novelraw Chapter 569 - 236: Defying Heaven, Part 6
Chapter 569 - 236: Defying Heaven, Part 6
After Shen Xiuyan’s full moon banquet, someone from Luoxia Mountain sent news from Yunzhong County City.
They said the New Market was almost completed and asked Shen Chongming to visit.
Just before leaving, Shen Xiubai, who had just accepted the inheritance of Fuyang Array Dao, suddenly approached.
The young fellow was a bit timid as he bowed to Shen Chongming, with a look of anticipation on his face:
"Uncle, I heard Elder Jiang of Luoxia Mountain also excels in the Array Dao. I implore you to take your nephew to Yunzhong County City."
Looking at Shen Xiubai before him, Shen Chongming suddenly thought of Shen Chongxu, who previously sent things from the Southern Borders.
A deep feeling of affection arose in his heart.
He patted his head and nodded, "Alright, I’ll take you to meet Elder Jiang."
"However, Elder Jiang is a mighty Golden Core cultivator and a senior; you must mind your words."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiubai’s face showed a hint of excitement, but he quickly suppressed it, respectfully bowing:
"Uncle’s teachings, I’ll keep in mind."
Seeing his earnest yet cautious demeanor, Shen Chongming couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Being of the Shen family lineage, in terms of clothing, food, shelter, and literary guidance, Shen Xiubai was no different from other clan members of his generation.
Yet, ultimately, lacking parental company has greatly affected his disposition.
In dealing with him and other Shen clan members, he always appeared a bit timid and cautious.
If it goes on like this for a long time, it’s not good.
During this trip to Yunzhong, I’ll have to carefully teach him a lesson.
...
In the Western Wilderness, Flame Lake City.
Upon arriving, Shen Wen’an was somewhat stunned by the city’s sights.
In front of the magma lake, numerous Shen family cultivators were all shirtless, intensely hammering glowing metals.
Shen Xiuyun and He Zhongyi were doing the same.
These were noble cultivators, revered as immortals by the common people.
Yet now... looking at those sweat-drenched cultivators, Shen Wen’an smiled bitterly and shook his head.
No wonder ancient artifact refining methods declined; just this refining method, for those accustomed to aloofness, they can’t set aside their pride.
After standing by the magma lake for a short while, He Zhongyi and Shen Xiuyun hurried over after receiving the news.
"Third Uncle (Third Grandfather)!"
Both respectfully saluted.
Shen Wen’an nodded slightly at their appearance.
They weren’t shirtless like those cultivators, but their image in a coarse short outfit with rolled-up sleeves and pants legs looked no different from a farmer before the Immortal Sect descended.
"Third Uncle, was the bizarre phenomenon in the east a month ago because you were breaking through to the Golden Core?"
He Zhongyi asked expectantly.
On one side, Shen Xiuyun also looked at him nervously.
When the phenomenon appeared in Yunshui City, everyone in Flame Lake City speculated that he was breaking through the Golden Core.
Shen Wen’an nodded.
Seeing this, the two exchanged glances and both saw joy in each other’s eyes.
"So... you’re now at the Sword Immortal Realm, Third Uncle?"
Shen Wen’an nodded again.
"Alright, let’s talk about this later. First, get these cultivators to stop."
"I’ll be closing in the magma lake for a while; the artifact refining will have to pause."
Upon hearing this, He Zhongyi and Shen Xiuyun immediately bowed.
Around the magma lake, Shen family cultivators heard he was going to hide in the magma lake and dared not disturb him.
Once the cultivators left, the two approached again.
"Third Grandfather, should I guard you, grandson?"
Shen Xiuyun had a lively temperament, much like his father Shen Chonghong in childhood.
There wasn’t much fear towards the elder Shen Wen’an.
"Hmm, you guard here by the magma lake, don’t let anyone get close."
Shen Wen’an smiled softly at him.
As an elder, he didn’t want juniors to be afraid of him. Someone like Shen Xiuyun was actually quite endearing.
