Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 184 Collecting Earth Spirit Fire
The underground cave was pitch black, and the passageways inside were uneven.

The cave was filled with the smell of burning embers, creating a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Thanks to the [Danger Avoidance Simulation] prompt, Zhou Ling quickly arrived at this place while avoiding danger.

This underground cave system is interconnected and the environment is extremely harsh.

Looking at the irregular passages, Zhou Ling felt that they seemed to be the passages crawling by some kind of monster.

"Chirp chirp!"

Just then, the sound of a rock rat came from ahead.

Just to be on the safe side, Zhou Ling still let the rock rat scout ahead.

These underground caves are extremely uncomfortable for cultivators, but for the rock rats, they are like fish in water and extremely well-suited.

Then, Zhou Ling walked in the direction from which the Stone Rock Rat's thoughts were transmitted.

At the same time, the [Gathering Qi] talent on his body was activated.

His aura changed instantly; at that moment, he was like a rock in a cave, unmoving.

It's hard to feel his presence.

These cave passages are extremely spacious, and if they are passages for demonic beasts, then the demonic beasts must be of a high grade.

Therefore, you can never be too careful.

In particular, through the [Danger Avoidance Deduction], it was discovered that there is also a Tier 3 Fire Scale Beast inside this cave.

As they continued their journey, Zhou Ling followed closely behind the Stone Rock Rat while rapidly exploring with his divine sense.

With the guidance of the "Search the Mountain for Treasure" system, his direction was clear.

Otherwise, it would take months to find someone in such a chaotic passageway.

Even then, they might not be able to find the location of that spiritual flame.

After traveling at this speed for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Ling felt the temperature inside the cave passage getting higher and higher.

Through his divine sense, he also discovered that at the end of the cave ahead, there was a flowing river of lava.

Stepping out of the cave, Zhou Ling felt as if he had entered an underground world.

This place is incredibly spacious, with a lava river flowing through the middle, reaching almost a thousand feet in length, and rock caves on both sides.

This place, a masterpiece of nature, also left Zhou Ling deeply awestruck.

What delighted him even more was that he had already seen the celestial fire.

On the slowly flowing, scorching river of lava, about a hundred feet away from Zhou Ling, a brown flame shaped like a small tortoise was rising from a deep red rock.

As the brown flames flickered, the flames burst forth, resembling the thick shell of a tortoise, which was quite peculiar.

[You are currently observing a Grade 3 Earth Spirit Earth Fire, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing a Grade 3 Earth Spirit Earth Fire, Intermediate Analysis +1]

[Your Beast Flame, Azure Lotus Spirit Flame, Five Elements Spirit Flame, and Qianyang True Fire have absorbed Earth Spirit Fire, Five Elements Thunder Qi +1, Beast Flame, Azure Lotus Spirit Flame, Five Elements Spirit Flame, and Qianyang True Fire grade +1, Five Elements Thunder Body +1]

"Third-grade Earth Spirit Earth Fire!"

"It can also refine and condense spiritual energy?"

With the activation of his two talents, Zhou Ling carefully observed the spirit flame.

He could clearly see the fire and earth elemental power contained within that small ball of brown flame, which was even stronger than the beast flame within his body.

Moreover, it is constantly absorbing the fire and earth elemental energy released from the magma.

It seems that the condensation of this earth elemental fire is related to this magma.

Moreover, now that the Spirit Flame has reached the third rank, if it can develop sentience, then subduing it will be extremely difficult.

Unless there is a means of absolute suppression.

Otherwise, if not careful, Lingyan might choose to self-destruct at any time.

This kind of celestial flame is extremely violent, and once it develops sentience, it is very difficult to subdue.

What delighted Zhou Ling was the attribute of this earth spirit fire.

Since it can speed up cultivation.

Once successfully refined, a spiritual fire will continuously be generated within the body.

And this spiritual fire will constantly temper the spiritual power within the body.

This is like having your body in a state of cultivation at all times, and this state of cultivation is even more effective than high-level cultivation techniques.

Now, Zhou Ling was even more determined to collect and refine this spiritual flame.

[Danger Scenario: Beneath the towering cliffs, danger lurks.]

[You are preparing to subdue the Earth Spirit Fire, which will disturb the Fire Scale Beast and lead to a battle of uncertain fate. Please proceed with caution!]

Zhou Ling's gaze swept across the area and soon spotted the fire-scaled beast beneath the magma a few feet to the right of the Earth Spirit Fire.

The lava here flows slowly, but the flames are exceptionally intense.

It is even more vigorous than the earth spirit and earth fire.

The flowing lava seemed to be attracted by something, and its speed naturally slowed down.

"This is a Tier 3 Firescale Beast!"

Zhou Ling swallowed, feeling a bit thirsty.

[You are observing a Tier 3 Firescale Beast, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing a Tier 3 Firescale Beast, Intermediate Analysis +1]

With the activation of his two talents, Zhou Ling also gained information about the Fire Scale Beast.

The Firescale Beast is a strange beast that lives in the magma of the earth.

It possesses fire attributes and boasts formidable combat power.

They generally do not leave the underground magma.

They prefer to eat fire.

