Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 175 Gift of the Fire Scripture

The jade slip contained a passage.

"I am Zhurong, the god of fire, ordered to guard this place and seal the remnants of the heavenly demons."

"Although the Heavenly Demon has been sealed, its remnants have not been eliminated. If a person in the future is destined to see this jade slip, they should use their righteous energy to purify the remaining evils and eliminate future troubles forever."

"Righteousness, it's righteousness again," Zhou Ning murmured.

He carefully put the jade slip away and looked around.

Behind the stone statue, there is a hidden door.

He pushed open the hidden door and went inside.

Behind the hidden door is a downward passage, at the end of which is a small stone chamber.

Inside the stone chamber, a black sphere of light floated in mid-air, slowly rotating.

Within the sphere of light, a wisp of black mist could be vaguely seen writhing and emitting a low growl.

"Remnants of the Heavenly Demon." Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng Sword tightly.

He poured his spiritual power into the sword and unleashed a powerful strike.

A purplish-gold sword aura shot out from the sword tip, heading straight for the black sphere of light.

"boom!"

The sword energy struck the ball of light, producing a deafening explosion.

The sphere of light trembled violently, and the black mist began to dissipate.

The dark shadow inside the sphere of light emitted a sharp screech, seemingly struggling, but was quickly swallowed up by the purplish-gold light.

The sphere of light disappeared.

Silence returned to the stone chamber.

Zhou Ning sheathed his sword and exhaled a long breath.

"The remnants of the Heavenly Demon have been purified."

He turned and left the stone chamber.

When we left the palace, it was already dark.

Standing on the small island, Zhou Ning gazed at the churning lava, a sense of satisfaction welling up within him.

"Another problem has been solved."

He left the island, followed the passage, and walked out of the crack.

When we got back to the foot of the mountain, the moon was already high in the sky.

Zhou Ning found a sheltered spot, lit a campfire, and prepared to spend the night there.

He took out the jade slip and studied it again.

In addition to the message from the fire god Zhurong, the jade slip also contained a cultivation technique.

[Fire Nerve].

That was the cultivation technique practiced by the God of Fire. It was of extremely high quality, and when cultivated to its peak, one could transform into fire and become immortal.

"The Fire Scripture... can be given to fellow cultivators who practice fire-attribute techniques."

Zhou Ning carefully put the jade slip away.

He closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and waited for dawn.

The next morning, he left Flaming Mountain and returned to Lanruo Temple.

The trip to Flaming Mountain was very rewarding.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Zhou Ning looked back at the dark red active volcano and felt a surge of emotion.

Ancient immortals and gods guarded this place for countless years in order to seal away the remnants of the Heavenly Demon.

Now that the remnants have been purified, the mission of the Vulcan has finally been completed.

He carefully put away the jade slip containing the [Fire Scripture], then turned and embarked on his journey back to Lanruo Temple.

From southern Xinjiang to Qingyun Mountain, it's a distance of thousands of miles.

Zhou Ning did not rush on his journey, but walked slowly, contemplating the world as he went.

His cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage gave him a deeper understanding of the laws of heaven and earth.

He could sense that the spiritual energy flowing in the air, the vitality hidden in the soil, and the clouds floating in the sky all contained a certain pattern and a certain order.

"All things in heaven and earth have their own way," Zhou Ning murmured to himself.

Five days later, he finally returned to Qingyun Mountain.

Zhou Ning slowly walked into the main hall.

Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

His gaze fell on Zhou Ning, and he nodded slightly.

"You're back? How did things go with the Flaming Mountains?"

Zhou Ning gave a detailed account of his trip to Flaming Mountain.

The relics of the Fire God, the remnants of the Heavenly Demon, the purification process, and the jade slip containing the [Fire Scripture].

Yan Chixia took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and nodded slightly after a moment.

"The Fire Scripture is a cultivation technique practiced by the ancient fire god Zhurong, and it is of extremely high quality. At its peak, one can transform into fire, becoming immortal and indestructible. This technique is suitable for cultivators who practice fire-attribute techniques. What do you plan to do with it?"

Zhou Ning said, "This disciple wishes to give it to Daoist Xuanzhenzi of Qingfeng Temple. He cultivates fire-attribute techniques and is an upright person with a firm Daoist heart. The Fire Scripture should be able to play its greatest role in his hands."

Yan Chixia nodded: "Very well. Xuanzhenzi is indeed a suitable candidate. Go to Qingfeng Temple tomorrow and give him the jade slip."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

He left the main hall and returned to his residence.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he took out the jade slip containing the [Fire Scripture] and placed it on the table.

