The Third Furnace Fire: I Say, Let There Be Snow!

"Right."

"That's right, it's the Book of Life and Death."

The heavy sound echoed, but was immediately swallowed up by the sandstorm in the desert.

Du Mingsheng looked at the chaotic humanoid figure with awe and said cautiously:

"I heard you say that a member of that society once oversaw the place where the dead rest, the Netherworld, so I speculate that the ancient books may be related to Him."

The True Person nodded slightly, and a stream of chaotic energy flowed around him.

"You guessed correctly. That fellow's former titles were [Central Extreme Cult Master], [Great Emperor of the Underworld], and [Nine Nether Sin-Removing Heavenly Venerate]."

Du Mingsheng was frightened by these three titles.

He heard the True Person continue speaking to himself:

"And His authority back then was quite simple."

"It's nothing more than that."

The True Person's voice suddenly became solemn and dignified, carrying a sense of recitation:

"Holding sway over the netherworld, ruling over the Netherworld Capital."

"He holds the power to weigh life and death in the human world, and oversees the records of good and evil, right and wrong."

Human life and death, good and evil, right and wrong.

Du Mingsheng's breathing became uncontrollably rapid; this title was somewhat frighteningly grand.

He licked his lips and rubbed his hands together, realizing that he had probably encountered the third greatest opportunity of his life.

One was that encounter with the ancient book.

Secondly, it ascended to the Above High Heaven.

Third, that is, now.

A former True God who once ruled the netherworld and controlled life and death, good and evil in the human world!

The True Person asked:

"The Book of Life and Death. Though it cannot add to or cut off the lifespan of deities, it is still a rare treasure, crucial to the operation of the underworld."

Where is it?

The True Person's voice was very calm, without the slightest ripple, but Zhang Fusheng, in the tent far away, suddenly sat up.

The Helplessness Bridge, we have it.

The Other Shore Flower are finally here.

Should we add another [Book of Life and Death]?

Damn it.

It seems I really am destined to rule the underworld!

What's this?

I'm building the underworld in the extraordinary era?

Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhang Fusheng didn't even notice the sudden commotion outside the tent.

It seems some important person has arrived at the camp.

Who cares?

The thought continued to drift far away, into the desolate Waiting Area.

At this time.

Du Mingsheng rubbed his hands together again, a look of reminiscence on his face:

"Back then, I wasn't called Du Mingsheng. Over the past thousand years, I've had many names and identities. I've worked for the Investigation Bureau and been a professor at Golden University."

"Finally, as you can see, I've become a cultist of the Mandala System —I originally planned to change my identity again in fifty years."

He shook his head, stopped talking nonsense, and took a breath:

"The ancient book I encountered 1,700 years ago in Hope City—which is now Golden City."

Golden City?

Zhang Fusheng, with his sharp eyes, was carrying the remains of thirty-one Grandmasters in his Plague Demon form, on his way to the Golden City.

He manipulated the whispers of True Person:

"Golden City"

Du Mingsheng nodded vigorously:

"That's right, it was in a cave in Mount Chicheng Golden City. I couldn't move the ancient book, so I left it there."

"When I went back after becoming Great Grandmaster, it had already disappeared, taken away by some mysterious person."

It was taken?

Zhang Fusheng's heart sank, and he felt a pang of disappointment, but then he heard Du Mingsheng continue:

"But then, shortly after that, the Book of Life and Death disappeared."

"At that time, a large Lineage emerged in Hope City. That Lineage later migrated to Qinghe Province and became incredibly wealthy and powerful, renowned for Lineage longevity."

"It's the famous Qinghe Cui Clan."

The Qinghe Cui Clan?

The True Person seemed to be deep in thought:

"You seem quite certain that, if I remember correctly, the Qinghe Cui Clan is a divine Lineage, isn't that right?"

"Um."

Du Mingsheng nodded emphatically and said with a wry smile:

"To be honest, I investigated everywhere like a madman back then, and I found that the Qinghe Cui Clan, who were not yet incredibly powerful, always had rivals."

"The leader of the opposing faction will die of old age within a few years or even months."

Zhang Fusheng was somewhat bored.

The Qinghe Cui Clan, not to mention being a super clan with Deity Level figure, is located far away in Qinghe Province, which is beyond my reach.

Forget about it anytime soon.

He manipulated the True Person and nodded slightly:

"Yes, I will inform that member of the association about this. Of course, as..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

The True Person saw Du Mingsheng's awkward expression and said:

"However, ever since I added my lifespan to the Book of Life and Death, I dream about that ancient book every time I fall asleep."

"Sometimes it's in a safe, sometimes in an antique box, sometimes it's enshrined somewhere."

Zhang Fusheng's emotions fluctuated wildly, but he patiently continued to listen.

Du Mingsheng said:

"Later, after hearing that the Qinghe Cui Clan had produced a deity, my dreams of that ancient book became blurry and indistinct—but my connection with it has always remained."

