The Great Ruler: Starting from the Lower Plane

The author's latest work, "The Great Ruler: Starting from a Lower Plane," is exclusively published on Cola Novels!

Without lingering too long, Ye Feng quietly left Tianmo City without leaving a trace. He found a secluded place in the deep mountains outside the city to rest and recover.

Whether it's the Tianmo Sect or the Ji family of the Eastern Region, he doesn't need to get involved in such a commotion. It's not advisable to stay in such a troublesome place.

His sole purpose in coming to the Western Desert Continent was to obtain the Essence of the Blazing Fire.

The next morning.

Beneath the babbling waterfall, Ye Feng, who was sitting cross-legged on a blue stone, slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.

After a night of rest and meditation, his spiritual energy was abundant, and the fatigue from days of travel was completely gone, and he had fully recovered.

"The Supreme Sea Spiritual Power has improved slightly again. Maintaining the activity of spiritual power, constantly depleting and replenishing it, is truly beneficial for enhancing strength..."

Sensing the subtle changes in the spiritual energy within the Supreme Sea, Ye Feng's gaze became thoughtful, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

The difference between each of the nine ranks of the Supreme Realm is enormous, and many people struggle to make a breakthrough in their entire lives. However, not long after he broke through to the second rank of the Supreme Realm, his strength began to increase again, which is truly remarkable.

"It's time to get going..."

Ye Feng composed himself, and with a flash, he soared into the sky and disappeared.

……

Northwest of the Tianmo Continent.

This is a vast mountain range stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles, rarely visited by humans and teeming with ferocious beasts.

Deep within the mountains, towering volcanoes rise and fall in a continuous range, with flaming boulders falling from them from time to time, spewing out billowing flames. The intense heat permeates the heavens and the earth, and from afar, the entire world is shrouded in a crimson hue.

Ye Feng stood in mid-air, his gaze sweeping over the crimson volcanoes below, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

"The Heavenly Ash Mountains...this is the place that the Venerable Lianpo spoke of."

"A fourth-grade supreme-level fire spirit python, coupled with volcanic flames powerful enough to incinerate a supreme-level expert..."

Ye Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, and his spiritual senses spread out like a tide, carefully exploring everything in this volcanic mountain range.

A moment later, Ye Feng raised an eyebrow.

"That direction."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Feng's figure flashed, and he sped off into the depths of the mountains.

After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Ye Feng stopped in front of a huge volcano.

At this moment, the volcano in front of Ye Feng was ten thousand feet high, with a crater several thousand feet in diameter and unfathomable depth.

Rolling flames erupted from the volcano's crater, their intense heat capable of evaporating some of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, causing the surrounding space to subtly distort.

"That dangerous fluctuation just now...it was here..."

Ye Feng's gaze fell on the crater, his aura restrained to the extreme.

Deep within the volcano, he could vaguely sense a hidden aura, an aura far stronger than that of an ordinary fourth-grade supreme being, which was none other than the Fire Spirit Python, a fourth-grade supreme being.

According to the Venerable Lianpo, she discovered this place three hundred years ago. Over the years, even if the Fire Spirit Python Beast was limited by its own bloodline and did not complete the breakthrough to the fifth-grade Venerable level, it was probably not far off.

"Obtaining the essence of the Blazing Fire from this guardian spirit beast is no easy feat..."

Ye Feng frowned, his mind tense.

Although he is not so powerless against a fourth-grade supreme expert, he can put up a fight, but it is not realistic to obtain the essence of the fire from a peak fourth-grade supreme spirit beast.

Spirit beasts possess powerful physical bodies and their own innate divine abilities. Among humans of the same realm, few can rival them. This fiery spirit beast is probably beyond the capabilities of even a typical fifth-grade supreme being.

And it is precisely because of this that the essence of the fire might be found here.

"I really don't know how that Venerable Lama was able to leave this place so peacefully and even see the essence of the fire."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment, then hesitated.

Things weren't as simple as they seemed on this trip to the Western Desert Continent; even with his Second Grade Supreme strength, he was still somewhat stretched thin.

Ye Feng's eyes flashed as he quickly made a plan in his mind.

Although he possesses a sacred artifact like the Blazing Fire Sword and wields a divine technique that is worthy of being ranked at the Great Perfection level, he has only learned one of the three sword moves so far. Even if he fights with all his might, he is no match for this Fire Spirit Python Beast. It would be quite good if he could just survive and run away.

The Fire Spirit Python is a fire-attribute spirit beast, and the essence of fire, such a rare treasure of heaven and earth, must be a rare opportunity for it, so it will not give it up easily.

It would be a pipe dream for him to forcibly seize it on his own right now.

We need to come up with a foolproof plan...

Ye Feng frowned, his gaze fixed on the crater, lost in thought.

