Chapter 279: Fire Spirit Body

Although Chen Mobai's Pure Yang Scripture was only at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, the existence of the Two Phases Technique meant he was essentially at the Foundation Establishment realm. This allowed him to refine the third-tier Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror.

Under the rotation of the Two Phases, the dense, vital Longevity Spiritual Energy, like wood, was consumed by the Pure Yang Spiritual Energy, which had originally been a mere spark. As Chen Mobai expended his essence without hesitation, the gaseous Pure Yang Spiritual Energy quickly began to liquefy.

Injecting this drop of liquid Pure Yang Spiritual Energy into the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror, the restless ancient bronze mirror soon sensed energy from the same source as its previous owner and gradually began to settle.

Chen Mobai's divine sense, which had felt as if it were engulfed in a sea of fire, now began to experience a soothing sensation.

It was like soaking in a hot spring, warm and weightless.

He had the illusion that the flames were like warm water.

Subtly, Chen Mobai's entire divine sense began to lose itself in this vast, boundless flame. He felt as if he had transformed into a spirit of fire, soaring freely within it…

By the time he awoke from this state, five days had passed.

Chen Mobai opened his eyes, looked at his right hand, and snapped his fingers. A wisp of flame flickered at his fingertip.

This was a benefit he gained during his enlightenment, a powerful physique.

It was called the "Fire Spirit Physique."

Chen Mobai didn't know why he knew this name; it seemed to have appeared naturally in his divine sense.

Knowing the name made things easier.

He took out his phone and searched online, and sure enough, he found relevant information.

It turned out that the Fire Spirit Physique was an extremely rare and powerful physique that might emerge alongside the Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root.

Individuals with the Fire Spirit Physique would possess different talents, such as fire affinity, fire mastery, and fire resistance, depending on their level of awakening.

They would achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating fire-attribute spells and techniques.

Generally, cultivators with a Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root might develop a Fire Spirit Physique, but the probability was only one percent.

Conversely, however, a cultivator with a Fire Spirit Physique definitely possessed a Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root.

This was a rule established by the Immortal Sect.

After reading this, Chen Mobai was completely baffled.

He took out his spirit testing device and checked his spiritual root attribute again. His fire spiritual root had indeed increased by 10 points during his enlightenment and Foundation Establishment process, becoming "Fire 63," which counted as a step into the ranks of geniuses.

But it still wasn't a Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root, was it?

Unable to figure it out, Chen Mobai could only attribute the Fire Spirit Physique to a gift from the Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth, allowing him, despite not having a Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root, to possess it directly.

After suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Chen Mobai took out his Azure Sun Fire Seed.

Using his Fire Spirit Physique, he circulated the Sun Ascension Technique. The fire seed, which had originally been purplish-blue, instantly transformed into a flame that was a quarter purple and three-quarters blue.

Only a small portion remained for the fire seed to completely sublimate into "Azure Sun Fire."

Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel excited. A complete Azure Sun Fire was a peak second-tier spiritual flame, possessing some characteristics of a third-tier spiritual flame. With it as a foundation, cultivating the Azure Flame Sword Fiend could allow him to contend even with a Core Formation cultivator.

After all, Sword Fiends could generally only be condensed by Core Formation cultivators.

Unfortunately, he had possessed this Azure Sun Fire Seed for too short a time. Although he had continuously refined it with the Pure Azure Art and the fire spiritual energy from the Myriad Treasure Cave, even with the amplification from the Sun Ascension Technique and the Fire Spirit Physique, it had only achieved a significant portion of its potential.

After his cultivation breakthrough, Chen Mobai immediately went to the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

Regrettably, the Artifact Tree had already been infused with Pure Yang Spiritual Energy, and even though he had successfully established his foundation, he still couldn't obtain another exclusive fruit from it.

Chen Mobai then went to the Talent Tree.

This tree was more sensitive; after his fire spiritual root improved again due to his enlightenment and Foundation Establishment, it granted him the "Precious Fire Body Forging Art."

Initially, Chen Mobai hadn't paid much attention, but after reading it, his eyes widened in surprise.

This "Precious Fire Body Forging Art" required Azure Sun Fire and Longevity Tree Sap. It utilized the wood-fire characteristic of the former to thoroughly refine and evaporate the latter's potent vitality, impregnating his entire body and significantly increasing the speed of cultivating his Longevity Dao Body.

The Talent Tree was truly astonishingly intelligent.

Chen Mobai gazed incredulously at the towering Divine Tree before him. The fact that the ancient Longevity Sect, despite possessing such profound foundations, had still vanished into the annals of history showed just how terrifying the hidden powers within the Heavenly River Realm truly were.

Within the Divine Tree Secret Realm, he practiced the spells from the Pure Yang Scripture using his newly acquired Fire Spirit Physique. Without exception, they all received amplification and enhancement.

