Chapter 412 : Primordial Fire Cloud Lion
Chapter 412: Primordial Fire Cloud Lion
“Mas……Master!”
Walking up to Chen Beiwu, Iron Egg slightly lowered his head to show the respect in his heart.
“Just call me Beiwu.”
Chen Beiwu smiled calmly, his divine sense probing toward Iron Egg’s three lineages.
After sweeping a glance over the general situation of Iron Egg’s Origin and Attribute Lineages, Chen Beiwu immediately looked toward the Dharma Lineage.
As expected, with the augmentation of the Exotic Flame, in terms of cultivation alone, Iron Egg’s Dao Cultivation far surpassed Snowle’s, reaching as high as one thousand seven hundred eighty-five years, second only to Golden Egg within the group.
As for the newly awakened Demon King True Domain and Special Mystical Ability within Iron Egg’s Dharma Lineage, their effects were exceptionally powerful, causing Chen Beiwu to slightly raise his brows and nod in praise.
“Na!”（I’m not bad either!）
Snowle moved closer to Chen Beiwu.
Although his Dao Cultivation was only one thousand six hundred years, he would not be at a disadvantage even when facing Iron Egg head-on.
“Nascent Soul Demon King isn’t our end point. Our future lies in Divine Transformation and Void Refinement!”
Chen Beiwu wrapped his arms around the four little fellows, Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Snowle, and Zhiling, softly declaring his ambition.
Before becoming a Nascent Soul True Monarch, he had not dared to speak presumptuously of Divine Transformation and Void Refinement, and could only keep this goal silently within his heart.
But now things were different!
He had now attained the position of Nascent Soul True Monarch, and with the assistance of Nine Breaths Chaos and two Divine Abilities, it was not impossible for his cultivation to advance further in the future and reach Divine Transformation and Void Refinement.
“Roar!”
“Woof!”
“Na!”
“Ying!”
Hearing Chen Beiwu’s ambition, the four little fellows exchanged glances before raising their heads together in response.
……
Azure Nether Peak, outside Shuiyan Residence.
Several hundred Immortal Sect students stood three hundred zhang away from the cave dwelling, their expressions reverent as they conversed in hushed voices.
Some genius sect students of extraordinary backgrounds even subconsciously straightened their Dao robes, their postures respectful, while a trace of yearning appeared in their eyes as they looked toward the cave dwelling.
Although their cultivation was only at Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment, they could still learn through the Jade Purity Immortal Sect’s official website and the Myriad Spirits App that Chen Beiwu, the contemporary Chief of the Immortal Sect, had successfully attained the Dao as a True Monarch, his status comparable to some middle-ranking members of the sect.
The reason they remained outside the cave dwelling and refused to leave was precisely so they might enter True Monarch Chen’s sight.
Yes, exactly. Even though they knew the chances were slim and it would be difficult to catch True Monarch Chen’s eye, they still could not bear to give up such a rare opportunity.
What if?
What if the newly advanced True Monarch Chief suddenly had the thought of accepting disciples?
What if True Monarch Chen happened to notice them among the crowd, and even the slightest favor from him caused their status to soar overnight?
Even if that did not happen, status was something one gave oneself. Merely being able to meet True Monarch Chen once would become something worth talking about when making friends and discussing the Dao in the future.
After all, not every cultivator could enter the outer reaches of Azure Nether Peak and personally witness the bearing of True Monarch Chen emerging from seclusion.
‘Junior Brother, did you arrange this?’
Su Muyi glanced at the students not far away and transmitted through divine sense.
‘Most likely arranged by the people under me.’ Jiang Chuan stroked his beard, his expression smug.
Back then, he had been the one who recognized Junior Brother Chen at a glance and introduced Junior Brother Chen to Master.
Now, before Junior Brother Chen had even reached a hundred years of age, he had successfully attained the Dao as a True Monarch, with a Dharma Aspect measuring forty-five thousand zhang, breaking the Immortal Sect’s publicly known record in one stroke. This alone was enough to prove Jiang Chuan’s discerning eye and his great contribution to the Dongming Evergreen Lineage.
Such a scene worthy of showing off naturally needed some spectators to witness it, otherwise would it not be utterly dull?
In the past, forget Immortal Sect students with some relation to the Dongming Evergreen Lineage—even disciples of the Evergreen Lineage would not have been qualified to approach Shuiyan Residence.
As for Junior Brother Chen’s safety?
Jiang Chuan’s expression shifted as he sensed that around Shuiyan Residence, strands of barely perceptible aura existed together with Heaven and Earth.
Without a doubt, Junior Brother Chen’s attainment of the Dao as a True Monarch this time had alarmed quite a few powerful experts within the sect.
Those immortal cultivation experts who normally cultivated in secluded retreat, wandered the four directions, and were rarely ever seen had all separated out a wisp of mind to form incarnations here and observe. Who knew how many Divine Transformation True Venerables were secretly watching?
