Chapter 194: Nanming Li Fire

One of the Ten Great True Fires of the universe.

The Nanming Li Fire!

It is the flame born of divine brilliance occupying the Li position of the Eight Trigrams, containing the supreme mystery of mutual generation and mutual restriction between the Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven states; it can shatter all demons, evils, and anomalies, nothing exists that it cannot incinerate—it is the most Yang and most fierce flame among the Ten Great True Fires!

Yet such a cosmic marvel was oddly seized by Wang Jiao Dian, becoming his possession.

Setting aside Wang Jiao Dian's own nature and bearing.

Whether he truly qualifies as that destined person of virtue.

The reason Chen Heng abruptly questioned Jiang Jiang Daolian about this matter today.

Was because after killing Wang Jiao Dian's heart-phantom several times within the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie, although he had extracted the cultivation method for the Nanming Li Fire from his primordial spirit.

This method of the Dao.

Had been sealed with a Dao prohibition...

With the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie at his disposal, he could certainly ignore the Dao prohibitions and directly commit the cultivation path of the Nanming Li Fire to memory.

Even the Dao prohibitions originally established by the Dao Court had failed to prevent Chen Heng from mastering the Tai Su Yu Shen.

As for the Nanming Li Fire, there was even less need to elaborate.

It was just that he ultimately still did not know what secrets and underlying truths were hidden behind this Nanming Li Fire.

The Dao Court had already collapsed miserably in the ancient era, scattering like wind-blown clouds.

The Ji clan's small imperial court was trapped guarding a corner of the universe, unable to care for themselves, having neither the intention nor the strength to investigate the matter of broken Dao prohibitions.

Chen Heng's previous audacious recklessness had, through a twist of fate, barely managed to pass the obstacle.

However, regarding the story of the Nanming Li Fire, and that ancient eccentric who had bestowed opportunity and transformation upon Wang Jiao Dian in the Northern Sea back then... amidst all these matters, Chen Heng remained completely confused, unaware of the underlying truths.

Although he could use cunning methods within the True Yizhen Yizhen Fa Jie to bypass the Dao prohibitions of the world.

Once he returned to the present world, the spiritual signal triggered by the Dao prohibition could ultimately not be concealed, inevitably being perceived by those who originally cast the ban.

In this way, Chen Heng's whereabouts would definitely be exposed.

And he also knew that once the news of his ability to break the Dao prohibitions spread, it would inevitably cause tremors throughout the universe and upheaval across the Nine Provinces.

That would undoubtedly place him on a fire to be roasted.

Given his current level of cultivation, such a consequence was absolutely something he could not bear.

At this moment.

Hearing Chen Heng's words.

Jiang Jiang Daolian slightly raised her eyebrows, glanced sideways at Chen Heng, and spoke with a smile that was not quite a smile:

"Why ask about these things? Could it be that you truly regard Wang Jiao Dian as your rival?"

"The dignified master of the Nanming Li Fire—how could he not be worthy of being my rival?"

Chen Heng's expression remained calm as he stated evenly: "I have not become so arrogant as to think I have him completely in my grasp just because I narrowly won one move; knowing oneself and knowing one's enemy is also only human nature, is it not? Furthermore..."

His voice paused briefly before continuing:

"Do not forget, the Jiang clan intends to arrange a marriage alliance between you and Wang Jiao Dian; this matter concerns not only me, but aiding me is also aiding yourself."

"Chen Chen Shidi is certainly adept at making trouble and dragging others into the water..."

Jiang Jiang Daolian chuckled lightly: "However, you got one thing wrong; this Wang Jiao Dian is by no means the true master of the Nanming Li Fire; if you address him as such, you are truly overestimating this person."

"Oh?"

Chen Heng's expression shifted slightly.

Jiang Jiang Daolian lifted her gaze to look at the sky, reached into her sleeve pouch, and retrieved a green-gold treasure tally.

She urged her true Qi into it; the treasure tally trembled lightly, and immediately a layer of misty halo expanded several zhang in radius, resembling a thousand points of firefly light, enclosing the entire small pavilion within its protection.

Only after performing this action did she speak:

"Have you heard of Grand Ancestor Master Yan Ming? He was the last Dao Master of the Yangping Sect."

"The Yangping Sect... is that the Yangping Sect from the Yuqi Xudu Tianyu known for its fire methods?"

Chen Heng pondered for a moment before answering.

