Heart of the Earth Core Refining Flame
Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Junior Brother Wu, what brings you to the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area today?"
Even from a distance, Zuo Shuiyun greeted him with a flattering smile.
Wei Ding, on the other hand, was less enthusiastic and wore a cold expression.
The underground passage was the entrance to the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area, where the Earth Core Refining Flame was sealed.
Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding were responsible for guarding the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area.
Song Wen said, "Senior Sister Zuo, Elder Wei, I am here to collect a strand of the heart fire from the Earth Core Refining Flame for the needs of the Serpent Cave's corpse refining."
The heart fire is the core part of the spirit fire, and extracting it would weaken the spirit fire.
However, the Earth Core Refining Flame sealed beneath the Alchemy Peak was carefully cultivated by the Beastmaster Sect and had grown remarkably strong.
Taking just one strand of the heart fire would not affect the entire Earth Core Refining Flame.
It is worth mentioning that the heart fire is not a divided flame; it will automatically dissipate after a certain amount of time and cannot be used as a seed for cultivating spirit fire.
Wei Ding's expression turned serious as he coldly said, "The Spirit Flame Forbidden Area is a critical location for the sect. Without the command of the peak master, no one is allowed to enter."
Since Fang Pengyi became the sect master, he had not relinquished his position as the Alchemy Peak master.
When Wei Ding referred to the peak master, he was talking about Fang Pengyi.
Song Wen was taken aback.
"Have you two not received the sect master's orders yet?"
"I just came from the sect master's side, and he has already approved this matter. The sect master said he would send someone to inform you. Could it be that he's too busy and forgot?"
"What should we do now! When I left, the sect master mentioned he would enter seclusion for a few days. The Serpent Cave is still waiting for the spirit flame for corpse refining."
"I've been pondering for days, finally coming up with a plan that could potentially expedite the corpse refining process. Now, it seems like it's going to be stalled; I can only wait for the sect master to finish his seclusion before trying new methods of corpse refining."
Wei Ding looked at Song Wen with skepticism.
"Using the Earth Core Refining Flame for corpse refining? Elder Wu, are you joking?"
The Earth Core Refining Flame is not some evil fire that can assist in corpse refining.
On the night Zhou Xuelin died, Fang Pengyi had summoned all the foundation-building cultivators from the Alchemy Peak to watch, which included Wei Ding and Zuo Shuiyun.
Therefore, these two were somewhat aware of the ins and outs of the human-serpent corpse refining method.
Song Wen replied, "What would I gain from lying to you? The Earth Core Refining Flame is for corpse refining; I've reported this to the sect master, and he agrees with the plan."
"If you don't believe me, you can certainly contact the sect master for verification. Oh, I forgot, the sect master is in seclusion."
Fang Pengyi being in seclusion was, of course, a fabricated lie by Song Wen.
However, Song Wen wasn't worried; the two of them could message Fang Pengyi.
Because the two of them did not have a communication jade slip from Fang Pengyi.
Before Fang Pengyi took the position of sect master, all foundation-building cultivators in the Alchemy Peak had his communication jade slip.
Once he was promoted to sect master, he felt that his status was different from before, and not just anyone could qualify to possess his communication jade slip.
Thus, he made new communication jade slips and discarded the old ones.
Song Wen had only obtained Fang Pengyi's new communication jade slip ten days ago, after the first Supreme Elder appeared in the Serpent Cave, so it was not something Zuo Shuiyun or Wei Ding had.
Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding exchanged glances, and neither of them easily believed Song Wen's words.
Zuo Shuiyun smiled brightly and said sweetly, "Junior Brother Wu, it's not that Elder Wei and I don't want to help you; it's just that the sect has rules, and we dare not overstep."
"I understand your difficulties, and rest assured, I won't make things difficult for you."
Song Wen said dejectedly.
He raised his sword light, ready to leave. Suddenly, he stopped again.