Under such circumstances, even if an immortal cultivation titan wished to act against Junior Brother Chen, they would probably end up dying and having their Dao extinguished.
‘A forty-five-thousand-zhang Primordial Origin Dharma Aspect. Little Junior Brother truly is extraordinary.’ Mo Chen’s expression was filled with emotion.
Everything became frightening when compared.
Compared with Little Junior Brother’s Primordial Origin Dharma Aspect, the Heavenly Stellar Dharma Aspect he had forged seemed like a young child.
Of course, the size of a Dharma Aspect did not represent all of its power.
If they sparred on the spot, he was fully confident that he could rely on suppression through cultivation realm to defeat Little Junior Brother.
But what use would such a victory have?
What had truly alarmed the upper echelons of the Jade Purity Immortal Sect was the terrifying potential Little Junior Brother had displayed when attaining the Dao as a True Monarch this time.
“Buzz!”
At that moment, the cave dwelling’s doors opened.
A figure dressed in white slowly stepped out.
“Little Junior Brother, congratulations.”
Yue Chenfeng stepped forward, a rare smile appearing on his stern face.
“Congratulations, Junior Brother, on attaining the Dao as a True Monarch.”
Su Muyi’s eyes were like autumn waters, brimming with smiles, when a warm jade bottle suddenly appeared in her palm:
“This is Nascent Soul Nourishing Liquid that Senior Sister happened to obtain several years ago. It can nourish and stabilize the Nascent Soul of a newly advanced True Monarch, so consider it Senior Sister’s congratulatory gift for Junior Brother’s attainment of the Dao as a True Monarch.”
Mo Chen and Jiang Chuan exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.
They had not expected Senior Sister Su to think so highly of Little Junior Brother that she was even willing to give him Nascent Soul Nourishing Liquid.
According to sect rules, after the Immortal Sect Chief attained the Dao as a True Monarch, a True Monarch Grand Ceremony would be held to announce his Dao title, and only then would cultivators present their Nascent Soul Formation gifts.
Precisely because of this, neither of them had prepared a Nascent Soul Formation gift in advance. Only Senior Sister Su had intentionally sought to deepen their relationship and prepared one beforehand.
“Many thanks, Senior Brothers and Senior Sister.”
Chen Beiwu did not refuse. He accepted the jade bottle with both hands and gave his Senior Brothers and Senior Sister a slight salute.
Seeing this scene, Tong Hui stood at a distance, not daring to step forward.
With Nascent Soul True Monarchs before her, rashly going forward to greet him would undoubtedly be presumptuous.
At the same time, upon seeing Chen Beiwu appear, some divine sense incarnations hidden in the shadows quietly disappeared.
A newly advanced True Monarch with a forty-five-thousand-zhang Dharma Aspect was indeed rare and worth befriending, but Chen Beiwu was currently gathering with his fellow disciples, making this a poor opportunity to become acquainted.
“Little Junior Brother, have you decided on your True Monarch honorific?”
As soon as Mo Chen’s words fell, not only the surrounding fellow disciples, but even the sect students in the distance had their eyes brighten, curiosity rising within them.
“Junior Brother hasn’t decided yet. I still need to think about it.” Chen Beiwu answered truthfully.
He was terrible at naming things. As for the exact honorific, he still needed to discuss it with Golden Egg and the others.
“It’s good to be cautious.” Everyone nodded slightly.
A True Monarch honorific might seem like nothing more than a title, but in reality it was connected to a cultivator’s destiny and fate, sharing the burden of their reputation. Once determined, it basically would not be changed.
However, Little Junior Brother only needed to determine his True Monarch honorific before the Nascent Soul Formation Grand Ceremony, so there was no need to rush.
“Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, Junior Brother has a matter I’d like to discuss with you.” Chen Beiwu transmitted through divine sense.
“Fine, Cloud Evolution Residence recently obtained a batch of Cloud Pine Tea.” Yue Chenfeng nodded in agreement and suggested changing locations to discuss it.
As they spoke, Chen Beiwu and his Senior Brothers and Senior Sister each took a step forward.
As ripples spread through the void, the five figures vanished without a trace, leaving the group of Immortal Sect students looking at one another speechlessly, unable to conceal the disappointment on their faces.
……
Azure Nether Grotto-Heaven.
Inside Cloud Evolution Residence, wisps of steam curled upward from the tea, releasing strands of fragrance that calmed the mind.
However, the atmosphere inside the cave dwelling was somewhat solemn.
“Little Junior Brother, are you certain?”
Yue Chenfeng paused and looked toward Chen Beiwu.
“Naturally.” Chen Beiwu nodded, his expression composed: ‘It’s just that I’m worried this matter might affect our lineage, so I wanted to inform Senior Brothers and Senior Sister beforehand.’
