The Nine Cauldrons

Most of the Spirit Root was clear, only the roots were a milky white color.

“So this is the small item that can bear a Black Fire Spirit Fruit.” Teng Qingshan sighed in his heart. Truthfully, Teng Qingshan didn’t know that... this Black Fire Spirit Root wasn’t only solely capable of bearing a Black Fire Spirit Fruit. In actuality, even the birth of the Red Scaled Beast had to do with this Black Fire Spirit Root!

Through its roots, the Black Fire Spirit Root absorbed the surrounding fire element from the air. It would ceaselessly absorb this, until it ultimately underwent a particular transformation where it obtained a special transparent ability!

This transparent ability was extremely mysterious.

This was because it enabled the birth of the adolescent Red Scaled Beast. The Red Scaled Beast thus had a very intimate relationship with the Black Fire Spirit Fruit.

Even its maturation phase was nearly identical!

Within the Nine Prefectures, numerous people believed that despite the uniqueness of the Black Fire Spirit Root, it was still far inferior to the Black Fire Spirit Fruit. This was a fatal misconception! The Black Fire Spirit Fruit harbored a “Godly” energy that improved one’s mental strength, bolstering their Spirit. It also made it much easier to step into the Innate realm.

The Black Fire Spirit Root was different!

The Black Fire Spirit Root contained a life attributed energy. This sort of energy was able to give birth to a living Red Scaled Beast, and could also bear a Black Fire Spirit Fruit.

It was extremely unique!

Throughout history, when someone had managed to eat a Black Fire Spirit Root, they would only discover that their body’s physique had changed, and that they suddenly had the strength of ten thousand jin. Truthfully, they didn’t discover the other things.... However it wasn’t their fault, because the full potential of their physical body had yet to be fully unlocked. How could they discover the Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasure, the Black Fire Spirit Fruit’s, energy.

“I don’t know what the effect will be.”

Teng Qingshan took a bath in the water first before biting into the Black Fire Spirit Root.

“Ka cha!”

“Hmm? It’s so firm!” The outer skin of the Black Fire Spirit Root was very firm, but the interior succulence was extremely soft; upon entering one’s mouth, it would melt. A burning energy suddenly rushed into Teng Qingshan’s throat. Yet, Teng Qingshan didn’t care, and took two more bites. Subsequently, he ate the rest of the root and swallowed it into his stomach.

“This sort of energy is strong, but my body should still be able to bear it.” Throughout history, no one had ever died from eating a Black Fire Spirit Root.

With such a strong body, there was even less of a chance for something to happen to Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan immediately sat down and his breathing speed instantly slowed. His spirit was completely retracted. Teng Qingshan meticulously observed the changes that occurred in every muscle, bone, and organ of his body as that cauterizing fiery energy seeped down his esophagus. Subsequently, the energy began to rapidly integrate with his five viscera and six bowels; even his skin absorbed some of this fiery energy.

“Hong!”

This energy even proliferated upwards and quickly filled Teng Qingshan’s skull. The skin on his face, his ears, eyes etc. — they all merged with this energy.

“What a mysterious energy.” Teng Qingshan was aware of the changes happening in his body, and felt what he originally thought to be his body’s absolute pinnacle condition that was unable to upgrade any further, once again grow again as if it was a large tree being watered by a magical life water; his muscle fibers also grew more robust.

Especially his bones, as they too unexpectedly felt an intense burning!

This feeling persisted for approximately the time it takes to have a cup of tea, before slowly disappearing.

This Black Fire Spirit Root had transformed into a special energy that had integrated with every part of Teng Qingshan’s body.

“Hu!” Teng Qingshan stood up and retrieved the Reincarnation Spear stuck into the ground next to him.

“Ha!”

The full strength of Teng Qingshan’s body instantly erupted as his arm muscles thickened and molded together. They contained an endless tremendous strength. Teng Qingshan abruptly swung the Reincarnation Spear in his hands!

