Chapter 362: Fire Virtue Furnace

Hua Changxi forcibly "annihilated" the two Fire Qilins in order to prevent the external manifestation and release of the Vermilion Bird, so as not to expose the fact that she possessed the Vermilion Bird bloodline.

However, after the Fire Qilins vanished and the fire domain space collapsed, Hua Changxi realized that she might have been mistaken.

On the dantian qi sea, instead of a Vermilion Bird totem manifesting, a rapidly spinning vortex appeared. At the same time, vortices also formed one after another in her meridians, acupoints, and internal organs.

At first, Hua Changxi did not understand what was happening to her, until all the vortices merged into one and manifested as the phantom of a furnace.

Her flesh and blood, with the dantian as the root, the meridians as the vessels, and the internal organs as the pivots, transformed into a furnace.

Only then did she realize that the Earth Mother Qi had not strengthened her Vermilion Bird bloodline, but had instead granted her a physical divine ability—the Five Elements Fire Virtue Furnace.

Because the Earth Mother Qi possesses the characteristics of carrying and embracing all things, her furnace could refine the Five Elements, and even refine all things.

When executing the "Five Elements Fire Virtue Furnace," it could simultaneously carry the energies of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, using Fire as the core to embrace the other four elements, turning the physical body into a "Five Elements Furnace" that converts other attribute energies into fire-attributed power.

Hua Changxi had never imagined that absorbing the Earth Mother Qi would result in achieving a physical divine ability.

However, executing this divine ability was not easy.

Compared to "Myriad Flames Pilgrimage," which could be used wherever there was fire, to use the "Five Elements Fire Virtue Furnace," one needed to possess a mind of bearing and tolerance.

What is a mind of bearing and tolerance?

Hua Changxi immediately thought of the scene where the flames on the Fire Qilin merged with the flames she emitted: each contained the other, harmonious yet distinct.

Was this the Fire Virtue?

Hua Changxi was still completely confused about what "Fire Virtue" meant. After the physical furnace manifested and then disappeared, she restrained the overflowing fire spiritual energy and, puzzled, opened her eyes.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Qin Feng standing not far away.

Without giving much thought to Lu Tingting and the other three's departure, Hua Changxi looked at Qin Feng and said, "General Qin, I have a question. Could you kindly offer some guidance?"

Qin Feng was curious to hear what Hua Changxi wanted to ask, so he nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Hua Changxi: "What is Fire Virtue?"

Qin Feng looked surprised. Hua Changxi's domineering method of "obliterating" the Fire Qilins had indeed shown her eagerness for quick results. He hadn't expected that her first question would be about "Virtue."

"Although your clash with the Qilin was brief, the fact you ask this question suggests you have indeed gained something."

"De (Virtue) means gaining or obtaining."

"All things are within the Five Elements, and the Five Elements each have their own virtue."

"Fire Virtue... you can understand it as the inherent rules and order of how fire operates."

Hua Changxi was still unclear: "Then how does one judge whether a person possesses Fire Virtue?"

Qin Feng thought for a moment before speaking: "What do you think the Xuanhuang City represents?"

Hua Changxi: "The center of the Central Continent, bearing the fate of humanity."

Qin Feng asked again: "What enables Xuanhuang City to bear the fate of humanity?"

Hua Changxi thought about it and ventured, "Because it possesses virtue?"

Qin Feng smiled: "Xuanhuang City integrates the Five Virtues into one, so it can bear the fate of humanity. Great virtue will surely attain its position, its wealth, its name, and its longevity."

Hua Changxi seemed to be pondering.

Qin Feng continued, "To have virtue within oneself and to extend virtue to others—the essence is to cultivate oneself in order to bring peace to others."

"If you want to see whether a person has virtue, look at what they steadfastly uphold. In what they persist, you can see their virtue."

Hua Changxi murmured: "See virtue in what one persists in?"

Qin Feng: "If there is persistence, there will certainly be action. In your work at the Medical Alchemy Department, you've encountered no small number of cultivators. Do you think they possess virtue or not?"

Hua Changxi did not answer, earnestly thinking about the cultivators she knew.

Qin Feng further explained: "After the spiritual energy resurgence, all cultivators are busy competing for resources to enhance their own strength. With that as the goal, naturally, they can do anything. But if one starts from virtue, one must decide what to do and what not to do."

Looking at the silent, contemplative Hua Changxi, Qin Feng thought for a moment and added, "When virtue does not match one's position, calamity follows. Many talented cultivators have failed on this point."

Hua Changxi felt these words were directed at her, so she cast a glance at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng: "Alright, this general still has things to attend to. Give me the key to the Fire Qilin Pavilion."

Hua Changxi didn't ask further. She handed the black and white fish-shaped keys she had obtained to Qin Feng: "When can my family join the Xuanfu Mansion?"

Qin Feng put away the keys: "Anytime. Let's go, I'll see you out."

Hua Changxi: "Since the General has matters to attend to, I can leave on my own."

Qin Feng smiled at her: "That won't do."

Hua Changxi was taken aback, then immediately realized Qin Feng was guarding against her.

On the way out of the mansion, Hua Changxi made small talk: "General Qin, I'll go notify my family after I leave. In a few days, when my family enters the Xuanfu Mansion, I hope you'll look after them a bit."

Qin Feng asked curiously: "Why don't you arrange for the Hua family to go to Danyuan Peak?"

Hua Changxi: "The Medical Department is too chaotic. I can't protect them there."

Qin Feng looked at her: "But I get the feeling you're like you're shaking off a burden?"

Hua Changxi looked at him: "The General's feeling is mistaken."

Qin Feng smiled noncommittally: "I hear you barely keep in touch with your family. Do you think cultivators should sever all emotions and love?"

Hua Changxi denied it: "I don't think that."

Qin Feng: "But that's exactly what you're doing."

Hua Changxi frowned. She didn't like this stranger Qin Feng meddling in her actions.

The mansion gate appeared in their view. Qin Feng stopped, looked at Hua Changxi, and said one last thing: "Those without feelings won't go far. Hua Changxi, you'd better take care of yourself."