Hearing this, while Su Muyi, Mo Chen, and Jiang Chuan were astonished, they also felt it was somehow expected.
A genius like Little Junior Brother had always meant what he said and carried out what he promised.
Yue Chenfeng put down his tea cup and gave Chen Beiwu a deep look: “Little Junior Brother, what Xiao Yu did back then is already in the past. The sect has already severely punished him by stripping him of his qualification for the Jade Purity Golden Register. There’s no need to continue pursuing the matter.”
“That’s right, Junior Brother, this is inappropriate.” Senior Brother Jiang Chuan shook his head and spoke frankly: “A contest on the Life-and-Death Platform inevitably ends with one living and one dying. Junior Brother, why put yourself at risk?”
Su Muyi nodded, her voice gentle: “Exactly. Junior Brother has only just attained True Monarch. The most urgent matter right now is to enter seclusion, consolidate your Dao foundation, and temper your Nascent Soul.”
Among the four, only Senior Brother Jiang Chuan did not dissuade him, instead looking solemnly toward Chen Beiwu: “Junior Brother, how confident are you? Xiao Yu isn’t an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch. Killing him across a realm gap is easier said than done!”
“Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, I want to try.”
Chen Beiwu understood everyone’s concerns and answered candidly: “As for my confidence, once my Nascent Soul is stabilized and I’ve passed through the weakened period, I have ninety percent confidence.”
Ninety percent?
Hearing this, Yue Chenfeng did not question him and instead said solemnly: “Junior Brother, Xiao Yu’s strength isn’t as simple as you imagine. Wouldn’t it be safer to wait until your cultivation reaches the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm before challenging him on the Life-and-Death Platform?”
“By then, I’m afraid Xiao Yu won’t accept the Life-and-Death Platform challenge.” Chen Beiwu voiced his concern.
Immortal Sect second-generation cultivators of noble birth like Xiao Yu valued face above all else.
If Chen Beiwu challenged him on the Life-and-Death Platform with an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, even if Xiao Yu harbored misgivings, the probability of him refusing would not be high.
There was no other reason. With a disparity in cultivation realms between them, Xiao Yu refusing the Life-and-Death Platform challenge would be equivalent to admitting defeat to Chen Beiwu.
Moreover, True Monarchs capable of forging a Pure Yang Nascent Soul were all peerless geniuses and represented part of their family’s prestige.
If Xiao Yu refused, then to a certain extent, it would also disgrace the Heavenly Origin Xiao Family and reduce them to a laughingstock.
After all, he was a dignified genius of a Dao Venerable Immortal Clan and a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch. If he did not even dare accept the challenge of an early-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch, then what immortality was he even cultivating?
Conversely, once Chen Beiwu’s cultivation reached the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm and their cultivation realms became equal, Xiao Yu would have plenty of reasons to refuse the Life-and-Death Platform challenge.
Even if he might lose some face then, when his life was at stake, Xiao Yu would most likely choose to take a step back.
“So be it.”
Yue Chenfeng stopped persuading him.
Since Junior Brother had already made up his mind, nothing he said would matter.
“Why go this far? The Heavenly Origin Xiao Family isn’t easy to provoke?” Mo Chen still did not understand.
Even if Junior Brother could kill Xiao Yu, so what?
Xiao Yu came from a Dao Venerable Immortal Clan. His mother, Yu Shuxian, was a peak Nascent Soul True Monarch from a True Venerable aristocratic clan, and the Yu Family alone had a full five Divine Transformation True Venerables presiding over it.
His father was Profound Origin True Venerable, whose cultivation was unfathomably deep, and who was even a direct disciple of a Void Refinement Dao Venerable, possessing heaven-reaching methods.
Even if Junior Brother was the contemporary Jade Purity Chief, offending these two great powers just to kill Xiao Yu was not worth the loss.
“It isn’t that Junior Brother doesn’t want to retreat, but that I cannot retreat, and must not retreat. Besides, Xiao Yu alone cannot represent the Heavenly Origin Xiao Family.” Chen Beiwu said in a deep voice.
The Xiao Family was difficult to provoke, but was he easy to provoke?
Throw one punch to clear the way, lest a hundred punches follow.
When enmity had already been formed, if he was still considering whether he might completely offend the opposing force, then he would deserve to be schemed to death.
Moreover, second-generation sect cultivators like Xiao Yu were not isolated cases. If he yielded this time, there was no guarantee that other second-generation sect cultivators would not make a move for qualification to the Jade Purity Golden Register.
Su Muyi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she understood that Little Junior Brother had already thought everything through.
Indeed, Xiao Yu could not represent the Heavenly Origin Xiao Family.
If Junior Brother could kill him on the Life-and-Death Platform and prove his own strength, then although the Heavenly Origin Xiao Family would certainly be furious over the death of one of its geniuses and the loss of face,
the Xiao Family, restrained by sect rules, would be even less able to openly act against Little Junior Brother, and at most could target him in other ways.
