Chapter 163

Having Shi Meng and the others lead the way made the subsequent journey much smoother. Shi Meng was cheerful and talkative, well-versed in the local customs and various powers of Southern Border, which gave Ling Xiao and his companions a more intuitive understanding of Southern Border.

Compared to the Southern Border region of the Dream Sound Realm, it was largely similar yet had some differences. Here people venerate cultivation; as long as one's cultivation is high, personal character can be overlooked, making it a paradise for the strong, but for Shi Ran, ever since entering this place she has felt utterly ill at ease.

Along the way, Shi Ran, from continuously operating the Netherworld Tranquil Seal to resist the external yang fire, had expended considerable energy, her face turning slightly pale. Seeing this, Shi Meng took out a small crimson jade bottle from his bosom and handed it over: "Junior Sister, are you unaccustomed to the fire-spirit environment of Southern Border? This is the 'Clear Heart Fire Lotus Seed' specially made by my Blazing Heaven Valley; it can calm the mind and qi, alleviating fire toxin invasion—Junior Sister, why not give it a try?"

Shi Ran hesitated slightly, seeing the other's sincere expression, she thanked him and took it. After swallowing one pellet, a cool sensation spread from her throat, circulating through her limbs and bones, indeed making her feel much relieved. "Many thanks, Senior Brother Shi."

Shi Meng waved his hand with a simple smile: "These trivial pills are nothing compared to the grace of saving a life. Junior Sister, if you still feel any discomfort, just speak up."

Several days later, the outline of a majestic, huge city appeared on the horizon.

That city seemed to be entirely built from piled-up giant crimson rocks; its walls towered high, and under the orange-red sky it resembled a fire-beast crouching on the earth. Countless intricate fire spirit patterns were engraved on the walls, faintly forming a vast array that gathered the fire-spirit qi of a thousand-li radius. The closer one approached, the more one could feel the oncoming heat wave and the mighty fire-attribute spiritual power.

Here lies the core of Southern Border, the great city where Blazing Heaven Valley resides—Flowing Fire City.

At the city gate, carriages and horses flowed in an endless stream; cultivators from all directions came and went, varied in appearance and strength, obviously drawn by the impending Weapon Refining Grand Assembly.

"Several benefactors, we have arrived at Flowing Fire City." Shi Meng pointed at the massive city ahead, his tone proud: "The Weapon Refining Grand Assembly still has over two months before it officially begins; you may first find a place to settle in the city. If you need any information or assistance, please come to the Outer Court of Blazing Heaven Valley to find me, Shi Meng."

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic Shi Meng and company, Ling Xiao and his companions entered Flowing Fire City with the crowd.

Inside the city it was even hotter; shops lined both sides of the streets, most dealing in weapon refining and fire-attributed materials. The air was filled with the distinctive smell of smelting metal and scorching ore. Most passersby hurried along, their auras fierce.

Having found a relatively quiet inn to stay in, they set up a simple barrier to block prying eyes and the heat wave, after which the four gathered in Ling Xiao's room.

"Master, what should we do next?" Luo Changfeng asked.

Ling Xiao pondered: "News of the Purple Lightning Firefly might be recorded in more detail inside Blazing Heaven Valley. But as newcomers, it's not appropriate to directly inquire about such a great treasure. First, using our connection with Shi Meng, we should learn the internal situation of Blazing Heaven Valley, while also gathering rumors about the 'Heart of Molten Fire' and extreme-yang spiritual items from the city's markets, teahouses, etc. During the Weapon Refining Grand Assembly, when fish and dragons mingle, it's an excellent opportunity to gather information."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Shi Ran returned to her room, set up a barrier, and let out a long sigh. Having continuously resisted the external yang fire for several days, her mind and body were exhausted. She sat cross-legged, preparing to circulate her cultivation method to adjust her breath, when her gaze unintentionally swept over her storage ring, reminding her of the wooden box Xiao Muyu had given her.

"What could the senior sister have given...?" A flicker of curiosity arose in her heart. She took out the seemingly ordinary wooden box; it felt slightly heavy in hand, and the box bore no restrictions or locks.

She gently opened the lid, and a stream of seven-colored light instantly filled the entire room, soft yet imbued with an indescribable spirituality.

Inside the wooden box lay a feather about a chi in length, at rest. The feather flowed with seven brilliant hues—red, orange, gold, green, blue, violet—while its core was a point of pure, immaculate white, emitting a warm and auspicious aura that clashed with Southern Border's scorching environment, yet strangely could soothe the agitation she felt from the power of annihilation and the external yang fire.

"This is..." Shi Ran's pupils contracted slightly as she sensed the feather's immense vitality and a kind of... almost sacred purifying power.

Just as her fingertip touched the seven-colored feather, an abrupt change occurred!

The red silk temporarily sealed on her wrist suddenly flared with intense heat, as if a red-hot branding iron! The spiritual power bound to the seal violently fluctuated, showing a faint tendency to break free.

