Chapter 673: Swallowing Netherfire, Leveraging Favor to Demand Repayment

On the quiet flower hall walkway, two figures walked slowly, one after the other.

Luo Chen's gaze remained fixed on the scorched footprints left behind by the old monster Netherfire.

The footprints were extremely conspicuous, but often after three steps, they would vanish without a trace, as if nothing had happened.

But Luo Chen knew, this was definitely not an illusion!

"A dignified Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator, actually unable to suppress the true fire in his body, letting it vent outside?"

This inconceivable thought popped into Luo Chen's mind.

He was a master of the fire Dao, so he could naturally see that those scorched footprints were caused by the leakage of some kind of deathly true fire.

Combined with the other party's Daoist name—Netherfire—it was clear that the old monster Netherfire was also proficient in the fire Dao and had refined some kind of source-less fire into his own origin true fire.

The strangeness lay here: how could a cultivator be unable to suppress their own origin true fire?

Unless...

"Desolate Loose Cultivator, can you see any clues?"

The old man's hoarse voice came to his ear; Luo Chen's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly.

The other party was acting so "wretched," it must be intentional; if he couldn't see this, he wouldn't have been invited to the back hall alone.

The old monster Netherfire gave a bitter smile, "Perhaps you think I am doing this deliberately, but the situation in my body now is actually as precarious as a pile of eggs."

Luo Chen asked tentatively: "Could it be, Flow Master, that the origin true fire you refined has rebelled against its master?"

"Hmm."

A faint "hmm," but it contained extremely complex emotions.

The old monster Netherfire sighed and spoke of the past.

"That Mulan Gaoxiong, even if his Dao path was severed for life, used my serious injury and the fall of Shuangliu as a stepping stone to re-establish his fierce reputation."

"The world only thinks that Shuangliu and I were incompetent, but how could they know the inside story?"

Facing Netherfire's sudden interest in talking, Luo Chen didn't interrupt.

He knew Shuangliu; he should be one of the early-stage Nascent Soul Flow Masters personally killed by Mulan Gaoxiong in his many battle achievements.

However, in his view, the old monster Netherfire still possessed an inherent powerful momentum despite his current serious injury; that Mulan Gaoxiong could seriously injure him was truly inconceivable.

Sure enough, the old monster Netherfire revealed the internal cause of that year.

"With this old man's strength, although I couldn't say I could steadily win against Mulan Gaoxiong, suppressing him was always within my grasp."

"When I learned that Shuangliu had died in battle, I went out to fight personally, but I didn't expect that during the battle, the true fire in my body would run wild. I wasn't defeated by Mulan Gaoxiong, but defeated by my own hands!"

"Now, that Netherfire wanders through my whole body, burning my five internal organs, scorching my acupoints, and even occupying my Purple Mansion, wanting to occupy the magpie's nest!"

Luo Chen's eyelids jumped wildly as he listened, and there was even a hint of lingering fear in his heart.

Sure enough, this was close to his speculation.

"Flow Master, could it be that your origin true fire has already become sentient?"

The old monster Netherfire gave a bitter smile, "You have indeed seen it; my Netherfire has indeed become sentient and has its own consciousness."

Luo Chen was puzzled, "Even if the true fire is sentient, it should obey the master's will; how could it rebel? Unless its spirituality..."

A glazed bottle appeared in the old monster Netherfire's hand.

It was the bottle containing the Soul Essence!

"In the past, the Soul Refining lineage of the Yuan Mo Sect took the initiative to hand over the method of refining Soul Essence to the side-door forces of the North Sea, but they didn't pass down the method of using it."

"After the Demon Sect was destroyed, we side-door cultivators were all thinking about how to use such wonders as Soul Essence."

"This old man doesn't know how others researched it, but this old man took a wrong turn back then, trying to use a large amount of Soul Essence to nurture the spirituality of the true fire. This led to the Netherfire I refined having its intelligence soar, and later, even my own soul couldn't suppress it."

"This is the reason for the rebellion and the counter-attack on my body!"

After getting this answer, Luo Chen was suddenly enlightened, and also had an expression of "as I expected."

Back then, he had also almost fallen into this predicament.

After all, the higher the spirituality of the true fire, the greater the benefit to oneself, whether in refining elixirs and weapons or in fighting enemies.

But in the end, Luo Chen suppressed that impulse.

He kept suppressing the spirituality of the Withered Glory True Fire until he achieved the Nascent Soul stage, only then did he completely let go of the growth of the Withered Glory True Fire's intelligence.

If compared to human intelligence, the current Withered Glory True Fire's spirituality had grown to roughly that of a seven or eight-year-old child.

But its own power was real and didn't have a single discount.

