Chapter 504: Fire Repelling Pill
# Chapter 504: Fire Repelling Pill!
Just then, a figure descended from the sky, interrupting their silent exchange.
Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the newcomer and immediately recognized him. *The drunkard, Jiang Bo?*
This man was one of the five Golden Core Perfected Masters who had presided over the official disciple competition years ago.
Come to think of it, he had not seen the man in at least five or six years. However, Zhao Mo had maintained contact with him all along, and their relationship had grown increasingly close.
Rumors whispered that the two had formally established a master-disciple relationship, but Jiang Chen had never bothered to ask. He simply did not care.
Speaking of which, Jiang Bo possessed quite a reputation throughout the Cloud Sea Sect.
Although he was at the late Golden Core stage, he was far older than the ordinary core disciples.
All of his extraordinary talents seemed intrinsically tied to alcohol.
Not only was he a notorious drunkard who reveled in tasting various spiritual wines, but he was also a collector.It was said he had amassed a vast trove of ancient brewing recipes, many of which were exceedingly rare.
It seemed Jiang Bo was merely passing by. He cast a fleeting glance at Jiang Chen, Ji Mingxuan, and the others, but did not linger. Instead, he flew directly toward the arena where the disturbance had occurred. He was likely the enforcer specially dispatched by the Sect to handle the matter.
Once the Perfected Master was far away, Ji Mingxuan transmitted his voice once more. “I have received word that similar incidents will only grow more frequent from now on.”
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow but offered no response, not even bothering to acknowledge the man.
Approaching him for no reason.
Offering warnings for no reason.
Dropping hints for no reason.
This man had done nothing to earn his trust, yet he continually appeared out of nowhere, feigning a deep familiarity.
Seeing no reaction, Ji Mingxuan waited a moment before transmitting his voice again. “If you do not wish to be involved, you and those around you should leave as soon as possible. The waters here run deep. Do not let yourself be dragged under.”
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. He remained silent, his gaze fixed coldly upon the other man.
Having delivered his message, Ji Mingxuan turned and departed, quickly vanishing from sight.
Jiang Chen pondered inwardly. *Are you truly warning me to stay away, or are you baiting me to investigate?*
If it were someone else, like Long Ao or Chen Tian, they would undoubtedly take the bait.
Regardless of how they acted in the open, they would certainly launch their own private investigations in the shadows.
However, Jiang Chen deeply understood the ancient wisdom of avoiding unnecessary karma. Therefore, after hearing Ji Mingxuan’s cryptic warnings, he was not only unmoved but even found the transparent manipulation somewhat amusing.
He would certainly warn his own people to remain on guard.
As for risking his life to investigate?
Absolutely impossible.
At the arena across the lake, perhaps due to the imposing presence of an additional Golden Core Perfected Master.
The troublemaking disciples, whether from the Cloud Sea Sect or the ordinary Cultivation sects, all quieted down.
Yet, while the surface appeared calm, treacherous undercurrents continued to surge beneath.
About an hour later, Ruo Qunshuang stepped onto the arena once more.
Her opponent happened to be a male disciple from an ordinary Cultivation sect.
His cultivation was at Foundation Establishment Perfection, a mere half-step away from forming a Golden Core.
Perhaps fueled by the recent conflicts, these outsiders harbored a deep hostility toward the disciples of the major Sects.
Even though Ruo Qunshuang was a woman of striking, icy beauty.
The man showed no mercy, his attacks frenzied and ruthless.
However, he never expected this opponent to be so entirely different. She was armed from head to toe in high-grade Spirit Weapons, each bearing at least five profound patterns. Even if her raw cultivation was slightly weaker and her combat experience lacking.
The sheer weight of her wealth and armaments more than compensated for any shortcomings.
Thus, the battle did not last long before Ruo Qunshuang claimed another victory.
So far, she had not lost a single match. Her accumulated points at the Black Lake Arena had already pushed her ranking into the top fifty.
With a bit of luck, she could break into the top ten, securing a bounty of high-quality Rewards.
As for seizing first place, that remained highly uncertain.
