Chapter 597: Chapter 32: The Jing Family of Beast Tamers, the Sang Family of Artifact Refiners

"Are you planning to walk there on your own two legs?" Han Caicai said playfully.

His narrow eyes were filled with mischievous light, waiting for Mu Qingge’s response.

"Walk?" Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow and walked towards Han Caicai. "I’m not that stupid." She walked up to the Spirit Beast, and just when Han Caicai was expecting her to do something, she suddenly reached out and grabbed Han Caicai by the ankle, pulling him down hard from the Spirit Beast’s back.

Caught off guard, Han Caicai fell from the Spirit Beast’s back, while Mu Qingge took the opportunity to flip onto the Spirit Beast behind him.

"Mu Qingge, do you really think I won’t fight back?" Han Caicai steadied himself and said to Mu Qingge with resentment.

Mu Qingge, however, sat on the Spirit Beast’s back, raised her eyebrows at him, and said, "I’ll accompany you anytime!" With that, she urged the Spirit Beast to carry her away at a gallop.

The dust kicked up by the Spirit Beast’s hooves made Han Caicai eat a mouthful of dirt.

"Cough, cough!" Han Caicai waved his sleeve to block the dust blowing in his face, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Watching Mu Qingge’s figure receding into the distance, he shook his head helplessly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Riding on the Spirit Beast’s back, Mu Qingge’s hair fluttered in the wind. She sighed softly in her heart, realizing that treating Han Caicai nonchalantly was the best way to make him give up.

If she were cautious and deliberately avoided him, it would instead give him hope.

Soon, the sound of a Spirit Beast running came from behind Mu Qingge. She looked back and saw Han Caicai’s charming face catching up to her.

Sweeping her clear gaze over the Spirit Beast he was riding, she narrowed her eyes teasingly and said, "Looks like you were prepared after all."

Han Caicai, not bothered to respond, whipped the Spirit Beast hard, and with a roar, it instantly surpassed the one Mu Qingge was riding. The dust from the ground surged towards Mu Qingge.

She waved her hand, and Spiritual Power surged from her palm, dispersing the dust as she passed through it.

"Hey, he’s already so far ahead, and you’re still moving sluggishly, it’s a bit disgraceful!" Mu Qingge lightly patted the Spirit Beast’s head and said.

The Spirit Beast, being intelligent, understood Mu Qingge’s words.

The disdain in her tone made it let out a roar. Suddenly, it bolted forward with all its might, like an arrow, as if it wanted to defend its dignity.

Soon, Mu Qingge caught up with Han Caicai and paralleled him.

Han Caicai glanced at her sideways, then retracted his gaze.

The two of them rode the Spirit Beasts at full speed towards a barren ridge outside Lanwu City.

After traveling for a whole day and night, they arrived at the expansive, desolate ridge shortly before dawn. Seeing it with her own eyes, Mu Qingge thought it was more apt to describe it as a mountain of stones rather than a barren ridge.

There was no vegetation here, only various oddly shaped stones standing tall on the rocky mountain.

Some of those stones were as fierce as ferocious beasts, while others stood tall like ancient cypresses. The ground had no soil, only layers of black-gray rock, with markings resembling ocean waves.

Han Caicai dismounted the Spirit Beast, and Mu Qingge followed suit.

She observed the surrounding environment while Han Caicai stood and closed his eyes.

Mu Qingge knew he was using his innate ability to sense the precise location of the Taichu Urgent Fire, so she remained silent not to disturb him.

After a while, Han Caicai opened his eyes and said to Mu Qingge, "Let’s find a place to rest first."

To this, Mu Qingge had no objection.

The two of them released their Spirit Beasts, as there was no point in taking them further, so they let the creatures wait for a summons nearby.

Han Caicai found a recessed rock wall to make camp. He gathered firewood, made a bonfire, and then sat by the fire with Mu Qingge.

"It’s very cold here, so we should warm up. We’ll look again tomorrow," Han Caicai said.

Mu Qingge looked at the outside sunlight and said, "There’s still half a day until dark." She implied that there was no need to waste time resting here.

They could easily rest for an hour, then start searching for the Taichu Urgent Fire, and find a place to rest when it was close to dark.

