Chapter 463: Heartfire Flame! Where is Lu Mingyue?

Jin Kingdom, Black Mist Swamp.

In the mountain forest filled with purple-black poisonous gas and miasma, over a dozen cultivators walked back and forth.

If one looked closely, many terrifyingly shaped poisonous insects could be seen lurking, with dozens of faintly visible ghosts floating around.

“Qu Changtian entered this Mist Swamp a year ago—surely he couldn’t still be alive, no matter how tough he is?”

“We’re only patrolling the outer area, yet we’re already corroded by the poisonous gas. Without some pills to aid him, how could that man survive for so long?”

“Orders are orders. What else can we do?”

“Hang in there. I heard from Senior Brother Teng that just another half year should be enough.”

These people murmured in low voices, feeling a bit helpless.

Black Mist Swamp was perpetually shrouded in poisonous gas.

Had they not purchased a batch of antidote pills from the Five Poison Sect, their bodies and Qi would have slowly deteriorated, affecting their foundation, even though they were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Although Qu Changtian was extraordinary, he was ultimately just another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

At that moment, a sudden shriek echoed from not too far away.

“Buzzzz—”

“Chirrp—”

“Hisss—”

Simultaneously, the poisonous insects on the ground began to hiss and tremble, and the ghosts shrieked.

They immediately looked through the purple-black fog and saw a figure cloaked in black not far away.

On the ground, there was a person engulfed in a purple-green flame.

“Qu Changtian, you’re still alive?!”

“Quick, send a message to Senior Brother Teng!”

Seeing this, the group was so shocked it was as if they’d seen a ghost. They didn’t dare to attack immediately but instead sent a message to their brother.

After all, they had all witnessed Qu Changtian’s strength.

Despite being only at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, he was stronger than many Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Especially with the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm in hand, it was simply impossible to guard against him.

One wrong move, and you wouldn’t even know how you died.

However, before they could finish speaking, the black-cloaked figure flew towards them like a Kun Peng.

“Buzz!”

Lu Quanzhen’s body ignited with a surging purple-green flame, making his face under the cloak look terrifying and intimidating. He then released a purple-green Gourd.

“Whoosh—”

From the Gourd, a mass of thick, purple-black poisonous gas billowed out and condensed into a massive poisonous hand, slamming down on them.

“Not good!”

“Be careful!”

Seeing this, the group’s expressions turned serious. They quickly activated their Spiritual Energy, summoning Artifacts.

“Boom!”

Purple-green flames and the poisonous hand collided violently.

The nearest ones immediately had their Spiritual Energy disrupted and staggered backward.

“Puff—”

But in that split second, a thin golden light shot out, piercing one of them right through the forehead, making him collapse.

“Junior Brother Luo!”

The sight filled them with terror. How could this man still be so powerful after surviving the Black Mist Swamp?

This person isn’t just alive; it seems his strength has even taken a step further.

“Qu Changtian, you’re alive, and it wasn’t in vain that I waited here for so long!”

As Lu Quanzhen was about to strike again, an angry shout rang out.

Out of nowhere, a large man clad in green vine armor came rushing towards them.

His eyes were filled with both anger and shock.

He couldn’t believe Lu Quanzhen wasn’t just alive but had also gained an opportunity.

He had been waiting here not because he knew Lu Quanzhen was still alive.

But because he didn’t know how to report back to Master Ghost Demon Realman, so he stayed longer to make it look like he searched thoroughly.

“This time, I’ll see where you can run!”

He said no more but instead formed a seal with his hands, summoning a huge ghostly sword and charging at Lu Quanzhen with an overwhelming force.

“Run?!”

Lu Quanzhen’s eyes gleamed coldly from under his black hood. The Yin-Yang Five Elements Kun Peng Technique activated, causing a massive Kun Peng to appear behind him, its presence rolling the poisonous gas like a vast ocean.

“Boom!”

The ghostly sword collided fiercely with the Kun Peng, sending waves of Spiritual Energy surging in all directions, causing the poisonous insects and ghosts to tremble.

