Chapter 783

"Wuhu!"

"Ah!"

Xiao Yan suddenly scooped up Xiao Yixian and leaped with all his strength; the two of them plummeted like meteors straight downward, hurtling at high speed into the void beneath the black hole.

After falling for an unknown length of time, they suddenly felt their bodies grow light—the banishing force vanished—and with a whoosh, a pair of beautiful Ancient Phoenix Wings appeared behind Xiao Yan.

With a thunderous boom, they finally crashed heavily onto the ground; as their bodies struck the earth, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian smelled the fragrance of soil.

Instantly, mud and stones flew everywhere, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian smashed out a massive crater. Then came a loud boom—the chunk of Fire Realm soil where they had originally stood crashed into the Fire Realm like a meteor, landing not far away, and once again merged back into the Fire Realm, becoming part of it!

At this moment, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian couldn't help but rejoice; having fallen from such a height, the moment their feet touched solid ground, they both felt that nothing beat the comfort of standing on firm earth.

"We've arrived—this must be the Fire Realm of the Five Elements Spirit Soil." Xiao Yan set down the cradled Xiao Yixian, removed his hood and black robe, and changed into a clean set of clothing.

Xiao Yixian also took off her black robe, her beautiful eyes scanning the surroundings, and said: "This is the Fire Realm—truly deserving of its name, a world of flames."

For cultivators practicing Fire Attribute Energy cultivation methods, the Fire Realm is naturally the best place; the Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi here is saturated with dense Fire Attribute Energy. Absorbing such Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi allows cultivators of Fire Attribute Energy to achieve twice the results with half the effort, while also nurturing their spiritual energy, purifying their bodies, and enhancing the quality of their spiritual power.

For members of the Fire Spirit Clan, it's even more natural—they're like fish in water. Born with flames coursing through their entire bodies, this is truly their homeland.

As soon as Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian stood in the Fire Realm, a wave of heat slammed into their faces; the entire Fire Realm felt like standing atop a Sea of Fire, with endless surges of heat too unbearable to endure—if an ordinary person stepped even one foot into the Fire Realm, they would likely be instantly reduced to ashes.

"This is truly a land of Fire Attribute Energy," Xiao Yan breathed deeply, unconsciously licking his lips.

After refining the Strange Fire, Xiao Yan's body already possessed a trace of spiritual energy. Although the Burning Scripture had not yet evolved to the next level, its cultivation pathways had begun to shift slightly—proof that this newly discovered Strange Fire could indeed cause the Burning Scripture to evolve!

The Strange Fires of the Great Thousand World can cause the Burning Scripture to evolve again!

Xiao Yan didn't know what form the Burning Scripture would take after evolving with a Strange Fire from the Great Thousand World. Now, the excitement in his heart was just like when he first refined Mao Wu and saw the Burning Scripture truly evolve—so thrilling, so exhilarating.

It was the curiosity toward the unknown!

Meow!! ~o(=∩ω∩=)m

A cat's cry rang out—Mao Wu emerged from Space, gulping down the Heavenly Energy of the Fire Realm in huge mouthfuls; this Fire Attribute Heavenly Energy was perfect for it!

"By the way, does Mao Wu count as part of the Fire Spirit Clan?" Xiao Yan frowned, watching Mao Wu's excited state, thinking to himself.

Since arriving in the Great Thousand World, Mao Wu had mostly been listless, as if suffering from culture shock.

For beings like Mao Wu, Xiao Yi, and Void Swallowing Flame—naturally spirit-infused Fire Spirits—Xiao Yan didn't know whether they qualified as members of the Fire Spirit Clan.

Could it be that the original ancestors of the Fire Spirit Clan were in fact a powerful Strange Fire that once existed in the Fire Realm, slowly evolving over time into the current Fire Spirit Clan?

In the Fire Realm, stretching as far as the eye could see, mountains rose and fell in waves, their ranges resembling colossal fire dragons sprawled across the vast earth, coiling around the entire land. The Fire Realm was not scorched black earth—it had its own beauty.

When Xiao Yan extended his Soul Force to observe, he found the Fire Realm was not the lifeless wasteland he had imagined; on the contrary, it teemed with vitality. Among the rolling hills grew ancient vines and towering trees, along with countless flying birds and terrestrial beasts, resembling a vast, boundless forest.

