EBE Chapter 340 : Tianyan Immortal Sect
Chapter 340 : Tianyan Immortal Sect
The flames were not scorching. The outer layer was a deep blue, while the core of the flame was milky white. It emitted a pure and flawless aura that calmed the mind and steadied the spirit.“This is Soul-Settling Flame. Its nature is warm and pure. It can stabilize the spirit and consolidate qi, resist the invasion of heart-demons, and assist cultivators in their cultivation. But in my hands, it is of little use.”
Yu Zhaohua lightly toyed with the flame at her fingertip, as if teasing a pet.
“This Soul-Settling Flame seems somewhat off.” Chen Beiwu’s brows knitted slightly.
Although he had never heard the name Soul-Settling Flame before, he knew well the might and ferocity of a Desolate-Grade Exotic Flame. Its power was almost comparable to that of a Four-Realm Beast King.
Even if Yu Zhaohua possessed an Innate Dao Body of the fire attribute, it would likely be difficult for her to subdue a Desolate-Grade Exotic Flame so completely.
Moreover, under Chen Beiwu’s divine sense perception, this Soul-Settling Flame had a restrained aura and dim firelight, as if it could extinguish at any moment.
This was completely inconsistent with the descriptions of Heaven-and-Earth Exotic Flames in the records. It resembled more the natal beast flame of a Second-Tier Spirit Beast.
“Senior Brother Chen has sharp eyes.”
Yu Zhaohua nodded slightly, her tone candid. “Exotic Flames are rare to begin with, especially one like Soul-Settling Flame that benefits a cultivator’s divine soul and whose origin can be used in alchemy.”
She was born into a Dao Venerable Immortal Family, and her elders had long prepared precious resources in advance for her breakthrough to Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Among them was a Fourth-Tier high-grade Mysterious Pill—Spirit-Settling Pill—which could help a Golden Core True Person stabilize the divine soul, condense the Purple Mansion Yang Spirit, and attain the Dao of Nascent Soul True Monarch.
The Soul-Settling Flame in her hand was merely some leftover Exotic Flame origin after her clan elders had refined the Spirit-Settling Pill.
Because its origin had been overly depleted, even if it were slowly nurtured with time and resources, it could only recover a portion of its former power. Otherwise, Yu Zhaohua would never have taken it out.
“Though its origin is incomplete, if Senior Brother Chen is willing to pay the price and nurture it with heavenly treasures such as Pure Marrow Essence, it may not be impossible to restore some of its might.”
With a flick of her fingertip, Yu Zhaohua gently pushed the Soul-Settling Flame toward Chen Beiwu.
Chen Beiwu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he feigned hesitation. “And the price?”
The Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect awakened by Iron Egg required the absorption of an Exotic Flame as calamity ash, to be fused into the Pure Prison Aspect. There was no restriction on the strength of the Exotic Flame’s origin—only that the might of the Dharma Aspect might decrease slightly.
But every disadvantage carried an advantage.
Although the Soul-Settling Flame in Yu Zhaohua’s hand had a depleted origin and greatly reduced power, that also meant it was easier to control and posed extremely low risk in refinement.
Iron Egg’s cultivation was only at the Late-Stage Golden Core. Even if Chen Beiwu truly possessed a Desolate-Grade Exotic Flame with powerful origin, he would not dare let Iron Egg refine it rashly—that would be no different from a snake trying to swallow an elephant.
Still, liking it was one thing. Considering the future pressure of nurturing Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Five Qi Vine, and the little fox, Chen Beiwu still intended to bargain.
“Thirty thousand Spirit Yuan. However…”
At this point, Yu Zhaohua deliberately paused, carefully observing Chen Beiwu’s reaction.
Chen Beiwu: “???”
He had originally planned to cut the price, yet Yu Zhaohua directly offered an unimaginably low figure.
“However what?” Chen Beiwu asked, not agreeing immediately, casting her a glance instead.
“You must spar with me once a month and help me verify my cultivation insights.”
Yu Zhaohua smiled brightly, revealing her true intention. “Of course, if Senior Brother Chen is willing to teach and explain the various key intricacies of the Taiyi Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Marvelous Method, this junior sister can offer another Exotic Flame free of charge.”
