Mystery of the Spirit Fire

Night was like thick ink, dyeing every inch of the Monster Beast Mountain Range in profound darkness. Only a few scattered will-o'-wisps drifted uncertainly through the forest like ghostly eyes, barely outlining a path for Xiao Yan's group beneath the sparse starlight overhead. He sat steadily atop the Purple Gold Winged Lion King's back—Little Purple Lion had temporarily shed its shrunken form and returned to a size of over ten feet long. Its body was covered in fluffy, lustrous purple-gold fur that gleamed with a metallic chill beneath the faint light. Its head was held high, its golden pupils shining startlingly brightly in the darkness. Its four paws stepped upon the leaf-covered ground with steady rustling sounds. With Each Step, it carried the unique intimidation of a Sixth-tier Demonic Beast, as though even the dead branches and fallen leaves beneath its feet were trembling.

One of Xiao Yan's hands tightly gripped the lion's thick, smooth mane, feeling the Lion King's warm body and steady, powerful gait beneath him. His other hand hung naturally at his side, its fingertips Wreathed around by the lingering warmth of a faint purple flame. He turned his head and looked toward the empty air beside him—there, Elder Yao's Soul phantom flickered in and out of sight. His pale-blue soul body radiated a gentle yet dignified glow in the night, like a ghostly blue lamp floating in midair.

"Teacher, you listened carefully to what Little Purple Lion said about that valley, didn't you? Those monster beast phantoms that appeared out of nowhere, that domineering fiery aura which even a sixth-tier Beast Fire feared... You have so much experience and knowledge. How likely do you think it is that the place is hiding the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire?" Xiao Yan's voice carried barely concealed anticipation. His eyes remained fixed upon Elder Yao's phantom, and even his breathing unconsciously softened, Afraid of disturbing his teacher's thoughts.

Elder Yao's soul body swayed slightly in the air, a thoughtful expression appearing on his aged face. His grizzled beard gently drifted with the movement of his soul body. He raised a slender finger and lightly tapped the empty air. Each tap produced a faint yet distinct ripple of soul force, as though he were sorting through tangled Thoughts. "Hard to say. There are countless strange treasures in the world, and other items with similar traits do exist. But if we're talking about the possibility of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, it is indeed extremely high. I'd say there is at least a seventy to eighty percent chance."

He paused before slowly explaining, his voice bearing the weight accumulated by time. "The formation of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire is exceptionally unusual and demanding. It requires a special region where great numbers of monster beasts perish. Their Soul Fragments left behind in this world, the flame origins within their bodies that have yet to dissipate, and the spiritual energy Between heaven and earth must intermingle over a long period. Only after tens of thousands of years of accumulation and tempering can it possibly take shape. The 'monster beast phantoms' Little Purple Lion mentioned are precisely a typical characteristic of the enormous number of beast souls Contained within the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. Those phantoms are not real monster beasts, but illusions formed in the air by the overflowing power of beast souls within the spirit fire. Though they lack physical bodies, they can perfectly reproduce the forms and auras of all kinds of monster beasts."

Xiao Yan listened even more intently, his body unconsciously leaning forward as the light in his eyes grew brighter. "Then the fact that it can make even Little Purple Lion's Beast Fire feel fear completely matches the characteristics of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, doesn't it? Little Purple Lion's Beast Fire is the life-bound flame of a sixth-tier monster beast. Ordinary flames could never make it so afraid."

"Of course." Elder Yao nodded without hesitation, his tone utterly certain. "The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire gathers the flame origins of countless monster beasts. At its core, it is a 'collection of flames.' The fiery pressure it Contains naturally suppresses a single Beast Fire, like an emperor intimidating his subjects. Though Little Purple Lion's Beast Fire is the life-bound flame of a sixth-tier monster beast and is not weak, before the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, it is like a trickling stream meeting a vast river. It is utterly insignificant. Feeling fear is only natural."

Then Elder Yao's expression turned more cautious as he added, "Still, we cannot be completely certain. The Depths of the Monster Beast Mountain Range hide quite a few ancient ruins and unknown secret realms. Some special flames nurtured within those realms, or ancient treasures, may also display similar traits. But no matter what, this valley is worth investigating. Even if it turns out not to be the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, something capable of making a sixth-tier Lion King so fearful cannot be ordinary. It will certainly be of some benefit to your cultivation."