One had to remember that between the three major immortal Sects and the myriad ordinary Cultivation sects, there were over ten thousand Foundation Establishment disciples present. Among them were monstrous talents who excelled in every conceivable aspect—strength, aptitude, comprehension, and wealth.
Even though Ruo Qunshuang possessed Earth-grade cultivation techniques and spells, and enjoyed Jiang Chen’s formidable backing.
In the end, true victory on the Dao relied upon one’s own intrinsic ability. That was the ultimate key.
……
……
The next day arrived. Jiang Chen was just preparing to head toward the core of the Spirit Farm when the Communication Talisman within his Square Inch Ring began to vibrate.
“Speak.”
“Junior Brother, return to the Sect peak immediately!”
“Understood, Senior Sister.”
The voice belonged to Bei Qingtang, and the exchange was characteristically brief.
Stowing the Communication Talisman, Jiang Chen summoned the Shattered Moon Flowing Frost. He rose into the air, tearing through the clouds as he flew toward the nine heavens at breathtaking speed.
Since this was not his first visit to Green Wood Peak, he navigated the spiritual currents with practiced ease.
Upon arriving, he found that Senior Sister was not alone. Several figures stood beside her. Among them was a familiar face—Zhao Chengdao of the Dragon Tiger Immortal Sect, whom he had encountered not long ago.
The others were entirely unfamiliar.
Seeing this gathering, Jiang Chen’s internal guard went up. He stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. “Senior Sister, for what matter have you summoned me?”
Bei Qingtang gestured to the cultivators beside her. “These individuals hail from the other two major immortal Sects and various Cultivation sects. All of them possess Wood Spirit Roots. I have gathered you—all of you—to accomplish a specific task.”
The group consisted of Zhao Chengdao, Liu Ying, Su Wanqing, Yun Shu, Jiang Che, Tie Shan, and Shui Lianlian.
Without exception, every single one of them was a Golden Core cultivator possessing a Wood Spirit Root.
Only Jiang Chen stood apart—he was the sole “Foundation Establishment” cultivator among the gathering.
Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned before he quickly spoke up. “Senior Sister, you know I already have a multitude of responsibilities down below. My schedule is quite full.”
Bei Qingtang shot him a sharp glare, her expression stern and unyielding. “No matter how busy you are, you will make time. This matter takes absolute precedence.”
In the past, the Sect elders and seniors had always indulged this pragmatic Junior Brother.
But times had changed. They were in the midst of the Thousand Sect Dharma Assembly, and there was zero margin for error.
Realizing there was no escaping this decree, Jiang Chen had no choice but to nod. “Alright. I understand.”
Bei Qingtang gave a slight nod of approval before sweeping her gaze over the assembled group. “Prepare yourselves. You are all heading to Crimson Fire Peak.”
The Cloud Sea Sect boasted seven major immortal peaks.
To date, Jiang Chen had set foot on all of them save for Crimson Fire Peak and Dark Abyss Peak.
The cultivators present all possessed significant status and strength, making them well aware of the legendary seven peaks. Upon hearing their destination, a murmur of excitement rippled through the group.
However, one of them, Jiang Che, furrowed his brow. “The ambient heat there is punishingly extreme. Can our physiques withstand it?”
The Five Elements generated and suppressed one another; Wood fed Fire, and Fire incinerated Wood.
For cultivators rooted in the Wood element, such a searing environment was not merely oppressive—it was actively lethal.
Bei Qingtang waved her hand dismissively. “Do not worry. You will not be sent to your deaths. Every participant will be issued a Fire Repelling Pill.”
Those unversed in alchemy might not have grasped the true weight of those words.
However, as a seasoned Pill Master, Jiang Chen felt a jolt of genuine shock. *That is an exceedingly rare fire-attribute Pill. Once consumed, while it does not grant absolute immunity to primordial flames, it permanently and drastically elevates one’s resistance to extreme heat.*
Yet, the sheer extravagance of the provision only deepened his wariness.
Just what kind of perilous task required a Reward of such staggering quality?