"Collect my ass!"
Hearing the voice inside his body that seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold, Feng Bingwen cursed in annoyance as he ran away.
If this flame that has gained sentience was obtained through his good deeds and prayers in the Heavenly Book, then he would be confident enough to accept it. Even if it was mixed with evil deeds, he would still figure out how to subdue it.
But he had run into this himself, and who knew what would happen? Just by the overwhelming heat surging behind him and the murderous aura that was trying to turn him into a demon, Feng Bingwen knew that running away was the right choice, without a doubt.
For him, the goal had already been achieved. He had obtained a wisp of Earthly True Fire, and with a little effort, he could transform it into a seed of fire, adding a supremely powerful fire-based divine ability.
"Why are you being a coward? I'm here for you."
"hehe!"
Feng Bingwen sneered, not bothering to pay any attention.
Who left this ball of Earthly True Fire in this secret realm for how long? It was collected by a primordial deity, perhaps even longer than the history of the human race. Thinking about it this way, it's not surprising that it developed sentience; on the contrary, it's quite normal.
The question now is, just how powerful is this true fire?
"If you're going to run, run outside the secret realm. What are you doing wandering around inside?"
A slightly puzzled voice rang out, and the Imperial Void Cauldron felt very strange.
"It might harm the creatures outside the secret realm!"
Feng Bingwen answered without hesitation. When he came in, he paid attention to the surrounding environment at the entrance of the secret realm. There was a small secular country less than a hundred miles away.
It was easy for him to escape the secret realm, but if that ball of Earthly True Fire followed him out of the secret realm, it would wreak havoc on that small secular country.
Leaving aside the enormous evil the Heavenly Book Society would inflict on Feng Bingwen, Feng Bingwen himself would be extremely distressed, since he was the one who awakened this True Fire.
"I didn't realize you were such a kind-hearted guy!"
Upon hearing Feng Bingwen's answer, Yu Xu Xian Ding clicked his tongue in amazement. Although he had seen quite a few cultivators, those who could still consider the mortal world when their lives were threatened were truly rare, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Of course, it's also possible that this kid has something to rely on, and the panic in his eyes is just an act, so he can still have the mind to think. Even so, it's still commendable.
"Thank you for the compliment, senior!"
Feng Bingwen rolled his eyes and replied insincerely. He glanced behind him and saw a general in black armor riding a dragon steed and holding a flaming spear, rushing towards him relentlessly, still chasing after him. He wondered what kind of grudge the general held against him.
"Boy, you, a dignified cultivator of the Supreme Dao, have been chased and reduced to this state by a ball of flame. It's truly shameful!"
"Besides you, senior, no one else saw it. What a disgrace!"
Feng Bingwen continued to speed along in a straight line through the secret realm, leaving behind a desolate wasteland devoid of life wherever he went.
This surprised him secretly, because the area of this secret realm was ridiculously large. If it weren't for the unusual distribution of spiritual energy, he would have suspected that this secret realm was a cave heaven left behind by a powerful being after his death.
"That's true, but I really can't stand your behavior. Considering how humble and polite you've been lately, I can lend you a hand!"
"How can you help me, senior?"
Feng Bingwen turned around and tentatively cast a spell. The ice shards falling from the sky evaporated into water vapor in mid-air before they could even touch the Black Rock General, leaving not a trace.
Seeing this, Feng Bingwen ran even faster. Although it was just a simple spell, not a supernatural power, it was enough to cause changes in the celestial phenomena within a radius of dozens of miles. Even snow in June would be commonplace.
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However, in front of the Black Flame General, formed from a ball of true fire, he was completely ineffective, preventing the other party from stopping its pursuit even for a moment.
This simple test immediately gave Feng Bingwen a clear understanding of the situation. Supernatural powers might have some effect, but they couldn't suppress it. As for using the immortal artifact in his possession, that was out of the question. What if it got melted? Who would he sue for compensation from then?
Close combat is out of the question. Don't be fooled by the fact that the true fire now has the form of a general; its essence is still just a fire spirit, albeit of an incredibly high grade. It could even transform into a bewitching beauty.
"That's of course..."
