A demon beast in the Valley of Despair is undergoing a tribulation. This event will likely soon become a major concern for the surrounding sects. After all, after undergoing the tribulation, it has ascended to become a Celestial Spirit Beast, with strength comparable to the ninth or tenth level of the Innate Realm. In terms of power alone, it completely overwhelms the formidable masters of third-rate sects. Once this demon beast's killing intent is fully unleashed, it could easily destroy an entire mountain sect with a single wave of its hand.
However, Ming Qi didn't need to worry about this issue. He hadn't even reached the Innate Realm yet, so undergoing a tribulation was of no concern to him.
Because of the demon beast's tribulation, a large number of Innate demon beasts from the depths of the valley swarmed to the outskirts of the Valley of Despair. Ming Qi, who had originally planned to return the next day, hurried back to the Tianqi Court of the Biyou Sect early.
By the time he arrived at the Tianqi Court, it was dinner time.
Seeing Ming Qi's swift return, everyone relaxed, and after a leisurely dinner, they returned to their respective residences.
Ming Qi returned to his small attic and immediately rushed to the backyard lotus pond for a refreshing cold shower. Feeling refreshed, he returned to his room to cultivate.
Meng Ling made no move to disturb him, but instead sat quietly by his side, lost in thought.
A silent night passed.
The next morning, Ming Qi arrived early, alone, at the Outer Trial Pavilion.
The Trial Pavilion was much quieter than usual during the Golden Autumn Festival. When Ming Qi arrived, the old man was dozing off at a small table.
"I need Yuan Jing."
After becoming acquainted with the old man, Ming Qi got straight to the point. His plan this time was to exchange all the miscellaneous materials he had for Yuan Jing.
Yuan Jing could mobilize the Crimson Refining Heavenly Fire contained within the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map. With sufficient Yuan Jing, this Crimson Refining Heavenly Fire could be used as a trump card when necessary.
The further along in the Golden Autumn Festival progresses, the more experts you're likely to encounter. To overcome all obstacles and secure a good ranking, you must be well prepared.
"What are you offering in exchange?"
The old man opened his eyes, glanced at Ming Qi, and asked.
"These things."
Ming Qi promptly poured a large pile of materials from his ring.
Instantly, the materials, imbued with the scent of medicinal herbs and minerals, formed a small mountain in the open space in front of the Trial Pavilion.
This startled the few disciples who occasionally visited the Trial Pavilion to select tasks.
"These things aren't worth much!"
The old man glanced at the mountain of materials and stated bluntly.
That was indeed the case. While Ming Qi's pile of materials was enormous, it contained no precious natural treasures.
"A few dozen mid-grade Yuan Crystals shouldn't be a problem."
Ming Qi rolled his eyes at the old man. While the pile of materials didn't contain any precious treasures, it was vast in quantity. Ming Qi had put a lot of effort into collecting them.
"Not worth it."
The old man shook his head in denial.
"Then how much do you want?"
Ming Qi didn't have time to argue with the old man. He urgently needed Yuan Crystals to continue his research on the Crimson Refining Sky Fire in the Shanhai Atlas.
"Hey, Old Liu, what are you doing? Just basking in the sun with a pile of junk?"
Ming Qi waited for the old man's response when he heard a resounding voice behind him.
The voice sounded familiar. Turning, he saw a middle-aged, chubby man with a ruddy face, almost flying towards him.
It was none other than Dan Pavilion Elder Zhao Qi.
Although Zhao Qi was portly, his speed was undeniable. In the blink of an eye, he had reached the mountain of materials.
"Oh, it's you, kid!"
Zhao Qi was clearly quite impressed with Ming Qi, especially his style, which he particularly liked. He recognized him immediately.
Zhao Qi then walked around the mountain of materials and said to Ming Qi with a smile, "You kid are treating Old Liu like a scrap collector. This old man has countless treasures."
Ming Qi was speechless. Even if it was just junk, when piled up to a certain amount, it would be worth quite a bit.
"This little brat wants to exchange a pile of junk for a mid-grade Yuan Crystal. Fatty Zhao, what do you think..."
Old Liu spoke slowly, his eyes half-closed.
He had expected Zhao Qi to be quite cooperative and say it was just a pile of junk, but Fatty Zhao immediately gave him a thumbs-up and praised him, "Good boy, I like it!"
This compliment was a bit baffling; even Ming Qi couldn't quite grasp the point of it.
However, Zhao Qi's next words resonated perfectly with Ming Qi.
"I want these things of yours, worth one hundred mid-grade Yuan Crystals."
Zhao Qi rubbed his palms together with a grand gesture, and a small square brocade bag appeared in his hand.
Then, with a wave of his hand, the small brocade bag flew towards Ming Qi.
Ming Qi reached out to take it, still a little surprised. While these things were valuable, to say they were worth one hundred mid-grade Yuan Crystals was a bit outrageous.
After all, the value of one hundred mid-grade Yuan Crystals far exceeded that of ten thousand low-grade Yuan Crystals.
Holding the heavy brocade bag, Ming Qi said respectfully to Zhao Qi, "Thank you, Elder Zhao."