After a long silence, a resolute glint flashed in Ye Feng's eyes.

"Let's test the waters first and see if we can get what we want in return. If we're outmatched, then we'll make further plans."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Feng's figure flashed and he disappeared straight into the huge volcano.

......

Deep within the volcano lies a vast underground space.

The surrounding rock walls were dark red, with faintly visible flowing magma veins. The intense heat permeated the heavens and earth, enough to easily melt anyone below the level of a supreme being in an instant.

In the center of the space was a vast lake of lava, the lava itself a deep, dark gold color, radiating a chilling heat.

In the center of that lava lake, a dark golden crystal, about the size of a human head, floated quietly. A faint golden light flowed across the surface of the crystal, radiating extremely pure and intense spiritual energy.

"Truly the essence of the fire..."

Ye Feng stood at the edge of the lava lake, his gaze falling on the essence of the fire, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

With this essence of the Fiery Blaze, he had gathered all the materials needed to cultivate the supreme Dharma Body of the Fiery Blaze Profound Sword Body.

"Hmm, that's..."

Before Ye Feng could feel too much joy, his gaze suddenly shifted away.

In the lava lake not far from the Fire Spirit, a huge figure could be seen appearing and disappearing.

It was a giant, fiery red python, a thousand feet long, coiled in the lava, its scales shimmering with dark gold patterns, radiating a terrifying aura.

Fire Spirit Python!

At this moment, the Fire Spirit Python seemed to be asleep with its eyes closed, its aura stable, showing no signs of waking up due to Ye Feng's arrival.

"At this distance, it's impossible that the Fire Spirit Python didn't sense it..."

Ye Feng frowned slightly, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes.

Although this Fire Spirit Python is only at the fourth-grade Supreme level, its aura is far stronger than that of an ordinary fourth-grade Supreme. He is now completely certain of this.

The dark golden patterns flowing around its body are of the same origin as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth formed by the essence of fire. It is clear that it has cultivated for many years with the help of this volcanic vein, and possesses such scorching spiritual energy. The strength of this fire spirit python is conceivable.

"My name is Ye Feng. I have come today, and I apologize for disturbing you."

Ye Feng's expression was solemn, his gaze fixed on the Fire Spirit Python Beast, and his voice echoed throughout the vast underground space.

After speaking, Ye Feng did not rush towards the lava lake, but stood at the edge, waiting for the Fire Spirit Python's response.

In this vast world, when spirit beasts cultivate to a certain level, their intelligence becomes comparable to that of humans. Under normal circumstances, spirit beasts that reach the Supreme Realm can transform into human form, regardless of their bloodline.

Since this Fire Spirit Python has reached the fourth-grade Supreme level, it must be able to understand what he is saying. Moreover, it is very likely that its slumber was just a facade, and it was actually observing his every move.

Zizizi!

Time passed quietly, and in the surging lava lake, the Fire Spirit Python remained motionless, seemingly unresponsive to Ye Feng's words.

"No response..."

However, just as Ye Feng was about to speak again...

boom!

An extremely fierce aura suddenly erupted from the lava lake, causing the entire underground space to tremble violently. The lava lake surged and boiled, and countless dark golden magma spewed up.

The fire spirit python suddenly opened its eyes, and two golden beams shot out from its vertical pupils, locking onto Ye Feng.

"Human, this is not a place for you."

A deep, resonant voice emanated from the Fire Spirit Python, carrying an air of cold indifference.

Ye Feng felt a chill run down his spine, but his expression remained calm as he cupped his hands in a respectful greeting.

"I have come here today with great difficulty, but I have something to discuss with Lord Python."

Upon hearing this, the fire spirit python beast flashed with spiritual light and transformed into a middle-aged man wearing a dark red robe.

The man had high-set eyebrows, and his vertical pupils gleamed with a faint golden light. He was surrounded by blazing golden flames, like a fireman emerging from lava.

"Something to discuss?"

The Fire Spirit Python's gaze swept over Ye Feng, a mocking smile curving its lips.

"When did a mere second-rank Supreme gain the right to discuss matters with me?"

The Fire Spirit Python Lord's gaze fell on Ye Feng, his expression indifferent.

In the next instant, a terrifying spiritual pressure emanated from his body, crushing towards Ye Feng.

The spiritual pressure was so strong, like a volcanic eruption, hot and violent, that it caused the entire underground space to tremble violently.

"The peak of the fourth-grade supreme realm, infinitely close to the fifth grade..."

Sensing the true strength of the Fire Spirit Python, Ye Feng's expression changed slightly, but his reaction was swift. His spiritual power surged wildly within him, resisting the pressure of that spiritual power, and his figure remained completely still.

"Um?"

Seeing that Ye Feng could withstand its pressure, a look of surprise flashed in the eyes of the Fire Spirit Python.

