Chapter 253 : Legacy in the Flaming Depths

It turned out that deep within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, the group had discovered the skeletal remains of a senior expert from a bygone era.

That senior had clearly sustained grievous injuries before his end. Within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he had laid down a protective Formation to guard his final resting place.

Yet, he had ultimately succumbed to meditation and passed on. This individual possessed formidable strength, at least at the Golden Core, Late Stage realm. Even after several hundred years post-mortem, his body showed no signs of decay, and even his Storage Bag [a spatial pouch used by cultivators to store items] remained perfectly intact.

A powerful Golden Core, Late Stage True Person of such caliber often lived for nearly a millennium. The wealth they accumulated over such a lifespan was typically immense, and their Storage Bag undoubtedly concealed treasures of great value.

Qingci the Recluse and His Wife coveted these treasures. They made repeated attempts to enter the formation and search for them, even enlisting the aid of their friend, Yvonne Yu. Yet, all their efforts ended in failure.

This was because the depths of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire were inhabited by Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic fire elementals]. Furthermore, the location where the senior rested was a convergence point for Spirit Vein [natural conduits of spiritual energy], which was occupied by six or seven Purple Mansion Realm Crimson Flame Spirit.

Purple Mansion Spirit possessed remarkable intelligence. They naturally understood the preciousness of a Golden Core Cultivator's flesh, blood, and possessions. However, lacking knowledge of Formation [mystical arrays], they were unable to breach the protective barrier.

But as the Formation grew progressively weaker over time, it was only a matter of time before the Crimson Flame Spirit would succeed in breaking through.

Fearing the treasures would be seized by the Crimson Flame Spirit, Qingci the Recluse sought out Eldrin Chen. He wished to invite Eldrin to join forces and subdue the Crimson Flame Spirit together.

"The treasure trove of a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator," Eldrin mused. Original publication: audio-novel-dot-com - The source of this chapter.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a glimmer of delight. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "I can agree to this."

"However, any treasures we obtain must be distributed according to the contribution each of us makes."

"Agreed."

Qingci the Recluse nodded. A single Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Purple Mansion realm] combatant could easily match the strength of five or six Purple Palace, Early Stage [the initial stage of the Purple Mansion realm] cultivators. Dividing loot equally by headcount would indeed be grossly unfair.

After all parties had sworn the Heart Demon Blood Oath [a binding magical vow where breaking one's word invites inner demons and severe karmic backlash] and signed the contract, smiles of satisfaction appeared on their faces.

With a slight furrow of his brow, Qingci the Recluse then stated, "I must return to Peach Blossom Mountain to attempt my breakthrough to the Purple Palace, Late Stage. Our expedition to the ruins will need to be postponed slightly."

"Understood," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile. "Then we shall meet again in one year's time at the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"Very well…"

Having settled on a time for their exploration, the group then parted ways.

Eldrin Chen proceeded to a renowned Rogue Cultivator City within Yuan Nation. There, he rented a Third Rank Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation chamber built around a potent third-rank spiritual spring] and entered seclusion to cultivate the Solar True Aegis [a defensive technique that harnesses the pure, unyielding essence of the sun].

Since its successful creation, he had already refined this defensive divine ability to an exceptionally profound level.

Now, having obtained this crucial catalyst, he could finally begin cultivating this divine ability.

In merely a month's time, he used the Sun Treasure Crystal to achieve initial mastery of the Solar True Aegis, then began refining vast quantities of Metallic Essence and Separated Flame Qi, transforming them into Solar Qi [the pure, condensed essence of solar energy] to be absorbed into this divine ability.

A year's time thus passed in cultivation.

"It is done."

On this day, Eldrin Chen inhaled the final wisp of Solar Qi into his abdomen, releasing a slow, measured breath.

After expending a year's effort, he had finally completed his cultivation of the Solar True Aegis. With this divine ability now in his grasp, his means of preserving his life would be significantly enhanced henceforth.

Emerging from seclusion, he realized the agreed-upon time to explore the ruins was drawing near. Without delay, he took to his sword and flew swiftly towards the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

After a journey of over ten days, when he arrived at the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he found that Qingci the Recluse [a reclusive cultivator] and the other two had already arrived ahead of him, having waited for some time.

A year apart, and Qingci the Recluse had already broken through to the Purple Palace, Late Stage, his mana now forty percent more potent than before.

He cast a glance at Eldrin Chen, a trace of mirth in his expression as he spoke, "You have finally arrived."

"Congratulations on your breakthrough to the Purple Mansion, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the third major realm of cultivation]," he said. "The path to the Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one condenses a golden spiritual core] now seems within your grasp."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he offered his congratulations with a warm smile.

Having finally ascended to the Purple Mansion, Late Stage, Qingci the Recluse was in excellent spirits.

