Chapter 146.1: True Sun Fire, So Useful

“Why are all of them Profound-tier cultivation methods?

Hmm

?” Qi Yuan’s eyes suddenly lit up. “

Oh

? There’s actually a Heaven-tier cultivation method here!”

He had never seen a Heaven-tier cultivation method before! It came from Qian Yuan’s storage bag, called the Seven-Source Dark God.

Qi Yuan was thrilled. The Qi Yuan Scripture had been stuck for a long time. The Heaven-tier cultivation manual could inspire him, propelling the scripture’s progress forward.

“I really feel like going back to build him a grave... Forget it, when the Bright Palace people return and find out, they’ll build one for him. Let's pretend I built it. What a haul. Really, old geezers drop loot like gold coins. From now on, my white moonlight has to meet some strict requirements. Otherwise, riff-raff like Po Lang can climb into the ranks, and that’s far too degrading. Firstly, their age must be high. The older the better. Secondly, their cultivation must be high. Again, the higher the better. Thirdly, their lifespan must be short. Old men die much more easily.”

After skimming the manual, Qi Yuan flew toward Cloud City.

***

Night gradually fell. Xu Tongchen waited quietly outside the cave residence.

I wonder how strong his opponent is? Does he need my help? What if he dies out there? The enemy shouldn’t be too hard to kill, right?

Many thoughts flickered through Xu Tongchen’s mind.

He couldn't remain outside for too long because Huang Tu wouldn't allow it. In fact, Huang Tu even had hidden spies watching Xu Tongchen. How he despised Huang Tu and the Bright Palace! But

alas,

he was powerless to resist.

Suddenly, someone uttered in a clear voice, “You’re still here?”

Xu Tongchen looked up and immediately saw that familiar figure. The True Sun Fire began heating up again.

“Did you kill them all?” he asked.

Judging by the tidiness of Qi Yuan's clothes and his stable aura, Xu Tongchen assumed the enemy had been weak.

“Yes, all done. A bunch of old men, they barely put up a fight,” Qi Yuan said casually. “Come inside. Let’s talk.”

He was quite interested in the True Sun Fire.

Xu Tongchen didn’t hesitate and followed Qi Yuan into the cave.

Qi Yuan cut straight to the chase. “Fellow Daoist, may I borrow your True Sun Fire to take a look?”

This startled Xu Tongchen. Wasn’t

he

supposed to be the one questioning Qi Yuan? Still, remembering he had a favor to ask, he didn’t hide anything. Displaying it wasn't a problem in any case.

Of course, Xu Tongchen didn't forget to warn, “Be careful, don’t let the True Sun Fire burn you.”

Thus, he began forming seals. A round, Golden Core appeared within the cave, emanating a powerful aura.

Qi Yuan remarked instinctively, “Your Golden Core is a bit too small. It doesn’t look very durable.”

Xu Tongchen froze. His Golden Core was a high-ranking Earth grade! On the Cuiyun Continent, there were hardly any cores superior to his!

He forcefully suppressed his thoughts as a strand of flame leaped from the core. It was tiny, no larger than a candle flame, yet its aura was terrifying.

Qi Yuan sensed that even a Nascent Soul would likely suffer greatly if ignited by it.

The True Sun Fire was dim within and bright without, radiating intense golden light. It danced before Qi Yuan, almost as if trying to break away from Xu Tongchen.

Even Xu Tongchen could feel the fire’s eagerness and its inexplicable affection toward the man before him. Because of that, even Xu Tongchen felt a strange warmth and admiration toward Qi Yuan.

[True Sun Fire is a divine flame. Only the fated ones may comprehend it. Capable of devouring all flames under heaven. A sun that possesses True Sun Fire can devour the stars.]

Qi Yuan paused at the final line. Joy burst across his face. This was like one of

those

special flames from the worlds of fire cultivators! His golden opportunity had finally arrived!

If he comprehended True Sun Fire and fed it to his Golden Core, wouldn’t it be able to rampage and feast across an entire universe?

He stared at Xu Tongchen, eyes blazing. “Why don’t you give me your flame?”

Xu Tongchen stared blankly.

So direct!?

A warning flashed in his heart. “This flame cannot be given away.”

Qi Yuan said rapidly, “Name any condition. Do you have enemies? I’ll kill them. You have a white moonlight? I’m an expert at chasing people down.”

He was the embodiment of justice, he would not rob or murder without cause.

Xu Tongchen stared at him strangely. “This fire truly cannot be given.”

The True Sun Fire was his lifeline. It was something he personally comprehended, akin to a divine technique.

