The rag picking sister turned out to be a weapon refiner

However, when it comes to problems in cultivation, Hu Xingtong actually has one.

"Master, I found a technique for cultivating strange fire in the Sutra Library. I already absorbed one spiritual fire yesterday and would like to ask if I can absorb another one."

Tan Luo looked her over and asked, "Was it the Earth's Core Fire you absorbed yesterday?"

"correct."

After a moment of contemplation, Tan Luo spoke, "If you want to absorb another one, the Star Nether Fire that Master gave you will do. However, you must use it with the Golden Crystal Powder. The material you just absorbed has already reached a balance with the Earth Core Fire you absorbed yesterday. If you want to absorb another strange fire, you will need to find materials to supplement your gold spiritual root and maintain the balance between your two spiritual roots."

[Let your master protect you. Fusing the strange fire is no small matter.] The system's voice suddenly rang in his head, and Hu Xingtong was a little curious about when the other party would come back.

"When did you come back?"

[I returned before your master appeared.]

[Don't ask this for now. If you want to fuse the remaining two strange fires, your master must protect you.]

"But if Master asks me about the origin of the Cold Heart Flame, what should I say?" The Cold Heart Flame is a mid-grade Xuan-level exotic fire. Hu Xingtong hasn't left the mountain for a year. Where did he get this fire from?

[He won't ask you, just ask him for help.] The system spoke with such confidence, and its confident aura made Hu Xingtong suspicious.

Looking at Tan Luo, Hu Xingtong said tentatively: "Master, I have another ice-attributed strange fire here. I want to try to fuse them together. Do you think it is feasible?" As he spoke, Hu Xingtong took out the Han Xinyan and displayed it in front of Tan Luo.

Upon hearing this, Tan Luo was momentarily stunned. He glanced at the chilly Strange Fire, his brow furrowing slightly, as if somewhat surprised that Hu Xingtong possessed another Strange Fire, the ice-attributed Frost Heart Flame. He didn't question her further, merely gazing at her with a deep, yet strangely calm gaze. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "The duality of ice and fire—this is indeed a considerable challenge. However, the properties of the Star Nether Fire and the Frost Heart Flame are somewhat similar, both belonging to the cold-attributed fire category. The only difference is that they possess distinct characteristics. If you can successfully fuse them, you should be able to master both the power of the stars and ice, which will undoubtedly benefit your future cultivation."

He paused, then continued, "In that case, your master will protect you and help you complete this fusion. However, you must ensure that you have enough mental strength to control these two completely different forces. Also, prepare materials that can help you balance your gold and fire spiritual roots to avoid any imbalance during the fusion process."

"Well, I have a piece of red tooth grass and a piece of saltpeter here. Take them and you can start when you are ready."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xingtong felt a surge of warmth in her heart. Her master was not only willing to protect her but had even offered her precious auxiliary materials. Both Red Tooth Grass and Pansheng Saltpeter were extremely rare, lower-grade Xuan-grade medicinal herbs. The former not only stabilized a cultivator's spiritual power but also improved the body's tolerance to fire, a treasure coveted by cultivators with Fire Spiritual Roots. The latter, while enhancing the body's firmness and containing pure gold, was a perfect treasure for cultivators with Gold Spiritual Roots to improve their affinity for metals. These two materials were undoubtedly a timely help for Hu Xingtong, who was about to undergo the process of fusing the alien fire.

"Thank you, Master!" Hu Xingtong accepted the Red Tooth Grass and Pansheng Saltpeter and carefully placed them in her storage bag, her heart overflowing with gratitude. She knew the importance of this trip and dared not be careless. Seeing this, Tan Luo nodded in satisfaction and then stepped aside to begin setting up a barrier to ensure that any outside interference would not affect Hu Xingtong's fusion process.

With everything ready, Hu Xingtong took a deep breath, slowly closed her eyes, and began to guide the two strange fires before her according to the incantations. Tan Luo closely watched her every move, just in case anything unexpected happened.

Hu Xingtong's mind was completely immersed in the two kinds of strange fire. She controlled her consciousness and divided it into two orange silk threads, which shuttled between the Star Nether Fire and the Frost Heart Flame respectively. She tried to use the silk threads to pull the two kinds of strange fire closer. In the real world, the compatibility between fires requires a common medium, so she used her consciousness to weave a thick ray of light, trying to build a stable channel.

Guided by the light, the two balls of strange fire gradually approached each other. The aura emitted by each other made the entire space extremely cold and hot, forming a wonderful balance.

Tan Luo stood outside the barrier, his eyes slightly closed, spiritual energy fluctuating around him, and his spiritual sense sensed Hu Xingtong's every move. He was surprised at the powerful power of her spiritual sense, and even more surprised at her boldness without any hesitation. But even if everything went well, Tan Luo still watched vigilantly, ready to deal with any emergency that might arise.

As time passed, the expression on Hu Xingtong's face gradually relaxed from its initial solemnity. As her breathing became more and more steady, the two fused flames seemed to find their rhythm, slowly spinning and merging together to form a single, dark blue ball of fire.

Then, the dark blue fireball, passing through the source of his spiritual consciousness, inched closer to Hu Xingtong's body. The moment the flames touched his skin, a crimson flame suddenly erupted around him. The crimson flames, like a ferocious fire dragon, lunged at the dark blue fireball with bared fangs and claws. Meanwhile, the dark blue fire, like a whirlpool in the deep ocean, exuded an eerie calm. The crimson and the dark blue collided, followed by a crisp, resounding "crackling" sound. Like firecrackers exploding, each explosion was accompanied by sparks and a thick, cold mist.

