Chapter 153: Absorbing the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower

Li Xuan observed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower seedling for a while, then left the space of the Palm Heaven Bottle and returned to near the camp.

"Master?"

"Master, where are you?"

"Master, come out quickly!"

…

Li Xuan, just as he emerged from the space of the Palm Heaven Bottle, heard his five slaves searching for him all over the mountains.

They seemed quite anxious.

Putting other things aside, he disappeared and they didn't run; it seems these slaves have decent character.

"Stop looking, I'm here," Li Xuan raised his hand and shouted to the nearby slaves.

The five slaves, upon hearing Li Xuan's words, immediately stopped, hurried to his side, and saluted him.

"Master, the food is ready; we can eat now," Da Ya bowed to Li Xuan and said respectfully.

The slaves were very proper and did not ask where Li Xuan had gone or what he had done.

"Let's go eat together; it's getting late. After the meal, you should rest," Li Xuan waved his hand and led the slaves back to the camp to eat.

Li Xuan sat at the table while the slaves stood beside him, watching him eat.

Li Xuan looked at the slaves, shook his head, and thought that they had endured many hardships at the Slave Market and were very disciplined.

"Don't stare, I have no strict rules. Rest assured, as long as you don't betray me, I won't punish you lightly. Serve yourselves a portion and eat over there," Li Xuan pointed to the pot nearby and said to the slaves.

"Master... this... this isn't appropriate," Da Tou stammered, then nervously said to Li Xuan. Clearly, as slaves they never expected hot food. Li Xuan laughed and said, "Eat whatever you want; you need to be full to have strength to drive the carriage. By the way, remember to leave someone on watch tonight," then continued eating.

The slaves exchanged glances, took their bowls, filled them with food, and crouched in a corner to eat.

Soon after finishing his meal, Li Xuan quickly washed up and returned to his tent to rest.

Li Xuan only needs to cultivate for two hours a day, so there's no need to sacrifice his sleep.

Soon the slaves finished eating, cleaned the camp, left one person on watch, and the others went to sleep.

…

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

The setting sun sank westward as the carriage slowly halted in a wasteland; the area near the City of Slaughter was so desolate that there were no towns, not even villages.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Li Xuan opened his eyes.

"Young master, it's getting late; let's rest here for today," Da Tou said respectfully to Li Xuan in the carriage.

"Hmm, set up the tents. I have some matters to attend to, so I won't get off the carriage. No need to bring me a meal tonight; after you eat, leave someone on watch, and the rest can rest. There's no need to disturb me," Li Xuan said, opening his eyes, to Da Tou.

"Yes, young master," Da Tou replied, then got off the carriage, secured it, and went with the others to pitch tents and cook.

Li Xuan watched Da Tou leave, then, with a thought, entered the space of the Palm Heaven Bottle.

Now came the exhilarating moment of absorbing the Third Soul Ring. After entering the space of the Palm Heaven Bottle, Li Xuan headed straight to the Hot Spring and arrived at a new Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

After ten days of Li Xuan's cultivation, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower had reached Ten Thousand Year Cultivation.

The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, which originally had only Two Burning Tender Leaves, now stood half a meter tall, a bright red bud about to bloom perched on its stem, looking luscious enough to tempt one to pick it.

Li Xuan instinctively unleashed a Medicine Appraisal Technique.

【Plant: Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower】

【Quality: Immortal Grade】

【Cultivation: 10,000 years】

【Description: One of the top Immortal Grade spirit plants, said to be a supreme relic formed when a phoenix wept blood into the soil. It is extremely yang and fierce, with violent medicinal properties, Ten Thousand Year Cultivation, and contains powerful flame energy. Use with caution.】

"Finally reached Ten Thousand Year Cultivation; the Third Soul Ring belongs to Ten Thousand Year Cultivation—thinking of it makes me happy," Li Xuan said, looking at the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower with satisfied caution.

"But absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring is still quite risky..." Li Xuan said, rubbing his chin, frowning, his tone uncertain.

"We seek wealth through danger; if I can have a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring at the Third Soul Ring stage, it would be very advantageous for me," Li Xuan said, pursing his lips and nodding.

Li Xuan, without hesitation, reached out and pulled the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower out of the ground, roots and all.

He brushed off the soil from the roots, rinsed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower with clear water; its core remained, and since Li Xuan had no need to keep a new plant, he decided to uproot it completely.

After cleaning it, Li Xuan stared at the blood‑red Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, feeling its warm touch, then without hesitation he twisted it into a small lump and shoved it into his mouth.

When the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower entered his mouth, Li Xuan felt as if a ball of flame was swallowed; the scorching heat caused intense pain, but he forced himself to swallow it down.

Once inside Li Xuan's stomach, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower erupted instantly, turning into an even more violent searing energy.

If he only intended to absorb the plant's medicinal power, Li Xuan could simply expel the heat, posing no danger; but to absorb its Soul Ring, the energy cannot be expelled and must be forced into his body.

"Is this little heat just to warm my stomach?" Li Xuan gritted his teeth, shouted angrily, then controlled the Burning Heart Divine Flame and Filthy Flame within his body, simultaneously suppressing the plant's scorching temperature so his absorption would be more comfortable.

Although the flame within the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was not weaker than either of the two flames, the simultaneous use of both flames quickly suppressed the plant's high temperature.

Feeling the heat suppressed, Li Xuan promptly sat cross‑legged beside the Hot Spring, began circulating his technique, absorbing the plant's energy to obtain the Third Soul Ring.

As the energy from the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower merged with his soul power according to the method, the martial soul illusion of the Nine Hearts Nine Flame Lotus slowly coalesced above Li Xuan's head.

Puff...

A burst of scorching bright‑red flame erupted from Li Xuan's ears and nostrils.

"Hmm…" Li Xuan let out a painful, muffled hum.

The energy contained within the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower exceeded Li Xuan's expectations.

More importantly, Li Xuan had underestimated the danger of absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Sorry, dear readers, I was truly absent‑minded yesterday and forgot to change the chapter title; it's too late to edit now. I apologize to you all.

(End of chapter)