43: Chapter 43 Refining the Mystic Tortoise Shell

Ye Chen touched the storage ring and the Tianyun Sword Sect token in his embrace.

The trip to the mining area had been quite fruitful, but the real challenge had likely only just begun.

It seemed he would have to make a trip to the Molten Fire Abyss.

However, before that, he needed to further improve his strength.

He looked at the few red Ore pieces he had just searched from the Black Wind Stockade bandits, which contained not-weak Spiritual Qi of fire, and a plan formed in his mind.

Perhaps he could try to use the fire-attribute environment here, along with these Ore pieces, to refine the black tortoise armor.

Or even try to initially refine that wisp of Origin cold qi obtained from the ten thousand year profound ice?

Only by balancing ice and fire could one go further.

The risk was immense, but the rewards were equally enticing.

Inside the scarlet rock crevice, heat waves were steaming, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.

Compared to the bitter cold of the ice plains, this place was like a furnace.

Everyone found a slightly cooler corner to regulate their breathing and treat their wounds.

Liu Yiyi and Chen Feng took the Medicinal Pill provided by the Lin family to treat their wounds; their complexions improved significantly, and they were extremely grateful to Ye Chen and the others.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged in the deepest part, his back against the scorching rock wall, yet he seemed completely unaware of it.

He held in his hand several pieces of scarlet Ore searched from the Black Wind Stockade bandits; the Ore felt warm to the touch, and inside contained active Spiritual Qi of fire.

Not far away, Scarface and Lin Dong were whispering, discussing the route ahead.

Liu Yiyi occasionally lifted her eyes to peek at Ye Chen's back, her gaze complex—there was gratitude, curiosity, and a hint of an indescribable palpitation.

This youth was younger than her, yet his strength was so unfathomable.

Ye Chen closed his eyes and looked inward.

Inside his Dantian, the Profound Ice True Essence was like a blue ocean, slowly circulating, silent yet powerful.

But in this scorching environment, he could feel that this extreme power was faintly suppressed by the surroundings, and it did not circulate as smoothly and freely as it did on the ice plains.

The energy transformed from the black tortoise armor lay dormant in his chest, sending out waves of cool comfort, resisting the intense heat from the outside.

"Extreme cold leads to change; when things reach an extreme, they reverse. Perhaps I can use the Yang fire energy of this place to refine the black tortoise armor, or even try to guide a wisp of fire energy to balance the excessive cold qi in my body?"

A bold idea rose in Ye Chen's heart.

This idea was extremely dangerous; ice and fire conflict, and a moment of carelessness would result in his Meridians being completely destroyed.

But his personality never lacked a spirit of adventure, and furthermore, he faintly felt that this was the correct way to use a earth-attribute defensive Spiritual Artifact like the black tortoise armor.

Using thick earth to bear it, harmonizing Yin and Yang.

After thinking it through, Ye Chen took a deep breath of the scorching air, the burning sensation entering straight into his lungs.

With a thought, the black tortoise armor manifested a phantom image on his chest, emitting a khaki-colored halo.

At the same time, he activated his Cultivation Technique, carefully guiding a wisp of weak Spiritual Qi of fire through the Laogong point of his palm, slowly absorbing it into his body.

"Sss—"

The moment the Spiritual Qi of fire entered his body, it was like cold water dripping into boiling oil!

The previously calm Profound Ice True Essence instantly erupted!

The two forces of extreme cold and extreme heat clashed violently within his Meridians, bringing about a tearing, excruciating pain!

Ye Chen let out a muffled groan, his forehead instantly covered in fine beads of sweat, his body trembling slightly.

"Brother Ye?" Lin Dong noticed the abnormality and looked over with concern.

"It's nothing, I had a slight mishap while Cultivating; I will be fine after regulating my breathing for a moment."

Ye Chen gritted his teeth and replied in a hoarse voice, signaling them not to worry.

Scarface was experienced and could see that Ye Chen seemed to be attempting some kind of dangerous cultivation, his expression solemn.

He waved his hand to let everyone move further away so as not to disturb him, while he himself stood guard nearby with vigilance.

Ye Chen held onto his focus, running his Cultivation Technique with all his might, attempting to control that unruly wisp of Spiritual Qi of fire.

But although this Spiritual Qi of fire was weak, it was extremely pure and volatile, charging left and right under the stimulation of the Profound Ice True Essence, scorching his Meridians.

Just when he was about to lose control, the phantom of the black tortoise armor on his chest shone brightly, and a steady, heavy earth-attribute spiritual power spread out.

Like a dam, it constrained the clashing forces of ice and fire within a small range.

"It's effective!"

Ye Chen felt a boost in spirit and immediately seized the opportunity, guiding this constrained wisp of Spiritual Qi of fire to slowly approach the black tortoise armor.

Earth can overcome water, and it can also drain fire to generate metal; it was the perfect medium to harmonize ice and fire.

"Hum—"

Upon contacting this wisp of pure fire energy, the black tortoise armor emitted a slight humming sound, and the circulation of the khaki-colored halo accelerated.

It was as if parched land had received the nourishment of rain and dew; the tiny, barely visible patterns on the surface of the armor seemed to brighten a little, and the defensive aura it emitted became more solid and heavy!

At the same time, the volatile nature of that wisp of Spiritual Qi of fire was neutralized by the earth-attribute spiritual power of the black tortoise armor, turning into a warm, gentle current.

It fed back into Ye Chen's Meridians, dispelling some of the cold, leaving his whole body feeling warm and indescribably comfortable.

