Chapter 27
After finishing their examination of the writings on the ground, they finally grasped the significance of the treasures before them. The four floating orbs of light, which appeared to be sealed, were treasures of heaven and earth. Natural flames, categorized into different ranks such as human, earthly, and heavenly flames. Of the four, one flame stood out as a heavenly flame: the Frostfire, emitting a mesmerizing blue light. This revelation astonished everyone present, as they could hardly believe that a heavenly flame would be found in this place. The other flames were all of earthly origin.
As they gazed at the treasures, a slight tension filled the air as they faced the challenge of dividing them. "Fellow daoists, we will not fight over the heavenly flame and instead take two of the earthly flames. What do you say?" After exchanging glances that seemed to convey their thoughts, the Shui sisters spoke. Everyone nodded in agreement, and they proceeded to approach the treasures, each selecting an earthly flame before swiftly retreating to the side.
However, Huo Ming remained rooted in place, his eyes blazing as he fixed his gaze intently on the Frostfire. "Why should you take the Frostfire and not me?" he questioned, noticing the gazes directed at him. "Because we are stronger," came the simple and direct reply, causing his eyes to twitch. Where was the justice in this world? Where had democracy gone? What kind of answer was this? Simply because they were stronger?
Huo Ming could not accept this. He desired the flame fervently.
"Don't be so sure," he declared, leaping backward and producing a lamp containing an earthly flame.
"Earthly fire: Flame Bind!"
he proclaimed, causing the flames within the lamp to surge and the room's temperature to rise. The flames transformed into whips that flew toward Wang Shitian and the others like serpents. The Shui sisters watched from the sidelines without intervening.
However, Wang Shitian's group did not hesitate either.
"Flame Decision: Inferno!"
"Dragon Claw!"
Xue Wuya's voice rang out as the temperature around him skyrocketed to a terrifying degree, swiftly engulfing the room. A ball of flame, about three meters in diameter, condensed above his head and shot toward Huo Ming, incinerating everything in its path. An illusory claw materialized in the air, emanating formidable power as it bore down on Huo Ming. This was Wang Shitian's move.
Boom! Boom!
The clash shook the ground, releasing shockwaves in all directions.
Poof!
A figure was sent flying backward, blood spraying from their mouth. As Huo Ming landed, he felt his blood roiling as he tried to calm himself. He couldn't help but be amazed by the strength of these two individuals, and the third person hadn't even attacked yet. Despite thinking he had an advantage due to his cultivation time, it was now evident that these were geniuses. Observing them, and seeing that they were about to attack again, Huo Ming couldn't help but reluctantly say, "Fine, you can keep the flame. As you said, you are stronger." With those words, he approached and collected the other earthly flame.
At this moment, nobody had even considered taking the Serenecloud manual. They didn't lack powerful cultivation manuals, and most of the manuals in their respective sects were suitable for their aptitudes and bloodlines. Just like Li Tianxi, the Serenecloud manual was dispensable, but the flames were not. Since the attribute of this flame was not suitable for either Wang Shitian or Xue Wuya, Li Tianxi claimed it. Xue Wuya opted to take the jade slip containing the manual, and Wang Shitian decided to take the Nirvana Blossom fruit.
Picking up the skeleton, Wang Shitian made his way toward the tree to plant it, as the old man had instructed. However, as he approached the tree, mist suddenly enveloped the room, obstructing the view of others. "What's going on?" This unexpected turn of events surprised them all, including Xue Wuya, who wore a perplexed expression as he stared ahead with a somber gaze. His usual calm demeanor was gone as he focused on a formation that blocked their sight. However, from Wang Shitian's perspective, he could still see clearly and remained unaware of any anomalies.
Reaching the base of the tree, Wang Shitian began to dig. With his strength, it didn't take long to create a suitable hole. As he looked at the skeleton resting in the grave, he couldn't help but sigh. "This old man is truly pitiful. To have endured all those challenges only for his path to end here." Shaking his head, he lamented for the old man's fate.
Following the instructions of the old man, he poured spirit stones into the grave and shattered some of them. He did not understand why the old man wanted this, but since it was his last wish, he decided to fulfill it, considering how much the old man's struggles in life had benefited them.
Suddenly, the spirit Qi from the spirit stones landed on the bones of the old man, causing green fire to ignite in both eye sockets of the skeleton. The flames grew brighter, indicating the presence of corpse fire.
"The corpse refinement art of rebirth is truly magical. No wonder the corpse sect has survived for thousands of years," a sense of eerie awe in his voice.
At that moment, an eerie voice filled the surroundings, shocking Wang Shitian. The voice seemed to originate from the skeleton itself.
"What's happening? Who are you?" Wang Shitian spoke, instinctively moving back. He could sense a powerful aura emanating from the skeleton, capable of crushing him.
"Hehehe, ignorant junior! Did you really think I worked my whole life just to hand over my possessions to you after I die? Hahahaha! I am Serenecloud. Now, lend me your body, and don't worry, I'll send your friends down to join you. Isn't that kind of me? At least you won't be alone on your journey to the afterlife, hahaha!" The voice of the old man echoed with a sinister tone.
"Ridiculous! So, this was all a trap... This is the true nature of the Serenecloud Daoist that everyone admires? How despicable," Wang Shitian responded with disdain, his fear mingling with his contempt for the man.
"Hehehe, the heavens are heartless, so why should I care about my behavior? I'll do whatever it takes to survive. Taking my possessions for nothing in the name of inheritance? Is there such a good thing in this world? Enough talk, it's time for you to be on your way" the old man sneered.
As the old man spoke, the flames in the skeleton's eyes dashed towards Wang Shitian with incredible speed. Before he could react, the flames entered his brow.
Upon entering, the flames transformed into an old man with white hair and long eyebrows. Behind him, a colossal circular wheel appeared, alternating between two different colors—black and white—a sight that exuded a mysterious aura.
The old man smiled as he gazed at the wheel behind him. However, at that moment he began hearing Buddhist chants echoing throughout Wang Shitian's entire sea of consciousness.
Overwhelmed by the chanting, Wang Shitian eventually lost consciousness. Meanwhile, a golden light descended from above, as if from the heavens, and landed on the Serenecloud Daoist. His consciousness was completely destroyed before he could even scream.
Now, only pure soul power remained, gradually merging with Wang Shitian's sea of consciousness and strengthening his soul. Within his consciousness, the giant wheel, alternating between day and night, hung motionless, as if it were the ruler of the skies.
Several minutes after the old man's consciousness was destroyed, Wang Shitian regained consciousness. As he looked around, he realized the old man was nowhere to be found. He became certain that the old man had intended to take his body, kill the others, and use their flesh and blood to refine a corpse body.
Perplexed, Wang Shitian glanced into his sea of consciousness and immediately noticed the presence of the giant wheel, shocking him.
"What is that? And when did it appear here? Could this be the doing of the Serenecloud Daoist?" Questions flooded his mind, but he found no answers. He approached the tree and harvested the fruit. As he did so, the fog cleared, revealing him to the others who had been waiting.