But unlike forests elsewhere, the trees and flowers of the Fire Realm were mostly crimson. For example, a fruit tree not far from Xiao Yan bore spiritual fruits like beautiful red rubies, and its leaves resembled polished red jade.

In the Fire Realm, flames could be seen rising from the ground in many places; streams flowed with ribbons of magma, rolling with heat, ready to incinerate anyone who drew near.

Besides the blazing red plants, many flying birds and terrestrial beasts thrived on this scorching land—but all these creatures were Fire Attribute. Eagles soared in the sky with wings wreathed in flame; leopards sprinted across the ground, their fur flickering like tongues of fire.

In short, the Fire Realm offered wondrous sights unseen elsewhere; its ecosystem was utterly unlike the outside world.

Moo!! A lowing sound came from nearby—Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian turned to see a massive Fire Ox galloping wildly, chased by a group of cultivators.

"Hurry! That's the Golden Flame Ox! Not only is its gallbladder a precious main medicinal material for Spirit Refining, but its fire horns can be forged into a Divine Weapon!"

"Chase it! Don't let it reach the lava river!"

As the Fire Ox charged toward the lava river, the old man leading the pursuit shouted, ordering his disciples to encircle it, aiming to trap the fleeing beast.

Yet just as the old man caught up to the Fire Ox, his hand flashed like lightning—he thrust his long sword straight at the beast—when suddenly the ground exploded, and a torrent of Earth Fire erupted upward, terrifying and hot as a geyser, instantly engulfing the old man.

"Aaaah!!" The old man screamed in agony. Even as he hurled out treasures and summoned his Supreme Form to protect himself, he could not withstand the erupting Earth Fire. In the blink of an eye, all his treasures were reduced to ash, and he died instantly.

The old man's cultivation realm was no weakling—he was a Six-Grade Supreme—but he had no chance to react before being burned to ashes by flame.

Seeing their strongest leader killed by fire, the others turned pale with terror and fled immediately, no longer daring to pursue the Fire Ox.

"Here, they are the true local masters," Xiao Yan said grimly. These Spiritual Beasts, having lived in the Fire Realm for years, surely knew natural traps. Cultivators entering the Fire Realm who underestimated its Spiritual Beasts would suffer dearly.

Such astonishing events occurred frequently in the Fire Realm.

In the Fire Realm, one could not only find special Fire Seeds to trigger spiritual energy transformation, but also certain Flame Secret Realms capable of purifying the body. Naturally, those who came here seeking treasures were the most numerous—many entered the Five Elements Spirit Soil purely for opportunities.

Xiao Yan gently stroked Mao Wu's head; Mao Wu thoroughly enjoyed it, letting out a few contented gurgles.

"Xiao Yixian, can you locate the main Earth Vein of the Fire Realm? The Strange Fire is most likely hidden within the main Earth Vein, moving through it and absorbing Strange Fire sparks from the falling meteorites to grow." Xiao Yan's own Strange Fire could not penetrate the Fire Realm's soil to locate the Strange Fire, and they had arrived too hastily to have any map.

If that mysterious island truly held the Flower of the Other Shore, Xiao Yan's current strength would make it nearly impossible to compete for it.

Based on Xiao Yan's understanding of Strange Fires, the Strange Fire of this Fire Realm most likely originated as the first strand of Strange Fire essence forming on a meteor in infinite Space, then falling into the Fire Realm and beginning to absorb its Heavenly Energy to grow, gradually fusing with the Strange Fire sparks contained in meteorites falling from the sky, slowly growing stronger.

Through the fusion of falling meteors and the Fire Realm's unique properties, over tens of thousands of years, it became a true Strange Fire.

The most likely location within the Fire Realm would be the center of the Earth Vein.

Xiao Yixian nodded and began measuring the surrounding Heavenly Earth. Feng shui, geomancy, mountain ranges, and Spiritual Territories—all followed the same principle. Xiao Yixian excelled in medicinal plant cultivation, which required harmony of heaven, earth, and human factors; thus, she was skilled in identifying Earth Veins and Spiritual Veins.