The Profound Ice True Essence, which had originally been suppressed by the environment, actually became more agile and smooth under the harmonization of this warm, gentle current!

Ice and fire, under the harmonization of the black tortoise armor, reached a delicate balance!

Ye Chen was overjoyed, knowing he had found the right direction!

He did not hesitate any longer and continued to carefully absorb the thin Spiritual Qi of fire in the rock crevice, using the neutralization and transformation of the black tortoise armor to refine the Spiritual Artifact bit by bit.

At the same time, he was also nourishing his own Meridians.

This process was slow and meticulous, consuming a great deal of mental energy, but he enjoyed it.

Without realizing it, two hours passed.

Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance flickering and disappearing within his pupils.

He stood up tall and stretched his limbs; the True Essence within his body was full and surging, more condensed and rounded than before, and his adaptability to the environment had also strengthened significantly.

With a thought, the black tortoise armor appeared on his body surface; the khaki-colored halo was more solid, faintly glowing with a barely perceptible, gentle red light. His defensive power had clearly increased by a notch!

"Brother Ye, are you alright?"

Seeing Ye Chen wake up, his aura seeming even stronger, Lin Dong hurriedly stepped forward to ask.

"I'm fine, I gained a little something."

Ye Chen smiled, feeling the sense of comfort after the harmony of ice and fire within his body, his confidence greatly increased.

He looked at Scarface, "Brother Scarface, what is our next move?"

Seeing that Ye Chen was unharmed and his aura was even stronger, Scarface felt relieved and said in a deep voice.

"According to the information provided by Miss Liu, the Black Wind Fiend and the experts from several major forces have very likely gone to the Molten Fire Abyss. It is an extremely dangerous place, but the opportunities are also the greatest. Should we..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a burst of hurried footsteps and panicked shouts suddenly came from outside the rock crevice!

"Help! Is anyone there? Save me!"

Everyone's expressions changed, and they immediately became alert.

Scarface signaled a guard to go out and investigate.

A moment later, the guard ran in with a blood-covered, raggedly dressed Loose Cultivator.

Seeing so many people, the Loose Cultivator was startled at first, but upon seeing that it was the Lin family's people, he acted as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, plopping onto his knees and crying out.

"My lords! Help! Ahead... in the valley ahead, there is, there is a monster! A man-eating monster! We had over a dozen people, and, and I'm the only one who escaped!"

"A monster? What monster? Speak clearly!" Scarface's brows knit together tightly.

The Loose Cultivator's face was deathly pale, and he was incoherent.

"It's, it's scorpions! Huge scorpions! They are covered in fire! They are invulnerable to blades and spears! They can even spray poisonous fire! We finally found a rich Ore cave, but not long after we went in, we were surrounded by them. Brother Li, Brother Zhang and the others... they are all dead! They are all dead!"

He was clearly scared out of his wits, his body trembling like a sieve.

"Earth Fire Scorpion King?"

Scarface and Lin Dong looked at each other, their expressions solemn.

An ordinary Earth Fire Scorpion is only a Tier 1 Yao Beast, but it could easily slaughter a dozen Meridian Opening Realm Loose Cultivators.

Among them there might be experts at the fifth or sixth level, so it is very likely a Tier 2 Scorpion King!

This thing is not easy to deal with.

But Ye Chen's heart stirred.

Earth Fire Scorpions like fire by nature and are often associated with high-quality fire-attribute Ore veins.

Their demon core contains pure fire spirit, and the scorpion shell is excellent material for refining fire-attribute armor, especially the Scorpion King, which is even rarer.

If he could obtain its demon core, it might help him further refine the black tortoise armor, and even attempt to strike at that mysterious state of ice and fire balance.

"In which direction? Take us to see."

Ye Chen spoke, his voice calm.

The Loose Cultivator was stunned and shook his head in terror.

"No! You can't go! That's suicide! That Scorpion King is too terrifying!"

"Trash!"

Scarface let out a cold snort.

"Point out the direction, and you stay here to treat your wounds!"

The Loose Cultivator pointed in a direction, trembling.

"It's... it's in that largest valley to the east. I don't dare to go anymore, I beg you lords to let me go."

Ye Chen ignored him and said to Scarface and Lin Dong.

"Brother Scarface, Brother Lin Dong, I wish to go and investigate. The Earth Fire Scorpion King is a treasure from head to toe, and its demon core might be useful to me. You can wait here, or find another path."

"What are you saying, Brother Ye!"

Lin Dong said immediately.

"Your business is our business! No matter how powerful that Scorpion King is, if we join forces, we might not be unable to take it down!"

Scarface also nodded.

"That's right. Although the Earth Fire Scorpion King is powerful, its intelligence is not high. If we plan properly, we have a chance. Moreover, the valley where the Scorpion King is entrenched must have extremely high-quality Ore veins; it's worth a fight."

Liu Yiyi and Chen Feng also expressed their willingness to go along.

Seeing that everyone had made up their minds, Ye Chen did not say anything more, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes.

"Alright! Then let us go and meet that Scorpion King! However, we need to plan carefully."

A moment later, the group quietly left the rock crevice and crept towards the valley pointed out by the Loose Cultivator.

Ye Chen took the lead, his aura restrained, his eyes sharp.

The initial harmonization of ice and fire he had just completed filled him with anticipation for the coming battle.

The Earth Fire Scorpion King would be yet another touchstone for him to verify his strength and hone his skills!

And the call of the Molten Fire Abyss became increasingly clear.