“Kill!”

Other cultivators who had been hunting Lu Quanzhen also joined in, attacking him as one, trying to slay him here.

“Poisonous Miasma Gourd!”

Lu Quanzhen remained fearless, his eyes flashing fiercely. He suddenly slapped his chest, spitting out a blood arrow that landed on the purple-green Gourd above his head.

“Whoosh—”

The Gourd, initially only about a foot large, instantly grew to over three yards.

Thick, smoke-like clouds of poisonous gas rolled out, covering the sky, then formed massive poisonous snakes that launched at them savagely.

“Not good!”

The others were shocked at the sight.

“Just don’t let him escape!”

Senior Brother Teng shouted, his power at the peak of Foundation Establishment bursting out like a torrent, forming an overwhelming spiritual pressure that made the huge sword glow brightly, rupturing the Kun Peng.

“Clang!”

Lu Quanzhen’s expression remained unchanged as he instantly released a purple treasure orb and a talisman to block the sword attacking him, then formed seals with his hands.

The damaged Kun Peng suddenly transformed into hundreds of small, blue-green fish that shot towards the other cultivators.

“Ahhhh—”

Several cultivators were wounded by the ghostly fish, then their flesh and Spiritual Energy were corroded by the poisonous snakes.

As the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm emerged, it directly pierced through the hearts and heads of several people, causing them to collapse.

“Damn it!”

Senior Brother Teng’s eyes filled with ferocity and rage.

Too many died today. If he couldn’t bring back Lu Quanzhen’s head, there would be no explaining it.

“Go!”

Seeing this, Lu Quanzhen signaled the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm and used his Yin-Yang Dual Qi to fly off into the depths of Black Mist Swamp like a massive bird.

“Even if I have to burn my essence, I’ll kill you today!”

Senior Brother Teng saw him running. His aura skyrocketed as if ghosts wailed.

He knew Lu Quanzhen had some means to avoid the toxicity of the Black Mist Swamp.

But he also knew that if Lu Quanzhen escaped today, he’d never get another chance to kill him.

When he returned, all that awaited him would be punishment from his master.

And he was also somewhat afraid of Lu Quanzhen.

This man had killed his master’s son while only in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

He had been hunted for years, not only surviving but growing stronger, killing numerous Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Now driven into the Black Mist Swamp, he still survived.

If he didn’t kill him now, once Lu Quanzhen reached the late Foundation Establishment, he’d be in danger.

After all, Qu Changtian had always been ruthless and vengeful for the past decade, wiping out entire families of those who had pursued him.

“Whizz!”

When Lu Quanzhen saw Senior Brother Teng’s desperate charge, he quickly pulled out several talismans from his robe and threw them out before continuing his mad sprint.

He had previously scouted this route and knew there were no dangerous beasts ahead.

“Should we… chase?”

The remaining few debated anxiously.

“We must. If Qu Changtian escapes, Ghost Demon Realman will surely punish us severely.”

One of them immediately flew after both Lu Quanzhen and Senior Brother Teng.

If they chased, they might die.

But if they didn’t and returned empty-handed, they might wish they were dead.

“Whizz, whizz, whizz—”

The others gritted their teeth and chased after Lu Quanzhen and Senior Brother Teng.

“Boom!”

Senior Brother Teng activated a blood-burning secret technique, gaining incredible speed and closing in on Lu Quanzhen in seconds. He struck out with his palm, summoning countless ghostly figures.

The huge ghostly sword above him glowed and slashed down with enormous force.

“Puff!”

Lu Quanzhen summoned another treasure orb, its radiance enveloping him, but under the pressure of the ghostly sword, his throat tightened, and he spat blood.

He used the force to fly sideways while commanding the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm to attack Senior Brother Teng.

“Clang!”

Senior Brother Teng’s body armor shone with a sinister light. The Six-Winged Golden Silkworm struck it, causing a crisp metallic ring.

The silkworm did not continue the attack, retreating immediately after a failed strike.

“I’ll see where you run!”

Senior Brother Teng’s face twisted in fury as he continued his assault, ghost tattoos appearing on his body.