Just as the Imperial Void Cauldron was about to give its answer, it suddenly fell silent, for a loud and clear cry echoed throughout the secret realm.
"Vermilion Bird?"
Feng Bingwen unconsciously slowed his pace, his eyes widening as he watched the crimson divine bird flying towards him. He had seen it before, but the Vermilion Bird he had seen was still a juvenile.
But the divine bird before him, flapping its wings and singing, possessed an aura that shook his very soul, making him realize the level of existence he was facing.
"What Vermilion Bird? Look closely, the thing chasing you is the same, just a different kind."
The Imperial Cauldron of the Void offered a timely reminder.
"Fire Spirit!"
Reminded, Feng Bingwen took a closer look and immediately saw the clue. The moment it appeared, its aura filled the heavens and earth like a raging tide. It was a majestic divine bird, and its essence was no different from the fire spirit that stood on his shoulder and transformed into a golden crow.
The difference lies in the magnitude, which is worlds apart. They are like heaven and earth. Feng Bingwen is too lazy to compare them. However, he is not in a hurry now because the appearance of the Southern Ming Fire Spirit has also stopped the Black Flame General who was chasing behind Feng Bingwen.
This fire spirit Vermilion Bird not only intimidated Feng Bingwen, but also threatened the Earthly True Fire.
Under Feng Bingwen's speechless gaze, the two true fire spirits faced off across the distance, and he was unfortunately caught in the middle, enjoying the scorching heat of the true fire.
"Senior, didn't you say you could lend me a hand? Now, what's the solution to this situation?"
Feng Bingwen urged himself on, communicating with the spirit artifact; the current situation was truly beyond his expectations.
He had thought that it would be quite good if there was a sentient Earthly True Fire in this secret realm, and he would be satisfied. He never expected that there would also be a Southern Bright Fire.
However, this situation also reflects another possibility: that there may be more than just these two true flames in a secret realm. All seven true flames in the world that have names and identities have been gathered, but he has only seen two of them so far.
"No rush, let's see how things go first. These two fire spirits might abandon you and start fighting!"
Yu Xu Xian Ding remained in a state of fascination, eager to see the excitement unfold. He said with great interest that although he was knowledgeable, this was the first time he had ever witnessed two sentient true fires fighting. He couldn't miss this opportunity to broaden his horizons and gain experience so that he could have something to offer to the younger generation of the Supreme Dao in the future.
Are you sure?
Feng Bingwen glanced at the two fire spirits that were still in a standoff. Although the atmosphere was somewhat subtle, based on what he knew, these fire spirits, which had developed sentience, had been together in this secret realm for who knows how long. How could they possibly fight because of a mere outsider like him?
"Although they are all true fire, their natures are different. I don't need to say more about where the Nanming Li Fire comes from. It is the Earth Extreme True Fire, which is formed by the convergence of the most Yin energy from the earth. This kind of true fire is naturally opposed to the pure Yang True Fire and the true fire of the sun. If it were to develop spirituality, it would not be surprising if they fought each other."
"That makes sense!"
Although it sounded a bit far-fetched, Feng Bingwen nodded. If a fight broke out, it would be the best outcome for him, as he could take the opportunity to escape. As long as the fire spirit didn't chase after him, it didn't matter to him whether they fought fiercely in the secret realm or not, since the secret realm wasn't his anyway.
"My original plan was to move you and that fire spirit behind you into the sea, so you could take advantage of the terrain to capture that fire spirit. But then a firebird popped up, which is a bit troublesome!"
The Immortal Cauldron of the Void revealed its original plan in a simple and straightforward manner.
"Senior really thinks highly of me!"
Feng Bingwen grinned, unsure of what to say.
Fighting a true fire spirit in the vast ocean would naturally give you an advantage, but don't expect to extinguish a true fire with just seawater. If it were that easy, these flames wouldn't deserve to be called true fire.
Only power of equal level can extinguish true fire. For example, the seven true waters that are opposite to the seven true fires. Feng Bingwen does have one of them, but he really can't bear to use the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water.
"If I drag you into the sea, you might be able to subdue one ball of true fire with your abilities, but two balls of true fire would be a bit much for you. In order to avoid getting burned, you'd better behave yourself for now!"
