Chapter 108: Temporarily Accepting Bifang as a Mount

"Exactly!"
"How could I have forgotten the great spirit inside the Void Cauldron!"

Only after hearing the mysterious figure speak did Bai Mu suddenly remember that a great spirit was concealed within his body.

Judging by the vast knowledge the mysterious figure displayed after arriving at the back mountain of the Ruins Sacred Hall, this person must possess a remarkably broad range of knowledge.

Perhaps he knows how to counteract the Qingmu spiritual energy and the malevolent energy invading the body?

With this thought, Bai Mu quickly shook his somewhat numb head, filled with joy and anticipation, and eagerly asked, "Senior, please, how can I save him now?"

"Difficult."

The mysterious voice inside his abdomen uttered only this single word before falling silent once again.

Ah!

If even the mysterious figure says it’s difficult, does that mean Van Sheng is practically sentenced to death?

Clinging to the last thread of hope, Bai Mu mustered his courage and pressed on, "Is there really no way to save him?"

"There is a way," came the answer, "but..."

Seeing the mysterious figure hesitate, Bai Mu cut straight to the point, "If there is a way, just tell me! Saving a person is like putting out a fire!"

"Exactly. It is fire."

The mysterious figure inside solemnly explained, "Only fire can save him, and it must be the True Essence Flame Spirit, not ordinary mortal fire."

"What is the True Essence Flame Spirit? Where can I find it?"

Bai Mu asked eagerly. Meanwhile, a faint sense of direction appeared in his mind, like a beacon in a foggy sea. At least with the mysterious figure accompanying him, he was no longer alone.

"In the Southern Wilderness, in the Ancient Red Flame Cave."

"Huh..."

Bai Mu was startled by this revelation. "The Ancient Red Flame Cave? Isn't that exactly where I was about to go to collect the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Lotus?"

"Could it be that the Ancient Red Flame Cave holds not only the Flame Lotus, but also the True Essence Flame Spirit?"

"Yes."

The mysterious figure inside the Void Cauldron continued, his tone grave: "The True Essence Flame Spirit is born from innate karmic fire. In other words, it is a gift of nature, and cannot be extracted by ordinary people."

"There are only two places in the mortal realm where the True Essence Flame Spirit exists."

"One is the Ancient Red Flame Cave in the Southern Wilderness, and the other is inside the Demon-Transforming Vase of the Purple Sky Palace of the Divine Clan."

"Long ago, the Heavenly Emperor gathered the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Lotus as the spiritual core and used the Mysterious Jade of the Eastern Wilderness as a guide to forge the Eternal Sacred Artifact—the Demon-Transforming Vase. The reason this vase can burn all things in heaven and earth is because of the True Essence Flame Spirit contained within it."

"So, if I retrieve the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Lotus and give it to Senior Van Sheng, will the Qingmu spiritual energy and netherworldly malevolent energy inside him dissipate on their own?"

"Not only that."

The mysterious figure continued, expounding, "At that time, not only will his body recover, but his strength will also reach a new height. And your Ling Yan girl, doesn’t she also need the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Lotus to save her life?"

"Right! How did I not think of this earlier?"

Bai Mu glanced at the unconscious Van Sheng in his arms, a faint smile breaking through the furrowed brow.

"Young man, don’t be too happy just yet."

The mysterious figure inside warned anxiously, "The Southern Wilderness is the territory of the Evil Clan. Since ancient times, it has been filled with venomous snakes, insects, and malevolent spirits. The mountains are high, the forests deep, caves abound, and the environment is extremely harsh."

"The most terrifying thing is, the Southern Wilderness is also home to many experts adept at witchcraft and poisonous arts. For a greenhorn like you to go alone into such a savage land is tantamount to a death sentence!"

"Moreover..."

His tone shifted, growing serious, "Judging by Senior Van Sheng’s injuries, it’s clear that the Qingmu spiritual energy was forcibly implanted by the Eight Trees of Guilin, while that malevolent energy..."

"Was caused by a terrifying demon from ten thousand years ago—the Netherworld Evil King!"

"Are these people that formidable?"

Bai Mu asked as he carried Van Sheng into his room and fetched a towel to wipe the dried blood from his body.

"Whether they are formidable or not, just look at Van Sheng lying unconscious on the bed and you’ll know."

"Even a rare strong warrior like him, venturing alone into the Southern Wilderness, was beaten half to death. If you, a mere novice, go there, you are just seeking your own death."

"That said, I truly admire that old Van Sheng."

"Who would have thought he dared to face the Eight Trees of Guilin and the nine ancient great evils including Zi Gui all at once alone, and still managed to escape with his life. Truly incredible!"

"Hmph."

Bai Mu let out a self-deprecating chuckle and ignored the mysterious figure’s words.

After settling Van Sheng down, Bai Mu tiptoed back to his own room. Lying on his bed, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Every time he thought of Ling Yan’s pale and feeble face, and Van Sheng’s bloodied and disheveled appearance, he felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier than a thousand pounds.

At last, as the faint light of dawn crept over the horizon, he managed to doze off briefly—only to be awakened by a sharp cry outside.

Struggling to open his bleary eyes, he got out of bed and looked out the window to find the sky already bright.

The entire plum forest was bathed in golden light, casting a breathtaking pink glow. Morning birds flitted joyfully through the trees, their clear songs stirring the air delightfully.

Yet, gazing upon this peaceful scene, a fierce determination for victory bloomed in Bai Mu’s heart like never before.

His earlier fear of the Southern Wilderness vanished completely, replaced by an unshakable resolve: to gather the Flame Lotus and save Ling Yan and Van Sheng.

Dressing swiftly, he stepped outside, only to find Bishang already sitting quietly in front of the house, waiting.

Seeing Bai Mu descend the steps, Bishang leapt from the tree branch, flapping its wings as it flew to him.

"Bishang, what’s with all this noisy croaking so early in the morning?"

"Can you let a person sleep in peace?" Bai Mu frowned and scolded softly in displeasure.

"Ribbit… ribbit…"

Bishang glared with its two eyes, each no larger than a soybean, and croaked sharply again. The innate spiritual energy contained in its voice reached Bai Mu’s ears, instantly dispelling his lingering drowsiness.

"Alright, alright, I’m awake, alright?"

Bai Mu shrugged helplessly, then sighed deeply, "Bishang, now that Senior Van Sheng is severely injured, I must journey to the Ancient Red Flame Cave in the Southern Wilderness to collect the Ten-Thousand-Year Flame Lotus to heal him."

"But the Southern Wilderness is thousands of miles from Cold Abyss Valley, an incredibly long journey. On foot, it would take me about half a month round trip."

He shifted tone, a faint smile playing on his lips as he asked Bishang loudly, "Would you accompany me to the Southern Wilderness? First, you fly extremely fast—no more than two or three days to reach the Ancient Red Flame Cave. Secondly, you can help me deal with the monsters and demons along the way. What do you say?"