He possessed Metal-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots [a rare and balanced affinity for both metal and wood spiritual energies]. In his youth, he had been taken as a legacy disciple by the Purple Mansion, Late Stage Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator not affiliated with any major clan or sect], Qingyuan the Daoist.

His Master, Qingyuan the Daoist, had held him in high regard before his meditation passing, even bestowing upon him the hand of his daughter, Qingyan the Immortal Maiden [a title for a respected female cultivator], in marriage. Access the full story on audio‑novel.com.

Coupled with his diligent cultivation, Qingci the Recluse's progress had been remarkably swift. He had broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] at the remarkably young age of just over one hundred years.

Furthermore, he had refined two Lifebound Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts bound to one's soul and cultivated over a lifetime] to temper his mana, resulting in a notably pure and refined essence that increased his chances of success. For the subsequent bottlenecks at the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage and Late Stage, he had relied on just a single Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a pill that aids in realm advancement by stimulating spiritual potential] and a Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade pill that refines spiritual energy and clears meridians] to achieve his breakthroughs.

Now, merely in his two-hundreds, he had already cultivated to the Purple Mansion, Late Stage. It appeared he would reach the Great Perfection of that stage before turning three hundred—a feat quite rare among Rogue Cultivators.

However, the journey to this point had exhausted the wealth accumulated by Qingyuan the Daoist over several centuries. The days ahead for him and Qingyan the Immortal Maiden were likely to become considerably more austere.

Without the support of a clan or sect, relying solely on a Third Rank Low Grade Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with a moderate level of ambient spiritual energy] to sustain two Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion] was proving to be a significant strain.

Furthermore, the resources required for his future breakthrough to the Golden Core [the fourth major cultivation realm, where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, golden core] would be astronomical, often exceeding a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

It was precisely for this reason that Qingci the Recluse, fully aware of the perils lurking in the depths of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, desolate region of eternal, scorching flames], remained determined to seek the treasures hidden within.

Seeing that everyone had assembled, Yvonne Yu revealed a faint smile. "Esteemed friends, since we are all present, let us proceed inside to discuss matters."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. The four of them then mounted their flying swords and soared into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

Although the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was a desolate wasteland where almost no life could survive, it embodied the principle that extremes beget their opposites.

Within this realm of destructive flames, a unique form of life had been nurtured—the Crimson Flame Spirit [elemental spirits born from and composed of pure, condensed flame essence].

The Flaming Prison Sea of Fire spanned millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], giving birth to numerous Crimson Flame Spirit. Most possessed power equivalent to the Second Rank [akin to Foundation Establishment cultivators], with a rare few reaching the Purple Mansion level.

Legends spoke of the sea's deepest reaches, where some claimed to have witnessed mighty Crimson Flame Spirit whose power rivaled the Golden Core Realm.

During his previous venture, Eldrin Chen had only penetrated Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, perpetually burning region of the demonic wilds] for a distance of one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], which was still considered the periphery of that fiery hellscape. Consequently, he had not encountered any Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic entities born from concentrated fire essence] of the Purple Mansion Realm [a major stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian].

This time, however, was different. The four of them were to venture deep into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, a journey of three hundred thousand Li-length. At that distance, the dangers were considered truly formidable.

Qingci the Recluse led the way. After flying for roughly seven or eight days, they had covered nearly three hundred thousand Li-length.

As they delved deeper, the number of Crimson Flame Spirit they encountered gradually increased.

"Ahead lies Crimson Flame Mountain [a prominent volcanic peak within the Flaming Prison Sea]," Qingci the Recluse announced.

"Proceed with caution."

He summoned his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's primary weapon, forged with their own essence and soul-bonded for life] and dispatched a Second Rank spirit-beast with a swift strike, his expression turning grave as he issued the warning.

Eldrin Chen's demeanor also grew more focused. They were now not far from the Ancient Cultivator's Ruins.

That ancient cultivator, upon reaching the end of his lifespan, had chosen to meditate and pass from this world atop a Third Rank Spirit Vein [a vein in the earth that emits spiritual energy of a specific potency]. Utilizing the power of that Spirit Vein, he had erected a formidable Fourth Rank Formation [a powerful, array-based defensive or offensive construct] to guard his final resting place.

Now, after several centuries, that Formation had begun to show signs of instability. Its weakened aura had drawn and gathered numerous Crimson Flame Spirit to the surrounding area.

The group slowed their flight and proceeded with heightened caution for several thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Finally, the blazing mass of Crimson Flame Mountain rose into view before them.

Upon reaching the slopes of Crimson Flame Mountain, Eldrin Chen immediately sensed eight Purple Mansion Spirit [powerful spiritual entities born from concentrated elemental energies] prowling the area. Among them, two had even reached the late stage of the Purple Mansion Realm. Access the full story on audio-novel[dot]com.