However, Han Caicai said, "I already know the general direction, but getting there will take until nightfall, making it inconvenient to move. So we might as well wait until tomorrow morning."

Mu Qingge nodded without saying more.

"By the way, don’t release your Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame before finding the Taichu Urgent Fire, or it might sense us," Han Caicai reminded.

"I understand." This warning made Mu Qingge rethink his plan to release Yuanyuan for company, dispelling her thoughts.

She gazed outwards, thinking mockingly: ’A lone man and woman secluded in this remote mountain and forest... if Master Mo found out, he’d probably kill me.’

It hadn’t bothered her before, but after confirming her relationship with Si Mo and hearing Han Caicai’s confession, Mu Qingge felt a little guilty.

Of course, last night’s drinking didn’t count! She only did it to extract information from Yuanyuan!

Nonetheless, her uprightness meant she feared no shadows and would boldly confront anyone’s questions.

With this in mind, Mu Qingge straightened her back.

"What are you thinking about?" Han Caicai asked as he tossed her a wine jug.

Mu Qingge caught and glanced at it but didn’t open it, placing it aside instead.

Watching her actions, Han Caicai lazily remarked, "This is some of the finest aged wine, cellared for hundreds of years."

Mu Qingge silently glanced at it, then waved her hand, making the wine jug disappear before her eyes.

Then she said to Han Caicai, "We’re on a mission, so drinking is inappropriate."

Han Caicai snorted indifferently, his slanted eyes glancing at her as he lazily lay on the ground and drank alone.

Mu Qingge sat cross-legged elsewhere, appearing to enter a state of cultivation.

The two didn’t disturb each other as the sky gradually darkened.

Suddenly, a distant Spirit Beast’s roar interrupted Mu Qingge’s cultivation, making her slowly open her eyes and look towards the night-covered barren ridge.

After a while, she glanced at Han Caicai, only to see him as if half-drunk, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His narrow eyes seemed either half-closed or shut.

"Han Caicai," Mu Qingge called out.

"Hmm," Han Caicai replied with a nasal sound.

Confirming he wasn’t asleep, Mu Qingge continued, "I have a question."

"Ask," Han Caicai replied simply.

Mu Qingge asked, "In the Middle Ancient Realm, it seems all the Spirit Beasts are controlled by people, but higher-level Spirit Beasts appear rare."

Han Caicai slowly opened his eyes, replying calmly, "In the Middle Ancient Realm, there’s a clan whose bloodline grants them a high affinity with Spirit Beasts, allowing them to tame them, called Heavenly Communication Masters. Most of the tamed Spirit Beasts you see are their work, but that’s just the lowest level. These tamed beasts often have offspring just as docile, much like domesticated poultry."

"Sounds a bit like Linchuan’s Myriad Beasts Sect," Mu Qingge remarked with a frown.

Han Caicai sat up, mimicking Mu Qingge by sitting cross-legged. "Not the same. The Myriad Beasts Sect uses a kind of Secret Method to control Spirit Beasts, which reduces their combat capabilities. The Heavenly Communication Masters I mentioned tame low-level beasts for humans, which is just their most basic skill. Almost everyone in that clan can do it; even newborn babies can tame beasts. It’s said that each child taming the spirits demonstrates their potential, earning them the clan’s focus and upbringing. Conversely, if one can’t tame even a single Spirit Beast, it shows no innate ability, resulting in their abandonment and even expulsion."

"That’s a harsh, but realistic Law," Mu Qingge commented faintly.

She wasn’t righteously indignant about it.

Han Caicai nodded and continued, "The true strength of the Heavenly Communication Masters lies in forming contracts with Divine Beasts and even Holy Beasts. It doesn’t impair their cultivation but achieves high synergy and cooperative combat potential."

Mu Qingge’s eyes gradually brightened.

Han Caicai looked over and said to her, "Just like your Snow Fox King." After a pause, he continued, "If I’m not mistaken, he should have already transformed, right?"

At the mention of Yin Chen, a glint flashed in Mu Qingge’s eyes. With a wave of her hand, Yin Chen appeared within Han Caicai’s sight.

With silver hair, blood-red eyes, and a similarly enchanting pretty face, the aura between these two men immediately created a sense of mutual repulsion.

