Chapter 532: Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar
The mechanical army marching in perfect step suddenly halted.
From the center of the formation, Ning Zhuo gazed into the distance. “That… is the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar?”
Without a doubt, the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar located at the very center of the Ten-Li Burning Forest was the heart of this place.
Its thick trunk stood straight like a pillar of heaven, unmoving and majestic. The reddish-copper bark was covered with lava-like patterns, as though a thousand fire dragons were winding and swimming beneath its surface.
Seven hundred and twenty main branches radiated upward toward the sky. Each branch split into nine layers of bronze-colored sub-branches, and layer upon layer of flame-like leaves piled together to form a crimson-gold crown that covered an area of thirty mu.
Every leaf resembled a phoenix tail, quietly burning with an orange-red flame that would never be extinguished.
Majestic.
Sacred.
These were the strongest impressions Ning Zhuo felt as he observed from afar.
Ning Zhuo did not continue advancing. Instead, he stationed his troops on the spot, waiting for the Three Generals Camp to regroup with him.
Ever since he had captured Yan Jin alive, the Fire Curtain had no longer appeared. The raging inferno that had once surged skyward throughout the forest had largely faded, leaving only the burning trees quietly smoldering.
Ning Zhuo’s mind was sharp, and he quickly guessed the reason: his battle with Yan Jin must have relieved much of the pressure on the Three Generals Camp. They had likely taken the opportunity to strike immediately and destroy the Forest-Guarding Grand Formation, resulting in the current situation.
The big-headed youth touched his Mechanical Ring.
The ring remained perfectly quiet, yet Ning Zhuo still decided to wait for the Three Generals Camp before launching an attack.
This was because the Mechanical Ring only issued warnings in life-threatening danger. If the situation did not threaten his life, it might remain silent even when major losses were possible.
Ning Zhuo was cautious by nature and would never easily commit the mistake of reckless advance.
“Strategist!”
“Strategist!!”
Not long afterward, the Three Generals Camp marched swiftly and arrived beside Ning Zhuo.
“Is that… Yan Jin?” the three generals quickly noticed the man lying at Ning Zhuo’s feet.
“It is.” Ning Zhuo nodded with a smile.
Zhang Hei scratched his head. “The three of us joined forces and only managed to kill Fairy Flowing Flame. Strategist, what method did you use to actually capture Yan Jin alive? Impressive!”
Both sides quickly exchanged information and discovered that their experiences after splitting up were roughly the same as each had guessed.
Liu Er’s gaze fell upon Yan Jin as he spoke to Ning Zhuo.
“Strategist, could you loosen his seal a little? Allow me to attempt some persuasion.”
Ning Zhuo replied, “Of course.”
A talisman was torn off Yan Jin’s body, immediately allowing his spiritual sense to spread outward again.
Liu Er then began to persuade him to surrender, but Yan Jin blocked him with a single sentence.
“You are merely a Captured-Prisoners General, one of the miscellaneous-ranking generals. How could you possibly make decisions?”
Liu Er’s expression stiffened.
He continued, “Though I cannot decide matters, I still have some ability to reduce your crimes.”
“Right now, there is an opportunity for you to redeem yourself through merit.”
This time, Yan Jin’s expression froze instead.
Liu Er immediately said, “I know that asking you to persuade Luo Chen to surrender is unrealistic.”
“But what if you persuade him to withdraw voluntarily?”
“The order our army received was to seize this Ten-Li Burning Forest, not to fight all of you to the death.”
Yan Jin showed a thoughtful expression.
Liu Er continued speaking.
“Releasing you is absolutely impossible. After all, capturing a Golden Core cultivator alive is military merit.”
“Moreover, Yan Daoist Friend is a renowned master craftsman of the Ten-Li Burning Forest. Because it is you, the value of this military merit will increase by at least double.”
“If you persuade Luo Chen to leave, it will benefit everyone.”
