Xiao Ming was unaware of the events unfolding within the Xiao family.

After returning to his own cave abode, Xiao Ming sat down cross-legged and took out a wisp of the Heavenly Transformation True Fire.

[Heavenly Transformation True Fire]: A rare fire born from the chaotic void, refining it can not only enhance the quality of true essence but also increase one's affinity with the Dao of Space.

Using the Eye of Truth to examine the attributes of the Heavenly Transformation True Fire, a look of surprise appeared on Xiao Ming's face.

He hadn't expected this thing to also enhance the host's affinity with the Dao of Space.

It's quite a decent derivative talent.

Unfortunately.

The wisp of Heavenly Transformation True Fire before him was not complete, merely a separated seed flame from Fire Cloud Old Ghost.

The true peak form of the Heavenly Transformation True Fire should reside within Fire Cloud Old Ghost.

Nevertheless.

If he could refine this wisp of flame, it would still bring him considerable benefits.

With that thought in mind.

Xiao Ming swallowed the Heavenly Transformation True Fire in one gulp, and the Chaos True Fire erupted from within him, ravenously devouring the wisp of flame.

The Heavenly Transformation True Fire rampaged within Xiao Ming's body, but ultimately, it couldn't escape being consumed.

As time passed.

The Heavenly Transformation True Fire was completely transformed into nourishment for the Chaos True Fire, and the essence of the flame contained within was used by Xiao Ming to strengthen his physical body.

This significantly increased the strength of his body.

Without using true essence, he could easily overpower a fifth-level Cave Heaven stage expert without any pressure.

Of course.

This referred to ordinary Cave Heaven stage experts.

For those with special constitutions and who practiced saint-grade techniques, relying solely on physical strength wouldn't be enough to overpower them.

"You two, come over here!"

Just as Xiao Ming finished refining the Heavenly Transformation True Fire and was about to find Feng Xianhuang for dual cultivation, Jiang Xuanying's voice suddenly echoed.

This made Xiao Ming's eyes narrow, and he immediately got up and walked out of the cave abode.

Looking around.

A massive ancient cauldron stood on the mountainside, exuding a thick scent of blood and strange herbal aromas.

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Both Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang were a bit surprised.

"The quality of this ancient cauldron has reached saint-grade, and that blood, it's the blood of a sacred beast!"

"Even those herbs, every single one is a rare treasure."

"Is Master planning to refine pills?"

Glancing at the ancient cauldron, Xiao Ming was somewhat puzzled.

If it was for pill refining.

There shouldn't be a need to call them, right? Could it be to let them observe, or perhaps to assist?

"Go inside."

"This beast blood is from a sacred beast I just slaughtered, and these herbs are ones I casually gathered from the vast mountain range."

"They are all excellent materials for body refining."

"In the upcoming Ghost Fiend Secret Realm expedition, experts above the Cave Heaven stage cannot enter, but there are no significant restrictions on physical strength."

"If any experts try to exploit this, you will still face risks during this secret realm journey."

"So, in the coming period, I will use the ancient Jiang clan's body refining method to help you two temper your physical strength."

"But this process will be somewhat painful, so you both need to be mentally prepared."

As Xiao Ming was filled with doubt, Jiang Xuanying took a sip of spirit wine, her expression somewhat lazy as she spoke.

This left Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang a bit surprised.

Unexpectedly.

This master, who seemed somewhat unorthodox, turned out to be quite reliable at critical moments.

However, what puzzled Xiao Ming was how the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm could be exploited.

"The entrance to the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm only restricts cultivation level, not physical strength."

"So every time it opens, the major sacred grounds send a batch of 'disguisers' inside."

"For example, geniuses who have reached above the Cave Heaven stage but have voluntarily dispersed their cultivation to fall back a stage, or experts whose cultivation has been crippled, to sneak into the secret realm."

"These individuals are often the most dangerous..."

Seemingly noticing Xiao Ming's confusion, Feng Xianhuang explained from the side.

After hearing Feng Xianhuang's explanation, Xiao Ming finally understood.

But then he frowned again.

If that's the case, if the major sacred grounds send individuals with cultivation below the Cave Heaven stage but with physical strength reaching the Nirvana stage or even the Tongtian stage into the realm.

Wouldn't they be able to sweep through the secret realm?

"Don't overthink it."

"The entrance to the Ghost Fiend Secret Realm restricts cultivation, and there are certain limitations within the realm as well."

"Once energy fluctuations exceed the limits the realm can withstand, the laws of heaven and earth will retaliate, bringing down heavenly punishment to obliterate the being."

"And this limit lies between the Cave Heaven stage and the Dharma Aspect stage!"

"This means that once physical strength reaches the Dharma Aspect stage level, even if one manages to deceive the secret realm's entrance laws, entering would still lead to certain death."

Seemingly noticing Xiao Ming's thoughts again, Feng Xianhuang added, leaving Xiao Ming feeling a bit frustrated.

Does this woman have mind-reading abilities, or are his thoughts just that obvious?

"Enough, stop dawdling."

"Get in quickly, it's ready."

Shortly after Feng Xianhuang finished speaking, Jiang Xuanying controlled a wisp of Desolate True Fire, activating the medicinal power of the sacred beast blood and herbs, and urged Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang.

Hearing this, the two didn't hesitate any longer and jumped into the ancient cauldron together.

Jiang Xuanying immediately spat out a mouthful of spirit wine, and the Desolate True Fire blazed fiercely.

Inside the ancient cauldron, a terrifying surge of blood energy and medicinal power erupted, making Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang feel like they had fallen into a boiling oil pot.

"Activate the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique, absorb the essence of the medicinal power with all your might, how much you can absorb from this medicinal bath depends on your own fortune."

Hearing Jiang Xuanying's words.

Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang's eyes sharpened, and they immediately activated the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique to devour the essence of the medicinal power, while the Chaos True Fire and True Phoenix Fire erupted from their bodies.

Two vortices appeared in the blood pool within the ancient cauldron, frantically devouring the surrounding blood energy and medicinal power.

"As expected of a reborn Empress, her speed in devouring blood energy and medicinal power can barely keep up with mine?"

As time passed.

After adapting to the pain of body refining, Xiao Ming opened his eyes and looked at Feng Xianhuang, a hint of surprise on his face.

It seems.

This Empress is indeed the real deal.

"Is this Master's Desolate True Fire?"

"In terms of both level and intensity, it's far stronger than that wisp of Heavenly Transformation True Fire."

"If I could merge with a flame of this level, my Chaos True Fire should become even stronger, right?"

After glancing at Feng Xianhuang.

Xiao Ming noticed the surrounding Desolate True Fire, and a wild idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.

That is...

Could he merge the Chaos True Fire with the Desolate True Fire?

After all.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If he could merge and analyze the properties of the Desolate True Fire, even without devouring its source flame, he could imbue the Chaos True Fire with some desolate attributes.

This would be an enormous gain.

In the future, if combined with the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique, the power unleashed would be even more formidable!

"But doing this..."

"Wouldn't Master be furious?"

As this thought surfaced in his mind, Xiao Ming found himself in a dilemma.

After all.

Flame merging.

In the eyes of fire cultivators, it's considered an intimate act.

If he were to do it secretly, how would that be different from harassment?

Although this Master seems somewhat unconventional, if he accidentally provoked her, he might end up being whipped by her.

As Xiao Ming was caught in his dilemma, a system notification sound suddenly rang out. Xiao Wu said she's so broke she can't even afford black stockings, so everyone, please support her with some love-powered donations, and Xiao Yu will try to gather enough to buy her a pair next week.

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