"The Five Spirit Orbs? Are you planning to use them to achieve immortality?" Xia Yuancheng looked at Daniel Davis in astonishment. As a wandering immortal, Xia Yuancheng naturally knew of the Five Spirit Orbs. What surprised him was that Daniel seemed to be interested in them.
The Five Spirit Orbs held a status in the Sword and Fairy universe comparable to the Infinity Stones in Marvel. True experts didn't care much for them, while those who sought them often found it nearly impossible to locate them. For most people, the Five Spirit Orbs were shrouded in mystery. Even Han Lingsha only knew of them because her family had once possessed the Thunder Spirit Orb and because she had uncovered various records through her tomb-raiding endeavors.
Xia Yuancheng's reaction was understandable. As a wandering immortal, he was acutely aware of how difficult it was to achieve immortality. While he had told Daniel and the others they had the potential to ascend to immortality, it was more a polite encouragement than a realistic assessment. In the history of the Sword and Fairy universe, countless geniuses had walked the path of cultivation, but how many had truly achieved immortality?
Even Li Xiaoyao, who had been nourished by the Water Spirit Orb's power since childhood, ultimately failed to achieve immortality. Wang Xiaohu's situation was even less promising. As for whether Murong Ziying eventually ascended, opinions were divided—his appearance a century later made it difficult to definitively conclude. After all, for a cultivator like Murong Ziying, living for such a long time was normal.
The only protagonist who definitively achieved immortality was Xu Changqing, and that was only because of the immense sacrifice and power of Zixuan. Of all the protagonists in the series, the only one who might have truly achieved immortality through his own means was Yun Tianhe.
Yun Tianhe's unique circumstances—his destined encounter with the Candle Dragon and his possession of the Houyi Sunshooting Bow, a divine artifact—made him a rare exception. But ironically, Yun Tianhe never had any real interest in becoming immortal. This unintentional disdain for something so coveted by others was perhaps what made Xuanxiao harbor a faint sense of jealousy toward him.
Cultivating internally and wielding a divine artifact externally—that was Yun Tianhe.
"Immortality? That's not my goal. I'm pursuing the Five Spirit Orbs for a different reason. Rest assured, I intend to use them to save someone," Daniel said calmly.
This statement was not a lie. However, the specifics of who Daniel intended to "save" were a matter of interpretation. Taking the Five Spirit Orbs out of the Sword and Fairy universe wasn't something Daniel was overly concerned about. Unlike the Houyi Sunshooting Bow, whose removal might provoke the wrath of Great God Jumang, the Five Spirit Orbs were different.
The Five Spirit Orbs were essentially crystallizations of spiritual energy. Once their power was depleted, new orbs would naturally form. Even if Daniel took the current Five Spirit Orbs, new ones would eventually emerge. Given the timeline of the Sword and Fairy series, new Five Spirit Orbs would likely appear by Jing Tian's era.
Interestingly, there was another theory about the Five Spirit Orbs in the Sword and Fairy lore. Some believed the orbs Daniel sought weren't the "true" Five Spirit Orbs. The original orbs were said to have been merged into the earth's ley lines by the Three Sovereigns. The ones Daniel sought might merely be projections or reflections of the true Five Spirit Orbs.
"I see. Forgive me for misunderstanding. I do know the location of the Wind Spirit Orb, but I advise you to abandon this pursuit," Xia Yuancheng said with a sigh.
"Where is the Wind Spirit Orb?" Daniel's eyes lit up at this revelation.
"In the Divine Realm."
"Damn it."
Hearing Xia Yuancheng's answer, Daniel nearly cursed aloud. If the Wind Spirit Orb were located somewhere in the human realm—be it in the Shushan Sect, another sect, or even in one of the mythical locations like the Ten Continents and Three Islands, or the Thirty-Six Minor Cave Heavens—it might still be possible, however unlikely, to retrieve it. But in the Divine Realm? That was a lost cause. Daniel wasn't Jing Tian, with a powerful past life and access to the God-Demon Well that could connect to the Divine Realm.
