"I've seen illustrations of the purple-gold meteoric iron ore in the Scripture Pavilion, but this is the first time I've encountered a thousand-year-old specimen. Why does it look so different from the pictures?"
Yun Xi studied the black lump in her hand, frowning in uncertainty.
Zi Yan explained, "Purple-gold meteoric iron ore comes from stones fallen from the heavens into the cultivation realm. Only after a thousand years of nourishment by spiritual energy can they form. It's an extremely rare material for artifact forging. Just a small amount added to a magic artifact can greatly increase its hardness and grade. Even in the Spirit Realm, cultivators would fight over it.
The black exterior is just a protective shell. It takes a full year of continuous high-temperature burning to remove it. The true ore lies hidden within."
"A whole year? That's way too long."
Yun Xi was surprised. This was clearly a slow, painstaking process.
"That's for ordinary flames. For an unusual flame like me, three days at most is enough."
"Not bad. You've got some real skill there."
Yun Xi immediately offered praise.
But Zi Yan wriggled its flame body slightly and continued, "Master, I haven't finished. Right now, I've lost two-thirds of my original form. My strength has dropped significantly. To refine the protective layer around this purple-gold meteoric iron ore, I'll still need about twenty days."
Yun Xi let out a drawn-out "oh" with feigned disappointment.
Zi Yan jumped in protest, "Master, compared to a whole year, twenty days is already super fast. You can't look down on me."
Yun Xi's lips curved into a smile. She had just been teasing Zi Yan. As a flame spirit, Zi Yan was naturally far superior to ordinary ground fire. Even in its weakened state, its strength was beyond doubt. She chuckled and reassured, "Zi Yan, I wasn't underestimating you. I was only joking.
Since we can't leave for now, let's focus on getting this purple-gold meteoric iron ore ready. Once we're back in the sect, I'll go to the Artifact Refining Peak and ask one of the senior brothers to help upgrade the Ziyu Panlong Cauldron."
Yun Xi was someone who preferred action over idling. Once she had a task, she worked together with Zi Yan to begin refining the protective shell on the ore bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Wei Yunqing had already returned to the sect, though not on her own. She had been brought back by a Nascent Soul male cultivator using a sleeve-space artifact.
Upon hearing from his disciples that a visitor had arrived, claiming to be an old friend, Yu Huo Zhēnjūn paused his current task of sorting spiritual herbs and made his way to the main hall of Dan Peak.
When Yu Huo Zhēnjūn saw the visitor, he smiled and cupped his hands. "So it's Qing Yu Zhēnjūn. What brings you all the way to Haoran Sect?"
Qing Yu Zhēnjūn returned the greeting with a wave of his sleeve, revealing Wei Yunqing, then took a seat and replied, "Is this one your registered disciple?"
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn gave Wei Yunqing, who was just steadying herself, a quick glance. After a brief moment of recall, he said, "Yes, she's a disciple of my Dan Peak. Did she commit some offense? Why did you bring her back?"
After confirming Wei Yunqing's identity, Qing Yu Zhēnjūn said plainly, "I brought her back from Yandang Mountain. At the time, she was attempting to seize an unusual flame."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn hadn't been particularly concerned at first. He had assumed his old friend had just happened to rescue his disciple in passing. But hearing it involved an unusual flame, his demeanor grew more serious. He turned his gaze toward Wei Yunqing.
Wei Yunqing, now reassured that she was safe, bowed respectfully and said, "Disciple Wei Yunqing greets Peak Master."
"Tell me what happened."
"Yes. Since I've already established Foundation and have been away from home for ten years, I planned to visit my family before the sect competition. On the way back, the spirit ship encountered some trouble, so I stopped at Yandang Mountain."
Wei Yunqing spoke with clarity and composure. It took her the time of a single incense stick to recount the full sequence of events. She concluded, "Peak Master, the flame was taken by a black-robed female cultivator. I believe she possesses a lightning spiritual root."
As she spoke, she showed the injury on the back of her hand caused by a lightning spell.
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn gave a slight nod. He trusted that his disciple would not dare conceal anything. Unless she never intended to use the flame again, the truth would eventually come out. He waved a hand and said, "Go treat your injuries. Do not speak of this matter to anyone."
"Yes, Peak Master."
Wei Yunqing obediently accepted the order, then turned and thanked Qing Yu Zhēnjūn, "Many thanks, Zhēnjūn, for saving me from danger."
Qing Yu Zhēnjūn had helped solely for the sake of Yu Huo Zhēnjūn's reputation, so he merely gave a small nod.
Wei Yunqing tactfully exited the main hall and returned to her residence. Not long after she arrived, Ye Shaohua came to visit.
Back in the main hall, Qing Yu Zhēnjūn and Yu Huo Zhēnjūn were still discussing the matter of the unusual flame.
"No matter who ends up with this flame, as long as it remains in our territory, it's a win. Otherwise, cultivators from the Central Domain would laugh at us."
"You're right. At the very least, let that piece of meat rot in our own pot."
"I heard the Divine Transformation cultivator who seized the flame has already entered seclusion. He's likely refining the flame and will emerge once the process is complete."
"If it was seized, he must've taken injuries too. This seclusion is probably just a cover."
Qing Yu Zhēnjūn smiled, then changed the subject. "I heard that secret realm is nearly stabilized. It should be ready to open in half a year. Since it lies within our domain, we should fight for more entry slots."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn nodded, "I've received word as well. It lines up nicely with the sect's once-in-a-decade competition. We can use this opportunity to select a batch of disciples to enter the secret realm."
"But since this is the first time the realm is opening, the danger level is unknown. The sect definitely won't allow all elite disciples to enter at once."
"Your registered disciple seems promising. Ever thought about letting her try?"
Qing Yu Zhēnjūn asked with a smile.
"She hasn't reached Golden Core yet. She's not ready."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn shook his head without hesitation.
Elsewhere, Ye Shaohua was discussing the same topic with Wei Yunqing.
"Senior Brother Ye, are you saying the secret realm in the Baohua Mountain Range is about to open?"
"Yes. The news is absolutely reliable. I got it directly from a personal disciple."
Wei Yunqing's heart skipped a beat. She felt as if fate had handed her another chance. She quickly asked, "Since you're telling me this, does that mean we might have a shot at entering this new secret realm?"
Ye Shaohua nodded and added, "New secret realms always come with danger and opportunity. If we seize the moment, we could easily gather the resources needed to form a Nascent Soul. But there's one condition."
Wei Yunqing pressed him immediately, "What condition?"
"Your cultivation must be at least at the Golden Core stage."
That single line soured Wei Yunqing's mood. Her dear little sister Yun Xi had already formed her core. Yun Xi qualified to enter the secret realm, but she herself did not.
Seeing the change in her expression, Ye Shaohua quickly added, "Don't worry, Yun Qing. We still have time."
"Just half a year. How is that enough?"
Wei Yunqing wasn't doubting her own ability, but forming a core within half a year felt like a stretch.
Ye Shaohua transmitted his voice to her in secret. "Yun Qing, don't give up. I found a Dao Enlightenment Fruit seed. If we can ripen it, we might have a chance to attempt forming a Golden Core."
Wei Yunqing's eyes lit up. This was truly a heaven-sent opportunity. She replied through voice transmission, "Senior Brother Ye, you're amazing. I was only away for a short while, and you already found such a rare treasure. Your luck is something I truly envy."
"Haha, whether this luck brings good results will depend on your ability. To ripen the Dao Enlightenment Fruit, we'll need not only a large amount of spirit stones, but also your constant nourishment using refined wood spiritual energy."