"Let me introduce you, the Snow Fox King, Yin Chen. And this is Han Caicai." Mu Qingge ignored this incompatibility in aura and introduced the two of them.

Yin Chen gave Han Caicai a casual glance before sitting next to Mu Qingge. Han Caicai’s face slightly turned green; he cursed himself for mentioning the Snow Fox King, which reminded Mu Qingge and disrupted their alone time together.

Yet, Yin Chen had already been released, and he couldn’t come up with an excuse like he did with Yuanyuan to have Mu Qingge retract him, so he could only keep his dissatisfaction to himself.

After adjusting the unpleasant feeling in his heart, Han Caicai continued, "Heavenly Communication Masters can not only contract divine beasts and holy beasts themselves, but they can also help others in contracting. However, this contracting process is very dangerous and can easily lead to backlash, so typically, Heavenly Communication Masters don’t help others contract. Unless there’s an unavoidable reason, they usually won’t do it."

With Han Caicai’s explanation, Mu Qingge had some understanding of the difference between the Myriad Beasts Sect and Heavenly Communication Masters. "Then, do these Heavenly Communication Masters have limitations in contracting divine and holy beasts? Are there many divine and holy beasts in the Middle Ancient Realm?"

Han Caicai murmured, "You really do have a lot of questions."

But he patiently explained to Mu Qingge, "How many divine and holy beasts are in the Middle Ancient Realm, nobody really knows. Because once they reach this level, they can transform into human form and blend into human life, very few can see through them. Perhaps you’ve already crossed paths with them without realizing, or perhaps you haven’t encountered them yet. How many a Heavenly Communication Master can contract mainly depends on the strength of their spiritual sense. The stronger the spiritual sense, the more they can contract. However, as far as I know, in their family history, the most they have contracted simultaneously are one holy beast and two divine beasts. That was a few hundred years ago. Nowadays, the strongest in their family has only contracted two divine beasts. After all, holy beasts aren’t so easy to find and aren’t easily contracted either."

Mu Qingge looked at Yin Chen.

She had a contractual bond with Yin Chen. But, along with Bai Xi and Yuanyuan...

As if knowing what Mu Qingge was thinking, Yin Chen also looked back at her and transmitted, ’I automatically contracted with Qingge, so it doesn’t affect your spiritual sense. When there’s time, Qingge can contract with that gluttonous snake Bai Xi, I think she won’t resist, and thus your spiritual sense won’t be occupied. If you find a suitable ally in the future, you can contract again.’

Mu Qingge listened in amazement and asked, ’Uh, I’m not a Heavenly Communication Master, can I directly contract?’

Yin Chen replied, ’Your affinity with spirit beasts is not less than that of a Heavenly Communication Master; how would you know if you don’t try? Besides, with me and that gluttonous snake suppressing any backlash, even if the contract fails, you won’t be in danger.’

Yin Chen’s words stirred Mu Qingge’s emotions.

In her mind, scenes of herself commanding groups of beasts appeared. Right! She also had the Beast Taming Flute she snatched from the Myriad Beasts Sect!

However, she immediately snapped back to reality, laughed, and said, ’Didn’t Han Caicai say, divine and holy beasts aren’t easy to meet.’

Yin Chen was rather optimistic, "With fate, you’ll meet, no need to rush."

Mu Qingge pouted; she wasn’t in a hurry.

"What’s the surname of that family? Which continent do they live in?" Mu Qingge asked.

Han Caicai looked at her, his slender eyes glinting.

"Ahem, just asking in case I bump into them one day." Mu Qingge smiled bashfully. You see, asking Wanxiang Building questions costs money.

"One intermediate-level spirit stone." Han Caicai extended a finger to Mu Qingge, gently swaying.

Mu Qingge’s eyes widened as she shouted, "You’re robbing me! Ten low-level spirit stones; that’s all I have!" It’s just some information, and not even that’s confidential. It’s just because she was unfamiliar with the Middle Ancient Realm and dared to open his mouth as wide as a lion!

"Isn’t your price too harsh?" Han Caicai squinted coldly.

Mu Qingge also coldly smiled, "This isn’t some secret, if you don’t want to make this deal, I can go to the Floating Guest Clan and buy it, which is more cost-effective than your Wanxiang Building."

Han Caicai’s eyes darkened; he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, take it."