It's quite interesting that a second-grade supreme being could stand firm and not back down under the pressure of someone at the peak of the fourth-grade supreme being.

"You've got some skill; no wonder you dared to come here alone."

The Fire Spirit Python snorted coldly and looked Ye Feng up and down.

"Among humans, it is not uncommon for someone your age to cultivate to the second rank of Supreme. I do not wish to antagonize you. Leave this place quickly, and I can pretend nothing happened."

"Lord Python, please calm your anger. I have not come here to be your enemy, but to exchange for the Essence of the Blazing Fire."

Ye Feng cupped his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner and directly stated what he needed.

"The essence of fire?"

The Fire Spirit Python's vertical pupils narrowed slightly as its gaze swept over the dark golden crystal floating in the center of the lava lake, a strange glint flashing in its eyes.

With his current strength, refining and incorporating a single essence of the Blazing Fire into his body wouldn't significantly improve his power. Therefore, this item isn't that important to him right now.

Moreover, this essence of fire, which matures from the earth's core fire veins, is not limited to this one place in the Tianjin Mountains.

However, he will not tell anyone this secret.

Each piece of the Essence of Fire is worth tens of thousands of spirit liquids, enough for him to cultivate peacefully here without having to rely on any power.

"A mere second-rank Supreme dares to set his sights on me? He truly doesn't know his own limitations!"

As they spoke, the golden flames around the Fire Spirit Python suddenly surged, and a violent and scorching wave of spiritual energy swept out from its body.

"If you want to trade with me, you'll have to see if you're qualified!"

In the next instant, the Fire Spirit Python moved, transforming into a golden streak of light and hurtling towards Ye Feng.

The speed was so fast that space itself was torn apart wherever it passed.

Ye Feng's expression turned solemn, his spiritual power surging wildly within him. As he retreated rapidly, he made a grasping motion with his right hand, and the Pillow Snow Sword was already in his palm.

"Frosty chill stretches for ten thousand miles!"

With a single swing of the sword, a deep blue light carrying a chilling aura met the oncoming golden flames.

boom!

The collision of the two spiritual energies, ice and fire, instantly erupted into a deafening roar.

However, this contact soon yielded results.

"puff…"

Ye Feng was sent flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He retreated a full hundred feet before regaining his footing.

As expected, the peak of the fourth-grade supreme being was something that he, a second-grade supreme being, could not contend with. Even a casual strike caused his blood and qi to surge and his spiritual energy to vibrate violently.

"Um?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the Fire Spirit Python's eyes.

It was somewhat unexpected that a second-rank supreme being could withstand his casual attack without sustaining serious injury.

"If you can withstand this move, then I can talk to you. The essence of the Blazing Fire is worth trading."

The Fire Spirit Python snorted coldly, its vertical pupils blazing with golden light. Then, it formed hand seals, and its spiritual power surged out like a volcanic eruption, condensing into a huge fire python phantom behind it.

The phantom of the fire python was a thousand feet long, its entire body burning with dark golden flames, exuding extraordinary power.

"Fire Serpent Devours the Sky!"

The Fire Spirit Python roared, and the huge fire python phantom behind it suddenly opened its massive maw and lunged at Ye Feng.

Within that gigantic maw, dark golden flames surged, radiating terrifying heat capable of incinerating everything. Wherever they passed, the space itself was scorched with fine cracks.

Ye Feng's expression was solemn, but there was no sign of backing down in his eyes.

Although this attack from the Fire Spirit Python Beast was not its strongest move, it should not be underestimated. Only a full-force battle could prevail.

"Annihilation Slash!"

Ye Feng let out a low shout, and the spiritual power within his body surged wildly into the Pillow Snow Sword in his hand like a flood bursting its banks.

hum!

The sword trembled, and the dark blue sword light suddenly turned into a deep black. A sword intent that could destroy everything emanated from the sword, causing the temperature of the entire underground space to drop sharply.

The next instant, Ye Feng swung his sword, and the world fell silent.

A jet-black sword light shot out from the Pillow Snow Sword, tearing apart the scorching heat that filled the world, and even causing cracks to appear in space itself.

boom!

The pitch-black sword light and the phantom of the fire python collided with a deafening roar that echoed through the underground space, sending violent waves of spiritual energy sweeping in all directions.

The surrounding rock walls collapsed with a deafening roar, and countless rubble fell into the lava lake, stirring up huge waves.

The phantom of the fire python trembled violently, and under the impact of the dark sword light, it was actually torn apart with a crack!

However, the gap between the peak of the fourth-grade supreme and the second-grade supreme cannot be bridged by a single move.

"Such powerful divine magic! This human must have an extraordinary background; he should be able to produce a Supreme Spiritual Liquid of considerable value..."