Chapter 294: Using Wood to Control Fire
As the news of the Secret Realm of the Sinister Soul Sect spread, the situation gradually evolved. At the beginning, only Qi Refinement Cultivators were allowed to enter, and most of them faced certain death. Only a very small number of lucky individuals managed to come out alive.
The items they brought out were mostly damaged remnants, along with pitifully little information.
However, everything changed a year later when the restrictions weakened, allowing cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment Realm to enter.
The magical power of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, if they were sufficiently prepared—especially those from major factions equipped with mana-restoring spirit pills and spirit liquids, along with Talisman Treasures—could already unleash extremely powerful combat strength.
Foundation Establishment Cultivators were now capable of exploring far more secrets within the Secret Realm.
As a result, Five Dragon Island became a place where all kinds of people gathered, and the situation gradually grew turbulent.
Yet during these past two years, Lin Changan had focused wholeheartedly on cultivation, earning Spirit Stones by refining formations.
……
Time passed like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, two years had gone by.
【Lifespan: 171/605】
【Realm: Early Golden Core (37/100)】
Inside the cave abode, Lin Changan slowly opened his eyes. His cultivation had continued to progress steadily, but his thoughts were currently focused on his Life-bound Magical Artifact.
“Two years… I’ve finally cleared the demonic energy inside one Sun-Piercing Divine Sword.”
In front of him floated an ancient sword engraved with golden patterns, emitting a faint golden glow and radiating scorching heat.
Ever since he had purchased Fire Spirit Liquid at the auction two years earlier to nourish this magical artifact, the sword—refined from the Fusang Divine Wood—had greedily absorbed it and begun to rapidly restore its spiritual nature.
As the Fusang Divine Wood’s spirituality recovered, it naturally produced stronger rejection against the demonic energy within. Combined with Lin Changan’s use of the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine over the past two years—
He had finally completely removed all the refined demonic energy inside the sword.
“Everything is difficult at the beginning. Now that the first one is completely purified, the remaining thirty-five are only a matter of time.”
Lin Changan took a deep breath. As he infused mana into the sword, the faint golden Sun-Piercing Divine Sword suddenly emitted strands of weak flames.
Crimson flames flickered slowly, and the scorching aura grew even more intense.
The moment he saw the flames appear, a trace of joy appeared on Lin Changan’s face.
“The Fusang Divine Wood can release red flames after three thousand years of growth. That means the spiritual nature of my Life-bound Magical Artifact has already recovered to the level of three thousand years.”
If it had been cultivated from the very beginning, achieving this would have been unimaginably difficult.
But restoring lost spirituality little by little was an entirely different level of difficulty.
Although it had only recovered to the stage of red flames, it was already enough to make him ecstatic.
“With this terrifying scorching aura, even ordinary Core Formation Cultivators would likely feel great fear.”
Feeling the terrifying crimson flames on the blade, Lin Changan took a deep breath and directed the sword toward the barrier of the cultivation chamber.
The Sun-Piercing Divine Sword moved forward slowly.
Yet the usually extremely sturdy formation barrier now resembled candle wax meeting a red-hot blade.
It was effortlessly pierced through, encountering almost no resistance during the process.
The sight shocked Lin Changan even more.
“With this kind of power, even the physical body of ordinary Third-rank Demon Beasts probably wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”
Three-thousand-year red flames already possessed enough power to deal with ordinary Third-rank Demon Beasts. If it recovered to the six-thousand-year yellow flames, then even Nascent Soul Cultivators might have to fear it.
And if it reached ten thousand years… the blazing white flames…
At that thought, Lin Changan couldn’t help but curl his lips slightly. It seemed as though a great path toward the heavens had already appeared before him.
“In that case, the spiritual flame nurtured within this Life-bound Magical Artifact will become my strongest trump card.”
Lin Changan’s eyes flickered.
If used unexpectedly, he believed that even late Core Formation Cultivators would be terrified if they touched it.
Of course, he knew that while the flames were powerful, many powerful Core Formation Cultivators possessed their own protective magical artifacts. It would not be easy to approach them.
Even so, possessing such a trump card greatly reassured him.
“However, there’s also a drawback—the spiritual flame nurtured inside the sword still needs continuous nourishment to grow stronger.”
Lin Changan frowned slightly.
It seemed that in the coming days, he would need to accelerate the purification of the remaining thirty-five Life-bound Magical Artifacts.
Once the complete set of thirty-six Life-bound Magical Artifacts was restored, their power would be far greater.
“Even when used normally, the magical artifact itself is already about thirty percent stronger than before.”
Even without using the spiritual flame nurtured within the blade, its power was still formidable.
Holding the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword in his hand, Lin Changan felt the power within and his eyes flickered.
If he were to fight the Sinister Spirit Beast King again with this sword, in terms of attribute suppression, it would be no weaker than the Wind-Chirp Bird.
Against sinister spirits of the same rank, killing them would be effortless. Even against a mid Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast King, he was confident he could defeat it one-on-one.
“No wonder so many cultivators turn against each other for just one or two powerful magical artifacts.”