Mu Qingge revealed a victorious smile and tossed ten low-level spirit stones onto Han Caicai’s lap.

Han Caicai lowered his eyes for a glance and snorted before saying, "They have the surname Jing, but they live in Central Continent and basically don’t operate in other continents, so you probably won’t run into them easily."

"Surname Jing?" Mu Qingge was stunned. Thinking of her student Jing Hai.

Jing Hai also has the surname Jing. Is he related to the Jing Family of the Central Continent Heavenly Communication Master? But immediately, Mu Qingge dismissed the idea. Jing Hai was born in a remote fishing village in the Southern Continent, and since following her, he seemed to have shown no affinity for Spirit Beasts. How could he be linked to the Jing Family of the Central Continent? His parents, according to him, were also from the small fishing village. Only his father left home in search of strength, and his mother left when he was young to look for his father and never returned.

Even if Jing Hai is indeed related to that Jing Family, he’s probably one of those who, as Han Caicai mentioned, showed no talent and was expelled from the family.

If that’s the case, what does it matter whether Jing Hai is related to the Jing Family of the Central Continent or not?

Reining in her thoughts, Mu Qingge focused her attention back on Han Caicai’s words.

"Between each continent in the Middle Ancient Realm, there are differences in strength. The Southern Continent is considered the weakest. There are basically no Ancient Clans here; all the families emerged later. No matter how dazzling they appear, they ultimately lack the heritage of the Ancient Clans. Next comes the Western Continent, Northern Continent, Eastern Continent, and Central Continent. Among the Five Continents, the Central Continent is the strongest. If you want to quickly understand the Middle Ancient Realm, I suggest you go to the State Mansion of the Southern Continent, Golden Sea Prefecture, after completing the matter at Lanwu City. There, you will find the rise and fall of all families in the Southern Continent over the past thousand years, the chronology of the Middle Ancient Realm, and teleportation arrays to some major cities in the Southern Continent, bustling with prosperity and numerous families."

Mu Qingge listened, raising her eyebrows. It seems that the Golden Sea Prefecture is the political, economic, and cultural center of the Southern Continent.

"Every continent has a State Mansion. You should have aimed to go to the State Mansion first when you arrived in the Middle Ancient Realm to understand everything and then make plans. No need to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly, even giving me an advantage." Han Caicai teased, shaking the Spirit Stone between his knees in front of Mu Qingge.

It seemed to imply that all he’d previously mentioned could be easily accessed at the State Mansion, yet Mu Qingge paid him for the information.

Mu Qingge’s eyes darkened, having no choice but to admit she’d been fooled.

She arrived in the Middle Ancient Realm without a guide, relying only on feeling her way through. Even if the map showed the location of Golden Sea Prefecture, how could she know what’s inside? Her most pressing matter was dealing with the Le Family’s issue, so she naturally had to rely on her own methods to find the Le Family, leading her to Yu Shui City. She came to Lanwu City to head west while inquiring about Mu Yi, which was why she ended up here.

As Han Caicai mentioned, although her journey seemed purposeful, concerning the entire Middle Ancient Realm, she was like a headless fly flying around aimlessly.

However...

Mu Qingge slightly frowned. Thinking about the map’s position of Golden Sea Prefecture, if she diverted there after leaving Lanwu City, her entry into the Western Continent would be further delayed.

But if she could understand the situation of the Middle Ancient Realm and integrate quickly, a trip to the Golden Sea Prefecture would be highly necessary.

Instantly, Mu Qingge made a decision in her heart!

"Mu Qingge, why did you come to the Middle Ancient Realm? Is it just for the Le Family? To become stronger?" Han Caicai suddenly asked.

His narrow eyes gleamed with a probing light.

He always felt that Mu Qingge had other purposes, but he was completely unaware of them.

Also, what exactly is the bloodline that Mu Qingge possesses? Alchemy? Or Artifact Refining? Damn it! She excels at everything, leaving him unable to guess.

Mu Qingge raised her eyebrows, her gaze falling on the Spirit Stones between his knees, "Twenty low-level Spirit Stones."

Han Caicai’s mouth twitched, while Yin Chen’s lips lifted into a pleased smile.

"You really don’t miss a single opportunity!" Han Caicai gritted his teeth.