In this world of intertwined flames, the colors of red and dark blue are constantly intertwined and fused, sometimes colliding violently, and sometimes embracing each other gently.

"Take the spiritual herb." Tan Luo's voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of calmness in his majesty. Hu Xingtong could only take out the spiritual plant with trembling hands and stuff it all into his mouth.

The sensation of being sometimes hot and sometimes cold under the fusion of the strange fire made Hu Xingtong unable to control her mouth. She had difficulty chewing and had to seek help from the system.

The system didn't say anything and consciously helped her dissolve the medicinal power of the spiritual plant.

Hu Xingtong seized the opportunity and used his limited spiritual awareness and power to drive the medicinal power to flow through the meridians throughout his body.

With the help of the medicine, the nine golden fires and the dark blue fireball gradually merged into a golden blue dark fire, which continued to burn on Hu Xingtong's body.

Although Hu Xingtong had experienced this method of body tempering once yesterday, it still hurt her to experience it again.

"Ugh...it hurts so much..." Hu Xingtong couldn't help but curse in a low voice. The desire for home in his heart grew stronger and stronger. He wanted to go home and didn't enjoy this little bit of suffering at all.

The scorching flames continued, and the feeling of alternating hot and cold repeated on Hu Xingtong's body. Unable to endure this repetitive torture, Hu Xingtong curled up on the ground in pain, with cold sweat and tears intertwined on his face, and he couldn't tell which was which.

At this time, she didn't even dare to allow herself to fall asleep. She forced herself to stay awake and constantly reminded herself with memories of reality, telling herself that she just had to bear it, that it didn't hurt, that it wasn't as painful as her mother being sick, and that it wasn't as painful as the strange looks people gave her in her previous life.

It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt…

Tan Luo saw Hu Xingtong's appearance. His eyes were slightly red, and a look of heartache was mixed in his eyes. It was not obvious but could not be hidden. He opened his thin lips slightly, but the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat and he never uttered a sound.

Hu Xingtong knew nothing about the outside world. She only knew that the burning pain all over her body was slowly easing, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt meat, which made people feel sick.

But what makes people happy is that at this moment, a miniature universe seems to have formed in her body. The power of the stars and the power of ice are intertwined with the nine golden fires to form a new balance point. In the dantian situation reported by the scanning eye, there are countless tiny blue flames flashing with light blue light, like tiny stars, sending strands of spiritual power into every meridian of Hu Xingtong.

Suddenly, a soft light burst out from Hu Xingtong's body, illuminating the entire courtyard. Seeing this, Tan Luo finally felt relieved and a smile of relief appeared on his face.

When the light faded, Hu Xingtong, who had exhausted more than half of his strength, no longer had the strength to stand up. He maintained his original position and lay on the ground, slowly breathing in the fresh air.

"Xingtong, you succeeded." There seemed to be something more in Tan Luo's tone. Hu Xingtong had no way to compare it. She just felt that the tone was a little too gentle, but she felt inexplicably happy in her heart.

"Thank you...Master..." The weak voice showed the master's condition. Despite this, Hu Xingtong still didn't intend to say anything else, even though she really wanted to go back to bed and have a sleep.

Tan Luo looked at the curled up little man in front of him. There was no blood on his pale face, and the whole person was soaked as if he had been fished out of the water.

A white jade bottle appeared out of thin air in his hand. Tan Luo walked in front of Hu Xingtong, raised his jade hand, and a soft spiritual power supported Hu Xingtong's shoulders. He lifted him up gently and slowly put him on the bed.

"Open your mouth." There was a sinking feeling from the bedside. Tan Luo sat down on the bedside and handed the white jade bottle to Hu Xingtong's mouth.

Hu Xingtong half leaned on the bed, didn't say a word, opened her mouth obediently, forced her eyelids open and stared at Tan Luo uncomfortably.

"Have a good rest after drinking it. I will bring your senior sister to see you tomorrow." Knowing that she was unwell, Tan Luo did not stay long. After feeding her the medicine, he left in a flash of white light in front of Hu Xingtong.

I don’t know what it feels like. Although Tan Luo doesn’t talk much and is as cold as a snow lotus on the top of a mountain, it is this little bit of gentleness that makes Hu Xingtong feel the warmth that belongs to a father. That kind of silent love always makes her unable to let go for a long time.

[Xingxing, are you okay?] The system spoke with concern, and it was obvious that it was also nervous.

"It's okay. Did I succeed?" Hu Xingtong closed his eyes and slowly moved his body to lie down.

[Successful, and also opened a similar illustrated guide.]

[Congratulations to the host for lighting up the Fire Seed Atlas. The mission reward has been issued.]

"What illustrated book?" Hu Xingtong glanced at the reward in his backpack. It seemed to be an animal bone material. Thinking that it would not be useful now, he did not check it again.

[An illustration of a strange fire called Bone Spirit Cold Fire. Because the illustration you lit up is of a higher level, the reward is the spine of the Flame Moon Beast, a mid-grade Earth-grade material.]

Hu Xingtong didn't answer because he hadn't thought of the use of the materials for the time being. As the energy he had just consumed slowly came back, he fell into a deep sleep.