Chapter 128: Devouring Spirit Poison Flame

Wu Jiang walked in with a delighted expression.

"Oh? Wu Daoist, is this truly the case?"

Upon hearing this good news, Qin Ming's spirit trembled with excitement.

"Absolutely true!" Wu Jiang said with firm certainty.

"As for the method of refining this spiritual flame, it is held by a Qi Refining family on Huangfeng Island."

"I sounded them out—they'll demand a high price for such a secret technique, Qin Daoist, so prepare yourself mentally. But they are willing to sell."

"After all, natural spiritual flames are far harder to find than this technique. Holding onto the manual is like a skilled woman unable to cook without rice."

"Better to sell it."

"The two other spiritual materials are in the hands of a destitute cultivator."

After hearing this, Qin Ming couldn't help but clap Wu Jiang on the shoulder. "Wu Daoist, you truly are a local expert—got this information so fast. Thank you!"

This kid is truly talented! He's delivered again and again! Qin Ming immediately pulled out a small pouch of spirit stones and shoved it into Wu Jiang's hands. Wu Jiang felt its heavy weight, his eyes instantly brightening as he gladly accepted it.

"Qin Daoist, I'll take you there right away."

…

Three days later.

When Qin Ming returned to his cave dwelling, he had successfully obtained the secret technique for refining natural spiritual flames.

In addition, he acquired two auxiliary materials for crafting Foundation Establishment pills—but they were all seedlings.

But to Qin Ming, these were no problem.

At first, the Qi Refining family, relying on the rarity of the technique, tried to demand an exorbitant price.

They put on an arrogant, "priceless and unattainable" air.

But when Qin Ming produced second-rank five-color spirit rice as payment, they obediently handed over the technique.

Back in his cave.

Qin Ming eagerly pulled out the jade slip containing the technique.

"The Xuan Yin Fire Refining Scripture!" It contained not only the method to subdue and refine spiritual flames, but also recorded many rare spiritual flames that had existed since ancient times.

Qin Ming immersed his spirit, reading and rereading.

When he reached the description of one particular natural spiritual flame, he froze.

The one described was precisely the blue flame he had obtained from the ancient ruin's herb garden.

Second-rank low-grade spiritual flame: Shi Ling Poison Flame.

Born from the extreme yang Zhidi of the earth's molten core, where extreme yang gives birth to yin, forming a yin-poisonous spiritual flame.

Besides its extremely high temperature, this poison flame has one defining trait: it can directly burn and corrode a cultivator's magic power.

Once it clings, it's like a leech attached to the bone—nearly impossible to remove.

Qin Ming broke out in goosebumps.

"Burn blue!"

What if something went wrong during refinement? After all, refining natural spiritual flames requires absorbing the flame into one's body.

Qin Ming took out the jade vial containing the blue flame and opened it, peering inside.

Confirmed—it was unquestionably the Shi Ling Poison Flame.

Then.

He carefully studied the technique, reading it over and over—more than ten times—ensuring not a single error.

After all, this concerned his life and cultivation—no room for carelessness.

While studying the technique, he also discovered.

This method for refining natural spiritual flames was not suitable for just anyone.

It had strict requirements.

First, besides demanding an exceptionally strong body, the meridians must also be far stronger than normal.

Otherwise, during refinement, a spiritual flame's backlash would be no joke.

But aside from that, Qin Ming was confident in meeting both conditions.

He didn't expect any problems.

He immediately pulled out the jade vial containing the Shi Ling Poison Flame.

Then, with a flick of his finger, he broke the seal on the vial's mouth.

*Jiu! A sharp cry rang out.

A pale-blue flame shot out, instantly transforming into a blue firebird that flew straight out of the cave in the blink of an eye—all happening in an instant.

He had no time to react.

Qin Ming hadn't expected the flame to flee on its own, and the jade slip contained no such warning—he was utterly unprepared.

*Swoosh! Qin Ming immediately shot after it.

If the flame escaped, there'd be no recourse.

But as soon as he stepped outside,

he witnessed a shocking sight.

