Chapter 109: It's Driving Me Crazy
According to the jade slip, the Phoenix Flame Technique is the cultivation method of the Fire Phoenix clan.
What is a Fire Phoenix? Wang Changsheng knew very well. In many parts of the cultivation world, legends about the Fire Phoenix circulated—an immortal beast of mythic proportions, with power strong enough to sweep away all opposition.
The Phoenix Flame Technique is a method based on the bloodline of the Fire Phoenix.
Cultivating the Phoenix Flame Technique is far more than mere body refinement; it is a profound transformation of one’s life essence.
Whether human, divine beast, or savage forest demon beast, the purpose of cultivation is to elevate one’s life realm, to evolve continuously until one day achieving eternal life.
The Phoenix Flame Technique is divided into twelve stages. According to the jade slip, completing the first stage is roughly equivalent to reaching the Vein Opening realm, and the second stage corresponds to the Essence Transformation realm.
By extension, once the Phoenix Flame Technique is fully cultivated, Wang Changsheng could not fathom how formidable one would become.
More crucially, at the profound levels of the Phoenix Flame Technique, as long as the bloodline remains unbroken, one can undergo fiery rebirth through the bloodline itself.
This is the greatest strength of the Phoenix Flame Technique.
“From what I see now, the Phoenix Flame Technique must be even more mysterious than the Longevity Art...” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.
Wang Changsheng did not know the exact relationship between his second uncle and Li Yunqing that would make Li Yunqing willingly offer such a powerful method.
As for the Fire Phoenix pure blood, the jade slip also mentioned that practicing the Phoenix Flame Technique requires the bloodline of the Fire Phoenix clan.
“So that means...” Wang Changsheng said solemnly, “The foundation of the Shangyang Li family must be the Fire Phoenix clan...”
The disciples of the Shangyang Li family had always been a mystery in the Shen Tian realm. Wang Changsheng had never heard of their origins anywhere, indicating how rigorously the Shangyang Li family concealed their background.
Wang Changsheng was certain that the cultivators of the Shangyang Li family were human; their aura was unmistakably human. But the fact they could cultivate the Phoenix Flame Technique meant their roots must be connected to the Fire Phoenix clan.
As for Wang Changsheng himself, without the bloodline of the Fire Phoenix clan, it was impossible for him to cultivate the Phoenix Flame Technique. Hence, Li Yunqing gave him the Fire Phoenix pure blood so that he could use it as a conduit for cultivation.
The Fire Phoenix pure blood was the key for Wang Changsheng to practice the Phoenix Flame Technique. Without it, he could not hope to absorb the Fire Phoenix bloodline and cultivate the method.
From the cultivation art itself to the approach, Li Yunqing had tailored everything specifically for Wang Changsheng.
“Unfortunately, the Phoenix Flame Technique in this jade slip only has six stages, culminating in the condensation of the Fire Phoenix body...” Wang Changsheng said after reading.
The Phoenix Flame Technique in the jade slip did not have twelve stages but only six. In Wang Changsheng’s view, the most profound aspect was condensing the Fire Phoenix body. Disciples of the Shangyang Li family, bearing the Fire Phoenix bloodline, could condense the Fire Phoenix body once they reached the fourth stage, equivalent to the Golden Core realm.
For Wang Changsheng, relying solely on the Fire Phoenix pure blood, he would need to cultivate to the sixth stage, undergoing a complete evolution of life, to condense the Fire Phoenix body.
After some reflection, Wang Changsheng once again immersed himself deeply in the comprehension of the Phoenix Flame Technique.
As for the relationship between his second uncle and Li Yunqing, Wang Changsheng did not intend to pry further. Judging from Li Yunqing’s demeanor, it was unlikely he would reveal anything, and Wang Changsheng knew asking would be futile.
Nevertheless, from Li Yunqing’s willingness to present the Phoenix Flame Technique, Wang Changsheng knew their relationship was far from simple.
Once he truly cultivated the Phoenix Flame Technique, it would be impossible to disentangle himself from the Li family.
Three days swiftly passed. When Wang Changsheng had comprehended the first and second stages of the Phoenix Flame Technique, a figure appeared in the room.
“Uncle Li, just barging in like that is quite startling...” Wang Changsheng said helplessly.
He had no temper against such a powerful cultivator.
Li Yunqing silently appeared in the room without even opening the door, startling Wang Changsheng thoroughly.
“Uh...” Li Yunqing was momentarily taken aback, then said, “Alright, I’ll be more careful next time!”
“This is just an illusion I condensed, not my true body. I will take you to the Fire Phoenix Pool!” Li Yunqing said softly.
Immediately, Wang Changsheng felt his body shifting constantly, as if moving rapidly. Yet upon closer introspection, he could not discern anything unusual.