It seems to be in a state of weakness now.

Based on the analysis of Earth Spirit Fire just now.

Earth Spirit and Earth Fire are also in a weakened state.

Zhou Ling guessed that both the Fire Scale Beast and the Earth Spirit Fire probably wanted to devour each other.

But now it seems that neither side can do anything to the other, so they have been in a stalemate and at a loss.

"This is a good opportunity!"

Zhou Ling's eyes flashed; this Fire Scale Beast was a third-tier early-stage demon beast.

If we can avoid it, that would be the best outcome.

Zhou Ling would not be so arrogant as to provoke a third-tier demon beast.

However, there aren't many options left for those who want to collect this earth spirit fire.

Both sides are currently in a weakened state, which presents him with the best opportunity.

However, Zhou Ling had no intention of directly fighting this fire-scaled beast.

After all, given his strength, the chances of defeating the Firescale Beast were slim, and since the beast was in the magma, it was practically invincible.

Moreover, once the battle begins, it is highly likely to disturb the Earth Spirit Fire. If it is disturbed and dives into the lava river, it will be extremely difficult to find it again!
Therefore, he decided to adopt a strategy.

Since the Firescale Beast prefers to feed on spirit flames, let's use beast flames to lure it away.

Given the speed of the Beast Flame, the Fire Scale Beast definitely can't keep up.

Then, I will take action to collect the Earth Spirit Fire.

Moreover, the beast flame is quite strong; even if it is caught up by the fire scale beast, it can still hold its own.

As for dealing with the Earth Spirit Fire, the combination of Qianyang True Flame and Five Elements Spirit Flame, along with his own fire-attribute divine abilities, should be enough to suppress it.

After all, other methods are ineffective against this kind of spiritual flame.

The only solution is to fight fire with fire.

With the plan in place, Zhou Ling sent out beast flames from his palm with a thought.

The rising beast flames pulsed rapidly, seemingly emanating an aura of extreme joy.

It quickly coalesced into the shape of a Haoyang Bird flame.

As if the Haoyang bird had come back to life, it let out a cry.

Seeing that the beast flame seemed to have grown even stronger, Zhou Ling was overjoyed and immediately manipulated the beast flame to surge towards the underground magma.

"Beast Flame, go!"

Looking at the beast flames in mid-air, which resembled the fiery Haoyang Bird, Zhou Ling pointed towards the location of the Fire Scale Beast in the magma and let out a low shout.

In an instant, the beast flapped its fiery wings and rushed straight towards the flaming lava.

"Roar!"

A muffled roar suddenly erupted from the lava river.

The fire-scaled beast was quickly awakened, seemingly sensing the presence of the beast flames, and immediately let out a roar.

Because Zhou Ling was still some distance away from it, and with the help of his [Concealing Qi] talent, the fire-scaled beast did not detect his presence.

Huff, huff!
On the lava river, dark red lava suddenly splashed up, like boiling water bursting out of a pot.

A colossal beast, resembling a dragon with fiery scales all over its body, suddenly burst forth from the lava and pounced towards the oncoming beast flames.

At the same time, it roared at the Beast Flame, and then a deep red fireball shot out from its mouth, blasting towards the Beast Flame.

Boom!
There was a deafening bang.

The beast's flames and the fireball clashed fiercely.

The fireball was directly pierced by the beast's flames.

It transformed into a sky full of flames and light, scattering into the lava river.

"Roar!"

The Firescale Beast roared angrily and charged straight at the Beast Flame.

Beast Flame flapped its fiery wings and flew swiftly along the underground lava river.

The Firescale Beast could only run swiftly through the lava river, like a giant swimming fish.

Watching the Firescale Beast gradually disappear into the distance, Zhou Ling circulated the spiritual flames within his body and shouted, "Five Elements Spiritual Flame, Qianyang True Fire, go!"

"call!"

"call!"

Two streaks of flame shot straight toward the Earth Spirit Fire on the rock.

The fight between the Firescale Beast and the Beast Flame just now took place on the lava river. Although it was quite a big fight, it didn't have much of an impact on the Earth Spirit Fire.

At this moment, the Earth Spirit Fire has no intelligence; all its reactions are more driven by instinct.

The beast flames showed no hostility towards it, so it had no effect on it.

But this time, the two incoming bursts of spiritual flame were completely different.

Earth Spirit Fire sensed a threat.

"call!"

The earth spirit fire surged fiercely, as if transforming into a fiery earth tortoise.

The fiery 'earth tortoise' opened its huge mouth and suddenly spewed out flames, attempting to devour and incinerate the Five Elements Spiritual Flame and the Qianyang True Fire.

Boom!

The three flames suddenly clashed.

Although the Earth Spirit Fire came with great force, it was quickly suppressed by the bombardment of the other two spirit flames.

[Your Five Elements Spiritual Flame and Qianyang True Fire absorbed Earth Spirit Earth Fire, Five Elements Thunder Qi +1, Five Elements Spiritual Flame and Qianyang True Fire grade +1, Five Elements Thunder Body +1]

The earth spirit flame was quickly pierced, and the Five Elements Spirit Flame and the Qianyang True Fire directly bombarded the earth spirit fire.

