Chapter 233: The Mysterious Object in the Rock Flows (1/2)
Chapter 233: The Mysterious Object in the Rock Flows
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
The geocentric fire vein was actually expansive, and the direct passageway to the Underground Rock River was just one of the countless ways that led to the fire vein. But it was the largest and longest, and also led to a spacious area that made it suitable for the building of a smelting chamber.
Besides this main and spacious passageway, there were also other large and small ones pressed against each other like a honeycomb. But they were either too narrow or led to an area with heavy Evil Qi and high temperature, thus becoming obsolete.
There were two important functions to the geocentric fire vein. First, smelting families like the Wu Family could forge Secondary Heavenly Weapons with the help of the rock flows here. Second, those like Junior Leopard who practiced the Fire Way Method to condense Evil into Gang and raise their cultivation here.
Only a handful of powers who had the right to build a smelting chamber in the geocentric fire vein; there were only four in Great Jin and they had already conquered the fire vein. And though there were many who practiced the Fire Way Method and needed the Spiritual Spiritual Energy of Fire, few had the right to enter the fire vein. Even if they were granted the right, they would be killed by fire toxin here if they didn't have at least a Level Three cultivation.
Yet those whose cultivation was over Level Three and wanted to strengthen their cultivation in the geocentric fire vein didn't have the right to enter. Thus, a phenomenon appeared whereby there were those like Junior Leopard who would sneak in.
But those people were few and far in between. After all, Great Jin and the four smelting families weren't easy to handle. Besides the guards stationed outside the entrance, experts from the four families also patrolled the main passageway. Even Junior Leopard struck down the guards, it was impossible for him to go far into the passageway.
After all, there were few who had achieved Level Seven and even fewer were those who had that cultivation while practicing the Fire Way Method. Those who did were generally taken in by Jin and other powers, never having to worry about lack of access to geocentric fire veins. Thus the four smelting families only had to send some ordinary experts to do the patrolling.
Based on Junior Leopard's current identity and position, he could just mention it to the Wu Family if he wanted to practice inside the geocentric fire vein and they would make the proper arrangements. It wasn't simply because he was an Elder, he was also the strongest fighter in the family. They all believed that his combat capability had long surpassed the First Elder of the family, Lyu Yiyue. Him wanting to have a closed-door training was something that fitted their wishes precisely.
But Junior Leopard didn't think of doing so, nor did he want to bother the family for this. So he came to the underground fire vein just like that but unexpectedly encountered disciples from the family on patrolling duty.
He walked deeper inside along the main passageway and, after a while, found a branch on the wall with the thickest Spiritual Energy of Fire and drilled inside.
This particular passageway was cramped and only as tall as his shoulder. It was only wide as his body, so he could drill through once he entered it.
He drilled into the passageway like a mouse and when he made it across, he felt strong Spiritual Energy of Fire, along with fire toxin, hitting him squarely in the face.
He marveled at the strong energy, patting himself on the back for choosing the right place this time. The Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique inside his body began to turn, coming to life. He saw a thin red stripe wandering around his body, engulfing the dense Spiritual Energy of Fire.
That was the second state of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique. Besides some hermit Elders from the Tian Long Taoism, perhaps there was no one else who could use this technique to this extent except him.
For most people, this fire toxin would lead them to death. For Junior Leopard, the Spiritual Energy of Fire around him was an incredibly nourishing substance.
The entrance to the passageway was extremely narrow. Junior Leopard was ready to be a mouse, but after a while, the passageway opened up and became increasingly wide. Very soon, he was able to straighten his body and walk along the passageway.
He walked for some distance, feeling the temperature around him rising. There were now three golden red stripes around him, but he could still feel the heat coming from around him.
”I think I'm very close to the main passageway where the Underground Rock River is!”
Junior Leopard quietly estimated his current location.
The passageway he was taking was straight and steep, yet he never slowed. He estimated he had already entered deep into the underground, but frowned when he looked at unending and deep passageway. ”All passageways to the Underground Rock River are supposed to be connected, but why can't I see any sign of it until now?”
He mainly came here this time to find the Underground Rock River because he needed the Earth Fire Yuan Essence in it to cultivate his muscles and bones, unite his fist intent, and refine his Internal Qi.
To others, the Earth Fire Yuan Essence was something exceedingly rare because they were hidden deep under the rock flows of the geocentric fire vein. Ordinary martial artists, even Level Nine experts, weren't capable of collecting such Spiritual Energy of Fire under the rock flows. It was only by chance and in very special places that they could find such quality Spiritual Energy of Fire.
But it was never a problem for Junior Leopard. Using his Black Sun Fist Intent, he could easily draw the Earth Fire Yuan Essence under the rock flows to him. He just needed an area with rock flow to obtain plenty of the essence and guide it into his body using the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique. That way, he would be able to strengthen his body, increase his Qi, and practice his fist intent. That was the plan, but unexpectedly he couldn't even find any trace of the Underground Rock River until now. This turn of events made him somewhat dejected.
