DiploNovel Chapter 339 : Acquiring a Heaven and Earth Exotic Flame
Chapter 339 : Acquiring a Heaven and Earth Exotic Flame
‘So that’s how it is.’Chen Beiwu nodded slightly, unsurprised.
Ordinary bloodline talents—such as Wind Movement, Fire-Stepping, Earth Escape—were instinctive abilities akin to breathing. Once a Companion Beast awakened them, a mere thought would suffice to unleash them; no time was needed to practice control.
But this rule was not absolute.
According to records of the Immortal Alliance, certain special Mystic Beasts possessed bloodline Profound Abilities that required stimulation or the use of various heavenly treasures before they could be successfully awakened and mastered.
For example, among Fourth-Tier Mystic Beasts, the well-known Shadow-Tracing Nether Crow.
The Shadow-Tracing Nether Crow clan dwelled year-round upon ten-thousand-zhang solitary cliff peaks. Within their bloodline was inherited a Fourth-Tier Profound Ability named [Tracing Light, Roaming the Nether].
Its might was unfathomable. It allowed the Shadow-Tracing Nether Crow to briefly transform into an interwoven light-and-shadow form, slipping into a spatial interstice to evade the vast majority of Profound Abilities and techniques.
As recorded in the texts: “The Nether Roc perches upon cliffs; without falling, it will not cry. The shadow of tracing light does not manifest without calamity!”
To enable their fledglings to master this bloodline Profound Ability, the elders of the clan would personally push the young crows off a ten-thousand-zhang cliff and impose a flight-prohibition technique.
Those of exceptional talent would, at the brink of life and death, instinctively trigger the power hidden deep within their bloodline and successfully awaken the [Tracing Light, Roaming the Nether] Profound Ability.
Those of ordinary aptitude, however, would plummet heavily to the ground due to shallow cultivation, suffering grave injuries or even entering a near-death state.
At that time, the clan elders would intervene to heal the injured fledglings before bringing them back to the cliff and pushing them off again—repeating the cycle until the young crow mastered its innate Profound Ability.
Compared to the Shadow-Tracing Nether Crow clan, the Heavenly-Gang Profound Ability Iron Egg had awakened—[Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect]—was undoubtedly even more difficult to master and required the forging of numerous heavenly treasures.
One of the rigid prerequisites was a Heaven and Earth Exotic Flame.
Heaven and Earth Exotic Flames were born from the world’s fortune-creation and were priceless.
Yet spiritual veins differed in rank, fortune differed in depth, and thus Exotic Flames also varied like clouds and mud.
Among the strongest was the Great Sun, nearly akin to a law of the world itself, its power capable of shaking the ages.
Among the weakest were firefly-like flames—unstable and shallow in might, yet possessing astonishing and unique effects.
It was no exaggeration to say that any Heaven and Earth Exotic Flame ranked within the “Primordial Chaos All-Cycle Origin Flame Rankings” was a once-in-a-millennium treasure of heaven-shaking might.
Fortunately, the [Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect] awakened by Iron Egg placed no restrictions on the strength or attribute of the Exotic Flame; even the natal beast fire of a Third-Realm Beast General would suffice.
Otherwise, Chen Beiwu would truly have had no confidence in helping Iron Egg master such an exceedingly rare Heavenly-Gang Profound Ability.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll help you inquire about Exotic Flames.’
Seeing Iron Egg’s expression, Chen Beiwu subconsciously reached out to rub the dog’s head.
Though Heaven and Earth Exotic Flames were rare, he possessed resources from two realms. Securing a few should not be difficult.
After all, the stronger the Exotic Flame Iron Egg refined, the more extraordinary the forged [Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect] would become.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg lowered his head obediently.
‘Any other Profound Abilities?’
Chen Beiwu’s gaze shifted slightly toward the conspicuous vertical eye on Iron Egg’s forehead.
The eye radiated imposing power yet had remained tightly shut, never once opening.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg shook his head.
‘It’s fine. Let me take a look.’
With a thought, Chen Beiwu extended his divine sense deep into Iron Egg’s Law Meridian, sensing the bloodline Profound Abilities hidden within.
‘Karmic Fire Judging Sin, Illuminating Nine Prohibitions, Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect, Fire-Bathing Escape Form Profound Ability, Star-Shattering Moon-Biting…’
Just as Iron Egg had said, none of the Heavenly-Gang Profound Abilities hidden within his Law Meridian were related to the vertical eye on his forehead.
‘Do you feel anything unusual?’
Chen Beiwu frowned slightly, instinctively sensing something amiss.
A vertical eye would not grow upon Iron Egg’s forehead for no reason.