"Thank you, Scholar Xia. Could I ask for your help in keeping an eye out for the other Spirit Orbs? Specifically the Thunder Spirit Orb and the Fire Spirit Orb," Daniel asked politely.
He already had the Earth Spirit Orb, and he knew the Water Spirit Orb was in the Qionghua Sect. The Wind Spirit Orb was out of reach in the Divine Realm, leaving the Thunder and Fire Spirit Orbs unaccounted for.
"No problem," Xia Yuancheng agreed readily, demonstrating his amiable nature.
"Scholar Xia, I have a piece of information regarding you—or, more specifically, regarding Jinglan," Daniel said after a moment's hesitation, deciding to share something important.
"Jinglan? What about her?" Xia Yuancheng's face immediately filled with concern at the mention of Jinglan.
"This is something I learned by chance in the Ghost Realm. Please keep this to yourself. Jinglan has actually always been by your side," Daniel said, using a voice transmission technique to relay the sensitive information to Xia Yuancheng.
The love stories in the Sword and Fairy universe were profoundly moving, and this was why Daniel had no personal interest in Han Lingsha or Liu Mengli. In other worlds, he might have pursued such relationships without hesitation, but not here.
On his journey so far, Daniel had disrupted quite a few original pairings from various universes. For instance, in the Harry Potter series, the trio's romantic dynamics were now in disarray, and if Daniel had been more ruthless, he might have even pushed Harry Potter toward becoming the third Dark Lord.
Harry, who had endured years of mistreatment from his relatives, had reveled in the respect and admiration he received in the wizarding world. There were moments in the original series where he was arrogant or jealous of others. But now? He had been reduced to a mere background figure.
In terms of magic, Harry was decent, but academically he was average—better than Ron but far from outstanding. Without Dumbledore's favoritism, he wouldn't have stood out as much. With Daniel's changes to the Quidditch rules, Harry couldn't shine there either. And without his heroic exploits against Voldemort, his reputation was lackluster.
In contrast, both Grindelwald and Voldemort were geniuses—masters of magic and skilled manipulators of political power. Harry lacked both qualities and was no longer an inspiring figure.
Back in the One Piece universe, Daniel had similarly disrupted Luffy's potential romance with Boa Hancock. While Luffy had still punched a Celestial Dragon, he wasn't the first to do so, changing Hancock's attitude toward him.
"Jinglan..."
After hearing Daniel's account, Xia Yuancheng looked tenderly at Lotus Treasure, who was fiddling with her fingers. His eyes were filled with affection. Seeing this, Daniel quietly left the room.
"Six lifetimes of following him... Ai."
Jinglan's unwavering determination to stay by Xia Yuancheng's side—going so far as to reincarnate repeatedly, even as a plant—was deeply moving. Such devotion would touch even the hardest of hearts, and Daniel was no exception.
"I hope that Jiang woman from the Thousand Buddha Pagoda finds her happiness as well," Daniel thought as he stepped outside and looked up at the sky. He recalled the tragic self-sacrifice of the Jiang woman and the rumor that her spirit had followed Qin Yi into reincarnation. While some ghostly officials had claimed the two were destined to be apart, Jinglan's story suggested otherwise.
As for "fate," even Yun Tianhe had declared, "My fate is my own, not the heavens'." Daniel couldn't allow himself to be outdone by Yun Tianhe.
The belief that humanity could triumph over destiny had always been central to Daniel's worldview—just as Great Yu's flood control contrasted with Noah's passive ark.
"Perhaps I've been too trapped in the game's narrative. Why am I so focused on stopping Xuanxiao's plan to make the Qionghua Sect ascend? Why not think differently and cooperate with him? Why not challenge the heavens together?"