”Damn it! If I remember correctly, the book I've once read said all passageways inside the geocentric fire vein lead to the underground lava.” It was for this reason that he chose a passageway with the densest Spiritual Energy of Fire. He thought such a passageway would naturally be much closer to the rock flows. Why else would the fire be so fierce here?
Yet sadly, it wasn't the closest route to the rock flows. It might even be the furthest way.
”No, something's not right. If this is the furthest way, why is there such dense Spiritual Energy of Fire here? I've already materialized five Fire Dragons by now, I'm afraid even my Fire Dragons will be roasted if I don't arrive at the rock flows soon!”
Junior Leopard may have a high cultivation, but he was still human. He was finding it hard to shoulder on as the Spiritual Energy of Fire in this passageway became thicker. He was probably the only one who could. Even a Level Seven expert with Gang Qi would feel tortured being in this place.
Suddenly inspired, a layer of green light enveloped him. He performed the Jade Original Power Gang Spirit he learned not too long ago. His Blue Sword transformed into a lush green anima surrounding him, preventing the unending hot gas from getting near him.
He was here to practice, not to suffer. The three Fire Dragons dancing around him seemed to have absorbed enough Spiritual Energy of Fire and were gleaming in golden-red gloss. Their scales, horns, whiskers, and five claws have become increasingly clear. They didn't look any different from true dragons. It would be hard for people to believe it was Junior Leopard's Internal Qi that created these Fire Dragons.
With green light looming up around him, Junior Leopard continued to walk for about six hours. His expression suddenly shifted when he noticed the direction of the passageway changing not far ahead. He couldn't see anything beyond the corner standing where he was, but he could feel a stream of dense, invincible pneuma surging in the entrance of the corner where he detected large amounts of the Earth Fire Yuan Essence.
”Seriously? Can this passageway be the one that leads directly underneath the rock flows? This is the only place with the Earth Fire Yuan Essence. Did I really get this lucky?” There was only one place containing natural Earth Fire Yuan Essence: the bottom of the geocentric rock flows.
The earth's core, with its mysteries and splendidness, were not in any way less beautiful than scenes under the sea. Most rock flows led directly to the earth's core, but sometimes there could be voids underneath. In Junior Leopard's previous life, these voids were similar to river-crossing or subsea tunnels. People could go through these tunnels, but they were also filled with terrible fire toxin. It was hard for even a Level Eight or Level Nine expert to survive here.
So Junior Leopard halted his footsteps.
The green light around him flourished. before disappearing after an idea came to him. He raised his hands and the five golden-red Fire Dragons flew past him toward the void hiding behind the corner. Simultaneously, he combined the three pieces of golden flames into a Lion that pounced at the corner as well.
With the five Fire Dragons and one Lion rushing toward the corner, Junior Leopard howled and felt a stream of hot flow being absorbed by his body through his creations. The Mysterious Fire in his Dantian jumped suddenly, and his Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique and Bright Moon Deifying Technique started acting. He began absorbing the enormous energy here in a mad manner.
After a while, his creations flew back from the corner and entered his body. A piece of golden-red light emerged from his skin and began wandering around.
Junior Leopard's eyes opened wide. He took out a little china-white bottle and poured three white pills out of it, swallowing them all.
Tendon-Changing Pills!
These were the Tendon-Changing Pills!
As Junior Leopard's strength rose, so did his position in the Wu Family and the number of gains he received. What was more, Anyuan Store had been expanding at an alarming rate thanks to him. They now not only controlled the shipping across Luo River but also began to dabble in the medicinal herb business.
Though herbs needed for the Tendon-Changing Pills were rare and hard to find, Junior Leopard didn't need much as he was making pills, not decoctions. Therefore, though it hadn't been easy, Anyuan Store scraped together all the necessary medicinal herbs by the time he returned from the northern prairie. Even if there was only very little of some of the rarer herbs, it was enough to make a bottle of Tendon-Changing Pills.
After swallowing three pills, Junior Leopard immediately practiced his martial arts to absorb its effects. Three streams of cold energy combined and began to wander along his tendons, meridians, and skeleton. The energy felt like icicles piercing his tendons, meridians, muscles, and bones, almost freezing them.
He was under the rock flows where an incessant heat was overflowing, yet it still wasn't enough to offset the severe coldness he felt.
He stood up with a rush and spread his legs, adjusting into position. His bones cracked as he moved, making a dull noise similar to what it sounded like when hard shoes stepped on an iced floor.
Soon after, the dull cracking of his bones adopted a mellower sound.
Clank, clank, clank― Rattle, rattle― Jingle, jingle―
The sounds changed as Junior Leopard made his moves, interchanging between fast and slow. First, he used the Moon-evil Painted Skin Punching Skill, then the Blood Evil Harden Bone Fist, and finally, the Tai Chi Quan.
His moves gradually slowed and, judging by his speed, he seemed to be carefully practicing Tai Chi. But his moves were fused with the ways of the Blood Evil Harden Bone Fist and the Moon-evil Painted Skin Punching Skill.
The sounds coming from his bones became quieter yet clearer.
Jingle, jingle, jingle―
It sounded like pearls falling on a plate of jade, clear and melodic.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh―
Suddenly, blasts of sound like tidewater appeared in this clear and melodic sound.