Could its appearance be related to the disappearance of the Sky-Wielding Cloak?
“Woof.”
Iron Egg tilted his head, suddenly recalling strange events from a dream and hurriedly informing Chen Beiwu.
‘Do you remember that scripture?’
Chen Beiwu was momentarily startled, transmitting through divine sense.
“Woof.” (Only remembered half.)
Iron Egg lowered his head, glancing at Chen Beiwu from the corner of his eye.
‘It’s fine. Tell me whatever you remember.’
With that thought, Chen Beiwu closed his eyes and, through the resonance of the Companion Contract, began comprehending the fragmentary scripture Iron Egg provided.
‘Nine Luminaries revolve, Devouring the Sun in Nirvana.’
‘Swallow myriad flames, unbound by the essence of sun or moon.’
‘…’
One should not casually comprehend incomplete cultivation methods. Thus, Chen Beiwu ignored the fragmented content of the Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture and directly organized the Golden Core and Nascent Soul chapters based on Iron Egg’s memory.
Yes—this was a Yuqing Immortal Art.
At first, Chen Beiwu had merely suspected. But after browsing the Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture, he was certain: Iron Egg’s slumber during bloodline evolution had likely been due to the former master of the Sky-Wielding Cloak transmitting the Dao within a dream.
‘To be chosen and taught by that existence—you are truly blessed, Iron Egg.’
Chen Beiwu smiled, not daring to utter that being’s honored name.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg blinked, relieved.
As long as it was not a Heart-Demon Tribulation. As for this so-called Immortal Art, he could not understand it at all.
‘It’s fine. I can teach you.’
Chen Beiwu would not miss such a rare opportunity.
If he was correct, this Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture—though obscure and difficult—was likely the key to activating the vertical eye on Iron Egg’s forehead.
Even if he were wrong, a supreme Immortal Art rarely seen in a thousand ages would still allow Iron Egg to go further upon the path of cultivation.
“Woof?” (You’ve mastered it already?)
Iron Egg suddenly sensed the disparity in aptitude.
‘Not that fast.’ Chen Beiwu shook his head slightly.
His ability to comprehend the Yuanshi Dongzhen Qinghua Myriad Tribulations Myriad Spirits Immortal Art within a month had been due to guidance and true intent left within the jade slip.
But the Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture remembered by Iron Egg contained no true intent—only a vast expanse of abstruse scripture. This greatly increased the difficulty of comprehension.
“What do you plan to name your race?” Chen Beiwu asked with interest.
Iron Egg’s current evolutionary form differed entirely from existing Immortal Alliance evolution paths. It deserved a resounding name.
“Woof.” (Iron Egg.)
Iron Egg replied without hesitation.
After advancing to the Third-Realm Beast General, he had refined his transverse bone and could speak human language, but he still preferred this mode of communication.
Chen Beiwu gently stroked the fur on Iron Egg’s head.
He had given Iron Egg a crude name to help him survive misfortune and avoid premature death. Naming a new race after it seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Yet seeing the firmness in Iron Egg’s eyes, Chen Beiwu readily agreed.
After all, it was only a name.
His divine sense shifted toward Iron Egg’s Origin Meridian.
‘Not bad—just like Golden Egg, also a Legendary-Grade Origin Meridian.’
Seeing the incomparably pure Innate Fire Essence deep within, Chen Beiwu was quite satisfied.
No wonder that after receiving the Three Meridians’ blessing from Iron Egg, his Fire-Attribute Spiritual Root Purity had increased by thirteen points, transforming his aptitude to: Metal 80, Wood 95, Water 95, Fire 93, Earth 80.
With a thought, Chen Beiwu probed Iron Egg’s Attribute Meridians.
“Metal 60, Wood 60, Water 60, Fire 97, Earth 60.”
He was somewhat surprised.
The higher a Companion Beast’s Five-Element Attribute Meridian purity rose, the harder it became to improve further.
Iron Egg’s 97 Fire-Attribute Spiritual Root Purity and Golden Egg’s 96 Water-Attribute Spiritual Root Purity seemed separated by only one point—but the actual gap was significant.
Even though Iron Egg’s Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth attributes lagged far behind Golden Egg’s—barely reaching Earth-Grade Root territory—their bloodline potentials were nearly equal.
Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast.
There was no doubt: whether measured by bloodline Profound Abilities or Three Meridian aptitude, Iron Egg’s evolved form rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, titled Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts.
“Shall we spar?”
Golden Egg proposed proactively.
Chen Beiwu looked toward Iron Egg.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg shook his head.
He had little interest in internal sparring.