The Dao classics and scriptures stored in the Changying Courtyard were truly as vast as a sea of smoke, beyond counting.

Although some profound technique manuals and scrolls required one to establish merit for Wei Wei Yuanzhong before they could be viewed.

Matters such as astronomy and geography, strange tales of the universe, or various hidden secrets of cultivation.

These things, which most Dao lineages and small sects across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas regarded as confidential secrets never lightly transmitted, were subject to no restrictions whatsoever here.

As long as they had the intention, all formal disciples could read them at will and browse to their heart's content, using them to expand their knowledge and broaden their horizons.

Chen Heng knew that Yuqi Xudu Tianyu was the Xudu Tianyu closest to Xudu Xudu Tianyu; although it was not one of the Sixteen Great Tyans, it was equally vast and unobstructed, rich in spiritual Qi, with Dao lineages from all of the Bapailiu Sect stationed within it.

And the Yangping Sect.

Had once been one of the major Xian Sects of note in Yuqi Xudu Tianyu!

Within its gates, there were openly twenty-four Upper Truths and three Dao Lords; although still far incomparable to colossal entities like the Bapailiu Sect.

Yet among the universes of the various Tyans, it could also be considered to have a renowned reputation!

"In those years, the Yangping Sect suffered losses to its strength due to an internal turmoil, and later, when several major powers of Yuqi Xudu Tianyu took advantage of the gap to attack from multiple sides, even its mountain gate was broken, and its Dao lineage was completely extinguished.

Although several ancestral masters of the Yangping Sect, before sitting in meditation and passing away, handed their jade talismans, seal flags, and sect scrolls to Grand Ancestor Master Yan Ming, intending to settle grievances and tacitly allowing his lineage to assume control of the Dao tradition.

However, this was too late, and ultimately powerless to reverse heaven.

After the mountain gate was destroyed, Grand Ancestor Master Yan Ming originally intended to lead the remnants across the void star-sea to Xudu Xudu Tianyu, bowing his head to the Chiming Sect to request protection, but halfway there, he was blocked by someone; not only were all the remnant disciples killed off, but even his own life was nearing its end."

Jiang Jiang Daolian stated calmly.

"Judging by your earlier words, it seems Wang Jiao Dian and that Grand Ancestor La of Master Yan Ming share a rather deep connection?"

Chen Heng asked.

"Before La died and sat in meditation to pass away, he established sixteen hidden mansions across Xu Capital Sky; within each hidden mansion lies not only the cultivation path of the Southern Bright Separation Fire, but also some of his resources for cultivating the Dao...

However, whoever obtains a hidden mansion must swear a great oath to continue the lineage of the Yangping Sect within Xu Capital Sky in the future before they can fully claim the treasures stored inside; Wang Jiao Dian, while fishing in his youth, was swept by a whirlpool into the depths of the Northern Sea, and through a stroke of accidental luck, happened to open one of La's hidden mansions."

After Jiang Jiang Daolian spoke these words,

Chen Heng shook his head and could not help but laugh.

If nothing unexpected had occurred, when Wang Jiao Dian received La's fortune, he was merely a mortal.

With that weak, spiritless body, he first survived the fierce winds and waves upon the sea.

Then, through sheer accident, he managed to open a great expert's hidden mansion; how exactly he achieved this remains unknown, truly mysterious.

Such incredible luck is indeed rare in this world...

"Since he obtained La's hidden mansion, then this matter of the so-called ancient extraordinary person must be a case of rumors compounding rumors?"

He looked at Jiang Jiang Daolian and said.

"The so-called ancient extraordinary person was nothing more than a wisp of remnant thought from Grand Ancestor La of Master Yan Ming; after compelling Wang Jiao Dian to swear his oath, it scattered like smoke and perished. As for why he chose Wang Jiao Dian, one can only say that heavenly fate is unpredictable, and I too cannot fathom it. Perhaps that wisp of remnant thought from La had waited too long, its oil exhausted and lamp dim, and could only choose someone at random; that is also possible."

Jiang Jiang Daolian sneered coldly, her expression unreadable:

"With such a heaven-defying stroke of luck, a mere accidental collision with fortune, how can he possibly qualify as the Master of the Southern Bright Separation Fire? After all these years, he has only just entered the threshold of the Southern Bright Separation Fire; even with the assistance of the Jiang clan, he has not even reached the Minor Completion Realm, which is truly quite amusing.