Mu Qingge smiled, "Likewise."

"Hmph." Han Caicai snorted.

Mu Qingge’s smile became more cunning, "Your information isn’t exclusive. But what you want to know is, and I’m only charging you twenty Spirit Stones. You made a profit. Consider it."

"You money-grubbing fellow!" Han Caicai said resentfully, taking out ten low-level Spirit Stones and tossing them all to Mu Qingge, along with the ten pieces she previously gave.

His throw was forceful, mixed with his frustration.

All twenty Spirit Stones flew toward Mu Qingge, the momentum resembling a hidden weapon. Yin Chen waved his hand, his wide sleeves swiftly rolling up to intercept the Spirit Stones mid-air, catching them within his sleeves before retracting his hand.

Mu Qingge’s smile grew even more charming, "Thanks."

Mu Qingge’s smugness, coupled with Yin Chen’s intervention, caused Han Caicai’s expression to shift unpredictably.

"I came to the Middle Ancient Realm, of course, for other reasons. Hmm, after completing the necessary tasks in the Southern Continent, I will head to the Western Continent to find someone." Mu Qingge’s sense of duty was strong.

"Who are you looking for?" Han Caicai asked curiously.

Anyone who could make Mu Qingge travel across thousands of miles to find them must be significant.

He quickly recalled all the information about Mu Qingge in his mind, trying to find clues. Right! Suddenly, Han Caicai’s eyes lit up. He remembered that he exchanged a map of the West Continent for the Earth Emperor Pill that Mu Qingge sent him two days ago in the Middle Ancient Realm of the Holy Yuan Empire.

At that time, he just thought Mu Qingge would leave Linchuan sooner or later, so maps of any continent in the Middle Ancient Realm would be useful to her. Now that he thinks carefully, her curiosity about the Middle Ancient Realm seemed to have begun much earlier than her connection with the Le Family!

How much earlier?

Han Caicai recalled their first meeting, where they both speculated about each other’s bloodline. At that time, it seemed evident that Mu Qingge had an extraordinary lineage, likely related to the Middle Ancient Realm.

And now she mentioned the West Continent again, could her bloodline possibly originate from the West Continent?

But in the West Continent, several ancient clans exist. Which one does Mu Qingge’s bloodline belong to? Considering her innate ability, Han Caicai’s eyes brightened more and more. "The Sang Family of the West Continent."

He remembered that Mu Qingge’s mother carried the surname Sang and came from a mysterious background.

And the Sang Family happens to bear the bloodline of Artifact Refining.

Although Mu Qingge never deliberately showed her skills in Artifact Refining, observing her attitude towards the equipment used by the Dragon Tooth Guards revealed some hints. Han Caicai still remembered his shock when he first saw the grenade gun.

"It’s indeed the Sang Family of the West Continent." Han Caicai could guess it, and Mu Qingge was not surprised. If he couldn’t guess, she would have doubted his intelligence.

The shock in Han Caicai’s heart slowly subsided as he processed this enormous information.

Never expected, truly never expected, that Mu Qingge is actually related to the Sang Family of the West Continent. Gradually, his expression turned slightly serious. "Mu Qingge, do you know what the Sang Family represents in the West Continent?"

"I don’t know," Mu Qingge replied frankly.

Han Caicai gave her a look saying ’I knew it,’ took a deep breath, and spoke to her, "The Sang Family in the West Continent possesses ancient Artifact Refining bloodlines. Whether they are Artifact Refiners or Alchemists, they are revered and worshiped by countless cultivators. When the Sang Family reached its peak, cultivators took pride in owning any weapon crafted by the Sang Family, even if it was the lowest-level Spiritual Artifact. They attracted countless smaller families and Floating Guests, akin to fish crossing the river."

In Han Caicai’s description, Mu Qingge seemed to see a picture of the Sang Family in its glorious days.

"However, later the Sang Family’s bloodline gradually weakened, their numbers decreased rapidly, and they fell from their pedestal. In the last century, they have become increasingly precarious, and their status among the ancient clans is at risk. The descendants of the Sang Family are of uneven quality; the younger generation lacks pillars, and the elder generation is also gradually declining. Compared to other ancient clans, the Sang Family..." Han Caicai slowly shook his head as he spoke.

