Chapter 124

Chapter 124: Devouring the Heavenly Fire (1)

Just as Chang Xiang himself had speculated, when practicing the Devour Weapons cultivation method to elevate a magical weapon to a major rank, it was best to devour a super common weapon like the Divine Heavenly Weapons.

However, Divine Heavenly Weapons were rarely encountered and hard to obtain—how could one possibly find and successfully devour them so easily?

Therefore, Mr. Commoner found another possible substitute: heavenly fire!

Heavenly fire and Divine Heavenly Weapons appeared to be entirely different substances, but in reality, they shared many fundamental similarities.

The most basic being that both were naturally formed between heaven and earth, containing the energy of the cosmos.

In Mr. Commoner’s view, the Devour Weapons method ultimately consumed natural energies from the world.

So devouring heavenly fire and devouring Divine Heavenly Weapons should yield the same result!

There were eighteen known types of heavenly fire, each possessing unique characteristics.

After devouring them, cultivators could gain the traits of whichever heavenly fire they absorbed.

However, this was merely Mr. Commoner’s idea—he never continued his cultivation of Devour Weapons, so he couldn’t verify its truth.

Naturally, Mr. Commoner likely never imagined that his very disciple would coincidently practice the Devour Weapons cultivation method.

Thus, his unintended act back then had now conveniently aided his disciple.

Guided by Chang Xiang, Lou Yun indeed found records on Devour Weapons among the knowledge his master left behind.

Beyond what Chang Xiang had explained, they detailed an analysis of the method’s traits, strengths, and weaknesses.

After reading it, Lou Yun felt immensely enlightened—many previously confusing things suddenly made sense!

"Brother Chang, does that mean I can now devour Fusang Fire?"

To be honest, although Chang Xiang claimed to have found a solution, Lou Yun still felt uneasy.

After all, few ever practiced the Devour Weapons method, and now its approach was being altered to devour heavenly fire—even Mr. Commoner couldn’t predict the consequences!

Ultimately, Chang Xiang had no choice but to leave the decision to Lou Yun himself.

This time, Lou Yun barely hesitated—he immediately decided to start devouring heavenly fire.

His swiftness startled Chang Xiang, who hurriedly warned: "Boy, did you even think carefully? Listen, devouring heavenly fire has unpredictable outcomes. Your magical weapon might turn to ashes—and then you’re finished too!"

Lou Yun laughed heartily. "Brother Chang, don’t you understand my situation? For years, I’ve repeatedly faced choices like this. Do I look dead to you? Besides, I’m already at this point—no matter the dangers or hardships ahead, I must push forward. And both you and Master agree this method could work—what’s there to fear?"

Hearing this, Chang Xiang pondered briefly.

"You’re right. Then begin preparing to devour heavenly fire. But first, optimize your condition to its peak and find a secluded spot.

During devouring, there must be zero distractions. Xiao Huo and I will stay by your side."

Truthfully, Chang Xiang agreed partly because Xiao Huo—capable of devouring heavenly fire—was there.

If extreme danger struck during Lou Yun’s attempt, Xiao Huo could instantly consume the heavenly fire.

While Lou Yun might lose all his cultivation, his life would at least be spared!

So Lou Yun began preparing for his first heavenly fire devouring.

First, regulating his condition so his body and spiritual energy peaked—a process taking three days.

On the fourth morning, led by Fang Tong, Lou Yun specifically sought out Beichen Ming.

Seeing Lou Yun voluntarily visit him, Beichen Ming smiled brightly.

"Son, what brings you here? Struggling with forging weapons?"

Lou Yun hadn’t forged weapons those days.

"Elder Bei, it’s no forging problem. I intend to isolate myself to cultivate and enhance my powers. May I request the manor’s occupants avoid disturbing me?"

Beichen Ming laughed.

"Of course! Rest assured, I’ll ensure no one interrupts you. Seclude yourself in peace!"

Lou Yun smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Elder Bei."

After Lou Yun departed, Beichen Ming immediately summoned Dai Rong.

"Chief, what do you require?"