Facing Senior Brother Teng’s relentless pursuit, Lu Quanzhen found it difficult to hold out, retreating step by step, his face growing paler and his breath more erratic.

At that moment.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz—”

From the ground, black pillars of light shot up, enveloping Senior Brother Teng in a dark light.

“Formation!?”

Senior Brother Teng’s face twisted in anger. He knew Lu Quanzhen had intentionally lured him into this ambush.

But his experience told him this was a simple array formed with an array tool, not a grand formation.

“Break it!”

He slapped his Storage Bag, pulling out a barrier-breaking talisman. Ghosts shouted as they tried to tear through the formation.

At that moment.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

A series of earth-shattering explosions rang out.

“Damn it!”

Senior Brother Teng’s face changed drastically. He hadn’t expected Lu Quanzhen to have buried thunderpearls underground.

Quickly, he urged his green vine armor to the extreme, forming a giant wooden figure that encased him.

Under this barrage, the wooden figure was instantly blown apart.

Moments later, Senior Brother Teng emerged, disheveled and looking like a fierce ghost, as he roared at Lu Quanzhen, “I’ll kill you!”

This vine armor had been his family’s heirloom, saving him from life-and-death crises many times.

But now, it was nearly ruined.

“Still not dead?”

Lu Quanzhen’s cold gaze showed a trace of surprise.

These thunderpearls were potent enough to kill a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He had buried seven of them, yet they didn’t kill him.

“But at least I’ve cracked that turtle shell!”

Seeing his opponent’s vine armor shattered, Lu Quanzhen’s cloak billowed as his eyes glinted coldly.

This person had always given him trouble, largely because of that Rare Treasure.

“Kill!”

Lu Quanzhen formed seals with his hands, summoning a Kun Peng behind him that soared like an eagle across the sky, its cry echoing with demonic sounds as it rushed towards Senior Brother Teng with rolling poisonous gas.

“Die!”

Senior Brother Teng, now covered in ghost tattoos, lunged at Lu Quanzhen with an eerie hand, while the massive ghostly sword slashed down with unstoppable force.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

Their two forces collided explosively, sending shockwaves in all directions, forming a poisonous whirlwind in the swirling air.

Lu Quanzhen was instantly at a disadvantage.

But the overwhelming poisonous gas had already engulfed Senior Brother Teng, corroding his flesh and turning his complexion dark purple.

“Die!”

With wild hair flying, Senior Brother Teng’s peak Foundation Establishment power surged madly as he roared.

He knew that if Lu Quanzhen wasn’t killed today, he wouldn’t leave the Black Mist Swamp alive.

“Boom!”

The ghostly sword’s mystical patterns flowed as it shattered the Kun Peng, allowing the eerie hand to pierce straight through Lu Quanzhen’s chest.

Lu Quanzhen lowered his gaze to the eerie hand in his chest, a look of disbelief crossing his face.

“Hahaha—”

Senior Brother Teng laughed triumphantly.

But the next moment, his laughter froze.

A golden light suddenly shot out from his chest as he coughed up blood.

Lu Quanzhen’s body gradually turned into a clay puppet, crumbling.

Not far away, Lu Quanzhen appeared, his face pale and bloodless.

Forming seals with his hands, the sky-darkening poisonous Gourd smashed down on Senior Brother Teng, releasing torrents of poisonous gas.

“Hisssss—”

The Six-Winged Golden Silkworm didn’t retreat this time, unleashing a bloodthirsty aura as it ravaged Senior Brother Teng’s insides, causing him to scream miserably.

“Senior Brother Teng!”

From afar, the few remaining cultivators arrived, their faces filled with disbelief.

Lou Quanzhen saw them and laughed hoarsely, “You still dare to chase me!”

A gruesome and terrifying black Kun Peng appeared behind him as poisonous gas billowed.

“Run! Run, now!”

“Senior Brother Teng is dead, run away!”

Seeing this, they were terrified, immediately turning around to flee.

They hadn’t wanted to chase after him.

