As many as two days had passed. From the initial excitement to the exhaustion afterwards, those children relied solely on their own determination and willpower to support themselves.
Reaching this point, the group finally arrived at the base of Hidden Dragon Mountain.
This place was even hotter.
Gu Zuo raised his head to look at the summit that had been thoroughly split apart, as if a lone blade had carved it into a towering basin. The blazing lava still followed the slopes of the mountain, constantly flowing downwards before finally meandering its way out. Once the runoff flowed into those lava pools, the pools boiled even more as bubbles gurgled up.
As they moved onwards, it was time to conquer that Hidden Dragon Mountain.
But who knew what was on Hidden Dragon Mountain? If these Gongyi Clan children went up together, it would be hard to guarantee their safety. Thus, Gu Zuo realized that he was someone who needed to go find the Earth Fire, but these children couldn’t be taken along.
Gongyi Tianheng slightly raised his head and eyed that volcano. Following which, he unhurriedly opened his mouth: “Tianyang, guide everyone and leave this place. Go directly to the city and find a tavern to stay at. Don’t take the initiate to attack the wild beasts in the lava pools.”
Tianyang first answered: “I will.” Then he asked, “Then, what about big brother and Brother Ah Zuo?”
Tianheng said: “We’ll be going deeper to explore.”
Tianyang understood without being told. He realized that this was the furthest he and the other children could go. Any opportunities that they couldn’t take part in would fall into Tianheng’s hands. This was also very good! Hence, he decided to lead everyone away.
At this time, Gu Zuo shouted to them: “Tianyang, sprinkle this on your bodies!”
Gongyi Tianyang turned his head and saw Gu Zuo throw over a bag. Inside was a fine, medicinal powder. He stared at it: “Brother Ah Zuo, what is this?”
Gu Zuo pursed his lips and said: “It’s a powder that can weaken your body odor. After sprinkling it on, you can avoid the attention of the wild beasts in the lava pools.”
Even though these children were riding grade four wild beasts, their odors were still a source of danger. It was reasonable to say that the wild beasts in the lava pools wouldn’t voluntarily come out to attack, but the lava beasts wouldn’t stand for them killing so many. Moreover, there was a chance that they might encounter a species that wasn’t afraid of the grade four Armor-Plated Rhinos and would suddenly emerge to attack them. Thus, sprinkling the powder to prevent the wild beasts from sensing them was for the best.
Tianyang’s eyes flashed with a trace of happiness as he received it: “Many thanks, Brother Ah Zuo!”
This couldn’t have been better!
After Tianheng muttered to himself, he took Gu Zuo into his arms and dropped down in an instant.
He instructed: “Wild rhino king, follow Tianyang and the others back. If they encounter any danger, protect them properly. You mustn’t lose a single person.”
The wild rhino king gave a low roar. Even though it didn’t seem too willing, it didn’t refuse.
This was considered another layer of insurance to guarantee that Gongyi Tianyang and the others smoothly returned to Hezui City.
Following that, Tianyang led the numerous children and they said their goodbyes. Each of them scattered the medicinal powder on themselves, urged on their wild rhinos, and galloped away. That grade six wild rhino king closely followed them on the side. It bore a stern aura as it thoroughly guarded them.
As such, Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo were able to set aside their worries.
When Tianheng turned his head around, he looked down and saw that Gu Zuo’s expression was somewhat strange. His mind moved, and he asked: “The system?”
Gu Zuo sorted out his facial expression and nodded his head.
Just now, his brain was flooded by a newly arrived mission.
[Side Mission: Subdue the Earthen Core Flame.]
[Mission Item: <<Heavenly Fire-Submission Seal>>.]
[Completion Method: Unrestricted.]
[Completion Time: Seven days.]
[Failure Penalty: Deduction of three hundred strands of medicinal qi.]
Tianheng listened to Gu Zuo’s words and pondered a little. He said: “Does Ah Zuo know what kind of Wondrous Fire the Earthen Core Flame is?”
Gu Zuo thought back to <<Great Sights of the World — Earth Fires>>. There really was a written account relating to the matter of the Earthen Core Flame. After organizing his thoughts, he replied: “Flames that are both produced by ley lines and don’t hold any other natures can be called Earth Fires. The Earthen Core Flame is among the types of Earth Fires that have the highest purity and are the closest to the earth’s core. The item book proposes that the Earthen Core Flame is classified as an Earth Fire whose product grade surpasses first class. It’s also called a Spirit-Grade Wondrous Fire.”
Tianheng’s brows slightly furrowed: “If a Spirit-Grade Wondrous Fire needs to be subdued, how certain is Ah Zuo?”