Feng Bingwen expressed his understanding. Currently, these two True Fire Spirits are facing off due to their conflicting attributes. If he were to get them into the sea, they would likely unite against a common enemy and burn these flesh and blood creatures first.
Quack!
Not long after, another strange cry rang out, followed by the familiar flame power that spread throughout the world, forcefully intervening in the aura formed by the confrontation between the two true fire spirits.
"really!"
Following that familiar power, Feng Bingwen looked up and, as expected, saw a great sun appear on the horizon. Within that sun, he could vaguely see a magnificent three-legged divine bird, whose appearance was exactly the same as the fire spirit on his shoulder that had become somewhat excited.
Spirit of the True Fire of the Sun!
Of course, it can also be called Golden Crow True Fire, but it doesn't matter what it's called. With the appearance of this third fire spirit, the originally aggressive Black Flame General, whose murderous aura soared wherever it passed, retreated and became completely at ease.
It went back to where it came from, and before the great golden crow could even descend, it disappeared from Feng Bingwen's perception range.
"He's flexible and adaptable; he's quite a character!"
Seeing that the Earthly True Fire was so sensible, Feng Bingwen breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had only plucked a tiny fraction of its flame, yet he had been chased for three hundred miles, which showed its vengeful nature.
He thought he would have to pay a heavy price to get away, but unexpectedly... well, one wave subsides only for another to rise. Feeling the scorching, tangible gaze falling on him, Feng Bingwen felt numb.
"people?"
Just as Feng Bingwen approached, a blazing pillar of fire erupted, tearing through the ground and growing into a fiery tree. The Vermilion Bird spirit landed on the branches woven from flames, lowered its head, and curiously examined him.
"Yes, I am a human being!"
Sensing no hostility, Feng Bingwen looked up at the magnificent firebird before him, its eyes filled with pure incandescent light.
"You are much stronger than anyone I remember; you are the strongest person I have ever seen!"
The divine bird scrutinized Feng Bingwen from head to toe, and spoke with particular seriousness.
"Me? The strongest?"
Hearing the words of the divine bird, Feng Bingwen felt a little strange, but he quickly shook his head. He could not bear the title of the strongest person.
He can accept being praised for his unparalleled talent, and he can shamelessly admit that his talent is the strongest among humans. But to say that he is the strongest among humans without any prefix is to exaggerate his abilities.
"I'm not even close. There are cultivators among the human race who are stronger than me everywhere!"
"How powerful has the human race become now? Has Bai Ze's words come true?"
The fiery and domineering Golden Crow Fire Spirit descended from the sky, landing on the Flaming Divine Tree sculpted by the Vermilion Bird Spirit. The Vermilion Bird Spirit did not react in any way, suggesting that the two had a rather good relationship.
"May I ask you two seniors, what was the outside world like when you entered the initial secret realm?"
Feng Bingwen is now certain that the memories of these two fire spirits are basically stuck in an extremely distant past; they are living fossils of ancient times.
Otherwise, the Vermilion Bird Spirit wouldn't have claimed him as the strongest. In the Middle Ages, the human race had already produced a peerless powerhouse like the Martial Ancestor, who could sweep across the land. The time when the secret realm was sealed might be even more ancient, at the latest the prehistoric era, or perhaps even the ancient wilderness.
"have no idea!"
This was the answer Feng Bingwen received, a conjecture he couldn't verify, and even shattered his idea of using these two ancient fire spirits to peek into the history of ancient times.
"When we were sealed into this secret realm, we were just two flames, without thought, spirit, or intelligence. We only gradually learned to think over the long years, but all we have are some fragmented memories."
Feng Bingwen received an answer that was both reasonable and unexpected: the two balls of true fire collected by that ancient deity were indeed just two balls of fire, which only developed a spirit under the catalysis of time.
What does the world look like now?
Has humanity risen to power?
The spirit of the true fire of the sun scrutinized Feng Bingwen, its gaze lingering intently on the fire spirit on his shoulder.
"It is time to rise up, otherwise, how can those who are not even as good as servants wield the power of the sun!"
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