Chapter 32: Returning Home

When he emerged from the volcanic ruins, it was already dusk.

Aikesi stood at the foot of the mountain, glancing back once. The setting sun dyed the entire Yanfeng peak in gold and crimson; the stone gate had long since closed, merging back into the rock face as if it had never opened.

He turned and headed north.

Riding slowly, he sorted through the gains of this journey as he went.

The most valuable was undoubtedly that staff.

He unslung the staff from his back and examined it while riding. The shaft was entirely dark red, made of a material neither metal nor wood, warm to the touch as if holding the body of a living creature. The Magic Core set in the staff's head was egg-sized; within it, flames seemed to flow, and upon closer inspection, those flames were slowly rotating, never ceasing.

Aikesi gripped the shaft and slowly infused his Magic. The staff instantly lit up; the Magic Core at its head erupted with dazzling red light, and a scorching Strength Profound Mystery traveled back through the shaft into his body. That power resonated with his own Magic, resonated with the Fallen Heart Flame, as if they had always been one.

"A fine thing."

He withdrew his Magic and re-secured the staff.

Next was that potion bottle.

He pulled the small Crystal Bottle from his chest and held it up to the setting sun. The liquid within was deep blue, dotted with specks of silver light; a gentle shake made those silver lights swirl slowly like a nebula.

Moon Essence Liquid.

That was the name he had given it himself. Judging by the sensation, this should be some treasure capable of enhancing spiritual power perception, suitable for use before cultivation or combat. But its specific effects would have to be studied slowly upon his return.

Finally, there was that pill.

The Nine-Turn Fire Lotus Pill in the wooden box was entirely crimson, with golden patterns on its surface. Lao Chen had said this thing could greatly boost the Magic of Fire Element cultivators, even helping them break through bottlenecks. He believed it, for simply holding the box, he could feel the dense Fire Element contained within.

These three items, plus the Magic Cores he had dug out while slaying magical beasts along the way, plus the other odds and ends split among the team, meant this expedition to the ruins was a full harvest.

Aikesi drew his thoughts back and focused on the journey.

Hoofbeats struck the main road, producing a rhythmic clippity-clop.

Five more days passed before he finally saw the walls of the Yunluo Empire's Didu.

The towering walls shimmered with a bluish-gray under the sun; guards at the city gate held long spears, carefully checking the crowds entering and exiting. Seeing Aikesi riding over from afar, the guard captain in charge's eyes lit up, and he hurried forward to meet him.

"Lord Aikesi! You have returned!"

Aikesi reined in his horse and nodded: "Good work."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all!" the guard captain hurriedly waved his hands, then turned and shouted to the other guards, "Quickly make way, let the Lord pass!"

The common folk at the city gate automatically cleared a path; curious gazes were cast over, and those who recognized him murmured in low voices. Aikesi paid them no mind, urged his horse forward, and entered the city.

Passing through the gate, familiar streets rushed to meet him. The shops on both sides were just as they had been: selling cloth, selling sundries, selling food; shouts rose and fell in succession. He slowed his horse, letting it walk on its own, occasionally glancing at the scenes along the street.

Having stayed in the ruins for so long, facing only magma and rock day after day, seeing this bustling street scene now gave him a feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

A child selling candied haws ran past, saw his horse, and stopped timidly. Aikesi glanced at him, fished out a few copper coins from his chest, and tossed them over. The child fumbled to catch them, then realized what had happened, and happily held out the candied haws to offer them.

Aikesi waved his hand and urged his horse away.

Turning two streets, the plaque of the Earl Mansion appeared in his view.

"The Lord has returned!" The servant at the gate spotted him instantly, immediately announced it loudly, and at the same time trotted forward to take the horse.

Aikesi swung off the horse and handed over the reins. Just as he stepped through the main gate, he saw the steward Kaman hurrying out to meet him, a barely concealed joy on his face.

"Lord! You have finally returned!" Kaman walked up to him, looked him up and down, confirmed he was unharmed, and only then breathed a sigh of relief. "Was the journey smooth?"

"It was fine." Aikesi walked inward. "How is the household?"

"All is well, all is well." Kaman followed at his side, reporting as he walked. "Nothing major happened this month; only Sir Huerman came twice. Hearing you had gone out, he said to notify him immediately when you returned. Also, the accounts for the shop in the North City this month have arrived; profits are twenty percent higher than last month. And also..."

Aikesi nodded as he listened, crossed the courtyard, and entered the main hall.

"We'll discuss these matters later." He sat in a chair and let out a long breath. "First, get me something to eat; I haven't had a proper meal on the road."

"Yes, yes, yes; it was prepared long ago." Kaman waved his hand, and servants immediately went down to arrange it.