“First, neither side will need to shed blood. Second, your crimes can be reduced.”
“The previous Grand Decisive Battle has already proven that the Dragon Ginseng King is no match for Commander Du. In the future, the Thousand Peaks Forest will inevitably belong to the Liangzhu Kingdom. If Yan Daoist Friend abandons darkness for the light, wouldn’t that be a turning point in life?”
Yan Jin glanced at Liu Er, thinking to himself:
“The intelligence reports never mentioned that this Human-Demon Hybrid Golden Core cultivator could speak so persuasively!”
Yan Jin was moved.
Through spiritual transmission, he said, “I can only try.”
Liu Er immediately smiled warmly. “Even trying will earn goodwill. Your crime can certainly be reduced accordingly.”
“Third Brother, why are you standing there stunned? Hurry and help Yan Daoist Friend up.”
Zhang Hei gave a couple of “oh” sounds, as if waking from a dream. Grabbing Yan Jin by the back of the neck, he hoisted him upright.
Yan Jin felt like a small cat or dog being handled like this. Humiliated, he glared fiercely at Zhang Hei.
Zhang Hei glared right back.
Yan Jin coughed twice and said through spiritual sense, “Let me move forward a little so it will be easier to transmit my message.”
But Ning Zhuo shook his head.
“You can move forward, but transmitting through spiritual sense will not be allowed. Who knows what you might whisper to Luo Chen?”
“Let me make a small mechanism.”
Liu Er nodded in agreement and led the Three Generals Camp forward while escorting Yan Jin cautiously toward the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar.
As they drew closer, the pressure emanating from the tree grew stronger and stronger.
Ning Zhuo also saw the scene beneath the trunk.
The roots of the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar coiled like horned dragons, forming a raised platform.
Upon that platform, closest to the trunk, sat a cultivator in meditation.
It was Luo Chen.
Luo Chen suddenly opened his eyes, lightning flashing within them.
While walking, Ning Zhuo had been constructing a small mechanism. At that moment he completed it and tossed the palm-sized device to Yan Jin.
Yan Jin poured spiritual sense into it, and the mechanism produced a voice that urged Luo Chen to withdraw.
Luo Chen snorted coldly.
“The Dragon King Temple entrusted me with the important duty of guarding this place. How could I flee without fighting?”
“Furthermore, I am at the Nascent Soul level. The strongest among you are merely Golden Core cultivators, yet you dare boast that I should retreat voluntarily? Ridiculous!”
“Let me measure your strength and see whether you are merely blowing hot air!”
With those words, Luo Chen stood up and looked toward the clouds in the sky.
“Daoist friend in the heavens, are you still going to watch from the sidelines? Whatever schemes you have, you might as well come down and fight as well.”
Hidden among the clouds, Lin Bufan felt a jolt.
“My One-Leaf-Blinding-Eyes Technique conceals me. How could I have been discovered?”
“Is Luo Chen trying to bluff me?”
Lin Bufan chose to remain still.
Liu Er, Guan Hong, Zhang Hei, and Ning Zhuo were all startled. They raised their heads and swept the sky with their spiritual senses but discovered nothing.
Sun Lingtong promptly reminded Ning Zhuo:
“Ha, I found him. I didn’t expect Lin Bufan to still be here, hiding inside that cloud.”
When Ning Zhuo learned that a powerful ally was still nearby, he felt delighted but also somewhat suspicious.
“Why did Lin Bufan return after leaving? Or had he been lurking nearby all along? This sect master is cautious and deep-minded—perhaps he has other schemes?”
No matter what, given the relationship between the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect, Lin Bufan’s presence added another layer of security and greatly increased Ning Zhuo’s confidence for the upcoming battle.
After some thought, Ning Zhuo chose not to inform the three generals of this secret.
Although Liu, Guan, and Zhang felt suspicious, none of them showed it on their faces.
Liu Er quickly turned his thoughts.
