Chapter 757: Fire Spirit Clan (End of Month Request for Monthly Tickets)

Upon hearing this, the dragon tattoo on the Seeker of Dragons' forehead tightened as if stimulated, the crimson blood dragon sprouting barbs that pierced deep into his flesh.

Clearly, the Seeker of Dragons had once been cursed by a bloodline curse—a curse born from the soul, bloodline, and hatred of a quasi-divine beast dragon as it died; to break this curse, one must find a dragon bloodline stronger than that quasi-divine beast.

"Pity I cannot enter the Dragon-Feng Heaven on Tian Luo Continent—if I could obtain the heart's blood of a True Dragon, I could break this hateful curse!" sighed the Seeker of Dragons.

To attain a dragon bloodline of divine beast level—how difficult that is! And such beings, once matured, are inevitably Earth Supremes; even if immature, they are supreme prodigies within the Dragon Clan, guarded by powerful dragons.

The Seeker of Dragons had once wished to journey to the Northern Realm of Tian Luo Continent, for there lies a strange space called the Dragon-Feng Heaven—a peculiar place within the Northern Realm, said to have been the site of an epic blood war in ancient times between two Supreme Heaven-level beings, one a True Dragon and one a True Feng, who both perished; their dragon and phoenix blood soaked into the space, and with the passage of time, it birthed miraculous power—anyone entering might receive Dragon God's Crown or Phoenix God's Crown, achieving immortality.

Yet the Dragon-Feng Heaven's opening conditions are extremely strict: it requires several supreme experts who have reached Earth Supreme level to open it simultaneously; moreover, the Dragon-Feng Heaven belongs to the Northern Realm of Tian Luo Continent, and outsiders of Earth Supreme level cannot open it; furthermore, the Northern Realm has an unwritten rule: even if opened, only the very top among the young generation, within strict cultivation and age limits, may enter.

The Seeker of Dragons was neither from the Northern Realm nor young.

Slowly rising to his feet, the Seeker of Dragons emitted a series of thunderous roars as he stood—this man was a Body Cultivator!

"If so, then the old man can only join forces with you."

Sensing the terrifying power concealed within the Seeker of Dragons' aged frame, Zhu Ye's eyes narrowed. The Seeker of Dragons was a Body Cultivator who practiced an exceptionally unique Great Round Body Refining Divine Technique, requiring absorption of various types of dragon blood.

"I know why you sought me. Rest assured, when necessary, I will unleash the Dragon-Subduing Divine Art," said the Seeker of Dragons, his aged eyes turning to Zhu Ye beside him.

At this moment, in the most luxurious courtyard in the center of Western Region City, Western Realm.

This courtyard had been recently built, situated in the golden district of Western Region City—literally worth its weight in gold; constructing such a vast courtyard in the most prosperous Western Region City was inconceivable.

This newly built super-courtyard belonged to the Western Realm Alliance; Western Region City, once jointly governed by the Four Earth Domains, had now officially become one of the main cities of the Western Realm Alliance, whose headquarters was now fixed in the center of the Western Realm—Western Region City.

Undoubtedly, this was the first branch of the Soul Temple in the Great Thousand World—the Ning Tian Temple.

"AncientPatriarch, here are all the Sovereign Spirit Liquids from the former treasuries of the Four Earth Domains, and this list, which records every inventory of the Four Earth Domains—including spirit techniques, array diagrams, spiritual artifacts, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures—all listed here."

"Please, AncientPatriarch, examine them."

Xin Zhangsheng bowed deeply, offering over a dozen scrolls, each densely filled with records of all treasures acquired by the Four Earth Domains over the years.

Gu Yuan, clad in black robes with his face hidden beneath a hood, took the scrolls and a Jade Bottle filled with Sovereign Spirit Liquid; he glanced at the bottle and sighed helplessly—the amount of Sovereign Spirit Liquid within was pitifully small; altogether, the Four Earth Domains possessed only a few ten thousand units.

But this was understandable—after all, the domain lords of the Four Earth Domains were only First-Pin Supremes; in truth, the Four Earth Domains were more like subordinates of Zhu Ye.

"The Sovereign Spirit Liquid is too scarce—it's utterly insufficient for cultivation," sighed Zhu Kun beside him; this amount wouldn't even suffice for him to reach Ninth Rank Supreme Peak.

Although Ninth Rank Supreme Peak theoretically equals Nine-Star Dou Sheng Peak, Spirit Qi is superior to Dou Qi, so after conversion, his cultivation level dropped slightly—he must re-cultivate to fill the gap.

Currently, Gu Yuan and the others lacked any top-tier Divine Techniques; only Cai Lin and Zhu Kun, relying on their bloodlines, could directly refine Sovereign Spirit Liquid for cultivation.