At this moment, Lin Changan personally experienced the gap between ordinary magical artifacts and powerful ones.
Moreover, after the demonic energy inside this Life-bound Magical Artifact was removed, he could feel the artifact feeding power back to him. His affinity toward fire-attribute spells had increased.
After storing the magical artifact back into his body, Lin Changan took a deep breath and slowly raised his palm.
With a soft sound—
A flame appeared in his palm, or danced lightly at his fingertips.
“Using Wood to Control Fire, endless and unceasing.”
At this moment, Lin Changan gained profound enlightenment.
In the cultivation world, many cultivators sought to avoid being suppressed by elemental attributes in their cultivation methods. As their cultivation grew stronger, they would develop their Life-bound Magical Artifacts or divine abilities accordingly.
Unless they cultivated extremely specialized techniques.
For example, the wood-attribute cultivation method he primarily cultivated was suppressed by metal and fire.
Now, by using the Fusang Divine Wood as his Life-bound Magical Artifact to achieve “Using Wood to Control Fire,” he avoided being suppressed by fire—while fire, in turn, suppressed metal.
“Using Wood to Control Fire is extremely rare in the cultivation world. This must remain a hidden trump card.”
Lin Changan pondered secretly.
In fact, outsiders believed his main cultivation method was the Killing Origin Sword Art. Even if this was exposed, they would not suspect anything else.
But being cautious was never wrong.
A hidden trump card could only be called a killing move if others did not know about it. Once exposed, an opponent could prepare countermeasures.
There had once been a Nascent Soul expert whose divine lightning technique dominated his peers. Yet another cultivator of the same realm defeated him using a Thunder-Transforming Pearl, nearly destroying his body.
“The Sun-Piercing Divine Sword has just begun to reveal its edge. I still need to test it.”
“The Wind-Chirp Bird is already a fire-essence creature, so the effect wouldn’t be obvious. It seems the only suitable test subject is the thick-skinned Azure-Horned Ox, whose defense increased greatly after mutation.”
Thinking of testing his magical artifact’s power, Lin Changan revealed a smile.
Meanwhile, outside the cave abode, the Azure-Horned Ox was leisurely soaking in the spirit pool, completely unaware that it had already been targeted.
……
Just as Lin Changan happily took his Life-bound Magical Artifact to test its sharpness on the Azure-Horned Ox—
Outside the Five Dragon Island Marketplace.
A streak of light flashed through the sky. It was the Sword Attendant riding a flying sword.
Her face remained cold, but a faint killing aura could be seen between her brows as she glanced behind her.
“A False Core Cultivator!”
“Little friend, that item is not something you should possess. Leave it behind. This old man will not bully the weak.”
Behind her, a white-haired elder in the False Core Realm chased after her, speaking calmly.
“Damn it!”
A flash of anger appeared in the Sword Attendant’s eyes, but she suppressed her fury and said hoarsely:
“True Person, this item is a gift meant for a Core Formation True Person in my sect. The Xuanyin Pavilion’s sect residence is not far ahead.”
Originally, the Sword Attendant had come to the marketplace to collect materials for her master and to retrieve profit shares from the Lu Clan Merchant Guild.
Recently, many treasures from the forbidden region of the Secret Realm had appeared in the marketplace.
At a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s stall, she discovered a damaged and incomplete magical artifact.
Because it was broken, its value had greatly decreased, which was why it appeared on a stall.
However, her Heavenly Spirit Sword Body sensed a trace of spiritual energy from the broken sword hilt.
Thus, she used the Spirit Stones she had received from the Lu Clan’s profit share to buy the item for her master.
But just after leaving the marketplace, she was targeted by a False Core Cultivator.
“Little friend.”
The False Core Cultivator chasing behind her appeared calm, but anger flashed faintly in his eyes.
He had initially hesitated when he saw that this person was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator purchasing a large amount of materials.
But when he saw her spend a considerable amount of Spirit Stones on a fragment of a magical artifact—
Wasn’t that basically revealing wealth?
Greed immediately arose in his heart.
His excuse of wanting the item was merely a pretext.
Now that he heard she belonged to Xuanyin Pavilion, killing intent rose in his eyes.
“Xuanyin Pavilion only has five Core Formation Cultivators. Two of them are guest elders, and the strongest is only mid Core Formation.”
After calculating the gains and losses, the old man decided—
Kill.
Just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. After silencing her, who would know?
Ever since suffering a major loss in the past, he only targeted low-rank cultivators and avoided fighting those of the same rank.
He did not believe Xuanyin Pavilion would pursue the matter over a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
At worst, he could just hide again in the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
“Just a mid Foundation Establishment girl. The risk is minimal.”
Although killing intent filled his heart, he remained cautious.
“Little friend, if you still refuse to stop, do you truly think this old man wouldn’t strike ruthlessly?”
The pursuing False Core Cultivator shouted coldly, his voice already showing faint anger.
“I must deliver this item to my master.”
The Sword Attendant thought to herself.
She had already sent a voice-transmission message to her master. All she needed to do now was stall until he arrived.
But the False Core Cultivator behind her, seeing the stubborn junior, had his eyes turn red.
Escape Flight Talisman.