“Daoist Luo has a clever scheme. By fabricating the presence of another person, you intend to prevent us from fighting wholeheartedly, is that it?”
Luo Chen sighed.
He had greatly hoped that Lin Bufan would appear and fight him.
That would have given him a far more respectable reputation.
After all, being forced to retreat by the Three Generals Camp was hardly glorious, since Liu, Guan, and Zhang were only Golden Core cultivators, and Ning Zhuo was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Yan Jin’s persuasion had seemed ineffective, yet it had already produced a tremendous result.
Luo Chen had already decided to withdraw.
However, this withdrawal needed to appear honorable so that he could report back properly.
“If I could capture the Wood-Within-Fire, I could leave immediately. There would be no need to fight now… sigh.”
Luo Chen sighed inwardly, though his expression remained resolute.
He declared loudly:
“Three Generals Camp, receive my move!”
The next moment his sleeves fluttered, and his hand seals moved rapidly as he summoned four fire dragons that brought boundless waves of heat.
The blazing fire dragons spiraled through the sky before roaring in unison and diving downward.
“They’re coming,” Liu Er murmured before raising the Primal Yellow Sword to block in front of himself.
Military Art—Fortify the Land and Stabilize the Foundation.
Twenty percent of the army’s strength was consumed as yellow light enveloped the entire army, strengthening their defense.
Guan Hong raised the Blood Dragon Blade and slashed four times in succession.
Forty percent of the army’s strength was instantly consumed.
Blade Art—Four Calamities Blood Fiend Slash!
In an instant, blood fiend energy surged skyward, forming four blade shadows that struck the four fire dragons.
Two of the dragons were directly dispersed, while the other two avoided the blade shadows. Though their bodies shrank due to the damage, their speed increased as they continued charging forward—only to meet Zhang Hei’s spear.
Another twenty percent of the army’s strength was consumed. Empowered by the reinforcement, the Black Serpent Spear’s power soared and shattered the remaining two fire dragons.
The three generals had acted consecutively, consuming eighty percent of the army’s strength to destroy Luo Chen’s carefully prepared fire dragon spell.
Meanwhile, Luo Chen had already launched another wave of attack.
He flicked his sleeve and released a magical treasure.
It resembled a disc filled with copper coins.
The coins spun in the air, forming a formation.
In an instant, blue lightning intertwined and formed the shape of a mighty stag that charged toward the Three Generals Camp.
With every step of the charging stag came a thunderous roar.
Even before it reached them, the soldiers of the Three Generals Camp felt their hair stand on end, as if thousands of needles were piercing their bodies.
Formation Path Magical Treasure—Thunder Firmament Stag-Chasing Disc!
The three generals remained calm despite the danger. Acting together, they finally shattered the thunder stag with a powerful strike from Liu Er’s Primal Yellow Sword.
Luo Chen nodded inwardly, acknowledging the combat strength of the Three Generals Camp.
“As expected of the army that managed to capture Ma Feitui alive.”
When united, the three generals could indeed contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator, though the situation depended on circumstances.
Against a Nascent Soul True Monarch who possessed Divine Abilities, they would most likely lose. The example was their battle with Tu Ming before the Grand Decisive Battle, when they were ordered to invade the Thousand Peaks Forest.
Luo Chen had already intended to retreat. Seeing the impressive combat strength of the Three Generals Camp, he was pleased rather than worried.
“After one more exchange, I will withdraw,” he thought.
Failing to obtain the Wood-Within-Fire could not be helped.
Under the current circumstances, Luo Chen could not possibly remain here to the death.
He turned his back to the Three Generals Camp, stepped forward a few paces, and stood before the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar.
He gently struck the trunk with his palm.
At the same time, he chanted softly:
“Divine Cedar, Divine Cedar—grant me the Fire Crown to aid this battle.”
The Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar trembled lightly.
