Wu Jian soon discovered that helping Youmei reach the Deva Realm wasn’t going to be as simple as he originally thought. They had fed her the magical cores of the Blaze Lions, which he had expected to boost her all the way to the Deva Realm, since they were the spirit cores of Deva Realm beasts, but his expectations were met with disappointment.

Youmei barely grew at all.

She had consumed twenty spirit cores and only reached the fifth Subrealm of the Human Limit Realm.

According to Huǒ Shuchang, it was a matter of compatibility. Youmei wasn’t compatible with the Blaze Lions because they had a strong yang chi and her chi was composed primarily of yin. She only took in the yin chi and expelled most of the yang chi from her body. Of course, if that was the only problem, they could solve it by constantly feeding her more spirit cores. Wu Jian had tried to do just that.

And Youmei had gotten sick.

To be more specific, she had gotten an affliction called Spiritual Imbalance. Consuming multiple spirit cores so quickly without time to properly expel the impurities had led to an imbalance in Youmei’s chi, causing a disruption in her cultivation. The results were that she had gotten physically ill. She had a high fever, body aches, and a migraine that left her immobile for the better part of two days. They weren’t going to be in this realm for very long, so every day counted, and two of them had been wasted because Wu Jian had impatiently fed Youmei spirit cores she wasn’t compatible with.

At that moment, they were in a cave located closer to the middle layer. They hadn’t run into any other cultivators yet, but this was a big place, and with only ten people inside, it was unlikely they would run into someone by accident.

Youmei was lying down on the hard ground. Wu Jian had originally made a bed of leaves, but all the leaves here were filled with the essence of fire and had a strong yang chi, which only made Youmei sicker. Her fever had shot through the roof. It bothered him immensely that he couldn’t do anything more for his companion, especially since what happened was his fault.

The echo of footsteps reached his ears, a light pitter-patter sound that let him easily determine who was coming. He didn’t turn to look at Huǒ Yulie as she walked over to him.

“Presently, Huǒ Shuchang doth scour the land for victuals. In hours twain, he shall return.”

“Thanks.”

They had been trading off duties. Wu Jian had gone hunting the previous night and come back with several Flame Rabbits. The name made it sound like they were rabbits made of fire, but they were just rabbits with a strong yang chi. They were called Flamee Rabbits because they could use fire techniques.

“How fares she?"” asked Huǒ Yulie.

“Well, her fever has gone down.”

“Tis well.”

“Yeah, though there’s no telling when she’ll wake up.”

Wu Jian had been very shocked when Youmei collapsed. There hadn’t been any indication that she was sick or not feeling well. She had been happily walking alongside him one moment, then was passed out on the ground the next. Huǒ Shuchang said that was because of how Spiritual Imbalance worked. It normally hit the person afflicted all at once rather than gradually. Wu Jian didn’t care about the hows or whys. He just wanted his companion to get better.

“If only I had known better…”

“Jian Wu, lay not blame upon thyself. In truth, the enigma of magical beasts is vast. I, too, share abode with one, yet this knowledge eluded me.”

“Right. The phoenix is a magical beast,” Wu Jian murmured. “Doesn’t that mean he has a human form?”

Wu Jian heard the Phoenix was at the Perfection Realm, which was the reason the Xia Dynasty could stand toe to toe with the Three Celestial Sects. That meant it must have a human form.

“Hmm. I reckon he doth possess such a form, though I ne'er glimpsed it. Lord Phoenix, throughout my acquaintance, hath not donned the visage of a man.” She paused, tilted her head, and cupped her chin in thought. “Perchance he hath no fancy for his human guise or findeth it of no use. Such musings ne'er afore occupied my thoughts.”

It was a surprise to learn that the phoenix had never changed into its human form before, but perhaps it remained in phoenix form to be a symbol of the people, or maybe there was some other reason he couldn’t fathom. Maybe it just liked being a bird. Trying to fathom the thoughts of such a creature seemed futile to him.

Huǒ Shuchang arrived shortly after with several fresh kills. It looked like he’d found some kind of deer-like creature with shiny red furr. It was called a Fire Deer--an original name if Wu Jian ever heard one. He had Wu Jian help him bleed the animal so they could cut it up and prepare it in a stew, so they moved outside. Huǒ Yulie watched over Youmei as they prepared the food.

“Just keep stirring the stew while I add the ingredients,” Huǒ Shuchang instructed.

“All right. Sure.”

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Wu Jian stirred the large wooden ladle as instructed. Huǒ Shuchang used a knife to chop ingredients into bit-sized pieces and added them to the stew. All the ingredients were root vegetables in variations of orange or red, denoting their fiery origins, and the way they sizzled as they struck the stew made him worried for their stomachs. Huǒ Yulie and Huǒ Shuchang should be fine. They were members of the Phoenix Clan, but what about him? Would he be able to handle something so fiery?

“That smells delicious. Youmei… is so hungry…”

Wu Jian turned at the sound of the voice to find Huǒ Yulie and Youmei leaving the cave.

“Youmei! Are you okay?”

“Mmm. Youmei is fine. Was Master worried about Youmei?”

“Of course, I was. You got really sick and passed out. I was shocked.”

“Heh heh. Hearing that Master was worried makes Youmei happy.”

“Oi oi! Keep stirring, recruit. I don’t wanna see those hands stop moving.”