“Hong!”

A deafening sound erupted as the terrifying force from the Reincarnation Spear caused the air and space to momentarily compress. When the long spear stopped, the extremely compressed space abruptly exploded like an incorporeal artillery shell bombing an expansive bamboo forest. A plethora of cyan bamboos were split open.

“Hmm? My strength has nearly increased by 20,000 Jin!” Teng Qingshan was very precise in regards to control over his own strength, and could clearly feel the variation that had occurred to himself.

“According to legends, when one ate a Black Fire Spirit Root, wouldn’t his or her strength only increase by ten thousand Jin?” Teng Qingshan pondered in his heart, and recalled the feeling when he’d first eaten the Black Fire Spirit Root. “That’s right, it’s a lot like my previous life’s Iron Palm: only through the course of cultivation can I effectively absorb medicine. If normal people who didn’t train martial arts were to use medicine, then it would be a waste!”

“Therefore, one reason is that in order for the immense amount of Black Fire Spirit Root energy to be fully absorbed into the body, one must train. Since I’ve cultivated my body to an extremely high level, and am unable to further increase its level, rapidly absorbing external energy allowed me to far surpass normal people!”

A normal person’s body didn’t have a large need for the Black Fire Spirit Root’s energy, and would thus absorb less energy.

Teng Qingshan’s body, however, was in great need, and had thus absorbed more.

“Nevertheless, according to my senses, a large amount of energy has been hidden within my body.” Teng Qingshan was very confident in his own perception. A few Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasure energies utilized to the max were not something that his body could 100% absorb. There was definitely a myriad of energy still hidden in his body.

He’d only absorbed a small portion.

“If the energy is hidden within my body, I should be able to level up my body again and absorb it by using Godly Tiger Form Technique. “Teng Qingshan nodded his head. “When I return, I should start cultivating Godly Tiger Form Technique, as it absorbs energy from within the body.

He could probably use it to unlock the full potential of the Black Fire Spirit Root.

‘Time to return!” Teng Qingshan gripped his Reincarnation Spear and morphed into a phantom image as he rapidly shot through the mountain forest. With just a few leaps, he’d already disappeared to a distant place.

Teng Qingshan headed towards the camp stationed at the foot of the Mountain of Flames.

A cold breeze blew; Teng Qingshan was in a good mood.

“Hmm?” From afar, Teng Qingshan made out a squadron in the distance that was composed of numerous Gui Yuan Sect members. “Commander Guan, why are you here?” Teng Qingshan flew over in a flash.

Guan Lu was leading the men to search for Teng Qingshan.

For a long while, they hadn’t find a trace of anyone.

However, just at this time, a familiar voice rang out, and a silhouette appeared in front of her. Guan Lu’s heart couldn’t help but be overcome with a wave of happiness. Looking at Teng Qingshan, her face stiffened and she yelled, “Teng Qingshan, when you were chasing Wang Yuan, where on earth did you run to? We did an entire loop trying to search for you, but we couldn’t even find a trace of you!”

“Commander Guan.” Teng Qingshan laughed. “I was chasing Wang Yuan. Wherever he ran, I also ran. Not even I know where we ran to.”

“Did you kill him?” Guan Lu inquired.

“I didn’t. That old geezer was too cunning.” Teng Qingshan shook his head. The Black Fire Spirit Root had already been consumed by him, so there was no way that he could admit to killing Wang Yuan.

Guan Lu shook her head and sighed “What a pity. The Black Fire Spirit Root has already been taken by him. Whatever; how big of a deal is one Black Fire Spirit Root? You... your clothes are all tattered. Were you injured?” Teng Qingshan’s clothes were currently more broken than a beggar’s since he’d received all those knife qi attacks.

His body was fine, but his clothes had suffered greatly.

“It’s nothing.” Teng Qingshan shook his head.