"To be honest, I entered the Mandala school specifically to study this, and now I've concluded that it's about entanglement of cause and effect."

The True Person seemed to be deep in thought:

The Path of Karma is profound and mysterious.

"Yes, it's mysterious and profound."

Du Mingsheng gave a wry smile twice, then added in a low voice:

"But I think that friend of mine was once incredibly powerful, holding a position that could suppress even the netherworld. Perhaps he knows something about the Path of Karma and effect."

Zhang Fusheng's heart skipped a beat.

That's true.

The Karma Parallel has already enabled the use of decisive and ruthless methods that are inherently causal.

If we go a step further in the Taiyi Chapter,

Is there a chance, by following the cause and effect, to directly access ancient books?

Even stolen?

Hope rekindled in Zhang Fusheng's heart, and he manipulated the True Person to speak:

"I am aware of this matter and will inform that member immediately."

As he spoke, the True Person formed from the chaotic mist closed his eyes, one breath, two breaths, three breaths.

He opened his eyes and said:

"A fellow believer said that He owes you a favor and will use your karma in return."

"He said that after you return to your rightful place, you will be granted a divine office."

Du Mingsheng's heart sank, feeling like he'd been given a false promise, but he dared not show it on his face. Then he heard the True Person say again:

"Furthermore, after using your karma, I will bestow upon you a Thousand Year Spirit Refining, to help you first enter the Innate Great Realm."

Du Mingsheng suddenly raised his head, overjoyed:

"Thank you True Person, Master! Thank you True Person!!"

"Why thank me? I was just passing on a message." The True Person's figure gradually blurred, and the voice became ethereal and profound:

"Let's wait in the Waiting Area and not wander around anymore."

He feared that if the guy ran off recklessly, he might get into danger again, or even die.

Then the Book of Life and Death would truly be a distant dream.

"Yes, yes!"

Du Mingsheng immediately bowed and kowtowed repeatedly.

When I looked up again, the chaotic mist had completely dissipated.

"Central Extreme Cult Master, Great Emperor of the Underworld"

He muttered to himself:

"The Qinghe Cui Clan, you have taken my fortuitous opportunity and become so incredibly wealthy. I will make you lose that fortuitous opportunity as well."

The words were finished.

Du Mingsheng kowtowed again and recited:

"Nine Nether Sin-Removing Heavenly Venerate!"

Twin City Bubble.

Border areas, smuggling camps.

Zhang Fusheng sat cross-legged in the tent, then lay down as if taking a nap, his mind racing with thoughts.

The Book of Life and Death, by Du Mingsheng.

Tampering with the Book of Life and Death seems to come at a price—Old Du's inability to attain the Thousand Year Spirit Refining position is probably due to that price.

"Cost."

"Is it because there's no matching judge's pen?"

Zhang Fusheng's thoughts raced, but he temporarily suppressed his thoughts, not wanting to think about how he would use the Book of Life and Death after obtaining it—whether he could even get it was another matter entirely!

"I've recently become quite attached to this Cui family. The Qinghe Cui Clan actually originated from the Golden Province."

His mind raced; what about the High Gate Cui Family, left behind in the Golden City?

It's likely that it originated from some illegitimate sons and daughters who didn't leave their homes over a thousand years ago.

The most urgent task is to break through the current barrier.

"We need to find a way to get some more time to practice the techniques and see if we can advance the Taiyi Chapter further."

Zhang Fusheng continued to doze off, his thoughts quietly sinking into the Contract Book, communicating the main cultivation time of the two groups over a hundred years.

"Unfortunately, the cultivation time granted through the Contract Book only allows for arduous practice, without the support of various medicinal herbs and dietary supplements."

He felt a little regretful, because even though both involved a hundred years of cultivation, the difference between solitary asceticism and cultivation supplemented with powerful or even miraculous medicines was completely incomparable.

The latter is several times more efficient than the former.

Fortunately, although he lacked powerful medicines and miraculous remedies, and did not have abundant resources, he possessed astonishing talent!

Jin Qiuyue's comprehension, and her Golden Muscle Jade Bone!

Furthermore, they possess an innate, superhuman physique!

"Contract Book!"

"Fill it up!"

'Boom!'

One hundred years have already become part of my being.

[In my first year, I began to devote myself to cultivation, sensing the universe and attempting to capture its vital energy, transforming it into kindling to ignite the Qi and Blood Furnace Fire, lighting up each acupoint one by one.]

[In the second year, I made some progress, and my Golden Muscle Jade Bone perfectly integrated the energy of heaven and earth into myself.]

[Third Year]

[In the fifty-first year, thanks to my astonishing Root Bone and comprehension, after fifty years, I finally captured enough of the vital energy of heaven and earth.]

[When the two hundredth acupoint is lit, the second Qi and Blood Furnace Fire is also lit at the same time!]

Within the physical body, hundreds of acupoints began to shimmer and glow, and a second furnace fire appeared beside the Body Furnace Fire in the Ancestral Aperture between the eyebrows.

