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--- Chapter 216 ---
The next day.
Baek Ain stood close to the Burning Flame Valley's Ancient Furnace and sighed because that bastard of a protagonist really left a mess for him.
At first glance, there is nothing wrong with the gigantic bronze furnace, as if the problem is only cracks and loss of sealing technique. But as Baek Ain observed the whole thing with Ancient Refining's Knowledge, he discovered the hidden issues.
Xiao Yan probably asked for his mother's help to break the seal and left several Dou Saint's marks all over the Ancient Furnace. Those Dou Saint's marks are very dangerous for people with low mental strength.
Yes, only Dou Saints could erase Dou Saint's marks.
That's obvious.
Unfortunately, these Dou Saint's marks aren't ordinary ones.
They act like freaking land mines.
One small mistake, and kaboom!
The Ancient Furnace was 'instantly' ruined forever and dragged the Burning Flame Valley along with accumulated explosions. Yeah, so much from a righteous main character.
"Aih, he's either holding a grudge against the Burning Flame Valley or that's just how petty he is."
[Probably both] Alicia commented with an assured tone.
[Anyway, you shouldn't have a problem fixing this thing, no?]
"Well, yes." Baek Ain confidently answered. "The problem lies within what method I should use."
"First method, I can erase the Dou Saint's marks and put the pieces back together. Everything should work fine."
"However, Gnome's fire progeny wouldn't be comfortable staying inside because this Ancient Furnace was 'literally' designed to seal lightning-oriented Heavenly Flame, not earth-oriented one..."
"The second method is to modify the Ancient Furnace. It is more difficult to do but better for Gnome's fire progeny."
[This...]
[You're actually doing so much for a copy of your Spiritual Flame?]
Baek Ain smiled, "Don't be like that, Alicia."
"Gnome is my loyal partner, just like you."
"It's like a pet."
[No way! Does that mean I'm a pet to you?] Alicia gasped in shock.
"I..." Baek Ain facepalmed.
"Come on, you should get what I mean."
[I don't get it...] She teased in a lower voice.
Baek Ain snorted and ignored Alicia's teasing, focusing all his attention on the Ancient Furnace. After mapping every Dou Saint's mark, Baek Ain drew his blade and slashed the air.
It's invisible, but Baek Ain's Ashen God's Eyes can see the Dou Saint's marks crumbled like sliced papers.
He snapped his finger to summon Golden Crow's flame and modified the Ancient Furnace using the Ancient Refining Technique.
An hour later, Baek Ain wiped a single bead of sweat on his forehead and stared at the Ancient Furnace proudly. "Done."
[Name: Zen Kun's Furnace]
[Type: Ancient Artifact]
[Grade: SSS]
[Description: One of Zen Kun's Heavenly Series, this Ancient Furnace was 'meticulously' made with meteorites from the upper realm and intended to refine artifacts with Spiritual Flame. Damaged and ruined, a young genius fixed Zen Kun's Furnace and modified it]
[Refiner's Vessel, increase the success rate of refining artifacts by 300%]
[Earth's Core, increase the success of refining materials with earth and fire elements by 300%]
[Home of Earth Spirits, increase the living space's comfort for the earth-oriented and fire-oriented spirits]
Baek Ain patted the Ancient Furnace and mumbled, "This should do for now. I don't think the Burning Flame Valley needs a better artifact than this."
[Obviously]
[It's overkill, to be honest]
[With Zen Kun's Furnace, the Burning Flame Valley should have raised in prominence after a few years]
"Well, such a prominence didn't clash with my plan." Baek Ain returned with a chuckle.
After meeting with the Tang Clan's young lady yesterday, Baek Ain began spreading his parasite spores to the Burning Flame Valley and slowly put everyone under his control.
So, if the Burning Flame Valley gets more powerful, Baek Ain will like it even more.
Ancestor Huo Yun appeared in the courtyard and saw the fixed Ancient Furnace. "Such a marvelous work, Junior Lin. No, Grandmaster Lin, your mastery of the Ancient Refining Technique is superb!" He complimented Baek Ain.
Baek Ain waved his hand casually, "This much is nothing."
"I have adjusted the Ancient Furnace to accommodate the Earthly Four-Colored Spirit Flame. Feel free to let it live inside the Ancient Furnace and eat the Inner Fire Veins' excess energy to grow."
"You what??"
Ancestor Huo Yun's eyes widened in disbelief.
Adjusting Ancient Artifacts requires a deep understanding of the Ancient Refining Techniques from the Ancient Era, which is tied to one's talent to comprehend countless material-processing methods.
Ancestor Huo Yun is under the impression that Baek Ain is a monstrous genius. But it seems he has still underestimated him.
He always thought a genius that's beyond this era doesn't exist.
That's until he met Baek Ain!
Unknown to Ancestor Huo Yun, Baek Ain barely reveals his powers.
If Baek Ain wanted to, modifying a pocket dimension (secret realm) isn't out of the picture. Unfortunately, he was too lazy.
There are also many better things he could put his effort into.
For example, Baek Ain could make new Low-Tier Constellations.
"Anyway, how is your condition, Elder?" Baek Ain asked Ancestor Huo Yun.
Ancestor Huo Yun grinned, "I'm close to full recovery. Your medicine pill is very effective in healing my old wounds."
"Aih, not only you're a master in Ancient Refining, but also a master in Alchemy."
"Gods put too much talent on you."
"Well, They are clearly not putting enough." Baek Ain chuckled in amusement.
Ancestor Huo Yun laughed out loud before shamelessly asking Baek Ain to teach Tang Huo'er. Of course, Baek Ain tactfully rejected it because Tang Huo'er had accepted Luo Bingbing as her master.
In fact, the achievement Tang Huo'er would reach under Luo Bingbing's tutelage wouldn't be inferior.
'It's time to do another Daily Sign-In.' Baek Ain thought while feeling the sunlight above him.
"Elder, I will rest for now."
"See you later." Baek Ain excused himself and walked for the Inner Fire Veins before returning to his residence.
Ancestor Huo Yun watched Baek Ain's back and sighed, "They say the next generation will always surpass the previous one. It's one of the never-ending cycles in life."
"But I think it would end soon because I couldn't imagine anyone surpassing him."
...
Baek Ain arrived at the Inner Fire Veins and frowned because the aura of chance had weakened. Well, he already signed in three times here.
[Ding! You have Signed to the Inner Fire Veins!]
[You have received the following rewards...]
[4x Fractured Crown Piece(A+), 11x Drop of Vermillion Bird's Impure Blood(S), 3x Fire God's Crystal(Low)]
"Damn, there is a time when I could be wrong." Baek Ain couldn't help but mutter. "I got the last four Fractured Crown Pieces, more Vermillion Bird's Impure Blood, and three more Fire God's Crystals(Low)."
"Hmm, I should finish the quest, right?"
[Yes, Host]
[Objective: Collect Fractured Crown Pieces and restore them to their original state(100/100)]
[Reforming the Fractured Crown Pieces...]
[Ding! You have received Fire Emperor's Crown(SS+)]
[Ding! You have finished a quest!]
[Ding! You have been rewarded with 1x Fire God's Crystal(High)]
Baek Ain watched the Fractured Crown Pieces come out of his inventory and merge into one. The end product is an overpowering crown of fiery red crystal with a halo-like light above it.
"Let's check it-!" Before Baek Ain could check the information of Fire Emperor's Crown, a new system screen suddenly appeared before his hazel-gold eyes.
[Ding! You have triggered a hidden quest]
[Fire Emperor's Royal Tomb!]