Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Heavenly Blaze Incineration Technique (Wishing everyone prosperity in the Year of the Sheep)

Countless strikes split the stone again and again, gradually widening the fissures atop the boulder. From the cracks in the mountainside, streams of white vapor erupted, faintly illuminated by a subtle glow within. Probing deeper, Tianzhi discovered that wrapped inside the white vapor was a cluster of violet fire essence—an orb, translucent and solid, flickering with eerie purple light.

Liu Junhuai’s heartbeat quickened once more. This fire essence was forged over thousands, even tens of thousands of years, by the relentless blaze of heaven and earth, birthed from the mutation of rare minerals and infused with a trace of sentience. Once fused into a magical artifact, its hardness would instantly surpass ordinary spirit tools, and the weapon would be able to seek out its target on its own during combat.

Even more astonishing, such an artifact would be immune to all flames, able to absorb fire-elemental energy during flight and continually grow stronger. It was a treasure renowned alongside the Profound Sea Ice Soul, Millennium Warm Jade, and Three-Star Stone. To forge a magic tool required only a single drop of melted fire essence, underscoring its immense value.

Calming his excitement, Liu Junhuai continued wielding the Shadow Blade. When the white vapor dissipated, he carefully stowed away the fire essence. The surprise of finding this after refining the Solar Aurora Flame was wholly thanks to Azhi. Unable to contain his gratitude, Liu Junhuai spoke words of thanks to Azhi, who gleefully danced atop his fingertip.

He did not waste the pile of shattered stones either, collecting them all into the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion. After searching thoroughly and finding nothing else, Liu Junhuai leapt from the rocky crevice.

Returning to the starting point, he found Ajiu still engulfed in flames, devouring them with gusto. Liu Junhuai was in no hurry to leave; finding a quiet spot, he sat cross-legged and began circulating his cultivation technique.

When he opened his eyes again, Ajiu was ablaze, white vapor streaming from her nostrils. She darted through the fire like a spirit cat, her tail—a blazing whip—striking the surrounding rocks with immense force, reducing each boulder to dust and filling the valley with rumbling echoes.

Curious about Ajiu’s condition, Liu Junhuai used his spiritual sense to inquire. It turned out that after consuming fire, Ajiu needed to vent her energy to suppress the wild fire element within. Relieved, Liu Junhuai waited patiently.

During this wait, he withdrew his true energy shield and resumed training the neglected Body Tempering Technique. The scorching flames baked him, wild fire-elemental energy assaulted his body, and the intense heat drew out moisture from within. His skin tore and healed, his meridians broke and repaired, and his Body Tempering Technique improved slowly but steadily.

Only when his body could no longer endure did Liu Junhuai stop to recover. Once Ajiu had finished her rampage, Liu Junhuai, after more than two months of cultivation in the Crimson Flame Valley, finally concluded this training.

He proceeded to the pill refining chamber, where Mo Sitong had been continuously refining pills for over two months, successfully advancing to a Grade Four Pill Master.

Seeing Liu Junhuai return, Mo Sitong’s nerves—taut for months—finally relaxed. She pulled him over to show the array of pills she had produced.

Looking at the third-grade Nourishing Essence Pills, Hun Tian Pills, Bone Cleansing Pills, Soul Nurturing Pills, and Reviving Pills, Liu Junhuai could see just how hard Mo Sitong had worked, his gaze filled with tender concern.

Mo Sitong felt the affection from the man she admired, her heart rejoicing, though she quipped, “Junhuai, seeing how hard I’ve worked, don’t I deserve a reward?”

Liu Junhuai laughed, “There is indeed a reward. But let’s agree beforehand—not too much shouting, it wouldn’t befit a lady.” As he spoke, a crimson flame appeared on his fingertip.

Before Mo Sitong could cry out, the old steward behind her exclaimed, “Solar Aurora Flame! It’s the Solar Aurora Flame! A divine fire, one of the Four Heavenly Fires!”

Startled, Liu Junhuai nearly dropped the Solar Aurora Flame. “Steward, must you shout so? I thought Sitong would be the one shrieking, tsk.”

He hadn’t finished speaking when Mo Sitong’s scream followed, raising the hair on Liu Junhuai’s neck.

Mo Sitong, lips trembling, asked the old steward, “Steward, you said this is a divine fire, one of the Four Heavenly Fires?”

The steward, trembling as well, replied, “Yes, Mistress, it is a Heavenly Fire, called the Solar Aurora Flame.”

Mo Sitong stared at the flame, momentarily forgetting to take it. Liu Junhuai coughed to remind her, and she finally reached out to accept the Solar Aurora Flame.

“What should I do next?” Mo Sitong, still in a daze, asked reflexively.

The steward laughed, “Mistress, you can refine it now.”