"Though Sovereign Spirit Liquid is scarce, there are many basic spirit techniques, and some ancient Alchemist pill refining methods are preserved; what we lack now is understanding of the Great Thousand World's cultivation system. Once we understand it clearly, we can convert the Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques from Dou Qi Continent into Divine Techniques—even convert Emperor Grade Dou Techniques into Divine Arts—and then ourselves scour Ning Tian Continent for resources, seek Secret Realms, and break through to Earth Supreme." Said Gu Yuan beside him.

Human cultivation does not require enduring Heavenly Tribulation or being struck by lightning, but it demands cultivation of Divine Techniques.

Now Gu Yuan and the others had grasped the conversion rules: Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Techniques equate to Small Divine Techniques in the Great Thousand World; Heaven Tier Intermediate Dou Techniques equal Great Divine Techniques; Heaven Tier Advanced are Great Round Divine Techniques; Emperor Grade Dou Techniques are Divine Arts—each also divided into Small, Great, and Great Round levels.

Spirit Qi can be converted; Dou Techniques can too—but unlike Spirit Qi conversion, converting Dou Techniques into Divine Techniques requires personal comprehension: one must transform the entire cultivation system. And a prerequisite for converting Dou Techniques is that they must be cultivated to Great Round.

Only Dou Techniques cultivated to Great Round can be made into Dou Technique Scrolls, proving complete mastery.

Currently, Xiao Yan and the others spend their days primarily studying; Xiao Yan has already converted Eight Extreme Collapse, and even upgraded it to the level of a Small Divine Technique in the Great Thousand World.

"What about the intelligence on the other items?" After scanning the catalog roughly with Soul Force, Gu Yuan asked the four below him.

"Replying to AncientPatriarch, I inquired with merchants traveling between continents about Divine Beast bloodlines; such bloodlines are typically auctioned at Pai Mai Chang or found only at the sites of fallen Divine Beasts, for Divine Beasts are terrifying beings capable of reaching Earth Supreme, and their blood is extremely hard to obtain—no reports exist of any Divine Beast falling on Ning Tian Continent."

"The best place to find various Divine Beast bloodlines is Shen Shou Continent, one of the Ten Supreme Continents—there, all kinds of Divine Beast bloodlines exist, and some Divine Beast clans even 'sell blood.'"

Lu Ming continued: "As for the Cycle Six Leaf Grass mentioned by AncientPatriarch, no one on Ning Tian Continent has ever heard of this Heavenly Material; such a rare spirit plant can likely be found only in the ancient Wan Cao Yuan or Shang Zhi Da Lu."

"Shang Zhi Da Lu?"

Lu Ming nodded. "Yes, AncientPatriarch. Shang Zhi Da Lu is a small continent, but it is the closest to Tian Luo Continent—one of the Ten Supreme Continents—and possesses a direct Teleportation Spirit Array to Tian Luo Continent."

"Shang Zhi Da Lu is exceptionally unique: on this continent lie the most magnificent several Pai Mai Chang in the Great Thousand World; the number of Pai Mai Chang and shops is the greatest in the Great Thousand World; countless Heavenly Earth Spirit Treasures and Supreme Treasures, various Divine Techniques and even Divine Arts, flow into this place through countless channels."

"As long as you possess sufficient Sovereign Spirit Liquid, you can buy almost everything in the Great Thousand World here."

The fact that this continent is named "Shang Zhi" alone reveals its purpose; even remote Ning Tian Continent has heard of Shang Zhi Da Lu, testifying to its legendary reputation.

Nearby, Ye Mu, Elder of Earth Domain, eager to impress, quickly spoke: "Replying to AncientPatriarch, in the Northern Realm of Tian Luo Continent lies a wondrous place called the Dragon-Feng Heaven—a Secret Realm formed by the battle and mutual demise of an ancient Supreme Heaven-level True Dragon and a Supreme Heaven-level True Feng; within the Dragon-Feng Heaven is the so-called Dragon-Feng Blood Pool, extremely beneficial for Body Refining."

Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun fell into thought; with their current wealth, they simply could not afford to bid against others at a Pai Mai Chang.

"What about the Strange Fires?" asked Gu Yuan.

At this, the four exchanged glances; Huang Dong, Elder of Imperial Domain, stammered: "Replying to AncientPatriarch, the best place to seek Heavenly Strange Fires is the Fire Spirit Clan—but—but—"

"But what?"

Huang Dong swallowed hard, sweat beading on his back: "But the Fire Spirit Clan is the supreme clan of the Great Thousand World—countless Supremes dwell within, many Earth Supremes, even a Heavenly Patriarch ancestor—its power is terrifying; going there is suicide."

"Moreover, due to their inherent nature, the Fire Spirit Clan members constantly seek Heavenly Strange Fires to enhance their strength; thus, their disciples also roam far and wide searching for them—if anyone else is found seeking Strange Fires, it becomes a serious problem."

Though Huang Dong spoke vaguely, to two seasoned elders like Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun, his meaning was instantly clear.

Arrogant!