Gu Zuo’s expression suddenly turned a little unsightly: “The higher the Wondrous Fire’s product grade, the harder it is to subdue. Because its spiritual nature is stronger, an ordinary pharmacist basically has no way to receive its approval. And if it doesn’t approve of the other party, when the Wondrous Fire merges with the qi ocean, it’ll easily cause a backlash. A pharmacist who forcibly tries to subdue it will be burned to ash.”
So now a question appeared.
First of all, Gu Zuo didn’t have a qi ocean. Also, he basically didn’t know what this qi ocean was! So how could he merge the Earthen Core Flame merge with his qi ocean?
Although the submission of the Wondrous Fire wasn’t directly related to the pharmacist’s true qi realm, many cases had shown that the higher the true qi realm of the pharmacist, the greater the probability of subduing the Wondrous Fire.
Tianheng listened to Gu Zuo’s questions. He nodded his head and said: “I actually know what the qi ocean is. Once a martial artist or pharmacist enters the Immortal Realm, they can establish their qi ocean.”
Gu Zuo: “…”
It was no wonder that ordinary pharmacists needed to be at the Immortal Realm or above to subdue the Wondrous Fire! Making use of a Wondrous Fire and being able to subdue it were basically two different things!
When Tianheng saw him acting so troubled, he crooked his finger to flick Gu Zuo’s forehead: “Although that system of yours is somewhat elusive, the matters it normally orders you to do aren’t ones that you can’t accomplish. In that case, you should be able to subdue this strand of Earthen Core Flame. Ah Zuo, why don’t you check that <<Heavenly Fire-Submission Seal>>? You might gain something from it.”
Gu Zuo also felt that this was reasonable. He made an affirmative sound and his thoughts moved. A book appeared in his hand. Immediately following that, he held the item book and began flipping through it.
Ah, right. The writings inside the book were methods on subduing Wondrous Fires…
Gongyi Tianheng saw that Gu Zuo’s full attention was already focused on that <<Heavenly Fire-Submission Seal>>. He also turned around, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked to that Hidden Dragon Mountain.
In his mind, he was reckoning something at this moment.
That system always released missions.
According to reason, since Hidden Dragon Mountain had a mission and they had already known about the matter of Hidden Dragon Mountain, then when he mentioned the matter and decided to bring Gu Zuo, the system should’ve released the mission right then and there. But in fact, the system at that time was completely unresponsive, which led to Gu Zuo coming here later on and getting that item book to study painstakingly — If he could’ve studied it a bit earlier, wouldn’t that have been better?
Yet, there was no response.
Following their arrival here, the system mentioned the name “Earthen Core Flame”. In addition, when they intended on exploring, it gave the item book…
As a result, Gongyi Tianheng believed that the knowledge stored within the system was extremely abundant. However, under the premise of long-distance separation, it couldn’t ascertain the specific circumstances of the local region. In other words, once the system arrived here, it determined whether a Wondrous Fire really existed and then released the side mission.
It seemed that there really should be something operating that system… But how could they make that thing show itself? Presently, it looked like that thing would only give Gu Zuo a push whenever he encountered something. It prompted him to do his best, but it didn’t take the initiative to see Gu Zuo in person. Then perhaps the moment hadn’t come yet? If it was harboring evil intentions, then it wouldn’t act this obviously after knowing about Tianheng’s existence…
For a brief period of time, Gongyi Tianheng thought about many things. He provisionally lowered the danger rating of that system by two points. At the same time, the sounds of airflow and the sensations of rushing movement could be felt from Gu Zuo’s location.
Tianheng looked over and saw that Gu Zuo’s body was steaming hot. The surroundings seemed to have many red streams of qi. When his hands interwove to use the hand seals, the space between his palms was under his control. Those hand seals and motions were exquisite. Anyone who watched would only perceive some of the profound mystery of the trajectories.
After his fingers shuttled back and forth a few times, Gu Zuo abruptly shook his arm, causing the motions to stop. After that, he exhaled and spoke as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders: “Finished practicing.”
Tianheng raised his eyebrow: “Are you sure of the outcome?”
Gu Zuo had a long face: “I don’t have a qi ocean…”
Tianheng smiled: “So?”
Gu Zuo dejectedly said: “So, I can only choose to tear apart the Earthen Core Flame into over a hundred pieces and disperse it into those bone pearls…”
Tianheng’s gaze relaxed and he used his hand to ruffle Gu Zuo’s hair. He said softly: “But what’s wrong?”
Gu Zuo sighed: “It’ll probably hurt a little.”
Tianheng couldn’t help laughing: “Then, what will Ah Zuo do?”
Gu Zuo looked at him helplessly: “It’s…just a bit of pain.”
Yes, it was only a bit of pain.