Breaking free from the predestined tragedies of the Sword and Fairy universe was simple in theory—defeating Fuxi would suffice. Of course, accomplishing that was far from simple. Even with access to different worlds to strengthen himself, Daniel estimated it could take decades, if not centuries, to be strong enough.
"But would Xuanxiao be willing to endure further patience and restraint?" Daniel sighed deeply. Xuanxiao had endured 19 years of being sealed away. Now, with his strength restored, it was doubtful he'd willingly wait for Daniel's long-term plans.
Xuanxiao had grossly underestimated the power of the Divine Realm in the original storyline. Daniel doubted he'd see reason before facing the gods directly.
"It's all about strength. I need more of it. I should find an opportunity to sit down with Xia Yuancheng and learn more about wandering immortals like him," Daniel resolved.
"Daniel, what were you and Scholar Xia discussing?" Han Lingsha asked curiously as Daniel returned to the group.
"Nothing much, just some questions about immortals," Daniel replied lightly.
"Immortal cultivation requires gradual progress and steady effort. Shortcut seekers inevitably succumb to inner demons," Murong Ziying said suddenly, his tone disapproving. He suspected Daniel was looking for a shortcut to immortality.
"Don't worry, Little Shishu. I have no interest in shortcuts—or in becoming immortal at all," Daniel said firmly.
"Why not?" Han Lingsha asked, startled.
"Sorry, I can't explain right now. Let's go rest. The Lantern Festival starts tonight," Daniel said, brushing off the question.
For now, there was no point discussing immortality until he could one day challenge Fuxi himself.
As the sun set, Ji Mo's streets came alive with the glow of colorful lanterns. Joyful smiles replaced the usual worry on people's faces—news of the Fox Immortal's banishment had spread.
"Big brother, big sister, these are for you!" Five children ran up to the group, handing them lanterns and snacks.
"Why are you giving these to us?" Han Lingsha asked with a smile, squatting down to accept a lantern.
"Grandpa says you chased away the Fox Immortal and that you're heroes! When I grow up, I want to be a hero just like you!" the tallest boy declared loudly.
"It was our duty," Murong Ziying replied with a faint nod.
"These snacks are delicious," Yun Tianhe said, happily munching away.
"All you ever think about is food," Han Lingsha snapped, standing up to scold him. The children giggled and ran off.
"Do you want to try some?" Yun Tianhe asked, offering a snack to Han Lingsha, effectively silencing her.
"You—!"
"Alright, Lingsha. Since we have lanterns now, let's go float them," Liu Mengli suggested, diverting the conversation.
The group made their way to a small river outside the town. The water was already dotted with countless lanterns, creating a mesmerizing scene.
"It's so beautiful. I hope we can come back here someday," Han Lingsha said wistfully as she watched the floating lights.
"If you like it, we'll come back next year—together, all five of us," Yun Tianhe said, finally setting down his snacks.
"I hope we can always stay together and never part," Liu Mengli added softly.
"Yun Tianhe, I once thought of you as reckless and willful. But now I see that you, Lingsha, Mengli, and Daniel all have truly noble hearts. I have nothing but respect for you," Murong Ziying said solemnly.
"Wow, even Little Ziying's icy heart has melted under the magic of the Lantern Festival! Let's make it a promise—next year, we'll meet here again," Han Lingsha said with a grin.
"Alright," the others agreed.
Just then, the night sky erupted in a cascade of fireworks, each burst lighting up the river with dazzling colors. It was a moment to be remembered forever.
The next day, the group flew back to the Qionghua Sect to report their successful retrieval of the Light Chronicle Cold Diagram to Xuanxiao. Yun Tianhe, eager to share the news, couldn't wait to see his "big brother."
However, upon their return, they noticed something amiss—not only was Han Lingsha looking unwell again, but Liu Mengli's complexion had also paled.
"Mengli, are you okay?" Yun Tianhe asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Liu Mengli said, brushing off his worries.