“Yes, yes, I should refine it. But how do I refine it?” Her words sent Liu Junhuai and the steward into fits of laughter. Realizing her blunder, Mo Sitong blushed. “What’s so funny? I just forgot for a moment, really!”

As Mo Sitong sat cross-legged to begin refining, the steward asked, “Did the Master find anything else with the Solar Aurora Flame?”

Liu Junhuai raised a thumb and said, “Some derivative flames as well. Look!” He took out a pile of Phantom Powder Starfire, watching the steward’s jaw drop as pride swelled within him.

Mo Sitong glimpsed the Starfire from the corner of her eye, sighed deeply, and muttered, “Why does he always find all the good fortune, and I never get any?”

“This is Phantom Powder Starfire, isn’t it? Call Azhi out, let’s see if it’s leveled up,” the steward said.

Summoning Azhi, the little flame circled the pile of Starfire, prompting Liu Junhuai to laugh, “It’s all yours, no one’s competing. Look at how eager you are!”

The steward quickly stopped him, “Don’t give it all at once. Let Azhi absorb and digest it after just swallowing some. Save a portion for the other two mistresses—it’s far more impressive than gifting magical artifacts!”

Liu Junhuai agreed, though Azhi drooped sadly nearby. The steward chuckled, “Is Azhi upset? Half of this will be enough for you to reach the ninth level, any more would be wasted.”

Azhi jumped onto Liu Junhuai’s hand, seemingly not understanding. Liu Junhuai repeated the steward’s explanation, and Azhi revived, lively as ever.

Liu Junhuai watched Mo Sitong’s progress intently. When her refinement was nearly complete, he reminded her, “Expel a drop of essence blood onto it.” Mo Sitong obliged, and instantly the Solar Aurora Flame transformed into a flame the size of a fingertip, obediently perching on her finger, swaying as if singing softly.

Mo Sitong gazed at her first pet-like flame, a gentle smile lingering on her lips.

The steward said, “Mistress, with the Solar Aurora Flame, you’ll soon reach Grade Five Pill Master. Congratulations!”

Liu Junhuai produced a watermelon-sized Cold Marrow Scale and said to Mo Sitong, “Sitong, this scale can be used to refine Detoxifying Marrow Pills, a fifth-grade pill. If you succeed, you’ll become a Grade Five Pill Master.”

Mo Sitong did not take the scale, but looked deeply into Liu Junhuai’s eyes. “Thank you, Junhuai. This is my favorite gift—it’s the best I’ve ever received. I’ll work hard for you, for our future sect, and refine more pills, using the Solar Aurora Flame you gave me. Thank you!”

Liu Junhuai smiled joyfully, for Mo Sitong’s happiness and for his own gift.

Once their emotions settled, not wishing to disturb Mo Sitong’s cultivation, the steward brought Liu Junhuai to the pet chamber.

It was Liu Junhuai’s first time here, and the furnishings differed from the other rooms on this floor, bearing resemblance to the training space. Numerous jade plaques hung from the walls, each representing a small, specialized space.

The steward’s purpose was related to the two round eggs acquired recently, now placed in a nursery-like area. “At present, it’s unclear what kind of beast these eggs will hatch. I’d like you to set up a miniature time array around them, otherwise we may wait decades or centuries.”

Liu Junhuai nodded and began arranging spiritual stones.

Once finished, he handed the fire essence to the steward. This time, the steward did not react dramatically, merely glanced at it strangely, muttering under his breath.

Curious, Liu Junhuai asked, “Steward, your reaction isn’t what I expected. Didn’t this surprise you?”

The steward smiled, “What expression does the Master wish to see? To be honest, I’ve grown numb. I hope someday you’ll bring back an even greater surprise.” Pointing to the fire essence, he continued, “Add a drop of this when refining the golden puppets—it’ll yield unexpected results. Forgive me for keeping it a secret; you’ll be amazed when the time comes.”

“I’d like to modify the Chaos Blade of the Five Elements. Do you think it’s feasible?” Liu Junhuai asked.

The steward shook his head. “Not yet. Your artifact refining level is still too low. Wait until you’re a Grade Six Artifact Refiner. As for the Three-Star Stone, you’ll be able to attempt melting it once you reach the Nascent Soul stage.”

Somewhat disappointed, Liu Junhuai shook his head. He always had high hopes for the Chaos Blade, knowing he could only wield a fraction of its power, perhaps due to his current cultivation.

The steward said, “I suggest you focus on mastering the Heavenly Flame Burning Technique quickly. For now, don’t train in Thunder Movement Technique. A year in seclusion passes swiftly, so I won’t take up your time. Head to the training space.”

Liu Junhuai nodded, took his leave, and entered the training space.

He arranged the supporting arrays, brought out the Heavenly Flame Burning Technique, and began studying this new offensive skill.