Before long, steaming hot dishes were brought up. Aikesi was not shy; he picked up his chopsticks and began eating. Having gone a month without proper meals, though he could hunt and roast meat in the wild, it was far inferior to the skills of the mansion's cooks.

Kaman stood nearby, and only when he saw Aikesi had eaten enough did he cautiously speak up: "Lord, how were your gains on this trip?"

"It was fine." Aikesi lifted his teacup for a sip and leaned back in the chair. "I got a fine staff; later, have someone make a stand for me to place in the cultivation room. It must be made of redwood, with a stable base."

"Yes."

"Also, I will be secluding myself for a period of time; the duration is uncertain. Handle external matters as usual; unless something is particularly urgent, do not disturb me."

"Understood." Kaman agreed, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then what about Sir Huerman..."

Aikesi thought for a moment: "Send someone tomorrow to say I have returned, and that I will visit him in a couple of days."

"Yes."

After Kaman withdrew, Aikesi leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and rested for a while.

The wind from outside the window blew in, carrying the scent of flowers from the garden. This place where he had lived for several years made him feel especially relaxed at this moment. In the ruins, even while sleeping, one had to remain vigilant, ready to deal with emergencies at any time. Now back in his own mansion, he could finally set his mind at ease.

Having rested enough, he rose and went to the cultivation room.

Pushing open the door, the familiar scorching breath rushed to meet him. No one had used it for a month, yet the Magic Array was still operating, and the temperature had not dropped at all. The patterns on the walls emitted a faint red glow; the entire room was like a giant furnace.

He took off his outer robe, sat cross-legged on the cushion, and placed the few items obtained on this journey before him.

First, study that potion bottle.

He pulled out the stopper, and a cool breath spread out, forming a sharp contrast with the scorching heat in the room. He wrapped a drop of liquid in his Magic and carefully guided it to his brow—the core of his spiritual power.

The instant the liquid touched his brow, he felt the entire world become a bit clearer.

The patterns on the walls, every single scratch was clearly visible; he could even perceive the trajectory of Magic flowing within the patterns. The dust floating in the air, every single grain was crystal clear. The chirping of insects in the distant garden, the location and distance of every single one, even the frequency of their wing vibrations, all entered his mind.

This state lasted for about ten breaths, then slowly faded.

Aikesi opened his eyes; he now had a clear idea.

This potion indeed enhances spiritual power perception, and it is temporary. The effect likely lasts ten to twenty breaths, depending on the dosage. Used in combat, it allows him to detect an enemy's attack trajectory in advance, or see through stealth-type skills.

A fine thing, but it must be used where the blade is sharpest.

He put the potion away and picked up the Nine-Turn Fire Lotus Pill.

This was the main event.

The pill was entirely crimson, with golden patterns on its surface flowing under the light as if alive. Aikesi stared at the pill for a long time, then used his Magic to probe inside and sense it. The Fire Element contained within the pill was so dense it nearly condensed into solid form; if he took it now, he had a seventy percent chance of breaking through directly to Level 8 Peak, and even hope of touching the threshold of Level 9.

But he still decided not to take it yet.

He had only recently broken through to Eight-level High-stage; his Magic was not yet stable, and taking this pill now would be a waste. It was like building a house: if you build upward before the foundation is firmly laid, problems will arise sooner or later. After some time, when his Magic accumulated to Level 8 Peak and his foundation was solid, using it to assault Level 9 would yield the best results and be the safest.

He placed the pill back into the wooden box and carefully stored it away.

As for that staff—

He picked up the staff, infused it with Magic, and the Magic Core at its top glowed red. The temperature in the cultivation room suddenly rose; the patterns of the Magic Array on the walls flickered along with it, emitting a humming resonance.

The Fallen Heart Flame activated simultaneously, creating a strong response between the staff and the Strange Fire. He could feel that wielding this staff to cast Fire-element Magic would increase its power by at least fifty percent. If combined with the Fallen Heart Flame, the power would rise even further.

"Molten Heart," he softly spoke the name he had given the staff. "From now on, you shall be called Molten Heart."

After putting everything away, Aikesi began his formal seclusion.

With his five centers facing the sky, he visualized the Nuwa Diagram. In his mind, the figure with a human head and a snake body had become so clear that every single hair could be seen; she sat cross-legged amidst a river of stars, with the surrounding stars rotating slowly, and with each rotation a wisp of cool breath seeped into the depths of his soul.

His spiritual power was growing slowly.

The Fallen Heart Flame circulated within his body, tempering his Magic day and night. That mass of Strange Fire hovered in his dantian, constantly inhaling and exhaling flames; with each breath, minute impurities were expelled from his body, making his Magic even more pure.

