Chapter 213: The Remains of Immortal Hell Flame
Shen Mo's heart stirred. "Elder, do you know why the demon beasts are so agitated?"
The old man spoke in a low voice, "Master, I've heard a rumor, but I don't know if it's true."
"Please, go on."
The old man nodded. "Back in my great-grandfather's time, he was a Qi Condensation cultivator and once witnessed a powerful figure entering and leaving the northern slopes of the Qi Yun Mountain Range multiple times."
"My great-grandfather suspected that this powerful figure might have had a hidden cave dwelling on the northern slopes."
"Many villagers in our community believe the same."
"However, though we often climbed the mountains to gather herbs, we never found any cave dwelling, and over time, this tale faded from memory."
"Still, quite a few cultivators search for the cave with so-called maps."
Shen Mo's eyes brightened upon hearing this.
Excellent, the opportunity has practically fallen into his hands!
"Elder, where do you plan to relocate?" he asked.
"Back to you, Master, we're heading to that town on the southern slopes near the Jade Cauldron Sect, where a good-hearted master offers protection."
"Very well, I'll take you there."
Shen Mo took hold of the old man and the young boy, flying with ease, and soon delivered them to their destination.
The old man was overwhelmed with gratitude, almost kneeling before Shen Mo.
After all, if they had walked on foot, it would have taken them over ten days, facing many perils along the way.
Demon beasts and rogue cultivators alike posed constant threats.
This act of kindness had indeed saved them from immense danger.
"No need to thank me; just live well."
Shen Mo smiled, patting the old man before flying off toward the northern slopes of the Qi Yun Mountain Range.
Circling the northern slopes, he soon spotted an abandoned village.
There wasn't a single inhabitant left.
However, several demon beasts roamed within the village.
These beasts were abnormally restless, frequently roaring and howling as if in a frenzy.
Contemplating the scene, Shen Mo immediately approached.
After capturing a few of the beasts for examination, he discovered something startling.
The brains of these demon beasts had undergone an irreversible transformation.
Of course, a demon beast's brain is usually no larger than a walnut.
Now, their brains had shrunk to nearly the size of a sesame seed.
"No wonder they're so mindless; they've even lost the basic instincts for survival."
Shen Mo felt a surge of excitement.
It was becoming increasingly clear that a hidden cave dwelling must be nearby!
The influence of this dwelling had caused the changes in the demon beasts.
He began tracking the crazed demon beasts, eventually tracing them to the source.
It was an unassuming spring!
These demon beasts had been drinking from the spring, which had caused their brains to gradually shrink.
"This spring appears shallow, but perhaps it's an illusion."
Shen Mo's mind raced, and he flicked his finger, sending a strand of spiritual energy toward the spring.
To his delight, the spiritual energy pierced through the spring's bottom!
"Just as I thought!"
Shen Mo immediately took out a water-breathing charm and dove into the spring.
He easily passed through the bottom of the spring, moving deeper down.
Beneath the spring, it was pitch-black, cold, and mysterious.
Shen Mo felt as though something in the darkness was watching him.
He activated a protective barrier around himself and continued to descend.
Strangely, he faced no attacks or obstructions as he sank to the bottom.
There, embedded in the rock wall, stood a massive, imposing gate.
Seeing the style of carvings on the gate, Shen Mo was lost in thought.
He felt as though he had seen this style somewhere before.
As he pondered, the gate sensed something and opened on its own before he could even touch it!
Slightly surprised, he entered.
Boom.
The giant gate closed behind him with a thunderous sound.
Before Shen Mo lay a vast, ancient cave dwelling.
Against the wall sat a skeletal figure.
Floating in midair within the cave were two clusters of light.
One was a book.
The other was a helmet, purple-black in color.
With a simple gesture, Shen Mo easily retrieved the book.
The cover bore five large characters.
Divine Thunder Suppression Scripture!
As Shen Mo opened the book, he found a few lines written on the first page.
"I, who go by the Daoist title 'Hell Flame,' was gravely wounded by a great demon at the Sea of Demon Suppression. Though I narrowly escaped and returned to Jing Nation, I am now near death.
