Chapter 1244: Ten Thousand Fire Sea Area

The Sea of Ten Thousand Flames is renowned throughout the South Sea Immortal Cultivation World for its numerous volcanoes. Just as people thrive by utilizing their local environment, this region is exceptionally rich in resources. Its many volcanoes provide an abundance of fire-attributed materials and demonic beasts, attracting numerous merchants and travelers to conduct business.

Golden Flame Island, situated in the southern part of the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames, enjoys a strategic location that draws a constant stream of merchants and travelers.

At noon, under the scorching sun, the marketplace buzzed with activity. A constant stream of people moved through its lanes, and continuous shouts filled the air, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.

Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue strolled along the wide street, their gazes occasionally drifting towards the shops on either side.

The Blazing Sun Pagoda was damaged, and repairing it required a large quantity of fire-attributed materials. Of all regions in the South Sea Immortal Cultivation World, the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames was the richest in such resources.

The air was permeated with a faint scent of sulfur, and crimson fire clouds drifted high above, tinging the entire sky a deep red.

Most of the shops lining the streets were raw material stores, offering demonic beast materials and artifact refining materials that were predominantly fire-attributed.

After a while, they arrived at a huge red stone plaza, paved with a type of red rock. A pale golden palace floated above it. On the palace entrance hung a dark, glossy silver plaque with the three gold-painted characters "Golden Flame Palace" inscribed upon it. Under the sunlight, it shimmered conspicuously, drawing all eyes.

Eighteen crimson fire clouds, each about a zhang in size, were arranged in a line, forming a cloud ladder that stretched from the ground to the entrance of the Golden Flame Palace.

Cultivators constantly moved along the crimson cloud ladder, some descending, others ascending.

Wang Changsheng swept his divine sense over the crimson fire clouds, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes. He chuckled, "This must be a cloud ladder crafted from Cloud Flame Stone."

Cloud Flame Stone is a unique artifact refining material. Though it resembles a stone, it is remarkably lightweight and can easily change shape. It is typically refined into flying artifacts or cloud ladders. When used in the environment of the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames, flying artifacts made from Cloud Flame Stone can effectively disguise themselves as clouds, helping cultivators evade demonic beast pursuit.

Fairy Ziyue nodded and added, "This is merely refined from ordinary Cloud Flame Stone. If it were a magic treasure crafted from Cloud Flame Crystal, it is said to be able to conceal one's aura so effectively that even Nascent Soul cultivators cannot detect any abnormalities."

The two walked towards the cloud ladder. As they stepped onto a crimson cloud, it immediately gave way beneath their feet, feeling like cotton. By the time they reached the next cloud, the previous one had slowly returned to its original state.

Before long, they entered the Golden Flame Palace.

The main hall was spacious, bright, and lavishly decorated. Numerous intricate patterns were carved onto the thick stone pillars, and dozens of cultivators were browsing items.

Behind the red counters, crafted from Cloud Flame Stone, stood rows of tall red shelves, also made of Cloud Flame Stone. These shelves displayed a vast array of materials, including those for demonic beasts, artifact refining, formation arranging, and alchemy.

Wang Changsheng scanned the area, noticing no stairs and assuming the Golden Flame Palace was only this large. He subtly released a trace of his aura, and immediately, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man quickly approached. "Welcome, esteemed seniors, to our establishment," he greeted warmly. "How may I be of assistance to you?"

"Is your manager available? We have something to discuss with him."

Wang Changsheng's tone was calm; he naturally wouldn't engage in lengthy conversation with a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"The manager is in the store. Esteemed seniors, please follow me."

The middle-aged man led Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue to a stone wall. He reached out and seemingly tore open an opening in the wall.

Wang Changsheng looked closely and realized that the so-called stone wall was actually a red curtain. He had observed it carefully earlier but hadn't noticed anything unusual.

His divine sense swept over the red curtain again, still detecting no abnormality. This curtain must have been crafted from Cloud Flame Crystal. To use Cloud Flame Crystal to make a mere curtain was excessively luxurious, a clear testament to the Golden Flame Palace's formidable power.

Behind the curtain was a red stone passage. They didn't walk far before reaching its end, where a stone chamber with a tightly shut door appeared before them.

Two Foundation Establishment cultivators stood guard at the door. Seeing Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue approach, they quickly said, "The manager is still inside conducting business. Please wait a moment, esteemed seniors."

Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue nodded, waiting quietly.

Before long, the door opened, and Hai Dashan emerged with a scholarly-looking man in red robes.

"Oh, Daoist Wang, what a coincidence!" Hai Dashan exclaimed.

"Long time no see, Daoist Hai," Wang Changsheng replied. "Your cultivation has progressed considerably. Advancing to the mid-stage is imminent!"

Wang Changsheng replied politely, a smile on his face.

Hai Dashan had left a good impression on him, and he hadn't expected to encounter him here.

"Once one reaches the Nascent Soul stage, further advancement is no easy feat," Hai Dashan responded. "Thank you in advance for your auspicious words, Daoist Wang. This old man still has important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

Hai Dashan departed in a hurry, seemingly with urgent business to attend to.

"I am Sun Yan, the manager of the Golden Flame Palace," the man in red robes introduced himself. "Esteemed seniors, please come in."

The man in red robes made a welcoming gesture, inviting Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue into the stone chamber to speak.

The interior of the stone chamber was lavishly decorated. Its floor was paved with a type of red jade, and fire spiritual energy was abundant.

"Young friend Sun, we wish to purchase these materials."

Fairy Ziyue took out a green jade slip and handed it to Sun Yan.

Sun Yan swept his divine sense over the jade slip, his brow furrowing as he replied with a troubled expression, "I apologize, but Cloud Flame Crystal has just sold out and won't be in stock for some time. As for Fire Glaze Jade, Golden Fire Crystal, and Blazing Adamantite, our Golden Flame Palace does not carry those three materials."

"Your Golden Flame Palace is backed by the Palace of Ten Thousand Flames," Wang Changsheng said, frowning. "Even if you don't have Cloud Flame Crystal, do you mean you also lack Fire Glaze Jade, Golden Fire Crystal, and Blazing Adamantite?"

Just then, the stone door opened, and a middle-aged woman entered.

"Disciple greets Martial Aunt Mu," Sun Yan said, quickly bowing.

"Oh, it's you, Madam Mu," Wang Changsheng said with a slight gasp of recognition.

The middle-aged woman's name was Mu Rong; Wang Changsheng had once given her Monk Wangchen's Nascent Soul to deal with.

"Daoist Wang, long time no see. How have you been recently?" Mu Rong greeted politely, then looked at Sun Yan and instructed, "Nephew Sun, I recall there being Cloud Flame Crystal and Fire Glaze Jade still in the storeroom. Why did you say we don't have them?"

"To answer Martial Aunt Mu," Sun Yan explained with a wry smile, "that piece of Cloud Flame Crystal was reserved by a senior cultivator who will come to collect it soon. As for the Fire Glaze Jade, it's intended to be a finale item for an auction, merely temporarily stored in the treasury. Otherwise, this disciple wouldn't dare deceive these two esteemed seniors."

"Do you not even recognize True Monarch Taihao?" Mu Rong said sternly, her face stern. "Since Daoist Wang has spoken, bring the items first. Arrange for Cloud Flame Crystal to be transported from other locations. As for the Fire Glaze Jade, it can be replaced with other rare treasures. Go and fetch the items immediately!"

Sun Yan repeatedly assented and hastily left.