The jade slip shimmered with a faint red light under the candlelight, as if telling the thousand-year legend of the God of Fire.

"Tomorrow, we'll go to Qingfeng Temple."

The next morning, as dawn broke, Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple and headed to Qingfeng Temple.

Qingfeng Temple is located on Qingfeng Mountain, which is hundreds of miles away from Qingyun Mountain.

Zhou Ning stepped into the air and transformed into a rainbow, reaching the foot of the mountain in less than half a day.

Qingfeng Mountain remains as beautiful as ever, with lush forests and mist swirling around it, giving it an ethereal feel.

Wildflowers bloom along both sides of the mountain road, and bees and butterflies flutter about.

Zhou Ning climbed upwards along the mountain path.

After walking for about an hour, he arrived at the gate of Qingfeng Temple.

Qingfeng Temple still stands on the mountaintop, its green bricks and gray tiles nestled among the evergreen pines and cypresses.

Zhou Ning stepped forward and knocked on the door. A young Taoist priest opened the door; it was Mingxin.

"Young Master Zhou? You've arrived! Master is practicing his skills on the back mountain. Please wait a moment while I go inform him."

Zhou Ning waved his hand: "No need to inform him, I'll go find him myself."

He entered the Taoist temple, passed through the main hall, and arrived at the back mountain.

In the pine forest behind the mountain, Xuanzhenzi was sitting cross-legged on a huge rock, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

There was a faint glow of fire flowing around him, a sign that he had reached a certain level in fire-attribute cultivation.

"Master Xuanzhenzi," Zhou Ning called softly.

Xuanzhenzi opened his eyes, saw Zhou Ning, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"Young Master Zhou? What brings you here? Please have a seat."

Zhou Ning sat down opposite him, took out the jade slip containing the [Fire Scripture] from his bag, and handed it to Xuanzhenzi.

"Master Xuanzhenzi, this is the [Fire Scripture] that I found in the ancient ruins of Flaming Mountain. It is the cultivation method practiced by the ancient fire god Zhurong. I would like to give it to you."

Xuanzhenzi took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. After a moment, his expression changed drastically.

"This...this is the Fire God's technique, of such high quality as never before seen. Young Master Zhou, this is too precious, this humble Taoist cannot accept it."

Zhou Ning shook his head:

"Master Xuanzhenzi, you cultivate fire-attribute techniques. Only when the Fire Scripture is in your hands can it exert its greatest effect."

"Moreover, you are an upright person with a firm belief in the Way, and I believe you will not use it to do bad things."

Xuanzhenzi remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Very well. I will accept it. Young Master Zhou, your kindness is immense, and I will never forget it."

Zhou Ning waved his hand: "Daoist Xuanzhenzi, you're too kind. We're friends, and friends don't need to stand on ceremony like this."

The two chatted for a while longer before Zhou Ning took his leave.

It was already evening when we returned to Lanruo Temple.

As soon as Zhou Ning entered the main hall, the communication jade talisman in his arms began to warm slightly.

He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Han Wei's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with anxiety.

"Young Master Zhou, something has happened in the East China Sea. In recent months, huge whirlpools have frequently appeared on the surface of the East China Sea, swallowing up passing ships. Fishermen dare not go out to sea, and the people along the coast are living in fear."

"The imperial court sent people to investigate, but they all returned empty-handed. Some say it's the work of a sea monster. I hope you can go and take a look."

Zhou Ning frowned.

East China Sea?

He had never been to the East China Sea and knew nothing about the situation there.

But since Han Wei had asked for help, he couldn't just sit idly by.

"Lord Han, I will go in a few days."

He put away the jade talisman and walked out of the main hall.

Yan Chixia was practicing his sword in the courtyard. When he saw him come out, he sheathed his sword.

"Are you planning to go to the East China Sea?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple wishes to go and take a look. The East Sea is part of the human world. If there are indeed demonic beasts causing trouble, this disciple cannot stand idly by."

Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then said:

"The East Sea is vast and teeming with monsters. Be careful going alone."

"I've heard that there's a dragon palace deep in the East Sea, where a vicious dragon lives, causing storms and waves. If you encounter it, don't fight it head-on."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

He returned to his lodgings and packed his bags.

The three flying swords, talismans, pills, and jade slips were all packed away one by one.

He also brought extra water-repelling beads, just in case.

The next morning, he left Lanruo Temple and headed to the East Sea.