Chapter 38 - The Fire Sect

“Leng Yan, don’t you have something to discuss? Hurry up and finish. After that, let’s head to the Fire Sect; I’m sure there will be gifts there too!” Long Qing, having developed a fondness for receiving gifts, could hardly wait to get to the next stop.

“Bai Ling, Little Tiger, come out!” Leng Yan took out the beast token. With a flash of light, Bai Ling and Little Tiger appeared in the outer attendant pavilion.

At this moment, Bai Ling exuded the majesty of a king among beasts, and his cultivation level had rapidly soared to the strength of the Heavenly Realm, which truly startled Leng Yan.

Little Tiger, on the other hand, emanated an aura of age and melancholy, but Leng Yan could feel that Little Tiger’s cultivation level had also reached the true essence realm, greatly impacting Leng Yan.

“A sacred white tiger! It’s truly a sacred white tiger! I’ve finally found it!” Jin Buhuan burst into maniacal laughter upon seeing Bai Ling. After millennia of searching without success, Bai Ling’s appearance before him felt like a dream come true.

“Master, it’s truly a sacred white tiger! Our White Tiger Sect is saved!” The other two elders laughed excitedly in agreement.

“Leng Yan! What is this place? Such a rich metal energy!” Bai Ling swung his tail like a steel whip onto Little Tiger’s rear, producing a painful snapping sound that made Leng Yan feel distressed.

However, Little Tiger seemed numb, not feeling the pain at all, indicating it was a torture often endured.

“This is Jin Buhuan from the White Tiger Sect, Elder Jin. He will help you return to the five elements realm!” Unable to bear Little Tiger’s melancholic expression, Leng Yan turned away, speaking softly.

“The White Tiger Sect! Is my mother still there?” Bai Ling asked Jin Buhuan sorrowfully.

“During the immortal firmament turmoil, the old sacred beast was weakened after giving birth to you, causing her cultivation level to decline. She sustained severe injuries in the chaos and passed in the Holy Land a thousand years later,” Jin Buhuan replied regretfully, bowing his head.

“Arrange it quickly; I want to return to the Holy Land, to take over my mother’s responsibility, to protect the White Tiger Sect, to guard the five elements realm!” Bai Ling, as if already knowing the answer, spoke resolutely.

“I will promptly contact the White Tiger Sect to escort the sacred beast back to the sect!” Jin Buhuan responded respectfully.

“Bai Ling, thank you for all your help. I would like to take Little Tiger away with me. I hope you agree,” Bai Ling turned to Leng Yan.

Looking at Little Tiger’s almost pleading eyes, Leng Yan sent a sound transmission in his heart, “Little Tiger, don’t blame me! I’m doing this for your own good! Look at how your cultivation level has already surpassed mine in such a short time! You have limitless potential!”

“But it will be very tough!” Little Tiger said, tears glistening in his eyes.

“Great things come to those who endure hardships. You endure now, but one day you’ll rise with tiger majesty once again!” Leng Yan attempted to persuade with a mix of emotion and reason.

“Your words always give me new hope. Alright, I agree.” Little Tiger lifted his head, looking majestic, though that was quickly undone by Bai Ling’s playful swipe.

Breaking the beast token, Little Tiger was now a free tiger.

“By returning the sacred beast, you’ve done a great service to our White Tiger Sect. Initially, Xuan Yi asked me to teach you the Purple Gold Emperor Technique, and I was reluctant. But now, I’ll gift it to you, in hopes that during the future battles in the five elements realm, you’ll shine brightly!” Jin Buhuan waved his arm, and a golden light entered Leng Yan’s sea of consciousness.

Having experienced transmissions like this before, Leng Yan was already familiar with the sensation. He quickly organized and absorbed the information about the Purple Gold Emperor Technique. Indeed, this benefit was truly precious. If all went well, the Fire Sect would have the Scarlet Flame Emperor Technique, and at that time, he could refine three types of essence, channel it into the immortal land, and unlock more features.

“Thank you, Elder Jin. I will surely repay the kindness of today’s transmission in the future,” Leng Yan said, bowing respectfully.

Meanwhile, Jin Kuang stood by, deeply envious. Why? As the sect master of the Jin Sect and a true disciple of the Five Elements Sect, he never received the Purple Gold Emperor Technique’s knowledge. Why did a Water Sect disciple like Leng Yan receive such knowledge? Though filled with anger, he dared not show it, merely casting a sinister glance at Leng Yan, plotting silently.

“We still need to proceed to the Fire Sect. We won’t impose any longer, and we’ll take our leave now,” Shui Yunyao stepped forward and said.

