Chapter 327: Refining and Sacrificing

Chapter 327: Refining

“It’s nothing. This is the Undying Heart Flame, of great value for my understanding of all kinds of fire. If you can comprehend it, it will help you suppress the restlessness of the heart fire when you encounter obstacles in the future, so you won’t easily fall into demonic possession.” Huangfu Qing stopped struggling and let herself lean naturally into his arms, saying lazily, “Such opportunities are rare. Seize them well, and don’t always have your mind on those trivial matters.”

Since she had to examine the heart fire by first examining her feelings, then so be it.

After all, she was now the Winged Fire Serpent, not the Vermilion Bird. Why couldn’t she enjoy the affection and care he showed toward the Winged Fire Serpent?

Zhao Changhe craned his neck to look at the fire, indeed sensing that this was likely the source of the earlier frenzy—the aura was the same. Up close, he could feel the irritable energy within the flame, stirring his heart and making him restless, itching to curse and throw punches.

Of course, holding the proud and aloof young lady in his arms, he was in a good mood and wouldn’t lose his temper. But when it came to comprehension, it felt like being back in a math class—staring at the numbers without grasping a thing.

This was something that required understanding even at the level of breaking through the third secret treasure—profound and mysterious. Even the Vermilion Bird herself couldn’t find a way in for now. For Zhao Changhe, who was still pursuing strength and martial skills, it was far too distant.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Changhe could only analyze that it shared similarities with the concept of blood and killing intent but belonged to a different system. Beyond that, he gained nothing. Unable to forcibly integrate it, he asked, “How do we take this thing away?”

Huangfu Qing couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t try to take everything you see… It’s probably impossible to take. It has no source of fire, no point of leverage—how could you grasp it? Otherwise, Jade Void Master wouldn’t have left it here.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Zhao Changhe said. “Unless it has existed here since the dawn of heaven and earth, it must have been moved here at some point.”

“Perhaps, but that’s beyond our ability—at least beyond mine now,” Huangfu Qing said. “Don’t be fixated. Having a treasure doesn’t mean you have to take it. Being able to comprehend it is already an opportunity. Don’t push things to the extreme.”

Zhao Changhe smiled. “Such high-minded words… Anyway, I’m here to find something. You go ahead and ponder it; I’ll look around for other things.”

Huangfu Qing asked, “What are you looking for?”

“First, the Dragon-Elephant Blood Ginseng. It should have grown in the ancient Kunlun Mountains—widespread but rare. Now it’s gone, but maybe some remnants can be found in these fragments of ancient Kunlun. Or maybe not. I’ll take my chances. If not, I’ll search elsewhere.”

“And?”

“Second, the Fire Essence. I originally thought it was this flame, but it seems not. I’m sure it’s here, though.” Zhao Changhe took out his sword pellet and tried to probe. “Could it be buried beneath this Heart Flame? Maybe the Heart Flame exists because of the Fire Essence.”

The sword pellet released a wisp of sword aura, and it indeed pointed downward beneath the Heart Flame. Zhao Changhe was overjoyed. “It’s here!”

Huangfu Qing glanced sideways at the sword pellet in his hand. The dragon and tiger intertwined, the sword intent sharp—whose possession it was was written all over it. She heard her own voice and felt a hint of sourness. “Who are you finding this for?”

“Ah…” Zhao Changhe forced a smile. “It’s, uh, something for the Four Symbols Sect. Yes, for the Four Symbols Sect. As the Chamber Fire Boar, it’s my duty to serve the sect…”

Huangfu Qing gritted her teeth.

That little vixen… still sneaking around with a man behind my back. Look at how this man dotes on you—even when you’re not here, he’s thinking of finding things for you. Must be proud, aren’t you? I’ll beat you to a pulp when I get back.

But no matter what, this was indeed something for the Four Symbols Sect’s Saintess. Not only could she not show anger, but she also had to act enthusiastic and treat it as her own task.

How awkward.

“Then let’s dig down a bit. The soil here is loose.” As she spoke, Huangfu Qing subtly pulled away from his embrace, and her elbow jabbed him in the ribs.

Zhao Changhe winced in pain but couldn’t tell if it was intentional. He could only take it as an accident, resignedly pulling out his Dragon Sparrow and sullenly began to shovel the dirt.

The soil was loose and easy to dig. After about three feet, the ground beneath grew harder, and a scorching heat rushed toward his face.

Zhao Changhe carefully used the Dragon Sparrow to brush away the soil, revealing a fiery red crystal core below.

The flame above wasn’t actually hot—aside from stirring inner restlessness, it was like any ordinary flame. But this crystal core contained an extremely intense heat, radiating outward, with waves of fire hitting from a distance.

So the scorched earth here was all caused by the heat spreading from this single crystal core…

Putting aside other matters, judging by the environment, the Dragon-Elephant Blood Ginseng was likely a lost cause.