"Well, I'm in a good mood today. Here are a few things for you to study when you have time."
Ming Qi felt his eyes flash before he saw another brocade bag of similar size flying towards him.
Wealthy and powerful!
As expected, Zhao Qi was incredibly wealthy. Ming Qi had already concluded that this alchemist was a money-making machine. Even though Zhao Qi was only an alchemist from a third-rate sect like the Biyou Sect, he could easily create hundreds of mid-grade Yuan Crystals with a wave of his hand, and he readily gave them away. This aura alone put most innate masters to shame.
"Thank you, Elder Zhao, for your gift. I'll keep it in mind."
Ming Qi naturally had to express his gratitude for Zhao Qi's generosity. After all, words were just a waste of words; after all, the two heavy storage bags were genuine goods.
"Haha, that's fine. But let me be clear: if you discover anything with those little gadgets I gave you, you must come find me."
Zhao Qi said with a smile.
"I will."
Ming Qi readily agreed again.
Having resolved the most pressing matter at hand, Ming Qi took his leave and returned directly to his small attic.
Returning to his residence, Ming Qi didn't rush to see what was inside the other storage bag Zhao Qi had given him. Instead, he directly activated the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map and began attempting to channel the Crimson Refining Heavenly Fire within.
Over at the Trial Pavilion.
"Fatty Zhao, you're really generous today."
Old Liu's words had a somewhat uncharacteristic tone, clearly expressing some disdain for Zhao Qi's actions.
Alchemists are indeed wealthy, but if they continue this generosity, they'll surely become beggars in no time.
Zhao Qi happily pulled out a storage bag and collected every single material Ming Qi had piled on the floor.
"This is an investment. I really like this kid. If he can achieve even a little understanding of alchemy in the next life, even if I throw him another 10,000 Yuan Crystals, it will be worth it."
As he spoke, Zhao Qi had already gathered all the materials from the floor.
Before leaving, Zhao Qi suddenly turned to Old Liu and said, "Old Liu, you've been such a stingy person for so long. It's time to take care of the younger generation. After all, the sect's future is in their hands."
Without waiting for Old Liu to react, Zhao Qi vanished.
"Stingy?"
Old Liu muttered to himself, watching Zhao Qi's retreating figure.
"I don't mean to be stingy, but the younger generations in the sect are becoming increasingly disheartening..."
In Ming Qi's small attic, a moment later, a cluster of flames suddenly erupted from a misty map of mountains and seas. It was the Red Refining Heavenly Fire.
Calling out the Red Refining Heavenly Fire once again, Ming Qi felt a surge of excitement. It seemed his theory had been correct. The previous large amount of Yuan Crystals hadn't been in vain, but had been transformed into Red Refining Heavenly Fire by a mysterious force and stored away.
He had gradually mastered the basic techniques for channeling and manipulating this powerful flame. As long as the power of the Yuan Crystal remained, he could summon the Crimson Skyfire at any time and anywhere.
Having established this, Ming Qi didn't let his excitement get the better of him. His next task was to precisely channel the power of the Crimson Skyfire into attack, transforming it into a powerful weapon in battle.
Compared to channeling the Crimson Skyfire, this time of contemplation took considerably longer.
As Ming Qi continued his research, he would periodically inject a considerable amount of mid-grade Yuan Crystals into the process, thereby stimulating and activating even more of the hidden power within the Mountain Painting, prompting its awakening.
Time ticked by, Ming Qi completely immersed in it.
Boom!
A beam of flame erupted from the Supreme Mountain Painting, instantly enveloping Ming Qi.
The raging flames erupted almost instantly, the raging flames surging like the punishment of the Fire God, completely engulfing the small attic where Ming Qi lay.
A raging fire instantly illuminated the night sky, towering pillars of flame piercing the heavens.
Ming Qi didn't even have time to consider why the flames had suddenly spiraled out of control; he felt as if his entire body was being reduced to ash.
It was as if his very soul was ablaze.
Almost the moment the flames took hold, a figure lunged at Ming Qi.
Blood-red eyes, a blood-red dress.
Without hesitation, Meng Ling opened her arms, attempting to embrace Ming Qi, to pull him out of the flames.
"Leave me alone, leave first!"
Without time to react, even to be moved, Ming Qi could only instinctively determine that if he couldn't endure the agony of this burning soul, all his efforts would be wasted, a complete failure.
So, when he saw Meng Ling rushing towards him with unwavering determination to rescue him, he chose not to flee the raging sea of fire.
"You get out first. I'm fine!"
Ming Qi spoke firmly once again. Even though his entire body was numb with pain, the pain piercing his bones and soul, he remained as resolute as ever.
"Don't die!"
Meng Ling, now trapped within the sea of fire, also felt a profound sense of danger. Her will told her that if she didn't leave immediately, she would be shattered to pieces, never to be reborn.
With a complex look and a strong sense of hope, Meng Ling moved, soaring out of the flames, appearing high above the blazing attic.
She would stand there, determined to see Ming Qi emerge alive from the flames.