Soon, Xiao Yixian discerned the location of the Fire Vein and said: "The roots of all spiritual plants in this realm lean northward; the Fire Vein flows from the north, spreading outward in all directions."

"Then let's go."

Xiao Yan had absolute trust in Xiao Yixian. After confirming the direction, they began their journey, walking steadily, one step at a time, climbing peaks and crossing deep valleys.

At this moment, tendrils of flame rose from Xiao Yan's body; faint fire flickered around him, as if his entire body were catching fire. From afar, he looked like a member of the Fire Spirit Clan.

Xiao Yan was not of the Fire Spirit Clan—he was simply walking while absorbing Heavenly Earth Spirit Qi. After refining that strand of Strange Fire essence, his spiritual energy cultivation realm had surged to One Star Supreme, and within him, he had opened a Supreme Sea resembling a Sea of Fire.

Xiao Yan's spiritual energy was empty—not because he couldn't cultivate spiritual energy, but because the Burning Scripture had not evolved; he had no cultivation method to use. Now that the Burning Scripture had begun evolving, even if weakly, at least it could now circulate.

The Burning Scripture continuously circulated, absorbing the Fire Realm's spiritual energy, and an endless stream of flame-infused spiritual energy flowed into Xiao Yan's Supreme Sea.

"This spiritual energy is indeed far stronger than ordinary Dou Qi," Xiao Yan clenched his fist. He could not deny that spiritual energy was a superior, immensely powerful energy.

Even though the Strange Fire within Xiao Yan had not fully awakened, merely the spiritual energy refined by the Burning Scripture already surpassed the Dou Qi of ordinary Dou Saints. When Xiao Yan was a One Star Dou Saint, he had never been this strong.

This innate advantage was truly the Great Thousand World.

Following the Fire Vein, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian walked together through the Fire Realm, encountering many other powerful cultivators—not only Fire Spirit Clan disciples, but also Alchemists, though most were treasure hunters.

Of course, the most common sight was the corpses of the dead.

"That's the Sect Master of Tianyuan Sect!!" someone suddenly shouted.

Following the gaze, they saw an old man and several middle-aged men burst out of a distant cave, their Supreme bodies nearly shattered, their clothes stained with filthy blood, faces filled with terror, as if they had seen a ghost.

"Ah!!" Just as they were about to escape the cave, a giant hand covered in red hair shot out like lightning from within—the hand seized all of them in its palm.

"No!!" Even though these men were top-tier Supremes, none escaped their fate—the giant hand instantly dragged them all back into the cave, where their desperate screams echoed inside.

This scene caused many powerful cultivators in this space to halt, refusing to approach the mysterious cave any further.

"Heavenly Fate Sect is finished—over a thousand experts wiped out completely."

"Even three Nine-Pin Supremes couldn't escape—this is terrifying!"

One cultivator who had watched the entire scene turned pale and said, "I heard the Heavenly Fate Sect discovered a Sacred Artifact left behind by the Fire Spirit Clan in this cave, and tried to storm in with their entire sect's strength—never expecting total annihilation."

"Sacred Artifact!"

"Don't be insane—there's great terror and great ill omen inside that cave! Even an Earth Supreme might not survive returning."

"Let's go—we should head to Fire God Mountain; that's the safest treasure site."

"Yes, let's go."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian had no greed—now their only goals were two: this Fire Realm was certainly no place where treasures could be picked up at random; after fifty thousand years, it was no longer the old Fire Realm—everywhere was danger.

At this moment, not only Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian were heading toward the center of the Fire Realm's vein; several major Factions or groups tied to the Fire Spirit Clan also possessed maps of the Fire Realm and were advancing toward the vein's center.

But Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian had rushed here in haste—what map did they have? Fortunately, Xiao Yixian came through.

Over these fifty thousand years, the Fire Spirit Clan had entered the Fire Realm many times—they had long ago removed all portable Treasures, Cultivation Method Scrolls, and resources; what remained were only the Secret Realms they could not carry away.

Fire God Mountain was once a sacred treasure site of the Fire Spirit Clan, where half-finished Divine Weapons and even fully forged Divine Weapons littered the ground—almost as if you could bend down and pick one up.