"How about this—Tianhe, Little Shishu, you two deliver the Light Chronicle Cold Diagram to the forbidden grounds. We'll rest here," Han Lingsha suggested.
"Alright," Yun Tianhe agreed reluctantly.
After delivering the diagram, the group rested for a day before setting off in search of the second Cold Artifact. Though Yun Tianhe and Murong Ziying initially wanted Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli to stay behind, their insistence meant all five ventured to the Flame Emperor Shennong Cave together.
As a site connected to the legendary Flame Emperor, Han Lingsha—driven by her quest for immortality—had visited before. However, the cave's intense heat had forced her to retreat after exploring only its entrance. Now, she saw this as an opportunity to delve deeper.
"It's unbearably hot in here," Yun Tianhe said as soon as they entered the cave. Compared to the forbidden grounds' Fire Cavern, this was on a whole different level.
"It is indeed too hot. Tianhe, can you teach us that Frozen Seal Art?"
"It's unbearably hot in here," Yun Tianhe said as soon as they stepped into the Flame Emperor Shennong Cave. The oppressive heat was unlike anything they had encountered before, far surpassing the Fire Cavern in the Qionghua Sect's forbidden grounds.
"It is indeed too hot. Tianhe, can you teach us that Frozen Seal Art?" Daniel suggested, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Sure, I can teach it to you," Yun Tianhe replied without hesitation, already beginning to demonstrate the basics of the technique. The Frozen Seal Art, created by Xuanxiao during his years of cultivation, was a powerful cold-based technique that could suppress heat and help maintain inner balance. Although Yun Tianhe had only recently begun learning it, the art was simple enough to impart its basic principles to others.
"Here's how it works," Yun Tianhe said, focusing as a thin layer of frost began to spread over his body, cooling the air around him.
Following his lead, the group tried to mimic the technique. Murong Ziying succeeded almost immediately, his strong foundation in cultivation enabling him to adapt quickly. Daniel, having trained in multiple disciplines, picked it up after some trial and error. However, Liu Mengli and Han Lingsha struggled more, their weaker constitutions making it harder to regulate their internal energy against the intense heat.
"I can't... It's too difficult," Han Lingsha said, wiping her brow as beads of sweat continued to drip down her face.
"Don't force yourself, Lingsha. Just stay close to us, and we'll shield you from the heat," Murong Ziying said reassuringly, releasing a wave of icy energy to surround her and Liu Mengli. The temperature around them dropped significantly, offering some relief.
"Thanks, Little Ziying," Han Lingsha said with a weak smile, her playful nickname for him slipping out even in her exhaustion.
The group continued deeper into the cave, where the heat only grew more intense. Fiery red crystals lined the walls, pulsing with a glow that seemed to make the air itself shimmer. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the environment became. The sweat on their bodies evaporated almost instantly, leaving their skin dry and cracked.
"This heat is unnatural," Murong Ziying remarked, his expression serious. "It's as if the entire cave is alive, exhaling waves of scorching air."
"This must be why it's connected to the Flame Emperor," Han Lingsha said, her voice faint but determined. "Legends say the Flame Emperor used this cave to cultivate his fire-based techniques and refine countless medicinal herbs. The heat here is a remnant of his power."
Daniel frowned as he scanned their surroundings. "If this heat is a remnant of his power, then the Cold Artifact must be something he kept here to balance it out. Otherwise, nothing would be able to survive in this environment—not even the herbs."
"Good point," Yun Tianhe said, glancing at the glowing crystals. "If we keep going, we're bound to find something."
After navigating a labyrinth of molten rock and suffocating heat, they finally arrived at a large chamber. At its center was a massive cauldron, surrounded by fiery glyphs etched into the ground. The glyphs radiated waves of heat that made it almost impossible to approach. Inside the cauldron sat a glowing, frost-covered fruit, its icy aura in stark contrast to the fiery environment.
