138: Chapter 138 Azure Sea Lotus Heart Flame
The pillar of fire shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye, while a faint blue and green light flickered within; a blue-green lotus slowly bloomed inside it.
Everyone stared at that lotus with burning eyes. Had there not been Void Refining experts presiding high in the sky, countless people would have rushed forward impatiently.
"What kind of spiritual fire will it be?"
Looking up at the lotus, Ning Yuan's curiosity was completely piqued; this was the first time he had ever seen a spiritual fire manifest in the world.
Ning Yuan wasn't the only one curious; everyone present, including the Void Refining experts, was wondering exactly what kind of spiritual fire it was.
While everyone held their breath, the pillar of fire slowly vanished, leaving only that lotus in mid-air, still gradually blooming.
However, as the lotus bloomed, the temperature between heaven and earth rose again. It was far more terrifying than the temperature of that sky-reaching pillar of fire, and a violent aura began to spread.
It made many people feel their hearts leap in fear, as if they were facing a primordial beast that was about to devour them whole.
Some clever individuals had already begun to retreat quietly to avoid being unable to escape and losing their lives should something happen later.
Swoosh!
Just as the lotus was about to fully bloom, a streak of blue-green light suddenly shot out from within and bolted into the distance, turning into a black dot in an instant.
"Chase it!"
A thunderous roar erupted. Before the voice even faded, many figures soared into the sky, collectively flying toward the direction the spiritual fire had fled, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Those who left included four Void Refining experts and many Soul Transformation Cultivators; as for Nascent Soul Cultivators, not a single one went.
The sudden turn of events left many people baffled, but with the explanations of those in the know, many finally came to a realization.
"This is a spiritual fire that has birthed intelligence. It is unwilling to be subdued, which is why it fled!"
"So that's how it is! I thought it was just a ball of flame!"
"Only spiritual fires of the sixth rank and above possess intelligence, so even if a Void Refining expert wants to subdue this fire, it won't be easy!"
"Then what kind of spiritual fire is this? Are there any knowledgeable Fellow Daoists who can tell everyone about it!"
"..."
Ning Yuan listened silently to the crowd's discussion and gained an understanding of what had just happened. He never imagined that a flame could develop intelligence; it was something he hadn't even dared to think of before.
Suddenly, Ning Yuan heard a sentence that made him immediately look at the lotus remaining high in the sky, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"Hehe, I actually do know! This is the azure sea lotus heart fire. It is only born at the junction of the ocean and mountain ranges. It must undergo the extreme tempering and compression of both simultaneously... to grow from a tiny spark into a sixth-rank spiritual fire!"
"That's not all. Look at that lotus; it is also a rare treasure with various wonderful uses. Let me slowly explain... Eh? I haven't finished yet!"
Seeing that some people could not wait and were about to rush up to snatch the lotus, a white-haired old man suddenly stomped his feet in anxiety. He hadn't even mentioned the dangers yet; wasn't this just seeking death!
"Ah!"
Sure enough, those people had only just closed within ten feet of the lotus when they let out miserable screams and were turned to ash, vanishing instantly as the breeze blew past.
Among those people were several Soul Transformation experts, yet their end was the same as the Nascent Soul Cultivators—not even their bones remained!
"What's going on?"
"Hasn't the azure sea lotus heart fire escaped? How can it still have such power?"
"Even Soul Transformation experts died. It seems this lotus is not meant for us!"
"..."
Ning Yuan was also secretly alarmed, feeling lucky that he hadn't acted rashly; otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he died.
He hadn't expected the leftover lotus to possess such power. He couldn't imagine what kind of world-destroying capabilities the azure sea lotus heart fire itself possessed.
And this was only a sixth-rank spiritual fire. Above it were seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks; their power was even more unimaginable!
"Is this not throwing away one's life? The azure sea lotus heart fire has just left, and that terrifying high temperature hasn't dissipated yet!" The old man shook his head and sighed. If they had listened to him finish, they wouldn't have lost their lives.
The surrounding crowd realized the intricacies involved. Fortunately, they hadn't rushed up in a hurry; otherwise, the people from before would be the best examples.
One person asked the question everyone wanted to know: "May I ask, Senior, when will this high temperature dissipate?"
"At least a month or so, however..." The old man stroked his beard and pondered, pausing at the critical moment. After baiting everyone's appetite, he said slowly:
"If a Void Refining expert were to act, it would naturally be no problem!"
"Tch, if I were a Void Refining expert, would I still be here listening to your nonsense?"
"Wasting my time. Scatter, scatter!"
"Let's go, let's go. The Sea Race has already left; let's go back too!"
"..."
The old man's words were met with boos from everyone. They hadn't expected this answer; wasn't he just playing with them? If they had Void Refining cultivation, would they still be fighting to the death here?
Consequently, they all headed back, staying no longer. If it took a month for the heat to dissipate, the Void Refining experts would have returned by then, and there would be nothing left for them.
The Sea Race had quietly retreated into the sea while the Void Refining experts were chasing the azure sea lotus heart fire. Since the spiritual fire had already manifested, there was naturally no need to continue fighting.
"I am trying to broaden your horizons. Instead of being grateful, you complain about me. This is simply outrageous!"
Watching the Cultivators disperse one after another, the old man showed a look of anger. After cursing a few times, he also left in a huff, flicking his sleeves.
To avoid drawing attention, Ning Yuan also left the area at a leisurely pace, but his mind was on the old man's words. He wondered if they were true.
If they were, then that lotus would be his for the taking!
He hadn't originally thought he could obtain the spiritual fire, intending at most to watch the excitement, but he hadn't expected an unexpected harvest.
Now that the Sea Race was no longer surrounding Seven Fragrances Island, he could leave whenever he wanted. So whether it was true or false, it was worth a try!
Having made his decision, Ning Yuan quietly disappeared into the crowd, while also changing his appearance to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Swish!
Not long after, a dark shadow suddenly appeared before the lotus. In an instant, both the lotus and the dark shadow vanished without a trace.
Upon discovering the lotus was gone, a massive uproar was immediately triggered. The entire Seven Fragrances Island was in a frenzy of discussion!
Everyone knew a Void Refining expert had made a move!
...One month later.
"Is this the azure sea lotus heart fire?"
On the bow of the cloud command boat, a lounge chair was placed. Ning Yuan lay on it leisurely, toying with a small spark in his hand. Its appearance was identical to the azure sea lotus heart fire that had manifested on Seven Fragrances Island.
After Tao Yao took the lotus, they waited until today for the high temperature to completely fade. Tao Yao then tossed the lotus to Ning Yuan. After the System's reward, he obtained the azure sea lotus heart fire.
This fire was different from the one on Seven Fragrances Island. Not only did it lack intelligence, but its power was also greatly reduced, comparable to a first-rank spiritual fire. It could be said to be pitifully weak.