Chapter 600: South Ming's Departing Fire

The secret passage was extremely deep, extending almost to the heart of the mountain. The deeper they went, the higher the temperature rose. It felt as if a small sun was inside, scorching them. Even with their spiritual energy protecting them, both were drenched in sweat.

The red glow ahead became increasingly dazzling. This was a deep red flame, unlike any Qin Sang had ever seen before, completely devoid of impurities. To Qin Sang's surprise, an indescribable sense of divinity and majesty emanated from the flame, making him feel an irresistible urge to worship. In a daze, Qin Sang seemed to see a divine bird bathed in flames, exquisitely beautiful, with an indifferent gaze that overlooked everything. The flickering flames at its edge resembled delicate, beautiful feathers. It was as if a true ancient divine bird resided within.

"Is this a demonic flame?" Qin Sang asked Yun Youzi, his face filled with shock, turning his head.

Yun Youzi seemed to be searching for something, his gaze moving back and forth. Hearing Qin Sang, he nodded and said, "It might be the Southern Bright Lihuo, the legendary true fire of the sacred beast Vermilion Bird. It's said that this fire burns everything. In some legends, it's described as white, while others believe it's red, like the Vermilion Bird itself. Whether it truly is the Southern Bright Lihuo cannot be confirmed now, as no one has ever truly seen the Vermilion Bird. However..."

Though still far from the demonic flame, Yun Youzi stopped, gazing at the fiery mass. He mused, "The terrifying power of this flame is undeniable. Even if it's not the Vermilion Bird's true fire, it must be the fire wielded by some ancient divine bird. What we see now is merely an outward manifestation, an overflow of the demonic flame's power. Its true essence should be very small, hidden in the deepest part, beyond anyone's detection..."

Qin Sang stared intently at the Southern Bright Lihuo. The legend of the Vermilion Bird, a sacred beast existing alongside immortals, had endured through the ages. Now, even cultivators above the Soul Transformation stage were nowhere to be seen, let alone such celestial divine beasts. Like its master, the Southern Bright Lihuo was also a legendary sacred fire. Its widespread recognition was evident in the many magical artifacts and treasures falsely claiming its name.

However, Qin Sang was now certain that these divine beasts were not all merely man-made legends. The Azure Luan was proof! He had seen a wooden carving of the Azure Luan from Old Woman Jing and knew that she had once felt the Azure Luan's aura and seen its true form. This indicated that many divine beasts had indeed once existed in the world. However, like powerful cultivators, they had all vanished without a trace.

Qin Sang and Yun Youzi stood side by side, sensing the demonic flame's aura. Yun Youzi was right; even if it wasn't the Southern Bright Lihuo, it was undoubtedly the demonic flame of some ancient divine beast. The aura emitted by the demonic flame was even more terrifying than the Nine Nether Demonic Flame described by Old Ancestor Kuiyin. The seemingly mighty Ancestral Sacred Flame of the Qingyang Demonic Sect could only submit before this demonic flame. And its true essence was merely an insignificant wisp, whereas Old Ancestor Kuiyin had encountered a large mass of the Nine Nether Demonic Flame!

The ancient alchemists of Ziwei Palace had actually sealed the Southern Bright Lihuo here to use as a refining fire. Had they once imprisoned a Vermilion Bird? Qin Sang couldn't help but imagine the magnificent sight of Ziwei Palace in its prime, envying the formidable methods of ancient cultivators.

"Senior, do you intend to subdue this Southern Bright Lihuo?" Qin Sang guessed Yun Youzi's purpose in coming. He had mentioned a 'near-fatal ordeal' for his healing; could it refer to this Southern Bright Lihuo? Before entering the secret passage, Qin Sang had also considered this idea, wanting to emulate Old Ancestor Kuiyin by acquiring a powerful spiritual flame to enhance his strength. However, after sensing the power of the Southern Bright Lihuo, Qin Sang immediately abandoned the thought. The Southern Bright Lihuo was too terrifying; such an action would be nothing short of courting death. Qin Sang suspected that even Nascent Soul grandmasters would have to retreat far from it, and no one would dare disturb the Southern Bright Lihuo. What method could Yun Youzi possibly have?

"How could that be!" Yun Youzi chuckled wryly, shaking his head. "Even if Nascent Soul grandmasters or transformed great demons came, who would dare claim they could subdue the Southern Bright Lihuo? At least no one in the Minor Cold Domain or the Heavenly Path Alliance could do it, nor would they even dare to imagine it. I'm not that arrogant..."

Under Qin Sang's stunned gaze, Yun Youzi calmly stated, "I merely intend to throw myself into the Southern Bright Lihuo, to use its demonic flame to incinerate my body and temper my soul, thereby achieving a rebirth through fire. As for whether I undergo a phoenix-like nirvana or turn to ash, that will depend on my luck."

Rebirth through fire, demonic flame refining the soul! Qin Sang was profoundly shocked. He had thought that being forced into the Corpse Path for Core Formation was already outlandish enough, but Yun Youzi was even more extreme, clearly seeking a glimmer of hope from the impossible! This method of healing was completely unheard of to Qin Sang. He wondered if Yun Youzi had gone mad.

"Senior, is there truly no other way, no other option?" Qin Sang felt a pang of pity. No wonder Yun Youzi had kept referring to it as a 'nine-deaths, one-life' ordeal. To Qin Sang, this was clearly a death sentence. It was nothing short of a moth flying into a flame! Throwing oneself into such a terrifying demonic flame would instantly turn one to ash. No matter how miraculous the Three Lights Jade Liquid's effects were, how much help could it truly provide?

"Senior, are your injuries truly incurable? After leaving Ziwei Palace, I will be able to form my Core. At that time, we can travel together, searching for elixirs. The cultivation world is vast; we don't have to be limited to the Minor Cold Domain. Perhaps..."

Yun Youzi interrupted Qin Sang, his voice deep. "I have tried every possible method, all to no avail. My hidden injuries are beyond normal comprehension; I've searched through all the texts and found no precedent. The only way is to break first and then establish anew. I don't want to live out my days in the False Core stage. Even if there's just a sliver of a chance, I must seize it tightly."

After a pause, Yun Youzi's tone softened. "Don't worry, Junior Brother Qin. If there were absolutely no chance, I certainly wouldn't throw my life away for nothing. Those three drops of Three Lights Jade Liquid will be a great help. Additionally, I know of something else that can resist the burning of the Southern Bright Lihuo and offer some protection. That's also why I asked you to come."

As he spoke, Yun Youzi raised a hand and pointed deeper into the secret passage. "Inside, there's a fragment of green copper, suspected to be a piece of an ancient cultivator's alchemy cauldron. Back then, ancient cultivators placed this cauldron over the Southern Bright Lihuo to refine elixirs, showing no fear of the demonic flame's power. It must have been a divine artifact. Although only a fragment remains now, inheriting the power of a divine artifact, it still possesses some resistance against the Southern Bright Lihuo and might be able to protect me. However, retrieving it will not be easy."

Qin Sang looked in the direction Yun Youzi was pointing. Ahead of the secret passage were several stone chambers of varying sizes. The others were empty, but the innermost one housed the true essence of the Southern Bright Lihuo. The flames, a manifestation of the demonic fire's power, surged out of the chamber, completely filling the entire passage without leaving the slightest gap. Beyond that point, nothing was visible but a fiery red glow. Under these circumstances, how could one possibly pass through the Southern Bright Lihuo to retrieve the cauldron fragment? Qin Sang suspected that with his current cultivation level, if he were unlucky enough to be touched by even a few sparks, he would easily be reduced to ash.