“This is a rare opportunity. The Pure Marrow Spiritual Eye is erupting right now. We can spar another day.”
Chen Beiwu mounted Golden Egg and made his decision.
Pure Marrow Essence was a great tonic. For Fire-Attribute cultivators and Fire-Attribute Companion Beasts, its nourishing effect rivaled Fourth-Tier Mystic medicine.
Rather than waste time sparring, it was better to collect Pure Marrow Essence—perhaps it could be exchanged for an Exotic Flame.
…
Time passed swiftly. The eruption period of the Pure Marrow Spiritual Eye soon ended.
Above Molten Heart Lake, Chen Beiwu swept his sleeve, storing eighteen jade bottles.
At that moment, a goose-yellow figure descended before him—it was Yu Zhaohua, unseen for several days.
“Before leaving, care to fight?”
Yu Zhaohua’s gaze subtly swept over Iron Egg as she extended the invitation.
“No need. You’re too weak.”
Chen Beiwu shook his head.
After spending time with her, he had come to understand that Yu Zhaohua possessed a combative and strength-revering temperament.
Not admiration—but absolute contention.
In her eyes, there was no distinction between men and women—only strong and weak opponents.
“By the way, do you know about Exotic Flames?” Chen Beiwu suddenly asked.
“Oh? Interested in buying one?”
Yu Zhaohua glanced at Iron Egg and countered.
“Exactly. Any channels?”
Chen Beiwu nodded without concealment.
Recently, besides collecting Pure Marrow Essence, he had been purchasing Exotic Flames through the Myriad Treasures Society group chat.
Unfortunately, few responded—most claiming Exotic Flames were too rare to be bought with Spirit Stones.
A handful willing to negotiate privately had quoted outrageously high prices.
He could accept a premium—but not exploitation.
Had his senior brothers and sisters responded, or had Yu Zhaohua not hailed from the Tianyuan Yu Clan, he would not have asked so rashly.
“Heaven and Earth Exotic Flames are wondrous and formidable. They can be used in combat, alchemy, or artifact forging.
Many high-level alchemists and artifact refiners within the Immortal Alliance are collecting Exotic Flames, driving prices extremely high.”
She looked at him and added, “If you wish to buy one now, you’ll have to pay dearly.”
Chen Beiwu’s eyes narrowed. “What price?”
“Exotic Flames are ranked as Universe, Cosmos, Vast, and Desolate. Which tier are you seeking?”
“Desolate Tier. Any higher, I couldn’t afford.”
The Desolate Tier was the lowest rank—relatively speaking.
If such a flame gained sentience and transformed, it would unquestionably dominate among Fourth-Realm Beast Kings.
Some Desolate Tier flames oriented toward slaughter required no transformation—mere sentience sufficed to defeat or incinerate a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Thus, for Fire-Attribute cultivators practicing special methods, a Desolate Tier Exotic Flame rivaled a Fourth-Tier Mystic Beast in value.
“The market price is roughly one thousand top-grade Spirit Stones—about twelve million Spirit Yuan. No upper limit. Rare ones can exceed one hundred million Spirit Yuan.”
She was not ignorant of wealth, despite her Dao Venerable Immortal Family background.
Twelve million Spirit Yuan—what did that mean?
A Third-Tier Treasure Pill cost only tens of thousands.
A precious Third-Tier Treasure Beast cub cost a few million.
Twelve million could sustain thousands of clan members’ cultivation or produce over ten Golden Core True Persons with contracted Spirit Beasts.
Not that Yu Zhaohua underestimated Chen Beiwu.
Immortal students of the Yuqing Immortal Sect seemed privileged, yet few could instantly produce such wealth.
Even one million Spirit Yuan would eliminate ninety percent of Nascent Soul True Clan prodigies.
Wealth of a clan did not equate to personal wealth.
Twelve million Spirit Yuan…
Chen Beiwu raised a brow.
Expensive.
The Myriad Treasures Society offer had been ten million, without exchange-rate markup.
If so, he might as well request an audience with the Sect Master.
The evolution resources granted to Iron Egg had ostensibly been a reward—but truly were recognition for his creation of a new method.
Top Fourth-Tier materials like Pure Karma Crimson Blood, Great Sun Candle Guide, and Pure Yang Fire Mirror each likely exceeded ten million Spirit Yuan.
The Yuqing Immortal Sect clearly valued him highly.
With the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference approaching, perhaps he could claim an Exotic Flame as a championship reward.
“Coincidentally,” Yu Zhaohua smiled faintly, her storage ring flashing as a strange flame manifested in her palm, “I happen to have one.”