"Raking in the Profit"

As Ye Qiang approached the mysterious white-haired mummy, less than a step away, a hoarse yet solemn voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

Startled, Ye Qiang quickly retreated several steps, his gaze warily fixed on the white-haired mummy that was gripping the red longsword.

"You, young man, I didn't expect you to be the heir of the Endless Fire God. Fate truly is strange," the voice continued.

"I have roamed the world for years, slaying countless disciples of major sects and the remnants of demon royal bloodlines. I have reigned supreme without equal. But I never expected to be defeated by the Endless Fire God, Grata."

"Before my consciousness faded, you had already passed the test I left behind, the final vestige of my will. You are the heir I have been searching for."

Hearing that he was the heir of the Endless Fire God, a smile of joy involuntarily crept onto Ye Qiang's face. For someone so eager for power, this was certainly something worth celebrating.

After hearing the mummy claim that Ye Qiang was the successor it sought, Ye Qiang suppressed his internal joy and spoke with respect and humility: "I'm unworthy. How could I possibly inherit your legacy, senior?"

"Young man!" the voice boomed sternly. "Before my consciousness fades completely, you must listen carefully to what I am about to say."

"I am the Fire Martial Sword God', who was revered and feared by all sects and demon royal families a thousand years ago."

"In the battle against the demon royal family, I alone slew ten of their kings. Yet, in the struggle for leadership of the human race, I was unexpectedly defeated by the Endless Fire God, Grata."

"At that time, I was severely wounded and fled. As I passed through this land, I came across a group of demon royal descendants guarding a demon queen. She was channeling demonic energy into a seed, a demonic seed."

"I immediately realized that this was no ordinary seed. If it were to hatch, a Demon King would be born, and it would bring catastrophic ruin to all of humanity."

"Desperate to destroy the seed before it could unleash its demonic soul, I fought, but due to my grave injuries, I was slain by the remaining demon forces and buried here."

"Now, after a thousand years, the demonic seed has likely matured. Once it breaks open, it will unleash an unprecedented disaster for the world."

"In my final moments, I searched for an heir who could carry on my knowledge and destroy the seed before it causes further calamity."

"You, young man, are the heir I have been waiting for. My time is running out. After inheriting my legacy, you must go to the summit of the Black Giant Mountain and destroy the demonic seed hidden there. Only then will the world be saved from the disaster."

As the white-haired mummy finished speaking, its final vestige of consciousness was extinguished. The quiet of the rocky corner returned, with Ye Qiang standing in stunned silence.

After hearing the story, Ye Qiang silently paid his respects, muttering, "Senior, rest assured! I will carry forward your legacy."

"Wait a moment, senior, you haven't passed on your knowledge to me yet," Ye Qiang said aloud, but received no response. He then proceeded to approach the white-haired mummy, eager to claim the promised legacy.

As Ye Qiang watched, the white-haired mummy slowly turned to ash, consumed by the flames erupting from within his body. The red longsword that had once glowed brightly was now left sticking in the ground, its fire-red light extinguished, and it now resembled an ordinary mid-grade Earth-tier weapon. Nearby, a golden ring, scorched but still shining faintly, lay on the ground.

Ye Qiang walked over and picked up the red longsword, then grabbed the glowing golden ring. Just as he was about to turn and leave the rocky corner, it suddenly dawned on him—hadn't the old predecessor's embodiment burned his clothes? Wasn't he still naked?

He couldn't possibly return to his sect like this. If someone from his sect saw him, he'd lose all face.

Looking around, Ye Qiang found nothing that could cover him. After a moment of thought, he had an idea. In his memory, there was something called a "Qiankun Ring," a type of spatial ring used by higher-level cultivators. This ring could store many items in a separate space, but it could only be opened by its owner after a blood bond had been formed.

Even if someone else obtained it, they would have to wait until the owner's last shred of soul disappeared. Ye Qiang guessed that this ring likely belonged to the old predecessor when he was alive, though he had no idea how many valuable treasures might be inside. Perhaps it even contained some clothes?

Overcome with excitement and curiosity, Ye Qiang bit his finger and dropped a single drop of his blood onto the ring.

As a burst of golden light shot up into the air, Ye Qiang saw the ring was filled with herbs, pills, spirit energy crystals, and spirit stones. His eyes gleamed with greed as he sifted through the contents. Among a pile of herbs meant to replenish stamina, he found a manual titled Fire Martial Sword Technique.

Unfortunately, there were no clothes in sight, which left Ye Qiang with a slight feeling of disappointment.

After the initial excitement, Ye Qiang thought about the red longsword in his hand. Would it also bind to him? Without hesitation, he dropped another drop of blood onto the sword's blade.

The moment the blood touched the sword, the red longsword flashed brightly, and the characters Fire Martial Sword glowed prominently on the blade. As Ye Qiang inhaled deeply, he felt an exhilarating surge of energy flow through him. It was a feeling he recognized well.

Looking at the herbs, crystals, and the red longsword in his hand, Ye Qiang felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He walked out of the rocky corner with a grin on his face.

Though he had suffered greatly—being chased by the Savage Wolf King's sect, surrounded by vicious beasts, and nearly roasted alive by the Fire Martial Sword God's manifestation—this wasn't a total loss.

He had lost the Beast Heart he had painstakingly taken from the Savage Wolf King, making it impossible to complete the task assigned by his sect and earn a mid-grade Earth weapon. But now, he had this Fire Martial Sword, which somewhat made up for the loss.

All in all, Ye Qiang felt like he'd hit the jackpot today. He was starting to believe the old saying: "Surviving great danger always brings a reward!"

With that, Ye Qiang swiftly exited the fiery inferno that still raged within a hundred meters of him. He quickly made his way back into the bushes, where he had been hiding earlier to escape.