Chapter 162

In the days that followed, Floating Dream Sect regained its former tranquility, yet it was different from before.

Ling Xiao entered seclusion completely, healing his remaining injuries, and began to deeply study the experiences and observations from the Far Edge of the Clouds and the Azure Wood Ancestral Ground, especially the origins of the Red Silk Entwine and the Annihilation Will.

Luo Changfeng also entered seclusion to cultivate, digesting his combat insights; his sword intent became ever purer, and his cultivation faintly showed signs of breaking through a bottleneck.

Wei Yuzhu returned to the sect, reported to the Sect Leader all she had heard along the way, then entered seclusion to cultivate; whenever it grew late and quiet, she would always think of Yun Tingliao, not knowing whether he had recovered, yet she blamed herself for being overly sentimental.

Shi Ran still showed the most obvious progress. With the aid of the Netherworld Tranquil Seal, her refinement of the Annihilation Origin went much more smoothly. Although each time she guided the Annihilation Power deep within remained perilous, at least she now had reliable protection. Her temperament also subtly changed; amidst her former charm and affection, a hint of profundity and coldness arose, while her gaze grew ever more resolute.

Her cultivation recovered slowly due to the damaged origin, but her divine sense power became extraordinarily tenacious and strong through contending with and refining the Annihilation Origin.

She again attempted to activate her Sea of Consciousness; during this period there was no news of Fan Tian, Bai Xiaohong, and the others, and although she never spoke of it, she remained worried.

Now that she has refined the Annihilation Origin, her original fire spiritual root is no longer prominent, and the Netherworld Tranquil Seal makes this Annihilation Power no longer a hindrance to her but rather an advantage.

The Red Silk Entwine was temporarily sealed by Shen Lingyue; the red silk on her wrist remained, sometimes feeling scorching, but under the seal she could always preserve her original heart and would not turn into a bloodthirsty monster.

Of course, it would be best to remove the Red Silk Entwine entirely, which requires the Five Direction Immortal Treasures; she now possesses four of them: the East Yin Wood Essence — Vermilion Pearl Wood, the West Yang Metal Soul — Gold Thread Glaze, the North Black Water Essence — Azure Water Tide Moon, and the Center Yellow Earth Core — Ghost Realm Soil.

Apart from the South Vermilion Fire Marrow — Violet Lightning Firefly, which she has not yet found, but soon Mei Ruoxue and Gu Yusheng sent word that in another small world, the Indestructible Dust's Southern Border region, the Heart of Molten Fire area, there are legends of this item.

As long as she masters the Five Direction Immortal Treasures, the Red Silk Entwine will cease to be a threat and will no longer hang over her head like a sharp blade.

As for the Seven-Colored Fire Lotus hidden in her Sea of Consciousness guarding Fan Tian and the others, it counterbalances the Abyssal Demonic Power—no, the two forces counterbalance each other; she must quickly decide, for although the demonic power is alluring, Shi Ran still hopes the power of the Seven-Colored Fire Lotus will prevail.

Shi Ran was lost in thought when suddenly she heard a knocking at the door.

Xiao Muyu stood outside holding a wooden box.

Now the Floating Dream Sect has only Xiao Muyu and Shi Ran left, but Xiao Muyu never comes to see her lightly; surely there is something urgent.

Shi Ran opened the door; Xiao Muyu's frail figure was concealed beneath his green robe, fluttering in the wind, making this senior brother appear all the more fragile and delicate.

"Third Senior Brother!" Shi Ran wondered, "Please come in quickly!"

Xiao Muyu nodded, handing the wooden box to Shi Ran: "Junior sister Shi, A Xue previously told me to give this to you, but I—" The journey to the demon realm left his body badly injured; after returning to the sect, he busied himself with closed-door cultivation to heal, thus forgot this matter, only now remembering.

"Oh!" Shi Ran showed little interest, but still took the wooden box, smiling: "Thank you, senior brother, please come in and have a seat!"

The two sat in silence, could they compose poetry and prose while sitting? Xiao Muyu calmly shook his head: "No, I still have cultivation methods I haven't fully grasped; junior sister, don't stand on ceremony."

After seeing Xiao Muyu off, Shi Ran once again directed her efforts toward her sea of consciousness; as for that wooden box, she placed it aside.

Time flowed; in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

That day, Ling Xiao emerged from seclusion, his injuries fully healed, his aura even deeper and more substantial than before his trip to the Azure Wood Ancestral Land. The first thing he did upon leaving seclusion was summon the three disciples to his side.

"Regarding the Violet Lightning Firefly, the sect's records are scarce; only confirmed is that the 'Heart of Molten Fire' region in the Southern Border indeed has legends of this object, but its exact location and how to obtain it are unknown." Ling Xiao got straight to the point: "However, A Xue and Gu Yusheng also informed: three months later, the Southern Border's greatest power, the Blazing Heaven Valley, will hold an 'Artifact Refining Convention', inviting cultivators from all sides. By then, not only will the various tribes and sects of the Southern Border participate, but cultivators from other regions of the continent will also come. This may be the best opportunity for us to go to the Southern Border and gather clues about the Immortal Dust Fire Essence."