It was hard for him to imagine that the Netherfire in the old monster Netherfire's body, after absorbing a large amount of Soul Essence, would have its intelligence grow to such a degree that it dared to rebel against its master and even wanted to occupy the magpie's nest!

However, what did this have to do with finding him for a private chat?

He didn't know that his Withered Glory True Fire, with the assistance of the "Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture," had the ability to swallow other source-less fires.

As if sensing Luo Chen's doubt, the old monster Netherfire's footsteps stopped.

He turned to look at Luo Chen, and a momentum rose up without reason.

It was the Nascent Soul domain!

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and also released his Nascent Soul domain.

The two domains pulled on the heaven and earth spiritual energy, and both were fire-attribute heaven and earth spiritual energy, conducting a tentative collision in this small garden.

Overall, Luo Chen was at a disadvantage.

But locally, his Forest Fire Prison was constantly melting the other party's domain.

Seeing this scene, the old monster Netherfire breathed a sigh of relief, "Sure enough, I didn't misjudge. You have absolute control over your origin true fire, and can even reach the level of resonance, causing the domain to undergo a qualitative change. It is conceivable that your true fire itself possesses a stronger melting power."

The Nascent Soul domain was released and retracted instantly.

Luo Chen also retracted his domain and frowned, "Flow Master, what does this mean?"

"Very simple, I need you to use that origin true fire that melts everything to help me destroy the Netherfire in my body! If this matter is accomplished, this bottle of Soul Essence, condensed from ten million people, will be the reward I give you!"

Luo Chen's expression changed slightly, "Flow Master, you are joking, right? Two true fires colliding; the battlefield is in your body. Don't you fear..."

"They won't collide!"

The old monster Netherfire shook his head, "At that time, I will fully suppress the Netherfire's spirituality, letting your true fire destroy it bit by bit. Even if there is any small damage, it is within my tolerance."

Luo Chen opened his mouth; it seemed that was indeed the logic?

He had experienced the pain brought by the collision of two true fires in his body.

Nine Refining Beacon Fire and Nirvana Holy Fire!

But at that time, the biggest reason was actually because he didn't have enough ability to suppress any true fire, which caused the miserable state of physical collapse.

If the old monster Netherfire could really suppress the Netherfire in his body and perfectly cooperate with him, then he really had the ability to completely destroy the Netherfire in his body.

However, this had to take another thing into account.

In that situation, the old monster Netherfire was almost equivalent to having no defense, exposing everything about himself nakedly before Luo Chen.

Life and death, taking and giving!

Luo Chen asked hesitantly: "Before today, you and I were strangers; Flow Master trusts me this much?"

To this, the old monster Netherfire smiled freely.

"This is natural; this old man is not some child with no defense against people. This old man doesn't trust you, but fellow Daoist Fu."

Just at this time, the back hall door was pushed by the wind and opened slowly.

"Please!"

Luo Chen took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.

As soon as he entered, a wealthy-looking old man holding a yellowish bronze mirror fell into Luo Chen's eyes.

Seeing this person, Luo Chen couldn't help but reveal a smile.

The old man looked at Luo Chen and also performed a Daoist salute with a smile.

"Heavenly Origin Merchant Alliance Fu Chaosheng, greetings to fellow Daoist Luo Chen!"

He bit the two characters "Luo Chen" especially hard.

Luo Chen paused in his heart and returned the salute, "Loose cultivator Luo Chen, greetings to fellow Daoist Fu."

After the two recognized each other, the old monster Netherfire said: "Elder Fu is the mediator of this Righteous-Demonic Cessation of Hostilities Conference, responsible for mediation in the name of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect of the Central Plains. In the name of the Holy Land, with the reputation of the Heavenly Origin Merchant Alliance, with him as a guarantor, you don't need to worry about me doing anything unfavorable to you during the healing period, and I don't need to worry about you launching a sneak attack. Unless, everyone doesn't want to walk in this cultivation world anymore."

"Desolate Loose Cultivator, what do you think?"

Luo Chen looked at Fu Chaosheng, and the other party nodded with a smile.

"Since that is the case, then this loose cultivator will try his best!"

"Good!"

The old monster Netherfire opened his hand, and the glazed bottle fell into Fu Chaosheng's hand.

The meaning was self-evident.

As long as this matter is successful, Luo Chen can go to Fu Chaosheng to claim the reward.

With the reputation of the Heavenly Origin Merchant Alliance doing business across the five continents, they naturally wouldn't embezzle this little thing.

Luo Chen asked about the healing time.

The old monster Netherfire seemed impatient; better to do it today than another day, so it would be held today.

Luo Chen naturally had no objection; the sooner it was finished, the sooner he would get the Soul Essence.

As for the gathering still continuing in the Guiyuan Palace, they had no interest anymore.

