Chapter 337 An Unexpected Joy
"So this strange flame is just a later addition."
Huojiangui said with a cheerful smile.
Fang Mu and Princess Qinghe followed his gaze, their eyes falling upon the strange flame. Beneath it, faint traces of fire spiritual energy drifted downward into the depths of the cave.
The flame was severing the spiritual energy of the magma, cutting it off from below.
Fang Mu instinctively extended his divine sense into the pitch-black cave.
Before long, his gaze was drawn to a faint and flickering light.
"Look, there's a glow there."
Princess Qinghe and Huojiangui looked in the direction he pointed. In the darkness, a red light pulsed intermittently.
"The thing that made me wary earlier lies within that red glow."
Huojiangui was the first to speak.
The other two frowned at his words.
Fang Mu said, "Senior Brother, for something to make even you wary—could it be a Nirvana powerhouse below?"
Huojiangui shook his head. "Not necessarily. It may just be suppression due to its fire attribute. But we should still prepare for every possibility."
"Alright."
Fang Mu responded, then drew a jade sword from his storage ring.
Exchanging a glance with Princess Qinghe, the two flew together toward the source of the red light.
In an instant, they reached the spot where the glow flickered. When they looked closely, they drew in sharp breaths.
Hiss—
Within a formation, a single egg was hatching.
Yet because the fire spiritual energy of the mountain had been cut off by the strange flame above, the light of the hatching formation was growing weaker and weaker.
"This is at least a divine beast egg."
Huojiangui spoke solemnly.
"In that case, today we've found an unexpected joy."
The corners of Fang Mu's lips curved. He had thought obtaining one strange flame would be enough gain, yet who would have expected to also discover a divine beast egg here.
Huojiangui said lightly, "For us, this may not be a blessing. This egg has long been targeted by someone powerful. Otherwise, why place a strange flame here to siphon the fire energy of both veins? One, to break this incubation formation, and two, to claim both the flame and the egg."
The two others were quick-witted. Hearing this, the pieces fell neatly into place in their minds.
The parents of the divine beast had laid the formation to hatch the egg using the energy of two fire veins. But it was discovered by someone with ill intent, leading to this entire series of events.
Since they had already come, they would not walk away empty-handed. The only question now was whether to claim the egg first or the strange flame.
Fang Mu did not rush. He circled the formation instead. Though not trained in formation arts, his years in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute had given him some familiarity. From the aura alone, he could sense its strength.
"In less than a month, this formation will collapse on its own. In my view, we should wait."
"No problem."
Huojiangui had come mainly to guard Fang Mu. Since this boy had made a decision, he naturally would not interfere.
Princess Qinghe said, "I'll send a transmission talisman. Once the elders finish collecting the spiritual fire, they should leave Lihuo Gate for now, lest they be caught up in this."
"Good."
Fang Mu replied, then chose a spot to sit cross-legged and enter meditation.
After sending her message to Elder Fang, Princess Qinghe also sat beside Fang Mu.
Within the volcano, Elder Fang felt the transmission talisman stir in his pocket. He took it out, received Princess Qinghe's message, swept his eyes over the surroundings, and said, "Everyone, Young Lord Mu and Princess Qinghe still have matters to attend. Once we finish collecting this spiritual fire, we'll withdraw."
"Is that true?"
Yun Ye looked at him with suspicion.
Elder Fang did not take offense, smiling as he held up the talisman. "This is a transmission talisman. How could I dare to deliver false news?"
Yun Ye took the transmission talisman, listened to the voice within, and then handed it back to Elder Fang.
"It was this junior's overthinking, my apologies."
Elder Fang still wore his ever-smiling expression. "It is nothing. After all, if anything were to happen to Young Lord Mu, none of us could shoulder the responsibility. A little caution is only natural."
Three days later, everyone left the volcano, returning with their harvest.
Within Lihuo Gate, however, the various factions were still locked in fierce conflict.
Yun Ye gathered with the remnants of the Lingdan Sect and Lihuo Gate disciples to descend the mountain.
When the Lingdan Sect elder saw that the most notable two figures were absent, he asked with some doubt, "Ye'er, what of Young Lord Mu?"
Yun Ye replied evenly, "Senior Brother still has matters to attend and remains in the volcano. I will also stay here to await them. If you are in a hurry to return, you may go on ahead."
"No hurry, no hurry. Since it is rare to come out, how could I not wait to witness the bearing of a prodigy?" Elder Yun said with a cheerful smile.
Yun Ye said no more and thought no further. This time, with Elder Fang's help, he had obtained a supreme-grade spiritual flame. His harvest was already overflowing, and he had no wish to concern himself with anything else.
Several days later.
The cultivators within Lihuo Gate finally ceased their slaughter.
The factions who had gained something were preparing to leave, only to see that Wendao Academy and Yunlan Sect remained stationed at their previous encampments.
Those with keen eyes noticed this and concluded that the matter of Lihuo Gate was far from over.
Many curious opportunists chose to return and wait nearby, hoping to pick up any treasures that might yet surface.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Inside the cave, Fang Mu had been meditating silently for the entire half-month, never once opening his eyes.
Huojiangui, on the other hand, would occasionally test the formation, probing whether it could be broken early.
"I've done it, I've succeeded."
Huojiangui's delighted voice echoed through the cave.
Fang Mu and Princess Qinghe opened their eyes at once, both looking toward him.
"Senior Brother, what have you succeeded in?"
Huojiangui grinned. "I have finally absorbed the last trace of energy within this formation. Now with just a light strike, I can shatter it."
Fang Mu said, "Then what are you waiting for, Senior Brother?"
Huojiangui chuckled. "Why, to show off a little to you, of course."
"Then this junior will stand by and witness Senior Brother's prowess."
Fang Mu responded with a smile. By now, they were long used to this way of speaking to each other.
Huojiangui slowly opened his mouth and inhaled toward the protective formation. Instantly, countless cracks spread across its surface until, with a resounding boom, it shattered apart.
The divine beast egg still lay there quietly.
"All done. Xiao Mu, this divine beast egg is yours now."
Having said this, Huojiangui stepped aside.
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