Chapter 334 Lihuo Sect
Lihuo Sect was a small sect situated upon a dozen peaks in the southwest of the Yunxia Mountain Range.
Its sect master was merely a Heavenly Origin cultivator. A sect of this level was no different from ants within the Xuantian Continent.
Yet such a sect had recently become the focus of attention within a thousand li radius.
Many factions, both great and small, had gathered around Lihuo Sect to watch the commotion.
Although Lihuo Sect was not a great power, its specialty was fire control. But it was precisely this fire-controlling sect that had triggered an eruption of the underground fire vein.
As a result, more than half of Lihuo Sect's disciples had perished or been injured, and the old foxes of the cultivation world had instantly caught the scent.
There had to be a treasure—or a heavenly flame—within that fire vein. Otherwise, such a drastic change would never have occurred.
To the northwest of Lihuo Sect, several dozen figures descended from the sky. At their arrival, the surrounding wanderers and factions immediately scattered.
Among the crowd, someone called out loudly, "I heard Lihuo Sect is a vassal of the Lingdan Sect. Who would have thought that to handle this matter, Lingdan Sect even invited the geniuses of Wendao Academy!"
"Quiet! The geniuses of Wendao Academy do not like to be spoken of behind their backs."
"…"
When the group landed, one distinguished young man slowly raised his head. Gazing at the fiery clouds not far away, he asked calmly, "Senior Brother Yun, is this Lihuo Sect?"
Senior Brother Yun did not dare to put on any airs. He replied respectfully, "Correct, Senior Brother Fang Mu. Counting our travel time, this fire eruption has lasted more than a month. Yet no one has discovered the whereabouts of the heavenly flame."
Fang Mu gave a small nod, then used his divine sense to communicate with the Blastoise in his pouch: Senior Brother, have you sensed any movement of the heavenly flame?
On the way here, Blastoise had told Fang Mu that heavenly flames attracted and restrained each other. With its strength, it could sense any heavenly flame within a hundred li.
Blastoise responded with divine sense: There is indeed a heavenly flame here, but it has not fully formed. The eruption of the fire vein is because that heavenly flame is devouring other spiritual fires, which caused the spiritual fires to flee the vein.
At this, Fang Mu instinctively asked: Senior Brother, have you done this too?
Blastoise: ???
The boy's words were not wrong, but somehow they sounded very strange.
While the two communicated, a commotion rose not far away.
"Look! That's the disciples of Yunlan Sect!"
"Wow, even Fairy Qinghe has come!"
"…"
Fang Mu, who had been about to tease Blastoise, brightened visibly at the mention of Fairy Qinghe.
Seeing the change on Fang Mu's face, Yun Ye asked curiously, "Senior Brother Fang, did you notice something?"
Fang Mu smiled. "Senior Brother Yun, an old acquaintance has arrived. I should go greet her."
By order of seniority, Fang Mu should have addressed Yun Ye as senior brother. But Wendao Academy respected strength above all, and Yun Ye, intent on following Fang Mu, insisted on calling him senior brother instead.
Neither could persuade the other, and so they called each other senior brother.
"Oh?"
Yun Ye's face lit with delight. "More allies, then! Since no one knows what form this heavenly flame may take, having more help will make us more certain."
As for Lihuo Sect's fate, he did not care in the least. Lihuo Sect had nothing to do with him.
He would not risk his life for them. At most, before subduing the heavenly flame, he might save a few disciples if possible.
Chivalry was admirable, but only if one had the strength.
Yun Ye knew he was no great talent, merely a middling alchemist of Wendao Academy.
The Lingdan Sect cultivators accompanying them showed no objection.
After all, Yun Ye was the only disciple of their sect in centuries to join Wendao Academy's inner sect. He was the future sect master. To oppose him was to oppose their next master.
What was more, Yun Ye was under the protection of Chu Half-Saint's disciple.
"Very well."
Fang Mu did not refuse. Though usually immersed in alchemy, he understood human affairs well.
If he went alone, it would seem he had little standing within Wendao Academy. The disciples of Yunlan Sect might say nothing, but inwardly they would think Senior Sister Qinghe had chosen poorly.
Thus, the group set off in force toward where Yunlan Sect's disciples had landed.
Along the way, nearby cultivators withdrew at once.
None knew what the geniuses of Wendao Academy intended, but none dared provoke them. To be made an example of would be a disaster.
Once the Yunlan Sect disciples landed, they immediately sent their divine sense probing into Lihuo Sect.
The strong fire energy surging out of Lihuo Sect made many faces brighten, though some frowned slightly.
"Stop there!"
The Yunlan Sect disciple on watch sensed someone approaching and instinctively shouted a warning.
At once, the divine senses of the Yunlan Sect cultivators withdrew from Lihuo Sect.
The surrounding cultivators who witnessed this immediately thought the same thing—could Wendao Academy be looking to make trouble for Yunlan Sect?
Before such suspicions could grow, Fang Mu stepped forward and called out, "Senior Sister Linglong."
At his words, the frost on Fang Linglong's face instantly melted away, replaced with joy. She turned toward the speaker, her eyes alight. "Junior Brother Mu."
The disciples of Yunlan Sect who heard this address immediately thought of a single name—Fang Mu!
"It is I."
Fang Mu strode ahead, leaving the others behind, and walked straight toward Fang Linglong.
"You've changed so much!"
Without hesitation, Fang Linglong flashed forward, appearing before him. Gazing at the handsome young man before her, her heart was filled with emotion.
She had always known Fang Mu would one day shake the world, but she had not expected that after just a few short years, he would already be so transformed—almost unrecognizable, even to her, let alone the other disciples of Yunlan Sect.
"Senior Sister, you are as beautiful as ever."
Fang Mu spoke in praise.
Hearing this, Fang Linglong's face flushed red for reasons she could not explain. She lowered her gaze to her toes, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.
"Junior Brother, when did you become so smooth-tongued?"
???
Fang Mu froze. Did I say something wrong?
I've seen several of my senior brothers coax their dao companions in this way. Why is it different with me? Could it be that Senior Sister Linglong dislikes it?
Pfft…
Seeing Fang Mu stand there foolishly, Fang Linglong could not help but laugh out loud.
The sight left the disciples of all three factions staring wide-eyed.
The surrounding forces were even more dumbfounded. Some covered their eyes, their expressions practically saying—am I even allowed to witness this?
"Junior Brother, are you also here for Lihuo Sect?"
With her laughter, Fang Linglong's shyness vanished without a trace.
"That's right. Since fate has arranged our meeting, why not explore Lihuo Sect together?" Fang Mu invited.
"Very well."
Fang Linglong agreed without hesitation.
Fang Mu's heart leapt with joy at her answer. He was about to introduce her to his fellow disciples when the voice of Blastoise rang in his mind:
"Poor Xiao Mu, played in the palm of a woman's hand."
???
Fang Mu's head filled with question marks, and he instinctively asked, "Are you sure you used 'palm of the hand' correctly?"
Blastoise: "…"
The three groups soon gathered together and began exchanging useful information.
Elder Yun of Lingdan Sect said, "Fellow Daoists, more than ten days ago, our Lingdan Sect received news from Lihuo Sect. This fire riot was triggered by a mid-grade fire vein. At the time, they reported several spiritual flames rampaging within the sect.
The cultivators of Lihuo Sect attempted to drive them out and control them, but to no avail. What insights might you all have?"
At his words, the disciples of the three great factions fell into silence…
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