"Senior Sister Zuo, Elder Wei, we are old acquaintances. When I first joined the sect, I received care and guidance from both of you, which I have always remembered."
"I see that the environment in the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area is harsh and the remuneration is quite low. May I ask, have you two considered changing positions?"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Shuiyun's eyes sparkled with interest.
Even Wei Ding, who had been cold-faced, showed a flicker of emotion.
"Elder Wu, are you willing to help us and transfer from this place?" Zuo Shuiyun asked excitedly.
Both she and Wei Ding had had enough of the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area.
Inside the Spirit Flame Forbidden Area, the chaotic fire-attributed spiritual power caused a severe imbalance in other types of elemental energies.
Except for cultivators with single-element fire spiritual roots, others simply could not cultivate in the forbidden area.
Especially for Wei Ding, who had been demoted and sent to guard this place.
Unless there was a significant reason, it would be difficult for him to be reassigned.
Zuo Shuiyun's situation was slightly better than Wei Ding's.
She had made no mistakes and was good at socializing; as long as she fulfilled her term, she could be transferred.
However, there was no position on the Alchemy Peak that compared to the Serpent Cave.
That was the place where the First Supreme Elder conducted business.
Thus, when Song Wen mentioned the possibility of changing positions for them, both of them were deeply moved.
"Ten days ago, the First Supreme Elder suddenly appeared in the Serpent Cave, requesting to expedite the corpse refining of the human-serpent. Currently, the Serpent Cave is in urgent need of personnel. If both of you are willing, you could serve in the Serpent Cave."
"I can't say much about the Serpent Cave, but in terms of monthly salary, it is definitely the best in the sect. Moreover, as long as you work diligently, you will undoubtedly be promoted to elder steward in no time."
Zuo Shuiyun was overjoyed and flew to stand before Song Wen.
"Junior Brother Wu, is that true?"
Song Wen smiled, "Would I deceive my senior sister?"
Then he looked at Wei Ding and said, "Elder Wei, what do you think?"
Although Wei Ding was tempted, he still had doubts.
"Would you really be so kind as to help me?"
Song Wen replied, "Elder Wei, you have carefully taught me alchemy techniques, making you half a mentor to me. Why would I deceive you? Besides, what is there for me to gain from lying to you both?"
Wei Ding opened his mouth, wanting to say something further.
But he was preempted by Zuo Shuiyun.
With a gentle smile, Zuo Shuiyun said, "Junior Brother Wu, then it's settled."
Seeing this, Wei Ding no longer hesitated and quickly spoke up.
"Thank you, Elder Wu. I am willing to go."
Song Wen nodded, "In a few days, when the sect master comes out of seclusion, I will speak with him to finalize this matter."
After saying this, Song Wen prepared to leave on his sword, but suddenly stopped again.
"Would you both do me a favor and let me enter to collect a strand of the heart fire from the Earth Core Refining Flame? A mere strand of heart fire will not have any effect on the Earth Core Refining Flame."
Upon hearing this, the joy on Zuo Shuiyun and Wei Ding's faces suddenly faded.
"This..."
Zuo Shuiyun looked troubled and turned to Wei Ding.
In her heart, she truly did not want Song Wen to step into the forbidden area even a single step; she hoped Wei Ding would refuse him.
However, Wei Ding's response was completely unexpected to her.
"Elder Wu, if you wish to take a strand of heart fire, that is naturally no problem."
As he spoke, he took out a black token, activated it, and lightly waved it toward the entrance of the passage.
The restrictions at the entrance of the passage immediately opened.
Wei Ding, having been demoted to this position, was even more eager than Zuo Shuiyun to be assigned to the Serpent Cave.
If he missed this opportunity, he did not know when he would have another chance to be transferred.
Moreover, in his subconscious, he did not believe that Song Wen would do anything to harm the Earth Core Refining Flame. That would be a path to self-destruction.
(End of the Chapter)
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Translated 4 Series, 1.65K+ Chapters and 2.01M+ Words.