If you truly regard him as a deadly enemy, then you have indeed caused me to underestimate you..."

To one side,

Jiang Jiang Daolian's voice continued to drift over.

But Chen Heng had already obtained the information he most desired; relaxing his mind, he could not help but begin to ponder.

Rumor had it that Wang Jiao Dian once encountered the fortune of an ancient extraordinary person in the Northern Sea, drinking the Red Clouds and obtaining the Divine Fire.

The Red Clouds were the essence of divine qi condensed by the Yuanchen Post Horse; not only did they transform his root bones and talent for cultivating the Dao, turning Wang Jiao Dian into a figure of outstanding brilliance, but they also subtly nourished his physical body, gradually making it stronger than metal, so that even ordinary flying swords could hardly damage it, truly invaluable!

As for the Divine Fire,

it was naturally the cultivation path of the Southern Bright Separation Fire.

As for that ancient extraordinary person, it was merely a case of rumors compounding rumors; he was no great expert senior, but simply a wisp of remnant thought from Grand Ancestor La of Master Yan Ming, which has long since perished.

In that case...

"In that case, I can rest assured and proceed to cultivate the Southern Bright Separation Fire!"

Chen Heng smiled slightly in his heart, speaking silently to himself.

Among the Ten Great Divine Fires, the Southern Bright Separation Fire is renowned for being the utmost yang and utmost fierce, and can even be considered the one with the greatest killing power.

If I can master this method, it will surely add another means to protect my Dao!

Furthermore, before Grand Ancestor La of Master Yan Ming sat in meditation to pass away, he laid out sixteen hidden mansions within Xu Capital Sky.

Therefore, when others use this method in the future, I will even have a ready-made excuse to explain how I conceal my own usage!

"Enough, there is nothing more to discuss regarding Wang Jiao Dian; I have told you everything that needs saying. Now, let us talk about future matters."

At this moment, Jiang Jiang Daolian's voice suddenly came through.

Chen Heng watched as she took a sheet of golden paper inscribed with a dharma contract from her sleeve; taking it and looking it over, he saw it contained nothing more than clauses about watching out for one another and providing mutual aid; he smiled slightly but did not speak.

However, when he read the last few lines of text on the dharma contract,

the tail of his eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly, and his expression became somewhat intriguing.

"Is this part written in error? Do you truly intend to gather the precious materials and resources I need for cultivation? Are you certain?"

"My family is a wealthy and powerful clan; my father, while alive, was a Great Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun of the Pure Yang realm. Even though he has died, he still left behind considerable legacy; supporting a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like you, how could that be considered difficult?"

Jiang Jiang Daolian said dismissively:

"Chen Chen Shidi, I advise you not to rush to rejoice just yet; why not finish reading what I require you to promise before you speak again?"

"You want me, if I achieve success in cultivating the Dao in the future, to do my utmost to help you kill the current clan head of the Jiang clan, thereby returning the position of power within the Jiang clan to yourself?"

Chen Heng put down the golden paper of the dharma contract and said with a ambiguous smile:

"However, how do you know I will have a day of Dao completion? Heavenly fate is unpredictable; if I die halfway through my journey, would not all your efforts be wasted in vain?"

"It cannot be called effort; it is merely a spare move on the chessboard... Even when Father was still alive, I was already plotting this matter, unfortunately gaining very little. Chen Chen Shidi surely does not think you are the only one who has signed this golden paper dharma contract? If so, then Chen Chen Shidi is truly somewhat excessively cute."

"So it is casting a wide net to catch many fish? Looking at it this way, noble clans are indeed wealthy; saying they spend gold like dirt is not an exaggeration at all..."

Chen Heng sighed softly.

"What is your decision?"

Jiang Jiang Daolian looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

"It is just, why me? Is it merely because I once defeated Wang Jiao Dian and those noble clans on Bai Shi Peak?"

After pondering for a moment,

Chen Heng slowly said.

"Is that not enough?"

Jiang Jiang Daolian said.

Hearing this, Chen Heng was slightly stunned, then shook his head and laughed, saying: "It seems I was too indecisive; please forgive me. However, cultivating the Dao is not the work of a single day; can you wait until that time?"

"That need not worry you, Chen Chen Shidi; I have my own calculations."

Jiang Jiang Daolian deliberately let a hint of impatience show on her face, pushed the golden paper of the dharma contract forward, and provoked him:

"Whether you agree to this matter or not, I hope Chen Chen Shidi will give a definite answer; if you dare not, that is also understandable, and I will not mock you."