"That's great!" Xiao Yan suddenly clenched his fist, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force. Brilliant light burst from his eyes, and the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably into an excited smile. "With such a high chance, we have to go take a look! If I can truly obtain the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, my Blazing Art can advance another step with its help. After refining it, my strength will definitely undergo a Qualitative Leap. When I face Strong enemies in the future, I'll have another powerful Trump Card!"

Elder Yao could not help smiling as he watched Xiao Yan's excitement. His soul body drifted Light and airy to Xiao Yan's side, and he reached out to gently pat his shoulder. His tone carried both gratification and warning. "You brat, you're always thinking about becoming stronger. That mindset is good. But don't forget that while the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire is valuable, it also comes with enormous danger. The beast soul power within it is extraordinarily violent and chaotic. A moment of carelessness, and you could suffer backlash from those uncontrolled beast souls. They could invade your sea of consciousness. At best, you would be severely injured; at worst, you would lose your mind and be Reduced to a monster that knows only slaughter. Furthermore, places capable of nurturing such top-tier spirit flames are often accompanied by powerful protective forces. It could be a terrifying formation, or powerful monster beasts guarding the spirit fire. Even if Little Purple Lion says there are no Living Things in the valley, we cannot let down our guard. We must make thorough preparations."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll be careful." Xiao Yan's smile faded, and his voice became solemn and resolute. "I've struggled through the ups and downs of cultivation for years now. What danger haven't I encountered? From having my engagement broken in Wutan City, to meeting you in that cave, to roaming the Monster Beast Mountain Range, when have I not fought for survival amid danger? I know full well that the more precious a treasure is, the greater the risks usually hidden behind it. If I want to obtain it, I have to pay the corresponding price. I understood that long ago."

As they spoke, the Purple Gold Winged Lion King carried the two of them through a dense thicket. The brambles within were sharp as blades, yet before the faint Purple Gold Malevolent Qi radiating from the Lion King's body, they all bent aside, unable to scratch even a single hair of its fur. Next, they entered an even darker woodland. The trees here were far taller and sturdier than those they had seen before, their Tree trunks requiring several people to encircle them. Their branches crisscrossed overhead like enormous ghostly shadows, completely blocking out the already scant starlight. The air was filled with the damp scent of decaying leaves and the faintly bloody smell of monster beasts, making one shudder with cold unease.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the trees not far away, as though something were rapidly moving through them. Then two pairs of dim green eyes lit up in the darkness like ghostly flames, Staring fixedly at Xiao Yan and the Lion King. Accompanied by deep, vicious growls, they had clearly taken them for prey.

Xiao Yan's Gaze sharpened, and his Right Hand instinctively gripped the Black Heavy Ruler on his back. His fingertips felt the ruler's icy metallic texture as he prepared to strike at any moment. Yet before he could act, the Purple Gold Winged Lion King beneath him merely cast a disdainful glance toward those eyes. Its mouth opened slightly, then it let out an earth-shaking roar!

"Roar—!"

The resounding lion's roar exploded through the silent forest like thunder, carrying the Terrifying pressure unique to a Sixth-tier Demonic Beast and instantly spreading across several miles. Where it passed, the surrounding trees Trembled slightly, and fallen leaves cascaded down. The two pairs of dim green eyes immediately darkened, while the vicious growls became frightened whimpers. Then two black figures Darted out from the trees—two third-tier Shadow Demon Wolves, each the size of a calf. They had long lost their previous savagery. Their tails were tightly tucked between their legs, their heads hung low, and they fled desperately into the depths of the forest without daring to look back, leaving behind only fear of the strong that ran Deep into the bone marrow.

Watching the wolves flee in disgrace, Xiao Yan could not help letting out a breath of relief. Then he smiled and patted the Lion King's neck, his tone full of admiration. "You're still the impressive one, Little Purple Lion. That one roar of yours works better than me swinging the Black Heavy Ruler ten times. With you here, we can travel with much greater Peace of Mind."

The Purple Gold Winged Lion King seemed to understand his praise. It lifted its head slightly and let out a proud low growl, its voice carrying unconcealed arrogance. Its steps became even steadier and more powerful, each one landing with solid force as if announcing its status as the ruler of the entire mountain forest.

Elder Yao's soul body circled through the air. Seeing this, he said with a smile, "This is the deterrence of a high-tier monster beast. A sixth-tier monster beast already stands at the very peak of the pyramid in this Monster Beast Mountain Range, comparable to a human Dou Huang Expert. Across the entire Monster Beast Mountain Range, there are only a handful of monster beasts capable of contending with Little Purple Lion. Ordinary monster beasts would flee before it even approached. How would they dare provoke it? With Little Purple Lion clearing the way, we'll save ourselves quite a bit of trouble on this journey. We won't have to constantly guard against those blind fools."