“Don’t call me that,” Wu Jian snapped at Huǒ Shuchang, but he continued stirring nonetheless.

The food was soon ready and everyone ate their fill. Youmei polished off more than half their food on her own, which he supposed was a good thing. It meant she had an appetite. After they had their fill, everyone sat down inside the cave to discuss what they should do next.

“The way we’ve been going about Youmei’s cultivation isn’t working, so if we want to help her reach the Deva Realm, we’ll need to find another way,” Wu Jian said, then ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Problem is I don’t know what other ways there are and we’re on a time limit.”

They sat around in silence for several moments, during which time, Wu Jian observed Youmei. She seemed better now, but he was still worried. He didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her.

“I harbor a notion that may hold promise,” Huǒ Yulie said after a time.

“What’s your idea?” asked Wu Jian.

“Dost thou ken, worlds bathed in pure yin or yang chi exist not. E'en realms, such as this, drenched mostly in yang's embrace, possess pockets rich in yin's essence. This befalls for the very potency of yang energy doth magnify its counterpart.”

According to Huǒ Yulie, realms composed purely of either yin or yang chi were an elusive myth. Such extremes simply did not exist. Even within domains like the Realm of Sacred Flames, where the predominant force was yang chi, the delicate dance of balance persisted. It as a reflection of the cosmic law that governed existence.

Yang chi, fiery and dynamic, engulfed this realm in its searing embrace. Yet, paradoxically, it was this very same intensity of yang chi that birthed pockets of yin chi within. This cosmic equilibrium ensured that wherever the yang chi asserted itself with unparalleled vigor, the yin chi, when it appeared, would manifest in even greater intensity.

“Hmmm… so what you’re saying is that if we search around, we can find pockets of extremely potent yin chi for Youmei to cultivate in?” asked Wu Jian.

“Exactly.”

“Do we know where areas like that even exist?” asked Huǒ Shuchang, arms crossed.

Huǒ Yulie smiled. “I wot of one such place, yet it resides at this realm's very core. Reaching shall be a test of thine skills.”

“To reach it, we’ll need to pass through the middle layer and core,” Wu Jian said with a sigh. He placed his hands behind him and leaned back. “Well, nothing worth doing was ever easy.”

“Wait. Are we really considering this?” asked Huǒ Shuchang. “I don’t want to sound defeatist here, but we’re talking about the core of the Realm of Sacred Flames, you know? The magical beasts roaming that realm are all at the Realization Realm. We wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight.”

“But that’s only if we fight them,” Wu Jian said.

Huǒ Yulie nodded. “Perchance, the magical beasts there, whilst mighty, are scarce. Careful tread might keep us from their notice.”

They would first need to travel through the inner layer. Navigating the inner layer was a true test of a cultivator’s skill. It required them to contend with extreme heat, unpredictable geysers, and the mesmerizing yet hazardous terrain. This was, of course, only taking the terrain into account. The magical beasts added an additional layer of danger. Most of them were at the third subrealm of the Deva Realm, but there were also several Seeker Realm magical beasts.

“We’ll first need to pass that massive canyon we saw in the distance,” said Wu Jian.

“Tis Inferno Ravine thee speaketh of,” Huǒ Yulie informed. “it encircles the innermost layer and harbors many a puissant magical creature. We must proceed with vigilance, for rumor speaks them of great might and intellect.”

“Are you two even listening to me?” asked Huǒ Shuchang.

“Is there anything there that might be useful to us?” asked Wu Jian.

“Hey! Pay attention to me, dammit!”

Huǒ Yulie nodded enthusiastically. “In yon realm lie crystal caves, wherein Fire Gems doth gleam. Precious stones, crafted o'er eons by yang's fierce essence, they grace weapons, armor, and artifacts when wrought with care. Also, the yang lotus.”

The primary treasures of the Crystal Caves, fire gem clusters, were formations of radiant gems fused together over eons. These gems were not only prized for their intrinsic beauty but also for their exceptional utility. When properly cut and refined, fire gem clusters could be incorporated into weaponry, armor, or magical artifacts, greatly enhancing their abilities and bestowing them with fire-related attributes.

“Ooooi. Ooooooi.”

“What is the yang lotus?” asked Wu Jian.

“An aquatic bloom in scalding springs and lava pools, 'tis said. Though mine eyes ne'er beheld it, Lord Phoenix avers its petals boast a golden splendor, brimming with potent yin chi. When steeped in herbal brews, 'tis known to bring inner equilibrium and vitality, yet its chief purpose, the making of Radiant Yang Elixir.”

A supposed legendary pill, the Radiant Yang Elixir was a Tier 6 alchemy pill coveted by Deva Realm cultivators, specifically those with a strong affinity for fire and yang chi. Upon consumption, it would harmonize a cultivator’s inner fire, amplifying the power of fire-based cultivation techniques. It also enabled them to cast more potent techniques with less chi, control flames with increased finesse, and bolster their martial prowess.

“That sounds perfect for Huǒ Shuchang,” Wu Jian said.

“Awwww. Are you thinking of ways to help me? You shouldn’t have,” Huǒ Shuchang grinned like an idiot.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have. Let’s avoid any areas that might have a yang lotus.”

“What? Wait, no! I was just kidding! Jian Wu? Aree you listening to me? I was kidding! I swear!Come on! Ooooooi! Ooooooi! Don’t ignooooore meeeeeeee!”