Chapter 278: Chapter 226: 30 Years: True Flame Refines Magical Treasure! [Second Update!]
Nine Yang Island.
Cui Xiong led Chen Jichuan to a palace and introduced, "Nine Yang Island produces the ’Taiyang Flame,’ which is excellent whether for cultivating Fire Skill, for medicinal purposes, or for refining artifacts. Because of this, it attracts considerable envy. The sect occupied this place, and the True Person Jiulong from Danyi Hall utilized the nine fire domains as the foundation to set up the ’Nine Dragons Embrace Nine Yangs Burning Truth Formation.’ Not to mention Qi Refinement cultivators, even Second-order True Persons cannot hope to break in. If anyone dares to infiltrate, that would be ideal; activating the array would make Four Apertures and Five Apertures True Persons meet their demise."
True Person Jiulong.
He is an array master of the Heaven Mending Sect, and in terms of array expertise, he ranks within the top ten in the sect. With the ’Nine Dragons Embrace Nine Yangs Burning Truth Formation’ he set up using the advantages of the terrain, even Second-order True Persons would not dare to underestimate it.
It can truly be described as solid as a mountain.
"However, it doesn’t mean we can be careless."
"The ’Taiyang Flame’ is violent by nature. The fire domains are perpetually unstable, and deep within them, there may even be naturally-born fire attribute demon beasts lurking."
"Harvesting the ’Taiyang Flame.’"
"Suppressing the fire domain’s unrest."
"Eliminating threatening demon beasts."
"Guarding against petty thieves sneaking onto the island using mysterious skills."
"None of these tasks can be taken lightly."
Cui Xiong explained everything in detail and kindly gave a warning: "Cui has been stationed on Nine Yang Island for two terms, spanning a full sixty years. There have been seven fire domain unrest incidents, two Second-order demon beasts encountered, and even a few Fire Skill evil cultivators trying to steal the ’Taiyang Flame.’"
For a task requiring a Second-order True Person to guard it, it’s evident that Nine Yang Island is no peaceful posting.
The ’Taiyang Flame’ is born of the heavens and earth—a single flame is equivalent to a Second-order Pill, which shows how precious it is.
Wealth is tempting.
With Nine Yang Island lying here as it does, it’s inevitable that petty thieves would attempt every means possible to sneak in. Anyone who can collect a dozen flames could reap profits exceeding a million spirit stones.
That’s enough incentive for them to take such risks.
Therefore, guarding Nine Yang Island requires extreme vigilance regarding these threats. Losing a flame is a minor issue; losing one’s life is far more severe. If Nine Yang Island were lost entirely, that would be a grave offense.
The ’Nine Dragons Embrace Nine Yangs Burning Truth Formation’ is indeed formidable, but ultimately, it relies on the terrain. It requires drawing on the strength of the nine fire domains and cannot be used frequently; otherwise, its foundation might destabilize, leading to disastrous consequences.
Thus, for incidents like fire domain demon beasts, intruders, and fire sea unrest, the guardian should handle them personally as much as possible.
Only in the face of true catastrophe should the ’Nine Dragons Embrace Nine Yangs Burning Truth Formation’ be activated, and once it is used, the matter must be immediately reported to the sect so that Second-order True Persons can be dispatched to support.
Many complications.
Cannot act recklessly.
Not only are there calamities to consider, but the guardian also has ongoing duties.
"Harvesting the ’Taiyang Flame’ requires the guardian to act personally or involve a Qi Refinement Peak cultivator skilled in Fire Skill."
"It’s quite troublesome."
"The sect mandates a minimum harvest of two flames per year without hindering cultivation. If one has spare time, they can harvest extra; for self-use or trade, no one will interfere."
"As long as it doesn’t go too far, it’s acceptable."
Cui Xiong chuckled, appearing rather satisfied with his tenure on Nine Yang Island, having accumulated considerable wealth through harvesting flames.
This has become an established custom.
Nine Yang Island is isolated and remote. The sect cannot entirely prevent guardians from privately keeping flames. So, they established a standard: meeting the baseline takes a fair amount of time, and attempting private harvesting results in relatively limited gains.
...
Cui Xiong spent several days showing Chen Jichuan around the area and explaining many written and unwritten rules, gradually becoming quite familiar with him.
Seven days later.
Cui Xiong left Nine Yang Island to return to Mount Tailao for a report.
From then on, Nine Yang Island was entrusted to Chen Jichuan to guard.
"Taiyang Flame."
Chen Jichuan meditated in the Nine Yang Hall, his palm outstretched, where two dazzling flames swirled, their power visibly formidable.
These were the ’Taiyang Flames.’
Cui Xiong had thoughtfully gifted two flames before his departure.
"The power of these flames is considerable. If released, even Qi Refinement Tenth Layer cultivators must handle them with extreme caution. If incorporated into Magical Treasures or banners, with dozens or hundreds of ’Taiyang Flames’ condensed into a fire dragon, even Second-order True Persons wouldn’t dare to face it head-on."
Chen Jichuan gazed at the flames with a pleased expression.
The Heaven Mending Sect possesses twelve sect-protecting treasures.
The Heart Mirror in the Dharma Transmission Hall is one of them, as is the ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner.’
The ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner’ reportedly contains countless fire dragons, all formed from the most potent flames under heaven and earth. Among them are the ’Taiyang Flame Dragons,’ condensed from the ’Taiyang Flame,’ their power unimaginable.
Moreover.
One of the Heaven Mending Sect’s nine great skills, the ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ was comprehended by predecessors who studied the ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner.’
"The ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner’ resides in Mount Tailao, and sect disciples can enter to study it using merit. In the future, I can train there several times, gain insight into its refining methods, cultivate the ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ and replicate the ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner.’ Then I’ll have a formidable Magical Treasure as my ace."
Chen Jichuan made up his mind.
Though his Magic Skills are ample, he currently has no Magical Treasure worthy of being called top-tier. The Heaven Mending Sect’s twelve sect-protecting treasures are all at least Fourth-order—perfect for him to emulate and refine continually in the future for self-defense.
Simultaneously, it would allow him to improve his Artifact Refining expertise.
Cultivation is challenging.
There are countless paths to follow.
"Fortunately, I have Dao Fruit, with its 400-fold time differential. Otherwise—"
Chen Jichuan shook his head, reflecting on the tangled complexities of cultivation with an air of gratitude.
He contemplated the Taiyang Flame.
Pondered the matters of cultivation.
Then began formulating plans for his future development.
"After reaching the Second-order, I will no longer be regarded as a ’prodigy.’ My cultivation won’t stagnate, but it certainly won’t progress quickly."
"However, my lifespan is long, so I can carefully select several disciples, guide their training, and ensure I have support in the future."