Combining the Lamp Lighting Art with the Precious Fire Body Forging Art, he managed to fully integrate all the Longevity Tree Sap that had been refined into his skull but not yet completely assimilated, doing so in a remarkably short time.

His Void-Piercing Spiritual Eyes were also affected and improved somewhat, though he hadn't tested them to know the exact extent of the improvement compared to before.

After all the Longevity Tree Sap had fused with his skull, Chen Mobai felt that his Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness seemed to have expanded slightly, and the speed at which his divine sense operated had also increased.

He wondered if the power of his Divine Soul Slash had also increased.

At this thought, Chen Mobai couldn't resist any longer.

He returned to the Immortal Sect and logged into Little Scarlet Heaven.

Soon, the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been constantly observing him all clicked the match request.

Before the first opponent could even speak, a sharp glint seemed to cut from Chen Mobai's eyes, transforming into an invisible heavenly blade that obliterated the opponent's head.

It was another simple, one-move victory.

"Only Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer," Chen Mobai murmured, "A bit underwhelming." He then clicked the match button again.

Three seconds later, a handsome man wearing the uniform of the Pure Yang Academy appeared before him.

The undisguised aura emanating from him caused Chen Mobai to show a hint of delight.

"Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer, you're good."

After discerning his opponent's cultivation level with his Void-Piercing Spiritual Eyes, Chen Mobai, unusually, didn't immediately defeat him with his Purple Fire Sword Light. Instead, he unleashed the fire-attribute spells he had painstakingly cultivated for a long time.

His opponent clearly knew about Chen Mobai's formidable combat abilities and dared not show any negligence.

A burst of sword qi erupted from one finger, cleaving through Chen Mobai's Fireball spell. He was about to charge forward in one go.

However, he saw his opponent clench his right fist, and the fireball he had just split instantly detonated.

"Blaze Explosion Art!?" A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the Pure Yang Academy's Foundation Establishment cultivator. "He also has the Pure Yang Scripture as his foundation."

Seeing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from Pure Yang Academy showed a flicker of astonishment, yet his movements were seamless. Ten streams of sword light shot from his fingers, forming a net, while he spun on his toes like a top, fending off all the explosive force from the Blaze Explosion Art.

However, this also made him an open target.

Chen Mobai naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. He unleashed a sword strike, and a brilliant, deep purple sword light heavily descended, colliding with his opponent's spinning sword qi. Yet, it was silently dissipated.

With a "thud."

Ultimately, although Chen Mobai's Purple Fire Sword Light was blocked, his opponent coughed up blood and was sent flying backward. After spinning a few times in the air, he landed in a half-crouch on the ground.

"Interesting."

During his time in Little Scarlet Heaven, Chen Mobai had fought hundreds of battles and encountered all sorts of opponents, naturally including those he couldn't defeat with a single sword strike.

However, no one had caught his eye quite like this current opponent.

"I've blocked your sword," the handsome man from Pure Yang Academy said, "I should be able to leave my name now, right? Chang Zhengyang, Ninth Grade, Pure Yang Academy."

"You're good. Coincidentally, I've had a breakthrough in cultivation. Let's spend a bit more time fighting."

As Chen Mobai spoke, a crimson bolt of lightning flashed in his right palm, striking his opponent like a whip. Chang Zhengyang hadn't anticipated this. He was already proud that he had managed to block a single sword strike from the chief disciple of the Weapon Dao Academy, but caught off guard, he was instantly defeated.

Seeing Chang Zhengyang turned to dust by the Blazing Fire Divine Thunder Art, Chen Mobai couldn't help but shake his head. "His combat experience is still lacking."

While Little Scarlet Heaven could enhance combat skills and hone their techniques, it wasn't a fight to the death, so the mental aspect was inherently inferior.

Chen Mobai clicked the match button again.

In his third battle of the day, he encountered a very powerful opponent: Dai Shiqing, the chief disciple of the Spirit Treasure Academy, who was at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen of the Upper Academy."

However, upon entering, Dai Shiqing first bowed respectfully to Chen Mobai with an ancient礼, specifically the etiquette of the Weapon Dao Academy.

The ten great academies were essentially offshoots of the four major Dao Academies, and the Spirit Treasure Academy was a branch of the Weapon Dao Academy.

Its main focus was on the "Weapon-Self Unification Art" and the "Spirit Artifact Co-Cultivation Art," both derived from the Tripartite Unity Sutra.

Chen Mobai was also practicing the latter. The former was an artifact-controlling technique that allowed one to quickly achieve body-mind unity with a magic artifact, enabling it to unleash its maximum power.

The head of the Spirit Treasure Academy was also the Immortal Sect's only fifth-tier artifact appraiser.