His life-plant, Changsheng Teng, had whipped out countless black vines from the air, writhing like claws, weaving a fine net that trapped the firebird transformed from the Shi Ling Poison Flame.

No matter how fiercely the firebird struggled and flapped within, it was useless. The poison flames it spat could not harm the black vines at all.

Instead, the vines lashed it, forcing it to stay motionless.

Soon, it was tamed—obedient and docile.

Seeing this, Qin Ming instantly relaxed.

"Wait—this technique didn't mention the poison flame could develop sentience?"

Had it not been for the black vines' immunity to fire and poison, it might have truly escaped.

That was far too close.

Qin Ming felt a flush of embarrassment.

Without hesitation, he prepared to refine the flame.

Now was the perfect moment—the poison flame was docile, tamed by the black vines.

He had to strike while the iron was hot.

Qin Ming focused his mind, commanding Changsheng Teng to release its net. He raised the Xuan Yin Fire Refining Scripture in his palm and reached out to draw the azure poison flame toward him.

The spiritual flame instantly landed in his hand.

Then Qin Ming made a startling move—he picked up the Shi Ling Poison Flame and swallowed it whole with one gulp.

Immediately after,

he sat cross-legged and began activating the technique to refine and subdue the flame.

During the process, Qin Ming alternated between freezing cold and searing heat.

The aura radiating from his body split into two extremes.

Pain flickered across Qin Ming's face—he felt the difficulty of subduing this poison flame exceeded his expectations.

At that moment,

his life-plant stirred again. Black vines danced, and several strands of dark light flashed and vanished into Qin Ming's body.

The previously restless poison flame instantly grew calm.

Qin Ming steadied his spirit and continued the technique, accelerating the refinement of the flame.

More than two hours passed.

A brilliant, ice-like blue flame rested quietly above Qin Ming's dantian.

The Shi Ling Poison Flame had been fully refined.

Now, he only needed time to nurture it—further advancement remained possible.

Qin Ming had been terrified moments ago, drenched in cold sweat.

This poison flame could only have been saved by his divine life-plant, Changsheng Teng. Any other cultivator,

even with the refinement technique, would likely have perished under its backlash.

Qin Ming wiped the beads of sweat from his brow.

He was thrilled—he now possessed a second-rank natural spiritual flame while still in late Qi Refining.

Advancing to second-rank Alchemy Master was within reach! Even more exciting: this Shi Ling Poison Flame had become a powerful secret weapon.

In battle, catching an opponent off-guard with it would cause them grave trouble.

With this spiritual flame,

Qin Ming could ignite his furnace anywhere—even without a dedicated alchemy chamber—extremely convenient.

Qin Ming pulled out his purple alchemy furnace.

Then, with a thought, the ice-blue Shi Ling Poison Flame appeared in his palm.

Like a nimble blue firebird, it danced gracefully.

Qin Ming formed a hand seal and pointed— the blue firebird dove beneath the furnace, obediently heating it.

Not only that—he could freely control the flame's temperature. This sensation was far superior to using geothermal fire.

More intuitive, more precise, the control over the heat was seamless.

With his powerful spiritual sense, Qin Ming could now multitask effortlessly—he quickly extracted the medicinal base and prepared the decoction.

He didn't even need containers.

Under the control of his spiritual sense, clusters of medicinal elixirs, exuding a fragrant aroma, floated silently in the air.

When the timing and heat were just right.

Qin Ming poured all the medicinal elixirs into the elixir furnace.

A moment later.

At the moment of elixir formation, he activated the Yin-Yang Separation and Union Spirit Control True Scripture and performed elixir fusion once more.

Jiu! A clear cry echoed from the elixir furnace.

A rich, exotic fragrance flooded into his nostrils.

Qin Ming's expression brightened; he retracted the Soul-Devouring Poison Flame and returned it to his dantian for nurturing.

At the same time, he gestured with his hand, and over a dozen elixirs radiating green elixir aura fell into his palm from the furnace.

"Top-grade Spirit-Enriching Elixir."

(End of Chapter)