Zhao Changhe didn’t dwell on his ginseng and instead asked Huangfu Qing, “Is this the Fire Essence?”

“Yes.” Huangfu Qing gazed at the crystal core, somewhat lost in thought, and said softly, “It is the Fire Essence, which can only be born in long-lasting, unquenchable flames. So it’s not that the crystal core produced the Heart Flame, but the opposite—the Heart Flame’s existence met the conditions, and over years and months, it condensed into this core underground.”

“So this crystal core isn’t unique.”

“Of course not. Such post-naturally condensed things weren’t rare in ancient times, but in this era, there might be at most one or two.”

After all, in this world, truly unquenchable flames were hard to find.

Zhao Changhe stroked his chin, examining it. “That’s curious. The crystal core formed from the Heart Flame is actually hotter than the Heart Flame itself.”

“That’s normal. The crystal core is purely condensed heat energy; the Heart Flame’s other properties aren’t reflected in the core.”

“You’re so knowledgeable. Do you know how to take this away? It’s way too hot.”

Huangfu Qing chuckled softly and suddenly waved her hand. The crystal core vanished somewhere. “I’ll take it back to the Saintess. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you.” Zhao Changhe was speechless. “So you have a storage treasure too.”

Huangfu Qing laughed. “I’m a noble consort, after all. Is it so strange to have a few treasures?”

“Come on, with your so-called consort status…” If you were really a consort, I wouldn’t dare touch you. It’s precisely because you’re this kind of consort that I can—and it’s thrilling.

Zhao Changhe didn’t say the last part out loud. Having obtained the Fire Essence, it was worth the risk of luring Ye Wuzong away earlier. The mission was complete, and his mind relaxed. The pain from his injuries and the fatigue from blood loss surged up. Too lazy to do anything else, he curled up in a corner. “I’ll rest for a while. Don’t force your comprehension of the Heart Flame. Stop immediately if anything feels off.”

Huangfu Qing didn’t answer and continued gazing at the Heart Flame. The atmosphere grew quiet, and Zhao Changhe soon fell into a deep sleep.

As he slept, Huangfu Qing seemed to sense something and turned around. She walked softly to his side, stared at him for a long moment, and sighed.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, unable to calm down and properly comprehend the Heart Flame—all because of this man.

Yet seeing him, usually so vigorous, now worn and injured—who was to blame?

If she repaid him a favor, could she be free of obligation and finally settle her mind?

Huangfu Qing pondered for a moment, then quietly took the sword pellet from Zhao Changhe’s hand and brought it to her nose, sniffing lightly.

A sword pellet forged through an unconventional alchemical method—its composition could be analyzed into various medicinal ingredients.

Sword pellets weren’t made this way, but the advantage was that it made future absorption and body refinement easier. As for the pellet itself, the ingredients were awkwardly fused, with many components not fully refined into new substances. Extracting them individually wouldn’t affect the pellet.

For instance, the strong blood energy within it was likely Dragon-Elephant Blood Ginseng.

This ingredient had no value for tempering the sword body; in fact, it might emphasize power at the expense of sharpness and agility.

The forger must have added it forcibly, seeking the “dragon” aspect—an ill fit.

If she could extract this component, would it be the Dragon-Elephant Blood Ginseng he so desperately sought? Could it repay his kindness?

As the foremost fire attribute figure of this world, the Vermilion Bird’s knowledge of medicinal herbs might not be exceptional, but when it came to refining, she was unmatched. She had never tried to extract a component from a formed treasure like this, but she could attempt it.

Huangfu Qing took out the Fire Essence and placed it beneath the sword pellet to heat it.

Zhao Changhe had been so eager to find the Fire Essence for his wife, yet now it was precisely this thing that would help extract his blood ginseng. The irony of mutual benefit made her feel so bitter…

Huangfu Qing curled her lips, turned her palm, and another burst of flame enveloped the sword pellet, beginning the refining process.

She wasn’t sure if it would work, and it might require great effort… but no matter how hard, she had to do it. Otherwise, how could she face him in the future without ending up in his arms?

Time slipped away quietly. Outside, who knew how long had passed.

Xia Chichi rushed to the volcano, only to run into Ye Wuzong, who was scowling and about to leave.

“Uh, senior… did you find Zhao Changhe?”

Ye Wuzong’s face was expressionless. “Couldn’t find him. Can’t be bothered. I’m going back to sleep.”

Xia Chichi anxiously asked, “Senior, do you have any clues? I’ll keep looking.”

Ye Wuzong glanced at her sideways and finally said, “I do. A fire-attribute expert—judging by the yin fire, a woman—disappeared with him into some secret realm. I can’t find the entrance. I suggest you don’t bother looking. Instead, go back to town and find a reliable doctor. In three days, when they come out, you can have her tested for pregnancy…”

Xia Chichi was dumbfounded.

What pregnancy could be tested in three days…

Wait, did his words come true? Did he really hide in a secret realm with some cheap woman for three days?