Fu Chaosheng just said a few simple words and then stopped talking. However, his small, squinting eyes kept turning on Luo Chen, revealing a look of great interest.

In a quiet secret room.

The old man sat cross-legged, his mind absent, like a walking corpse.

It could be seen that all his attention was integrated into the Nascent Soul in the Purple Mansion, trying his best to suppress the Netherfire consciousness.

Luo Chen stood beside him, his mind moved, and he released the Withered Glory True Fire.

A green-gold fire tree stretched its branches, slowly enveloping the old man.

"Is this Netherfire?"

When a wisp of dead, eerie white flame was drawn out from a fire-tree branch, Luo Chen began to observe it with extreme caution.

Death intent permeated it, and faintly, it seemed as if countless dead souls and grievances were wailing in it.

Luo Chen's expression was solemn; never expected that someone would promote the most ordinary ghost fire to such a level.

Yes, Netherfire sounds very strange, but it is actually not rare in the cultivation world.

It is essentially a ghost fire transformed from the soul and flesh of a living being after death.

If you really want to discuss the grade, it is not as good as the man-made Qingyang Demon Fire.

But the old monster Netherfire used great ability and massive resources to forcibly push this fire to the fourth-tier level.

Even, he invested a large amount of Soul Essence to help its spirituality increase greatly!

According to Luo Chen's judgment, this fire was absolutely not inferior to most fourth-tier source-less fires seen in the Land of Fallen Demons, only that it hadn't taken shape yet.

Not taken shape, but sentient; it's no wonder the Netherfire rebelled and wanted to occupy the magpie's nest.

Forcing growth is always bad.

Luo Chen shook his head and urged the Withered Glory True Fire to forcibly melt the wisp of Netherfire on his hand.

Just when he was about to continue, a whim suddenly occurred in his heart.

"Why destroy it? Why not swallow it?"

Thinking of this, Luo Chen was moved.

Such quality Netherfire is rare in the world; destroying it like this is really too wasteful.

If it could be swallowed, it might allow his Withered Glory True Fire to go a step further.

And in this way, it wouldn't cause damage to the old monster Netherfire's body, and he would even have to thank himself.

Without hesitation, Luo Chen immediately operated the "Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture," the nature of the Withered Glory True Fire changed, and it immediately submerged into the old monster Netherfire's body, starting to absorb the scattered Netherfire spread throughout the flesh.

Time passed bit by bit.

One day, two days...

The gathering in the Guiyuan Palace ended that evening.

Seeing that the old monster Netherfire and the Desolate Loose Cultivator hadn't returned for a long time, everyone understood something.

Among them, the old ghost Nan Qi looked gloomy, his anger undisguised.

But the Xueyan Moluo Flow was the territory of the Xueyan Moluo Flow after all, and with his status, he didn't dare to act rashly, so he could only leave resentfully.

In the back hall of the Guiyuan Palace, Fu Chaosheng wiped the bronze mirror in his hand, on which a beautiful figure was lifelike; seeing this scene, the smile in Fu Chaosheng's eyes became even thicker.

The ninth day of healing arrived silently.

The old monster Netherfire also opened his eyes silently.

Feeling the situation in his body, he spat out a breath of turbid air.

On his face, there was both a smile of relief and a hint of regret for what was lost.

The chronic illness was gone; he only needed to rest for a while, and he could continue to advance his Dao.

But the Netherfire he had nurtured for hundreds of years didn't leave a single bit, which made him feel quite a pity.

"I really didn't misjudge the person; that Desolate Loose Cultivator's attainments in the fire Dao are not inferior to mine at all. In just nine days, he completely melted all my Netherfire."

"However, where is he?"

The old monster Netherfire walked out of the secret room in surprise.

Fu Chaosheng happened to be outside.

"Don't disturb him yet; the Desolate Loose Cultivator consumed a lot to help you heal, and he is recuperating in the Wanliu Ravine."

"Is that so?" The old monster Netherfire smiled, "It really troubled him; I wanted to thank him in person, but I have some things I need to deal with as soon as possible, so I'll trouble you to pass on the Soul Essence."

"It was a trade, no need for such courtesy."

Fu Chaosheng said with a smile.

After the other party left in a hurry, he walked slowly along the complex palace complex walkway, finally arriving at a mountain ravine where countless small waterfalls gathered.

At that time, the waterfall hung, and the rain curtain was like a curtain.

A white-shirted Daoist had his hair disheveled and sat there quietly.

A surging vitality and a deathly intent flowed on him constantly, and even green-gold flames emerged from his body, burning the void until it twisted.

Seeing this scene, Fu Chaosheng took a deep breath, and the previous calm expression could no longer be suppressed.

"Borrowing fire to house the soul, spirit merging with heaven and earth!"