The Five Spirit Wheel also operated at full capacity, absorbing the Fire Element from heaven and earth and transforming it into the purest Magic. He could feel the Fire Element around him surging into his body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea; after being transformed by the Five Spirit Wheel, it became his own Strength Profound Mystery.

Time passed day by day.

Inside the cultivation room, day and night were indistinguishable; only the Magic Array on the walls constantly glowed red. Aikesi sat cross-legged on the cushion, motionless, like a statue. Only the occasional rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.

When hungry, he ate the dried rations he carried; when thirsty, he drank a few sips of water; when sleepy, he meditated to restore his spiritual power. He had long grown accustomed to such days of secluded cultivation, even enjoying them somewhat. Watching himself grow stronger day by day, that sense of fulfillment was irreplaceable by anything else.

Half a month later, Aikesi opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

His Eight-level High-stage Magic was thoroughly stabilized, even more refined than before he entered the ruin. The fusion between the Fallen Heart Flame and his Magic had deepened another layer, and the operation of the Five Spirit Wheel had become smoother. The life-and-death battles within the ruin were indeed more effective than simple secluded cultivation.

He stretched his somewhat stiff neck and shoulders, stood up, pushed open the door, and walked out of the cultivation room.

The sunlight was blinding; he squinted and saw Kaman standing in the garden talking with Old Tom. Old Tom was the mansion's gardener, an elderly man with graying hair, who was now pointing at several flowers in the garden and saying something.

"My Lord has emerged from seclusion?" Kaman, sharp-eyed, spotted him immediately and hurried over. "Your seclusion this time was not short."

"Only half a month; it is not long," Aikesi said, taking a deep breath of fresh air. "How is Huerman?"

"Sir Huerman has come again, saying he requests you must visit his mansion; there is something important," Kaman paused. "Judging by his appearance, he seems quite urgent."

Aikesi nodded: "I will go today."

In the afternoon, he changed into clean clothes, rode a horse, and arrived at Huerman's mansion.

Huerman was lying in the garden basking in the sun; on a small table beside him were tea snacks and fruit, quite pleasant. Seeing Aikesi approach from afar, he sat up in a rush, his eyes shining.

"You have finally returned! I thought something had happened to you!"

Aikesi sat beside him, poured himself a cup of tea: "I was in seclusion for half a month. What is it? What is so urgent?"

"Urgent? Not really, just curious," Huerman leaned closer, his face full of gossip. "I heard you went to the Southern Volcano ruin? How was it? How was it? Tell me quickly!"

Aikesi glanced at him, lifted his teacup for a sip, and briefly recounted the events in the ruin: the stone door, the prohibitions, the flame puppets, the skeleton on the final layer; he spoke what should be spoken, concealed what should be concealed, and only gave a general account.

Huerman's eyes shone as he listened, occasionally emitting exclamations, slapping his thigh and crying out in regret: "If only I had known, I would have gone too! Such a fine ruin, so many treasures, and I was lying at home basking in the sun!"

"You couldn't go," Aikesi struck him without mercy. "You are only Level 7; entering would be suicide."

"That hurts," Huerman covered his chest, feigning a pained expression, then immediately laughed. "But seriously, it is good that you survived. In such a place, surviving is skill itself."

Aikesi nodded.

Huerman poured him a glass of wine: "What are your plans next? Continue cultivating?"

"Mm, in some time I may travel to the O'Brien Empire."

"O'Brien?" Huerman froze, his wine glass halted halfway. "What are you going there for? That is one of the four great empires of the continent, teeming with experts; it is not comparable to our Yunluo Empire."

Aikesi lifted his wine glass for a sip: "Just wandering around, seeing the sights."

Huerman looked at him and asked no more. He knew Aikesi's nature; if he did not wish to speak, asking was useless. Nevertheless, he could not help reminding him: "The O'Brien Empire is no simple matter; its people are warlike by nature, and at the slightest disagreement they fight. Be careful when you go."

"I know."

The two drank wine all afternoon and chatted about idle matters. Huerman spoke of recent amusing events in Didu: whose son had married, whose shop had encountered trouble; Aikesi listened, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two. At dusk, he took his leave.

Riding home along the road, the sunset dyed the streets gold. Aikesi thought about his next plans. He must go to the O'Brien Empire; there lay better cultivation resources, stronger opponents, and more opportunities. But before that, he must take the Nine-Turn Fire Lotus Pill and raise his strength another notch.

Returning to the Earl Mansion, he went straight into the cultivation room.

He took out that wooden box, opened it, and the Nine-Turn Fire Lotus Pill lay quietly inside, crimson as blood. Aikesi took a deep breath, picked up the pill, and placed it in his mouth.