"Artifact Refining Convention?" Luo Changfeng mused, "The Blazing Heaven Valley is famed for artifact refining; their valley's treasure, the 'Blazing Heaven Furnace', is said to be able to melt all things; perhaps they have some understanding of such utmost-yang spiritual objects."

"Not bad." Ling Xiao nodded, "Moreover, using the pretext of attending the convention to go there makes it hard to arouse suspicion. We can disguise ourselves as traveling cultivators and investigate covertly."

Xiao Muyu asked, "Master, when shall we set out?"

"We need to set out early; the journey to the Immortal Dust Southern Border is far, and the environment differs greatly from our Pure Sound Realm, requiring time to adapt." Ling Xiao planned, "Departure in one month. This month, make thorough preparations. Changfeng, you must deepen your sword studies and also prepare several magical artifacts to resist scorching heat and fire poison. Muyu, prepare more healing and detoxifying pills. As for Ranran……"

He looked at Shi Ran: "Your progress this month has been rapid; your grasp of the Extinction Origin has entered the way, but the Southern Border's environment is utmost yang, clashing with your internal power, requiring extra caution. This month, you must further familiarize yourself with the Netherworld Tranquil Seal, achieving unity of heart and seal, in order to resist external yang-fire invasion."

"Disciple understands!" the three replied in unison.

With a clear goal and pressing time, the tranquil Floating Dream Sect bustled again. Each of the four made preparations for the journey to the Southern Border, knowing full well that the path to the Violet Lightning Firefly would be no easier than the trip to the Azure Wood Ancestral Land; the Southern Border's harshness and the possible clashes with various forces would be a new challenge.

But whether to completely eliminate Shi Ran's hidden danger or to counter the extinction threat lurking in history's shadows, this step they must take.

One month passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, at dawn, the summit of Floating Dream Peak.

Ling Xiao, Luo Changfeng, Xiao Muyu, and Shi Ran—four individuals fully equipped and ready to depart. Having undergone the life-and-death trial of the Azure Wood Ancestral Land and half a year of precipitation, their auras became more inwardly restrained, their gazes more resolute.

"Departure, to the Southern Border!"

"Wait!" The one calling a halt was actually Xiao Muyu, who looked at Shi Ran: "Junior sister Shi, did you bring the wooden box A Xue gave you?"

Shi Ran startled, instinctively reached for her storage ring, then felt somewhat embarrassed: "That wooden box…… I haven't opened it yet." After returning to the sect, myriad affairs kept her busy, and coupled with her painstaking refinement of the Extinction Origin, she had completely forgotten about it.

Xiao Muyu let out a soft sigh, his tone gentle yet carrying undeniable gravity: "A Xue specifically instructed that this item might be of benefit to you, junior sister. Better bring it along; perhaps it could be useful at a critical moment."

Ling Xiao, upon hearing this, also turned his gaze to the unremarkable wooden box, pondered briefly: "Since it is A Xue's intention, we shall bring it. The time is not early; we ought to set out."

Shi Ran said no more; a flash of spiritual light at her fingertip sealed the long-dormant wooden box into her storage ring.

The four no longer delayed; Ling Xiao flicked his sleeve, a surge of spiritual power enveloped everyone, transforming into a blue stream of light that shot straight up, heading toward the distant southern border of the Indestructible Dust Realm, sweeping away as swift as wind and lightning.

The Indestructible Dust Realm and the Brahma Sound Realm differed greatly in appearance; the closer one got to the Southern Border, the more vigorous and abundant the fire spirit aura in the air became, and the temperature gradually rose. The land shifted from its original lush greenery to a patchwork of crimson and scorched yellow, vegetation became low and drought‑resistant, and the air seemed to float with tiny sparks that brought a scorching sensation when inhaled.

After several days of nonstop flight, crossing an unknown distance of countless li, the four finally reached the outskirts of the Southern Border.

The scene before them changed abruptly. The sky was an orange‑red as if forever burning, the clouds like rolling molten lava. The ground was parched and cracked, covered with red sandstone and exposed volcanic rock; in the distance, continuous volcanic outlines could be seen, some vents still spewing scorching white vapor. Heat waves warped the air, making ordinary plants hard to survive; only a few flame‑hued thorns or strange plants with leaves as thick as jade were sparsely scattered.

"The fire spirit aura here is overly vigorous, suppressing other attributes' spiritual power extremely strongly." Luo Changfeng frowned slightly; the sharp sword qi that normally circulated around him seemed to have grown sluggish here.

Xiao Muyu had already taken a Fire‑Avoiding Pill beforehand, yet he still felt parched and his skin slightly warm; he nodded and said, "We must circulate spiritual power to shield ourselves, or we'll easily be invaded by fire poison."

Shi Ran felt it most clearly. Within her, the power led by the Still Extinction Origin was yin‑cold and deathly still, which naturally clashed with this supremely yang and fierce environment. As soon as she landed, she felt ill at ease, as if an invisible flame were scorching her meridians, and the Still Extinction Origin deep in her sea of consciousness sent waves of agitation. She did not dare delay; she immediately activated the dharma formula, and the "Netherworld Tranquil Stillness Seal" in her sea of consciousness turned slightly, emitting a cool, secluded aura that barely kept the invading yang‑fire power at bay, but maintaining this technique consumed considerable mental and spiritual energy.