The Fire Spirit Clan is extremely arrogant—they do not merely seek Heavenly Strange Fires; they scour the entire world for them, even forbidding others from possessing powerful Strange Fires; if you seek them, and they learn of it, they will harass you—or even seize them by force.

Thus, information brokers in the Great Thousand World never sell Strange Fire intelligence to others—they sell it directly to the Fire Spirit Clan, this supreme faction, for they are a top-tier power with a Heavenly Patriarch and can afford any price.

"So most Heavenly Strange Fires in the Great Thousand World have fallen into the hands of the Fire Spirit Clan—if one wishes to obtain a Strange Fire, one must either find a location unknown to the Fire Spirit Clan, or negotiate a transaction with them?" asked Zhu Kun.

Seeing Huang Dong and the others nod in agreement, Zhu Kun let out a cold laugh: "What an arrogant clan—to net all Heavenly Strange Fires in the Great Thousand World and claim them as their own!"

Even on Dou Qi Continent, the Yan Clan—one of the Dou Emperor Families—never acted so arrogantly to seize all Strange Fires on the continent; Strange Fires on Dou Qi Continent were divided among several Dou Emperor Families, none claiming exclusive ownership.

"It seems we must rely on fate to find Strange Fires—if even intelligence is sealed off by the Fire Spirit Clan, obtaining any Heavenly Strange Fire scattered across the Great Thousand World will be difficult," sighed Gu Yuan helplessly; they had barely arrived in the Great Thousand World and already faced a latent great enemy—a supreme faction with a Heavenly Patriarch.

"When Xiao Yan returns, inform him of the Fire Spirit Clan—if they learn Xiao Yan possesses such an arrogant Strange Fire, they will surely covet it," said Zhu Kun, frowning deeply; possessing a treasure invites danger!

Gu Yuan sighed; though they secretly controlled the entire Western Realm and had done so smoothly without drawing attention from experts of other continents, the Western Realm held none of the resources they needed—no great surprises.

Their only hope now lies in obtaining the strange Celestial Cube wood from Zhu Ye.

Xiao Yan later learned from Xin Zhangsheng, Elder of Xin Domain, that Zhu Ye had acquired this Celestial Cube wood years ago in Wan Zhu Lin—and had even fought a great battle with the Sect Master of Tian Huang Sect; Wan Zhu Lin is the only natural Secret Realm in the Western Realm, with extraordinarily dense Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi.

Yet Wan Zhu Lin has always been Zhu Ye's stronghold as a Spirit Array Grandmaster; not only had no one from the Western Realm entered, even the leaders of the other three realms had never set foot inside.

At this moment, Xiao Yan, Xiao Yixian, Xun Er, and Cai Lin rode leisurely in a carriage to Wan Zhu Lin—here, tranquility reigned; the bamboo groves were elegant, the brook murmured gently, evoking a sense of transcending the mortal world.

This place was peculiar: Wan Zhu Lin's territory was vast, like a primeval forest; and "ten thousand bamboos" did not mean ten thousand individual stalks, but rather that Wan Zhu Lin contained tens of thousands of unique bamboo species.

Ancient bamboos curled like dragons, winding and spiraling upward, strangely so. Some bamboos were purple-green, hard as iron, cold to the touch. Others glowed blood-red, their brightness flickering as if breathing.

Even across the entire Ning Tian Continent, Wan Zhu Lin was renowned, and the main reason was naturally the "Bamboo Rain" that occurred here once every ten years.

Once every ten years, Wan Zhu Lin would welcome a heavy rain, during which it produced a special type of bamboo shoot—a true Earthly Treasure—imbued with pure Spiritual Energy equivalent to Supreme Spirit Liquid, usable directly as Supreme Spirit Liquid.

For experts of the Soul Spirit Trial, if they collected enough, breaking through to the Supreme realm was possible.

"This is truly a rare treasure land, situated atop an Earth Vein—cultivating Medicinal Materials and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures here would yield double results." As soon as she stepped down from the carriage, Xiao Yixian discerned several things.

Even in the Great Thousand World, Earth Veins and terrain formations remained the same.

Xiao Yan took out the wooden Celestial Cube from his pouch, but the wooden cube showed no reaction at all.

"Strange—why no reaction? Could this wooden object not be the item obtained from Wan Zhu Lin?" Xiao Yan frowned, for Xin Zhangsheng only knew that Zhu Ye had acquired something—he didn't know what it was.

"Brother Xiao Yan, Wan Zhu Lin is shielded by a special Spirit Array; we must pass through the Spirit Array to reach the true Wan Zhu Lin." At that moment, Xun Er glanced around, then smiled sweetly at Xiao Yan.

"You can see the Spirit Array?" Xiao Yan's heart jolted. Spirit Arrays in the Great Thousand World differed—they were normally invisible, hidden within Spiritual Energy, which was precisely why they were called Spirit Arrays!

Still 900 characters short of the daily 10,000-word goal—I'll make it up tomorrow. Please support with monthly votes!

(End of Chapter)