This was a quasi–Third-rank Talisman. Once used by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, its speed could rival a Core Formation Cultivator.
“Damn stubborn brat!”
Cursing inwardly, he circulated his cultivation method. His face flushed red as his speed suddenly increased dramatically.
“Impudent junior! Today this old man will teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders!”
With a cold shout, a large seal magical artifact appeared in his palm and shot toward the Sword Attendant.
Facing the attack of a magical artifact, the Sword Attendant’s expression grew solemn.
The item she carried must be extremely important to her master. She absolutely could not let it fall into someone else’s hands.
In the next moment, she turned around.
A mouthful of blood essence sprayed onto a golden talisman—
Golden light erupted instantly.
A powerful magical artifact aura leaked out.
The False Core Cultivator chasing behind her immediately shrank his pupils in shock.
“Talisman Treasure!”
Talisman Treasure · Blood Fiend Sword
“Not good! I’ve provoked serious trouble!”
Though shocked and angry, greed quickly overwhelmed his caution.
Anyone protected by a Talisman Treasure must possess great wealth.
He recalled how he had once taken the blame for someone else’s crime, gaining nothing while others benefited.
“Damn it! The Young Master of the Long Clan had so many treasures in his storage pouch back then, yet others took everything. If they could do it, so can I!”
With ruthless eyes, the False Core Cultivator surnamed Li was now filled with killing intent.
Kill and rob.
Then flee back to the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Flawless.
……
Celestial Spring Peak.
“Moo! Moo!”
Outside the cave abode, the Azure-Horned Ox cried anxiously.
The Wind-Chirp Bird had also taken the rare opportunity to come out for fresh air while no outsiders were present.
Seeing the Azure-Horned Ox bawling, the Wind-Chirp Bird revealed a look of schadenfreude.
“Good ox, your defense truly is impressive.”
Holding the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword, Lin Changan looked spirited.
But the miserable Azure-Horned Ox stared at the scorching magical artifact in fear.
By instinct alone, the demon beast could sense danger from the sword.
“Moo!”
After some testing, Lin Changan nodded in satisfaction.
Indeed—after clearing the demonic energy, the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword finally displayed its proper power.
The mutated Azure-Horned Ox possessed far stronger defense, yet Lin Changan’s sword gleam could still barely break through it.
Neither side had fought with full strength, but the real combat test had already confirmed the weapon’s power.
“With the boost from my Life-bound Magical Artifact, even the sword gleam has increased in strength. Moreover, the scorching and extremely yang aura naturally suppresses sinister entities.”
With a wave of his hand, the pure Sun-Piercing Divine Sword flew gracefully before him.
Lin Changan admired it with satisfaction.
Its power was not far inferior to the Third-rank mid-grade magical artifact Blood Fiend Sword.
If the hidden spiritual flame were included, the potential difference between them was incomparable.
“Alright, stop sulking.”
Seeing the Azure-Horned Ox complaining pitifully, several scorched marks appeared on its body.
Although there was no real injury, demon beasts instinctively feared lightning and fire.
Lin Changan shook his head and took several Spirit Fruits from his Storage Pouch.
The Azure-Horned Ox immediately forgot its grievances and began mooing happily.
Watching this scene, the Wind-Chirp Bird looked utterly disdainful.
Such a gluttonous foolish ox—it definitely could not admit knowing it outside.
“Alright, not even a hair fell out and you’re still complaining.”
Lin Changan laughed as he patted the ox’s head.
In truth, the Azure-Horned Ox’s defense was astonishing.
Originally, Azure-Horned Oxen were known for great strength and thick hides.
While their defense could not rival turtle-shell demon beasts, after gaining the petrification mutation, its defense now nearly matched them.
Among demon beasts of the same rank, its defense was definitely first-rate.
“With the petrification ability, the Azure-Horned Ox’s defense is not much weaker than the Blackwater Turtle.”
Just as Lin Changan was admiring the power of his Sun-Piercing Divine Sword and preparing to brew some Spirit Tea—
A distress message arrived from the Sword Attendant through a Voice-transmission Talisman.
“Seeking death!”
A burst of killing intent instantly appeared in Lin Changan’s eyes.
Without hesitation, he immediately stored the Wind-Chirp Bird and Azure-Horned Ox into the Spirit Beast Pouch.
Then he transformed into a streak of light and shot out from Celestial Spring Peak.
The Sword Attendant—although originally meant for his Nascent Soul planning—
After years of companionship, a loyal servant who never questioned orders was impossible to abandon.
Whether for personal feelings or practical reasons, he would never abandon her.
Even as he sped away in flight, he sent Voice-transmission Talismans to Fairy of Rainbow Skirt and the other two Core Formation elders of Xuanyin Pavilion.
After all, perhaps someone had targeted him due to the Spirit Stones he had earned through formations during these turbulent years of the Secret Realm.
If someone had set a trap—
As an elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, refusing to use available allies would be foolish.
He even informed Hu Jin through a Voice-transmission Talisman.
He did not believe that on Five Dragon Island someone would dare provoke Xuanyin Pavilion—
Let alone Bihai Palace.