Fortunately, another mission would be considered partly completed after subduing it. Moreover, once he was a higher level in the future, he would need to refine even more profound medicinal pills. A common flame wouldn’t even be able to melt the medicinal herbs; it simply wouldn’t work. Subduing a Wondrous Fire ahead of schedule would be very beneficial to him down the line.
Right, think about the benefits! Pain, that was just pain…
There was no time to lose. Resolved, Gu Zuo wasn’t going to let himself back out of it. He clenched his teeth: “Big brother, we’re going!”
Tianheng reached out an arm and pulled Gu Zuo into his embrace. Immediately following that, he stamped his foot and their bodies shot up. Like a giant bird, they flew swiftly into the air.
With a whooshing sound, he landed on a protruding mountain cliff. In a split second, the soles of his shoes were half-baked. Tianheng’s expression didn’t change as he soared up once more. The next time, when he landed on another mountain cliff, the true qi that wrapped up the soles of his shoes was three times as thick. Afterwards, he made several nimble leaps, rapidly climbing to the peak of Hidden Dragon Mountain like a shooting star.
Gu Zuo also wasn’t idle.
The location of the Earthen Core Flame was unknown, but the lava was coming down from the mountain peak. It was only natural that they would have a greater chance to find clues after going to the summit. Gongyi Tianheng went straight to their destination. Meanwhile, Gu Zuo unleashed his psychic power, sweeping it in all directions to avoid being attacked by the mountain’s wild beasts.
That’s right. Although the volcanic eruption had killed countless wild beasts endemic to Hidden Dragon Mountain, there were still many that could survive the catastrophe. In addition, after surviving, the beasts could undergo some changes. What’s more, there were also wild beasts that were fond of the environment here. They had migrated from far away and had taken root along Hidden Dragon Mountain. They evolved with the help of the heat here and became incomparably powerful.
It didn’t take long for Gu Zuo to find quite a few grade four and five wild beasts that were stronger than beasts of equivalent grades. As one went higher or further, there would be many qi energies, whose strengths were even higher, concealed within some fiery marshes or stone forests. All of them were unbridled, tyrannical, and fiendishly astonishing.
In the end, however, he was a person who slew a Spirit-Grade wild beast. He wasn’t afraid of these things. While Gongyi Tianheng continuously climbed, he merely did his best to help Tianheng avoid those wild beasts. And when evasion wasn’t possible… He would unleash the brilliance of his psychic power.
The Spirit Piercing Awl was the most effective. Every time a wild beast came to attack, Gu Zuo would move his thoughts and a Silver Awl would shoot out. It could shatter the skulls of wild beasts from grade four to grade seven. If a grade eight wild beast attacked, he would rapidly fire a number of Silver Awls. Although it couldn’t kill the beast immediately, it could hinder that grade eight wild beast’s movements, preventing it from chasing them while wounded. And in case they encountered a grade nine wild beast… Even if they had to make a huge detour, Gu Zuo would warn Tianheng to avoid it without delay. If they really weren’t able to avoid it, Gu Zuo would turn over and climb onto Tianheng’s back. He would simultaneously use Silver Awls to harass that grade nine wild beast and watch his big brother kill it.
Through this cooperation, the speed of the two was exceptionally fast. In just over half an hour, they had already reached the summit.
That sudden clap of thunder had really stuck accurately. The mountain peak appeared as a volcanic crater, which was entirely filled with scarlet-red lava. The temperature and degree of boiling here vastly exceeded the lava pools down below the mountain.
There was a terrifying qi energy that steadily overflowed beneath the lava in the volcanic crater.
Gu Zuo’s psychic power slowly extended downwards — Fortunately, although there was tremendous fire qi, the psychic power could still cope, allowing it to gradually spread.
The location of that frightening qi energy was then captured by Gu Zuo several dozens of meters down!
This was — A grade eleven wild beast?
No, no, no. Compared to grade eleven, it seemed a little weaker. It should’ve been a grade ten wild beast, but it was somewhat stronger than the average. With the passing of some time, it would break through.
Fortunately, their arrival was very timely.
Gu Zuo sighed, and said to Tianheng: “Big brother, it seems there’s a grade ten Fire Ape. However, we have to hurry up. Otherwise, it’ll probably use the lava’s fire qi to break through to grade eleven. At that time, it’ll be very difficult if we want to take care of it.”
Tianheng pondered somewhat: “The Fire Ape has boundless strength and can stir up the lava. It’ll be challenging to handle. Ah Zuo, when I’m fighting with it, I’m afraid I can’t bring you along.”
Gu Zuo startled: “Big brother wants to go down into the lava?”
