Chapter 339: Void Black Flame! Ancient Luo King Inheritance! Marquis Rank Secret Technique!

Chapter 339: The Void Black Flame! The Legacy of King Guluo! Marquis-Level Secret Arts! The Weapon-Forging King Confronts the Golden Emperor!

Following the instructions of the Weapon-Forging King, Qin Feng held the warm, jade-like formation token and ventured deep into the forbidden grounds of the Artifact Sect.

With the token in hand, it felt like an invisible imperial decree.

Within the forbidden zone, those terrifying restrictions capable of halting even the most formidable Marquis-level experts retreated like docile pets, suppressing all murderous intent as Qin Feng passed.

The dazzling, lethal arrays fell into a deathly silence; the void traps that could devour all things became as still as a mirror. He proceeded without obstruction, arriving directly at the very heart of the forbidden land.

A colossal portal stood before him. It was not forged from metal or stone, but woven from pure light and laws. Upon its frame, billions of runes flickered like stars, radiating a vast, heavy aura from the primordial age.

Qin Feng stepped forward as instructed and offered up the golden paper inscribed with King Guluo’s contract.

At the core of the portal, a brilliant crystal eye suddenly ignited, casting a gentle yet all-seeing light.

The light swept over the golden paper, meticulously verifying the justice of every law within the contract and carefully sensing the undying spiritual imprint unique to King Guluo contained therein.

Moments later, the light confirmed the authenticity and slowly receded. The massive portal emitted a hum like the tolling of an ancient bell; the light and shadow within began to swirl violently, eventually forming a deep, stable spatial vortex.

Qin Feng did not hesitate and stepped inside.

The stars shifted, and the heavens turned upside down. When Qin Feng found his footing again, the sight before him left his soul trembling.

This was the "Hearthland."

Yet, this place was nothing like any treasure vault he had imagined.

There were no ingenious mechanical trials, no guardian puppets, and no labyrinthine mazes.

The interior of the Hearthland was a world composed entirely of fire.

Endless seas of flame churned and roared here.

These were no ordinary fires; they manifested in a myriad of colors—some searing white like the core of a star, others ghostly blue like the flames of the netherworld, and some as resplendent as seven-colored glaze.

Each wisp of flame seemed to represent a melted, devoured law or essence, collectively forming a vast, eternally burning domain of fire.

And at the center of this infinite domain, where all fires bowed, a single flame floated in silence.

To call it a flame felt wrong.

It was pitch black—not a black stained by impurities, but a void-black so pure it seemed to swallow all light and color.

It possessed no temperature, no radiance; it simply hung there, a singularity in the universe, a black hole leading to the end of all things.

Yet, this unassuming black spark was the sole source of the entire domain. The billions of violent flames surrounding it were all born from the aura it exuded.

The Void Black Flame! One of the thirty-six primordial fires of the universe!

The moment he saw this flame, the "Pure Black Quality" spiritual power within Qin Feng, along with the [Primordial Furnace] that served as his foundation, resonated with unprecedented intensity.

It was a craving born from the source of life, a thrill as if a soul starved for eons had finally found its perfect sustenance.

The aura of the Void Black Flame was highly compatible with his spiritual power, like a long-lost object of the same origin.

Its terrifying nature—to devour all things, decompose all matter, and transmute information and even spiritual power into the purest nourishment—perfectly aligned with the philosophy of the [Primordial Furnace].

Qin Feng had a strong intuition: if he could refine this Void Black Flame and integrate it into himself, his path toward the [Limitless Body] would achieve an unimaginable, revolutionary leap!

He tore his gaze away from the Void Black Flame and turned to two other anomalies in the fire domain.

There, two massive, archaic stone tablets stood.

They sat quietly in the sea of fire, unmarred by the surrounding laws of flame, which could leave not a single scratch upon them.

This was the true legacy left by King Guluo.

Qin Feng stepped forward and approached the first tablet.

The inscription was ancient, yet it burned clearly into his soul. It recorded the [Method for Refining the Void Black Flame].

As Qin Feng’s mind immersed itself, a phantom figure, tinged with age and regret, slowly emerged from the tablet.

He was tall, with a resolute face and the focus and pride of a Grandmaster of Weapon-Forging—it was the projection of King Guluo.

"Latecomer, that you could come here with my contract proves you are my successor."

The projection looked at Qin Feng, its voice echoing directly in his mind.

"Junior Qin Feng pays respects to Senior King Guluo."

Qin Feng bowed respectfully.

