Chapter Sixty-Five: Subduing the Crimson Nine-Headed Serpent

The surface of the Sumeru Stone was covered with dense, ancient patterns. Liu Junhuai carefully guided a strand of his celestial awareness to envelop one of these patterns, but the pattern seemed to possess a mind of its own, deftly evading his touch.

Astonishment surged within Liu Junhuai. Such strange movements were far beyond his comprehension. After another failed attempt, frustration filled his heart, his gaze lost and uncertain, unsure of what to do next.

At that moment, Azhi stirred, rousing Liu Junhuai from his confusion. He released Azhi, who leapt frantically in his palm, as if trying to tell him something. Liu Junhuai forced himself to calm his restless spirit, steadying his mind as he tried to communicate with Azhi through intent. Observing the flickering flames of the Heavenly Lotus Heartfire bending toward the Sumeru Stone, Liu Junhuai sensed that Azhi wanted him to use the Heartfire in refining the stone.

Unsure if his guess was correct, he directed Azhi to separate a thread of Heartfire toward one of the ancient patterns, then wrapped it in celestial awareness, letting the flames gently bake the pattern. The space around the pattern began to twist, giving rise to an illusionary feeling. It seemed the pattern feared the heat of the Heartfire, shrinking back and remaining motionless.

At last, his celestial awareness enveloped the pattern. Before he could rejoice, he swiftly activated the golden sphere, which began to devour the pattern bit by bit. Nearby, the Redfire Nine Infant seemed to understand that Liu Junhuai was helping it, remaining utterly still and silent.

Amid this slow devouring process, the surroundings grew so quiet that one could almost hear the faint sizzle as the celestial awareness consumed the ancient patterns. Liu Junhuai’s expression remained unruffled, his mind fully immersed in the power of his celestial awareness.

After the time it took for half a stick of incense to burn, the first pattern was refined. Liu Junhuai’s mindset grew steadier, and he continued to control his celestial awareness. Time trickled by, and after two hours, he had only managed to refine a patch of ancient patterns the size of a fingernail.

The dozens of refined patterns gradually merged into a single strand. At this point, the Golden Alloy Goblet received the strand from the golden sphere; a golden glow spun rapidly within the goblet’s belly, forming a golden vortex that swallowed the strand. After another condensation, the ancient patterns transformed into a golden ray, which then flowed back through the golden sphere and merged with his celestial awareness.

Immediately, Liu Junhuai switched to using the newly transformed golden celestial awareness to envelop and refine the ancient patterns, and the speed of refinement increased markedly.

With more and more patterns refined, the Sumeru Stone’s deep blue essence began to reveal itself. Yet at the current pace, it would take several months to fully refine the stone. Liu Junhuai pondered how to accelerate the process.

After a few breaths, he gritted his teeth and summoned all his stored golden elemental power, wrapping it around the golden celestial awareness to tug at a chunk of ancient patterns the size of a bowl. Simultaneously, the Heavenly Lotus Heartfire erupted in a larger blaze, scorching the patterns.

For a moment, the air grew dry and scorching, the heat spreading everywhere. Under the intense forging of the Heartfire, the ancient patterns on the Sumeru Stone’s surface began to show signs of merging—a slow process, but steadily encroaching upon the burned area.

The golden sphere and Golden Alloy Goblet spun wildly, constantly speeding up the refinement, rapidly condensing golden celestial awareness to envelop more patterns.

Through this cycle of refining, consuming, replenishing, and condensing, Liu Junhuai’s true elemental power was nearly spent. He took out a small vial of spiritual liquid and quickly poured a few drops into his mouth, grasping a gold essence stone and absorbing its energy desperately.

Yet the expenditure was so great that he soon felt depleted once again. At that moment, he remembered the Corrosive Fire Lotus, swiftly plucking a lotus leaf and stuffing it into his mouth.

Instantly, waves of pure and vast energy surged through his body like ocean tides, even faintly accompanied by the sound of rushing water. These waves repeatedly washed through his meridians and dantian, compressing and expanding them, widening with each surge.

The immense energy stored within the lotus leaf caused Liu Junhuai’s breath to rise steadily. Eventually, even after his meridians and dantian had reached their limit, the energy persisted. With a gentle pop, the bottleneck of early Foundation Establishment shattered, and his cultivation advanced to mid Foundation Establishment, with his aura still climbing.

He had no time for joy; he quickly plucked a second lotus leaf and swallowed it. The vast spiritual energy surged through him again, washing his internal channels once more.

His strengthened true elemental power, now bolstered with greater celestial awareness, joined the refining process. The ancient patterns on the Sumeru Stone’s surface dwindled, revealing more and more deep blue.