“Junior Brother, since that’s the case, would you be willing to spar with me?”
The moment Su Muyi said this, everyone inside Cloud Evolution Residence, including Chen Beiwu, became interested.
Good suggestion!
The early-stage Nascent Soul and mid-stage Nascent Soul might appear only one step apart, but in truth, the gap between them was as vast as mountains and seas.
Rather than continuing to persuade Little Junior Brother, it would be better to let him personally experience the strength of a mid-stage Nascent Soul genius.
“Senior Sister, may I ask what your cultivation realm is?” Chen Beiwu’s eyes brightened slightly as a trace of fighting spirit surged within his heart.
“Peak Nascent Soul.”
After speaking, seeing Chen Beiwu’s expression change slightly, Su Muyi smiled: “Don’t worry, Junior Brother Chen, I’ll use a secret art to suppress my cultivation and keep my realm at the mid-stage Nascent Soul.”
“I ask Senior Sister for guidance.” Chen Beiwu naturally would not refuse.
Fighting a peak Nascent Soul True Monarch, even one who suppressed her cultivation, would still grant him considerable insight.
“Rather than choosing another day, why not today? How about holding the spar inside Azure Nether Grotto-Heaven?” Yue Chenfeng suggested.
“Good.” Su Muyi answered straightforwardly.
She had been wanting to use this opportunity to personally witness the legendary Primordial Origin Dharma Aspect.
……
Azure Nether Grotto-Heaven.
To prevent news from leaking, Eldest Senior Brother deliberately selected a concealed combat platform deep within the Grotto-Heaven as the location for the spar.
On the platform, the space behind Su Muyi slowly revealed the phantom of a gigantic beast.
At first, the phantom’s outline was blurry, but it immediately broke through space and revealed its true appearance.
It resembled an enormous lion, yet possessed a dragon head. Jade horns atop its head twisted toward the heavens, tongues of flowing flame curling around their tips, while its entire body was covered in cloud-like flowing scales.
For some unknown reason, this gigantic beast’s eyes were tightly closed and did not open, while the dragon tail behind it shimmered brilliantly as it slowly swayed.
Although it released no pressure whatsoever, it carried an imposing bearing that seemed to overlook all living beings.
【Name】：Primordial Fire Cloud Lion
【Attribute】：Fire、Wind
【Bloodline】：Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade
【Mystical Ability】：Flowing Fire Cloud Body、Prairie Fire Decree、Cloud Lion Heavenly Roar……
Flowing Fire Cloud Body：Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Ability, the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion’s body exists between flowing cloud and blazing flame, gathering and dispersing unpredictably, capable of transforming into fire clouds that fill the sky to evade spells and Mystical Abilities.
Wherever its cloud body passed, fire borrowed the force of wind and wind augmented the might of fire. Its form was ethereal and difficult to predict, while its momentum could burn the heavens and boil the seas. Even a True Monarch’s divine sense would find it difficult to lock onto the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion’s true form.
Prairie Fire Cloud Decree：Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Ability, the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion was innately born with authority over the two elements of Wind and Fire. Wherever its roar, gaze, magical power, or even aura reached, it could trigger Prairie Fire Seeds, igniting the opponent’s magical power, divine sense, qi and blood, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul, forming an inextinguishable Heart Fire Wind Calamity.
The longer one fought the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion, the stronger the Heart Fire Wind Calamity became, making it exceptionally effective against those with abundant magical power and those skilled in defense.
Cloud Lion Heavenly Roar：Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Ability, a slaughtering Mystical Ability of the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion, possessing limitless might capable of sweeping across the universe and annihilating Nascent Souls.
【Introduction】：The Primordial Fire Cloud Lion is a special Mystical Beast born from the interaction between Exotic Flame and celestial phenomena. It often roams cloud regions where earthfire erupts. Although this beast is not ranked among Heavenly Stellar Mystical Beasts, its combat strength at the same realm can rival that of some Fifth-Rank fire-attributed Origin Beasts, vastly surpassing Fourth-Rank Mystical Beasts, hence the word Lion in its beast name.
Recalling the information on the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion, Chen Beiwu’s eyes narrowed.
With a disparity in Dao Cultivation, there was no doubt that using bloodline counter-relations between Mutual Participation Beasts to secure victory was the simplest method.
At this thought, a faint light flashed from Chen Beiwu’s Mustard Seed Spirit Ring, and the sound of barking suddenly rang out.
With a flash of firelight, Iron Egg appeared, landing in front of Chen Beiwu and confronting the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion.
The vertical eye on his forehead flickered slightly, causing the Primordial Fire Cloud Lion not far away, whose eyes had been tightly closed, to suddenly open them, wariness appearing within its gaze.