The projection possessed no consciousness; it was merely a lingering echo.

"To refine the primordial treasures of this universe—be it the thirty-six primordial fires, the seventy-two divine metals, or the primordial waters and earths—one must meet specific conditions."

Qin Feng listened intently.

"First, one must possess the legendary 'Pure Black Quality' spiritual power, a lineage long since severed. This spiritual power is the color of the universe’s origin; it is immune to all laws and impervious to all harm. It is the only 'key' to mastering these primordial treasures."

"Second, one must possess the 'Saint-Sealing' realm, transcending the Emperor and stepping one foot into the domain of gods. At that level, one becomes a universe unto oneself, a law unto oneself, capable of forcibly suppressing and refining these treasures."

King Guluo’s tone carried endless lament: "Since ancient times, it has never been heard that a creature could cultivate Pure Black Quality spiritual power; it has long been dismissed as a mere myth.

Thus, the universally accepted standard for refining is the path of 'Saint-Sealing' alone.

In my time, I was confident that with my 'Purple-Gold' top-tier spiritual power and countless secret arts, I might have had a sliver of a chance.

Alas... I fell short by a single step."

His phantom dimmed, as if recalling the unwillingness and despair of being slain by the Golden Emperor.

"That Golden Emperor coveted my Void Black Flame, thinking that by killing me, he could seize it.

He did not know that without the refining method, and without the qualification to refine it, the flame would be nothing but a hot potato.

He could never have imagined that I had already completely hidden this place, leaving him with nothing but empty hands."

Qin Feng felt a wave of emotion.

He possessed the Pure Black Quality spiritual power and had obtained King Guluo’s refining method; for him, refining the Void Black Flame would be free of bottlenecks or danger—it was merely a matter of following the steps to success.

Qin Feng gained a deeper understanding of his own advantages.

He bowed once more, then turned his gaze toward the second tablet.

This tablet held the entirety of King Guluo’s knowledge of weapon-forging.

As Qin Feng’s divine sense delved into it, a vast ocean of knowledge flooded his mind.

It was a massive system comprising over three hundred million weapon-forging techniques, covering everything from basic material identification to the most profound imprinting of laws.

At the pinnacle of these techniques lay a [Grand Syllabus] that governed all.

Qin Feng studied this syllabus carefully, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

This was not merely a guide to weapon-forging; it was a Grandmaster’s ultimate understanding of matter, energy, laws, and the very structure of the universe!

Many of the theories regarding how to construct stable material structures at the microscopic level, and how to forge divine weapons using laws as bone and energy as flesh, shared a remarkable similarity with his own concepts for the [Limitless Body]! The value of this legacy for his [Limitless Body] was immeasurable!

Just by glancing at a few parts, he already had numerous ideas for his previous forging methods! If he could digest it all step by step, his strength would skyrocket!

Of course, some of the core secret arts could only be practiced at the Marquis or King levels.

There were about three million of them.

But regardless of those core arts, the other techniques would be of immense benefit to Qin Feng once digested.

Time waits for no man.

Qin Feng suppressed the surging excitement in his heart and immediately sprang into action.

He first invoked his pure black spiritual energy, following the secret techniques inscribed upon the first stone stele.

His spiritual energy, like an invisible yet tenacious black web, cautiously enveloped the spark of the Void Black Flame.

The spark instinctively unleashed its nature to consume all things, yet when it touched Qin Feng’s pure black spiritual energy, it seemed to encounter its nemesis.

That invincible devouring force could not shake this kindred spiritual energy in the slightest.

Qin Feng successfully wove his spiritual energy into a temporary cage, wrapping the Void Black Flame within it.

He knew well that this object could not be stored in any spatial ring, lest the ring itself be devoured into nothingness.

The only solution was to store it temporarily in the deepest reaches of his consciousness.

With a thought, the spiritual cage containing the spark drifted slowly into his brow, finally sinking into the vast, boundless depths of his sea of consciousness, where it was firmly suppressed by the aura of the Primal Furnace.

Having done this, Qin Feng gathered the two massive steles into his possession; the entire Furnace Land Fire Domain dimmed and cooled rapidly with the disappearance of the spark, eventually fading into a space of deathly silence.

He turned and stepped into the portal, returning to the grand hall of the Weapon King.

"Senior."

Qin Feng bowed to the Weapon King and produced the two steles. "The inheritance is secured; many thanks for your grace, Senior."

The Weapon King nodded in satisfaction, but just as he was about to speak, his expression shifted slightly.

"Sect Master!"

