Chapter 509: The Little Virgin
Chapter 509: The Little Virgin!
At this moment, Chao Jin spoke, his voice cutting through the oppressive heat. “With the Phoenix Fire in our grasp, the Nether Abyss Mountain Chariot can be fully primed. Even the foundational purity of your Pills will undergo a qualitative evolution.”
Wang Yangyin, an alchemist who typically maintained an icy distance from his peers, adopted a profoundly deferential posture toward the man beside him. He nodded in emphatic agreement. “The Peak Master’s vision is absolute.”
“In that case, Crimson Fire Peak shall claim the vanguard merit for this era!”
“Do not let complacency blind you. The resource war among the seven immortal peaks remains as brutal as ever.”
“For now, we must rapidly select a batch of core disciples to attempt its refinement…”
Within the Dao of Alchemy, flames were categorized into three distinct echelons: mortal fire, spirit fire, and divine fire.
The most ubiquitous was mortal fire, the base element wielded by common mortals.
This included hearth flames, burning timber, and simple combustion.
Spirit fire referred to flames that carried a certain danger and had to be driven by spiritual power or mana.Examples included Yin fire, Yang fire, the Purple Sky Ember Flame, or flames born from the consumption of spiritual power and mana.
As for divine fire, it was divided into those born of heaven and those born of earth.
Both variants were myths in the mortal realm, phenomenons that a cultivator might never witness in a dozen lifetimes.
The Sun’s True Fire and Southern Brightness Li Fire were examples; every one of them was terrifying beyond measure.
The Phoenix Fire undulating before the assembly, alternatively classified as Nirvana Fire, occupied the razor-thin threshold between spirit fire and divine fire.
If used properly, it would bring endless benefits to Crimson Fire Peak, and even to everyone in the entire Cloud Sea Sect.
After all, talent determined the lower limit of a cultivator, while resources determined the upper limit.
When one side possessed what the others lacked, that side would naturally develop better. There was no doubt about this.
Given the many troubles currently afflicting the sect, this could be called good news.
In this way, Crimson Fire Peak’s weight among the Seven Great Immortal Peaks, and even within the sect as a whole, would rise further.
Bei Qingtang saw this and thought inwardly, Spirit plants are the foundation of the Immortal Dao. Once Master breaks through to the Soul Formation stage, Green Wood Peak will remain as important as ever even if it does nothing.
Without warning, a heavy, aggressively fragrant breeze cut through the searing dry heat.
Jiang Chen turned his head and saw two imposing curves right in front of him. Startled, he hurriedly retreated a step before lifting his gaze.
Only then did he realize the newcomer was Qiu Xiang of The Feng Clan from Wind Cliff, the woman who stood nearly two zhang tall.
She came to stand slightly behind the space between him and his Senior Sister, her lips curving into a confident and charming smile.
Bei Qingtang inwardly conceded defeat to her confidante’s sheer physical scale, keeping her voice low. “What is it?”
Qiu Xiang curled her lips, her mature and alluring voice carrying a smile. “With the Phoenix Fire appearing, Crimson Fire Peak’s status will soar at once. It will likely be second only to the top-ranked Xuanming Peak.”
Bei Qingtang shrugged and said indifferently, “Crimson Fire Peak and Green Wood Peak have never cared much about ranking. So what if it takes first place?”
Qiu Xiang revealed a playful smile and raised an eyebrow. “The Sect Leader’s seat is about to be vacated. The seven Peak Masters and the elders are all fighting openly and secretly for it. Do you truly think you can stay out of it?”
Bei Qingtang opened her mouth, but for a moment she could not refute her.
Qiu Xiang continued, “Why did your Master choose this exact moment to enter Secluded Cultivation? Why not earlier, and why not later?”
Bei Qingtang gave a tight shake of her head, refusing to be drawn into the debate.
Seeing this, Qiu Xiang looked toward the honest-looking Jiang Chen beside her and asked with a smile, “You must be True Lord Mu Ji’s newly accepted sixth disciple, correct?”
Jiang Chen offered a measured nod. “I am.”