Mu Qingge frowned, hearing from Han Caicai’s words the current predicament and crisis of the Sang Family. But what does it have to do with her? She’s here to find someone, not to revitalize the Sang Family.

The Mu Family nurtured and raised her, always provided everything they could. Whether it was Mu Xiong or Mu Lianrong, they focused on her wholeheartedly. Therefore, she feels gratitude and will include the Mu Family under her protection.

But the Sang Family...

To put it frankly, this is just a suspected family from her mother’s side.

She wants to find her mother to get an answer, and then inform her grandfather so he could be at ease.

There’s no sentimental hundred-mile family reunion for her, sorry.

However, it’s evident that Han Caicai misunderstood.

He’s delivering all this information about the Sang Family to her as if to remind her.

Indeed, before Mu Qingge could speak, Han Caicai said, "If you return to the Sang Family, you could be a hope that cannot be abandoned for them. But you’ll bear more burdens, shouldering a family’s revival. You’ll face not just ordinary families but ancient clans with profound backgrounds, and the pressure is unimaginable. So..."

"Hold on, who told you I plan to go to the Sang Family to acknowledge my lineage?" Mu Qingge interrupted him.

Han Caicai was stunned.

Mu Qingge relaxed, straightened her waist, and stretched her stiff shoulders and neck, "I’m going to the Sang Family just to find someone. What happens to the Sang Family is irrelevant to me, and I won’t involve myself in the grievances among those ancient clans."

"You’re not planning to care about the Sang Family’s affairs? But you carry the bloodline of the Sang Family!" Han Caicai exclaimed in surprise.

Although his mind was cunning and fickle, he had a deep-seated understanding of family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have constantly tried and worked his way back to his family after being exiled.

However, he did not know that Mu Qingge had no family concept in her mind.

Her thoughts are simple: whoever treats her well, she returns the favor; whoever tries to kill her, she eradicates. It’s just that simple.

"So what? I didn’t ask for this bloodline. I have many things to do, and the Sang Family is just a stop, not a destination. Once I find the person I’m looking for and ask the questions I need answered, I will move forward." Mu Qingge said. Her biggest goal now is to refine Holy Level Elixir and continuously enhance her cultivation, so she can reach the summit as soon as possible and face everything with Si Mo.

Si Mo, the man quietly sacrificing for her all the time.

From Gu Ya and Gu Ye’s words, she learned that he still has dangers and dilemmas of his own. However, she is too weak right now and can’t help him at all.

Therefore, she will strive to grow stronger to protect those she wants to protect.

The East Continent Alchemy Academy is the best place for her to enhance her Alchemy Dao. After accomplishing everything, the place she should stay is there!

Han Caicai slowly shook his head and said to Mu Qingge, "Sometimes, you’re really heartless."

Mu Qingge laughed and said, "Just take it as a compliment." She didn’t bother to explain much. In fact, she did not argue that when Han Caicai faced matters unrelated to him, he was equally cold-hearted.

Han Caicai had a lot to say, but Mu Qingge shut him up with few words.

After a while, he said gloomily, "In short, the situation of the Sang Family is complicated. If you plan to go, be careful. If you really don’t intend to care about the Sang Family, it’s best not to let them know you possess the Artifact Refiner bloodline, nor that you have Abnormal Fire."

"Thanks for the warning," Mu Qingge nodded.

The night passed in conversations about the Middle Ancient Realm and the Sang Family.

With Yin Chen around, Mu Qingge and Han Caicai were less embarrassed with each other. At least, if they were caught by the stern gentleman, she could righteously say, this wasn’t a solitary encounter, Yin Chen was present!

Before dawn, Mu Qingge held the palace bell on her waist and fell into a deep sleep.

At daybreak, she was awakened by a crisp ringing sound.

Upon opening her eyes, Mu Qingge’s gaze fell on the intricately hollowed golden palace bell tied around her waist.

With an understanding smile, Mu Qingge got up to get ready.

Once Han Caicai was prepared, the three of them headed towards the location of the Taichu Urgent Fire.

"How do you plan to handle the Taichu Urgent Fire?" On the way, Mu Qingge asked.