Now that they saw Senior Brother Teng dead at Lu Quanzhen’s hands, they were scared out of their wits, giving up the pursuit entirely.

“Cough, cough—”

Lu Quanzhen didn’t chase them, clutching his chest as he coughed up blood.

Senior Brother Teng’s strength far exceeded his expectations. He only survived because of the ‘Puppet Life-Saving Technique.’ He was now out of energy and couldn’t continue fighting.

If he forcefully continued, it could damage his foundation.

“Once these people escape, Ghost Demon Realman might come. I can’t stay here any longer.”

“No, it’s not just here; I can’t stay in the Jin Kingdom either.”

With that thought, Lu Quanzhen looked at the nearly lifeless Senior Brother Teng, pulling out his Magical Sword and cutting off his head. He then gathered up the corpse before quickly leaving.

Bihu Mountain.

[Congratulations to the host! Your first offspring has become a Second-Tier Equipment Refining master! You’ve earned a lottery draw opportunity!]

On this day, Lu Changsheng was cultivating the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra with Xiao Xiyue when a system notification sounded.

“Second-Tier Equipment Refining master?”

Lu Changsheng guessed it must be his son, Lu Yunlou, who had advanced to a Second-Tier Equipment Refining master.

His son had a talent for Equipment Refining and was already a Top-Tier first-tier refining master.

Now that he had broken through Foundation Establishment, it was normal for his refining skills to progress along with his cultivation and Divine Sense.

Lu Changsheng didn’t pay much attention and continued cultivating the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra with Xiao Xiyue.

A few days later, they finished their session.

Holding Xiao Xiyue, who was flushed and lazily resting, Lu Changsheng decided to use his lottery draw.

“System, draw!”

Accompanied by the familiar spinning interface, a flame symbol appeared.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring a Third-Tier fire seed: Heartburn Flame]

[Reward has been sent to the system space. The host can access it anytime.]

“Heartburn Flame?”

Lu Changsheng slightly raised his brows, his expression calm.

Although he already possessed the Thunder-Reinforced Dragon Flame, this Heartburn Flame was likely not of much use to him.

Still, ordinary lottery draws no longer held much appeal for him unless he got extremely lucky, so he wasn’t disappointed.

[Fire Seed: Heartburn Flame]

[Quality: Third-Tier]

[Description: A flame formed after the demise of a Third-Tier great demon, the Malicious Beast, in an endless sea of fire. It is formless and colorless, capable of inciting one’s inner flame, Seven Emotions, and Six Desires. The Heart Flame also has the effect of refining Spiritual Energy.]

“Hmm? Incites the inner flame, Seven Emotions, and Six Desires.”

Lu Changsheng was slightly pleased upon seeing this effect.

While his Yin-Yang Spiritual Energy was already pure and thick, making him less reliant on external items to refine it.

This ability to incite Seven Emotions and Six Desires seemed quite useful to him.

To cultivate the Six Desires Demon Heart Manual, one must incite Seven Emotions and Six Desires.

But under normal circumstances, cultivating through Seven Emotions and Six Desires was risky, troublesome, and difficult to control.

With this Heartburn Flame, it would be much simpler and more convenient.

Furthermore, although the Heart Flame’s refining capability was of little use to him, it didn’t mean that the rest of his family couldn’t benefit.

If his wives, concubines, and children could refine their Spiritual Energy, the overall strength of his family would increase.

Lu Changsheng thought to himself, understanding the importance of refining Spiritual Energy.

However, I already have the Thunder-Reinforced Dragon Flame. Refining this Heartburn Flame would be troublesome, and it might cause the spirit flames to repulse each other.

Even if I do manage to refine it, trying to use it to refine others’ Spiritual Energy would be inefficient and would delay my own cultivation.

Wait.

He stopped as a thought occurred to him.

Why do I have to refine this Heartburn Flame myself?

Just like with Heaven and Earth spirit plants, I could simply place the flame somewhere.

My wives, concubines, and children could then use it to refine their Spiritual Energy or temper their Dao hearts through their Seven Emotions and Six Desires.