"That must be it," Liu Mengli said, her eyes widening. "The second Cold Artifact."
"Wait, that's not just any Cold Artifact," Daniel said, his sharp gaze locking onto the fruit. "That's the Soloro Fruit. It's said to be one of the most potent fire-and-ice dual-natured treasures in existence. Its cold energy is enough to suppress even the hottest flames, but its fiery nature makes it incredibly dangerous to handle."
"How do we get to it?" Han Lingsha asked, eyeing the cauldron warily. "The heat from those glyphs alone is enough to melt us into puddles."
Murong Ziying stepped forward, his expression resolute. "Leave this to me. The Frozen Seal Art should be able to suppress the glyphs long enough for me to retrieve the fruit."
"No, it's too dangerous to do alone," Daniel said, stepping up beside him. "We'll go together. Yun Tianhe, use the Frozen Seal Art to help neutralize the heat. Mengli and Lingsha, stay back and support us if anything goes wrong."
"Be careful," Liu Mengli said, her voice tinged with worry.
The three men advanced cautiously, layering their bodies in frosty energy from the Frozen Seal Art. As they approached the cauldron, the glyphs flared to life, sending waves of fire crashing toward them. Murong Ziying countered with a precise burst of icy energy, momentarily dampening the flames.
Daniel and Yun Tianhe worked together to create a path through the glyphs, their combined efforts forming a narrow corridor of cold energy. Step by step, they moved closer to the cauldron. The closer they got, the more intense the heat became, and the glyphs' resistance seemed to grow stronger.
"It's like the cave is trying to stop us," Yun Tianhe muttered, gritting his teeth as sweat dripped from his brow.
"Hold steady," Daniel said, his focus unshaken. "We're almost there."
Finally, they reached the cauldron. The Soloro Fruit emitted a chilling mist that seemed to fight against the flames surrounding it. Murong Ziying stepped forward, his hands glowing with icy energy as he prepared to retrieve the fruit.
Just as his fingers grazed its frosty surface, the ground beneath them trembled. The glyphs flared even brighter, and a deafening roar echoed through the chamber.
"What's happening?!" Han Lingsha shouted from the back.
"A guardian spirit," Daniel said grimly, his gaze fixed on a fiery silhouette emerging from the glyphs. "It looks like we've awakened something."
The figure that appeared was a massive fire elemental, its body composed entirely of flames. It radiated an intense heat that made the already scorching chamber feel like a furnace.
"Leave this to us!" Murong Ziying said, stepping in front of the others with his sword drawn. Yun Tianhe and Daniel quickly joined him, ready to face the fiery guardian.
"Be careful!" Liu Mengli called out, clutching her hands tightly in worry.
The battle was fierce. The guardian's attacks were relentless, each strike sending waves of fire cascading through the chamber. Daniel and Yun Tianhe worked together to keep it at bay, using the Frozen Seal Art to weaken its flames. Murong Ziying took every opportunity to strike with precision, his sword glowing with icy energy.
Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli provided support from the back, using their own abilities to shield the group and keep the heat from overwhelming them.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the guardian let out a final roar before collapsing into a pile of smoldering embers. The glyphs dimmed, and the oppressive heat in the chamber began to subside.
Murong Ziying approached the cauldron once more and carefully retrieved the Soloro Fruit. This time, there was no resistance.
"We've got it," he said, holding the fruit up for the others to see.
"Finally," Han Lingsha said, slumping to the ground in relief. "Let's get out of here before something else shows up."
The group quickly made their way out of the cave, the Soloro Fruit safely in their possession. As they stepped back into the cooler air outside, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
"Two down, one to go," Yun Tianhe said with a grin, his usual cheerfulness returning. "We're one step closer to helping Big Brother Xuanxiao."
"Let's rest for now," Daniel suggested, glancing at Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli. Both women still looked pale and fatigued. "We'll need all our strength for whatever comes next."
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