Han Caicai revealed his plan, "The two of us..." Suddenly, he remembered Yin Chen’s presence and changed his words, "The three of us will first engage it in battle, depleting its power. It’s in the weakened phase now and will only get weaker. Once we’ve mostly exhausted it, unleash your Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame to devour it, just give me a piece of its essence. But when I absorb the essence, you must protect me and not abandon me like last time." He referred to the time in the Sunset Wilderness when he subdued the Fire Cloud Yang Flame.

Mu Qingge’s expression changed instantly, "If you need half a year to absorb it, do you expect me to wait here for half a year?"

Han Caicai’s eyebrow twitched and he gritted his teeth, "Can’t you wait that long?"

"I’m very busy!" Mu Qingge replied honestly.

Han Caicai said with a dark face, "Don’t worry, this time it’s just absorbing a piece of essence; it won’t take long. At most one or two days; it won’t interfere with your plans."

"That could be considered," Mu Qingge nodded, mumbling.

Han Caicai, however, burst angrily, "Mu Qingge!"

Damned, she still needs to consider!

...

On the barren ridge, the mountains stretched, but a lifeless scene pervaded.

Dark gray rocks and no grass.

"Where exactly is it?" After walking most of the day, Mu Qingge asked.

Han Caicai said, "Once we pass this stone forest, we will see it." He pointed ahead, where strange stones blocked their sight.

Mu Qingge glanced at these stones, and their blurry outlines vaguely resembled animals and plants.

’Could stones transform so realistically?’ Mu Qingge wondered in her heart.

Following Han Caicai, they bypassed this stone forest, passing by those strange stones. Their vision suddenly opened up, but along with it came a wave of intense heat.

"So hot!" Yin Chen frowned uncomfortably.

Snow Foxes prefer cold environments.

The heat here made him feel quite uncomfortable.

"Yin Chen, are you okay?" Mu Qingge asked.

Yin Chen nodded and said to Mu Qingge, "Just feeling a bit hot, nothing else bothersome."

Mu Qingge nodded. Standing on the smooth stones, she felt as if the soles of her shoes were melting. Where there’s an Abnormal Fire, there must be peculiarities.

However, she had encountered at least four types of Abnormal Fire, and none possessed such heat.

Before even getting close, one could feel the scorching breath in the air with every inhale.

Sure enough, Han Caicai was right. The Taichu Urgent Fire is the hottest Abnormal Fire!

The scenery hadn’t changed, with still the same black and gray stones piled up. The view was broader, but the surrounding temperature had risen.

"Not far now." Han Caicai lifted his head, slowly opening his closed eyes.

"Then let’s move on." Mu Qingge gestured with her chin.

The three continued forward, but the further they went, the hotter it became. Even with their current cultivation, they couldn’t withstand such heat, and sweat began to appear on their skin.

"If we keep going like this, we’ll get dehydrated." Mu Qingge took out three bags of water, handing one each to Han Caicai and Yin Chen, and then drank the remaining bottle herself.

"How much water did you bring?" Han Caicai asked while drinking.

He seemed to mean that as long as they kept hydrating, they could endure.

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head. She didn’t have the energy to explain dehydration or electrolyte imbalance to Han Caicai. Once dehydrated, just drinking water alone wouldn’t suffice.

"We must find a way to cool down," Mu Qingge said.

As soon as she spoke, she felt a coolness on her skin.

Looking down, she found that a thin layer of frost had formed on her exposed skin, shielding her from the assault of the external heat wave.

Mu Qingge was astonished.

Han Caicai squinted and said, "Bone Demon Flame."

Mu Qingge looked at him. She knew it was the Bone Demon Flame, but she hadn’t expected Yuanyuan to come up with such a way to cool her down.

"The Bone Demon Flame is a cold flame, with a temperature extremely low, like ice and snow," Han Caicai said solemnly, explaining the Bone Demon Flame’s characteristics. Then he looked at Mu Qingge and, with a tone of admiration, said, "The Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame really is good to you."

Mu Qingge was concerned about another issue, "Will doing this make Taichu Urgent Fire wary?"

Han Caicai pursed his lips and said, "Don’t worry, the Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame just released some Bone Demon Flames to shield you from the heat. At such a distance, it won’t alarm the Taichu Urgent Fire."

With Han Caicai’s assurance, Mu Qingge nodded with relief.