At the same time, deep in her sea of consciousness, the abyssal devil power that had been locked in a stalemate against the seven-colored fire lotus, as if stimulated by something, surged violently!

Shi Ran let out a muffled groan, cold sweat instantly beading her forehead. She stared fixedly at the seven-colored feather, her heart churning with shock.

What exactly did the senior sister leave her? It could actually provoke violent reactions from both the Red Silk Entwine and the abyssal devil power!

Is this seemingly auspicious feather a blessing or a curse? In this unfamiliar Southern Border land, what kind of variable will it bring her?

Shi Ran tightly gripped the slightly warm seven-colored feather, feeling its warm power gradually soothe the agitation of the Red Silk Entwine and the devil power, yet her heart was filled with icy chill and heaviness. Her journey to Southern Border was destined not to be peaceful.

The burning pain from her fingertip and the surging devil power in her sea of consciousness were like two raging thunderbolts violently colliding within her body. The warm auspicious aura emitted by the seven-colored feather, at this moment, became the spark igniting the fuse. She clenched her lower lip tightly, almost tasting a hint of bloodiness, barely suppressing the pained groan in her throat.

Must not panic! Absolutely cannot lose control at this moment!

She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to calm. In her sea of consciousness, the Netherworld Tranquil Seal spun at an unprecedented speed, its deep, quiet, cold light blazing forth—like tossing a chunk of ice into a boiling oil pot, desperately suppressing the restless abyssal devil power. At the same time, she poured more spiritual power into the seal on her wrist; the burning sensation of the Red Silk Entwine eased slightly, but it remained like a bone-deep ulcer, sending waves of palpitations.

This feather... where does it come from? How can it simultaneously provoke reactions from the love-curse 'Red Silk Entwine' and the abyssal devil power? A Xue gave her this—did she anticipate something?

Shi Ran stared at the iridescent feather in the wooden box, doubt clouding her mind. She could sense that the feather's essence was an extremely pure life and purifying power, utterly different from the source of annihilation, abyssal devil power, and even the extreme-yang fire spirit of Southern Border, even faintly opposing it. But why would it stimulate the Red Silk Entwine? Could it be that this love-curse is not merely a condensation of magical power, its depths hiding some taboo related to 'purification'?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind like lightning, but now was not the time to investigate deeply. She carefully closed the wooden box lid; the seven-colored light that had filled the room gradually withdrew, and the disturbances in her wrist and sea of consciousness also slowly subsided, like a tide receding, leaving only a disordered shore and a startled spirit.

"Senior sister..." she murmured low, clutching the wooden box tightly; the cool box wall eased her scorching palm somewhat. This feather is probably far more than the 'possibly helpful' Xiao Muyu mentioned. Is it a key, or a death talisman?

Over the next few days, Shi Ran kept to herself, spending most of her time adjusting her breath in the guest room, adapting to the environment of Flowing Fire City, while secretly observing the subtle balance between the seven-colored feather, the Red Silk Entwine, and her internal powers. She discovered that as long as she did not directly touch the feather, or expose herself to its light for extended periods, the Red Silk Entwine and the devil power could maintain their previous sealed state. Although the feather's intangible aura could provoke agitation, if carefully guided, that strand of auspicious purifying power could slightly ease the meridian stabbing pain caused by the clash between the annihilation source and the yang-fire environment.

This discovery gave her a slight sense of relief; at least the object was not entirely harmful.

During this period, Ling Xiao took Luo Changfeng and Xiao Muyu out to gather information. As the Weapon Refining Grand Assembly approached, Flowing Fire City became ever more a mingling of fish and dragons, with forces from all sides gathering; rumors about the 'Heart of Molten Fire' also increased. Some said that deep within the Heart of Molten Fire nurtured a ten-thousand-year-old earth-core fire lotus, a supreme fire-attributed treasure; others said it was the site where an ancient fire god fell, leaving behind divine fragments; even more secret whispers claimed that Blazing Heaven Valley had been secretly seeking a pure extreme-yang spiritual fire, apparently related to repairing some important artifact.

That evening, the three returned to the inn, their expressions bearing a hint of solemnity.

"Master, have we learned anything?" Shi Ran poured cool tea for everyone and asked.

Ling Xiao lifted the teacup, his fingertips lightly rubbing the rim: "Indeed we have gained something. The interior of Blazing Heaven Valley seems not to be a monolith."

Luo Changfeng interjected, his tone carrying his usual coldness: "It is said that Blazing Heaven Valley's interior is roughly divided into two factions. One faction, led by Valley Master Yan Jin, advocates meticulous study of weapon-refining arts, exchanging and cooperating with the outside world to strengthen the sect; the other faction, headed by Grand Elder Chi Xuan, is relatively conservative and exclusionary, believing that Blazing Heaven Valley's fire-refining secrets must not be leaked, and they also have some reservations about the Valley Master's recent measures."

