Song Changyi felt as though he had lost all sense of direction from the battering he received from the mad elder. He seemed like a puppet, completely at the mercy of the elder.
One moment he was up in the sky, the next, he was sent crashing down to the ground, like a circus acrobat.
Eventually, the mad elder stopped. He delivered one final punch to Song Changyi's chest, sending him flying dozens of meters away.
Dizzy and disoriented, Song Changyi flailed around randomly with his arms.
It took him a while to realize he was no longer under attack.
The feeling of being utterly powerless and toyed with had him breaking out in cold sweat. Shaking, he examined himself and found, to his surprise, that he was not only unharmed but felt more energetic than before.
The mad elder's eyes clouded over once again, and he turned to leave. Shu Han caught up to him, offering him several jugs of wine. Without any courtesy, the elder grabbed the jugs and disappeared into the night.
Shu Han approached Song Changyi. With his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, he observed that all of Song Changyi's meridians had been cleared, his vitality was more robust, and his physique had greatly improved.
Rolling up his sleeve, fiery red patterns covered Song Changyi's entire forearm. Clenching his fist, a powerful sound emanated. He couldn't help but exclaim, "So this is the 'Heavenly Fire Body Refining Technique'! Such terrifying strength! I feel like I could rival senior cultivators with just my physical power!"
Shu Han also rolled up his sleeve, revealing his black patterns. He noticed that the extent of Song Changyi's patterns was just slightly shorter than his own.
It's so unfair! He's achieved this level just after starting his practice!
Shu Han couldn't help but smile bitterly, "It seems Master has shown you a special favor. You've caught up to me in no time!"
Song Changyi looked puzzled, "Why would he help me like this?"
Shu Han sighed, "Maybe because you resemble your mother."
"My mother? What does she have to do with this?"
Shu Han chuckled, "Brother Song, you are genuinely naive when it comes to matters of the heart. Didn't you catch the hint of a past romantic entanglement between your mother and our master from her tales?"
A complex expression crossed Song Changyi's face, "Now that you mention it, I do get that vibe. But that's all in the past. My father is now the only man in my mother's life. No matter how the elder treats me, it won't change my disdain for him. Regardless of intention, betrayal is something I cannot forgive!"
Shu Han then asked, "Brother Song, how much of the Earth Dragon Fire essence within you has been consumed?"
After a moment of reflection with his eyes closed, Song Changyi replied, "About a quarter."
Only a quarter!
Shu Han felt helpless. It seemed that Song Changyi's near-century of nurturing his heavenly fire was not in vain. Compared to both of them, Shu Han's own heavenly fire essence felt quite insignificant.
To rival the heavenly fire essence within them in a short period, he must fully grasp the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation. But the core runes of this array were controlled by the Elder of Heavenly Fire and were strictly confidential.
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This was a significant headache for Shu Han.
The event "Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky" was less than eleven years away. During this period, he needed to consume a vast amount of heavenly fire essence to practice the "Heavenly Fire Body Refining Technique." He was unsure how he could possibly cultivate and augment his heavenly fire essence further.
The three of them drank amidst the ruins for a while. After quickly recovering some of their spiritual power, they followed Wei Haolong in the direction away from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.
The trio moved at incredible speeds, quickly reaching a mountain range about a hundred miles away from the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. Wei Haolong expertly located a solitary peak amongst the mountains and led them to descend gently.
They passed through a dense mist, and the lone mountain came into view.
Observing the lingering mist around them, Song Changyi remarked, "Is this a formation?"
Wei Haolong nodded, "Yes, it's a simple illusion barrier formation. Any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage that enters this formation will always end up leaving this mountain, no matter which direction they choose."
"Why is there such a formation for such an ordinary-looking mountain?"
Shu Han shook his head, his eyes shining brilliantly as he looked over the mountain from top to bottom. He noticed intricate golden patterns flowing within the mountain, reminiscent of a pagoda concealed by rock. The more he looked at these patterns, the more familiar they seemed.
He commented, "There's something strange inside this mountain. It's engraved with a massive formation. It feels similar to the Pure Ice Jade Pillar formation."
Wei Haolong remained silent, walking desolately toward the foot of the mountain.
Exchanging glances, both Shu Han and Song Changyi sensed that Wei Haolong's mood had become particularly somber since arriving at the mountain.
They followed Wei Haolong to a hidden cave at the base of the mountain.
Wei Haolong did not step into the cave but shouted towards the dark interior, "Mother! I'm coming to see you!"
"Mother?!"
Song Changyi was startled and asked in confusion, "What do you mean? Didn't the lady pass away years ago?"
Wei Haolong explained, "That was just what my father told the outside world."
Slowly, soft rustling sounds emerged from the cave, and a frail female voice asked, "Is that Yue'er? Has Yue'er come to see me?"
A pale-faced, dazed-looking woman appeared at the entrance of the cave. Her eyes, hidden beneath messy hair, landed on the three men outside and she murmured, "You're not Yue'er! Where is she? What have you done to my daughter? Give her back to me!"
She lunged forward as if mad, but a red light curtain suddenly descended before the cave, blocking her way.
The woman's long-nailed hands helplessly slapped the red light curtain as she wept in heart-wrenching grief.
"This..."
Seeing Wei Haolong silently watching the woman, Song Changyi couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wei, what is going on?"
Gazing at the woman's tormented expression, Wei Haolong sadly said, "That's my mother. She lost her sanity due to the grief of losing her daughter. My father probably felt that her condition was a disgrace to his status as the Elder of Heavenly Fire, so he imprisoned her here for over four hundred years. This mountain is a restraining formation. One can enter, but not leave."
Song Changyi was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Once a powerful Core Formation cultivator, reduced to this state. Doesn't Heavenly Fire Elder care about her condition and keep her imprisoned here?"
Wei Haolong scoffed, "My father only cares about his authority and position. He abandoned my mother, but I will never give up! Brother Song, you asked why I wanted to go to Southern Forest to harvest the sacred herb? This is the reason. I've learned that the Forest Clan in Southern Forest worships a divine tree that produces a flower called the Heartseeker Holy Blossom. It's a sacred medicine that can solidify and heal souls. If I can obtain this herb, perhaps my mother's condition can be cured."
Cure insanity!
Listening to this, Shu Han couldn't help but think of the mad elder. Could the Heartseeker Holy Blossom treat the elder's insanity?
Song Changyi couldn't help but ask, "Does it really work? If it does, with Heavenly Fire Elder's mid-Core Formation strength, he should've fetched it for the lady long ago."
"I'm not sure, but I won't give up if there's even a slight possibility."
"Good!"
Song Changyi patted him on the shoulder, saying, "In that case, I, Song Changyi, will do everything in my power to help you obtain the Heartseeker Holy Blossom. I understand your feelings. If it were my mother, I wouldn't stand idly by either."
Shu Han smiled, "In that case, let's not delay. The Heavenly Fire Tournament is in two years, and I don't want to take too long and miss the competition."