Moreover, the Heart Flame’s ability to incite Seven Emotions and Six Desires could be suppressed by Sumeru, leaving only its refining ability.

Can the Heartburn Flame only refine Spiritual Energy? Could it refine spiritual energy too?

Qi Refining cultivators might not be able to withstand the Heartburn Flame, but what if I found a way to weaken the flame’s intensity? Wouldn’t Qi Refining cultivators be able to withstand it then?

As a Third-Tier Equipment Refining master, Lu Changsheng quickly formed a rough idea.

All he needed to do was craft a Linglong Pagoda and place the Heartburn Flame inside.

By adjusting the different levels of the pagoda, he could create various levels of the Heart Flame’s intensity.

At the very least, Qi Refining cultivators would be able to use the Heartburn Flame to refine their spirit energy.

The more Lu Changsheng thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He almost felt like he should start crafting immediately.

“Changsheng, what’s the matter?”

Beside him, Xiao Xiyue, her hair tousled, her cheeks flushed, and voice lazy, asked softly.

“Nothing much. I just suddenly had a breakthrough in a problem with my cultivation. That’s all.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the beautiful woman before him and happily replied before giving her a kiss on her delicate lips.

“Mmm~”

Bihu Mountain, outside the mountain gate.

A woman in black descended from her sword.

“What matter brings Senior here to Bihu Mountain?”

The Lu Family disciples and cultivators guarding the mountain gate saw the woman and immediately bowed in respect.

Even though Bihu Mountain was a False Core Formation family, they still held Foundation Establishment cultivators in high regard.

After all, no matter where you are, Foundation Establishment cultivators are powerhouses in their own right. Better not to offend them if you can avoid it.

Moreover, as mere Qi Refining cultivators, they naturally felt innate respect for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Is Lu Ping’an at home?”

The woman in black asked.

She then added, “I have business with him.”

“Hmm?”

The two Lu Family disciples exchanged glances and asked, “Does Senior have any proof?”

Now that Lu Ping’an was an ancestor-level figure within Bihu Mountain, not to mention they didn’t know his whereabouts, even if they did, they couldn’t reveal it.

After all, letting others know that their ancestor is out is an incredibly risky thing to do.

“Proof?”

The woman in black was taken aback and said, “You can inform him that a friend, Qin Yi, has come to visit.”

“A friend? Senior, please wait. I’ll go inform the Patriarch, Lu Xingyang.”

One of the disciples spoke and went to notify the Patriarch.

“Qin Yi? Does Big Brother have such a friend?”

Lu Xingyang, who was busy with matters, heard this and frowned slightly, deep in thought.

He then went to ask Lu Yun.

“Qin Yi?”

Lu Yun also shook his head, saying he had never heard that name before.

He paused his refining of the Dragon Blood Tree and went to the gate, saying, “This Senior, my big brother is currently in seclusion. If you don’t have any proof, he instructed that he not be disturbed unless the matter is urgent.”

Qin Yi understood this was a polite way of saying no guests were allowed.

She hesitated before saying, “Is Lu Mingyue at home? She should know me.”

“Lu Mingyue?”

Lu Yun was momentarily stunned, trying to recall if there was someone by that name in their family.

But he didn’t have any impression of such a person.

However, he did have many brothers and sisters and thought maybe he forgot.

After thinking for a moment and being certain there was no such person, he said, “Senior, you might be mistaken. There’s no one named ‘Lu Mingyue’ in our family.”

“No one!?”

Qin Yi frowned.

The letters she received often praised a sister named Mingyue to the heavens.

She also realized that the letters weren’t actually from Lu Ping’an, but from this young girl named Lu Mingyue.

“Could she have used an alias?”

Qin Yi immediately speculated.

After all, the letters showed that this person was quite eccentric.

“Mingyue might just be an alias. She claimed to be Lu Ping’an’s sister. Does your family have such a person?”

Qin Yi asked.

While she had many letters.

The content was not only embarrassing and should not be used as proof unless the real person showed up.

“An alias?”

