LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 116: "It doesn't sound like something I can solve."_3
"Good."
Chen Qiu nodded seriously, listening patiently to the continuation.
"Sigh."
After the Great Elder let out a long sigh, he slowly continued, "Since ancient times, most Alchemy Cultivation Sects have been based in the Southern State, where the Spiritual Energy is richer compared to the North Continent, naturally making it suitable for Alchemy Cultivation Sects."
"However, the reason why the Star Battle Sect established its sect near Xuzhou, close to the Endless Desert..."
"...is because hundreds of years ago, our founder discovered a stream of Earth Fire flowing underground like a river beneath the Endless Desert. This flowing Earth Fire keeps the Endless Desert extremely hot even in winter."
"This Earth Fire is extremely docile, and it took our founder decades to draw a thread of this Earth Fire to the base of this mountain. Using this thread of Earth Fire, the Pills produced by our sect's disciples have a very high success rate and very low cost."
"Especially since this Earth Fire is extremely mild, we can control its temperature at will, allowing us to produce some pills that other sects cannot."
"For instance, the 'Replenishing God Pill' you requested, Chen Daoist, for those at the peak of Foundation Establishment Cultivation, no other sect in the entire Da Xia can produce it, only our Star Battle Sect can, with the help of this Earth Fire."
"Until recently, the Earth Fire was as mild as ever."
"However, a few months ago, this Earth Fire, for some unknown reason, became extremely violent, and it became impossible to produce any pills. We tried countless times but could no longer use the Earth Fire for alchemy; instead, it became increasingly violent, and we were about to give up."
The Great Elder of the Star Battle Sect suddenly looked at Chen Qiu earnestly and said sincerely, "But unexpectedly, Daoist Chen, you suddenly visited. You are currently the most powerful Talent of Magic Practitioner in Da Xia. If there is one person who can solve this Earth Fire problem, it must be you."
"As long as you can help the Star Battle Sect solve this Earth Fire problem... "
"Not only can we refine the Replenishing God Pill for Daoist Chen for free, but we will also offer a hefty reward, and Daoist Chen will earn the long-term friendship of the Star Battle Sect."
"Me?"
Chen Qiu frowned and said, "It doesn't sound like something I can handle."
"You can."
The Great Elder of the Star Battle Sect looked at Chen Qiu with great trust and said earnestly, "We have seen your battle in the Boundless Icefield. To delve deep into the Earth Fire and find out what happened, you must constantly activate your Protective Spirit Qi."
"But... the Earth Fire is too deep."
"We even summoned the Supreme Elder with Golden Core Peak Cultivation, who is also the founder of our sect, but even with his Cultivation, he couldn't reach the depths of the Earth Fire before his Spiritual Energy was about to run out by half."
"Moreover, he couldn't determine what was happening beneath the Earth Fire."
"As a result, the founder even got slightly injured, reducing his already scarce remaining lifespan."
"The Spiritual Energy your body holds, according to the Sect Master from the images on the Memory Stone, we believe the Spiritual Energy your body holds even surpasses that of our founder. If Daoist Chen is willing to help us, perhaps you could find the reason for such volatility in the Earth Fire, and then we could find a solution."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Chen Qiu spoke softly, "Take me to see it."
"Good."
...
Under the guidance of the Great Elder, Chen Qiu and his group made their way to the back mountain of the Star Battle Sect, inside a house protected by a Formation, at the center of which lay a well.
The well continuously erupted with a substantial flow of flames, which followed trenches dug on the floor towards every corner of the Star Battle Sect.
The entire house was filled with scorching heat waves.
One could observe from the naked eye that the flames were filled with a violent aura, far from being mild in any way.
"It's here."
The Great Elder spoke with a complex expression, "Although we really want to resolve the Earth Fire issue for the Star Battle Sect, Daoist Chen, I must remind you that the Earth Fire below is more abundant and deeper than you imagine."
"A Golden Core Master can leave a thread of Divine Sense at the mouth of the well, so when Spiritual Energy is about to be exhausted, he can follow the Divine Sense along the original path back."
"But Daoist Chen, with your peak Foundation Establishment Cultivation, you can't project Divine Sense from your body. Once you fall into the Earth Fire below, you'll instantly lose your sense of direction, and there's a high chance you won't come back until your Spirit Energy is exhausted..."
The Great Elder left his words unspoken.
But the implication was clear.
After the Spiritual Energy is exhausted, staying in this obviously no mere flame, which could corrode Spiritual Energy, your fate would certainly not be pleasant.
"I'll go with you."
The Scholar looked at Chen Qiu.
"Hmm."
Chen Qiu nodded. Having the Scholar with him would indeed solve the issue of not being able to return as long as the distance from the Scholar's brother did not exceed ten thousand miles, they could instantly return to his side.
"No concerns."
Chen Qiu did not want to delay further, now that he almost understood the situation, there was no need to hesitate further. Spiritual Energy surged out, enveloping Fat Long and the Scholar before he stepped into the well of fire in front of him at once.
Though protecting two additional people would consume more Protective Spirit Qi...
...it made no significant difference to him.
Leaving Fat Long alone in the Star Battle Sect was not very reassuring.
The three of them instantly disappeared on the spot.
...
At that moment—
A square-faced, imposing middle-aged man stepped into the room briskly, scanned the interior, and said solemnly, "Where is Daoist Chen?"
"Sect Master."
The Great Elder looked towards the entrance to the fire well with a complex expression, "They have already gone down."
"They have already gone down?"
The middle-aged man paused and then let out a long sigh, "Well then, let's have Daoist Chen give it a try. With the fame as Da Xia's unparalleled Magical Talent, he must surely possess extraordinary capabilities."
"It's just..."