“Also one with incomplete origin?” Chen Beiwu raised a brow.
“Of course not.”
Yu Zhaohua shook her head. There was no affection between man and woman in her gaze toward Chen Beiwu—only an unyielding competitive spirit.
A single victory did not mean eternal supremacy.
Chen Beiwu was indeed astonishingly talented, with extraordinary comprehension—like an immortal peak impossible to scale. But a stone from another mountain could polish jade.
In Yu Zhaohua’s eyes, Chen Beiwu was undoubtedly the best whetstone.
“Sparring once a month is too frequent.” Chen Beiwu shook his head slightly.
Those who learn from me live; those who imitate me die.
For Chen Beiwu, teaching the Taiyi Five Directions Nine Revolutions Foundation-Laying Marvelous Method meant little. He had intended from the beginning to open a path and refine the fate of all living beings.
If handled properly, Yu Zhaohua’s initiative in comprehending the Taiyi Foundation-Laying Method could become a benchmark, guiding the direction of cultivation and leading many prodigies of Yuqing Immortal Sect onto the path of the embryonic pill.
By then, with the fate of numerous immortal sect prodigies added to his own—even if only a portion—Chen Beiwu was confident he could attain the position of True Monarch without taking the Immortal Alliance’s Fourth-Tier Core-Forming Mysterious Pill.
“How about five times a year?” Yu Zhaohua retreated a step.
“Agreed. But it must be according to my schedule.” Chen Beiwu nodded.
Since she was willing to be beaten, he did not mind warming up now and then.
“This is the jade slip of the Taiyi Foundation-Laying Marvelous Method. Inside are my annotations and insights.”
With the deal concluded, Chen Beiwu’s storage ring flashed faintly as he tossed a jade slip toward Yu Zhaohua. “Take it back and study it first. If there’s anything unclear, ask me through the phone.”
“You’re not afraid I’ll go back on my word and spread it?” Yu Zhaohua was rather surprised by his decisiveness.
On the Immortal Alliance Official Website, the embryonic pill method created by Chen Beiwu had already sparked heated discussion among countless Foundation Establishment cultivators. The matter had become widely known, and cultivators from the Thirteen Immortal Sects were even purchasing the method at high prices.
Chen Beiwu said nothing, merely casting her a speechless glance.
Only a few copies of the Taiyi Marvelous Method jade slips had been distributed, and their contents differed slightly.
If the method were exposed, he could easily determine the source of the leak.
Moreover, any cultivator capable of obtaining a jade slip from Chen Beiwu was no fool; almost none would spread it recklessly.
“Before the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference begins, I will present the Exotic Flame.”
Realizing she had asked a foolish question, Yu Zhaohua hurriedly activated her escape light and departed.
Chen Beiwu put away the Soul-Settling Flame and looked toward Yuqing Peak.
…
An hour later, under the watchful gazes of the two Xuandu Protectors, Qinghe and Yuyue, Chen Beiwu walked out of Yuqing Hall with a delighted expression.
“The Sect Master was unexpectedly generous this time!”
Watching Chen Beiwu’s departing figure, the Dao child Yuyue frowned slightly.
“Perfectly normal. The Immortal Sect Exchange Conference is about to begin. This generation’s Shangqing Chief and Taiqing Chief are no simple figures.”
The Dao child Qinghe chuckled. “If Chen Beiwu can suppress the chiefs of Shangqing Immortal Sect and Taiqing Immortal Sect at the conference, what are a few Exotic Flames and some Spirit Yuan in comparison?”
“True enough.”
Yuyue Dao child added, “Provided he can do it.”
“If we don’t try, how would we know?” Qinghe Dao child replied calmly.
“There’s one thing I’m curious about. Why didn’t Chen Beiwu seek a Core-Forming Mysterious Pill? Instead, he asked for Exotic Flames, which are of little use.” Yuyue tilted her head.
Qinghe cast her a sidelong glance. “Because he doesn’t need it. For this generation, the position of Yuqing Chief belongs to no one but Chen Beiwu.”
Meanwhile, at Water-Extension Residence.