Just at this time, the Daoist's whole body trembled, and all the flames were retracted into his body.

Fu Chaosheng was stunned, "Did I disturb you?"

Luo Chen stood up with a frown, a look of confusion on his face.

"No, I just felt like I was missing something."

Fu Chaosheng breathed a sigh of relief, "That's a pity; I thought you were going to comprehend the true meaning of the laws?"

"The power of laws is not so easy to comprehend; you think too highly of me, fellow Daoist." Luo Chen smiled.

Fu Chaosheng shook his head, "The power of laws is indeed difficult to comprehend, but in this Mountain and Sea World, it is an exception. This world has abundant spiritual energy and overflowing spiritual opportunities; powerful desolate beasts can master the power of laws when they reach adulthood, and our human race's comprehension is not inferior. Besides, you, the Qingyang Demon Lord, promoted from the fourth level of the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul stage in just a hundred years; your talent is terrifying. If you say you can comprehend the fur of the laws in the early Nascent Soul stage, this old man believes it."

With these words, the confusion on Luo Chen's face disappeared.

He turned to look at the wealthy-looking old man, "I asked myself that I disguised well enough, whether it was appearance or name, and even the magic power aura was very different from a hundred years ago. How did you recognize me, old man?"

Fu Chaosheng laughed, and the bronze mirror in his hand reappeared.

"Your disguise is naturally good, and I definitely wouldn't have recognized you in a hurry, but I have a deep memory of your maidservant, the shapeshifting demonic beast!"

On the bronze mirror, Tianxuan's figure appeared and disappeared.

"This is?"

"True Spirit Treasure Mirror! My natal True Treasure, refined by imitating a spirit treasure, can see through reality and identify treasures. Especially demonic beasts; once their aura is recorded, they have nowhere to hide. This Righteous-Demonic Cessation of Hostilities Conference is the top priority for North Sea cultivators; to prevent shapeshifting Demon Emperors from mixing in, I naturally keep it on at all times."

Luo Chen looked at the bronze mirror and suddenly realized.

He had done his best to let Tianxuan cover her tracks, just because he was afraid of being discovered by Nascent Soul powerhouses, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble.

Usually, when there was something to do, he basically sent Sang Jinghe to handle it.

Never expected that he was still discovered.

However, this was not a bad thing; he came to this Cessation of Hostilities Conference with the purpose of finding Fu Chaosheng.

He wanted to go to the Central Plains through the other party's Heavenly Origin Merchant Alliance route, and then return to the Eastern Wasteland.

And the fact that the other party knew the name Luo Chen but didn't connect it with the things in the Eastern Wasteland also made Luo Chen breathe a sigh of relief.

Regarding his collusion with the demon race, it seems that it didn't make much noise?

That's right; he was only at the early Golden Core stage back then, and his reputation might have been a bit in the Yuding Domain, but extending to the entire Eastern Wasteland, it didn't count for much.

That matter was also relatively secret; looking at it now, perhaps no outsiders knew.

At this moment.

Since he had been recognized, Luo Chen didn't cover up anymore and bowed to the old man.

Fu Chaosheng avoided it, "What do you mean by this?"

Luo Chen straightened up, "The guidance from you back then benefited me a lot; a 'thank you' should be due."

Fu Chaosheng said "oh," then waved his hand, "A few words, it doesn't count for much."

Luo Chen didn't think so, "Blood Nightmare Xueyan Moluo took the initiative to recruit me back then; if it weren't for your kind reminder, I fear I would have really entered the demon's den."

"You mean this..." Fu Chaosheng smiled slightly; he was indeed the first to discover this.

Others didn't know that Blood Nightmare Xueyan Moluo was trying to combine the three lineages and even refine his Yuan Mo disciples into Blood Gods.

Only he had the True Spirit Treasure Mirror with him and saw some clues.

Therefore, he was able to remind Luo Chen back then to try not to go to the Xueyan Moluo Flow.

"Not only that, whether it was your pointers in cultivation, or giving me maidservant treasures, or even introducing me to fellow Daoists, all made me benefit a lot in my later cultivation. I can achieve the current Nascent Soul realm, and you have some credit."

Luo Chen put one high hat after another on him; what he said was the truth, but now that he had become a Nascent Soul True Person, to still praise him like this, anyone who heard it would feel comfortable in their heart.

Asking people to do things is actually not easy when looking for objects of favor, but looking for those who have favored oneself is often easier.

This truth is a bit counter-logical, but the fact is just so.

But what Luo Chen didn't expect was that Fu Chaosheng would "leverage favor to demand repayment"!

"Since you are so grateful, why not help me do one thing?"

Luo Chen was stunned. ===== CHAPTER 674 =====