A disciple rushed into the hall, stumbling and frantic, his voice laced with unconcealable terror. "Report to the Sect Master! Outside the Weapon Sect... outside the Weapon Sect, there are countless powerhouses! They... they intend to force their way into our sect!"

Qin Feng’s brow furrowed.

"How many are there?"

The Weapon King’s voice remained steady.

"Countless... they cover the sky! A preliminary estimate suggests at least eighty thousand Marquis-level powerhouses!

And among them, those with terrifying auras—the peak Marquises—likely account for half! Our sect’s protective formation is on the verge of collapse!"

Eighty thousand Marquises, forty thousand at the peak!

A chill settled in Qin Feng’s heart.

He knew this was undoubtedly the handiwork of the Universe’s Will.

Those peak Marquises were, without a doubt, top-tier experts who had accepted the hostile mission; none were to be trifled with.

Combined with the various rogue cultivators and experts drawn by the temptation of the "Primal Fire" once the news spread, such a terrifying force had been assembled.

These people were the blades held in plain sight, but in the shadows lurked the most lethal sword of all—the Golden Emperor!

"Senior, things have come to this; I should no longer impose."

Qin Feng made a swift decision, telling the Weapon King, "I shall leave at once; I will not bring this calamity upon the Weapon Sect."

He had already made his plans. At worst, he would "die in battle" here and use the Twin Masks to resurrect in his own Qin Feng Universe City.

Once there, he could safely refine the Void Black Flame, digest the three hundred billion auxiliary secret techniques from the Holy Academy, and add the three hundred million weapon-forging techniques from the Guluo King.

Once this wealth of knowledge was fully converted into his own strength, he would have absolute certainty to break through the barrier and ascend to the rank of a true Marquis!

However, the Weapon King shook his head, his eyes filled with an unquestionable air of dominance.

"No matter," he said calmly, "stay here and refine in peace."

Before the words had faded, another disciple rushed in, even more panicked, his voice verging on tears:

"Sect Master! It is dire! The... the Golden Emperor! The Golden Emperor himself has arrived! He... he is outside the Weapon Sect, threatening that if we do not hand over Qin Feng, he will... he will annihilate our entire sect!"

The atmosphere in the hall froze to the point of absolute zero.

The majesty of an Emperor—a mere name was enough to crush the stars!

"Senior! I must go!"

Qin Feng’s expression was grave as he urged, "I have means to preserve my life; there is no need for you to risk yourself for me!"

"Hmph."

The Weapon King let out a cold snort, and an aura of world-dominating arrogance erupted from him. "It is fine. I told you to be at ease, so be at ease. Go and refine your Void Black Flame; leave the matters outside to me. The Golden Emperor killed my junior brother, and it is time for a reckoning."

With that, the Weapon King’s body flickered, and he transformed into a brilliant stream of light, vanishing from the hall.

The next moment, he appeared in the boundless cosmic void outside the entrance of the Weapon Sect.

At this moment, the scene outside the Weapon Sect had turned into an apocalyptic purgatory.

The Golden Emperor’s massive, hideous form, like an ancient demonic mountain, hovered silently in the vacuum of space.

His golden scales reflected a cold and cruel light under the radiance of the stars.

Behind him stood a dense, endless sea of eighty thousand Marquis-level powerhouses.

Eighty thousand distinct yet equally terrifying Dao-seal auras converged, forming a torrent of destruction capable of making any cosmic nation tremble.

Under the pressure of this aura, space itself groaned in agony, and countless tiny spatial fissures spread like spiderwebs around them.

Before this scene of despair, the Weapon King’s figure appeared so small, yet so upright.

He stood alone, solitary in the void, facing an Emperor and an army of eighty thousand Marquises.

"Golden Emperor."

The Weapon King’s voice was flat, yet it carried clearly across the entire star system.

"Weapon King."

The Golden Emperor’s pupils contracted into dangerous pinpricks. "Hand over Qin Feng, and this Emperor can pretend nothing ever happened."

The Weapon King laughed, a hint of mockery in his tone.

He spoke no more, responding only with action.

A kingly pressure, in no way inferior to the Golden Emperor’s—and perhaps even more refined and pure—surged from his body toward the heavens!

Two auras, both belonging to the pinnacle of the universe, collided violently in the vacuum!

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no dazzling display of light.

Yet, at the very center of the collision, a massive neutron star with the mass of a sun did not even emit a final cry; caught in the silent clash of wills, it crumbled on the spot, shattering into the most infinitesimal cosmic dust!