Qiu Xiang looked him up and down as she said, “At present, among the seven immortal peaks, those qualified to contend for the Sect Leader’s seat are Xuanming Peak, Water Immortal Peak, Crimson Fire Peak, and Green Wood Peak.”
The Peak Master of Xuanming Peak was an ancient monster of unknown age. It was said that he had already reached the Void Spirit stage, and his strength was unfathomable.
The Peak Master of Water Immortal Peak was Yin-Yang Venerable Li Wudao. He possessed both Water and Fire Spirit Roots, concealed the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, and was said to have perfectly mastered a fragment of the Canglan Mirror.
The Peak Master of Green Wood Peak had the usual weakness of a Wood Spirit Root: he was not skilled in battle.
However, he had comprehended the Great Dao of Life, was now about to step into the Soul Formation stage, and was said to have formed an extremely deep connection with Green Wood Peak.
As for Chao Jin, the Crimson Fire Peak Master before them, he seemed on the surface to possess only an ordinary fire Spirit Root. Yet through aptitude, comprehension, and talent, he had made up for his shortcomings. He also often fought in the Great Void Abyss and had already earned a formidable reputation there.
Under normal circumstances, Jiang Chen should have taken the initiative to ask, giving her a reason to continue.
However, as someone deeply practiced in keeping a low profile, he understood very well the principle of not offending others.
After all, The Feng Clan was backed by the imperial dynasty and Wind Cliff, and it had core disciples in every major immortal peak.
For Qiu Xiang, saying a few teasing words was naturally harmless; no one would take offense.
But Jiang Chen was different. If he said even one wrong thing and displeased the great figures before him, Green Wood Peak might be dragged into the scolding as well.
Therefore, the best choice now was to keep his mouth shut and pretend he had heard nothing.
Inwardly, however, Jiang Chen was very curious. Why were only these four Peak Masters qualified to become the next Sect Leader of the Cloud Sea Sect?
Vajra Peak was clearly better at slaughter.
Iron Blood Peak was brave and fearless.
Thick Earth Peak controlled the core formations.
No matter how one looked at it, all seven Peak Masters should have been qualified. Yet the two-zhang-tall, alluring woman beside him clearly thought otherwise.
Unless she had some inside information that others did not know.
Just then, Chao Jin waved his hand. Vast mana surged forth and directly enveloped the flowing Phoenix Fire.
At the same time, it began to change at a shocking speed visible to the naked eye.
First, the twelve crimson-gold fire serpents, which had originally intertwined into an eye-like pattern, began to bite one another’s tails as time passed.
In an instant, they formed a closed ring, or rather, transformed into a complete crimson-gold halo.
With this, the already scorching Phoenix Fire burned even more fiercely.
Surging heat waves swept out in all directions. Many nearby cultivators were affected, and some could not withstand the impact, staggering back or even being thrown through the air.
As an Earth-Grade Golden Core cultivator, even though he was only at the early stage, Jiang Chen could still withstand it.
However, he deliberately pretended he could not bear it and used the chance to retreat at least a hundred meters, looking as if he might flee at any moment.
Qiu Xiang saw this and could not help teasing, “Tangtang, your Sixth Junior Brother looks rather timid.”
Bei Qingtang glanced back and said helplessly, “There is nothing to be done. This Sixth Junior Brother of mine only likes farming and cultivating spirit plants. He has hardly ever fought.”
Bei Qingtang’s expression instantly froze, her gaze sharpening into a lethal glare. “Junior Brother Jiang is a family man. I strongly advise you to kill that line of humor immediately.”
Qiu Xiang blinked in genuine surprise. It was the first time in their long association that she had witnessed her cold-blooded confidante actively shield a male associate. Intrigued, she reassessed Jiang Chen from afar.
“Who is that coward?”
“Why is Fairy Xiangxiang wasting her attention on that background character?”
“His features are painfully mediocre, and his aura is entirely forgettable!”
The surrounding disciples, having recovered their footing, tracked her gaze. A chorus of bitter, acid-laced murmurs immediately swept through the crowd.