Earthcore Smelting Flame
"Junior Brother Wu, what brings you to the Spirit Flame Forbidden Land today?"
Even from a distance, Zuo Shuiyun spoke with a fawning smile.
Wei Ding wasn't as enthusiastic as she was; his face was cold.
The underground passage is the entrance to the Spirit Flame Forbidden Land, where the Earthcore Smelting Flame is sealed.
Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding were responsible for guarding the Spirit Flame Forbidden Land.
Song Wen said, "Senior Sister Zuo, Elder Wei, I've come to retrieve a wisp of the Earthcore Smelting Flame, which is needed for refining corpses in the Human-Snake Cavern."
The Flame Core is the heart of the Spirit Flame; removing it will weaken the Spirit Flame.
However, the Earthcore Smelting Flame sealed beneath Pill Peak has grown extremely robust under the careful nurturing of the Beast Taming Sect.
Taking only a wisp of the flame's core will not affect the entire core of the Earthcore Smelting Flame.
It is worth mentioning that the flame core is not a separate flame; it will automatically dissipate within a certain period of time and cannot be used as a seed for cultivating spiritual fire.
Wei Ding's face was serious as he spoke in a cold voice.
"The Spirit Flame Forbidden Land is a vital area of the sect; no one may enter without the Peak Master's order."
After assuming the position of sect leader, Fang Pengyi did not relinquish his position as the Peak Master of Pill Peak.
The Peak Master that Wei Ding mentioned refers to Fang Pengyi.
Song Wen looked completely surprised.
"Have neither of you received the sect leader's orders yet?"
"I just came from the sect leader, and he has already agreed to this matter. The sect leader said he would send someone to deliver the order to you. Could it be that the sect leader is too busy and forgot?"
"What should we do! When I left, the sect leader said he would be in seclusion for several days. The Human-Snake Cavern is still waiting for the Spirit Flame Corpse Refining."
"I racked my brains for many days and finally came up with this plan, which might speed up the corpse refining process. But now it seems it will have to be shelved. I can only wait until the sect leader comes out of seclusion before trying a new method of corpse refining."
Wei Ding looked at Song Wen with a suspicious expression.
"Earthcore Smelting Flame? Elder Wu, you must be joking."
The Earthcore Smelting Flame isn't some evil fire; how could it be used to aid in corpse refining?
On the night Zhou Xuelin died, Fang Pengyi notified all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Pill Peak to come and watch, including Wei Ding and Zuo Shuiyun.
Therefore, these two people knew some inside information about the matter of Man-Snake corpse refining.
Song Wen said, "Why would I lie to you? I have already reported the matter of Earthcore Smelting Flame corpses to the sect leader, and the sect leader has approved of this plan."
"If you don't believe me, you can always send a message to the sect leader to verify. Oh, I forgot, the sect leader is in seclusion."
Fang Pengyi's seclusion was, of course, a lie fabricated by Song Wen.
But Song Wen wasn't afraid at all; the two of them sent a message to Fang Pengyi.
Because neither of them possessed Fang Pengyi's Message Jade Slip.
Before Fang Pengyi took the position of sect leader, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Pill Peak had his Message Jade Slip.
After he was promoted to sect leader, he realized that his status was different from before, and that not just anyone was qualified to possess his Message Jade Slip.
So he made new Message Jade Slip and discarded the old Message Jade Slip.
Song Wen only received Fang Pengyi's new Message Jade Slip ten days ago, after the First Supreme appeared at the Human-Snake Cavern, not to mention Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding.
Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding exchanged a glance; neither of them readily believed Song Wen's words.
Zuo Shuiyun smiled radiantly and said in a sweet voice.
"Junior Brother Wu, it's not that Elder Wei and I are unwilling to do you a favor. It's just that the sect has rules, and we dare not overstep them."
"I understand your difficulties. Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
Song Wen said with a disheartened expression.
He raised his sword, intending to leave. Suddenly, he stopped.