At the end of my life, I poured my thoughts into creating the Divine Thunder Suppression Scripture.
May future cultivators carry it forward and rid the world of demons on my behalf.
The demon's name is 'Anchen.'"
Shen Mo was mildly surprised.
No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity when he discovered this cave.
Unexpectedly, it was a cave dwelling left behind by True Master Hell Flame!
"It's unfortunate that True Master Hell Flame has passed away."
"But what exactly is the Sea of Demon Suppression? I have no knowledge of such a place."
Shen Mo pondered.
This world was far larger than he had imagined.
Just within Jing Nation, there were nine provinces.
To the south of Jing Nation lay the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, and to the east was known as the East Sea.
The Sea of Demon Suppression must lie beyond the East Sea.
Standing before the remains of True Master Hell Flame, Shen Mo bowed deeply.
He had previously obtained the Scripture of Hell Flame's Destruction.
It was thanks to this scripture that he had been able to progress so swiftly.
Now, he had acquired the Divine Thunder Suppression Scripture.
In a way, though True Master Hell Flame had never appeared before him or spoken a word, he had played an essential role in Shen Mo's growth.
Performing this solemn gesture of respect felt fitting.
"The great demon must be incredibly powerful. I cannot avenge you now, but someday I will go to the Sea of Demon Suppression and slay the demon Anchen!"
Shen Mo spoke solemnly, bowed once more, and then took his leave.
Six days after Shen Mo left the Qi Yun Mountain Range, two figures approached from the south and north, almost arriving simultaneously.
They were Ye Yan and Xiao Fan.
Ye Yan had come to seek a rare demon beast to breed with his old dragon.
Meanwhile, Xiao Fan searched the northern slopes, occasionally muttering, "Old Dan, are you sure this is the place?"
An ancient voice echoed in his mind.
"Yes, this is undoubtedly the location."
"After being wounded by a great demon in the Sea of Demon Suppression, True Master Hell Flame fled here. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Unfortunately, despite my years of searching, I was never able to find the cave."
"But you are different; you are the Child of Fortune, born with immense luck."
"You are sure to find the cave dwelling!"
Xiao Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Great!"
After learning of Shen Mo's defeat of Yao Yunluo, he had immediately fled with Ouyang Qian.
By chance, he discovered an ancient ring in a mass grave along the way.
Within the ring resided the spirit of Old Dan.
Old Dan claimed to be the Grand Elder of the Nine-Turn Pill Dao Sect from five thousand years ago, searching for a successor to rebuild the sect.
Now, he had chosen Xiao Fan.
With Old Dan's help, Xiao Fan had nurtured the Seven-Lotus Nascent Soul and reached the Nascent Soul stage.
Overjoyed, Xiao Fan's expression darkened as he remembered something.
"Am I truly the Child of Fortune? Yet back in Xuanjiang Prefecture, I was always suppressed by others."
"Every opportunity was always seized by him before I could reach it."
"Sometimes, I even think he is the bane of my destiny."
Old Dan frowned. "How could that be? I calculated that you are a reincarnated powerhouse destined for smooth sailing, without any hindrance."
"You are a true dragon among men, with only one rival in this life. And that person isn't even in Xuanjiang Prefecture."
"It's highly likely that you'll encounter this rival during your quest for the cave."
Xiao Fan frowned deeply. "Could it be that I'll meet Shen Mo here again? He'll likely reach the treasure before I do!"
Old Dan shook his head. "No, no, no. You two will have a fierce contest, each obtaining something. This is what I have foreseen."
Only then did Xiao Fan nod, his mind somewhat at ease.
🌟 Unlock Exclusive Early Access on Patreon! 🌟
Hello, beloved readers!
Join my Patreon community to enjoy:
📚 Daily Updates: Never wait for new chapters—get your story fix every day!
📖 20 Chapters Ahead: Access new chapters far in advance of Scribblehub/RoyalRoad/Webnovel releases.
Support the creation of the stories you love and dive deeper into my world!
Patreon.com/Alex_Cruise