Seeing the excitement in Shen Xiuyun’s expression, He Zhongyi sternly said, "Don’t be careless and ruin your Third Grandfather’s seclusion. Otherwise, you’ll be skinned alive by your father when you return."
Hearing this, Shen Xiuyun was somewhat displeased, "Uncle Zhongyi, do you think I’m so untrustworthy?"
"Don’t worry!"
He Zhongyi was somewhat uneasy looking at him but ultimately did not say more, instead bowing to Shen Wen’an before leaving the magma lake.
Shen Wen’an turned and glanced at the magma lake, his figure flickered and instantly disappeared from the spot.
The Sword Element Shield on his person raised, preventing the surrounding fiery red magma from touching him.
It was already his third time diving into the magma lake bottom.
The first time was to refine a Sword Bone Magical Artifact, the second to deliver the Separation Fire Flame.
Thinking of the Separation Fire Flame, Shen Wen’an immediately decided to check on its current state.
With a slight thought, his figure moved toward the location of the Separation Fire Flame.
As the surrounding magma shifted from orange-red to pale golden, Shen Wen’an arrived at the place where the bronze lamp was originally placed.
But after searching around, he couldn’t find the bronze lamp.
His heart sank, and Shen Wen’an’s expression turned grim.
Could it be that the Separation Fire Flame extinguished?!
That was painstakingly acquired from Zhang Qingjing of Celestial Monarch Mountain.
But that doesn’t seem right!
Both Shen Xiuyun and He Zhongyi knew about the Separation Fire Flame. If something happened to the flame, they couldn’t have missed it.
Still puzzled, Shen Wen’an searched thoroughly again and finally found the bronze lamp.
Only upon finding it, he felt somewhat distressed!
The Separation Fire Flame had seemingly gained intelligence over the years and was dragging the bronze lamp to capture those white flames in the golden magma!
Shen Wen’an’s distress stemmed from those white flames being Innate Spiritual Power!
The lowest were Middle Grade Innate Spiritual Power!
A single thread of Middle Grade Innate Spiritual Power is pricy. He initially placed it in the magma lake to absorb Earth Vein Fire Qi because feeding it Spirit Crystals was too terrifying.
Who would’ve thought it now preys directly on Innate Spiritual Power instead of Spirit Crystals.
No wonder he didn’t see any white flames on the way down here.
The white flames either got consumed or scared away by it.
The more Shen Wen’an thought about it, the more upset he became. He flashed and grabbed the bronze lamp.
Inside the lamp, the Separation Fire Flame seemed a bit rebellious, violently flickering several times, almost transforming into a mini bird.
Shen Wen’an held the bronze lamp, studied it closely, then spoke solemnly, "Whether you understand or not, you’re not allowed to secretly devour the Innate Spiritual Power here anymore!"
"Otherwise, I’ll toss you onto the Ten Thousand Year Snow Mountain next time!"
After saying this, he cast a Sword Essence to fix the lamp in the magma before summoning his Dragon Soul Magical Sword to absorb the surrounding Golden Essence Essence Qi.
The Dragon Soul Magical Sword, once the Sword Holder’s companion weapon, initially didn’t seem to have issues to Shen Wen’an.
After breaking through the Golden Core, condensing the Sword Pill with the magical sword as the core, he noticed several cracks inside the magical sword.
These were likely old wounds from past battles.
Shen Wen’an came here to use the Golden Essence Essence Qi to heal internal wounds and see if he could enhance the magical sword’s quality.
Large amounts of Golden Essence Essence Qi from the magma were continuously absorbed by the Dragon Soul Magical Sword.
In perception, tiny cracks inside the magical sword were shrinking and disappearing with the supplement from Golden Essence Essence Qi.
A month later, the Dragon Soul Magical Sword in the magma suddenly let out a light sword hum, and the emitted golden light became noticeably brighter.
Shen Wen’an slowly opened his eyes, revealing a trace of satisfaction.
Waving to retract the magical sword back to the Inner Core of his Dantian, Shen Wen’an was about to leave when his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a black stone egg below.
He couldn’t do anything about it last time, now at the Golden Core Realm, he wanted to see exactly what the stone egg was.