Back in his cave dwelling, Chen Beiwu sat cross-legged and took out the Soul-Settling Flame.
“Woof.”
Upon seeing the Exotic Flame, Iron Egg’s eyes lit up eagerly.
‘How confident are you?’
Chen Beiwu pressed down on Iron Egg’s approaching head.
“Woof.”
‘Seventy percent? Too low!’
Chen Beiwu shook his head and put the Soul-Settling Flame away again. ‘No rush. Once you successfully enter the Golden Core chapter of the Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture, your success rate in refining the Soul-Settling Flame should rise to ninety percent.’
Time passed swiftly. One week before the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference.
Chen Beiwu opened his eyes. His storage ring flashed, and his clothing changed into Yuqing Dao robes.
Iron Egg still lay on the ground with eyes closed, its aura rising and falling.
“Has Iron Egg still not succeeded in refinement?”
Golden Egg yawned.
“Give it another quarter of an hour. It should be about done.” Chen Beiwu remained calm.
With his hands-on instruction and empowerment during this period, Iron Egg had successfully grasped the introductory stage of the Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture and comprehended two killing-type Profound Abilities.
Even so, Iron Egg’s efficiency in refining the Exotic Flame was somewhat slower than Chen Beiwu had anticipated.
“Buzz.”
Before long, the cave dwelling’s restriction fluctuated.
With a thought, Chen Beiwu lifted the restriction and opened the cave door. A graceful and slender figure appeared.
“Here, this is the Exotic Flame I promised you.”
Yu Zhaohua flipped her palm, revealing a dark-brown jade cup about the size of an egg.
“Buzz!”
The jade cup trembled slightly, emitting a low hum.
Even through the jade cup, Chen Beiwu could vaguely sense a heart-palpitating, violent aura.
“This flame is called Disintegration Azure Flame. Its nature is violent and it specializes in killing. It is in constant turmoil. It must be sealed within a Fire-Suppressing Mysterious Cup to restrain its might.”
Yu Zhaohua handed over the trembling jade cup. “As agreed, it is now yours.”
Chen Beiwu accepted it with both hands, raising a brow. “And this jade cup?”
“No matter. I’ll lend it to you for now. Just remember to return it after you’re done.” Yu Zhaohua waved dismissively and handed over another jade slip.
Chen Beiwu received it and scanned it with his divine sense. Information immediately flooded his mind.
‘Disintegration Azure Flame—born from the essence of earth-vein metal-stone baleful fire. The flame appears bluish-gray, corroded in hue. It specializes in killing, can ignite qi and blood, burn turbid mana, and disintegrate divine sense…’
After reviewing the jade slip’s contents, Chen Beiwu was quite satisfied.
Disintegration Azure Flame could neither refine pills nor forge artifacts. Other than for combat and slaughter, it had no use. Yet its power was formidable—if even a Four-Realm Beast King were contaminated by it, more than half its life would be lost.
Precisely because this flame was too dangerous, Yu Zhaohua had carefully sealed it within the Fire-Suppressing Mysterious Cup.
“Senior Brother Chen, before you attain the Dao of Nascent Soul True Monarch, it’s best not to fully release the seal of the Mysterious Cup,” Yu Zhaohua reminded softly.
If the Disintegration Azure Flame inside were to erupt and collapse in one burst, the immense power unleashed would be enough to take away an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
Fortunately, Chen Beiwu possessed combat strength comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch. As long as he was cautious and guided it out strand by strand, refining this Disintegration Azure Flame should pose no issue.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg’s nose twitched. It suddenly opened its eyes, staring at the Mysterious Cup with eagerness.
Seeing this, Chen Beiwu extended his arm and allowed Iron Egg to activate its Profound Ability to shrink in size and leap onto his shoulder.
“Thank you for the reminder. We should depart.”
Chen Beiwu activated his escape light.
Today happened to be the day he was leading the team to Tianyan Immortal Sect. Otherwise, Yu Zhaohua would not have arrived so coincidentally.
Elsewhere, Yuqing Immortal Sect, Student Affairs Hall.
More than ten extraordinary young prodigies were seated apart—some leaning by windows, some sitting upright, others resting with eyes closed.
“What a display of airs.”