"What a pity, magic artifacts cannot be used here," Chen Mobai said to Dai Shiqing, after returning the bow and observing him with his Void-Piercing Spiritual Eyes, shaking his head regretfully. His cultivation was good. If he had his lifebound magic artifact, he might have been able to contend with me.

After all, as the chief disciple of the Spirit Treasure Academy, Dai Shiqing had likely refined a third-tier magic artifact to cultivate the "Spirit Artifact Co-Cultivation Art."

"It is already an honor to spar with the chief senior brother of the Upper Academy; how could I dare speak of pity?" Dai Shiqing replied with an air of nonchalance. After bowing, he executed a movement technique, transforming into two, then four figures, launching offensive spells from all directions towards Chen Mobai.

However, with his Void-Piercing Spiritual Eyes operating, Chen Mobai quickly discerned which one was his true body.

The Divine Soul Slash flew out, and the Dai Shiqing on the right suddenly stiffened for an instant. Chen Mobai seized this opportunity and unleashed a sword strike.

"Precious Light Art!"

However, Dai Shiqing was, after all, the chief disciple of the Spirit Treasure Academy. Although his divine sense was out of control, his body sensed the danger, and a powerful defensive spell inscribed in his Dantian emerged as an emergency response, forming a precious bell that securely enveloped him.

The brilliant sword light descended, colliding with the Precious Light Art and emitting a deafening roar.

Dai Shiqing awoke amidst the commotion, his face filled with lingering fear.

However, with his first sword strike blocked, Chen Mobai immediately unleashed another. Under two consecutive sword strikes, the bell-shaped construct formed by the Precious Light Art began to waver, and faint cracks appeared.

"Great Art of Sundering Treasures!"

Those who reached the level of chief disciple in the ten great academies were naturally more than just simple Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer cultivators. Although Dai Shiqing had no magic artifact with him, he possessed a desperate, trump-card spell.

Seeing that the Precious Light Art was about to be broken, he simply took advantage of Little Scarlet Heaven's no-death characteristic. He abandoned his defenses, simultaneously destroying the Precious Light Art and unleashing all the spiritual energy within his Dantian. It transformed into a vast, white torrent of spiritual energy, surging towards Chen Mobai like a monstrous tidal wave.

But at the same time, with the disappearance of the Precious Light Art, Dai Shiqing himself was struck in the chest by the Purple Fire Sword Light, visibly left with only a single breath.

And with that last breath, he witnessed Chen Mobai deploy a defensive technique for the first time since entering Little Scarlet Heaven.

A spiritual leaf had just blossomed when Dai Shiqing could no longer hold on and turned into ash.

Chen Mobai felt a slight melancholy as the surging white wave that reached him instantly vanished.

After he mastered the "Sword Rainbow Splitting Light," Meng Hong, Che Yucheng, and even True Monarch Zuo Gong had all stated that with such power, he would essentially have no opponent unless he encountered someone at or above the late Foundation Establishment stage.

However, they also cautioned him to be wary of exceptionally gifted mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, as their strength already surpassed their own realm and could contend with late Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In the words of the Heavenly River Realm, these were "heavenly talents and exceptional individuals."

Chen Mobai hadn't encountered one before, but today, he finally did.

Since entering Little Scarlet Heaven, Dai Shiqing was the only opponent who made him feel threatened.

Although his opponent had exploited Little Scarlet Heaven's no-death rule, using a desperate spell regardless of personal safety, it was clear that due to his exaggerated 100% win rate and his nearing breaking Grand Ancestor Yuanyang's winning streak, his next opponents would likely all be chief disciples at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, like Dai Shiqing.

Yet, precisely because of this, Chen Mobai felt an unconscious surge of excitement from deep within.

Instant kills were cool, but they were simply too boring.

He wished to fail in a peak confrontation with a powerful opponent, rather than constantly just "fishing in the mud" by easily defeating everyone.

He clicked to match again.

Soon, his third opponent of the day entered.

Chen Mobai was slightly surprised when he saw her.

"Long time no see."

Qing Nü greeted Chen Mobai.

"You didn't even tell me you'd successfully established your foundation?"

The last time Chen Mobai contacted Qing Nü, she had mentioned she was about to establish her foundation, which was why he had entrusted the task of refining the Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew to Wang Xingyu.

"It's just a common occurrence, not worth mentioning specifically," Qing Nü said calmly, shaking her head.

"Alright then."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai didn't know how to continue the conversation. Ever since Kong Feichen left with Yang Jing, she had shown a tendency to withdraw. He wasn't particularly good at offering comfort, and it wasn't appropriate in this situation either.

"Please enlighten me."

Deciding that out of sight was out of mind, Chen Mobai bowed, then directly raised his right index finger and pointed it at Qing Nü before him.

With one sword strike, Qing Nü had already vanished from his sight.