“Showoff.” Guan Lu harrumphed before issuing a command, “Lieutenant Teng has already returned. Let’s head back to camp!”

Immediately, this group of people grandiosely began to walk back.

......

After returning to the foot of the mountain, when Ji Hong saw that Teng Qingshan had returned safely, he was extremely pleased. As for not obtaining the Black Fire Spirit Root, he didn’t seem to care too much about this. This time, Teng Qingshan had saved his life in the lava lake, so Ji Hong’s attitude towards Teng Qingshan was significantly better. When evening fell, the group of Gui Yuan Sect members had a great feast.

In the pitch black night, Teng Qingshan, Ji Hong, and Guan Lu sat around a bonfire.

“The affair this time still has one thing left; to find the Black Scaled Armor shed by the Red Scaled Beast!” Ji Hong said. “Qingshan, Guan Lu, in my opinion... this last matter can be dealt with by a group of 20 or so people who stay behind. If they find it, then that would be nice, but if they don’t, then whatever. The three of us should take the majority of them back to Jiangning first.”

Guan Lu’s eyebrows creased. “The Red Scaled Beast’s shed scales are particularly large and are enough to manufacture a plethora of battle armor! Moreover, each piece of battle armor are quite heavy, and harbor better defensive capabilities than heavy armor. We should be placing more importance on this Black Scaled Armor.”

Ever since Ji Hong had broken his arm, he’d lost the will to fight.

Currently, he wanted to return to Jiangning and properly recuperate before casually teaching younger generation disciples in retirement. He was extremely exhausted!

“The Red Scaled Beast’s scaled armor should boast slightly higher defensive capabilities than my Coldsteel Internal Armour.” Teng Qingshan said. “Compared to Senior Commander’s Darksteel Battle Armour, it’s still slightly lacking. However... that Red Scaled Armour is clearly thinner and is most likely much lighter. Moreover, its flexibility is much better!”

Normally, heavy armour was extremely troublesome at the joints.

However, this Red Scaled Beast’s Red Scaled Armour had an exterior of Red armour and an interior of leather. When one wore it, they wouldn’t have to worry about small chinks in the joints.

“Are the two of you implying that you wish to earnestly steal the Red Scaled Beast’s scaled armour?” Ji Hong looked at the two of them.

Guan Lu nodded her head.

Teng Qingshan also nodded his head.

There were a few items that gold would find hard to buy. For example, Darksteel, which was an even higher grade metal than Ten Thousand Coldsteel, Silent Gold Godsteel, etc. The Red Scaled Armour also fell into this category.

“Ai... I’ve gotten old.” Upon seeing their answer, Ji Hong let out a laugh. “I still have to rely on you youngsters.”

Ji Hong proceeded to say: “Nevertheless, the Red Scaled Beast has eaten the Black Fire Spirit Fruit and will have grown again. It will be larger while also gradually transforming... we should still have about a month left for this trip. A successfully transformed Red Scaled Beast is extremely terrifying. Even Innate Masters are afraid of it! Attempting to steal the Red Scaled Armour from it is very dangerous.”

Guan Lu subsequently said, “The Red Scaled Beast cannot stay in its nest forever. We should wait for it to leave its nest before stealing the armour!”

“If we are careful, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Teng Qingshan said. “It’s physique is incredibly large, so when the time comes, we should find a small space to drill through. That way, it won’t be able to chase us.”

“You guys...”

Having been a commander for many years, Ji Hong understood that those among the younger generation who had potential, needed to undergo successive experiences where they steeled themselves. If they were constantly under protection, it would be very hard for them to grow.

“Okay. I’ll lead all of the Black Armored Army soldiers back first! I’ll leave 30 Gui Yuan Sect core disciple experts for the two of you! These 30 people are much more skilled in martial arts than Black Armored Army members, and should be enough to help you... remember, don’t be reckless. You must be prudent and careful!”

“Yes!”

Teng Qingshan and Guan Lu accepted the order.