Sure enough, the road ahead became extraordinarily smooth, and they encountered no more monster beasts foolish enough to challenge them. Whether it was a fourth-tier Wind Leopard lurking in the shadows of the trees, its fur capable of blending into the forest as perfect camouflage, it immediately held its breath upon sensing the Lion King's pressure and did not dare leak even a trace of its aura; or a third-tier Jade Water Python coiled by a stream with its tongue flickering, intending to attack beneath the cover of the water, it was so frightened when the Lion King passed that it sank straight to the bottom of the stream. Only after Xiao Yan's group had gone far away did it dare secretly poke its head back out.

Xiao Yan sat atop the broad lion's back, admiring the mountain forest scenery beneath the night sky all the way, and did not find the journey boring at all. Looking down at the Lion King's steady stride, at its purple-gold fur gleaming faintly beneath the occasional starlight filtering through the leaves, and at its paws making even the thick layer of fallen leaves tremble as they landed, he could not help reflecting, Having a mount comparable to a Dou Huang Expert really is convenient. Back when I explored the Monster Beast Mountain Range alone, I had to carefully detour around high-tier monster beasts every time I encountered them, Afraid of clashing with them. Not only did it waste time, but I had to stay on edge constantly. Now, I can just ride this big shot along. The monster beasts flee at the first sign of us, and even the wind seems to be on our side.

Hearing this, Elder Yao could not help teasing him. "You brat, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself. But don't get too careless. Though Little Purple Lion is strong, it is not invincible. This Monster Beast Mountain Range is vast and boundless, and its depths are even more mysterious. There may be seventh-tier or even higher-tier monster beasts hidden there. Those beings are ruthless figures capable of contending with Dou Zong Experts. If we truly run into one, even Little Purple Lion would have to retreat, and we would be in danger."

"I know." Xiao Yan's smile vanished, and his eyes turned sharp as he spoke seriously. "That's why we need to find that valley as quickly as possible. Once we get the flame, we'll leave immediately. We won't be greedy, and we won't linger in battle. We won't invite unnecessary trouble upon ourselves."

The Purple Gold Winged Lion King seemed to sense the urgency in their conversation. Its pace quickened slightly, and it forcefully sniffed at the darkness ahead, as though it had caught a familiar scent. Then it turned its head and rubbed its large head gently against Xiao Yan's leg, conveying a clear thought. "We're almost at the Misty Forest. That area Enveloped in mist ahead is it. Once we pass through the Misty Forest, travel northwest for another half hour, and we'll reach Black Wind Cliff. The valley we're looking for lies at the foot of Black Wind Cliff, hidden behind a pile of boulders."

Xiao Yan's spirits rose, and he instantly straightened up, his keen gaze fixed ahead. Sure enough, a thin layer of white mist was spreading there. Like a veil of gauze, it Enveloped the forestland ahead. Strange sounds could faintly be heard within it, like the wind, yet also like the whispers of some creature. It was clearly the Misty Forest Little Purple Lion had mentioned. He raised his hand and patted the Lion King's back, his voice full of vigor. "Good! Let's pick up the pace and try to reach the valley before dawn. Investigating under cover of night will give us better concealment!"

The Lion King let out a low growl, as though answering Xiao Yan. Its four paws suddenly exerted force, its Muscle Lines standing out beneath its purple-gold fur. It shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, carrying Xiao Yan and Elder Yao's soul body straight into the spreading mist. The wind howled past their ears, and the mist it swept up struck their faces with a cool, damp touch. The Purple Gold Malevolent Qi around the Lion King automatically spread outward, forcibly driving away the surrounding fog and forming a clear, unobstructed path ahead. It was completely unaffected by the mist. As for the monster beasts hidden within the fog, whether they were foraging or resting, they all fell silent and lay low upon sensing the Lion King's nearly tangible pressure. None dared leak even a trace of aura, Afraid of drawing the attention of that "big shot."

Seated upon the Lion King's steady back, Xiao Yan felt the mist and wind rushing against him, his heart filled with anticipation and tension. He knew that the valley ahead might conceal a supreme treasure capable of completely changing his path of cultivation—the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. Yet the calm and smoothness of this journey felt more like the stillness before a storm, making him all the more cautious. His grip around the Black Heavy Ruler tightened, but his desire to unveil the mystery of that flame and claim it for himself only grew stronger.