Flames descended from its branches and leaves, landing atop Luo Chen’s head and condensing into a crown of fire.
The fiery crown remained confined to his hair, burning quietly. A crimson halo also enveloped Luo Chen’s skin.
His entire aura suddenly surged to its peak.
“The Fire Crown!” The three generals all revealed solemn expressions, though they were not surprised.
The Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar’s ability to grant the Fire Crown was widely known and no secret.
Many cultivators came to the Ten-Li Burning Forest to refine artifacts. To increase their success rate and maintain peak condition throughout the refining process, they would pray at the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar and request a Fire Crown.
The Fire Crown consumed the cultivator’s mana, energy, and spiritual sense at a tremendous rate, forcing them to remain at peak condition throughout the refining process.
Its drawbacks were the burning pain and the severe consumption—almost like torture.
It drained the cultivator’s power in a brutal manner to unleash brilliance like blazing fire.
Anyone who wore the Fire Crown for a long time would need an extended period of recovery afterward.
Ordinarily, cultivators needed to offer sacrifices and perform ritual prayers before they might receive the Fire Crown’s blessing.
But Luo Chen, as the Forest Chief, enjoyed special privileges.
He only needed to call out a few times to obtain a Fire Crown.
Once Luo Chen wore the crown, a powerful sense of urgency filled his heart.
He stepped forward and clashed with the Three Generals Camp once again.
This time, the three generals alone could not hold him back.
Ning Zhuo immediately joined the battle.
The four of them combined their strength to block Luo Chen’s attacks.
After failing to break through despite repeated assaults, Luo Chen extinguished his battle intent.
“The Three Generals Camp truly possesses sharp military might. Impressive indeed.”
“I will remember this grievance.”
“One day, I will return and reclaim this land.”
After delivering these formal words, Luo Chen extinguished the Fire Crown atop his head and withdrew, flying into the air.
But the next moment, a sudden change occurred.
“Forest Chief Luo, do not retreat yet. With me here, driving away this army will be no problem.”
A hoarse voice echoed across the battlefield.
“Who is that?!” Luo Chen was shocked.
He immediately looked toward the sky.
Within the clouds, Lin Bufan was also stunned.
He had been observing the battlefield the entire time, yet only now did he realize that another Nascent Soul–level existence had been hiding nearby.
Hidden in the shadows, Gao Cuo was equally shocked.
Sword Elder was briefly stunned before suddenly understanding.
“So the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar has already become a god!”
The next moment, the Fire-Crowned Divine Cedar shook its body and condensed a flaming incarnation that floated in midair, blocking Luo Chen’s path.
This flame body was extraordinary.
After examining it carefully, Luo Chen exclaimed in shock:
“So the Wood-Within-Fire was taken by you!”
The Fire Crown Deity nodded.
“I was enlightened by the Dragon Ginseng King and secretly ascended to godhood under his arrangements. This Wood-Within-Fire was originally bestowed upon me by the Dragon Ginseng King.”
“Luo Chen, you must not retreat from battle. If you and I join forces, we can certainly annihilate the Three Generals Camp!”
Luo Chen was stunned. “This…”
The Fire Crown Deity snorted coldly.
“Behold my Dao-Field!”
Fire Crown Dao-Field!
In the next instant, the Dao-Field spread out.
The burning forest surrounding the Three Generals Camp vanished entirely, leaving only a barren land covered in flames.
Above the heads of Liu Er, Guan Hong, Zhang Hei, Ning Zhuo, and every soldier in their army, a crown of fire suddenly ignited.
In that instant, the entire army’s condition rose to its peak.
Luo Chen looked at the Fire Crown that had reignited above his head.
“Fire Crown Deity, remove my crown first.”
But the Fire Crown Deity sneered.
“You and I will attack with full strength. We must destroy them in the shortest time possible!”
“Only after victory will I remove the Fire Crown above your head.”
“Otherwise, wait until you burn to death beneath it!”