Xiao Muyu added: "Using our connection with Shi Meng, we heard in the Outer Court that recently the valley's internal strife has intensified over the repair of a certain 'Valley-Sealing Treasure.' Shi Meng spoke highly of the Valley Master in conversation, but he was wary of the Grand Elder's faction and avoided discussing them."

"Valley-Sealing Treasure?" Shi Ran's heart stirred; "Could it be related to the Purple Lightning Firefly?"

"Not impossible." Lingxiao pondered, "The Purple Lightning Glowfire and Yang Spirit Object—if Blazing Sky Valley's valley-protecting treasure is a fire-attribute divine artifact, needing this object for repair makes sense. But… if this object truly lies in the Heart of Molten Fire, why doesn't Blazing Sky Valley take it themselves? Is it unattainable, or is there some other secret?"

"While several people were analyzing, a light knocking came from outside the guest room, followed by Shi Meng's familiar, slightly urgent voice: 'Senior Lingxiao, are the benefactors present?'"

"Luo Changfeng rose to open the door, only to see Shi Meng standing outside, his face somewhat anxious, with sweat still beading on his forehead."

"'Shi Meng senior brother, what's the rush?' Xiao Muchu asked gently."

"Shi Meng entered the room, foregoing pleasantries, and lowered his voice: 'Benefactors, just now news came from within the valley that the Chiyan Dao will be opened early in three days!'"

"'Chiyan Dao?' Lingxiao's eyes narrowed. 'Isn't that the trial path leading to the core region of the Heart of Molten Fire?'"

"'Exactly!' Shi Meng nodded. 'Originally, the Chiyan Dao was, after the Artifact Forging Tournament, a passage for the victors to enter the Heart of Molten Fire in search of opportunity. But for some unknown reason, the Grand Elder's faction suddenly proposed that, due to anomalies in the valley's great treasure, the Chiyan Dao must be opened early to select disciples to enter and investigate, and to allow some outside cultivators to participate, beautifully named 'Jointly Seeking Opportunities,' but in fact… according to my guess, they likely intend to use external force to achieve some purpose.'"

"He paused, his face showing worry: 'The Valley Master seems to have been forced to agree. This opening of the Chiyan Dao carries unknown danger, and moreover, the disciples of the Grand Elder's faction will surely vie fiercely for the spots. If you benefactors are interested in the Heart of Molten Fire, this could be an opportunity, but you must be extremely careful. The Grand Elder and his ilk… their methods are rather harsh.'"

"This sudden news disrupted Lingxiao and the others' plans."

"'Early opening…' Lingxiao tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, 'It seems the undercurrents within Blazing Sky Valley are more urgent than we imagined. This truly is an opportunity to approach the Heart of Molten Fire.'"

"Luo Changfeng's eyes flashed with sharp intent: 'Having come, we should settle in. What harm is there in charging through the Chiyan Dao once more?'"

"Xiao Muchu, however, was more cautious: 'Master, this affair seems fishy. The Grand Elder's faction actively bringing in outside forces surely has a significant aim. We must make thorough preparations.'"

"Shi Ran fell silent for a moment, then lifted her head to look at Lingxiao: 'Master, I wish to participate.'"

"Her voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable firmness. The turmoil of power within her body, the hidden danger of the red silk entwining, and the variable brought by that mysterious feather all gave her a strong premonition—the Heart of Molten Fire is a place she must go. There may lie an opportunity to resolve her own troubles, or it could be a deeper trap. But no matter what, she cannot retreat."

"Lingxiao gazed deeply at her for a moment, seeming to see through her resolve, and finally nodded: 'Very well. If so, we will contend for this spot. Young friend Shi Meng, thank you for informing us.'"

"Shi Meng gave a simple, honest smile: 'You benefactors have saved my life; this bit of news is nothing. The selection for the Chiyan Dao will take place tomorrow at the Flame Drill Grounds outside Blazing Sky Valley, mainly testing control and resistance to fire spirit power, as well as understanding of artifact-forging basics. Prepare yourselves; I will come tomorrow to guide you.'"

After seeing Shi Meng off, the room fell into a brief silence.

"Chang Feng, Mu Yu, although you two do not mainly cultivate fire, your foundations are solid, so you should have no problem with the selection. Shi Ran……" Ling Xiao looked at Shi Ran, his face showing worry: "Your fire spiritual power is sealed; tomorrow's selection will likely be a tough battle. That 'Netherworld Tranquil Seal' must be used properly; if necessary……" His gaze swept over Shi Ran's storage ring, implying something.

Shi Ran understood her master's meaning—that perhaps at a critical moment she could draw on the power of that seven-colored feather, and maybe Mei Ruoxue meant the same? She gave a slight nod: "Disciple understands."

The next day, at the outer courtyard of Blazing Heaven Valley, the Flame Drill Field.