Chapter Sixty-Three: Spiritual Flame

She descended like a deity, wielding absolute power over life and death within the space.

The violet flame trembled in fear for a moment, then suddenly looked around, searching. Confused, it darted up and down, instinctively seeking out the source of the divine might that terrified it.

Qu Yiqiu silently observed its fiery form, her heart surging with excitement and secret delight. In her early years, she had apprenticed under Mo Qingli, and witnessing Mo Qingli summon the Heartfire of the Ghost Lotus had filled her with envy. She had vowed to herself that she would capture a flame at least as powerful as his.

She never expected that, by a twist of fate, she would encounter today the number one ranked flame on the Myriad Flames List—the Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame.

Its entire form was a deep indigo, shifting and uncertain in shape, though most often it resembled a tiny sparrow. Born with sentience, it was notoriously unruly. Legend had it that this spiritual flame traced its origins to the primordial era, its body infused with pure phoenix blood. In its infancy, its powers were weak and could barely manifest as a sparrow, but as it matured, it could transform into a true phoenix at will, devouring enemies and fearing neither monsters nor ghosts.

Qu Yiqiu’s gaze grew ever more fervent. Such a nearly unparalleled spiritual flame was here, in her own space!

The Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame hopped about, seemingly sensing Qu Yiqiu’s prying eyes. It turned to look around, but found nothing. Annoyed, it puffed up its body, conjuring the adorable image of a sparrow, and with a single peck, incinerated a robust spiritual tea plant to ashes.

Yet mere mischief did not seem to satisfy its fiery temper.

The Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame extended its domain, encircling an entire patch of spiritual herbs.

As the master of the space, Qu Yiqiu could clearly feel its rage.

Just as the Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame was about to continue its rampage, she sent forth a divine command, instantly binding its movements.

The swollen purple fire flickered around its body, unable to move even an inch.

Its simple consciousness could not discern the cause, only sensing a terrifying power manipulating it from behind.

Unwilling, the Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame let out a mournful cry, throwing all its strength against the binding force. The sound was melodious and sorrowful, reminiscent of a phoenix’s song.

Qu Yiqiu was now certain of its power and identity, and withdrew her divine sense.

She could not restrain her joy.

Though this journey had been so sudden that she hadn’t had time to bring Yao Zhimei and had fallen into a deep magma pool, the appearance of the Indigo Sparrow Phoenix Flame was enough to offset any unpleasantness.

Her gaze swept over the stone where Wu Feixian’s soul had perished, and her brows knitted slightly.

Huo Tangsheng’s strange behavior had finally been explained today.

It turned out to be Shen Kunyuan, the Holy Venerable who had ascended over a thousand years ago!

No wonder he was able to locate the Netherworld Realm, incite chaos in Qu Nan City, and infiltrate its treasury without detection.

Shen Kunyuan’s name was known throughout the cultivation world.

He was the first to unite the various demonic sects, founder of the Demon Saint Sect, and a master of formations and puppet arts.

Those demonic factions causing trouble in Qu Nan City had once been mere minor branches under the vast Demon Saint Sect.

Back when the Demon Saint Sect had not yet collapsed, no one paid attention to those branch codes.

After Shen Kunyuan ventured into a mysterious blessed land a millennium ago, he was never seen again.

No soul lamp was ever left for him in the Demon Saint Sect.

According to rumors circulating in the market, Shen Kunyuan never believed he would fall. If one day he disappeared, it meant he had ascended.

The members of the Demon Saint Sect seemed to share this belief.

After Shen Kunyuan’s absence for so long, the sect that once gathered all demons quietly descended into chaos, gradually forming factions each supporting different new Holy Venerables.

After a thousand years of struggle, none had gained advantage or truly secured the sect’s leadership.

For none could match Shen Kunyuan’s power.

Thus, the Demon Saint Sect splintered, and after a millennium of evolution, had become a patchwork of scattered demon sects.

Now, the most famous demonic sects were the three outstanding branches once under the Demon Saint Sect: the Corpse Refining Sect, Blood Fiend Sect, and Poison Manor.

Qu Yiqiu, reflecting on the current demonic forces in the cultivation world, wondered how they would react if they learned that the once mighty, all-powerful ancestor Shen Kunyuan had returned.

Probably, besides the righteous sects who would fear him, even the sects and manors split from the Demon Saint Sect would be terrified.

If Shen Kunyuan had retained his original Nascent Soul power, those demon sects would flock to him.

But...

Now he had seized Huo Tangsheng’s body, a status both awkward and his power unimpressive. Relying only on the golden puppet left from before, he likely could not intimidate the demonic sects, and even risked being killed in return.

His decision to kill Wu Feixian revealed his intentions—not to return to the Demon Sect for now.

As for what he might choose when his power grows, Qu Yiqiu could only guess.

But what she could be certain of at this moment was—

Once Huo Tangsheng’s identity as the Holy Venerable was exposed, neither the righteous nor demonic factions would spare him!

Everyone would unite to eliminate him before he had a chance to grow.

Qu Yiqiu’s eyes shone brightly.

She had uncovered Huo Tangsheng’s secret—she must make good use of it!

A cluster of grey-white light darted swiftly into her brow.

Little Yan hovered in her sea of consciousness, eyes closed, and said, “Master, I’ve found the way out.”

Unable to suppress her delight, Qu Yiqiu replied, “Well done, Little Yan! Let’s leave quickly!”

“Yes, Master.” Little Yan discreetly opened a slit in his eyes, his small mouth quietly leading the way.

Qu Yiqiu, caught up in excitement, failed to notice Little Yan’s bashfulness.

Twisting and turning, bypassing pillars of rock, slipping through magma waterfalls, and crawling through a series of narrow cave mouths, she finally emerged from the underground magma pool.

Looking around at the suddenly open barren hills, she grew curious about where she had arrived.

“Little Yan, have you seen anyone else nearby?”

Upon hearing this, Little Yan quickly shut his eyes, replying, “I saw two people. They weren’t wearing anything, embracing as though fighting? This isn’t a peaceful place, Master must be careful.”

Qu Yiqiu froze awkwardly, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Cultivating together in such an exposed place was certainly questionable.

Usually only demonic cultivators would do such things.

Thinking of Wu Feixian’s appearance, perhaps this really was a demonic territory.

Qu Yiqiu spread her divine sense, cautiously probing the area. After confirming no one was around, she took a vivid, flame-like red dress from her storage ring and put it on.

She then altered her appearance, becoming a woman of some modest beauty.

With her disguise complete, she boldly crawled out of the cave, flying toward the nearest city atop her Ice-Colored Jade Ribbon.

(End of chapter)