Chapter 73



Chapter 73: Cold Marrow Fire

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

From afar, the Cold Marrow Fire looked like a light blue flame.

When he got closer, he realized that it was actually as blue as the blue sky. It was clearly condensed from the cold air underground, but it had the brightness of the sky. It was a stark contrast to the dark and lonely environment of the Skeletal Crane Swamp.

Sensing the approach of the cultivators, the originally quiet immortal fire suddenly jumped and expanded to a height of dozens of feet!

At the same time, the chill from the Skeletal Crane Swamp in the entire trapping array was instantly swept away, and replaced by a scorching heat that seemed to have come from an incinerator.

However, in this heat, there was a bone-chilling coldness that rose from the bottom of the heart, making them shiver involuntarily.

Pei Ling was feeling extremely uncomfortable when Ouyang Xianxing snorted coldly. She did not dodge or give way as her slender and pale palm reached towards the immortal fire!

The immortal fire flourished and expanded again, instantly engulfing Ouyang Xianxing.

Pei Ling and Fang Ji were shocked. Just as Fang Ji was about to step forward to help, talismans emerged from the immortal fire. Oblivious to the burning heat, they stuck to the top of the fire. With every talisman that appeared, the fire became more subdued.

As if sensing the threat, the immortal fire suddenly spat out the unharmed Ouyang Xianxing and fled into the depths of the swamp at an extremely fast speed.

However, as soon as the immortal fire moved, Ouyang Xianxing immediately shook the array flag. In the next moment, the immortal fire was blocked by the array. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she pointed with her finger and pasted another talisman on the immortal fire.

The fire then changed direction and soared into the sky.

However, this Cold Marrow Fire had yet to develop intelligence after all. It relied on its instincts to deal with nature and was inflexible.

As soon as it levitated, Ouyang Xianxing used the same method to block it.

“Clack.”

Another talisman was added to its body, and the fire was subdued again.

The immortal fire could only leap around in the trapping array.

Ouyang Xianxing followed it like a shadow. The escape technique she had learned was like a light green smoke that adhered to the immortal fire and slapped on the talismans continuously.

Soon, after a series of twists and turns, the immortal fire had shrunk to the size of a palm. Talismans wrapped densely around it.

Ouyang Xianxing stood still and reached out to grab the immortal fire sealed by the talismans. However, there was no joy on her face. Instead, she frowned.

The Cold Marrow Fire could struggle for so long. Clearly, it had been born in the Gu Abyss for longer than expected.

In terms of quality, it was naturally better.

However, Pei Ling was only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. A newly born Cold Marrow Fire would be daunting for him, let alone the current immortal fire.

In order to prevent Pei Ling from turning into ashes the moment he came into contact with this cluster of immortal fire, she had to first remove the acquired cold energy that the Cold Marrow Fire had absorbed in the Skeletal Crane Swamp these past few days, leaving only the original source of fire.

After confirming that Xue Ying and Fang Ji were not making any moves and that the trapping array was intact, Ouyang Xianxing took out a pill and swallowed it. She returned to her normal state before entering the black coffin. Slowly and with great difficulty, she pulled out a snow-white bone dagger.

It was unknown what kind of creature’s bones this dagger was made of. It was pure white and flawless, and only the hilt was engraved with bright red spider lily patterns.

The patterns seemed to be alive. As soon as they appeared, they jumped up and wrapped around Ouyang Xianxing’s palm.

Immediately, they grew rapidly from her palm to her forearm until the right side of Ouyang Xianxing’s face was covered in complicated patterns of red spider lilies. Only then did they calm down slowly.

In just a short moment, Ouyang Xianxing’s forehead was covered in sweat. She plunged the dagger through a talisman to seal the immortal fire.

The moment the talisman was torn, it burned automatically.

The Cold Marrow Fire sealed inside did not return to its source. Instead, it floated along the blade of the dagger for a while and was quickly absorbed by the red spider lily patterns.

Next, Ouyang Xianxing plunged the dagger into all the talismans, one by one. The red spider lily patterns on the dagger became more and more beautiful, gradually turning from bright red to hazel.

After a while, all the talismans burned out, leaving the remnant of the Cold Marrow Fire that was only the size of a fingernail.

Ouyang Xianxing finally heaved a sigh of relief, but she did not dare to relax. She cast two spells to seal the dying immortal fire. Then she turned around and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She said in a low voice, “Let’s go. Let’s go somewhere else!”

Fang Ji looked at the immortal fire in her hand with envy and jealousy. When he heard this, he was stunned. “Go somewhere else?”