With a thunderous boom, the Sumeru Stone shot skyward, tumbling joyously in the air of the cavern. At this point, Liu Junhuai’s true elemental power had grown so abundant it was swelling within him. The explosive force unleashed by the stone’s ascent triggered another surge, tearing through the newly established mid Foundation Establishment barrier and flooding into a broader space.

Guided by Liu Junhuai’s intent, the stone transformed into a stream of light and was absorbed into his palm, shrinking to half the size of his hand.

With another turn of intent, Liu Junhuai found himself in a vast wasteland. His celestial awareness penetrated the Sumeru Stone, where the cavern and pool floated within its space. He even saw the Redfire Nine Infant, anxiously looking around.

He shifted his intent again, and his body appeared inside the Mountain and River Gourd. Without greeting the others, he tossed the Sumeru Stone into the air. Sensing the chaos energy in the space, the stone, like a playful child, rolled and leaped with renewed vigor.

With a gesture, the stone plunged to the ground like a bolt of lightning, embedding itself deeply, leaving two fathoms exposed.

Liu Junhuai probed the Sumeru Stone with his celestial awareness. Instantly, a ravine appeared in the chaotic space, linking the cavern and pool; on either side of the ravine rose two towering mountains.

Soon, the Redfire Nine Infant emerged from the cavern, still bewildered. Upon reaching the entrance, it felt the call of the chaos energy, paused briefly, then raised its heads and let out a mighty roar. Tears of excitement spilled from its eighteen eyes.

As the roar subsided, its nine heads turned toward Liu Junhuai, wings flapping, and with a single beat, it appeared before him.

Liu Junhuai sent his awareness into one of the creature’s heads, feeling a deep sense of familial intimacy, as if they had long shared a bond.

He stepped forward and said, “I’ve done it. This is the space where you once grew. Welcome home.”

The Redfire Nine Infant clearly understood him, nodding its nine heads repeatedly, stretching its necks to gently nuzzle against Liu Junhuai, its gaze filled with endless tenderness and reverence.

Suddenly, its nine heads drew back, gazing warily behind Liu Junhuai, low growls rumbling from its throats.

Knowing that Shen Yihuan and the others had arrived, Liu Junhuai gently stroked the creature’s belly. “Don’t be nervous. They’re all family, just like you.”

The Redfire Nine Infant nodded, its vigilance fading, and uttered a soft call, as if greeting the newcomers.

Mo Sitong and her companions, stunned by the beast’s towering stature, halted in awe. Only Shen Duoduo bounded joyfully to Liu Junhuai’s side, leaping into his arms and glancing up at the creature. “Brother Junhuai, who is this?”

“It’s called Redfire Nine Infant, our companion. Go greet it,” he said to the beast, “This is Duoduo, my little sister. You’re all my family.”

Shen Duoduo showed no fear. In her mind, any danger was shielded by her brother Junhuai; she felt entirely safe.

“Hello, I’m Duoduo.” She reached out to touch the creature, which lowered its heads, allowing her to stroke them freely.

Duoduo examined the nine heads, comparing their differences. “Your name is Redfire Nine Infant? That’s such an awkward name. Can I call you Ajiu from now on?”

The creature looked at Liu Junhuai in confusion. He laughed, “My sister wants to call you Ajiu. It’s a good name—pleasant and simple. What do you think?”

The beast let out a gentle roar and nodded.

Duoduo clapped her hands in delight, chanting “Ajiu, Ajiu” repeatedly.

The others stepped forward, and Liu Junhuai introduced Ajiu to each of them. Everyone tried stroking Ajiu, who cooperatively lowered its body to make itself accessible.

“Ajiu, go play. You just arrived and haven’t explored yet.” Liu Junhuai patted its neck, and Ajiu nodded happily, wings flapping as it soared into the sky, letting out a long cry as it flew off.

Only when Ajiu had vanished into the distance did Shen Yihuan breathe a sigh of relief. “Junhuai, you’re incredible. You even managed to tame such a huge creature.”

Liu Junhuai smiled. “I saved its life, so it listens to me. That’s all.”

Wu Bini squeezed into Liu Junhuai’s embrace. “Junhuai, are you leaving again? Weren’t you going to seclude yourself for cultivation?”

“We haven’t returned yet. We’re still in Pingdu City. I brought Ajiu in, but soon we’ll be leaving.”

Mo Sitong said nothing, simply watching Liu Junhuai with a smile.

Liu Junhuai reached for her hand, speaking gently, “Have these two girls behaved these days? If not, just spank them.”

Mo Sitong replied, “No, ever since they heard you’ll ascend to the immortal realm and might not see them again, they’ve been more diligent in cultivation than I am. Don’t worry, everything’s fine here.”

After chatting for a while, upon hearing that Liu Junhuai had just advanced to late Foundation Establishment, Mo Sitong urged him to consolidate his cultivation.

Liu Junhuai summoned the playful Ajiu back, gave it a few instructions, and then slipped out of the Mountain and River Gourd.