Chapter 637

Chapter 637: Extreme Southern Fire Domain

Ye Yun rested for an entire night this time.

When he opened his eyes, he felt a rare sense of ease. Cultivators seldom needed sleep, especially after reaching the Golden Core stage. This was his first peaceful slumber outside closed-door cultivation in a long time.

Ye Yun smiled. “Ancestor, I’ve decided. I won’t visit the remaining three locations. If I’m to seek treasures, why not wander freely? It’ll be a pleasant change.”

“I thought you’d say something profound, but you’re just planning to laze around?” The Ancestor of the Sword Path snorted. “If you truly believe the dragon egg’s inheritance is too much to handle, don’t get ahead of yourself. A dead dragon egg offers limited legacy—at best, it might speed up your grasp of spatial laws. Did you actually expect ancient dragon techniques?”

“None at all?” Ye Yun chuckled, rubbing his nose.

“Of course not! Absorbing even one dragon incantation would drive you mad. Dreaming of wielding their power? Ridiculous!” The Ancestor scoffed at his carefree attitude.

“Then I’ll head to the Extreme Southern Fire Domain instead. There might be treasures aligned with my Fire Spirit Qi. It’s not too late to go now.” Realizing the complexity, Ye Yun’s figure flickered with white light as he teleported away using spatial laws.

The Extreme Southern Fire Domain teemed with Nascent Soul cultivators specializing in Fire Spirit Qi. Most had gathered here for the Xumi Treasure’s first five layers, drawn by fire-aligned treasures, heavenly materials, and superb-quality Immortal pills promising breakthrough enhancements.

Unlike the desolate Time and Space Hall, this domain bustled with activity. Some cultivators hawked wares from makeshift stalls, while others bartered random plants as “heavenly materials.” Transactions followed strict rules—no fights, only bids. Backed by their sects, none dared disrupt order here, where treasures lay abundant for those with luck.

Fire Spirits, born from a dormant volcano, roamed the land. Defeating them yielded Fire Crystals, which amplified Fire Spirit Qi and spiritual power—prized resources for fire cultivators. Controlled by Medicine King Valley, the domain enforced its monopoly: one Fire Crystal cost a hundred low-grade Immortal Spirit Stones, yet demand still outstripped supply.

Ordinary Fire Spirits rivaled Fourth Level Nascent Soul cultivators. Stronger ones required groups of peak Nascent Soul experts to subdue. Only Medicine King Valley could harvest them en masse.

Upon entering, Ye Yun felt his Fire Spirit Qi surge. The Ancestor of the Sword Path advised, “Mingle with the crowds first. Gather information—we’re newcomers here.”

Nodding, Ye Yun approached a packed auction site. Most Nascent Soul cultivators ignored his seventh-level Golden Core aura, but a Third Level Nascent Soul man sneered. As Ye Yun queued behind him, the man unleashed true qi to shove him away.

Ye Yun’s cold gaze scattered the attack effortlessly. The man paled, recognizing his error—this was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator. Rumors spoke of a youth matching Fifth Level Nascent Soul strength.

When Ye Yun vanished, the man sighed in relief—until a shadow materialized before him.

“We’ve no feud. Explain your attack,” Ye Yun demanded, gripping his collar.

Trembling, the man confessed, “I lost a Fire Crystal and my life-saving treasure to an ambush. Seeing your Golden Core aura, I… lashed out foolishly. Spare me!”

“Tell me of Fire Spirits and Crystals. If your words satisfy, I’ll let you live.” Ye Yun tossed him aside.

After the man spilled details, Ye Yun tossed him a low-quality Immortal artifact—a golden armor. “This compensates your loss. Cross me again, and you’ll regret it.”

As Ye Yun vanished, the man, Yang Li, claimed the armor and fled, marveling at his luck.

At the dormant volcano, ash blanketed the hundred-zhang-wide crater. Fire Spirits prowled below. A team of Nascent Soul cultivators battled one, a scarred man barking orders: “Wan Xue! Freeze it with your Ice Spirit Qi!”

Ye Yun watched indifferently. To him, their struggle resembled children playfighting. He could end it instantly but chose not to—whether they lived or died mattered little. His goals were Fire Spirit Grass and Crystals, not petty rivalries.

“Mercy to enemies is cruelty to oneself,” Ye Yun mused. He avoided conflict unless provoked, unlike Du Jianyin, who slaughtered freely. Critics called Ye Yun weak, Du Jianyin a demon—yet both choices held weight in the cultivation world.

The Ancestor remarked, “These Fire Spirits… ordinary spirits aren’t this fierce. Something’s amiss.”

“Xumi Daoist’s handiwork, no doubt,” Ye Yun said. “The volcano’s swarm grows endlessly. These cultivators will drown in them soon.”

“You plan to enter?”

“After preparing countermeasures. Let’s observe a while longer.”

Ye Yun’s gaze lingered on the struggling team, his mind already strategizing the plunge into the inferno.