Chapter 176: Tang Valley
“Master, do we really have to go down?”
After putting on the Polar Cold Marrow Jade, they were no longer affected by the scorching heat, but looking at the bottomless, abyss-like rocky valley, Xia Yang and Xia Xue hesitated.
After all, continuing further down meant not only facing the threat of Exotic Fire but also being affected by Demonic Energy.
Baili Changfeng was also unsure, but since members of the Demon Race had infiltrated the Formation Eye’s center, he had to stop them. Moreover, the Demon Suppressing Guards were guarding outside the Military Formation, and they couldn’t withstand the Divine Soul attacks from the Demon Suppressing Guards.
With a Nascent Soul Cultivator present, along with some Magic Treasures he carried, they should be able to reach the Formation Eye’s center.
Seeing his two disciples showing signs of backing down, Hua Changxi’s expression was unreadable. Baili Changfeng could only say, “Do you know what place is below?”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi, Xia Yang, and Xia Xue all looked over, not understanding why Baili Changfeng would ask that.
Xia Yang: “The center of the Formation Eye.”
Baili Changfeng: “The center of this Formation Eye was called Tang Valley in Ancient Times.”
Xia Yang and Xia Xue exclaimed in unison: “This is Tang Valley below?”
The two clearly knew of Tang Valley.
Xia Xue said with sudden realization: “That’s right, the place where the Fusang Divine Wood grows, isn’t it Tang Valley?”
Xia Yang’s expression became somewhat excited: “Master, ancient texts record that there is a congenital hot spring bath in Tang Valley, which was the bathing place of the sun in the primordial era. Is this true?”
Baili Changfeng: “There is indeed a hot spring bath in Tang Valley, but whether it was the sun’s bathing place, I don’t know. However, for Fire Spiritual Root cultivators, the hot spring bath is definitely a blessed land. As long as they can withstand the Quenching of the hot spring bath, their Spiritual Root Quality will greatly improve, and they might even be able to form a Fire Spirit Body.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Yang and Xia Xue could no longer remain calm.
They were Fire Spiritual Root cultivators. Although their Spiritual Root Quality was good, compared to a Fire Spirit Body, it was absolutely not enough.
If they could form a Fire Spirit Body, their cultivation talent would definitely increase by a large margin.
Looking at his excited disciples, Baili Changfeng poured cold water on them: “Since the legend says the hot spring bath was the sun’s bathing place, the temperature there would definitely not be low. Not everyone can withstand the Quenching.”
Hearing this, Xia Yang and Xia Xue, who were previously excited, immediately deflated.
Yes, they couldn’t even withstand the Exotic Fire, how could they withstand the high temperature in the hot spring bath?
Baili Changfeng looked at Hua Changxi: “Senior’s Strength is immense. After dealing with those six members of the Demon Race, Senior could try entering the hot spring bath. It would definitely be beneficial.” By saying this, he also wanted to entice her with the benefits of Tang Valley, lest she give up halfway when encountering danger later.
Hua Changxi had not spoken, silently listening to the conversation of the master and his two disciples. Upon hearing Baili Changfeng’s words, she frowned: “Fellow Daoist Baili specifically came to stop Lu Yan. Are you all from the Artifact Saint Palace?”
Baili Changfeng’s expression paused. He didn’t understand why Hua Changxi suddenly mentioned Lu Yan, but he still nodded: “Yes, Lu Yan and I are both direct disciples of the Artifact Saint Palace.”
Hua Changxi: “The Four Great Sacred Lands are each responsible for suppressing one Formation Eye. The Artifact Saint Palace is responsible for suppressing this Formation Eye.”
Baili Changfeng nodded.
Hua Changxi: “Those demon race members were brought by Lu Yan. This means the instability of this Formation Eye stems from internal turmoil within the Artifact Saint Palace. I’m not wrong, am I?”
Baili Changfeng’s expression changed, but he nodded again: “What does Senior want to say?”
Hua Changxi: “Since the instability of this Formation Eye is caused by internal chaos within your sect, dealing with those demon race members is your responsibility. I merely stumbled upon you by chance. I can help you out of consideration for our shared humanity, but dealing with those demon race members is not my responsibility.”
Hearing this, Baili Changfeng and his two disciples’ expressions changed.