“Look, your True Sun Fire is practically calling me daddy.” Qi Yuan stared at the flame as if it were his long lost son, longing bleeding from his eyes.

Xu Tongchen could only sigh, dropping the topic. “Fellow Daoist, do you know the reason behind this phenomenon?”

He was dying to know the answer to that question. His True Sun Fire burned hotter and stronger, constantly growing.

“Because I am the sun,” Qi Yuan answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Xu Tongchen was speechless.

Qi Yuan asked, “If I observe your True Sun Fire daily, can I eventually comprehend my own?”

Since he couldn’t take it, he’d find another way.

Despite the absurdity of the question, Xu Tongchen remained patient, and answered seriously, “It should be possible. I spent twenty years comprehending it. If I display my True Sun Fire for half an hour each day, you might comprehend it in twenty years with a high enough talent.”

Qi Yuan offered, “How about this? Each time you let me study it, I'll help you kill people. I’m very good at it. As long as they deserve it, I won’t show them mercy.”

Xu Tongchen found him stranger by the moment. If even he couldn’t deal with them, Qi Yuan wouldn’t either. And those he could deal with were already gone.

Eventually, Xu Tongchen said, “Fellow Daoist, there’s no need. Displaying the True Sun Fire beside you benefits me as well. I’ll visit you daily for the time being.”

Not only this arrangement suited Xu Tongchen's temperament, his core also made him feel genuine goodwill toward Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan declared, “That’s decided, then. You visit me for half an hour each day. Until I comprehend True Sun Fire, I’ll cover you from now on.”

Xu Tongchen smiled. “Then I hope you comprehend slowly, so you can cover me for longer.”

He was joking, of course. Even a Violet Palace powerhouse couldn’t protect him against the Bright Palace, let alone this bizarre cultivator.

“Relax, my talent already rivals the top classes in high-level academies. Comprehending True Sun Fire is no big deal!” His Star Core was still a Golden Core, after all. Comprehending True Sun Fire should be easy. “Come, let me take a good look at this thing.”

Qi Yuan studied the flame intently. Half an hour later, he slumped in disappointment. “This is too hard.”

He had comprehended absolutely nothing.

Xu Tongchen chuckled. “This is normal.”

His True Sun Fire grew a little stronger.

Qi Yuan felt slightly embarrassed. “No worries. Come again tomorrow.”

***

The next day, more than ten Violet Palace cultivators gathered at the Bright Palace Grand Hall.

At their head stood the Third Palace Master, Zi Ran. Her phoenix-like eyes were calm, unreadable. “Qian Yuan died in the Bright King Palace. What do you all think?”

The gathered Violet Palace cultivators stirred. Qian Yuan was among the Bright Palace’s top ten in strength. He was even one of their best hopes at reaching late-stage Violet Palace realm. Yet he met his end at the Blood-Clothed Sword God’s hand.

One elder said heavily, “To kill five Violet Palace in succession, he must've been a late-stage Violet Palace.”

Within the entire Bright Palace, only the three Palace Masters were late-stage Violet Palace.

Another elder said angrily, “Elder Qian Yuan had immense potential, and yet the Blood-Clothed Sword God killed him without a care! The utter disrespect! If we elders join forces with the three Palace Masters, he will surely die!”

Used to reign above all else, this was their first time feeling life-threatening danger. Naturally, they were furious.

The dozen Violet Palaces quickly reached the same conclusion. “To kill Elder Qian Yuan without mercy, he’s outright disrespecting us. Either he dies, or we perish.”

The Bright Palace was the overlord of Cuiyun Continent. The Prodigy Battle would soon begin here. If their prestige was tarnished by a single late-stage Violet Palace, how would they stand in the Eastern Lands?

Zi Ran said, “Tell all Violet Palace cultivators to be cautious. Do not travel alone. If there are any signs of the Blood-Clothed Sword God, report it immediately. I will personally take care of him.”

“Yes, Palace Master!” they all responded.

The Bright Palace had more than sixty Violet Palaces. How could one Violet Palace rival sixty?

Slaying Qian Yuan and four others had likely worn the Blood-Clothed Sword God down. Of course, this was judging by normal standards. Unfortunately, none of those applied to Qi Yuan.

Zi Ran then said, “Send word. Huang Tu is to prioritize the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle. He doesn't need to return for his master’s funeral.”

Securing a top-twenty spot in the Prodigy Battle was paramount—second only to the Hundred Nations Blood War. Even killing the Blood-Clothed Sword God mattered less than that.