A young man in black Dao robes snorted coldly.
“It’s only been ten minutes. Perhaps something delayed him. Let’s wait a bit longer,” Shen Lingxing said calmly.
He bore no hostility toward Chen Beiwu; it was merely that a colleague of many years disliked Chen Beiwu’s lateness.
Hearing this, the black-robed cultivator said nothing more, though his gaze frequently shifted toward the hall entrance.
“Step!”
“Step!”
“Step!”
At the sound of footsteps outside the hall, all present straightened.
“Apologies. My cultivation reached a critical moment and delayed me. I’ve kept you waiting.”
Chen Beiwu and Yu Zhaohua pushed the door open and entered. His gaze swept across the room, voice clear and bright.
At that moment, the black-robed cultivator was the first to rise.
Just as the prodigies expected Ling Tong to mock him, he instead smiled and bowed respectfully.
“Senior Brother Chen is too courteous. We only arrived not long ago.”
“There is still ample time reserved. Such a small matter need not weigh on Senior Brother’s heart.”
Hearing this, the prodigies’ expressions shifted slightly as their gazes turned toward Shen Lingxing seated at the head.
“Ling Tong is right. The flying vessel to Tianyan Prefecture is ready. We can depart at any time. There’s no need to hurry,” Shen Lingxing stood and echoed.
Mutual courtesy raised mutual standing. He had no conflict of interest with Chen Beiwu and saw no need to sour relations.
…
Pure Yang Dao, Tianyan Prefecture.
Tianyan City.
As the gateway of Tianyan Immortal Sect, one of the Thirteen Immortal Sects, Tianyan City was among the foremost gathering places of artifact-refining grandmasters and magical artifact trade centers in Pure Yang Dao—and even across the entire Immortal Alliance.
Every day, countless cultivators seeking spirit artifacts and magical treasures, along with caravans conducting trade, flooded into the city. It displayed all the prosperity of a prefectural capital.
Yet today, the atmosphere around Tianyan City’s skyport felt distinctly unusual.
In VIP Berthing Area No.1, whether dust-covered merchants or cultivators with deep, powerful auras, all slowed their steps and subconsciously cast their gazes over.
For within the berthing area stood five Golden Core True Persons clad in black-and-red Dao robes.
Each appeared youthful and extraordinary—handsome men and beautiful women alike. On the cuffs and lapels of their robes was embroidered the Five-Flame Treasure Furnace emblem.
This emblem was the distinctive mark of disciples of Tianyan Immortal Sect, the hegemon of Tianyan City.
‘Hiss—Golden Core True Persons of Tianyan Immortal Sect!’
‘Who could possibly be arriving to warrant such a grand reception?’
‘Could it be the once-in-a-century Immortal Sect Exchange Conference?’
Some cultivators halted to watch, their eyes fixed on the flying vessel slowly descending from the sky.
“Buzz.”
As the flying vessel landed, Chen Beiwu stepped off first, leading Yu Zhaohua, Mo Qingshuang, Ye Xinya, and Xue Tianyi.
‘They’ve finally arrived!’
Seeing this, the leading Golden Core True Person of Tianyan Immortal Sect narrowed his eyes and stepped forward to greet them.
“Fellow Daoists of Yuqing Immortal Sect, welcome to Tianyan City.”
“I am Zhou Gaochang. By order of my sect, I have come to receive you and guide you into the sect.”
Zhou Gaochang’s gaze was sharp as he met Chen Beiwu’s eyes directly.
Born of noble background, welcoming guests was not a task he should personally undertake; ordinarily, other Golden Core True Persons would handle such duties.
But when he thought of the many praises—‘demonic-level comprehension,’ ‘invincible within the same realm,’ ‘defeating foes beyond realms,’ ‘opening a path at Foundation Establishment,’ ‘Yuanshi Golden Core’—Zhou Gaochang could not resist seeing for himself the renowned Chen Beiwu of the Immortal Alliance. He wanted to know whether this youth was truly an unparalleled prodigy or merely a cultivator inflated by reputation.
‘This man is indeed extraordinary!’
With just a single exchanged glance, Zhou Gaochang’s heart sank slightly.
“Please follow me.”