“Alright, let Xuan Yi know that when I return to the five elements realm, I intend to give him a good beating!” Jin Buhuan had long since realized this was part of Xuan Yi’s plan. First, Xuan Yi had him transmit the cultivation technique, and when Jin Buhuan refused, Xuan Yi had Leng Yan return the sacred beast, using the favor as leverage to force Jin Buhuan to pass the technique onto Leng Yan. Feeling manipulated, he was naturally displeased.

“I’ll be sure to relay your words. Hopefully, I can cheer you on when you give Senior Xuan Yi a thrashing!” Leng Yan replied with a mischievous grin.

“You’ve got a good eye, kid. I’ll let you witness Xuan Yi’s defeat for sure, haha!” Jin Buhuan laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood, before shouting at the sky, “What are you looking at? I’m talking to you!”

Leng Yan smiled, realizing Xuan Yi must have been caught spying on them.

With Jin Kuang’s “enthusiastic” guidance, Leng Yan and his companions left the Jin Sect. Looking back, it seemed he could still see Little Tiger’s wistful gaze.

All good things must come to an end, and this choice was undoubtedly in Little Tiger’s favor. Bai Ling’s seemingly harsh actions were, in fact, secretly enhancing Little Tiger’s constitution by transmitting metal energy.

Sitting atop Shui Yunyao’s soft and cloud-like magical treasure, Leng Yan decided not to immediately cultivate the Purple Gold Emperor Technique. This technique, akin to the Blackwater Emperor Technique, might allow him to enter the Primordial Land. Since his last closed-door cultivation lasted over a month, he had to wait for a moment without other obligations before diving into such cultivation again.

However, Leng Yan didn’t slack off. He needed to practice his mental cultivation technique diligently to elevate his realm. Although he wanted to spend time with Shui Yunyao, he understood the importance of knowing what to prioritize for his future.

As magical power gathered in his Dantian and merged with the magical power pearl, the pearl’s color began changing. It transformed from pure white to a creamy hue, starting to turn into a viscous liquid.

Shui Yunyao noticed Leng Yan’s dedication, thinking how different he seemed now. Previously, he would never have been this settled and hardworking in his cultivation. In her mind, it might have been the life-and-death battle with Jin Kuang that spurred him on.

Long Qing, unconcerned with these matters, was absorbed in studying her new magical treasure, grinning foolishly in contentment. It was hard to tell what kind of important figure she might be in a past life.

Traveling from the Jin Sect to the Fire Sect involved passing through the Earth Sect, so the journey took a considerable amount of time.

After twelve whole hours, Leng Yan and his companions finally reached the territory of the Fire Sect, and Leng Yan opened his eyes.

The mountain gate of the Fire Sect was nestled among a cluster of volcanoes, with scorching heat waves emanating all around. The three of them remained on their magical treasure, with Shui Yunyao leading the visit.

The heat waves visibly receded to either side, and several figures appeared in the sky. At the forefront was a young man clad in a flame-patterned robe, the master of the Fire Sect, Huo Feng.

“Huo Feng, how have you been lately?” Shui Yunyao, akin to an ethereal being amidst the blazing flames, gracefully asked in her flowing white robe, her voice soft.

“Ha ha! Same as always! Come on in, Yunyao,” Huo Feng responded warmly, his face full of congeniality, putting everyone at ease.

The group flew to the master’s pavilion, where Huo Feng invited Leng Yan and the others to sit and rest.

“It’s rare for you to visit. These are some of our Fire Sect’s specialties. Please, have a taste,” Huo Feng said with a smile from his seat at the head.

Shui Yunyao took a delicate bite of a vermilion fruit, savoring its flavor, and then smiled, “It’s delicious, and it contains a lot of spiritual power. It’s indeed a high-grade spirit fruit.”

“Haha! Yunyao, I’ve heard you had some misunderstandings with Jin Kuang?” Huo Feng inquired with a smile.

“It’s just a minor matter; I didn’t expect it to spread so quickly!” Shui Yunyao laughed lightly, putting down the vermilion fruit.

“This incident has caused quite a stir, even discussed by many in the main sect! And you must be Leng Yan. Although there’s a powerful seal on you that prevents me from sensing your cultivation level, I estimate it doesn’t exceed the primordial qi realm. Yet, you had the courage to challenge Jin Kuang, which is truly impressive!” Huo Feng praised with a hint of admiration, sipping his tea.

“Senior Brother, you’re too kind. As cultivators, we strive to defy the heavens and change fate. If someone tramples over us and we don’t dare to resist, how can we pursue the way of heaven?” Leng Yan replied with a faint smile.

“Well said! A cultivator should indeed act as they please,” Huo Feng exclaimed, standing up and laughing heartily.

The group continued to chat casually.