Hua Changxi continued: “Tang Valley is full of Exotic Fire. Those demon race members dared to go down before, they must have had some reliance. Fellow Daoist Baili, you should be mentally prepared.”
“No one knows the exact situation below Tang Valley. All I can do is help you if I have the spare capacity. Dealing with those demon race members still depends on yourselves. Please do not place your hopes on me.”
The instability of the Formation Eye threatened the Human World. Since she encountered it, she would not ignore it, but the primary responsibility for dealing with the demon race followers still needed to be clarified.
Baili Changfeng’s expression was somewhat awkward as Hua Changxi directly exposed his hidden thoughts: “Of course.”
Xia Yang, however, looked somewhat indignant: “Protecting the Formation Eye is everyone’s responsibility. If the Demonic Energy spreads to the Human World, Senior will not be able to escape and will also be affected. I originally thought Senior was a person of noble character, but I didn’t expect you to be such a selfish person who only cares about yourself.”
Hua Changxi’s expression turned cold upon hearing this. She released her Spiritual Pressure, directly forcing Xia Yang to the ground: “It’s not for you to comment on what kind of person I am.”
Seeing this, Baili Changfeng immediately stepped in front of Xia Yang, bearing the Spiritual Pressure for him, and said urgently: “Senior, my disciple speaks without restraint. Please do not take it to heart.”
Hua Changxi looked at Baili Changfeng until fine sweat beaded on his forehead before retracting her Spiritual Pressure, sneering: “I’ve seen plenty of cowards like him who like to shift responsibility onto others. If I were to truly hold a grudge, I’d find it beneath me to dirty my hands.”
Xia Yang, hearing Hua Changxi call him a coward, was very unconvinced and wanted to argue, but seeing his Master and Junior Sister glaring at him, he could only sullenly shut his mouth.
Baili Changfeng finally spoke up for his disciple: “My disciple is just worried and speaks carelessly.”
Hua Changxi was not appeased: “He can care about the world, but he shouldn’t transfer the responsibility of caring for the world to others. When others don’t meet his expectations, he resorts to flattery and then belittling. Does he really think everyone else is a fool?”
Baili Changfeng fell silent.
Hua Changxi tightly gripped the Floating Light Sword, suppressing its vibrations, and holding the Polar Cold Marrow Jade, said: “I have no obligation to protect you. After taking your things, I will be responsible for clearing the path and doing my best to block the Exotic Fire. As for other dangers, you are on your own.”
With that, she walked forward.
Seeing this, Baili Changfeng glared fiercely at Xia Yang, then quickly led his two disciples to follow.
Without a Nascent Soul Cultivator to lead the way, they might not have been able to reach the bottom of Tang Valley.
Previously, when climbing up from outside the volcano, the colors of the Exotic Fire were mainly red, orange, and yellow. Now, as they went from the top of the volcano towards the interior, after passing the flat outer perimeter and starting to descend, the first wisp of Exotic Fire that appeared was green.
“Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple?”
When the red, orange, and yellow Exotic Fires appeared, Hua Changxi thought it might be a coincidence. But now that green Exotic Fire had appeared, she couldn’t help but think of the natural order of light colors.
As soon as the Green Flame appeared, Hua Changxi felt a sense of closeness.
Pill Fire was green. Although this Green Flame was not Pill Fire, it carried a strong scent of grass and wood. It could definitely improve the quality of Alchemy when used as an aid, making it an invaluable treasure for Alchemists.
As before, Hua Changxi first subdued a wisp of Green Flame and absorbed it into her Dantian, then helped the Floating Light Sword absorb the Green Flame.
As they descended, it was indeed as Hua Changxi had guessed. After the Green Flame came the Cyan Flame, after the Cyan Flame came the Blue Flame, and after the Blue Flame came the Purple Flame.
When absorbing the Blue Flame into her Dantian, Hua Changxi already felt some strain. Subduing the Purple Flame took her considerable effort.
As soon as the Purple Flame entered her Dantian, her Qi Sea immediately began to boil, showing signs of instability. Hua Changxi also clearly felt a stinging pain from her Dantian.
At this moment, the Five Finger Mountain Seal, which had been hidden in her Qi Sea, flew out. Then, a vast power like a mountain rapidly radiated outwards, suppressing the boiling and surging Qi Sea.
As the Qi Sea returned to calm, the pain in her Dantian slowly subsided.