Ling Xiao took in the disciples' reactions, then said in a low voice, "We are still on the outskirts; the closer we get to the Heart of the Molten Fire, the harsher the environment will become. We must adapt quickly and locate Flowing Fire City, where the Blaze Heaven Valley is situated."

The four concealed their auras, employed evasion techniques, and flew low toward the depths of the Southern Border. Along the way they saw more living beings, but most were fire‑attribute demonic beasts adapted to the scorching heat, or Southern Border native cultivators with bronzed skin, thin clothing, and fierce auras.

That day, while the four were flying, violent fluctuations of spiritual power and the clash of weapons suddenly came from below, mingled with angry beast roars.

Looking down, they saw in a crimson‑red valley a team of about seven or eight cultivators being besieged by three huge demonic beasts whose bodies were covered in lava‑like carapaces and resembled giant scorpions. The scorpions' poison hooks flashed with an ominous red light; each strike could blast a large pit in the ground and spit scorching fireballs from their mouths. The cultivators were clearly on the losing side, their protective shields wavering on the verge of collapse, everyone wounded, and they seemed about unable to hold on.

"These are Molten Fire Scorpions, vicious beasts unique to the Southern Border; their fire poison is quite troublesome." Ling Xiao instantly recognized the beasts' origin.

"Master, should we intervene?" Luo Changfeng had already placed his hand on his sword hilt. Though he had gradually become steady, he remained warm‑hearted and was not the type to stand by and watch someone die.

Ling Xiao glanced at the cultivators' attire; a few had embroidered on their collars a blazing cauldron emblem: "They are disciples of the Blaze Heaven Valley. Saving them could forge a favorable connection, making it easier for us to gather information later."

No sooner had his words fallen than Luo Changfeng turned into a sword bolt and surged down first. His sword rang clear and lofty, a blade of brilliant sword qi like a cold moon streaked across the sky, precisely slashing at the poison hook raised high by a Molten Fire Scorpion.

With a "Sizzle—", the hard carapace, before Luo Changfeng's pure sword intent, was as fragile as paper, and the poison hook snapped. The Molten Fire Scorpion, in pain, let out a miserable howl.

At the same time, Xiao Muyu formed hand seals; several strands of emerald‑green spiritual light flew toward the several injured Blaze Heaven Valley disciples, entered their bodies, and their pallid faces immediately improved considerably—this was the medicinal potency of the healing spirit pill he had carefully refined.

Shi Ran was not idle either. Although she was suppressed by the environment, her divine sense power became extraordinarily strong after refining the Still Extinction Origin. Her eyes slightly narrowed, a formless, quality‑less divine sense impact bearing a cold, still meaning pierced like a sharp awl toward the head of another Molten Fire Scorpion.

The molten fire scorpion's movement suddenly stiffened; the fireball it had been spewing dissipated mid‑air, its massive body swayed once, as if it had instantly lost its sense of direction. This is the erosive effect of Annihilation Power on the consciousness of living beings—though only a rudimentary form, it already works remarkably well.

Ling Xiao did not strike directly; he simply stood with his hands behind his back in midair, locking his qi onto the last molten fire scorpion to prevent it from rampaging and harming people, and also to hold the line for the disciples.

With the addition of the four members of the Floating Dream Sect, the battle situation turned around in an instant. However, after just a moment, the three ferocious molten fire scorpions, with two dead and one wounded, fled in disarray into the depths of the valley.

The surviving disciples of Blazing Heaven Valley all exhaled in relief, their faces showing gratitude and awe. The tall, sturdy, honest‑looking youth who led them stepped forward and bowed to the landed Luo Changfeng, Shi Ran, and the others, saying: "Thank you, fellow cultivators, for coming to our aid! I am Shi Meng, a disciple of Blazing Heaven Valley—I am deeply grateful! Without you, we would surely have perished here today."

His gaze swept over the inscrutable Ling Xiao, then over the stern sword intent of Luo Changfeng and the cool, medicine‑scented aura of Xiao Muyu, finally pausing slightly on Shi Ran—this woman's earlier strike had been strange; that icy surge of divine sense power made even him feel a pang of palpitation.

"Seeing injustice, one lends a hand." Luo Changfeng sheathed his sword, his tone flat.

Shi Meng gave an honest smile: "To you it's just a handy gesture, but for us it's a lifesaving favor. You look unfamiliar—you're not from the Southern Border, are you here to participate in our Blazing Heaven Valley's Weapon Forging Grand Assembly?"

Ling Xiao then walked down slowly and said: "Exactly. We have traveled here and heard of Blazing Heaven Valley's grand event, so we came to observe. I wonder if Brother Shi Meng could do us a favor and show us the way to Molten Fire City?"

Shi Meng's face broke into a wider smile at the words: "Of course! We are just returning to Molten Fire City after completing our sect's task—it would be our pleasure to travel with our benefactors. Please, follow me!"