Although Earth Spirit Fire is a third-grade skill, it is not at its peak right now.

Moreover, both the Five Elements Spirit Flame and the Qianyang True Fire are already at the mid-stage of the second rank, giving them a clear advantage in a two-on-one situation.

The Earth Spirit Fire's body flashed with crimson flames, which then condensed into a brown flame resembling a tortoise shell in front of it, blocking the attacks of the two spiritual flames.

For a moment, the three flames reached a stalemate.

[Your Five Elements Spiritual Flame and Qianyang True Fire absorbed Earth Spirit Earth Fire, Five Elements Thunder Qi +1, Five Elements Spiritual Flame and Qianyang True Fire grade +1, Five Elements Thunder Body +1]

Although they were locked in a stalemate, the two spiritual flames that Zhou Ling had condensed were constantly absorbing the energy of the flames to increase their power.

Meanwhile, the Earth Spirit Fire is constantly being consumed.

His breathing grew weaker and weaker.

"seal up!"

Seeing that the Earth Spirit Fire had been completely suppressed by the two spiritual flames, Zhou Ling chanted an incantation and directly cast a fire-sealing seal on the Earth Spirit Fire.

A burst of fiery light swiftly shot into the body of the Earth Spirit Fire.

The earth tortoise form condensed from earth spirit and earth fire let out a fierce roar, but its light quickly dimmed.

It shrank rapidly until it was only the size of a palm.

"receive!"

Zhou Ling pointed again, and a burst of purple-gold light flashed.

The purple-gold cauldron shot out.

It quickly swept towards the ball of earth spirit fire.

The earth elemental fire has been sealed.

It was utterly powerless to resist the absorption of the Purple Gold Furnace.

Moreover, the Five Elements Spirit Flames were quickly absorbed into the cauldron under the sweep of the spirit flames.

"fall!"

Seeing the Earth Spirit Fire being absorbed into the Purple Gold Cauldron, Zhou Ling cast two more seals to seal it inside the cauldron.

The already weakened Earth Spirit Fire has lost the supply of fire energy from its surroundings.

It soon fell into hibernation.

The risks here are too great now.

The Fire Scale Beast might return soon, so Zhou Ling naturally wouldn't dare to refine the Earth Spirit Fire here.

The only option is to seal it away first, bring it back to the Ziyun Sect, and then refine it.

Just then, he was about to send a message to the beast flame, so that it could return.

But his gaze had just swept over the area that was originally surrounded by earth spirits and earth fire.

[You have discovered a Tier 4 Blazing Flame Essence Stone. Treasure Hunt +1]

"Fourth-tier Blazing Flame Essence Stone!"

Zhou Ling murmured with delight.

No wonder the Earth Spirit Fire was unwilling to leave this place even though the Fire Scale Beast was watching them covetously.

It turns out there are fourth-tier Burning Flame Essence Stones here.

With a thought from Zhou Ling, the Furnace Sword roared forth.

Then he slashed at the deep red rock.

Sparks flew everywhere.

To Zhou Ling's great surprise, the mid-grade spirit sword, the Furnace Sword, only managed to scratch a small crack in the rock.

“It’s done now!”

Zhou Ling was overjoyed. Such a large piece of fourth-order Burning Flame Essence Stone was of immeasurable value.

Then, with a thought, he swept the rock, which was nearly half a meter in diameter, directly in front of him.

[You are currently observing a Tier 4 Blazing Flame Essence Stone. Intermediate Observation Level +1]

[You are analyzing a Tier 4 Blazing Flame Essence Stone. Intermediate Analysis +1]

With the emergence of two talents.

Zhou Ling learned that this fourth-tier Burning Flame Essence Stone was an extremely precious refining material, containing exceptionally powerful incineration energy.

Adding this to the tempering process of a magical artifact can greatly enhance its power.

Simply put, just like the Furnace Sword in Zhou Ling's hand now, if this Burning Flame Essence Stone were added, its power would definitely be different from that of a high-grade spirit sword.

"It seems that the Burning Flame Essence Stone is the base of the Earth Spirit Earth Fire."

Zhou Ling murmured.

However, time was short, and he didn't have time to look at it carefully.

With a thought, he directly rolled the Burning Flame Essence Stone into his storage ring.

He then put away the Spirit Flame and the Purple Gold Cauldron.

He conveyed his thoughts to the beast flame.

He then called out to the rock rats lurking in the cave, "Little Stone, let's get out of here first!"

This trip not only successfully yielded the Earth Spirit Fire, but also that enormous Burning Flame Essence Stone, far exceeding the mission's objectives.

Therefore, he didn't want to stay any longer.

As for the beast flame, it now possesses a certain degree of sentience.

Moreover, given its speed, getting rid of the Firescale Beast shouldn't be a problem.

If he weren't lacking in strength, Zhou Ling would definitely have found a way to kill or capture this Firescale Beast.

With the spiritual flames on his body, this Fire Scale Beast was an invaluable treasure to him.

Unfortunately, their strength didn't allow it, so they had to retreat first.

Then, Zhou Ling darted away, leaving the underground lava river along the original cave.

(End of this chapter)