The cultivation of a grandmaster involves igniting individual acupoints with the energy of heaven and earth; the hundredth acupoint can transform into Body Furnace Fire.

The two hundredth acupoint can become the Qi and Blood Furnace Fire, while the three hundredth acupoint becomes the Spiritual Furnace Fire.

The human body has 360 orifices.

If all 59 of the remaining apertures are also lit, then the 360th aperture, which is the last aperture— the Ancestral Aperture between the eyebrows—can be lit.

What was formed was the fourth Heaven and Earth Furnace Fire.

"As expected, Twin Cities World is formed by the convergence of two Bubble Small World."

"After igniting a hundred acupoints, I can still continue to capture the energy of this small world and ignite more acupoints!"

Zhang Fusheng was deeply moved.

[In the fifty-second year, after the Qi and Blood Furnace Fire was ignited, my Dharma form leaped from two hundred meters to a magnificent one thousand meters.]

[I continued trying to ignite the acupoints]

[There are two different celestial energies within the Twin Cities, but they are already very chaotic and blurred.]

Although I can continue to ignite the acupoints, the speed is much slower.

[Fifty-third year]

[In the hundredth year, I rekindled thirty-seven acupoints; sixty-three more acupoints are needed to reach the Spiritual Furnace Fire.]

He opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them, but Zhang Fusheng forcefully suppressed it.

The commotion outside the tent grew louder and louder. Listening closely, besides the Old Boatman and his men causing trouble,

In the camp, most of the others were preparing for the arrival of some very important person.

In the dim light, Zhang Fusheng heard the word 'Cui'.

"Cui? It can't be the High Gate Cui Family, can it? They might be some member of the Cui family in Golden City?"

Listen a little longer, and it's true.

From the conversations among the people in the camp, it can be learned that a member of the High Gate Cui Family, having heard about the Land of Exotic Treasures, has come to this lower-level city.

It seems they received word that the Cui family member, also trapped in the Twin City Bubble, is about to arrive at this camp.

Everyone was preparing to welcome them.

After all, they were from a prominent family in the Golden City.

Zhang Fusheng didn't seem to care much, shaking his head slightly and muttering to himself:

"As expected, the High Gate Cui Family Lineage to take advantage of their remaining influence and make one last fortune before their Celestial Person passes away."

"They not only intend to interfere in the politics of the Double Ninth Festival, but they also won't let go of fortuitous opportunity that arise in a lower-level city."

He chuckled softly; indeed, no one dared to provoke a Celestial Person nearing the end of his life.

They both fear that the other will reach the pinnacle of power, briefly returning to their peak—and then unleash a move that will last as long as heaven and earth.

Celestial Person nearing the end of their lifespan is fully capable of dragging a powerful force down with them.

"But aren't you afraid that if you do things this way, you'll be held accountable by the Celestial Person after they die?"

He shook his head, ceasing his thoughts, which continued to linger on the Contract Book, communicating the remaining hundred years of cultivation time.

[In the first year, continue cultivating, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth, and igniting the acupoints!]

[In my fortieth year, my cultivation speed has slowed down more and more. Without the aid of secret elixirs, I can hardly make any progress.]

[But we're only thirty-one apertures away from the three hundredth!]

[In the eighty-fifth year, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, three of my senses were opened.]

[At this point, all the acupoints are connected end to end, and with the radiant Rosy Clouds, another flame is born in the Ancestral Aperture between my eyebrows.]

[This is the Spiritual Furnace Fire]

[Those who ignite the Spiritual Furnace Fire, their own hearts are the hearts of Heaven, and a single thought can change the world within a hundred miles.]

For the next fifteen years, the energy of the Twin Cities could no longer enter my body, and I made no progress whatsoever.

Two hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

A jumble of past memories churned and surged in my mind, while three flames burned fiercely in the Ancestral Aperture between my eyebrows.

The young man had sat up straight at some point and was now sitting quietly cross-legged.

He opened his eyes.

Let it snow next time.

The young man was talking to himself when suddenly Wei Lingzhu's exclamation came from outside the tent.

"It's snowing! It's snowing!"

The tent was pulled open, and a girl squeezed her head in, exclaiming in surprise:

"Brother Boyang, come quick! It's snowing outside! It's still dark, but it's snowing!"

"It has never snowed in Twin Cities!"

As she was talking, she saw the young man smile and respond, saying "Okay."

Wei Lingzhu was slightly taken aback.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Brother Boyang, who had such a kind and honest face, seemed a little different.

But I can't quite put my finger on it.

It's like...

It's a bit too high.

The young man emerged from the tent, stretched out his hand, and watched the snowflakes slowly melt in his palm.

"Bigger, even bigger!"

He whispered, and the excited Wei Siblings glanced at him:

"Brother Boyang, what?"

They saw that Brother Boyang shook his head and did not answer.

The snow falling from the black sky grew heavier and heavier.

He just whispered.

Then, a heavy snowfall actually began.

The earth is covered in silver again.