"Senior Sister Zuo, Elder Wei, we are old acquaintances. When I first entered the sect, I received your care and guidance, which I have always remembered."
"I see that the environment in this Spirit Flame Forbidden Land is harsh, and the salary is meager. May I ask if you two have considered changing positions?"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Shuiyun's eyes gleamed.
Even Wei Ding, who had maintained a cold expression throughout, showed a slight change in his demeanor.
"Elder Wu, are you willing to help us get transferred away from here?" Zuo Shuiyun asked excitedly.
She and Wei Ding had had enough of this Spirit Flame Forbidden Land.
Within the Spirit Flame Forbidden Land, the fire-attribute spiritual energy was in chaos, causing a severe imbalance among the other five elements as well.
Apart from cultivators with a single fire Spirit Root, no one else can cultivate in the forbidden area.
Especially Wei Ding, who was demoted and sent to the forbidden area.
Without significant achievements, it is difficult to be transferred.
He desperately wanted to be transferred away from the Spirit Flame Forbidden Land.
Zuo Shuiyun's situation was somewhat better than Wei Ding's.
She has done nothing wrong and is good at socializing; once she has served for a certain number of years, she can be transferred.
But on Pill Peak, no position can compare to that of the Human-Snake Cavern.
That's the place where the First Supreme Lord works.
Therefore, the two men were so moved when Song Wen suggested that they could be given different positions.
"Ten days ago, the First Supreme One suddenly appeared at the Human-Snake Cavern, demanding that the refining of the Man-Snake Profound Corpse be accelerated. Currently, the Human-Snake Cavern is in dire need of manpower. If you two are willing, you may Human-Snake Cavern."
"I dare not say about other things, but in terms of monthly salary, the Human-Snake Cavern is definitely the best in the sect. Moreover, as long as you do your job diligently, you will definitely be promoted to steward elder within a year or two."
Zuo Shuiyun was overjoyed and flew to Song Wen's side.
"Junior Brother Wu, is it true?"
Song Wen laughed, "Would I deceive my senior sister?"
Then, he looked at Wei Ding and said.
Elder Wei, what do you think?
Although Wei Ding was very tempted, he still harbored doubts.
"You're so kind as to help me?"
Song Wen said, "Elder Wei, you have taught me alchemy with great care for three years, so you are practically my master. How could I deceive you? Besides, what do you two have that I would deceive?"
Wei Ding his mouth, as if he wanted to say something more.
But Zuo Shuiyun beat her to it.
Zuo Shuiyun smiled tenderly, "Junior Brother Wu, then it's settled."
Seeing this, Wei Ding no longer hesitated and hurriedly spoke up.
"Thank you, Elder Wu. I am willing to go."
Song Wen nodded, "In a few days, after the Sect Master emerges from seclusion, I will go to him to finalize this matter."
After saying that, Song Wen was about to leave on his sword when he suddenly stopped.
"Could you two do me the favor and let me in to retrieve a wisp of the Earthcore Smelting Flame? A mere wisp of flame won't have any effect on the Earthcore Smelting Flame."
Upon hearing this, the joy on Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding's faces vanished instantly.
"This..."
Zuo Shuiyun looked troubled and turned to look at Wei Ding.
Deep down, she truly didn't want Song Wen to step into the forbidden area; she wanted Wei Ding to refuse Song Wen.
However, Wei Ding's actions were completely unexpected.
"Elder Wu, if you want a wisp of the Flame Core, that's no problem at all."
As he spoke, he took out a black token, activated it, and gently waved it towards the entrance of the passageway.
The barriers at the entrance to the passageway were immediately removed.
Wei Ding was demoted to this place, and he was even more eager than Zuo Shuiyun to take up a post at the Human-Snake Cavern.
If he misses this opportunity now, who knows when he will have another chance to be transferred.
Moreover, in his subconscious, he simply did not believe that Song Wen would do anything to harm the Earthcore Smelting Flame. That would be courting death.