Lu Yun thought for a moment and suddenly recalled that his sister, Lu Wangshu, resided in a courtyard called Mingyue Pavilion.

Given that the woman before him was a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come to find his big brother and might know Wangshu, it seemed plausible.

The issue, however, was that Lu Wangshu wasn’t currently home.

If she were, one trip to Bishui Lake would solve this.

“We do have such a person, but as luck would have it, she’s not home right now.”

Lu Yun replied politely, “Would Senior like to leave some contact details? When my brother or Mingyue returns, I’ll inform them.”

“Or perhaps Senior could stay in our Bihu Mountain for a few days.”

As the Patriarch, Lu Yun had a knack for reading people.

Based on her words and expression, he didn’t think that she was some fraud or rogue cultivator. She very well could be his big brother’s friend.

“Alright.”

Qin Yi nodded. She knew that in the cultivation world, it was often difficult to meet someone.

Especially since Lu Ping’an was already a Lu Family ancestor, it was even less likely he would casually accept visitors.

Lu Yun then politely invited Qin Yi to stay in Bihu Mountain Manor and sent someone to White Tiger Mountain to inform his big brother.

White Tiger Mountain.

Lu Ping’an had just finished sparring with his sister Lu Linghe. They went home to dine.

Ordinary cultivators might frequently go without food.

But body refining cultivators eat much more than ordinary people, often consuming demon beast meat daily.

“Big Brother, Xingyang sent word that a woman named Qin Yi claims to be your friend and has come to visit you. Do you know her?”

Lu Qingsong asked casually as he saw his big brother enjoying his food.

“Qin Yi?”

Lu Ping’an paused when he heard the name and asked, “Who?”

Seeing this, Lu Qingsong took out a Jade Slip and handed it to him.

“Why is she here…”

Lu Ping’an recognized the woman in black from the Jade Slip, his tall and sturdy frame slightly stiffening.

“Big Brother, do you know this person?”

Lu Qingsong noticed that the demeanor of his big brother was off and asked.

“Yes.”

Lu Ping’an hesitated for a moment before quietly responding, surprised that she had come all the way to Bihu Mountain to find him.

Indeed, she was a brave and straightforward person.

In their youth, to become a so-called Sword Immortal, she had traveled alone to join the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Earlier in the Purple Secrets Realm, she even directly confronted him.

It was only him who acted timidly.

“Hey, big brother, who is she?”

Lu Linghe, speaking between mouthfuls, asked curiously.

“An old acquaintance.”

Lu Ping’an answered softly.

At this moment, both Lu Qingsong and Lu Linghe noticed something off in their big brother’s expression.

“Is she someone Big Brother likes?”

Lu Linghe looked into her older brother’s clear eyes and asked.

“?”

Lu Qingsong saw his elder brother’s silent expression and was puzzled, thinking his sister might have hit the mark.

But how could someone like his elder brother, who is normally composed, behave like this when facing emotions?

At this moment, a hint of gossip appeared in his mind.

“Sister said that when you like someone, you become dull. Right now, Big Brother is just standing there, looking lost.”

Lu Linghe, seemingly unaffected by her brother’s expression, took another bite of meat, her voice muffled.

“Brother, would you like to meet Miss Qin?”

Lu Qingsong cautiously asked, seeing his elder brother’s silence.

After a long time, Lu Ping’an softly replied, “Mm, I’m going to Bihu Mountain.”

Before, he might have pretended not to know and avoided thinking about it.

But now that she’s at Bihu Mountain, he couldn’t continue pretending anymore.

“Big Brother, I want to go too! I also want to meet this sister!”

Beside them, Lu Linghe totally oblivious, chirped in.

“Alright, eat till you’re full first.”

Lu Ping’an gently rubbed his sister’s bun-like hair, speaking warmly while pondering how he would face the other person.

Miss Qin, it’s been a long time.

“Sigh.”

He sighed inwardly.

Sometimes, it’s not that you don’t want to go, but perhaps you physically can’t, or maybe you just really don’t want to.

No matter what, he had never gone.