“Junior Brother Pei needs time to cultivate the Fire Receiving Art. It might not be safe to stay here.” Ouyang Xianxing nodded slightly and said, “I remember that there’s a piece of terrain in the Secluded Mushroom Cave. If it hasn’t changed, it’s a good hideout.”

There was a reason why she insisted on not retreating even though she knew that the Clear River Faction was hostile to her. The Gu Abyss was vast and unpredictable.

It would be fine if they met with obstacles before they obtained the Cold Marrow Fire.

Now that they had the Cold Marrow Fire, they should find a random place to hide for half a month. Unless there was a traitor or they were really unlucky, there would be no problem at all.

“But it might not be safe on the way to the Secluded Mushroom Cave this time.” The dissatisfaction in Fang Ji’s heart had reached its limit. He could not hold it in anymore and objected, “Senior Sister has a prejudice against Senior Brother Xue. Between the two of us, we have to keep a watchful eye on Senior Brother Xue. With Pei Ling’s cultivation level, if any poisonous mushroom slave were to self-destruct beside him, I’m afraid things would be beyond redemption!

Besides, hiding here for half a month is already quite stressful for us, let alone protecting Pei Ling.

I know that you always keep your promises. You promised the Branch Master that you would do your best to fulfill the mission.

But Senior Sister, please calm down and think about it carefully. It’s impossible now!

Either let this kid try to absorb the fire into his body on the spot, or give up this opportunity.”

Ouyang Xianxing’s expression turned cold. “At the critical moment, I will open the coffin to face the enemy. Are you relieved now?”

The black coffin on her back was clearly powerful. When Fang Ji heard this, he could not help but gasp and feel even more jealous. “What right does this kid have? Not only did the Branch Master fight for the Cold Marrow Fire mission for him, but even Senior Sister is paying such a high price for him?”

Pei Ling’s heart skipped a beat. Why can’t Ouyang Xianxing use the black coffin casually?

Then in the Dream Sensing Forest…

He stopped pondering and hurriedly said, “Senior Sister, Senior Brother, please stop fighting. I’m willing to try absorbing the fire into my body now!”

After all, Pei Ling had a huge debt to repay. How could he stay here for half a month?

Since he did not intend to hide his abilities and was already prepared to disguise himself as a genius, why waste time? He might as well let the system take over on the spot and refine this Cold Marrow Fire.

“Shut up!” Ouyang Xianxing frowned when she heard this and reprimanded softly, “Do you know that the Cold Marrow Fire has all kinds of benefits? Why are you observing the rules in this fight among the inner sect? You only have one chance to absorb the fire into your body. If you don’t succeed, you’ll die! It’s not a choice based on cultivation and willpower. Even if you covet the Marrow Cleansing effect, you can only flinch.”

She felt that Pei Ling was simply fooling around!

How long had it been since she taught him the Fire Receiving Art? If he said that he basically understood this Fire Receiving Art, he would be considered outstanding in terms of comprehension. He actually wanted to give it a try… In Ouyang Xianxing’s opinion, this Junior Brother Pei was indeed a newcomer to the sect who knew nothing.

“Senior Sister, why are you so arbitrary?” Reacting to Ouyang Xianxing’s anger, Fang Ji’s eyes flashed as he said, “Junior Brother Pei has only entered the sect for a few days, but he’s already so highly regarded by the Branch Master. Perhaps it’s because he’s talented?

Otherwise, why would the Branch Master, who has always been wise, pay such a huge price to side with outsiders?”

In order to coax Pei Ling, this was the first time Fang Ji called Pei Ling “Junior Brother”. He said amiably, “Junior Brother, don’t you think so? It can’t be that Branch Master is selfish, right? Branch Master has never done such a thing!”

If this drags on, I could have spent the time refining a few batches of superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills… Seeing that Ouyang Xianxing still had something to say, Pei Ling simply said in his mind, “System, I want to cultivate! I choose the [Fire Receiving Art], [Temporary Cultivation-Smart Duration], and [One-Click Management].”

“Ding Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!

Ding-Dong! Beginning to cultivate the Fire Receiving Art…

Ding-Dong! Immortal fire missing…

Ding-Dong! The system will give you a natural immortal fire for free…”

The next moment, the system controlled Pei Ling to walk towards Ouyang Xianxing expressionlessly and snatch the Cold Marrow Fire from her hand.

“Ding-Dong! Natural Immortal Fire gift complete. Cultivation continues…”