After some thought, she raised her hand, grabbing Yin Chen’s arm. The frost formed by the Bone Demon Flame spread from her hand, quickly enveloping Yin Chen in an ice layer as well.

When Mu Qingge released her hand, she and Yin Chen had both turned into two ice figures.

Mu Qingge looked towards Han Caicai.

Han Caicai immediately showed a devilish smile, proactively extending his hand to her. "For whatever reason, being signed by you even once is quite nice."

"You’re so cheeky." Mu Qingge shot him a glance but did not reach out to grab Han Caicai’s outstretched arm. Instead, she flicked a small white flower from between her fingers, landing it on his arm.

The small flower quickly melted, and under Han Caicai’s gaze, rapidly enveloped him as well.

In no time, three ’ice figures’ appeared.

Their skin had a light blue sheen of ice and snow, looking somewhat eerie.

Mu Qingge placed her hands behind her back and said, "I’m sure Yuanyuan would love to come out and see her masterpiece now! Let’s go."

Having made their preparations, the three set off once more.

The closer they got, the hotter it became. The Bone Demon Flame shielded them from the heat of the Taichu Urgent Fire, emitting ’sizzling’ white smoke. At times, even small, light blue flames appeared on the three of them.

Led by Han Caicai, the three eventually reached the foot of a tall mountain.

The mountain ridge was smooth, utterly barren, towering to the sky, constantly exhaling smoke and clouds.

Mu Qingge’s gaze slowly lifted, through the mist hovering around the mountainside, she saw sporadic flashes of firelight hidden in the clouds—

What the hell!

Mu Qingge’s eyes widened.

This is a mountain? No, this isn’t just a mountain! This is a volcano!

Mu Qingge seemed to see the scalding magma surging out from the white fog, flowing down and slowly cooling, solidifying on the mountain itself.

She found the barrenness and the blackish-gray stone along the way a bit odd, but hadn’t expected Han Caicai to lead her to a volcano.

"You’re not going to tell me that the Taichu Urgent Fire is hidden inside this mountain, are you?" Mu Qingge pointed at the volcano in front of her and said to Han Caicai.

Han Caicai nodded, "That’s right, originally there was no volcano here. It formed after the Taichu Urgent Fire fell. Abnormal Fires, when entering a weakened period, will find a place to settle, quietly die, and then be reborn. This is the place Taichu Urgent Fire chose for itself."

"So how do we get in?" Mu Qingge twitched her mouth. "Are you planning to jump in from the crater and search for the traces of Taichu Urgent Fire amidst the lava?"

In the Sunset Wilderness underground, at least there was a place to stand.

Inside this volcano, it’s all lava with no place to set foot.

"Seems like you know a lot about volcanoes." Han Caicai gave Mu Qingge an unexpected glance.

Mu Qingge couldn’t be bothered to reply.

Volcanoes—she couldn’t be more familiar.

In her past life, she had performed missions around volcanoes more than once. Even with high-tech fire prevention equipment, she couldn’t penetrate the base of a volcano. And now? Even with her Otherworld cultivation and spiritual power, she feared she couldn’t withstand the drain under the volcano.

"Its most terrifying aspect isn’t the temperature or the lava, but its extremely unstable state, which could trigger an eruption at any moment. Once we enter, if it suddenly erupts, we’ll end up incinerated to ashes," Mu Qingge said with a serious expression.

This active volcano was formed by the Abnormal Fire, not an ordinary Earth Core Fire. Its power would only be stronger, not weaker.

Besides, Han Caicai had said before that the Taichu Urgent Fire was transformed from a spark left by the sun’s birth. The sun—huh—in her past world, with such advanced technology, they couldn’t even get near the sun. Earth, so far away from the sun, still relied on its temperature to survive.

"Opportunities always come with risks," Han Caicai said calmly.

Mu Qingge sighed, "I’m not denying that, but you have to come up with a more suitable method, not just rush in blindly. In luck, we can’t always rely on it to be on our side."

Leaving wasn’t an option, but they couldn’t recklessly walk to their deaths!

Han Caicai fell silent, lacking a good plan for the volcano.

Mu Qingge saw him silent and asked with her eyebrows raised, "Do you happen to know every time it erupts?"