Tianheng faintly shook his head: “Fighting it in the lava would be the worst choice to make. The Fire Ape holds the most favorable position in the lava, which is disadvantageous to me. I should first provoke it and draw it out of the lava. This is the most ideal plan of action.”
Gu Zuo understood: “Then, what method does big brother have?”
The ever-prepared Tianheng said: “I’m only a Xiantian stage two martial artist. If I dared to infringe upon its dignity, under its irascible anger, it might be willing to come out to take a look at me.”
Gu Zuo smiled: “Then, while I’m hiding on the side, I’ll use my psychic power to shield myself.” He thought about something and said, “Right. I can condense my psychic power to go below and stab it! This’ll provoke it!”
Tianheng clapped his hands and smiled: “Ah Zuo’s plan is very good!”
Gu Zuo then composed himself, and first made Tianheng take another Fire Repelling Pill. Soon after, without the slightest hesitation, he mobilized more than half of the psychic power in his Tianfu Acupoint and instantly transformed it into an extremely thick and solid Silver Needle. It rapidly penetrated the lava and struck that Fire Ape’s skull!
— Regardless of the lava’s dense coloration, the Fire Ape in Gu Zuo’s eyes was brought into clear focus through the effects of his psychic power. Naturally, the “provocation” was particularly precise.
That Fire Ape received such a heavy strike, and immediately let out a blood-curdling screech. Soon after, it became enraged!
Gu Zuo dodged in a flash and hid behind a huge boulder. He used his psychic power to cover himself! At this moment, his qi energy completely vanished from the entire mountain peak.
An enormous vortex surged within that volcanic crater. Immediately following which, a ten-meter tall, bright-red Fire Ape jumped out. Its feet slammed onto the lava and its mouth let out a frantic roar. At the same time, its scarlet eyes searched all over before instantly locking onto Gongyi Tianheng!
Tianheng grasped a spear and rushed forward without batting an eye! While the Fire Ape didn’t have enough time to take the initiative, he took advantage of the gap left by the lingering provocation caused by Gu Zuo’s psychic power to kill it first!
The region he targeted was precisely those pair of scarlet ape eyes.
The Fire Ape raged.
This puny worm was so bold!
Suddenly, its mouth sprayed a raging inferno. It transformed into a column of flames that rushed to kill Tianheng! Its clenched fists wielded blazing flames and its body was wrapped with lava. Under the cleansing heat, its red fur bristled with a power that seemed like armageddon was upon them — Strong! Too strong!
Even if it was Gongyi Tianheng, when that spear was thrusted out, it only hit the ape’s timely-closed eyelid, which produced a sharp and clear sound.
Tianheng wasn’t the least bit afraid. When he thrusted his spear a second time, that spear point was already carrying a streak of jet-black light.
So long as it could pierce a bit of the Fire Ape’s carapace…
He could easily achieve victory!
The figures of man and beast flew past one another.
The intense battle set off a fallout with bolts of qi energy, which blasted apart the lava and surrounding mountain boulders.
Gu Zuo watched from behind a gigantic rock, his heart rather tense.
It looked as if…they were evenly matched.
Should he try mounting a sneak attack? If he didn’t, his big brother would continue fighting and would become very tired.
As a small expert in sneak attacks, the radiance in Gu Zuo’s eyes turned and he stared intently at the gaps in the protection of that Fire Ape’s eyes. After that, he secretly smiled and shot a Silver Awl at the Fire Ape’s left eye — At almost the same time, his body rolled as he ran behind another giant boulder!
The Fire Ape let out another howl.
This time wasn’t as painful as the last time, but it still hurt a lot! This pain made it pause for an instant. During the battle, Gongyi Tianheng saw through the overall situation. He promptly detected this moment and he thrusted his spear without the slightest hesitation. The part he struck was the position right below the Fire Ape’s nose!
This place was one of the Fire Ape’s vulnerable spots.
There were no mishaps. The Fire Ape’s philtrum was punctured, and the pain caused it to turn over with tears rolling down its face. A streak of jet-black radiance shined from the place that was punctured. Starting from that philtrum, a dense, black qi instantly spread to the Fire Ape’s blood.
The Fire Ape sensed that its blood was freezing up. Its body grew rigid and its strength waned!
Gu Zuo decisively shot another Spirit Piercing Awl and aimed it at the Fire Ape’s other eye.
At the same time, Gongyi Tianheng raised his arm and more than half of the true qi within his body burst forth. It all converged onto the tip of that spear and stabbed once more towards the same spot!
That gigantic Fire Ape immediately fell to the ground with a loud rumble!
T/N: Quarantine restrictions in my state are beginning to loosen, so the hours for my job are increasing. This means I won’t be able to update as frequently as before, but I’m not entirely sure how quickly I’ll be able to post the translations.
Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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