"Lou Yun enters seclusion for days—absolutely no disturbances allowed. Also, as a precaution, dispatch extra Heaven-level experts to guard him."

Dai Rong hesitated. "But Heaven-level experts protect you, Chief!"

Beichen Ming’s expression turned solemn.

"Remember this, Dai Rong—I’ve firmly decided to adopt Lou Yun as my foster son. Not only this title, all my legacy will one day be his. He cannot face any mishaps. Besides, who now dares provoke me? Assign two Heaven-level experts to protect him."

Dai Rong accepted the order. "Yes, Chief!"

Lou Yun remained unaware of Beichen Ming’s covert arrangements, though Chang Xiang perceived everything.

"This Beichen Ming truly values Lou Yun—deploying two Heaven-level experts whose cultivation actually reached Heaven-level realm, plus twelve Earth-level experts. Such protection is genuinely substantial!"

Returning to his room, Lou Yun shut the door and sat cross-legged, ready to devour heavenly fire.

A flame danced on his palm—this was no ordinary fire, but one bearing the seed of Fusang Heavenly Fire!

To have his magical weapon devour heavenly fire was akin to subduing it—both required swallowing the seed alongside the flames.

Lou Yun glanced at Chang Xiang opposite him. "Brother Chang, I’m starting."

Chang Xiang sat facing him, looking more anxious than Lou Yun himself. After pausing briefly, he nodded. "Yes, begin. Remember—caution!"

Lou Yun affirmed. "I promise."

He inhaled profoundly and opened his mouth, unexpectedly flinging the Fusang Fire inside.

Lou Yun gulped loudly, swallowing it whole.

Chang Xiang reacted instantly. "You—!" He shot to his feet, alarmed.

Lou Yun flashed a reassuring smile, then closed his eyes.

This devouring approach was Lou Yun’s own innovation, drawing from his method of absorbing beast soul energies—using the magical weapon to devour heavenly fire inside his dantian.

Since Lou Yun already mastered Fusang Fire, devouring it posed no harm regardless of location.

Chang Xiang had planned for Xiao Huo to eat Fusang Fire if emergencies arose.

But with Lou Yun choosing internal dantian devouring, Xiao Huo became redundant.

Everything now rested on Lou Yun himself.

Under Lou Yun’s control, Fusang Fire entered his dantian and halted mere inches from the Dream Emperor Sword.

Despite his outward calm, inner tension gripped him fiercely—his very life hung in the balance.

The Dream Emperor Sword had never contacted Fusang Fire, leaving Lou Yun clueless about their interaction.

After another hesitation, Lou Yun gritted his teeth and propelled Fusang Fire onto the sword!

Instantly, heart-wrenching, bone-deep agony erupted from his dantian, blazing across his entire body.

This suffering felt like his soul was burning. Lou Yun shuddered uncontrollably, a bloodcurdling cry torn from him!

The scream startled Chang Xiang and Xiao Huo—both leaped up, watching Lou Yun intently.

Lou Yun hadn’t imagined that mastering Fusang Fire didn’t prevent such unbearable heat and pain upon contact with the Dream Emperor Sword!

By now, Fusang Fire merged with the sword. Sensing peril, its flames flickered frantically—as if panicked.

Though dream Emperor Sword took sword form, its core remained an intangible entity, size-shiftable. Lou Yun had expanded it to minimize flame contact.

Still, the intense heat radiating from within felt torturous.

Clenching his jaw, Lou Yun endured and recited Devour Weapons incantations.

White light glowed around the Dream Emperor Sword. It suddenly contracted, beginning to devour Fusang Fire.

Past experiences devouring common weapons showed magical weapon spiritual energy twisting into potent vortices, using friction or rotation to forcibly dismantle the weapons.

Lou Yun assumed devouring heavenly fire worked similarly—its force destroying fire via vortex power.

Reality contradicted Lou Yun’s assumption. Although the spiritual energy vortex materialized rapidly and unleashed a powerful force, surging toward Fusang Fire like a frenzied beast to dismantle it, an unexpected scene unfolded.

The spiritual energy plunged straight into Fusang Fire’s core—as though the fire had absorbed it!