“We’ve arrived!”
With Li Yunqing’s voice, Wang Changsheng finally took in his surroundings.
Boom, boom, boom...
A series of thunderous booms reached Wang Changsheng’s ears, followed by a ringing that dulled all sound.
Protecting himself with his true energy, Wang Changsheng felt slightly better.
He felt as if his entire body was about to ignite. When he finally took a clear look around, he understood why he felt this way.
Not far ahead, a massive pit lay before him. The intense heat poured forth from its depths, and the roaring sound emanated from within.
Sparks and black smoke occasionally drifted out of the pit.
Wang Changsheng cautiously approached and saw molten lava churning below. The instant he peeked in, a wave of scorching heat hit him.
He immediately recoiled, collapsing to the ground, his expression one of lingering fear.
“So that’s why the Li family’s environment is so hot... turns out such a thing exists...” Wang Changsheng said in shock.
“This is the Corefire!” Li Yunqing said solemnly. “Each sect in the cultivation world has its own method and environment for practicing their arts. The Li family’s techniques are best cultivated in such an environment.”
It was not that the Li family’s techniques couldn’t be practiced elsewhere, but in this environment, cultivation would be far more effective.
“So you mean... you want me... to cultivate here?” Wang Changsheng looked at Li Yunqing in disbelief.
Li Yunqing nodded.
“No way, absolutely not!” Wang Changsheng said immediately. “I already tried a couple of days ago. If I cultivate in the Li family’s environment, I will surely die a miserable death...”
Two days prior, Wang Changsheng had attempted cultivation here, but as he absorbed the spiritual energy from the air, he found the energy quite different. Once entering his body, it brought an intense burning sensation.
He was terrified; the feeling of his meridians being scorched was agonizing beyond words. So he stopped cultivation outright and focused on comprehending the Phoenix Flame Technique instead.
“Believe in yourself. You can do it!” Li Yunqing said solemnly. “Moreover, you must cultivate the Phoenix Flame Technique now, using the Phoenix Flame pure blood. Only then will it be effective!”
“No!” Wang Changsheng immediately said. “Can I have some time to adapt? I’m a bit scared...”
“Scared of what!” Li Yunqing’s voice rang sharply.
Suddenly, Wang Changsheng felt a tremendous force strike his rear.
Bang!
His entire body was hurled into the air. As he fell, he clearly saw the fiery pit below—the Corefire pit.
“This is the end!”
Wang Changsheng flailed helplessly midair. He was only at the Vein Opening realm and couldn’t fly. With nowhere to grab onto, he could only watch helplessly as he fell into the pit.
The moment he fell, he saw Li Yunqing smiling faintly, withdrawing his right foot.
It was clear that the great force was Li Yunqing’s kick, sending Wang Changsheng helplessly into the fiery pit.
“Nephew Wang, you must work hard!” Li Yunqing called out loudly. “Three years—three years is all you have. If you can’t reach the second stage by then, you might never get out!”
Hearing this, Wang Changsheng’s face darkened.
“I’m already old, though younger than Li Yunqing by a lot, but I look old!”
“Three years?”
“What a joke!”
Wang Changsheng had clearly seen in the jade slip that even core disciples of the Li family required at least five to ten years to reach the first stage of the Phoenix Flame Technique, and even longer to reach the second.
Now Li Yunqing gave him only three years—impossible!
As Wang Changsheng neared the fiery depths, his eyes slowly closed.
Why would he need three years? In three breaths he would be engulfed—everything would be over.
At his current realm and strength, falling into the Corefire meant being burned to ashes with no resistance.
His hair and clothes had already vanished without a trace because of the Corefire.
“This is truly coming in naked, going out naked...” Wang Changsheng sighed.
Just as he closed his eyes to await death, a piercing crackling sound suddenly reached his ears.
“Still alive?”
Wang Changsheng slowly opened his eyes and was shocked by what he saw.
He was now surrounded by molten lava, but all the lava stayed at least three meters away. Around him was a shield of true energy, which appeared without him noticing.
This true energy shield blocked the lava’s onslaught and most of the heat.
Yet even so, the remaining heat nearly suffocated him.
“What are you waiting for? Use the Phoenix Flame pure blood to cultivate!”
As Wang Changsheng hesitated, Li Yunqing’s voice echoed in his ears.
“This true energy shield is what I left for you. It will only last three years. After that, you’re on your own!” Li Yunqing said solemnly. “If you have the Phoenix Flame pure blood and still die here, then your uncle won’t blame me!”
From Li Yunqing’s cold and resolute tone, a stark contrast to his earlier kindness, Wang Changsheng knew he was serious now.