Ling Tian Sword God

Panlong City, Heavenly Secret Tower.

An elder wrapped in a black robe walked into the hall and approached the counter.

”I’m looking for someone.”

The black-robed elder’s voice was deep.

”Who?”

Yu Wei merely raised her eyes, glanced at the black-robed elder, and then looked away. It was not unusual for such people to frequent the Heavenly Secret Tower—some to hide their identities, others to create an air of mystery.

”Ling Chen.”

The black-robed elder coldly uttered the name.

”Ling Chen? The Ling Chen ranked fifth on the Qingshi Board?”

Yu Wei’s beautiful eyes slightly narrowed. She still remembered Ling Chen’s appearance. Now that someone was inquiring about his whereabouts, it naturally caught her interest.

”Yes.” The black-robed elder’s tone remained indifferent.

”A thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills.”

Yu Wei said expressionlessly.

”That expensive?” The black-robed elder frowned. It was merely information, yet it required a thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills.

However, he quickly nodded, flicked his sleeve, and retrieved a thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills.

Soon after, Yu Wei handed a note to the black-robed elder. Although she was reluctant to sell Ling Chen’s information due to her favorable impression of him, the rules of the Heavenly Secret Tower demanded it. As long as the customer had the currency, they were entitled to purchase desired information, and not even she, a deacon, could defy this rule.

”I hope the kid can turn danger into safety.”

By relying on the Heavenly Secret Tower’s unique restrictions, Yu Wei could sense traces of a Saint’s aura emanating from the black-robed elder. Being targeted by a Saint meant bad news for Ling Chen.

Outside the Heavenly Secret Tower, the black-robed elder opened the note, which plainly read: ”Xunyang City, Fire Cloud Residence.”

”Hmph, boy, you won’t escape the palm of this elder!”

The black-robed elder sneered, flashed, and vanished into thin air, seemingly evaporating like smoke.

...

Inside the Fire Cloud Residence, in the Sky-level Earth Fire Cultivation Room.

Ling Chen sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room, his eyes slightly closed. Before him floated a scarlet iron plate, emitting an extremely hot and explosive aura.

At this moment, this nameless iron plate was entirely enveloped in flames. The ancient patterns on its surface had been fully activated, resembling a blazing fire.

Under the guidance of this nameless iron plate, the energy in the entire cultivation room became increasingly active. As the surrounding air grew more violent, Ling Chen awoke from his cultivation state.

”This nameless iron plate does indeed have some mystery.”

Upon witnessing this scene, Ling Chen’s eyes couldn’t help but light up. The nameless iron plate was absorbing the energy in the cultivation room at an astonishing speed, even drawing up threads of fire attribute force from the depths of the ground, infusing it into the plate.

Moreover, the nameless iron plate’s absorption of fire attribute force was continuously strengthening.

Crack!

When this suction force reached an extremely terrifying level, the ground beneath the cultivation room seemed unable to sustain the energy draw and abruptly cracked open.

Faintly, an indistinct roar seemed to emanate from the fissure below.

”What’s that sound?”

Ling Chen stood, moved to the fracture’s edge, and gazed downward.

However, the indistinct roar didn’t disappear; instead, it grew louder, causing the entire floor to tremble violently.

Putting his mental power to use, Ling Chen peered into the deep crevice, encountering complete darkness stretching to the visual horizon. This bizarre lack of light caused a dizziness in his mind.

Beneath the ground, it seemed to interlink the entire Fire Cloud Residence. Deep within this darkness, something appeared to be continuously spreading, providing heat to the entire residence.

Suddenly, the nameless iron plate quivered slightly. As it shook, the endless darkness below began to strangely lighten.

Yet, as the darkness lightened, Ling Chen felt the hairs on his body stand on end.

Before Ling Chen’s eyes, within the infinite blackness, space began to faintly distort. Next, this twisted space climbed towards the opening with astonishing speed, like an invisible python.

”Kid, get back!”

Just as the twisted space was about to ascend, a voice shouted in Ling Chen’s ear. Realizing the warning, Ling Chen reflexively leaped back.

Boom!

As he retreated, the ground ahead suddenly erupted. The next moment, an intense surge in temperature engulfed him. Then he heard an extremely sharp ”hissing” sound from the depths, seeing a massive fire column burst forth, filling the entire room with scorching energy.

The ferocious fire column, with its writhing flames in mid-air, coalesced into a rather menacing flame python.

”What is that?”

Ling Chen’s eyes showed astonishment. These flames were from the deepest part of the Earth’s core, and yet the flame python before him appeared almost intelligent.

”This is the Flame Essence.”

The Human Emperor’s voice resonated in his ear, ”I didn’t expect there to be a Flame Essence down here. No wonder this earth fire can sustain so many cultivation rooms’ energy without exhaustion for years.”

”Flame Essence?” Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”The Flame Essence forms when Earth Fire becomes highly concentrated,”

The Human Emperor continued, ”Flame Essence can’t be directly refined, but it continuously supplies pure fire attribute energy, aiding in cultivation greatly.”

”How do we capture such a volatile Flame Essence?”

From the Flame Essence, Ling Chen sensed extreme volatility, making capturing it exceedingly difficult.

”It seems you don’t need to worry much; this iron plate seems to be subduing the Flame Essence,” the Human Emperor said calmly.

”Oh?”

Ling Chen raised an eyebrow, fixing his gaze on the iron plate, amazed at its utility. From the nameless iron plate, filament-like beams shot out, binding the Flame Essence tightly.

Roar! Roar!

The Flame Essence struggled and roared violently, yet it couldn’t escape the iron plate’s grasp. The next moment, fine powder fell from the iron plate’s back, revealing an ancient firebird pattern.

The nameless iron plate slowly released its power, gradually drawing in the Flame Essence. During this process, the Essence continually compressed and shrank until it was fully imprinted on the iron plate’s back, merging with the ancient firebird design.

After absorbing the Flame Essence, the firebird pattern brightened, and the entire nameless iron plate shed its old surface, appearing rejuvenated.