Due to the Fire Spirit Clan's unique nature, they produced many outstanding Alchemists and Forgers, especially Forgers—the Fire Spirit Clan were born Forgers, masters of using flame to forge equipment.

Fire God Mountain was once the Fire Spirit Clan's sacred forging ground, where their clan's Sacred Artifact—the Sacred Flame Tablet—was forged.

"Xiao Yan, Fire God Mountain may have been built directly atop the Fire Realm's vein, using the vein's energy to forge weapons," Xiao Yixian said, hearing the words around them.

"It's certainly possible—to forge a Sacred Artifact or even an Absolute Saint Treasure, one must harness the power of Heaven and Earth's fire veins. Let's go—we'll follow those people," Xiao Yan agreed with Xiao Yixian.

The reason Fire God Mountain drew every cultivator who descended into the Fire Realm was not only because it held the most concentrated Fire Attribute Energy, but also because it contained countless Divine Weapons.

Fifty thousand years ago, when the Five Spirit Clans were defeated and the Five Elements Spirit Soil was invaded, many weapons being nurtured and forged within Fire God Mountain were abandoned here—alongside vast quantities of ore and some unfinished weapons.

In Fire God Mountain, you could bend down and pick up an Upper-Class Spirit Artifact—here, weapons were everywhere.

From Upper-Class Spirit Artifacts to Supreme Grade Divine Artifacts, even quasi-Sacred Artifacts could be found here, in numbers too countless to count—as if the entire Fire God Mountain were built from piles of weapons.

But after ten thousand years of nurturing by Fire God Mountain, these weapons had all developed sentience—you could only take them away if they recognized you as their master, so they couldn't be taken at will.

Once news of Fire God Mountain spread, everyone who came to the Fire Realm rushed there, hoping to gain the recognition of a Supreme Grade Divine Artifact—or even a Sacred Artifact.

For all cultivators, obtaining a Sacred Artifact was like divine assistance—even Earth Supremes coveted them desperately.

"Good news—the Yin-Yang Sect's heir received recognition from a Supreme Grade Divine Artifact and took it away!"

"Ha, one of my Sect's disciples received recognition from an Upper-Class Divine Weapon—Poison Armor," said a Sect Master with a smile.

"Someone had bad luck—I heard the Yellow Spring Sect's leader tried to forcibly take a Sacred Artifact, triggering an eruption of Fire God Mountain—he nearly got burned alive, and only his Supreme Sea escaped," someone said with malicious glee.

"This Fire God Mountain really depends on fate—I heard a Fire Spirit Clan disciple came here, yet didn't take a single weapon—not even a Spiritual Artifact chose him," someone remarked in confusion.

After all, this was once the Fire Spirit Clan's land—how could their own disciples fail to gain Fire God Mountain's recognition? That was strange.

When Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian arrived at Fire God Mountain, they were stunned by the magnificent sight of the "Weapon Mountain."

"It's everywhere—weapons stuck all over."

Fire God Mountain resembled an active volcano, with a gaping hole piercing straight through its center—its entire form looked like a colossal dragon leaping from the earth, roaring toward the heavens, majestic and imposing, radiating overwhelming Spiritual Pressure.

Most astonishing was that the entire mountain was covered in weapons—swords, DivineSwords, spears, and more, like porcupine quills, embedded into the peaks. The blades of these weapons, buried in Fire God Mountain, absorbed its energy for forging.

The sheer number of weapons before them left everyone speechless—it was a veritable arsenal, dazzling to the eyes; no matter who saw this endless sea of weapons, their hearts pounded—every type imaginable was here.

"From the mountain's base upward: Upper-Class Spirit Artifacts, then Ultimate Spiritual Artifacts; halfway up: Divine Weapons; at the summit, those radiating powerful Spiritual Power are quasi-Sacred Artifacts; the few at the very peak are unquestionably true Sacred Artifacts."

Yet what truly caught Xiao Yan's attention was not these weapons, but the mountain's peak—where streams of flame occasionally erupted, flowing down the slopes; when the flames passed over the weapons, the weapons glowed faintly, as if nourished.

And the New Different Flame refined within Xiao Yan's body stirred with a faint response—the Different Flame was inside Fire God Mountain!

(End of Chapter)