"This tactic of goading is too clumsy."

Chen Heng shook his head: "I will ask just one more question: Does Senior Sister consider herself a member of a noble clan, or a disciple of Yu Yu Yuchen?"

"What difference is there between the two?"

Jiang Jiang Daolian chuckled softly.

"At certain times, differences are inevitable."

Jiang Jiang Daolian's smile stiffened slightly.

For a long while.

Only then did she brush a few strands of hair blown askew by the wind behind her ear and said helplessly:

"Since I have come to seek you out today, I naturally will not abandon my identity as a disciple of Yu Yu Yuchen. In truth, not all members of the aristocratic clans are ignorant of current affairs or foolish creatures blinded by greed and profit. To oppose the Bapailiu Sect is no different from an ant trying to shake a great tree—laughably overestimating one's own strength. I can swear an oath to you: I will absolutely never engage in such actions."

Chen Heng looked deeply at her for a moment; after several breaths of silence, he suddenly broke into a warm smile, bowed with hands clasped, and stated:

"Then from now on, I must ask Senior Sister to look after me often."

Jiang Jiang Daolian's beautiful eyes brightened. She took out a cloud-patterned cinnabar brush and was the first to inscribe her name upon the golden paper of the legal contract.

As Chen Heng reached out to take it, he inadvertently touched her tender fingertips, which felt like a piece of warm, smooth jade.

"What, is Chen Chen Shidi so impatient already, unable to suppress his lustful heart?"

Jiang Jiang Daolian looked at him teasingly.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Chen Heng said indifferently.

He took the cloud-patterned cinnabar brush, reviewed the clauses on the legal contract from top to bottom once more, then raised his hand, gathered his wide sleeves, and solemnly inscribed his own name.

"Since Senior Sister mentioned being able to procure precious materials and resources for cultivation, I shall not stand on ceremony. I require some spiritual materials containing Yin-eroding spiritual energy, as well as Five Metals Thief, Yellow Elite, and Jade Paste..."

After signing his name, Chen Heng did not stand on ceremony and immediately listed several precious external medicines.

"Earlier you still called me Jiang Jiang Daolian, and now it's 'Senior Sister'? Chen Chen Shidi is truly a great man, capable of bending and stretching as needed."

Jiang Jiang Daolian waved her hand lazily:

"These are merely trivial matters. I have noted them; someone will deliver them to your cave dwelling shortly."

"Trivial matters?"

Chen Heng's eyes lit up.

Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Jiang Daolian, suddenly sensing danger, cut him off: "Do not get greedy; wait until you have used these up before asking for more. Since I have already promised you, I will not break my word!"

"Very well."

Feeling slightly regretful, Chen Heng cupped his hands and prepared to take his leave from the pavilion.

But as he rose, Jiang Jiang Daolian called him back.

"Chen Chen Shidi, do not forget under what pretext I invited you to Liu Jing Peak today. Matters should be handled completely from start to finish, so that no flaws are exposed in the eyes of outsiders."

"You wish to engage in a Dharma battle with me? To test my methods?"

Hearing these words, Chen Heng turned his gaze to look at her.

"Please!"

Jiang Jiang Daolian nodded seriously, the expression on her jade-like face becoming somewhat graver.

"Please."

Chen Heng nodded slightly, his demeanor equally becoming serious, and extended his hand forward.

Two sticks of incense later.

At the summit of Liu Jing Peak.

Jiang Jiang Daolian was panting heavily; bloodstains faintly appeared on her person, and even the ends of her hair were scorched black in several places.

Meanwhile, watching Chen Heng merely cup his hands slightly before driving light to fly far away.

She could not help but let her gaze flicker, her demeanor utterly inexplicable.

"Young Lady!"

Tao Po Po, who had been waiting nearby, seeing her in this state, could no longer restrain herself. Disregarding previous instructions, she hurried forward and asked anxiously:

"Young Lady, are you alright? How severely did that boy injure you? Did he strike with intent to kill?!"

"I am fine; after returning, I will consume some spiritual pills and will be unharmed..."

Jiang Jiang Daolian slowly raised her hand to cover her throat.

On her neck, a thin line of blood was continuously spreading, radiating a heavy chill, as if cut by a frosty blade.

"Indeed, she possesses some methods."

After a long while.

Only then did she suddenly break into a smile and said softly:

End of Chapter